Cool acoustic device that's fun and intuitive to use to make all kinds of authentic sounds. However, it definitely requires effects to get the most out of it, and the build could be better.
On its own the dry sound isn't all that interesting. I raided my kitchen and maintenance cupboard and tried all kinds of utensils and materials. Sadly. most of them ended up producing the same sounds.
However, add some effects like reverb and bitcrusher and you'll hear a whole new world. If the device had some nice built in effects, that could've really sweetened the deal.
I liked the springs and tunable kalimba. The sandpaper might get some gritty sounds, but it will also erode whatever you may be using on it. The metal rods gave me nice tuned sounds at first, but I got just a tiny bit aggressive knocking on them, and now they don't produce the same sound and are on the verge of falling. I think it's because the little hole where they are put in the wooden box grew a little bigger and that has messed things up. I really wish the material was more sturdy. The whole box feels like it would break apart if it fell down, so treat it gently.
I also don't understand why the device can only be battery powered. I would've appreciated a USB connection to power it, so that it would be more sustainable. There are also extra packs that you can buy with some springs and a bow, but wouldn't it be nice if this was included in the price? Or at least bought as a combo for a friendly price?
Still, I'm looking forward to using this box in my productions next to my synthesizers and finding new ways to produce unusual sounds with it that I wouldn't have thought of.
