INCREDIBOX

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest human beatbox ensemble involved 1,246 participants and was achieved by Vineeth Vincent and Christ University in Bengaluru in 2011. But, now, whether you are an amateur, a seasoned DJ, recording artist or someone trying to create music to pass time, a web based application tool called Incredibox can help you become the conductor of your own online army of beatboxers without the hassle of arranging a collaborative or being well versed in music sequencer softwares.

The first version of the site launched in august 2009, and was rewarded, upon its release with a FWA (Favourite Website Awards). Currently it operates on its newer, 2.0 version with game play improvements and new sounds that have a worldwide fan following of over 4,720,000 users.

The Creators: Incredibox is an original idea, created by the graphic design & mixed media studio So Far So Good and musician Incredible Polo.

How it works: The application was created to feature different songs by Incredible Polo, whose bandcamp.com page says that his genre encompasses ‘beatbox, alternative, hiphop, folk, rock, and soul’. The application works on the same premise and creates an all vocal, one man band in the style of Bobby McFerrin, that allows users to remix their tunes using an interface that is made up of beatbox characters in distinctive guises that represent a different effect, beat, melody, chorus, or voice. On closer inspection the characters somewhat resemble the keys of a piano and permit the users to express their musicality by recording their original compositions and sharing them with others via social media.

FYI: Incredibox, though, is no ordinary music mixer. The application is also an online game, requiring the players to unlock the right combination of beats to get to the next level. But unlike other virtual games, the players do not have any chance to fail because one can never create a messed-up song regardless of whether the players know a single thing about tempo or not. This is because the beatboxer’s sounds load at perfect timing and harmonize with the rest of the beatboxers that have lined up before them._

The 2.0 version was first introduced at the Design Map exhibition at the Cité du Design, Saint-Étienne, France, from Oct 20, 2011 to March 18, 2012 and since the exhibit has gone live.

By: Tanvi Chug
Follow me on Twitter: @Chimerical_T