It’s a saxophone! It’s a tuba! It’s a clarinet! It’s a kazoo! It’s none of these — it’s Saxxy! I can’t possible top the ad copy to describe this, so let’s just read and enjoy:
“Saxxy™ is the fun new kazoo — a sophisticated electronic musical instrument that makes it easy for anyone to play a horn! All you do is hum into the mouthpiece and patented Vocolo™ technology responds with accurately synthesized digital sounds of a saxophone, a tuba or a clarinet. Just press a button to pick your horn . . .”
“With the graceful Saxxy in your hands, you’ll enjoy the satisfying feel of playing an actual instrument — intimately controlling the pitch and volume of notes with fine nuances of voice or humming . . . Select one of three lively synthesized backbeats.
. . . Generate sounds of bebop or big band, marching or Motown, swing or salsa, and more! . . .”
I bought one . . . so should you! (Yes, this has been around a while, via Sharper Image, but the good news — it’s on sale for US$15 via the link below.)
Saxxy [Sharper Image clearance sale]
(via the Aqualung tour log which has some other fun non-musical toys — yes, Aqualung endorses the pop-up hot dog cooker!
I'm tempted…don't suppose anyone has any sound samples of this thing?
I forwarded the link to my bandmates and they're conivnced my immortal soul is imperiled for even considering getting this thing.
Believe it or not, I have the willpower to avoid many things I blog. Not this time: because it has an audio out and only costs $15.
I'll be sure to post details once mine arrives. Sharper Image claims "low inventory" but I'll bet there are plenty of these floating around.
Of course, if I were a hardcore circuit bender, I'd be bending this in a second — but I prefer to do my 'bending' in software, so expect me to do a little Reaktor or Max mangling once I get the audio input plugged in. (Hopefully you can defeat the built-in speaker . . .)
This should be fun. I do live ambient improv with some other people every month in my town. Can't wait to plug this into some fx and then into my Bose PAS.
Hook this up to some sound effects and a good amp and it can be a blast.
I NEED A SAXXY!!! WHY CAN'T I FIND ONE??????
I got one of these at the thrift store today for 3 bucks, it's RAD. stereo out, holmes.
I was gonna bend it, but I don't have to.
Bought one on ebay new. $9.95. Well built and exudes quality. Tuba sounds excellent. Play that funky horn!
I'm amazed at how easy it is to play recognizable tunes just by humming. The Bosses 10th Avenue Freeze Out beckons!
Wicked.
not available from sharper image anymore. Anyone know another location?
There is a Saxxy for bid on ebay as I speak. Just enter Saxxy synthesizer kazoo Sharper Image in the search engine and it should pop up.