Soundbox: Difference between revisions
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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. On the other hand, a soundbox is relatively large as [[Gimmick|gimmicks]] 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 | 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 [[wikipedia:PP3_battery|nine-volt battery]] and the snap connectors that went with it. Modern soundboxes are now powered by [[wikipedia:button_cell|button cell]] batteries, [[wikipedia:AAA_battery|AAA batteries]], or [[wikipedia:AA_battery|AA batteries]]. | ||
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. | 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. | ||
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==Toys Utilizing Soundboxes== | ==Toys Utilizing Soundboxes== | ||
1985 | 1985 | ||
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] | * [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] | ||
1986 | 1986 | ||
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] | * [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] | ||
1993 | 1993 | ||
* [[Megatron (G1) toys|Megatron]] | * [[Megatron (G1) toys|Megatron]] | ||
| Line 30: | Line 27: | ||
2000 | 2000 | ||
* [[Cheetor (BW)|Supreme Cheetor]] | * [[Cheetor (BW)|Supreme Cheetor]] | ||
2001 | 2001 | ||
* [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] | * [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] | ||
| Line 41: | Line 36: | ||
2002 | 2002 | ||
* [[Dark Saber|Roleplay Dark Saber]] | * [[Dark Saber|Roleplay Dark Saber]] | ||
| Line 54: | Line 48: | ||
2003 | 2003 | ||
* K-Mart [[Optimus Prime (Armada) toys|Gold Optimus Prime]] and [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] two-pack | * K-Mart [[Optimus Prime (Armada) toys|Gold Optimus Prime]] and [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] two-pack | ||
| Line 69: | Line 62: | ||
2004 | 2004 | ||
* Sam's Club [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] and [[Prowl (Energon)|Prowl]] two-pack | * Sam's Club [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] and [[Prowl (Energon)|Prowl]] two-pack | ||
| Line 87: | Line 79: | ||
2005 | 2005 | ||
* [[Beachcomber (Energon)|Beachcomber]] | * [[Beachcomber (Energon)|Beachcomber]] | ||
| Line 101: | Line 92: | ||
2006 | 2006 | ||
* Costco [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] two-pack | * Costco [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] two-pack | ||
| Line 116: | Line 106: | ||
2007 | 2007 | ||
* [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Cryo Scourge]] | * [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Cryo Scourge]] | ||
| Line 135: | Line 124: | ||
2008 | 2008 | ||
* [[Megatron (Movie)|Premium Megatron]] | * [[Megatron (Movie)|Premium Megatron]] | ||
Revision as of 11:28, 19 April 2009
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. 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 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 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
1985
1986
1993
2000
2001
2002
- Roleplay Dark Saber
- Jetfire
- Laserbeak
- Megatron
- Optimus Prime
- Red Alert
- Scavenger
- Roleplay Star Saber
- Starscream
2003
- K-Mart Gold Optimus Prime and Jetfire two-pack
- Sam's Club Optimus Prime
- Sam's Club Ultra Magnus
- Toys 'R' Us Air Attack Optimus Primal
- Galvatron
- Overload
- Powerlinx Jetfire
- Powerlinx Optimus Prime
- Powerlinx Red Alert
- Skywarp
- Thundercracker
2004
- Sam's Club Starscream and Prowl two-pack
- Toys 'R' Us Megatron and Optimus Prime two-pack
- Bulkhead
- Cliffjumper
- Iron Hide
- Jetfire
- Landmine
- Megatron
- Mirage
- Optimus Prime
- Scorponok
- Shockblast
- Treadbolt
- Ultra Magnus with Space Mini-Con Team
2005
- Beachcomber
- Dreadwing
- Galvatron
- Energon Iron Hide
- Landquake
- Omega Sentinel
- Omega Supreme
- Overcast
- Quickstrike
- Six Shot
2006
- Costco Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus two-pack
- Crumplezone
- Dark Scorponok
- Jetfire
- Leobreaker
- Megatron
- Optimus Prime
- Scourge
- Supreme Starscream
- Vector Prime
- Primus
2007
- Cryo Scourge
- Dark Crumplezone
- Galaxy Force Optimus Prime
- Galaxy Force Vector Prime
- Galvatron
- Menasor
- Metroplex
- Nemesis Breaker
- Sky Shadow
- Wing Saber
- Leader Class Brawl
- Desert Attack Brawl
- Megatron
- Optimus Prime
- Nightwatch Optimus Prime
2008
- Premium Megatron
- Premium Optimus Prime
- Jetstorm
- Wingblade
- Inferno
- Onslaught
- Powerglide
- Utra Class Silverbolt
- Storm Cloud
- Roll Out Command Optimus Prime
- Leader Class Bulkhead
- Earth Mode Megatron
- Ultra Magnus
Trivia
- Generation 1 Shockwave was the first Transformers toy to feature electronic sounds.
- Reissue Galvatron's soundbox was upgraded to use AA batteries instead of the original's nine-volt.
- Tidal Wave's Armada box noted that he had electronic sounds. He did not. Bummer.
- 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.
