Who we are
Hiro Akihabara is developing SnapBeat. He is an electrical engineer who loves designing product and hip-hop music.
Currently he is living in Vietnam and developing original hardware product at his apartment room.
Our Story
Hiro Akihabara loves hip-hop music. One day, he became interested in music production instruments such as sampler and drum machine to create his own beat. But samplers in the market looks so complicated and made him overwhelmed.
Because he was an electrical engineer, he decided to make simple sampler by himself.
Our Story
“I believe the power of technology for fun. Look at the face of a child playing with a toys. They are so simple but give a child much fun.”
Hiro Akihabara
Development Archive
Handmade prototype
Prototype Ver.1
Prototype Ver.2
This version implemented and tested interesting feature of ISD1700 voice recorder chip. It realized pitch control function by the external potentiometers (volume). And there were additional LPF modules for boosting basses.
Prototype Ver.3
Shared on hardware community
Shared the prototype Ver.3 on hardware community website such as hackster.io and hackaday.io.
The first product
Optimized components in terms of cost and availability. Re-designed cases for better strength and productivity. Finded PCB assembly partner in Vietnam and manufactured small volume by automation.
Manufacturing Plan
PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and components are imported from China. They are assembled to be PCBA (PCB assembly, so called pre-soldered board) in Vietnam with trustful partner. The every assembled PCBA will be checked in Vietnam and shipped to customers worldwide.
