Madwaves MP-5-US MadPlayer

by Madwaves

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1 x 4.5 inches ; 7.5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006OAJQ
• Item model number: MP-5-US
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,897 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The MadPlayer, the world's first all-in-one digital music maker, beat machine, music composer, and handheld studio, is by default the best in its class. It's also a lot of fun, offering the power to create and interact with your own beats, music, and songs. The MadPlayer generates unique, unlimited, copyright-free music of remarkably high sound quality that you can play with, change, listen to, and share with others. Using a sound bank of over 600 instruments and sounds, MadPlayer's unique, proprietary software (called Generative Music Algorithms, or GMA) helps you create limitless tunes in a range of styles and genres, including techno, house, garage, hip-hop, R&B, manga, ambient, and more. MadPlayer's intuitive button-and-joystick interface lets you be your own composer, DJ, or producer.

MadPlayer also happens to be a fully functional MP3 player with FM radio and karaoke abilities. It can store prerecorded music downloaded in all popular file formats, including MP3, WMA, and even MIDI. In the future, new versions of the MadPlayer's firmware (known as MadWare) may be downloaded to enhance the unit's features and capabilities. You needn't have had music theory or performance training to use the "generactive" music functions of the MadPlayer. Neither do you need a PC to operate, program, or compose with MadPlayer. Just turn it on and start making music! It's battery-powered for portable use using the included AA rechargeable batteries.

The package contains the MadPlayer, a headset with microphone, a USB cable, a 32 MB SmartMedia card with preloaded samples, MadWare software and user's manual (including studio demo software programs Cakewalk Sonar 2.0, GoldWave Sound Editor, Steinberg MyMP3, and IK Multimedia's T-RackS 24), and two AA rechargeable batteries with charger.

Product Description

Portable digital music player that creates unique music at the touch of a button / 20 different styles / MP3 Playback / FM Radio

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is one great piece of gear, November 7, 2002

By 

Chris (Campbell, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Madwaves MP-5-US MadPlayer (Electronics)

I actually did not know what to expect when I ordered it. From what I read I thought that it could be fun. I was expecting something a bit like a casio keyboard but, when I first opened the box I was at first impressed by the packaging and the quick start guide. I found that I had everything I need including hadset (with mic), batteries and charger. The charger is not great, a bit confusing at fist since its designed for 4 batteries, but after charging the batteries overnight I was ready to give it a go. My first impression was not that great, I did not know exactly what to do nor what to expect. I started by just playing with the DrumnBass style and working my way around the buttons seeing what each did. Several times I ended up in a help mode, but then easily found my way back again. After about 20 minutes I got the hang of operating in the different instrument lanes and subtunnels. At this point I thought I should read the manual to really find out about how everything works. The manual is probably one of the best written I have read. It is easy to follow and very detailed without being to technical. The manual really made a huge difference in my understanding of what the madplayer is capable of. There are many things in it that just are not mentioned in the companies website. Within a few hours of reading the manual and messing around I had pretty much got evrything I could do and then decided to really give the player a go. Forget the headset, it does not do the player justice, just plug it into your stereo system (I used a mini to RCA adapter) and play with it live and very loud. The sound quality is amazing. I have used some pro gear from roland and this thing sounds as good or better. As I played more I began to realize what this product is really about. I started to make songs that made me feel great, and they were my songs. I am not a professional musician so the power it put in my hands was enlightening. I also used a great feature which allows you to mix audio samples in ral time. The supplied audio samples are not all that great, but apparently they have a whole bunch of em on their web site. PLus you can make them yourself if you want to. So I made a few Jungle and Drumm&bass songs and thought I would test what I made on a few friends. I played back the songs on my stereo and did not tell any of them that I made them. They all asked me what the new CD was that we were listening to. When I told them I did the music they did not believe it. Overall, this is one great piece of gear. Yes, it does take some work to understand, and there are a few ennoying bits, like the charger and heatset, but overall this is a must have for anyone into music. It is a product that really can not be explained, but has to be expereinced to be appreciated.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A product every parent should look at, March 2, 2003

By 

Nelson Hynds (Lansing, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Madwaves MP-5-US MadPlayer (Electronics)

I think that it is a rare occurance when a manufacturer puts out an entertainment product that actually provides proactive stimulation and creative fun. MadPayer is just that, and more. I bought two for my children, one 9 and the other 13, because I hoped that it would get them away from playing mindless video games. This little device did that and much more. My boys now spend their free time making music and entertaining their friends as ossposed to being zombied out on playststion ( we just put our playststion up for sale on ebay). This is from one happy parent and two very happy boys. Thank you to the company that makes this product.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like a great wine....... Gets better with time, April 22, 2003

By 

David (Clearwater, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Madwaves MP-5-US MadPlayer (Electronics)

This is a product that keeps getting better and better with each upgrade that the company posts on its website for free. The last update turned it into a whole new product by letting me record my voice in realtime over the music and save on the smart media card. It is now as close to a portable recording studio as one can get. I am into making beats and rhyming over with my teenagers and with this product it is now so easy to do. Why am I writing a review, because my kids can not put it down long enough to write one on their own. We are talking of getting another one for an upcoming birthday present.

David "dubdub" Henderson