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A '''soundbox''' is an electronic gadget containing a memory device that records one or more sound clips and plays them back on demand, allowing for audible explosions, beep-wheedles, and "I am [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys|Optimus Prime]]".
A '''soundbox''' is an electronic gadget containing a memory device that records one or more sound clips and plays them back on demand, allowing for audible explosions, beep-wheedles, and "[[:File:I am Optimus Prime.jpg|I am Optimus Prime.]]"


A soundbox is a self-contained unit containing batteries, electronics, and speaker, which makes it simple to install in a toy -- all the designer needs is to allow space and a grille for the speaker. On the other hand, a soundbox is relatively large as [[Gimmick|gimmicks]] go, and requires a fair amount of dedicated space.
A soundbox is a self-contained unit containing batteries, electronics, and speaker, which makes it simple to install in a toy—all the designer needs is to allow space and a grille for the speaker, and make sure there's a way to get to the batteries in one of the toy's modes. On the other hand, a soundbox is relatively large as [[gimmick]]s go, and requires a fair amount of dedicated space.


As with all electronics, soundbox technology has improved notably in the last twenty plus years. Toys featuring soundboxes during the 1980s usually also had to make space for a relatively large <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PP3_battery" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:PP3_battery">nine-volt battery</a> and the snap connectors that went with it. Modern soundboxes are now powered by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/button_cell" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:button_cell">button cell</a> batteries, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AAA_battery" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:AAA_battery">AAA batteries</a>, or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AA_battery" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:AA_battery">AA batteries</a>.
As with all electronics, soundbox technology improved over the decades. Toys featuring soundboxes during the 1980s usually also had to make space for a relatively large {{w|PP3 battery|nine-volt battery}} and the snap connectors that went with it. Modern soundboxes are now powered by {{w|button cell}} batteries, {{w|AAA battery|AAA batteries}}, or {{w|AA battery|AA batteries}}. Soundboxes have also become somewhat cheaper to manufacture, given their very sparse use in lines previous to [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|2002]]. During Armada and after, the boxes became a common feature on larger figures.


Soundboxes have also become somewhat cheaper to manufacture, given their very sparse use in lines previous to [[Armada (franchise)|2002]].  During Armada and after, the boxes became a common feature on larger figures.
Because of all these electronic whiz-bang doohickeys involved in their function, it is not uncommon to see one or more [[light-emitting diode]]s wired into the board.  


Because of all these electronic whiz-bang doohickeys involved in their function, it is not uncommon to see one or more [[Light-emitting diode|light-emitting diodes]] wired into the board.
==Toys utilizing soundboxes==
 
{{collist|2|
 
;1985
==Toys Utilizing Soundboxes==
*[[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Shockwave]]
1985
;1986
 
*[[Galvatron (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Galvatron]]
 
*[[Talkformers]] [[Galvatron (G1)/toys#Talkformers|Galvatron]]
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]
;1993
 
*[[Megatron (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Megatron]]
1986
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Optimus Prime]]
 
*[[Ramjet (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Ramjet]]
 
*[[Starscream (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Starscream]]
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]
;2000
 
*[[Size class|Supreme Class]] [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMSupreme|Cheetor]]
1993
;2001
 
*[[Optimus Prime (RID)#Toys|Optimus Prime]]
 
*[[Ultra Magnus (RID)#Toys|Ultra Magnus]]
* [[Megatron (G1) toys|Megatron]]
;2002
* [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Star Saber (Armada)#Merchandise|Roleplay Dark Saber]]
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]
*[[Jetfire (Armada)#Toys|Jetfire]]
* [[Starscream (G1) toys|Starscream]]
*[[Laserbeak (Armada)#Toys|Laserbeak]]
 
*[[Megatron (Armada)/toys#Armada|Megatron]]
2000
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Armada|Optimus Prime]]
 
*[[Red Alert (Armada)#Toys|Red Alert]]
 
*[[Scavenger (Armada)#Toys|Scavenger]]
* [[Cheetor (BW)|Supreme Cheetor]]
*[[Star Saber (Armada)#Merchandise|Roleplay Star Saber]]
 
*[[Starscream (Armada)/toys#Armada|Starscream]]
2001
;2003
 
*[[Kmart]] [[exclusive]] [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#MatrixMultipack|Battle for the Matrix Optimus Prime]] and [[Jetfire (Armada)#MatrixMultipack|Jetfire]] [[Giftset|two-pack]]
 
*[[Sam's Club]] exclusive [[Optimus Prime (RID)#Universe (2003)|Optimus Prime]]
* [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]]
*Sam's Club exclusive [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#Universe (2003)|Ultra Magnus]]
* [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]]
*[[Toys"R"Us]] exclusive [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Air Attack Optimus Primal]]
 
*[[Megatron (Armada)/toys#ArmadaGalvatron|Galvatron]]
2002
*[[Overload (Armada)#Toys|Overload]]
 
*[[Powerlinx]] [[Jetfire (Armada)#Powerlinx|Jetfire]]
 
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Powerlinx|Powerlinx Optimus Prime]]
* [[Dark Saber|Roleplay Dark Saber]]
*[[Red Alert (Armada)#Powerlinx|Powerlinx Red Alert]]
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]]
*[[Skywarp (Armada)#Toys|Skywarp]]
* [[Laserbeak (Armada)|Laserbeak]]
*[[Thundercracker (Armada)#Toys|Thundercracker]]
* [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]
;2004
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada) toys|Optimus Prime]]
*Sam's Club exclusive [[Starscream (Armada)/toys#VsProwl|Starscream]] and [[Prowl (Energon)#VsStarscream|Prowl]] two-pack (Starscream only)
* [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]]
*Toys"R"Us exclusive Powerlinx [[Megatron (Armada)/toys#TRUvsOptimus|Megatron]] Vs Powerlinx [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#OprimusMegsTRU|Optimus Prime]] two-pack
* [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]]
*[[Bulkhead (Energon)#Toys|Bulkhead]]
* [[Star Saber (Armada)|Roleplay Star Saber]]
*[[Cliffjumper (Energon)#Toys|Cliffjumper]]
* [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]
*[[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]]
 
*[[Jetfire (Armada)#Energon|Jetfire]]
2003
*[[Landmine (Energon)#Toys|Landmine]]
 
*[[Megatron (Armada)/toys#Energon|Megatron]]
 
*[[Tidal Wave (Armada)#Mirage|Mirage]]
* K-Mart [[Optimus Prime (Armada) toys|Gold Optimus Prime]] and [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] two-pack
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Energon|Optimus Prime]]
* Sam's Club [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Scorponok (Energon)#Toys|Scorponok]]
* Sam's Club [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]]
*[[Shockblast#Toys|Shockblast]]
* Toys 'R' Us [[Optimus Primal|Air Attack Optimus Primal]]
*[[Treadbolt#Toys|Treadbolt]]
* [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]
*[[Ultra Magnus (Energon)#Toys|Ultra Magnus]] with [[Space Mini-Con Team#Energon|Space Mini-Con Team]]
* [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]]
;2005
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Powerlinx Jetfire]]
*[[Beachcomber (Energon)#Toys|Beachcomber]]
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada) toys|Powerlinx Optimus Prime]]
*[[Dreadwing (Energon)#Toys|Dreadwing]]
* [[Red Alert (Armada)|Powerlinx Red Alert]]
*[[Megatron (Armada)/toys#Ultra|Galvatron]]
* [[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]]
*[[Ironhide (Energon)#Toys|Ironhide]]
* [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Landquake (Energon)#Toys|Landquake]]
 
*[[Omega Sentinel (Energon)#Toys|Omega Sentinel]]
2004
*[[Omega Supreme (Energon)#Toys|Omega Supreme]]
 
*[[Overcast (Energon)#Toys|Overcast]]
 
*[[Quickstrike (Energon)#Toys|Quickstrike]]
* Sam's Club [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] and [[Prowl (Energon)|Prowl]] two-pack
*[[Six Shot (Energon)#Toys|Six Shot]]
* Toys 'R' Us [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] two-pack
;2006
* [[Bulkhead (Energon)|Bulkhead]]
*[[BotCon 2006]] Exclusive [[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]] [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Timelines|Optimus Primal]]
* [[Cliffjumper (Energon)|Cliffjumper]]
*[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20thDVD|Optimus Prime 20th Anniversary DVD Edition]]
* [[Ironhide (Energon)|Iron Hide]]
*[[Costco]] exclusive [[Optimus Prime (RID)#Cybertron|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#Cybertron|Ultra Magnus]] two-pack
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]]
*[[Crumplezone (Cybertron)#Toys|Crumplezone]]
* [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]]
*[[Scorponok (Energon)#Cybertron|Dark Scorponok]]
* [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]
*[[Jetfire (Armada)#Cybertron|Jetfire]]
* [[Tidal Wave|Mirage]]
*[[Overhaul (Cybertron)#Toys|Leobreaker]]
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada) toys|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Megatron (Armada)/toys#Cybertron|Megatron]]
* [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]]
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Cybertron|Optimus Prime]]
* [[Shockblast (Energon)|Shockblast]]
*[[Scourge (Cybertron)#Toys|Scourge]]
* [[Treadbolt]]
*Supreme Class [[Starscream (Armada)/toys#Supreme|Starscream]]
* [[Ultra Magnus (Energon)|Ultra Magnus with Space Mini-Con Team]]
*[[Vector Prime#Cybertron|Vector Prime]]
 
*[[Primus#CybG1|Primus]]
2005
;2007
 
*[[Scourge (Cybertron)#Cryo|Cryo Scourge]]
 
*[[Crumplezone (Cybertron)#Dark|Dark Crumplezone]]
* [[Beachcomber (Energon)|Beachcomber]]
*[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)#Takara Galaxy Force toyline|Galaxy Force]] Optimus Prime
* [[Dreadwing (Energon)|Dreadwing]]
*Galaxy Force Vector Prime
* [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]
*[[Megatron (Armada)/toys#CybGalvatron|Galvatron]]
* [[Ironhide (Energon)|Energon Iron Hide]]
*[[Menasor (Cybertron)#Toys|Menasor]]
* [[Landquake (Energon)|Landquake]]
*[[Metroplex (Cybertron)#Toys|Metroplex]]
* [[Omega Sentinel (Energon)|Omega Sentinel]]
*[[Nemesis Breaker#Toys|Nemesis Breaker]]
* [[Omega Supreme (Energon)|Omega Supreme]]
*[[Jetfire (Armada)#SkyShadow|Sky Shadow]]
* [[Overcast (Energon)|Overcast]]
*[[Wing Saber (Energon)#toys|Wing Saber]]
* [[Quickstrike (Energon)|Quickstrike]]
*Leader Class [[Brawl (Movie)#Leader Class toys|Brawl]]
* [[Six Shot]]
*[[Brawl (Movie)#LeaderDeepDesert|Desert Attack Brawl]]
 
*Leader Class [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#Leader Class toys|Megatron]]
2006
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Leader Class toys|Optimus Prime]]
 
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#USNightwatch|Nightwatch Optimus Prime]]
 
;2008
* Costco [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] two-pack
*[[Premium Series]] Leader Class [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#PremiumLeader|Megatron]]
* [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]]
*Premium Series Leader Class [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#PremiumLeader|Optimus Prime]]
* [[Scorponok (Energon)|Dark Scorponok]]
*Toys"R"Us exclusive [[Jetstorm (Movie)#Toys|Jetstorm]]
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]]
*[[Wingblade#Toys|Wingblade]]
* [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]]
*[[Inferno (Movie)#Transformers (2007)|Inferno]]
* [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]
*[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe (2008)]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Generation 1 Series|Generation 1 Series Optimus Prime]]
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]
*Ultra Class [[Onslaught (G1)#Uni08Ultra|Onslaught]]
* [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]]
*[[Powerglide (G1)#Universe (2008)|Powerglide]]
* [[Starscream (Armada)|Supreme Starscream]]
*Ultra Class [[Silverbolt (G1)#Universe (2008)|Silverbolt]]
* [[Vector Prime]]
*[[Storm Cloud (G1)#Universe (2008)|Storm Cloud]]
* [[Primus]]
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys#Roll Out Command|Roll Out Command Optimus Prime]]
 
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)#Leader Class|Leader Class Bulkhead]]
2007
*Leader Class [[Megatron (Animated)#Leader Class|Megatron]]
 
*Leader Class [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)#Toys|Ultra Magnus]]
 
;2009
* [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Cryo Scourge]]
*Leader Class [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#ROTFleader|Optimus Prime]]
* [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Dark Crumplezone]]
*Leader Class [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#ROTFleader|Megatron]]
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada) toys|Galaxy Force Optimus Prime]]
*[[Power Bots]] [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#Power Bots|Megatron]]
* [[Vector Prime|Galaxy Force Vector Prime]]
;2010
* [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]
*[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers (2010)]] Leader Class [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#2010leader|Optimus Prime]]
* [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]]
*Leader Class [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#LeaderShadowCommand|Shadow Command Megatron]]
* [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]]
*Transformers (2010) Leader Class [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#Transformers (2010)|Starscream]]
* [[Nemesis Breaker]]
;2011
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Sky Shadow]]
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Ultimate|Ultimate Optimus Prime]]
* [[Wing Saber]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#lastshot|Last Shot Optimus Prime]]
* [[Brawl (Movie)|Leader Class Brawl]]
*[[Chase (RB)#Electronic|Chase]]
* [[Brawl (Movie)|Desert Attack Brawl]]
*[[Heatwave (RB)#Electronic toys|Heatwave]]
* [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]
;2012
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]] Leader Class [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#Generations|Starscream]]
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Nightwatch Optimus Prime]]
;2013
 
*Titan Class [[Metroplex (G1)#Generations|Metroplex]]
2008
*[[Kenzan#Go.21|Kenzan]]
 
*[[Gekisoumaru#Go.21|Gekisoumaru]]
 
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#EnergizeElectronicOP|Energize Electronic Optimus Prime]]
* [[Megatron (Movie)|Premium Megatron]]
;2014
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Premium Optimus Prime]]
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Lost Age Series|Battle Command Optimus Prime]]
* [[Jetstorm (Movie)|Jetstorm]]
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Exprime|Optimus Exprime]]
* [[Wingblade]]
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#ElectronicPrimal|(Rescue Bots) Optimus Primal]]
* [[Inferno (Movie)|Inferno]]
;2015
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]]
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Adventure|Optimus Prime]]
* [[Powerglide]]
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#TAV33|Optimus Prime Supreme Mode]]
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Utra Class Silverbolt]]
;2016
* [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]]
*[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]] Year of the Monkey [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Generations|Optimus Primal]]
* [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Roll Out Command Optimus Prime]]
*[[Cerebros (G1)#Generations|Cerebros]]
* [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Leader Class Bulkhead]]
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Power Surge|Power Surge Optimus Prime]] & [[Aerobolt#Robots in Disguise (2015)|Aerobolt]]
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Earth Mode Megatron]]
*[[Starscream (WFC)#PowerHeroes|Power Surge Starscream]]
* [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]]
;2017
 
*[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]] [[Megatron (G1)/toys#MP36|36 Megatron]]
==Trivia==
*[[Transformers Movie The Best|Movie The Best]] Leader Class [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#MB11|Optimus Prime]]
[[Image:Speaker.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Starscream feels empty inside.]]
*[[2017#AllSpark_Tech_figures|Allspark Tech]]
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Generation 1 Shockwave]] was the first ''Transformers'' toy to feature electronic sounds.
** [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Allspark Tech|Optimus Prime]]
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Reissue Galvatron's]] soundbox was upgraded to use AA batteries instead of the original's nine-volt.
** [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#ATShadowSpark|Shadow Spark Optimus Prime]]
* [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave's]] Armada box noted that he had electronic sounds.  He did not.  Bummer.
** [[Sqweeks#Allspark_Tech|Sqweeks]]
* [[Starscream (Armada)|Cybertron Voyager Starscream]] was designed with a soundbox in mind (even including the requisite speaker and battery brackets when you crack one open), but the final Hasbro and Takara versions have no electronics.  Again, bummer.
;2018
*Masterpiece [[Megatron (G1)/toys#MP36Plus|36+ Megatron]]
;2019
*Masterpiece [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Masterpiece|43 Megatron (Beast Wars)]]
*Masterpiece [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary.2FMasterpiece|44 Optimus Prime]]
;2023
*[[Optimus Primal (ROTB)#CommandAndConvert|Command and Convert Optimus Primal]]
;2024
*[[Agent Knight]]
*[[Optimus Prime (One)#PowerFlip|Power Flip Optimus Prime]]
;2025
*[[LEGO]] [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#LEGO|Soundwave]]
*[[Scorponok (Cyberworld)|Scorponok]]
;2026
*[[Bumblebee (Cyberworld)|Bumblebee]] Power Spark
}}


==Notes==
[[File:Starscream soundbox.jpg|right|upright=0.85|thumb|Starscream feels empty inside.]]
*[[Galvatron (G1)/toys#PurpleReissue|Reissue Galvatron]]'s soundbox was upgraded to use AA batteries instead of the original's nine volt PP3s.
*[[Tidal Wave (Armada)#Toys|Tidal Wave]]'s Armada box noted that he had electronic sounds. He did not - which was a good decision for a boat toy kids might [[Play pattern|take in the tub]].
*[[Starscream (Armada)/toys#Cybertron|Cybertron Voyager Starscream]] was designed with a soundbox in mind (even including the requisite speaker and battery brackets when you crack one open), but the final Hasbro and Takara versions have no electronics.


[[Category:Gimmicks]]
[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Gimmicks]]

Latest revision as of 21:27, 16 February 2026

A soundbox is an electronic gadget containing a memory device that records one or more sound clips and plays them back on demand, allowing for audible explosions, beep-wheedles, and "I am Optimus Prime."

A soundbox is a self-contained unit containing batteries, electronics, and speaker, which makes it simple to install in a toy—all the designer needs is to allow space and a grille for the speaker, and make sure there's a way to get to the batteries in one of the toy's modes. On the other hand, a soundbox is relatively large as gimmicks go, and requires a fair amount of dedicated space.

As with all electronics, soundbox technology improved over the decades. Toys featuring soundboxes during the 1980s usually also had to make space for a relatively large nine-volt battery and the snap connectors that went with it. Modern soundboxes are now powered by button cell batteries, AAA batteries, or AA batteries. Soundboxes have also become somewhat cheaper to manufacture, given their very sparse use in lines previous to 2002. During Armada and after, the boxes became a common feature on larger figures.

Because of all these electronic whiz-bang doohickeys involved in their function, it is not uncommon to see one or more light-emitting diodes wired into the board.

Toys utilizing soundboxes

[edit]
1985
1986
1993
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2023
2024
2025
2026

Notes

[edit]
Starscream feels empty inside.
  • Reissue Galvatron's soundbox was upgraded to use AA batteries instead of the original's nine volt PP3s.
  • Tidal Wave's Armada box noted that he had electronic sounds. He did not - which was a good decision for a boat toy kids might take in the tub.
  • Cybertron Voyager Starscream was designed with a soundbox in mind (even including the requisite speaker and battery brackets when you crack one open), but the final Hasbro and Takara versions have no electronics.
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