A Fun and Quirky Spin on DJing: The Odd Ball
DJ-ing with a Ball Instead of a Turntable: An Innovative Approach
In my music-loving heart, I've dabbled in DJing - with results ranging from mediocre to questionable. So when I stumbled upon the Odd Ball, a device that claimed to let me create music using, well, balls, I thought, "Why not give it a shot? Maybe this is the key to unlocking my inner juggling DJ."
Here's the lowdown on the Odd Ball. It connects to your phone via Bluetooth and syncs with its companion app available on iOS and Android devices called Odd. Once connected, you can browse through the app's playlist and pick a beat. Each gesture on the ball corresponds to a specific effect.
For instance, moving the ball around can help mix in tracks, a quick shake delivers percussions, a slow spin adds a melodic loop, and tossing it in the air creates special effects. You can even pair multiple Odd Balls to your phone, though your phone's Bluetooth limit might come into play. My iPhone 12 Pro Max, for example, allows up to seven devices.
Setting up the Odd Ball was a breeze. It paired with my phone in less than a minute, and I paired it with my Sony Ult Field 1 speaker for a better audio experience. The phone serves as the central hub for the entire connection, so you can use any headphones or speaker you'd typically enjoy music on.
Initially, I was skeptical about the Odd Ball's responsiveness to gestures and wondered if there would be any delay. But to my delight, the ball proved extremely sensitive to various gestures and responded instantly. The app also provides on-screen instructions on the most fitting gestures for the current track, ensuring you're not fumbling around aimlessly.
One aspect I particularly enjoyed was the visual effects on the app while mixing, which added to the overall fun and immersive experience. For novices like myself, it was helpful to have on-screen instructions on gestures to use, and the app's feedback system helped to keep things interesting by offering new tracks as you mastered their respective gestures.
The hands-on experience offered by the Odd Ball was a refreshing change from my previous DJing endeavors, which were limited to digital software. It was no longer a case of tapping on a screen or clicking a mouse; I had a pair of tangible, physical objects in my hands that I could shake, move, spin and even toss in the air.
The Odd Ball lasts around five hours on a full charge, plenty for lengthy sessions with friends. However, its standby charge isn't ideal, as it took me an entire day to recharge the balls upon receiving them, and they drained completely even though I hadn't used them at all. I hope future iterations of the Odd Ball will offer a USB-C charging option instead of the old-school, DC charger.
Retailing at $100, the Odd Ball is a great bargain. It's versatile - perfect as a gift for a musically curious child or a recommendation for an EDM enthusiast like myself. The option to record your own background beats in the app means you can craft tracks from scratch, making it an exciting and affordable alternative to investing in a high-end digital mixer.
The Odd Ball comes with a sleek metal carrying case and a charging cable. Its vibrant orange color, dubbed "punch" by the Odd Ball team, is eye-catching and intriguing. There are also turquoise, grey, and black variants available.
One drawback is that the ball attracts dust like a magnet, especially when it makes contact with walls or floors. A simple wipe-down with a Lysol wipe takes care of this issue, though.
Overall, the Odd Ball offers a fun and unique way to explore music production, making it a perfect choice for EDM enthusiasts and novices alike. It's an affordable and engaging investment for those seeking to create music without breaking the bank on a digital mixer.
- Future EDM enthusiasts might appreciate technology like the Odd Ball, a device that allows users to create music using balls, as it provides a hands-on, tangible experience and an affordable alternative to investing in a high-end digital mixer.
- Thankfully, the Odd Ball's companion app, called Odd, provides tutorials to help users master the various effects and rewards them with new tracks as they become proficient.
- In the future, if the Odd Ball team decides to upgrade the charging system, a USB-C option would be an appreciated development, as the current DC charger takes a long time to recharge the balls.
- Particles of dust tend to stick to the Odd Ball, especially when it comes into contact with walls or floors, but a quick wipe-down with a Lysol wipe can easily remedy this issue.
