Launching and mass-producing an innovative electronic product often demands significant capital, for Playtime Engineering founders Troy and Kate Sheets, traditional VC funding wasn’t the right fit for their first-of-its-kind product, the Blipblox myTRACKS. Instead, they turned to Kickstarter, rallying their community to bring this unique music production toy to life.

The response was overwhelming, with the campaign reaching its goal in just 15 minutes and raising over $266k USD. This article explores the journey of Blipblox myTRACKS, the features that make it stand out, and the community support that made it all possible.

Blipblox myTRACKS: A Fast Breakdown

The Blipblox myTRACKS isn’t just another toy; it’s a full-fledged music production studio designed to be fun and accessible for all ages. Key features of the myTRACKS include:

  • Built-in Microphone for Sampling: Allows users to record their own sounds and incorporate them into their music.
  • Two FX Processors: Add effects to tracks, enhancing creativity.
  • Five Tracks: Users can create complex compositions with multiple layers.
  • 25 Playpads: Trigger over 50 real acoustic, electronic, and percussive instrument sounds.

These features make the myTRACKS a powerful tool for anyone looking to explore music production, whether they’re a seasoned musician or a curious beginner.

The Power of Community Support

For Playtime Engineering, a small two-person operation based in San Francisco, the journey to bring myTRACKS to market was fueled by the generosity and enthusiasm of their community. The Kickstarter campaign was a testament to this support, reaching its funding goal in 15 minutes. Throughout the one-month campaign, the total funds raised exceeded USD 266k.

Kate Sheets expressed her gratitude, saying, “As a small family business, we could not have brought this product to market without Kickstarter and our early backers. Bootstrapping and crowdfunding our business has allowed us the freedom to push the boundaries of creativity and create a line of products that playfully sit between instruments and toys. We are forever grateful to the supporters who took a chance on us and who share our passion for making music creation accessible and fun for all people of all ages.”

A Community Effort

Bringing the Blipblox myTRACKS to life wasn’t without its challenges. Manufacturing hardware for a full music production studio is no small feat, especially for a small team. However, with the funds raised through Kickstarter, Playtime Engineering was able to move forward with mass production and international distribution.

Troy Sheets shared his excitement, stating, “Thank you to everyone who has backed us in each step of our journey designing, manufacturing, and funding this project. We look forward to seeing myTRACKS in the hands of our supporters and begin hearing the awesome sounds and tracks created by the community.”

Final production of the Blipblox myTRACKS is set to begin in August, with the first units scheduled to ship to customers in November. This timeline ensures that backers will soon experience the joy and creativity that myTRACKS promises to deliver.

FAQs

What is Blipblox myTRACKS? Blipblox myTRACKS is a unique music production toy designed to be accessible and fun for all ages. It features a built-in microphone for sampling, two FX processors, five tracks, and 25 playpads that trigger over 50 instrument sounds.

How was Blipblox myTRACKS funded? Blipblox myTRACKS was funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign that reached its goal in 15 minutes and raised over $266k USD in one month.

When will Blipblox myTRACKS be available? Final production begins in August, with the first units expected to ship to customers in November.

Who are the founders of Playtime Engineering? Playtime Engineering was founded by Troy and Kate Sheets, a husband-and-wife team based in San Francisco. They are committed to creating innovative products that blend the worlds of instruments and toys.

What makes Blipblox myTRACKS unique? Blipblox myTRACKS stands out due to its comprehensive features that include a built-in microphone for sampling, two FX processors, five tracks, and 25 playpads with over 50 instrument sounds, making it a full music production studio in a toy format.

The success of Blipblox myTRACKS on Kickstarter is a testament to the power of community support and innovative thinking. For Playtime Engineering, this journey has been about more than just bringing a product to market; it’s been about making music creation accessible and fun for everyone. As production begins and the first units prepare to ship, the excitement among backers and the founders is palpable. With the Blipblox myTRACKS, Playtime Engineering is set to inspire a new generation of music enthusiasts.

The post Blipblox myTRACKS: Crowdfunding Success and the Journey Ahead appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.