Google Translate Beatbox (Unintentional Easter Egg)

December 1st, 2010 by: Technabob

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Here’s something I bet you never knew. When used properly, Google Translate doesn’t just translate words. Nope, it’s actually a fully-functional drum machine if you know how to use it. Matt Dorosan, a reader of ours over on The Awesomer gave us the skinny on exactly how to make this little trick work.

Here’s all you need to do:

1. Go to Google Translate
2. Set the translator to translate from German to German
   (the link above should automatically do this for you)
3. Copy + paste the following into the translate box:
   pv zk pv pv zk pv zk kz zk pv pv pv zk pv zk zk pzk pzk pvzkpkzvpvzk kkkkkk bsch
4. Crank up the volume to 11
5. Click “listen”
6. Be amazed

You can also make your own phat (or skinny) beats:

• zk = suspended cymbal
• bschk = snare
• pv = brush
• bk = bass
• tk = flam1
• vk = roll tap
• kt = flam2
• kttp = flam tap
• krp = hi hat tap
• pv = short roll
• th = better hi hat
• thp, ds = instant rimshot

I’m sure you can come up with more combos (and maybe even in other languages) if you take enough time to do it. Drop us a comment below with your favorite beats!

[Thanks for the tip, Matt!]