Beat Blox, A Clever System That Uses Wooden Blocks Placed on Turntables to Create Simple Beats

Beat Blox is a clever system for creating simple beats developed by Swedish designer Per Holmquist that utilizes small wooden blocks placed on a turntable. The faux record player’s arm uses a proximity sensor to detect when a block passes beneath it, creating one of a number of synthesized sounds. Holmquist’s current system utilizes three turntables programmed to play bongo, bass, and snare drum sounds, respectively, all turning at the same speed, so the beats are always in sync.

Beat Blox

Beat Blox

Beat Blox

images via Per Holmquist

via The Kid Should See This

Brian Heater
Brian Heater