Combining on-screen games with the hard graft of learning to play an instrument can add fun to the process, but it can also help with creativity. To that end, Endlesss launched the Beat Machine. This is a full-size arcade machine that rocks collaborative music-making tools.
The company has been testing the waters of “the world’s first beat-making arcade machine” at special events in London, New York and Lisbon last year, and has already provided a custom prototype to pioneer and former NBA player Baron Davis. doing. The artist’s girlfriend, Imogen Heap, is also one of her early winners.
“The beat machine is like a portal into the flow state,” says Heap. “The place where I do my musical quest is incredible. The only thing I would ask Endlesss is probably if it has a feature that automatically turns off before 3am. No And I can’t sleep at all!”
Launch Edition units are available for pre-order now and will be limited to just 25 units, priced at US$9,999 each.
Endless FM
A full-size music-making arcade machine welcomes user interaction with a 24-inch touchscreen display. Below are a number of arcade buttons for navigation, as well as a joystick and a 5-inch contextual touchscreen.
Three “play” modes are available, two for public and one for private. Arcade mode offers “game-like music-making missions” to keep visitors entertained at the groovy pad. Open mic mode invites musicians to log in using their smartphones and utilize the Endlesss app and social networking in addition to live music creation tools.
Studio Mode makes music production personal and allows arcade machines to be integrated into an artist’s studio setup. “Host VST3 plugins, connect acoustic instruments, map MIDI controllers, collaborate live with other musicians around the world, and/or play audio from other devices via companion iOS and MacOS apps. Export.”
Endless FM
The unit comes with a “huge library of built-in sounds” and can play well with any software, hardware or acoustic instrument. In addition to its own speaker system, it features low-latency audio in and out via XLR/jack instrument inputs, MIDI-compatible USB ports, and TRS audio outputs.
Endless founder Tim Exile said, “Nowadays, each beat machine is handcrafted with a lot of love and custom components, which is why we showcase a small number of units as premium collector’s items. “This is 25 people receiving the first-ever Beat Machines and becoming part of the Genesis story, our journey to transform music from a product we consume alone into an activity that brings us together online, in real life. It’s an opportunity to support the mission, in real time.”
The 25 Launch Edition Beat Machines are currently available for pre-order at $9,999 each. Endlesss is committed to over-the-air firmware updates for the life of the product. He can see and hear one in use in the video below.
Beat Machine Session: Melvilous – Summerhouse
Product Page: Beat Machine
