Last updated 8/5/20

Incredibox: Create, Record, and Share an Interesting Remix

Note: For the best experience with this website, use the Chrome web browser.

1. Getting Started

a. Access Incredibox at http://www.incredibox.com/.

b. There are several versions of Incredibox. For this assignment, choose one

of the free web-based themes. Incredibox is also available for the iPhone

and iPad, Macintosh computers, Android devices, and Windows

computers.

c. The concept is simple: drag an icon from the bottom of the screen on to

one of the “dudes” and he’ll start beatboxing, singing, or whistling.

2. Experiment and Explore

a. Spend some time experimenting with the sounds available. Drag one of

the icons from the bottom of the screen (beats, effects, melodies, voices)

to an empty (undressed!) dude to start playback of a sound. A new dude

will appear and you can add another sound layer by dragging an icon on

to the new dude.

b. Deleting dudes: you can fit a maximum of 7 dudes on the screen at once.

To remove or change a sound, hover your mouse over the dude and then

click on the cross (the other two buttons allow you to mute or solo the Last updated 8/5/20

dude). That dude will disappear and a new dude will appear at the end of

the line.

3. Make creative decisions

a. After exploring the various timbres and textures that are possible, choose

7 dudes (i.e., sounds). This group of 7 will form the basis of your remix

recording.

b. Line up your dudes! Experiment with the mute and solo buttons (hover

your mouse over the dudes to reveal these) to test out different

combinations of dudes in varying-sized groups. Make a note of any

effective combinations so that you remember them easily during the

“recording session”.

4. Plan and rehearse your remix

a. Plan your arrangement so that it has a beginning, a middle and an end.

Make sure that your remix incorporates some layering, plus the use of

solo and tutti. A typical remix might be structured as follows:

○ Beginning – use layering to bring in all or some of the parts

○ Middle – create some interest by using the solo and/or mute

buttons to vary texture

○ End – layer the parts out at the end

Last updated 8/5/20

b. Practice

○ By clicking on a dude at the right time (e.g., on a down-beat) you

can bring sounds in and out quite cleanly when performing your

remix. Practice clicking on each dude at the right time. You can

also try this: solo one dude by clicking on his headphone icon (all

the others will be muted automatically), and then gradually bring in

other dudes by clicking on their speaker icons one by one.

5. Perform and Record

a. Get ready to “perform” your mix

○ Mute all of the dudes so that they become your silent ensemble

waiting to perform. The quickest way is to solo one dude (this

mutes all the other dudes) and then click the final dude’s mute

button. Having all the dudes muted to start with gives you control

on how you “conduct” them. You can layer them in any order and

solo or mute as you like.

b. Record your remix

○ Hit the record button (blue button at the top left of the “performance

stage”) and perform your arrangement! Last updated 8/5/20

○ Keep an eye on the timeline at the top of the screen (a moving, red

indicator that tracks the number of complete cycles of your remix).

Your remix must be at least 10 cycles in length to be shared.

○ Click the record button again to stop recording

c. Share your remix

○ When you stop the recording you will have the option to retry,

replay, or save your recording. Choose the Save button.

○ Fill in your DJ name, title your composition, and give it a dedication

(optional). Click the checkmark.

○ You will be given three options: Share, Export, and My Mix. Choose

Share (the only free option of the three).

○ Copy the Mix Link and paste it into a document on your computer

where you’ll be able to access it later. Post the link in the Canvas

Discussion forum.

6. Reflect: In addition to posting the link to your Incredibox remix, provide your

reflections on the following:

a. What did you think about Incredibox?

b. Did you have any difficulty using it? If so, how did you solve those

difficulties? Last updated 8/5/20

7. Listen and Discuss: Listen to your classmates’ remixes and comment on at least

two of them. For instance, you might make note of techniques they used in their

arrangements and/or engage them in discussion about their reflections.

8. Submit: See the due date in the Assignments area of Canvas.