‘step off the slate’ by yamaha design lab
Thanks to advances in information technology, new music experiences and accessories have been offered by various smartphone applications in recent years. While these services are great for replacing traditional devices, Yamaha Design Laboratory believes that there is still a desire for more substantive and tactile interactions that cannot be achieved with touchscreen controls. Therefore, the creative team proposes four prototypes for new music devices that work symbiotically with smartphone apps: TurnT, Winder, MusicLight, and RhythmBot.
“If you listen to your favorite music, if you want some sweet background music before going to bed, if you want to play relaxing background music, or if you play guitar and want accompaniment to set the tempo – how would you like the music start?’ writes Yamaha† Read on to learn more about each gadget.
TurnT – place the stylus on the displayed vinyl to play
turn and winder
The first product from Yamaha Design Laboratory (see more here), TurnT, is a turntable for smartphones. Users place the stylus on their phone’s screen, which acts as a plate, so that music begins to play. They can then swipe up to change songs or albums, and even move the stylus. †The step of carefully placing the stylus over the record will bring back both nostalgia and solemn respect for the music you’re about to play,” shares the company.
Winder, meanwhile, is a key designed to function as a music box. When the key is wound, the song dialed on the smartphone starts playing. Sound movements are generated based on the flutter of spring, allowing users to enjoy the unique sound texture; interacting with the key can also lead to a more intimate musical experience.
the smartphone screen becomes a record
MusicLight and RhytmBot
On to the third product, MusicLight, Yamaha writes†Listen to music while staring into a candle flame. Light a candle to play music from your smartphone. The sound wavers subtly with the flicker of the flame, and as the flame goes out, the music fades with an afterglow. Like listening to a song around a campfire, the flame flickers in harmony with the sound, creating a rich atmosphere.’
Finally, the RhythmBot is an evolutionary form of metronome that supports performers as they play their instruments. The product features four small robots, each of which plays a unique acoustic sound. The bots can sync with a smartphone and tune in to the tempo played, or even guide the player in real time.
the Winder has a mainspring inside and syncs with a smartphone
like a music box the Winder plays as it spins
MusicLight
by lighting the candle, music starts to play from a smartphone
RhythmBot set focused on the player
project info:
name: Stepping off the slate
design: Yamaha Design Laboratory
designboom received this project from our DIY Submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. view more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: lea zeitoun | design tree