Take our user survey and make your voice heard.
Everyone likes to sing, at least a little bit. What most of us don’t realize though is that about 0.01% of the population can actually do it well. The rest of us end up bugging the hell out of anyone within earshot.
So for all the neighbors and roommates of people who live life like a cast member of Glee we present Noiseless KaraOK.
The design of Noiseless KaraOK! is elegant in its simplicity. It’s a muzzle that you can connect to your iPhone or iPad that lets you sing your heart out without anyone around hearing a peep.
Inside the muzzle (which they politely refer to as a “mute cup”) are a microphone and some noise dampening polyurethane. The muzzle also fits firmly around your entire mouth to eliminate any Bieber leakage – a common problem in many homes this spring.
As the sound reaches the microphone, it is recycled through the iPhone into the earphones along with the musical track if you use a karaoke app like SegaKara. All together the device can create a closed circuit of crappy caterwauling leaving others in peace and tranquility. It’s 3,980 yen well spent.
The problem with this device, however, is that it will probably sell well but only to people who are very shy about their singing or just want to practice by themselves. It’s nice that they are cautious but probably they don’t need it. To really earn this the Nobel Peace Prize it needs to be strapped to those people who just don’t get that they sound like a mating koala (google it).
Someone needs to release a self-awareness app in conjunction with the Noiseless KaraOK so they can get it through their thick wall of sound that they suck. Maybe something with Simon Cowell smugly telling them they’re “simply dreadful.”
© RocketNews24
18 Comments
Login to comment
sakurala
Hahaha, this is halarious! I could see how this would be useful in Japanese apartments and even some houses.
silvertongue
Add a red nose and some over-sized boots to the redness caused by pressing the device against your mouth, and you may walk into work looking like a Bozo!
tkoind2
It is sad that people here live in such strict conditions. You can’t listen to music, play an instrument, sing in the bath, work on your yard, have a small garden party with your friends. Life in rabbit hutch living conditions in Japan is just plain sad. I wish people could lighten up a bit a let people make a little noise during daylight hours without freaking out. That is why I live so far out of the city. Can’t stand nit picky neighbors. I for one don’t mind a little ordinary noise during the day. Makes the town feel alive and happy.
Dennis Bauer
why aren't there straps on the side then you can use it while walking around :P
gogogo
The worse thing I have ever seen
Disillusioned
OK, now I am laughing! This is great! I would like to have this permanently attached to my ex-wife's face! I also love the sarcasm in the article. Thanks for today's chuckle JT.
tsukki
looks like a toilet pump.
cactusJack
And if you are too drunk and have to vomit, go right ahead.
smithinjapan
I see Japan is going for yet ANOTHER worst invention of the year award, although one that might sell to a few people (before they cease to use it).
tkoind2: "I wish people could lighten up a bit a let people make a little noise during daylight hours without freaking out. That is why I live so far out of the city. Can’t stand nit picky neighbors."
I hear you on the nitpicky neighbours, but even worse are the nit-picky neighbours who don't practice what they preach. I'm quite tolerant, and I certainly take any complaints a neighbour might make into account (only had one... was playing music quite loudly in the wee hours of the night while drunk one night, for which I apologized), but I have neighbours above me who make SO much noise I really can't stand it sometimes. They have a granddaughter who literally stomps around the house at ALL hours (I don't know when she sleeps). I KNOW it's a little girl so I remind myself to stay calm, but after a few hours of THUMP THUMP thumpthumpthump THUMP it really gets to you. I've never really spoken to them (and they themselves also wake up extremely early in the morning and make quite a bit of noise), but since there are signs in our apartment asking tenants to mind the sounds they make in their apartments (including specifically footsteps) I once asked them (after making small talk) if they could keep the stomping down at night and BOY you should have seen the looks I got (and still get now). They didn't say a word and just walked away.
Anyway, in theory I think you're right -- it's a shame that some neighbours are so uptight you can't practice your music lessons even during the day, or listen to music beyond a certain level even in reasonable day-light hours, but there ARE some things more grating and intrusive than others, and karaoke is one. What would be the fun in this thing anyway? Part of the fun of karaoke is going out with others and singing in a karaoke box, passing the mic to the next guy/gal, drinking, and having fun.
shanabelle
too weird for words...
JohnBecker
They had me at "Bieber leakage."
Triumvere
But, does it come with 飲み放題?
KariHaruka
Nope I can still see our lovely teenage neighbour and her friends sounding like a bunch of cats being strangled. I don't mind if its the sunday during the day or whatever. But midweek at night when you have a young child and newborn on the way... Not good.
SunnysideUp
lol, makes a great Christmas gift.
SimondB
I didn't get (or google) this bit:
But have yopu ever heard the sound hedgehogs make when they are going for it? They need these masks.
Mocheake
Karaoke has to be THE most useless invention ever and the most boring hobby I can think of. The vast majority of people can't sing. Don't see what anyone sees in it.
Thunderbird2
It's called having a laugh.
KariHaruka
Its actually quite a lot of fun when you go with friends to a karaoke place to rent out a room. Only people who wouldn't enjoy them are hikikomori..