Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.
This little gadget has become a must-have for magicians everywhere, evolving from a simple toy into a coveted collector's item. Sure, many versions have popped up over the years, but let’s be honest: most are more electronic novelty than magical marvel. A few truly shine, but they’re rare as hen's teeth!
At IDEAA Lab, we had two clear goals: strip down the electronics to the bare essentials, and deliver some serious magic.
The classic
The "magic switch box" or "magic switch board" has been around for yonks, featuring switches and bulbs of various colours. Sure, the wiring is laid bare for all to see, making it painfully obvious which switch activates which bulb.
But wait for it—the magic kicks in when you mix up the colours of the bulbs. Each switch still lights up its corresponding bulb, even though the connections are all upside down. Classic versions? They usually only let you mix the colours—yawn!
Newer versions have emerged, offering a bit more pizazz, but they still stick to the same old routine. For some, that routine is a tad too long; for others, it falls flat, and let’s face it, you can’t repeat it for the same crowd without them rolling their eyes. Plus, audiences often suspect there’s some sneaky hidden control at play, which turns it from magic to a mere puzzle.
Improvements
Now, this isn’t a completely new effect—there are plenty of versions out there. So, what’s special about the Switch Board?
- Our version is so compact it’s barely there: an electronic circuit only 1.6mm thick. Soldered onto this are 4 switches, 4 bulb holders, and a battery holder. No sneaky hiding spots here!
- We’ve added a mind-blowing finale that’ll leave your audience gobsmacked.
- Comes with 2 easy-to-learn pre-recorded routines, plus the chance to invent 3 more of your own. That’s 5 routines all in the same circuit, meaning you can dazzle the same audience without repeating yourself.
- Offers 7 different effects to mix and match for your routines.
- We use LED bulbs (low power, high lifespan), and they’re big enough with a light diffuser so everyone can see the magic from any angle.
- The program that runs the whole shebang is open source. Translation: you can tweak it to your heart's content if you're the techy type!
Routines and effects
The circuit allows for 5 different routines. Two of these are programmed—one basic, one a bit more advanced. So you can dive in straight away without a hitch.
In total, you’ve got 5 routines at your fingertips. You can choose which one to perform at will, with a reset that’s faster than a pub quiz question. Pick a different routine in front of the same audience without them batting an eyelid.
To build your routines, you’ve got 7 possible effects. These effects differ enough from each other to let you ramp up the complexity and astonishment as you go.
Create routines
No programming skills or computer hookups needed to craft a routine!
With just a few simple sequences of flipping switches on and off, you can whip up a new routine, decide which effects to use and in what order, and even choose to repeat them. There’s a step-by-step video that walks you through it all—easy peasy. Feeling bored? Change them up as often as you like!
And the magic?
We’ve gone above and beyond with the Switch Board, ensuring that every routine wraps up with a jaw-dropping finale.
No matter how you present it, we wanted a moment that lingers in the audience's mind long after the show. If anyone’s left feeling meh, you’ll put a stop to that right quick.
Let the spectators touch and choose
Every choice made with the Switch Board is entirely in the spectator's hands. When it’s time to change a colour, mix the bulbs, or select a position, it’s all up to them.
Before, during, and after, the Switch Board can be handled by the audience. It’s completely examinable; they can poke and prod to their heart's content—there’s nothing to find. They can flick the switches and move the bulbs, but the circuit only springs to life when you want it to.
If you’re confident with your audience, let them take the reins. If not, keep the circuit in your hands, show off the effects, and let them inspect it multiple times throughout. Either way, they’ll feel the freedom and transparency throughout.
Tested and improved product
Did you know the Switch Board has been tested and approved by independent beta testers worldwide?
Nine magicians from five different countries—engineers, teachers, manufacturers, amateurs, and pros—have taken it for a spin and given us their feedback. Thanks to their insights, we've made a FABULOUS product even better. We’ve added a "quick start guide," simplified the routines, beefed up the product, and cranked up the magic. So many of their suggestions helped us smooth out the rough edges. We’re now left with a top-notch product we’re proud of (and grateful to those testers for the help!).
Instructions
Find the instructions online, complete with videos and text (in both Spanish and English) covering everything you need to know.
We’ve also thrown in several presentation ideas, so you can pick the one that suits your style best.
After sales
Our support is top-notch, and our customers seem to think so too.
If you hit any bumps in the road, we’ll fix it quicker than you can say “abracadabra”! Our warranty covers any manufacturing defects, and we don’t charge for repairs—even if you’re out of warranty! Got questions after checking the instructions? We can set up a video call, and you can chat directly with the creator of the product!
Open source
The program powering the Switch Board is open source. That means you can dive into over 3,000 lines of code to modify it as you fancy. That said, it’s a bit of a tricky code, but it’s set up in an Arduino environment with plenty of comments for anyone with a basic understanding of programming.
All the info is there for you to reprogram the Switch Board with your own modifications.
Of course, this might not mean much to most of you, but hey, it’s part of our ethos. We reckon open-source code makes future enhancements a doddle for any magician keen to improve it.
What do you get
Here’s what you’ll find in the box:
- Electronic circuit
- 10 LED bulbs: 2 red, 2 yellow, 2 green, 2 blue, and 2 white
- 4 prediction bulbs
- 18 coloured caps:
2 red, 2 yellow, 2 green, and 2 blue (silicon)
2 red, 2 yellow, 2 green, 2 blue, and 2 white (rubber) - 2 rechargeable button cell batteries
- Charger for rechargeable button cell batteries
- Black velvet carry bag
- Metal transport box with foam interior
- Quick Start Guide
- Product registration card
Spare parts
Lost a cap? Fancy some extra bulbs? Need replacement batteries? Check out our acrylic case that looks fab and keeps everything safe!
