Soundbrenner Core Review: Musician's Smartwatch - In-Depth Analysis

The Soundbrenner Core smartwatch isn't your average wearable; it's a meticulously crafted tool designed specifically for musicians. This in-depth review dives into every aspect of this innovative device, from its elegant packaging and minimalist design to its powerful, customizable features. We'll explore the Core's core functionalities – a highly versatile metronome, a precise tuner, and a surprisingly useful decibel meter – and assess its overall performance and usability. We’ll also examine the included accessories, such as the comfortable silicone strap, magnetic tuner mount, and even earplugs, highlighting their practicality for the working musician.Beyond the essential musical tools, the Soundbrenner Core seamlessly integrates everyday functionality. We'll look at the convenience of smartphone notifications, the timer, stopwatch, and alarm functions, and the ingenious body strap alternative. Ultimately, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Soundbrenner Core's strengths and weaknesses, helping musicians determine if this sophisticated smartwatch is the right fit for their needs and workflow. Prepare to discover whether the Soundbrenner Core lives up to its promise as the ultimate musician's companion.

Pros And Cons

Read more: 5-Tempo Piano Metronome with Visual Tempo Indicator

Unboxing and First Impressions

The Soundbrenner Core arrived in a well-presented retail box, wrapped in cellophane – perfect for gifting. Inside, the packaging was cleverly designed, utilizing magnetic closure for easy access and storage of accessories. The included items are the Core smartwatch itself, a silicone strap, a magnetic tuner mount, a charging cable, a body strap, and earplugs.

The Core's design is sleek and minimalist, featuring a simple Soundbrenner logo on the display. The watch is made of polycarbonate (though a steel version exists), and the charging port is neatly tucked away on the side. Two buttons – one large, one small – alongside a tiny reset button, control the device's functionality.

Charging and App Setup

Charging is straightforward using the included magnetic USB charging cable. The Core lights up red while charging, with a scrolling message indicating the need to download the app. The app is crucial for setting up and utilizing the watch's features, including the metronome, tuner, and other functions. Helpful setup videos are available on the Soundbrenner website.

I initially thought one of the LEDs was faulty during the first charge, but the second charge revealed that the incomplete circle was actually an indicator of charging progress. This is a clever design touch that provides valuable visual feedback during the charging process.

Strap and Functionality

The silicone strap is comfortable and securely attached with strong rivets. The strap's ingenious fastening mechanism ensures the watch stays put; you need to rotate the watch to detach it, preventing accidental loss. Other strap options are available from the Soundbrenner website.

The watch's functionality is accessed through the app. The main functions include a metronome, tuner, decibel meter, timer, stopwatch, alarm, and settings. The large button on the watch wakes it up and accesses the app menu, while the control ring allows you to scroll through the various apps.

Metronome and Pulse Features

The metronome is highly customizable, allowing for adjustments to tempo, time signature, and output (sound, vibration, or pulse). The unique pulse feature sends a beat directly to your wrist, allowing silent use. The intensity of the pulse is adjustable.

The metronome can be synchronized with DAW software via Bluetooth, and multiple Soundbrenner Cores can be synced together for ensemble playing. The audible click can be enabled or disabled, giving users flexibility.

Tuner and Decibel Meter

The contact tuner requires the magnetic tuner mount to be attached to the instrument. While it worked well on one of my guitars, it was not effective on another due to non-magnetic tuning pegs. The tuner is precise and largely unaffected by background noise.

The decibel meter is a surprisingly useful tool, providing real-time feedback on noise levels. This is critical for musicians to protect their hearing from potential damage. The included earplugs are a practical addition.

Additional Features and Body Strap

Beyond the core musical functions, the Soundbrenner Core also includes a timer, stopwatch, and alarm. Smartphone notifications (calls and texts) are also supported.

The body strap provides an alternative way to wear the watch, particularly useful for drummers or those who might risk damaging their watch during vigorous activity. It offers a secure fit with the same fastening mechanism as the wrist strap but with a 90-degree rotation for better screen visibility.

Final Verdict

The Soundbrenner Core is a well-designed and highly functional smartwatch for musicians. Its metronome features are extensive and customizable, the tuner is accurate, and the decibel meter is a welcome addition for hearing protection. The build quality is excellent, and the included accessories are useful.

While the small text size on the display might be an issue for some, overall the Soundbrenner Core is a compelling product that delivers on its promises. The unique pulse function, combined with its other features, makes it a strong contender in the market for musician-focused wearables. I highly recommend it.