Ucreate Music

by Mattel

• Easy-to-use digital music-making system
• Allow kids to mix music just like a music producer
• Kids and teens can express themselves through creating their own songs
• Share creations with friends and update and explore new content on the music website at myucreate.com
• Build from a collection of tracks, special effects and filters from the huge online library

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11 x 3.4 x 11.3 inches ; 1.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0026523XE
• Item model number: N9496
• Manufacturer recommended age: 8 - 15 years
• Batteries 4 AA batteries required. (included)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,500 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #14 in Toys & Games > Electronics for Kids > Music Players & Karaoke
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (119 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

UCREATE Music: Ucreate Music is an easy-to-use digital music-making system that allows kids to mix music just like a music producer. Kids and teens can express themselves through creating their own songs, performances and re-mixes with the fun and innovative interface. They can record samples, mix and match loops, share creations with friends and update and explore new content on the music website at myucreate.com. Build from a collection of tracks, special effects and filters from the huge online library.

Product Description

U Create music is an easy-to-use digital music-making system that allows kids to become a professional music producer. Kids and tweens can express themselves though creating their own songs, performances and re-mixes with the fun and innovative interface. Tey can record samples, mix, and match loops, share creations with friends and update and explore new content on the music webiste a myucreate.ocm. Build from a collection of tracks, special effects and filters. Features: UCreate Music Mixer is Mac and PC compatible 8 FX/Filters 3 Backbeats (5 sec. each) 3 Riffs (5 sec. each) 3 Licks (5 sec. each) 3 Runs (5 sec. each) 2 voice files (5 sec. each) Touch Panel Interface USB Cable Internal Microphone Internal Speaker USB Mini Jack Stereo Out (connect speakers/headphones sold separately) Line-in (connect MP3 player sold separately) Mic-in (connect external microphone sold separately) Music Definitions: Back Beat: the entire instrumental, non-vocal layer of the songwhich is frequently based on a looped recording of a drum-rhythm. Riffs: a short, repeated, memorable musical phrase, often pitched low on the guitar, which focuses much of the energy and excitement of a rock song. Licks: a series of notes that is used in solos and melodies. Licks are usually single-notes rather than chords. Runs: this fills up the empty spaces of a song to keep the music going.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

253 of 260 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It slices, it dices July 8, 2009

By oakland_dad

Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

I'm a guitar player, and I got this after seeing the media coverage on this from CES. There is so much to this product, from mixing loops that are in the device, to sampling from the iPod, downloading new loops from the web, modifying the loops in realtime with the joystick using different built-in effects, to recording the entire performance of a song for playback like a sequencer (reminds me of playing back automation on a recording console).

The funny thing is just how easy it is to use, given all that power under the hood. My 5 and 8 year olds "got it" right away, and have had a blast with it. What I didn't realize initially is that you can listen to your iPod with it, and use the joystick effects to modify the songs in realtime. That by itself has had my kids enthralled for the past two evenings. [...]

130 of 135 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars for the young, and old. November 23, 2009

By L

Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

im a music gadget fan from many decades ago. this thing is 100% cool. it now sits right by many high dollar toys(korg kp3, kaossalator, roland 404 sampler, suzuki q chord)
another wesley willis idea from beyond.
very easy to operate,consisting of four banks, with three loops in each bank, each loop activated by pressing the corresponding button, you can use one loop per bank at a time, for a max of 4 loops and a sample to be used at one time. if i had to guess id say they have they have at least 50 loops or more that you can upload to they unit via the included usb. the loops range from rock, hip hop, country, and pop. from simple guitar licks, to 808 drum machine, to funky bass, to percussion,to organ and even sum banjo! lots of the loops are recording of real guitar and bass riffs. and it does they timing for you, maybe the best part is they effect knob, each way you press it, changes the sound, very cool idea for a guitar in in my mind. and makes the sound change, depending on the effect you have selected, from a couple of different delays, an echo, to flanger, to distortion, it also has pitch control or as some know it bpm. and then there is the sample function, which is 4 or 5 seconds, and it stores two at a time, you can loop the sample, or activate it by pressing the button.
the the portal of sounds couldnt be easier to use,simple drag and place. it also allows you to record your performance, up to 2 minutes and 30 seconds., and the songs can be pasted into media player and burned. when using good headphones, the sound quality from the machine is excellent(you really hear bass!). i have burned a couple songs from the ucreate, and played it on a couple different cd players, and was very surprised at the quality; im hoping they will give us more loops in the future, as the sampler is not as good of quality as the loops. truth is, put this thing in a better housing, allow custom loops to transfer, and a few more inputs and outputs(rca, 1/4, midi) and this thing could do some serious music.
but for what it is, and the age group intended for, you couldnt ask for anything more. i have said it many times, but never meant it this much, IF ONLY THEY HAD THAT WHEN I WAS A KID!!
if you want to go all out, get some good headphones (Sennheiser PX 100 Collapsible Headphones 38$ but worth it, the better the headphones the more they will use it, and these sound good and will fit young people) get a Multi Voice Changer by Toysmith(to have more sample options) 14$(9volt battery) great toy, dozens of sounds from microphone distort to alien. rechargeable AA batteries,(enloop work well) all sold by amazon with prime shipping
with these items, they will be able to sample, loop, and manupilate their music for months.

101 of 107 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Just AMAZING!! July 8, 2009

By JKB1969

Durability: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 3.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

This is one of those products that just gets more fun with every use. From the second I got it for my son, I wanted to play with it just as much. He is creating songs now and playing them for all of his friends and family. The best part of this, besides being able to sample parts of your songs on your MP3 player, is that you can download additional music packs online for free!! How often does a big company like Mattel do something for free? Awesome! It does have a lot of depth to it, and some is a little tricky, but once you get the hang of it, it is really simple and fun. Gotta go....a concert new is about to start :)