SoundBrenner Pulse&Body Strap

90
GEAR REVIEW
B
orn from a successful
crowdfunding campaign in 2015,
German company Soundbrenner
has been working hard to create
hype around its inaugural product, the
Soundbrenner Pulse. Since its launch early
last year, the wearable metronome has
received glowing testimonials from
high-level drummers such as John ‘JR’
Robinson and Brian Frasier-Moore.
Build
The device centres around a 2" diameter disc
that features a black plastic face with a small
Soundbrenner logo in its centre and a clear
rotary wheel around the outer rim. Despite the
lack of screen, the surface is touch-sensitive
and responds to a multitude of commands
such as a long press to turn the device on/off, a
quick double-tap to toggle the metronome
function and a tap tempo function. The rotary
wheel can also be used to change and
fi ne-tune tempo.
The Soundbrenner Pulse uses a “7G ERM
vibration motor combined with a cutting-edge
haptic driver” to deliver a pulse seven times
more powerful than the average smartphone.
The outer wheel also fl ashes in sync with the
tempo, and in various programmable colours,
to add an extra visual element.
Included with the Pulse are two basic black
£84.03 New company Soundbrenner introduces
the silent, wearable metronome
SOUNDBRENNER
PULSE & BODY STRAP
plastic straps. The short strap is suitable for
your wrist or perhaps an ankle, and the longer
option allows the metronome to be worn on
the upper arm or further up the leg. Also in the
box is a magnetic charging station complete
with a braided USB cable.
We have also been sent the brand new body
strap accessory which opens up additional
options for positioning the Soundbrenner on
the thigh or torso.
Hands On
The Pulse is designed to be used with The
Metronome companion app, available for iOS
and Android devices. This neat software allows
users to change time signatures, alter vibration
strength settings, choose different colours and
even create libraries and set-lists. The app also
allows for up to fi ve Soundbrenner Pulses to be
connected and synced – ideal if you’re working
with a band. Despite my initial excitement for
TYPE
Soundbrenner Pulse:
£84;
Body Strap Accessory:
£23;
(Prices based on the
Euro to pound exchange
rate at time of writing)
INCLUDED
ACCESSORIES
Short strap, long strap,
charging station,
braided USB cable
MATERIAL
Plastic
FEATURES
Touch sensitive;
Haptic engine;
LED Lights;
Lightweight;
USB charging;
Free companion app;
DAW companion
CONTACT
www.soundbrenner.com
Essential spec
this new gadget, it has not quite matched
expectation. Even when setting it to full power, I
found myself relying primarily on the fl ashing
light due to my drums almost completely
masking the vibrations of the Soundbrenner.
The body strap helped a lot but, short of
wearing it on my neck, the pulse was still a
challenge to lock-in with compared to my usual
audio metronome.
VERDICT: A sleek design with a smart
user interface and a high level of
connectivity, but it can be tricky to
really feel the beat. Nonetheless, a
great idea and worth trying out
for yourself.
BUILD QUALITY
PLAYABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
RATING
TOUCH SENSITIVE
The metronome can be
controlled via the surface of
the face or the rotary wheel
ACCESSORIES
The Soundbrenner Pulse
comes with two straps;
one short and one long
BODY STRAP
The body strap accessory can be
positioned on your thigh or torso
and helps amplify vibrations
| SEPTEMBER 2017 WWW.MUSICRADAR.COM/RHYTHM
WORDS: TOM BRADLEY
RHY272.gear_soundbrenner.indd 90 31/07/2017 15:04