Demos, ThumFest™ 2005, www.thummer.com

Demos of the Eaton prototype of the Thummer-brand jammer. Is that name long enough for you? It's probably the longest product name since "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings." At least ours is a PROTOTYPE name for a PROTOTYPE product (not a "Frodo-type" product, mind you). The commercial version will be called the "Freedom Thummer" -- much simpler.

For more information see www.thummer.com.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Thummer
• Thumtronics
• electronic
• musical
• instrument
• MIDI

[JimPlamondon]

Unfortunately, the Thummer is a casualty of the current financial crisis. Thumtronics, the company that I formed to design and market it, has gone bankrupt. My fault, for poorly managing its development and introduction. Sorry about that.

I expect to place the design documents in the public domain, so that -- once the economy recovers -- some maker of electronic musical instruments (probably Chinese) can start making them.

[elefanten4]

Thats a lame instument

[JimPlamondon]

Could you be more specific? If there are specific features or qualities that you're looking for, I'd like to hear them.

[GHOSTVAL]

Why do you think it's lame? Do you know its features?

[JimPlamondon]

Pressure-sensitive buttons are possible (google "The AXiS-49 Revealed", for example). However, this provides only ONE degree of freedom (continuous variable); the Thummer's thumStiks and internal motion sensors provide TEN more. It is reasonable to value pressure sensitivity highly, because musicians already understand how to use it. But to discount the Thummer's TEN additional degrees of freedom seems...odd.

[frenzitti]

Thanks for the quick reply. I just don't see it on stage at all. Maybe it could be used for composing? Every other instrument out there is much like a piece of art. Guitars=beautiful,Pianos=beaut­iful, Saxophone=beautiful.

The only thing I can see anyone using this is for composition, and that is only feasible if it is a country mile easier to express your musical ideas.

[JimPlamondon]

As to the Thummer's lack of beauty -- that's a matter of taste. The Thummer was designed to minimize weight and bulk, thereby maximizing the utility of its internal motion sensors -- i.e., making it more musically expressive. The function of a digital controller is different from that of an acoustic instrument, and form should follow function. In my opinion, adding ornamentation to the Thummer just to make it prettier would be criminal -- but there's room for disagreement. :-)

[asdfxcxv]

fix the economy and sell this

[JLMoriart]

@Buju561 Unfortunately the company that planned to market the Thummer has gone bankrupt due to the financial crisis of '08, but some dedicated enthusiasts have undertaken a DIY project to make generic Thummers called jammers. Hate to sound like I'm advertising, but check out my channel for more info, I already play one.

[ttracemusic]

Looks very cool!!!

[phillwilson]

have you thought about tapping into the midi DEV scene? firms such as mutable instruments have made a cottage industry out of selling the raw parts plus instructions to eager hackers.

I would love yo own one of these to go with my host of other experimental controllers. if you would fancy selling me a proto i would be interested.

also if you ever make a kit or production version please feel free ot add me to a waiting list.

thanks...and keep innovating

Phill

[leandrusi]

well cheer up man, I believe your invention is very supperior to the ones actually being in the market today!!

[vynl]

This would be a cool way to get a wider range out of a single handspan so I could keep my other hand on a set of synthesizer knobs.

[diddymuck]

@elefanten4 no its not...its portable, innovative, variable, looks easy to learn, has a broad set of uses and is (hopefully) affordable.

[diddymuck]

@JimPlamondon don't give up! this seems like a terrif christmas item.

[paulj0557]

Watch ' Walter Wanderley Call Me ' and see why an organ keyboard is not only good enough, but it's also the greatest sounding instrument of all time that can be bought on any Craigslist , in the U.S. anyway, for $100 and...don't get me started (lol).

[TaterGumfries]

@JimPlamondon elefanten don't have any idea what he means.

[singlishpunk]

this is a great innovation, dun give up! : )

[jmwintenn]

that is pretty awesome