Music has different effects on different people, but the fact is that it always has some effect. At the very least, it can poke interest in the listener or admiration for the talented artist filling the air with notes. Despite how efficacious music can be, many will argue, especially parents, that it’s hard to make money from music, not unless you make it big in the industry. That said, there are people who make and perform music out of pure passion, though it definitely doesn’t hurt to get a few kind donations in the process. Street musicians and performers are not an uncommon sight in any country, and most of them have the same problem when it comes to carrying heavy equipment. Amplifiers, for example, are necessary yet so inconvenient, but this design envisions such a gear that can help make life easier for these “buskers.”
Designer: JiHoon Park
We’ve come a long way from the large boxes known as amplifiers that can only be moved using a cart. There are plenty of more portable solutions these days that can help musicians who perform in public to move from one spot to another more easily. Despite their significantly smaller sizes, though, these amps often still come in bulky boxes that you carry awkwardly with one hand, leaving you with only one other hand to carry everything else.
It would be more convenient if you could sling the amplifier on your back like a backpack, but its boxy design makes that next to impossible, if not painful. Thankfully, technology and manufacturing have reached a point where that is finally possible, at least in theory. BPMP, then, is a concept that tries to cram as much hardware inside a package that you can comfortably wear on your back. Even better, it’s not something you’d be ashamed to be seen with.
Instead of the typical box design, BPMP uses a flatter “squircle” or square circle shape with one side bulging slightly outward. The flat side is designed like a typical backpack, with shoulder straps and soft fabric material that cushions your back a bit. Unless you know better, you might mistake this as one of those hard shell backpacks that are gaining popularity in some quarters.
The reimagining of the portable amp doesn’t stop there, though. For example, there’s also a handle that swings down to become the amplifier’s adjustable stand. The top edge holds the knobs and sliders for controlling the audio equipment, just like what you’d find in a normal amplifier.
There’s no denying that, in addition to being very portable, BPMP looks quite attractive to the point that you might not even believe that it’s an amplifier. Then again, it might be questionable whether you can cram that much audio hardware and electronics to make it function as a proper amplifier, nor does it guarantee that the quality of audio output won’t be affected by this unconventional design. Still, it’s an avenue worth exploring, especially if it will get buskers more attention for their already captivating performance.
