Beatboxing is a form of vocal percussion that involves the production of vocal sounds using only the mouth and throat, without the use of any instruments or electronics. Beatboxers produce a wide variety of sounds, including bass drums, snares, hi-hats, cymbals, and more.

In order to understand how beatboxers are able to produce such a wide range of sounds, researchers used real-time MRI to visualize the vocal tract of a beatboxer while he was performing. The results of the study revealed that beatboxers use a combination of techniques to produce sound, including:

* Subglottal pressure: Beatboxers increase the pressure inside their lungs to create the foundation for the basic sounds they produce.

* Aryepiglottic constriction: They close or partially close the space between the arytenoid cartilages and the epiglottis, which changes the shape of the vocal tract and alters the sound that is produced.

* Laryngeal oscillations: They rapidly open and close the vocal folds (or vocal cords) to create vibrations that generate different types of sounds.

* Airflow modulation: They manipulate the airflow through the vocal tract by opening and closing their lips, tongue, and jaw.

By combining these techniques, beatboxers are able to produce a wide variety of sounds and create rhythmic patterns that resemble electronic or traditional drum machines. The study used real-time MRI because it was the best way to get a view of the vocal tract while it was creating sounds.