THE COLLABORATORY OUTDOOR MUSIC DECK

Transform. Inform. Perform.

A man with headphones in his ears and a microphone in his hand stands outdoors on a small stage, performing near a brick building with a sign reading 'Public Library'.
A man speaks into a microphone on a stage with children and a woman listening during an outdoor event. The backdrop reads 'The Laboratory' and 'Outdoor Music Deck.'
A variety of music pedals and electronic equipment on a table outdoors, with a person's legs and shoes visible in the background.
Black outdoor music deck trailer with white wheel and red tail light, parked on a concrete surface, with a beige building, RV, and other vehicles in the background.
Two children standing on a parking lot near a stage with a banner that reads 'The Collaborator' and features a graphic of a person's face with headphones, with American flags in the background.
Black and white logo featuring a stylized face with tears, surrounded by text that reads "The Collaboration, Outd00r Music, Kyoto, Dec K".

The Collaboratory Outdoor Music Deck (TCOMD) is the ultimate mobile tool for delivering unique, customizable musical experiences, designed for those who are both ambitious and curious about DIY music composition. Led by TERRELL X, TCOMD arrives as a trailer, unfolding to transform any gathering into an event that fosters collaboration, skill development, and sound-driven fun for all.

Inspired by the 1984 Transformers cartoon, where Optimus Prime's semi-truck trailer revealed the "Combat Deck" battle station, TCOMD is a rugged, steel platform that houses a portable sound system. It invites attendees to take the stage and explore the art of creating music on the spot—whether using traditional instruments or not—turning every moment into a creative, collaborative experience.

Transformation

Closed Upon Arrival

Closed Upon Arrival

Transformed Stage

Transformed Stage

Set Up, Ready To Go

Set Up, Ready To Go

How it works

A typical event with The Collaboratory Outdoor Music Deck involves participants watching TERRELL X deliver an interactive live performance, with guitar and vocal effects pedals. This performance basically doubles as a tutorial on Human Beat Boxing and how to turn their bodies into instruments. A no-judgment environment holds participant's attention - while breaking down barriers of apprehension and stage fright. Participants leave with complimentary TCOMD-branded hand instruments to take home (while supplies last), and further encouragement to pursue using the human body to compose music.

Programming for a full day includes the following: 

  • A performance by TERRELL X

  • History lesson on Hip-Hop culture

  • Human Beat Boxing basics, best-practice techniques, vocabulary, etc. 

  • Human Beat Boxing sound & rhythm composition instruction, using looping & effects pedals

  • Basic song writing exercises

  • Collaboration between TERRELL X and workshop attendees

  • Live performance skills building

  • All sound and power requirements are provided by TERRELL X

  • The outdoor trailer stage can hold up to 6 people at a time; the indoor platform can hold 3-4 people

  • Best to book between May - October…When Minnesota weather is “nice!”

  • Indoor option available

The Collaboratory Outdoor Music Deck is for the people!

A group of adults and children gathered outdoors, some sitting and some standing, talking and smiling.
A man standing outdoors on a sidewalk in front of a red vehicle, pointing with his right hand, wearing a black T-shirt with a graphic on it, black shorts, and sneakers.
An adult man with gray hair and a beard, holding a microphone, on a stage outside, talking to two young boys who are smiling. Several children are sitting on the ground beside the stage.
Children holding maracas and standing in front of a stage with a black banner that reads 'The Collaboratory' and features a stylized face logo during an outdoor event.
A man with a microphone on a small outdoor stage speaking to a crowd, with a woman and a girl standing nearby, while children watch. The background has banners with the word 'The Coaboratory' and logos. It is outdoors in a parking lot during daytime.
A collection of guitar effects pedals and equipment set up on a black textured surface outdoors. In the background, a person's legs and feet in black sneakers and white socks are visible.
A man standing on a small outdoor stage with a microphone, black shorts, and sunglasses, with music equipment including a Roland speaker and amplifier behind him.
An older man with gray beard smiling and wearing a black T-shirt with the logo and text "The Collaborative Outdoor Music Deck" stands in front of a stage. Two young boys are behind him, holding brightly colored paddles, and a large banner with simila

PRICING & SPECS

  • TERRELL X is prepared to deliver 2 hours of engagement for a Standard Music Event rate of $1,200. TCOMD is set up, operated and facilitated by TERRELL X for the duration of the event. TCOMD is also available for customizable full day workshops (up to 6 hours of contact) rate of $2,000.

  • TCOMD and activities can be modified to a rate of $600, or a full day rate of $1,000, for indoor programming. *The Collaboratory (Indoor) Music Deck option is an easily-assembled 6’ x 6’ x 6” platform set to hold the same sound system arrangement & attendees as TCOMD.

  • TCOMD closed dimensions are 11’ (L) x 7’ (D/W) x 5’ (H). 

    TCOMD unfolds/opens up with 14’ (L) x 11’ (D/W) x 8’ (H) dimensions when set up.

    A space of at least 15’ x 15’ for full set-up (not including space for crowds) is recommended. 

    *Scaled-down, no trailer option: The Collaboratory (Indoor) Music Deck is a 6’ (L) x 6’ (D/W) x 6” (H) platform (no tools required for assembly). 

    TCOMD fits through roll-up doors, attached to an SUV as trailer, if used inside.

    TCOMD is best utilized in outdoor settings, but can be used indoors with large entrances and ample space to expand when set up. The scaled down version (no trailer, 6’ x 6’ x 6” platform) is more space-efficient for indoor programming. 

A man standing on a stage holding a microphone, wearing sunglasses and a black t-shirt, with audio equipment and a large banner behind him that reads 'The Collaboratory Outdoor Music Deck' with a logo of a stylized face.

Book The Collaboratory Outdoor Music Deck now!

Built from scratch

Thanks to support from the Great River Regional Library and Springboard for the Arts, we worked with Mac’s Makers Space to create The Collaboratory Outdoor Music Deck.

Two men standing outdoors next to a trailer outside an industrial building, smiling at the camera.
A person using a power tool to fasten metal pieces together outdoors on a sunny day.
A man wearing a face shield and a grey T-shirt with the text 'OUR NARATIVES' printed on it, standing in front of a beige paneled wall.
A black banner with white text and a logo. The logo is a stylized face with exaggerated features, inside a circle. The text around the logo reads "The Collaborator" and "Outdoor Music Deck". The banner appears to be on the floor in an indoor space wi
A man wearing a white T-shirt and red gloves working on a large black container outside a building.
Two men are working together at a garage or workshop, one wearing a Central McGowan cap and the other with a gray shirt, engaging in a task involving a black equipment or tool.
A man wearing a gray t-shirt and sweatpants with red gloves is cleaning a reflective surface with a long-handled brush at a parking garage.
Metal mesh utility trailer in a woodworking shop with tools and stacked wood in the background.
Large black and white decal of a stylized human face with a stern expression, short hair, and facial hair, placed on a crumpled white sheet on a gray carpeted floor.
Colorful plastic percussion instruments, including three maracas in blue, green, and purple, and two tambourines in yellow and pink, on a wooden surface. All items are branded with 'The Collaboratory Outdoor Music Deck.'
A black trailer with a white logo of a stylized face with a mustache and curly hair, parked on a dark street at night. The trailer has red and white reflective lights.
A black SUV towing a black outdoor music deck trailer with a logo of a person's face on the side, parked on grass near trees and open fields.