Playtime engineering Blipblox User manual

Quick Start Guide

The Blipblox, packaging, manual and logo are the intellectual properties of Playtime Engineering, LLC.

Playtime Engineering, LLC, 1459 18th St., #357, San Francisco, California, USA 94107

Designed in USA. Produced in China. www.playtimeengineering.com

CAUTION - ELECTRIC TOY: Not recommended for children under 3 years of age.

As with all electric products, precautions should be observed during handling and use to prevent electric shock.

This toy should be periodically examined for potential hazardous. Parts are to be repaired or replaced.

INTRODUCTION

Learning a musical instrument is a fantastic opportunity that all children should enjoy.

Whether it becomes a hobby for personal enjoyment, a way to entertain friends and family,

or a career, music skills can provide a lifetime of creative expression.

Advancements in technology mean that there are entirely new music learning tools that

didn’t exist even 20 years ago. “Instruments” now go beyond the violin, piano, guitar and

voice. Instead, these new sounds come from synthesizers, either in the form of classic

hardware keyboards, or advanced music production software. Every year electronic

music producers are pioneering new and exciting sounds unlike anything humans have

experienced before.

But the complexity of synthesis has limited how early children can start exploring this

technology. The concept of oscillators, lters, triggers and envelopes are not easily

explained to little kids. Many existing synthesis methods remain complicated, expensive and

contain small parts not safe for young children.

From its earliest conception, the Blipblox was designed to encourage anyone, especially

young children, to quickly start exploring electronic music and synthesis in a fun and easy

way.

Providing access to advanced synthesis tools to young children will provide the

fundamentals to produce electronic music. We hope the simplied design of the Blipblox will

encourage more children, even those who are very young, to embark on a lifetime of music

enjoyment.

This QUICK START GUIDE is designed to provide you with the basics to get started with your

Blipblox. When you’re ready, explore the BLIPBLOX ONLINE LEARNING TOOLBOX.

Learn More about Synthesizers and how they work in the

Blipblox Online Learning Toolbox at BLIPBLOX.COM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GETTING STARTED..................................................................................................................................... 1

GUIDE TO BUTTONS, KNOBS & LEVERS .............................................................................................4

HOW IT WORKS ......................................................................................................................................... 5

SIGNAL FLOW BASICS .............................................................................................................................. 7

SIGNAL FLOW & SYNTHESIS SCHEMATIC............................................................................................ 8

SPECIAL SETTINGS & MODES................................................................................................................. 9

WARRANTY - Purchases made in USA ...............................................................................................10

WARRANTY - Purchases made outside of USA ................................................................................11

GETTING STARTED

Included in this package

• Blipblox

• USB to 5.5 mm/2.1 mm 5 Volt DC Barrel Jack Power Cable

• Three (3) AA batteries

Compatible 3rd Party Components

• MIDI cord

• External MIDI keyboard

• External MIDI sequencer

WARNING: Audio Out jack not intended for headphone use. Like a real synthesizer, the Blipblox

produces dynamic sounds that can suddenly change volume. Because of this, using the Blipblox with

headphones is not recommended. The mono Audio Out jack is designed to be used with professional

recording equipment or an external speaker.

Getting the Blipblox ready to play

1. Peel the protective plastic lm from the faceplate.

2. Install batteries. The battery compartment is on the underside of the Blipblox. Use a Phillips screwdriver

to open the battery cover. Place batteries in the order indicated. Note: The Blipblox checks the status of

the batteries every time it is powered on. If the top left LED ashes yellow your batteries are running low.

Replace them soon. If the top left LED ashes red, your batteries are too low for the Blipblox to function.

Replace them, or switch to USB-DC adapter (see Step 3).

Battery warnings:

8Dierent types of batteries or new and used batteries are not to be mixed.

8Non-rechargeable batteries are not to be recharged.

8Rechargeable batteries are to be removed from the toy before being charged.

8Rechargeable batteries are only to be charged under adult supervision.

8Batteries are to be inserted with the correct polarity.

8Exhausted batteries are to be removed from the toy.

8The supply terminals are not to be short-circuited.

3. As an alternative, or if your batteries are low, you can use the USB-DC adapter. Plug the round side of the

adapter in the back of the Blipblox where you see “DC 5V 60mA” and the USB side into a USB adapter.

Note: Batteries do not need to be removed to use power adapter, but adapter will not charge batteries.

4. Press the red button on the back of the unit to turn on. Note: If no buttons are pushed, or no MIDI data is

received for 30 minutes, the Blipblox will automatically shut down to save power. Use the power switch to turn

the Blipblox o then on again to restart.

5. Now you’re ready to have some fun, pressing buttons, pulling levers and twisting knobs!

Learn More about the Blipblox Synthesis Engine in the

Blipblox Online Learning Toolbox at BLIPBLOX.COM

GUIDE TO BUTTONS, KNOBS & LEVERS

HOW IT WORKS

OSCILLATOR CONTROL 2 BUTTON selects the oscillator control #2

SNARE DRUM BUTTON plays a snare beat

RANDOMIZER BUTTON changes random parts of the music

FILTER CONTROL BUTTON changes the amount of modulation to the lter

LFO KNOB 1 changes the speed of low frequency oscillator #1

OSCILLATOR MODULATOR 1 KNOB changes the amount of modulation to the oscillator

MODULATION ENVELOPE ATTACK KNOB changes the rise time of the control envelope

OSCILLATOR MODULATOR 2 KNOB changes the amount of modulation to the oscillator

LFO 2 KNOB changes the speed of low frequency oscillator #2

TEMPO SEQUENCER LEVER changes the speed of the music

AMPLIFIER ENVELOPE RELEASE KNOB fades the sound

VOLUME KNOB makes the sound louder or quieter

FILTER LEVER makes the sound smoother

SEQUENCER BUTTON selects the melody

SOUND FREAK BUTTON adds something a bit freaky

KICK DRUM BUTTON plays a kick beat

OSCILLATOR CONTROL 1 BUTTON selects oscillator control #1

OSCILLATOR BUTTON selects the sound wave

Now that you know synthesizer basics and what each of the buttons and knobs on the Blipblox are for, you might be

wondering about what those colorful arrows mean. They represent what is called the signal ow, which powers the

“Blipblox Synthesis Engine.”

Signal ow is the path the electronic signals take through each of the lters, modulators and other controls on their

way to creating an audible sound. The Blipblox signal ow generally moves from the left of the box to the right.

There are three types of signals in the Blipblox:

• Musical Notes. Represented by the GREEN lines on the Blipblox.

The signal ow begins with the Sequencer which generates the musical notes. The Sequencer button selects

one of the melodies. The speed of the melodies is controlled by the Tempo Sequencer lever. The musical

notes then feed into the Oscillator.

• Audio Signals. Represented by the RED lines on the Blipblox.

The Oscillator uses the musical notes from the Sequencer to generate audio. The audio then ows into the

Filter which can further shape the tone of the sound. Finally, the audio leaves the Filter and goes into the

Amplier, then out to the speaker.

• Control Signals. Represented by the BLUE lines on the Blipblox.

The Control Signals are used to shape the tones of the sounds. There are three control signal generators:

Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) 1, LFO 2 and the Modulation Envelope. Any of these control signals can be

selected for use in the two Oscillator Modulators and the Filter Modulator.

SIGNAL FLOW BASICS

Learn More about Signal Flow in the

Blipblox Online Learning Toolbox at BLIPBLOX.COM

LFO1

LFO2

MOD ENV

LFO1

LFO2

MOD ENV

LFO1

LFO2

MOD ENV

LFO2

MOD ENV

ATTACK

AMP ENV

RELEASE VOLUME

FILTER

TEMPO

SEQUENCE

SEL

OSCILLATOR

OSC MOD1

SEL

OSC MOD2

SEL

FILTER

MOD SEL

OSC

MOD2

OSC

MOD1

MIDI

SIGNAL FLOW & SYNTHESIS SCHEMATIC

SPECIAL SETTINGS & MODES

The Blipblox comes loaded with several special settings and modes such as:

LED Brightness, LED Light Show, Maximum Volume & Auto-O Settings. We take our tag line “Synthesis for

All” seriously. We want the Blipblox to be accessible to all so we’ve developed a few features especially for

users with sensitivities to light or parents looking to set a maximum volume.

Midi Sequencer Features. Playing the Blipblox with an external MIDI device, such as a keyboard or sequencer.

Special Performance Modes. One of the features that makes the Blipblox a professional device are the

various Special Performance Modes. These modes were designed to allow you to have more control over the

Blipblox and its synthesis output. These include:



Parameter Display Mode

- In this mode, you can see the activity of all the envelopes and LFOs on the

LED display. You can also see all modulation selections for the oscillator and lter. This mode also shows

which oscillator modulation scheme is being used.



Drum Solo Mode

- In this mode, the sequencer stops playing the notes, but the drum sounds continue.

This can be used to make a dramatic pause in the music while the drums continue to play.



Sequencer Freeze Mode

- In normal operation, the Blipblox is always cycling through dierent sequencer

melodies and drum patterns. But if you hear a melody you really like, you can “freeze” it so it does not

automatically change to something else.



Sequencer O Mode

- This mode turns o the sequencer and the drum machine. This is what can be

used when the Blipblox is being controlled by an external keyboard or sequencer through MIDI.



Drum Tweak Mode

- This mode lets you change the drum sounds.

Bonus Waveform Mode. This mode allows you to access a secret stock of special sounds that were a little

too crazy to include in the default settings.

Learn More about accessing Special Settings & Modes in the

Blipblox Online Learning Toolbox at BLIPBLOX.COM

WARRANTY - Purchases made in USA

1. What is covered and for how long?

All products: Playtime Engineering, LLC (“Playtime Engineering”) warrants to the original purchaser that Playtime Engineering products and all other

accessories are free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for the period commencing upon the date of purchase

from an authorized Playtime Engineering dealer and continuing for the following period after that date for one (1) Year. Playtime Engineering warrants

factory-refurbished merchandise to be free of material and operational defects for a period of ninety (90) days from the original date of retail sale. This

refurbished merchandise warranty is not transferable.

2. What is not covered? This Limited Warranty is conditioned upon proper use of the product by the purchaser. This Limited Warranty does not

cover: (a) damage caused by improper installation or improper connection to any peripheral; (b) damaged caused by an external electrical fault; (c)

damage from use of parts not manufactured or sold by Playtime Engineering; (d) product purchased from anyone other than an authorized Playtime

Engineering dealer; (e) modications to product not approved in writing by Playtime Engineering; (f) equipment that has the serial number removed

or made illegible; (g) normal cosmetic and mechanical wear; (h) damage or loss during transit to an Authorized Playtime Engineering Repair Center;

(i) units that are purchased and/or located outside of the continental U.S.A.

3. What are Playtime Engineering’s obligations? During the applicable warranty period, Playtime Engineering will repair or replace, at Playtime

Engineering’s sole option, without charge to the purchaser, any defective component part of the product. To obtain service under this Limited

Warranty, purchaser must rst contact Playtime Engineering and obtain a return authorization number (RA#). Purchaser must then return the product

to Playtime Engineering in an adequate container for shipping, accompanied by product, the seller’s name and address. To obtain and RA# and

assistance on where to return the product, contact Playtime Engineering customer service at [email protected]. Upon receipt,

Playtime Engineering will repair or replace the defective product. Playtime Engineering may, at Playtime Engineering’s sole option, use rebuilt,

reconditioned, or new parts or components when repairing any product or replace a product with a rebuilt, reconditioned, new or comparable product.

Repaired products will be warranted for a ;period equal to the remainder of the original Limited Warranty on the original product or for 90 days,

whichever is longer. All replaced parts, components, boards, and equipment become the property of Playtime Engineering. If Playtime Engineering

determines any product is not covered by this Limited Warranty, purchaser must pay all parts, shipping, and labor charges for the repair or return of

such product.

4. What are the limits on Playtime Engineering’s liabilities? THE WARRANTIES GIVEN IN THIS LIMITED WARRANTY, TOGETHER WITH ANY

IMPLIED WARRANTIES COVERING PLAYTIME ENGINEERING PRODUCTS, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTIES OF

MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. EXCEPT

TO THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW, PLAYTIME ENGINEERING SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL,

CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, OR SIMILAR DAMAGES, LOSS OF PROFITS, DAMAGES TO PURCHASER’S PROPERTY OR INJURY TO

PURCHASER OR OTHERS ARISING OUT OF THE USE, MISUSE OR INABILITY TO USE ANY PLAYTIME ENGINEERING PRODUCT, BREACH

OF WARRANTY, OR NEGLIGENCE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PLAYTIME ENGINEERING’S OWN NEGLIGENCE, EVEN IF PLAYTIME

ENGINEERING OR ITS AGENTS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BROUGHT AGAINST PURCHASER BY

ANY OTHER PARTY. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS THE COMPLETE WARRANTY FOR PLAYTIME ENGINEERING PRODUCTS, AND IS

GIVEN IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTIES. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL NOT EXTEND TO EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. IF

ANY PORTION OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS ILLEGAL OR UNENFORCEABLE BY REASON OF ANY LAW, SUCH PARTIAL ILLEGALITY OR

UNENFORCEABILITY SHALL NOT AFFECT THE ENFORCEABILITY OF THE REMAINDER OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY WHICH PURCHASER

ACKNOWLEDGES IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE CONSTRUED TO BE LIMITED BY ITS TERMS OR AS LIMITED AS THE LAW PERMITS.

This Limited Warranty allocates risk of product failure between purchaser and Playtime Engineering, and Playtime Engineering’s product pricing

reects this allocation of risk and the limitations of liability contained in this Limited Warranty. The agents, employees, distributors, and dealers

of Playtime Engineering are not authorized to make modications to this Limited Warranty, or make additional warranties binding on Playtime

Engineering. Accordingly, additional statements such as dealer advertising or presentation, whether oral or written, do not constitute warranties by

Playtime Engineering and should not be relied upon.

5. How does state law apply to this warranty? SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATIONS OF INCIDENTAL OR

CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT

APPLY TO PURCHASER.

This Limited Warranty gives you specic legal rights. You may also have other rights, which vary from one jurisdiction to another.

1. Playtime Engineering, LLC (“Playtime Engineering”) warrants to the original purchaser that Playtime Engineering products are free from defects

in material and workmanship under normal use and service for the period commencing upon the date of purchase from an authorized Playtime

Engineering dealer and continuing for the following period of time after that date for one (1) Year.

2. This Limited Warranty is conditioned upon proper use of the product by the purchaser.

This Limited Warranty does not cover: (a) defects or damage resulting from accident, misuse, abuse, neglect, unusual physical or electrical stress,

modication of any part or the product, or cosmetic damage; (b) equipment that has the serial number removed or made illegible; (c) all plastic

surfaces and other externally exposed parts that are scratched or damaged due to normal use; (d) defects or damage from improper testing,

operation, maintenance, installation, adjustment, or service of the product.

3. During the applicable warranty period, Playtime Engineering will repair or replace, at Playtime Engineering’s sole discretion, without charge to

the purchaser, any defective component part of the product. Playtime Engineering may, at Playtime Engineering’s sole discretion, use rebuilt,

reconditioned, or new parts or components when repairing any product or replace a product with a rebuilt, reconditioned, new or comparable product.

4. THE WARRANTIES GIVEN IN THIS LIMITED WARRANTY, TOGETHER WITH ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES COVERING PLAYTIME ENGINEERING

PRODUCTS, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,

ARE LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW, PLAYTIME

ENGINEERING SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, OR SIMILAR DAMAGES, LOSS OF

PROFITS, DAMAGES TO PURCHASER’S PROPERTY OR INJURY TO PURCHASER OR OTHERS ARISING OUT OF THE USE, MISUSE OR

INABILITY TO USE ANY PLAYTIME ENGINEERING PRODUCT, BREACH OF WARRANTY, OR NEGLIGENCE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED

TO PLAYTIME ENGINEERING’S OWN NEGLIGENCE, EVEN IF PLAYTIME ENGINEERING OR ITS AGENTS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF SUCH

DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BROUGHT AGAINST PURCHASER BY ANY OTHER PARTY. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS THE COMPLETE

WARRANTY FOR PLAYTIME ENGINEERING PRODUCTS, AND IS GIVEN IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTIES. THIS LIMITED

WARRANTY SHALL NOT EXTEND TO EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. IF ANY PORTION OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS ILLEGAL OR UNENFORCEABLE

BY REASON OF ANY LAW, SUCH PARTIAL ILLEGALITY OR UNENFORCEABILITY SHALL NOT AFFECT THE ENFORCEABILITY OF THE

REMAINDER OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY WHICH PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE CONSTRUED TO BE LIMITED

BY ITS TERMS OR AS LIMITED AS THE LAW PERMITS.

This Limited Warranty allocates risk of product failure between purchaser and Playtime Engineering, and Playtime Engineering’s product pricing reects this

allocation of risk and the limitations of liability contained in this Limited Warranty. The agents, employees, distributors, and dealers of Playtime Engineering

are not authorized to make modications to this Limited Warranty, or make additional warranties binding on Playtime Engineering. Accordingly, additional

statements such as dealer advertising or presentation, whether oral or written, do not constitute warranties by Playtime Engineering and should not be

relied upon. This Limited Warranty gives you specic legal rights. You may also have other rights, which vary from one jurisdiction to another.

WARRANTY - Purchases made outside of USA

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