VTech - KidiJamz Studio

Electronic toys annoy every nerve in my body. My poor neglected children are usually stuck with wooden toys or other non-noise making toys. In general, I believe electronics take away from the play value of the toy and make a lot of noise.

After seeing this recommended in several parenting magazines that aren't huge brand promoters, I took a closer look at this toy. I was skeptical it could be all that the recommendations and the few reviews claimed it to be and prepared myself to be disappointed.

That said, this toy is awesome. It is really more of a sound mixing board than a keyboard.

The niftiest part for me is the wheel that allows you to pick a style. For instance rock, dance, etc. If you turn it to rock and press "Old McDonald's Farm" it plays a guitar driven head-bangeresque version of the song. If you turn it to dance it switches the song style to a techno version. What is really nice is that it doesn't just play the song the same way but with "guitar sounds", but it actually plays a completely restyled song for each genre. Also, all of the buttons, the scratching disk, and mixing options change to fit that genre.

This is on a different plane than the usual noisemaker keyboard toy. There are a seemingly infinite number of ways to groove with neat options yet no learning curve! The whole system draws you in and you can't help but be inspired to create and make new things.

After being grossly disappointed in the horrible Vtech camera I bought them last year, I am relieved to see a quality product for childrens' electronics. I can tell someone put a lot of thought into this toy.

I purchased this for 19 month old son, Fox for Christmas last week, but we've been test-driving this thing endlessly and almost daily. I haven't had the heart to take it away, slip it back into the box and wrap it up because we both really get into playing with this for several hours at a time. Much dancing ensues as well as singing.

If you haven't seen this in the stores because they're currently packed full of a million other toys, don't worry ... let me try to break down exactly what this has and what it does:

1. The keyboard lights up prompting the kids what to do which is never complicated.

2. It has a total of 10 on-board instruments.

3. It has a phone-dial which switches between styles, like Techno, Reggae, Jazz, etc.

4. A microphone with 4 voice changing effects and a detachable music device that records the little songs you make, which can then be played in the car via an audio mp3 tape jack just like an iPod.

5. A turntable that makes scratchy sounds which is too cute.

6. Sound effects that are catchy and well-thought out, but not annoying.

7. 20 songs with about 15 to 20 different adjustable beats with 3 rhythms and a tempo slider.

8. All songs made can be recorded, and not just ten seconds worth, either.

9. It also comes with a little songbook, which Papa uses and Fox tries to turn the page on.

10. Multiple keys can be pressed simultaneously creating chords or 'tone', unlike other toy pianos.

We have an upright piano that gets played on and played with frequently, so he already gets that these things can sound really cool if you mess with them. Even though this toy is marketed for kids three and older, I think it's perfect for any child 18 months and up.

If they show any interest in music at all, they'll love it. If they don't yet, then this is the perfect tool to kick everything off. The good thing about this is that they can play with this for some time as they wont quickly outgrow it as is the case with many other things. A little adult interaction also goes a long way as well. I think I love this just as much as he does, ... maybe even more.

It operates on 4 AA batteries which hold up for quite some time depending on use and volume.

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The Vtech KidiJamz Studio is a great toy! My middle child (6 years old) got this for Christmas. I was scared that it would be a bit too childish for her, but no worries about that now! EVERYONE loves playing with this toy! Even adults get pulled into it. The lure of different styles of music, a microphone, and a spin table are just too much for people to pass up. And on top of that you can record all of this crazy "music" that you are making. The entire family has had so much fun playing with this. This is most definately oneof our best purchases for the year!

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We have bought THREE of these keyboards b/c our 2 1/2 year old loves it so much.It's great b/c of all of the preprogrammed songs that comes with it, so he can just push a button and dance.The first (from) lasted for a few months then broke (they keys lit up, but no sound), the second (from Amazon) lasted about 5 minutes, then started turning off all by itself, the second (direct from ) lasted about an hour and then started turning off all by itself.I'm so disappointed because we can't find anything else with these great features, but I think we'll have to give up on this one.

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This would be an excellent toy if Vtech would work out the stinking defects. My kids LOVE this toy which is the ONLY reason we keep spending our money on it praying it won't be one of the defectives. We are now 0 for 3 and giving up. Every single one of them stops working within days or weeks with the units turning themselves off within moments of turning them on. You've broken my kids' hearts every time they hope the next one will work, Vtech. No more.