LEGO launches white noise playlist on Spotify

Well, that's random...

I wonder if the colour of the part makes a difference in terms of sound.

I had to check it wasn't April 1st already...

Next up "LEGO Black noise" ... A mixed composition of (1) me stepping on Lego bricks (2) me breaking a nail trying to split two stuck bricks (3) me ripping a sticker in two while trying to get it of after I placed slightly wrong (4) me frustrated looking for a piece that should be in the box but that maybe was lost in production (5) my son cutting a 1x6 shorter with a pair siccors since he can't find the 1x4 (6) bricks being vacuumed by my wife and finally (7) my 6 Yr son dropping my MOC on the floor after I just finished it and went for a coffee.

Perfect to get you out of zen and back to reality!

@icey: The sound of a brown or dark red piece from the 2010s breaking as a set is disassembled.

LEGO just came really close to putting JANG's Pure Builds out of business. Too bad he's got the advantage of video accompanying the audio.

But as just background noise, I'm more than happy to put this on. Only right now I'm busy listening to drivers license on endless repeat.

Makes a lot of sense considering all the ASMR vids on youtube nowadays. Never liked them myself but nice to see lego keeping up with the times

Nearly a year ago I stated that the TLG's marketing department had obviously convinced management that the garbage they were spewing represented accurate market research which would assist the company's bottom line. Today, I rest my case.
The most frustrating thing about reading releases like this (and most recently VIDIYO) is the realisation that this all comes at a COST to the bottom line. When companies attempt WILD diversification, the only way to recoup expenditure is by increasing the cost of their core product lines. This is such a basic premise of business that a child running a Lemonade stand could understand it, yet TLG just keep leaning into it.
Add to this the NOTICEABLE product quality issues, some of which (element colour inconsistency and light colour printing) only appear to be getting worse and one has to start wondering what the net result will be. New building themes and a new 4000 piece masterpiece every other week are only going to get you so far...

Seriously LEGO, get your stuff together!

@magni_nominis_umbra said:
"Nearly a year ago I stated that the TLG's marketing department had obviously convinced management that the garbage they were spewing represented accurate market research which would assist the company's bottom line. Today, I rest my case.
The most frustrating thing about reading releases like this (and most recently VIDIYO) is the realisation that this all comes at a COST to the bottom line. When companies attempt WILD diversification, the only way to recoup expenditure is by increasing the cost of their core product lines. This is such a basic premise of business that a child running a Lemonade stand could understand it, yet TLG just keep leaning into it.
Add to this the NOTICEABLE product quality issues, some of which (element colour inconsistency and light colour printing) only appear to be getting worse and one has to start wondering what the net result will be. New building themes and a new 4000 piece masterpiece every other week are only going to get you so far...

Seriously LEGO, get your stuff together!"

Do you also object to Lego’s other diversification attempts such as Lego Ideas and all the large adult-oriented sets we’ve been getting lately? Not everything Lego produces is supposed to appeal to everyone

Wow, this is really a new lowpoint. Incredible.

Huh........

Kind of want to give this a try, but I worry that the sounds of bricks being clipped together, or rummaged through, or just generally being played with, will just get me frustrated that I'm not actually playing with Lego...

@Mr_Hobbles said:
"I had to check it wasn't April 1st already..."
Same here.
I mean, are they serious?
I'd rather they spend that amount of effort on quality control, because that's what would really benefit their customers.

Oh, and of course as is customary nowadays with LEGO, the sounds are "iconic". Apparently everything LEGO-related is iconic as of late.

Finally, @icey: thank you so much for your comment. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. You totally made my day! :-)

A fun idea that I'll be using, and harmless. Some very disappointing comments on here; some people REALLY need to get a grip.

The waterfall one reminds me of a toddler tipping a container full of small Lego pieces on the floor, not a relaxing sound at all :)

I briefly listened to the album and its a no from me.

@CCC said:
"It does sound a bit like an April Fools' joke.

However, if true then this bit "Each LEGO element makes a unique noise". Elements are both part and colour combinations, so if each element makes a unique noise, are they saying that the colour of the part matters? "
Yes. It’s called ‘white noise’ because the parts are white, obviously. If the parts were blue, it would be called ‘the blues’ etc.

(I’m kidding.)

@magni_nominis_umbra said:
"Nearly a year ago I stated that the TLG's marketing department had obviously convinced management that the garbage they were spewing represented accurate market research which would assist the company's bottom line. Today, I rest my case.
The most frustrating thing about reading releases like this (and most recently VIDIYO) is the realisation that this all comes at a COST to the bottom line. When companies attempt WILD diversification, the only way to recoup expenditure is by increasing the cost of their core product lines. This is such a basic premise of business that a child running a Lemonade stand could understand it, yet TLG just keep leaning into it.
Add to this the NOTICEABLE product quality issues, some of which (element colour inconsistency and light colour printing) only appear to be getting worse and one has to start wondering what the net result will be. New building themes and a new 4000 piece masterpiece every other week are only going to get you so far...

Seriously LEGO, get your stuff together!"

You're right, recording brick sounds is really putting a dent in the bottom line...

I just find it hard to believe that there's going to be much to recoup here. They've already got quality audio equipment, we know that from the designer videos. They've got the bricks. This kind of project is something that could be done by someone during their lunch breaks but you're making it sound like this is a herculean effort on Lego's part that comes with dire cost. I just can't see it

Whatever happened to 'Only the best is good enough'? This sounds more like 'first random idea drawn from the hat' then trying to make true quality products.

If the human resources and money invested in something this useless was not taken out of the regular set design it's all good, but I doubt it. And when I see some pseudo market research described in exact percentages that tell me why they did it, I can only shake my head in disbelief.

If I want to relax, I build a set, not listen to a soundtrack of bricks clicking together or pouring out a bin. I make my own soundtrack while building. It's kind of the point, isn't it?

All kidding aside, I used several applications to find a good way to relax, unwind, and concentrate before settling on Relax Melodies (which is absolutely awesome, and worth the lifetime subscription).

I can't wait to give this a try!

@icey ... hilarious. Made me really laugh.

I just woke up from a nightmare, read the article and thought I was still in it.

Reading the comments... this actually exists??? Has TLG caught COVID?

I’ll stick to listening to the Top 40, which is only marginally better than white noise... bring back the eighties.

So, if I have a video with someone digging through a tub of loose pieces, will they be sending their lawyers after me for breaching audio copyright?

I hope these new hit tunes at least show up on the Vidiyo platform, I seem to recall that press release saying songs of "all genres!"

Y'all overreacting a little. Believe it or not, there is actually a demand for this kind of stuff - people listen to airplane cabin noise, thunderstorms, etc. And unlike other recent controversial side projects, this must comparatively cost pennies for TLG to produce.

@Baldarek said:
"Y'all overreacting a little."

A little? Lego tries something new, and a certain type of AFOL here act like the company have come into their house and melted down every brick in their collection.

@chrisaw said:
" @Baldarek said:
"Y'all overreacting a little."

A little? Lego tries something new, and a certain type of AFOL here act like the company have come into their house and melted down every brick in their collection."

Please, don't joke about getting your bricks melted, I heard from a US congresswoman there are some awful space lasers over California that might do that.

@fakespacesquid said:
" @magni_nominis_umbra said:
"Nearly a year ago I stated that the TLG's marketing department had obviously convinced management that the garbage they were spewing represented accurate market research which would assist the company's bottom line. Today, I rest my case.
The most frustrating thing about reading releases like this (and most recently VIDIYO) is the realisation that this all comes at a COST to the bottom line. When companies attempt WILD diversification, the only way to recoup expenditure is by increasing the cost of their core product lines. This is such a basic premise of business that a child running a Lemonade stand could understand it, yet TLG just keep leaning into it.
Add to this the NOTICEABLE product quality issues, some of which (element colour inconsistency and light colour printing) only appear to be getting worse and one has to start wondering what the net result will be. New building themes and a new 4000 piece masterpiece every other week are only going to get you so far...

Seriously LEGO, get your stuff together!"

You're right, recording brick sounds is really putting a dent in the bottom line...

I just find it hard to believe that there's going to be much to recoup here. They've already got quality audio equipment, we know that from the designer videos. They've got the bricks. This kind of project is something that could be done by someone during their lunch breaks but you're making it sound like this is a herculean effort on Lego's part that comes with dire cost. I just can't see it"

And it’s not like they’re begging on the street for money. TLG is more than okay to experiment a little.

Look up "ASMR," folks. It's a phenomenon where people claim to get a relaxation effect while listening to certain noises or voices. (Think Bob Ross.)

There's already existing ones on YouTube where people use Lego. (I know one called "ASMR Requests" where the author builds a Lord of the Rings set while narrating.)

@holdre007 said:
"I thought all big companies are desperately trying to get rid of any product names with "white" or other words which might anger a minority or two? Would the Politically Correct name perhaps be... "LEGO All Noise"?"

Why do you think this?

I knew someone was gonna mention JANGBRiCKS here. If I wanna hear LEGO clicking together, I'll play his Pure Build videos or build something myself.

Wow, it's real. Each track is 30 minutes (one is inexplicitly shorter) The waterfall is my favorite. I like the idea of some hippie new age "artist" getting paid to dump a big bin of Legos for 30 minutes. It's ok. It's something else to laugh about in our world gone mad.

I'm sure this is not for everyone, but I like 2 of the tracks. Pure calming background noise while working.

Not in the article: there's 7 tracks (at least on Deezer); each 30 minutes.

Time to take out the tinfoil hats. What if the soundtracks have subliminal messages to make you buy more LEGO and imprint the sound of original LEGO bricks in our brains, so that we clearly distinguish and don't buy compatible bricks that sound slightly different? thecakeisalie ^_^

@AustinPowers said:
" @ResIpsaLoquitur said:
"Look up "ASMR," folks. It's a phenomenon where people claim to get a relaxation effect while listening to certain noises or voices. (Think Bob Ross.)"
I have never heard the term ASMR, nor will I waste my time looking it up.
Bob Ross otoh I can absolutely relate to. After all, what's finding out you made a mistake after having built about fifty pages on but a "happy little accident"? :-)

And don't forget to buy every set you are interested in at least twice. After all, everyone needs a friend... ;-)

Time to make some big decisions here... "

So you are critical about something without understanding what it is or how successful it is, nor displaying any curiosity to find out?

For years, no, decades, I have thought about recording myself just digging through my LEGO bins for exactly this purpose, but I never got around to it. I am positively thrilled by this announcement.

And as for the folks who are SO ANGRY about this, just please remember that LEGO, like all of us, is capable of doing more than just one thing at a time. Just because they release ONE album doesn’t necessarily mean that they are sabotaging their customer service or fracturing their brand. I’m sure they have several departments each responsible for different goals, and speaking strictly for myself, the department responsible for this release has certainly scratched an itch I’ve had for a long time.

I’m super stoked.

Today I learned that there are people who enjoy the aggravating sound of Lego bricks jostling against one another. I find the act of searching through loose bricks stressful, I don't like the sound, and I dislike not being able to find exactly what I'm looking for. This is why I sorted my collection by color and part, I never have to search for that one piece ever again.

Might just blast this to annoy my parents who dislike the sounds of Lego being moved around violently.

@AustinPowers said:
" @ResIpsaLoquitur said:
"Look up "ASMR," folks. It's a phenomenon where people claim to get a relaxation effect while listening to certain noises or voices. (Think Bob Ross.)"
I have never heard the term ASMR, nor will I waste my time looking it up.
Bob Ross otoh I can absolutely relate to. After all, what's finding out you made a mistake after having built about fifty pages on but a "happy little accident"? :-)

And don't forget to buy every set you are interested in at least twice. After all, everyone needs a friend... ;-)

Time to make some big decisions here... "

The short term answer is that there are people who feel a calming effect in listening to certain repetitive sounds like raindrops, crinkling, or even whispering. There's a ton of videos out there and a niche industry of people--largely women--who whisper into cameras and people zone out listening to them. It may be silly, except for some people, it works.

The opposite would be misophonia--a condition suffered by people who can't stand certain sounds.

If you think this is dumb, that's fine. There are other people who don't, and why complain?

This is one fascinating planet we live on. That much cannot be denied.

I've tried variations of this before and for me it's too much of the same thing for a prolonged period so I get bored of it too quickly and switch it off but I understand the principal behind it and if it helps folks calm their minds especially with the world as it is at the moment, where's the harm in it.
Personally I prefer relaxing by listening to S&M by Metallica but as with this, it's not for everyone.

@AustinPowers said:
" @stlux said:
"So you are critical about something without understanding what it is or how successful it is, nor displaying any curiosity to find out?"
I am not critical about ASMR, whatever that is. I am just being sarcastic because LEGO again imho is wasting resources on something that no one has asked for, while they appear to invest no effort into reducing their quality issues which are unacceptable for a company whose motto is "only the best is good enough" as well as for the prices they are asking. "

How would your know this is a waste of resources, if you don't know what it is? Maybe this is addressing a need of some people who have different priorities than you.

And if you would spend some time actually getting involved in the community (you have said yourself that you haven't attended a single Lego event yet), you would know that TLG is taking the quality issues seriously, including making Bjarke Schønwandt, who is very open to discussing the issues, available.

@stlux said:
" @AustinPowers said:
" @stlux said:
"So you are critical about something without understanding what it is or how successful it is, nor displaying any curiosity to find out?"
I am not critical about ASMR, whatever that is. I am just being sarcastic because LEGO again imho is wasting resources on something that no one has asked for, while they appear to invest no effort into reducing their quality issues which are unacceptable for a company whose motto is "only the best is good enough" as well as for the prices they are asking. "

How would your know this is a waste of resources, if you don't know what it is? Maybe this is addressing a need of some people who have different priorities than you.

And if you would spend some time actually getting involved in the community (you have said yourself that you haven't attended a single Lego event yet), you would know that TLG is taking the quality issues seriously, including making Bjarke Schønwandt, who is very open to discussing the issues, available."

Also, "I'm not critical about it, I just think they're wasting resources on it and no one asked for it"

Well golly, I don't think I'd like to see you being critical

I thought the sound of sifting Lego was like Scrooge McDuck diving in his money: it's not an objectively pleasant sensation, but it's one he relishes because of the wealth it connotes.

Lego makes a beautiful sound when one is dumping out one's own parts. But after hours of muscle aches from hunching over tables of secondhand bulk and getting frustrated digging through someone else's unsorted pieces, one's ear becomes less forgiving.

@fakespacesquid : either you are deliberately trying to misinterpret what I said or you are unable to understand the words I wrote.

I clearly stated that I am not critical of ASMR, which by now I have understood is some form of sensory reaction some people can feel while others can't. I simply don't care about that.
And by that I also am not trying to be mean to people who are susceptible to ASMR and who are able to get enjoyment out of it. I simply am unable to feel in such a way, hence am not interested.

What I criticize is that LEGO apparently has time to spare to test the sound of 10,000 different types of bricks, but at the same time are unable to get their quality issues under control.

If LEGO quality was as top notch as their motto postulates and their prices demand, I wouldn't mind if they ventured into any field that tickles their fancy. (pun not intended)
But as it is I certainly think they should get their priorities straight. Yes, indeed.

And @stlux : if they really are taking the quality issues seriously, why are they not showing any progress in getting rid of them?

Many people seem to dislike my comparing LEGO with the competition. But while those competitors are getting their quality level up year on year, the quality issues LEGO has are at best stagnating, and have done so for years. How come a company with that many resources can not make as much progress as much smaller competitors?

That's not sarcasm by the way, it's a serious question about an imho serious matter.

Also, sometimes commenters here tell me "if you hate LEGO that much, why do you keep visiting Brickset".

Well, guess what, to me LEGO (the bricks, the sets, the system) and TLG (the corporate behemoth) are two very different things.
I love building stuff out of bricks. Up to about five years ago this meant LEGO, and nothing else. It's only since then that I decided to broaden my horizon, while still also buying LEGO sets now and then.

I never said I hate everything they produce nowadays, far from it. There are always gems in the lineup, as well as pleasant surprises that I never saw coming, like the new botanical sets for example. Or the NES set, which I even bought at full RRP from the LEGO online store.

So, don't constantly misinterpret my often critical comments as a general hatred for LEGO, because that is simply not the case.
That is not to say I don't have strong negative thoughts about plenty of stuff TLG is putting out or doing to themes I used to love, like Technic.
It's exactly because I feel so strongly about LEGO I think I have the right to not only embrace the great things they do but to critique those things that imho they are doing wrong.
YMMV of course.

@AustinPowers said:
" @fakespacesquid : either you are deliberately trying to misinterpret what I said or you are unable to understand the words I wrote.

I clearly stated that I am not critical of ASMR, which by now I have understood is some form of sensory reaction some people can feel while others can't. I simply don't care about that. "

I deliberately typed your words. You said "I am not critical about ASMR, whatever that is. I am just being sarcastic because LEGO again imho is wasting resources on something that no one has asked for," right after saying "I have never heard the term ASMR, nor will I waste my time looking it up." Typically, that's how someone would speak if they were being intentionally critical. The phrases "wasting time" and "wasting resources" aren't neutral. I don't love ASMR but you can't say that you've been speaking objectively here

If you had read Stlux's comment you'd be able to easily find this interview https://www.newelementary.com/2020/09/missing-faulty-lego-consumer-perceived-quality.html which addresses just about every issue that you frequently, frequently like to mention. Have they solved every problem overnight? No. That is not realistic. But they are aware of the issues and they're working towards solutions. If you aren't satisfied, then no one is forcing you to stay. I cannot fathom a situation in which I would be so unhappy with a company or product but *continue* to daily berate them instead of just shifting to an alternate. The power is in your hands.

@AustinPowers said:
" What I criticize is that LEGO apparently has time to spare to test the sound of 10,000 different types of bricks, but at the same time are unable to get their quality issues under control."

I sincerely doubt quality control are being pulled off their day job to work on making brick ASMR...

Why do AFOL’s always think that roles at the Lego company are mutually exclusive?

@fakespacesquid : thank you for the link to the interview. Interesting read, but frustrating too. Because while it is nice that he is acknowledging certain issues his answers often are not really to the point. For example this section about the new milky trans-clear pieces:

"Transparent has changed, it is now more 'foggy'. 100% of AFOLs who have commented about this to me do not like the new transparent! Is it a change of material?

Bjarke: Our Materials platform has evolved over time as a natural part of optimising our products. New materials have been added, others changed or phased out. In the years to come we will see more changes to the materials platform in order for TLG to become more and more sustainable. The new transparent material is not 100% sustainable but we need this step in order to become sustainable."

While he certainly confirms that the material has changed (everyone can notice that without him confirming it), he is in no way reacting to the fact that a whopping 100% of the mentioned commenters were unhappy with the new material.

Also, he mentions that production wasn't notified that the printed pieces on the Mustang were meant to be aligned next to one another. What? I mean what else are they supposed to be used for? Even the ones on the illegal copycat versions align perfectly. Embarrassing.

The most part of the interview is about missing pieces, which from my experience with over a thousand sets is a negligible issue as even in the rare instance of a missing piece, minifig or even whole bag (swapped bag as I once had), customer service is happy to help. Just as from my experience customer service in general is the best part of TLG.

tl/dr: they might be aware of the issues, but some of the reasons given are ridiculous / hard to believe plus even after several years many issues persist.

@AustinPowers the new transparent formula started arriving in sets in late 2019. We've yet to reach two full years of sets containing them. And 2020 wasn't exactly business as usual. I don't think it's unreasonable for them to have not changed the formula again. Also, as he said, this is a step between the previous polycarbonate and the future sustainable version. A midway point. Not the final result. Lego is far more accountable when it comes to sustainability than any other copycat or competitor. The other guys can cut corners, no one checks. Lego can't get away with that, and every now and then some sacrifices will need to be made, even if they're just temporary.

He also specifically says "they only knew they had to paint a dark blue line in the middle of a white part. Since printed parts don’t generally need to align, that is not a parameter that is checked." I don't think it makes sense for every single person in the company to have intricate knowledge of every product being produced. The fact that production gets the information that they need and not a whole lot more makes total sense. Other than the Mustang, I feel like there's been maybe one other set (also a car) recently that had printing that was supposed to align but didn't. That makes two production failures out of a couple thousand sets in the last few years. That checks out. Also, copycats only have to copy. They don't have to put in a single ounce of work, so of course they've got more time to spend improving their forgery.