Tech

MUSICAL GADGETS

There’s a musician inside all of us. And in some cases (such as me and my ham-fisted kids), perhaps that musician can’t justify a grand piano, a guitar collection or an underground home studio. For those people, here are some slightly less challenging sound-making toys absolutely everyone can enjoy.

VISIONPAD-6 electronic drum pad

Who among us hasn’t at some point dreamed of giving a drum kit an absolute beating? Equally, I’m sure most of us are extremely relieved that next door’s kids haven’t got one. Here’s a nice alternative – a piece of gadgetry that serves as an introduction for the serious aspiring drummer before moving up to an acoustic kit, or simply an addictive game for anyone wishing to master the basics of rhythm.

The VISIONPAD-6 comes with four pads and two foot pedals to offer 163 sounds and 30 pre-loaded kits, all of which are fully customisable. Laid out like a traditional kit, the velocity-sensitive nature of each pad ensures that the subtlest of nuances are captured for a realistic playing experience. £79.99, gear4music.com

Joue Play

This stunning MIDI controller is particularly attractive because it is equally fun and intriguing, whether you’re an absolute beginner or a pro musician –that’s the level of depth it offers. What sets it apart is its smartphone app and interchangeable rubberised pads, so you can play almost any instrument with one package.

It also has the ability to mix, record, loop and layer your own music and is compatible with any other music software out there with USB connectivity. £249, andertons.co.uk

Sphero Specdrums

Sticking with the drumming theme, these ingenious musical rings start with the principle of percussion, but allow you to make not only beats but your own tunes as well. The clever and unique idea is that each ring detects colour, so you can tap your fingers on any coloured surface – such as fruits and vegetables or anything else your imagination can come up with – to ‘play’ the colours.

Specdrums musical rings are bundled with everything you need to start playing – at home, in the classroom or anywhere on the move. With a connected app, you can launch a themed sound pack to DJ anywhere, anytime, or tap the rings to hear words, numbers and sound effects or your own recorded custom audio. £49.95, sphero.com

Yoto Mini Player

Sometimes the littlest musicians in the family just want to sit back and listen when they’re too tired to create. Also, more likely, you want some way of stopping them fighting in the back of the car without the rest of the family having to endure endless nursery rhymes.

That’s where the Yoto Mini Player comes in. Especially designed for children (with no camera, screen or microphone, so their privacy is protected), it allows them to manage their own listening with simple, chunky tactile controls, which give them to access their own stories, music, podcasts and activities. £59.99, uk.yotoplay.com