I have always enjoyed MIDI music, and I am especially fascinated by its extensive VST instrument libraries. Even without a formal musical background, I could watch Synthesia notes slowly fall on my computer screen and produce different instrument sounds, imagining myself as a conductor, and happily play for an entire day (laughs). At the time, my favorite piece was Pachelbel's Canon. However, as my family grew, limited space left me nowhere to place a keyboard, and I gradually engaged with this interest less often.
Until recently, I happened to be redesigning the display cabinet at home, where I keep favorite models and a fish tank. Although the cabinet incorporates a good deal of hidden technology (for example, it automatically lights up the cabinet and models when it detects a person), I still felt the space was "missing a certain something"—namely, music.
At that time, I saw an introduction to Muro Box online and discovered that it could actually import the MIDI files I used to enjoy playing, and that I could use the online app to arrange and modify them at any time. It was truly an excellent fit for me. Even better, I found that it will support Open API in the future, which can fully integrate with my current display cabinet control system. That moment of perfectly connecting smart home technology with a personalized performance made me immediately feel, "This machine is truly ideal for me. I must bring it home."
When deciding to purchase and proceed with customization, I chose the song “Canon Flows In You.” In addition to combining “Pachelbel’s Canon” and “River Flows in You,” two pieces we already loved very much, there was another interesting reason: because custom arrangements are extremely valuable, I was especially careful and consulted AI, seriously researching what type of song would be best suited for adaptation to a music box, and set the condition of “keeping it within five octaves if possible.” After repeated screening and comparison by AI, this classic piece was ultimately selected.
In addition to the song selection, every year on our cat’s birthday, we take a family portrait. This year happened to be the third year, so I secretly used this photo, which symbolizes our family, as the laser-engraved design. When my family saw the finished product, they were all pleasantly surprised and loved this customization service, which is full of unique commemorative value. We are truly grateful to the Muro Box team.
After receiving the Muro Box N40, I immediately placed it in our display cabinet this evening. The moment I turned on the ambient lighting and pressed play, I was truly astonished by the remarkably lifelike sound of a real instrument being struck. I chose the Muro Box N40 because I was drawn to the clear sound of a real instrument being plucked. Only after receiving it did I realize that the vibrations and reverberations interwoven by the metal comb and the wooden resonance chamber possess a vividness and warmth that no high-end audio system, nor any VST recorded at any bit depth, can match—because it is right before my eyes, a live performance exclusively for me.
Watching the physical gears and metal plucking tabs move smoothly, hearing a melody that belongs solely to us, and seeing the custom nameplate for our family (and our cat) along with the laser engraving on the body depicting our whole family and our cat, I find that every time the music plays, it is not only an auditory pleasure but also a beautiful visual memento unique to our family. The happiness of that moment is truly beyond words.
I especially thank the Muro Box team for their dedication and persistence, as well as the arranger for the delicate and masterful arrangement, for creating for our family this gift as precious as a work of art. This is not merely a music box, but a keepsake that embodies our beautiful memories.
