User’s Manual Nitro Jams Notebook™ © 2006 VTech Printed in China 91-02190-001-000
Dear Parent, At VTech® we know that in order to effectively reach kids, today’s learning tools have to be plugged into the fast-paced world around them. That’s why we created the Grade School Learning Series: an engaging set of stylized, interactive computers specially designed to get grade-school kids up to speed with their fastpaced, tech-savvy world.
INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing the VTech® Nitro Jams Notebook™ learning toy! Nitro Jams Notebook™ is an awesome way to explore the musical world! Your kids will get busy learning basic music notation, and get a groove on while creating and recording their own compositions.
INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE • VTech® Nitro Jams Notebook™ • Real Mouse • Mouse Pad • User’s Manual • Music Note Stickers WARNING: All packing materials such as tape, plastic sheets, wire ties and tags are not part of this toy, and should be discarded for your child’s safety. GETTING STARTED GETTING STARTED POWER SOURCE The Nitro Jams Notebook™ operates on 3 “AA” batteries (UM-3/LR6) or a VTech® 9V adaptor (sold separately). BATTERY INSTALLATION 1. Make sure the unit is turned OFF. 2.
AC-DC ADAPTOR Use a VTech® adaptor or any other standard adaptor that complies with EN61558 AC-DC 9V 300 mA center-positive. CONNECTING THE ADAPTOR 1. Make sure the unit is turned OFF. 2. Locate the adaptor jack on the back of the unit. 3. Insert the adaptor plug into the unit’s adaptor jack. 4. Plug the adaptor into an electrical outlet. 5. Turn the unit ON. NOTE: When the toy is not going to be in use for an extended period of time, unplug the adaptor.
USING THE MOUSE 1. Move the mouse in the direction you want the cursor to move. 2. Click on the mouse button to make a selection. CLEANING THE MOUSE 1. Following the arrows, use a screwdriver to open the cover on the bottom of the mouse. 2. Take the ball out of the mouse and use a dry cloth to clean the mouse and the ball. 3. Place the ball back into the mouse, place the cover back onto the mouse and screw the cover closed.
• Math Mania • Game Time • Creativity Center TURNING THE UNIT ON AND OFF Pressing will turn the unit ON. Pressing it again will turn the unit OFF. ACTIVITY SELECTION When the unit is turned ON, you will see a short opening scene followed by the main menu. Activities will cycle on and off the main menu screen automatically. 1. Press when you see an activity you like. 2. Click the mouse button when you see an activity you like. 3.
VOLUME CONTROL BUTTON Press this button to adjust the volume. 4-DIRECTIONAL CURSOR KEYS Press these direction keys to move the cursor up, down, left and right. PRODUCT FEATURES PITCH AND TEMPO SLIDERS Move these sliders up and down to adjust the pitch and tempo of any background music and the melodies in the following activities: Music Mixer, Music World, Remix Circus, Music Box and Sound Studio. KEYBOARD LAYOUT Your Nitro Jams Notebook™ has a full QWERTY keyboard as well as 24 piano-style keys.
Category Hot Keys: Press one of these buttons above to jump to the first activity of the chosen category. Letter/Instrument Keys: Press these keys to input letters or select instruments in related activities. Esc: Press this key to exit an activity. Level: Press this key to change the level of difficulty. Music Mixer: Press this key to directly enter the Music Mixer activity. Player: Press this key to switch from one-player mode to two-player mode and vice versa.
FREE PLAY You can play any keys of the piano keyboard freely during the automatic main menu scrolling. PROGRESSIVE LEARNING FEATURE If several questions are answered incorrectly during the first round, a few of those questions will be asked again in subsequent rounds of most activities. This feature is designed to reinforce learning. AUTO POWER OFF To preserve battery power, the Nitro Jams Notebook™ will automatically shut off after several minutes without input.
Sing-Along Scales N/A 20 Play-Along Songs Competition 21 Alphabet Catch Take turns 22 Capital and Small Take turns 23 Alphabet Order Take turns 24 Word Vision N/A 25 Letter Dart Competition 26 Spelling Show Competition 27 Counting Beats Competition 28 Number Blaster Take turns 29 Pattern Sequence Competition 30 Number Balance Competition 31 Jumping Addition Competition 32 Math Jukebox Take turns 33 Out-of-Tuners Take turns 34 Musical Maze Take turns 35 Follow
Activity 02: Music World Take a hot air balloon journey to enjoy different styles of music from all over the world! Two modes are included in this activity: Exploring Mode: Select your favorite place and listen to its tune. Adventure Mode: You will hear a tune and then the unit will ask you to find the place it belongs to. Activity 03: Instrument Memory You will hear some tunes with different instruments playing alternately. Select the instruments in the correct order that they played in.
Activity 08: Catch the Bug Listen! Which notes do not belong in the song? Click the wrong note with the mouse to get rid of it. Activity 09: Get the Beat Check out the frog drummers’ show! Two frog drummers will play some beats. Listen carefully and find the one whose rhythm is faster or slower using the mouse, or direction keys and the Enter button. Ooh, don’t miss this: Press the piano keys and watch the frog drummers’ comical performance.
Activity 13: Follow Me! Wow, the crab can sing! Listen and follow it to play the piano! Funky! Activity 14: Piano Playoff Wanna be a star? Come and take part in our Piano Playoff! On the screen, a music note will appear above a keyboard key icon. Hit the corresponding key on your keyboard. Follow the highlighted notes to play the piano. Once you’ve found all the notes, you can enjoy the entire song.
icon to move to the next page to continue your work. Click to delete the notes one by one. Click start a new composition.
MATH MANIA Activity 27: Counting Beats Listen and count how many beats the drummer plays! Activity 28: Number Blaster Are you ready to be a “Number Blaster”? Look at the number sequence. Find the number that does not belong and blast it by clicking it with your mouse or by using the direction keys and hitting the Enter button. Activity 29: Pattern Sequence Complete the pattern sequence by using your mouse or by using the direction keys and the Enter button.
CREATIVITY CENTER Activity 37: Rock Superstar Wanna be a superstar?! Pick a background and a star and the show will begin! Press the piano keys to help the star perform stunts! Wow, what a rock star! Activity 38: Puppet Movie A puppet will be shown on the screen.
CARE & MAINTENANCE • Keep the unit clean by wiping it with a slightly damp cloth. Never use solvents or abrasives. • Keep the unit out of direct sunlight and away from direct sources of heat. • Remove the batteries when not using the unit for an extended period of time. • Avoid dropping the unit. NEVER try to dismantle it. • Always keep the unit away from water. TROUBLESHOOTING CARE & MAINTENANCE 1. If your Nitro Jams Notebook™ stops working or does not turn on: • Check your batteries.
OTHER INFO VTech® Electronics North America, L.L.C. and its suppliers assume no responsibility for any damage or loss resulting from the use of this handbook. VTech® Electronics North America, L.L.C. and its suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or claims by third parties that may arise through the use of this software. VTech® Electronics North America, L.L.C.
