Soundbox: Difference between revisions
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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 "[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Generation 2|I am 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 "[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Generation 2|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 [[ | 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 [[wikipedia: | 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 [[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 [[Transformers: 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 [[ | 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. | ||
==Toys Utilizing Soundboxes== | ==Toys Utilizing Soundboxes== | ||
| Line 143: | Line 143: | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
[[ | [[File:Speaker.jpg|right|upright=0.85|thumb|Starscream feels empty inside.]] | ||
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Generation 1 Shockwave]] was the first ''Transformers'' toy to feature electronic sounds. | * [[Shockwave (G1)/toys|Generation 1 Shockwave]] was the first ''Transformers'' toy to feature electronic sounds. | ||
* [[Galvatron (G1)/toys|Reissue Galvatron's]] soundbox was upgraded to use AA batteries instead of the original's nine-volt. | * [[Galvatron (G1)/toys|Reissue Galvatron's]] soundbox was upgraded to use AA batteries instead of the original's nine-volt. | ||
* [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave's]] Armada box noted that he had electronic sounds. He did not. Bummer. | * [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave's]] Armada box noted that he had electronic sounds. He did not. Bummer. | ||
Revision as of 00:48, 3 February 2015
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 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 (Starscream only.)
- Toys 'R' Us Megatron and Optimus Prime two-pack
- Bulkhead
- Cliffjumper
- Ironhide
- Jetfire
- Landmine
- Megatron
- Mirage
- Optimus Prime
- Scorponok
- Shockblast
- Treadbolt
- Ultra Magnus with Space Mini-Con Team
2005
- Beachcomber
- Dreadwing
- Galvatron
- Energon Ironhide
- 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
2011
Notes
- 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.
