Otamatone from Maywa Denki (White)

Comment

Evelyn

Amazing at the office.

October 12, 2017

Color: English WhiteVerified Purchase

When I pitched the idea of getting this to my team, everyone let out a huge groan. Except for my manager. He asked what it was, and where he could get one. We have yet to play in a duet because /someone/ has been skipping practice, but I've been having a blast playing the national anthem, happy birthday, and the theme song of Game of Thrones on this. Just make sure not to annoy your co-workers /too/ much, or you might just find it broken in two soon...

12 people found this helpful

Don't let your memes be dreams

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lawrence

October 11, 2017

Color: Japanese WhiteVerified Purchase

Got this for my girlfriend, now she plays with it more than she plays with me (and she loves it more than me)

9 people found this helpful

Best impulse buy ever - Musician's perpective

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Kai Tawa

February 10, 2014

Color: Japanese WhiteVerified Purchase

My Otamatone arrived weeks before it was scheduled to and in perfect condition. Included from the seller (Japan Syndrome) was an adorable origami crane and a letter of thanks as well.

I am a professional music teacher, so I will include some musician-related thoughts on the Otamatone. First of all, this instrument is extremely difficult to play with any level of proficiency. It has no neck markings at all and it takes a good ear to find the right pitches. The scaling of pitches is similar to that of a stringed instrument, with physical space between notes decreasing as the pitch increases. The space between octaves decreases by about half on one range selection.

The timbre is best described through a visit to YouTube, but I could summarize it as a warm, harsh, almost overdriven sawtooth synthesizer tone.

The Otamatone does not appear to be dependent on a 12-tone chromatic scale, as quarter tones can be played. This too adds to the difficulty of the instrument. Mine has a very impressive range, as listed per "octave" switch. Low: D1-E3, Mid: C3-E5, High: F5-G7. The switch that governs range does not simply change the octave cleanly, as you can see.

The fingerboard/touchpad becomes more responsive and less rigid in pitch changes with more use, especially slow, connected glissandos along the neck. A very natural and expressive vibrato is possible with a bit of practice.

The instrument's true charm comes from its ability to lightly emulate the wah-wah effect produced by brass' mutes and guitarists' pedals. Not only is this interesting to listen to, but it is what makes the instrument so incredibly cute and funny! There is no way to overstate how cute this thing is. Dynamically, there is only a switch to control the volume, but the Otamatone's embouchure also governs volume quite noticeably.

My brother has the blue one, and there seems to be a slight difference in the details of range and neck feel. Nothing deal-breaking for me though.

I don't think I would ever seriously use the Otamatone in a live setting (unless I was playing something really strange or covering something as a gag), and it is a little bit pricey. However, it is addictingly fun to play to karaoke tracks and entertain friends. I actually plan on using it as a serious ear-training tool in private lessons, too because of the precision needed to play it correctly.

TL;DR- Very cute, hilarious beyond words, addictingly fun, but generally impractical as a serious musical instrument. Totally worth it, and do not regret buying.

136 people found this helpful

Definitely more of a toy than an instrument

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O'Bryan

July 11, 2017

Color: English WhiteVerified Purchase

I purchased the "English Version". The instrument is not very well made. Seams are wide and obvious, the plastic body feels cheap, and you have to press rather hard on the control strip for it to make any kind of sound. Additionally, the battery door does not match the dimensions of the rest of the device, leaving an annoying overhang that easily catches on things. I feel as if I have paid too much for this item at almost $30. $15 to $20 would be a more appropriate price point for this toy.
Other than those gripes, the device performs "as advertised", producing a goofy sound in any one of three different octaves, at two different volume levels.
Next time I'll buy the better version, as this one isn't suitable for making any music on due to how hard you have to press the control strip.

3 people found this helpful

P ShifTop Contributor: Fishing

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Neat little noisemaker

December 27, 2017

Color: English WhiteVerified Purchase

This may be the most annoying product ever invented from an adult perspective, but kids love it.

This was the only thing out daughter wanted for christmas. It is not a fancy model and sadly does not have earphone jacks, but it does what these things are supposed to do.

3 people found this helpful

Fun, but has its drawbacks

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Brant Martin

May 8, 2012

Color: Japanese White

Interesting toy. It was a challenge to figure out the exact spots on the neck to tune the notes, but fun, nonetheless.
I'd give it 5 stars, but when a couple friends and I tried to play Greensleeves, like in the product demo, a rift opened up between us and released the four horsemen of the apocalypse.

4/5 Fun toy, but brought the End Times >:(

606 people found this helpful

but once you turn it on it's easy to figure out how to play

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tori

December 7, 2017

Color: Japanese WhiteVerified Purchase

I bought this as a gift for my three year old nephew as he already had a full orchestra of kiddie instruments and the whole family loves it! The directions are only in Japanese, but once you turn it on it's easy to figure out how to play, and couldn't possibly be any cuter. The only thing I'd say is if you're getting it for one person, be prepared to buy one for everyone in the family (mom and dad spent a lot of time "testing" the otamatone as well) :)

2 people found this helpful

It’s fun to play and I can spend a lot of time on it.

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Five Stars

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Madison

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