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MusicScienceGuy
Joined: Jun 22, 2007 Posts: 97 Location: Vancouver, Canada
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Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:23 pm Post subject:
Info on Thummer and jammer Subject description: A website/blog has started to discuss jammers and the Thummer. |
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If you are interested in the Thummer(tm) and the whole class of instruments called jammers, see http://musicscienceguy.vox.com/ for info on how jammers work and how to build one. Input is sincerely wanted.
MusicScienceGuy. |
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seraph
Editor
Joined: Jun 21, 2003 Posts: 12398 Location: Firenze, Italy
Audio files: 33
G2 patch files: 2
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Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2007 12:12 am Post subject:
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Hi MusicScienceGuy
welcome to electro-music.com
Thanks for posting the link to your site. very interesting _________________ homepage - blog - forum - youtube
Quote: | Don't die with your music still in you - Wayne Dyer |
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MusicScienceGuy
Joined: Jun 22, 2007 Posts: 97 Location: Vancouver, Canada
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Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:45 pm Post subject:
DIY Thummer / jammer Subject description: Here's how to make your own Piano 2.0, a Jammer keyboard. |
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Hello good people.
I've built a couple of jammers like the Thummer that Jim P. is trying to get financing for. I've put on my blog reasonably detailed instructions on how to make a gig-grade jammer from a M-Audio 88es conventional keyboard. Cost is circa $400 plus 3 fairly solid weekends of work (possibly less). Naturally I'm a proud father and want to show it off and hope someone, somewhere finds it useful .
Ken, MSG |
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seraph
Editor
Joined: Jun 21, 2003 Posts: 12398 Location: Firenze, Italy
Audio files: 33
G2 patch files: 2
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Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:52 pm Post subject:
Re: DIY Thummer / jammer Subject description: Here's how to make your own Piano 2.0, a Jammer keyboard. |
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MusicScienceGuy wrote: | I've put on my blog reasonably detailed instructions on how to make a gig-grade jammer from a M-Audio 88es conventional keyboard. |
now, that's intriguing
I don't see anything resembling a 88es in your blog _________________ homepage - blog - forum - youtube
Quote: | Don't die with your music still in you - Wayne Dyer |
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MusicScienceGuy
Joined: Jun 22, 2007 Posts: 97 Location: Vancouver, Canada
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seraph
Editor
Joined: Jun 21, 2003 Posts: 12398 Location: Firenze, Italy
Audio files: 33
G2 patch files: 2
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Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:04 pm Post subject:
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scary _________________ homepage - blog - forum - youtube
Quote: | Don't die with your music still in you - Wayne Dyer |
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MusicScienceGuy
Joined: Jun 22, 2007 Posts: 97 Location: Vancouver, Canada
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Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:50 am Post subject:
Hacking an conventional keyboard to make a jammer |
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seraph wrote: | scary |
The hardest part was cutting up that very nice m-audio keyboard - It's avery nice, solid unit.
However, it's an ideal keyboard to modify, because it it so well made. |
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ericcoleridge
Joined: Jan 16, 2007 Posts: 889 Location: NYC
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Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 2:42 pm Post subject:
Re: Info on Thummer and jammer Subject description: A website/blog has started to discuss jammers and the Thummer. |
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MusicScienceGuy wrote: | If you are interested in the Thummer(tm) and the whole class of instruments called jammers, see http://musicscienceguy.vox.com/ for info on how jammers work and how to build one. Input is sincerely wanted.
MusicScienceGuy. |
Hi, I really like the looks and ergonomics of your interface.
But--if you're interested in input--have you considered building/designing one without hacking an expensive commercial midi keyboard. i.e. just using reed switches or some other switch/pressure mechanism wired up to a circuit like this:
http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth/SINGLEBUSSKEYBOARD2007/SINGLEBUSSKEYBOARD2007.php
or here:
http://www.cyndustries.com/synapse/synapse.cfm?pc=43&folder=march1977&pic=31
or similar to:
http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth/MFOSMINICONTROLLER/MFOSMINICONTROLLER.php
or as described here:
http://www.cyndustries.com/synapse/synapse.cfm?pc=39&folder=jan1979&pic=36
There may be other people here, like me, who would be just as (if not more!) excited about a Control Voltage key/note interface for their analog synths as they would for another type of Midi controller. Or maybe not...
But, I was very intrigued when I saw the picture (shapes! colors!), but honestly, the amount of work and devestation involved was a little off-puting to me. Of course, that's just me. However, it seems like it could(?) be a less demanding (and more accessible) project to create it as an analog controller, from scratch even, with switches or peizios, etc.
will you sell me a kit like that? |
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MusicScienceGuy
Joined: Jun 22, 2007 Posts: 97 Location: Vancouver, Canada
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Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:51 pm Post subject:
Re: Info on Thummer and jammer Subject description: A website/blog has started to discuss jammers and the Thummer. |
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ericcoleridge wrote: | ... But, I was very intrigued when I saw the picture (shapes! colors!), but honestly, the amount of work and devestation involved was a little off-puting to me. Of course, that's just me. However, it seems like it could(?) be a less demanding (and more accessible) project to create it as an analog controller, from scratch even, with switches or peizios, etc.
will you sell me a kit like that? |
Hi Eric,
Thanks for the interesting links. I really appreciate them.
In my case, the objective was a little different: I wanted:
1. Something anyone could make, cheaply, in terms of time and money. $300 ($175 on e-bay) for a keyboard is cheap.
Even more important is time: the readers of this forum, I hope, want to quickly get a playable instrument.
2. An expressive keyboard with pianoforte and potential to grow.
Just wait until I add the thumb-controls - then I'll indeed have an expressive instrument - see thummer.com 's demos.
3. A solid instrument that will go a gig, get plugged in and work. It's not a real instrument until you can focus on the music.
A neat example of a home-made concertina for you to try is here.
Note also that my first version was a little lighter - I wear it like a guitar.
Here's a scary picture of me. |
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jjj
Joined: Feb 28, 2008 Posts: 135 Location: Australia
Audio files: 2
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Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 10:23 am Post subject:
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I just had another bright idea: How about using ordinary buttons, tailors use for clothing, as key tops? For instance, you could choose the right button; i.e. convex shaped and round-edged, so that one can slight the finger along the keys. Buttons come in all sizes, shapes and colors. Even the sewing holes don't interfere and there exist also buttons without holes. Otherwise it might be even more costly to manufacture a special batch of such buttons. |
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MusicScienceGuy
Joined: Jun 22, 2007 Posts: 97 Location: Vancouver, Canada
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Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 12:11 pm Post subject:
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Brilliant idea. I'll check it out. |
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seraph
Editor
Joined: Jun 21, 2003 Posts: 12398 Location: Firenze, Italy
Audio files: 33
G2 patch files: 2
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Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 12:18 pm Post subject:
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be prepared to discuss this matter with female jammer player regarding color and shape of those buttons _________________ homepage - blog - forum - youtube
Quote: | Don't die with your music still in you - Wayne Dyer |
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jjj
Joined: Feb 28, 2008 Posts: 135 Location: Australia
Audio files: 2
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Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:14 am Post subject:
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ericcoleridge wrote:
Quote: | ...have you considered building/designing one without hacking an expensive commercial midi keyboard...? |
I agree with that, but the problem is that most Synths come with two switches per key (the second switch is for touch velocity).
Hence, since the mechanically based Jammer's idea is to avoid electronics, the best mechanical solution, which covers your concerns as well, would be
an adapter (in a light alu frame) put over the top over the zebra piano keyboard to fit any Synth! This frame then can be attached to left & right side of any Synth.
Felt bits glued to the bottom of each adapter key allow for noise-free action.
I cannot imagine a more desirable mechanical solution, can you?
Electronically viewed: Is there a way of activating the two switches via one switch? One way I imagine is via using a delayed switching circuit for the velocity switch. Another way is to use the ready-made touch sensitive keyboard encoder from Pedkov or Sowa and create a separate MIDI port plug-in Kbd; i.e. eliminating the need for a expensive commercial midi keyboard. Last edited by jjj on Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:00 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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jjj
Joined: Feb 28, 2008 Posts: 135 Location: Australia
Audio files: 2
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Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 10:35 am Post subject:
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Quote: | http://musicscienceguy.vox.com/library/post/what-the-heck-is-a-zipex-jammer.html |
You look incredibly sexy (dare I say it?) ..."with that enormous musical extension!" |
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MusicScienceGuy
Joined: Jun 22, 2007 Posts: 97 Location: Vancouver, Canada
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Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 10:55 am Post subject:
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Thanks for the laugh!
Every morning I get up, and witness a miracle - it's a miracle the glass in my bathroom mirror does not break.
Ken. |
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jjj
Joined: Feb 28, 2008 Posts: 135 Location: Australia
Audio files: 2
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Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:42 pm Post subject:
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Quote: | attach a joystick to the keyboard |
Normally, your both hands are busy playing the keyboard. So, there wouldn't be much of a chance to control expression etc. with the left hand.
Yamaha Tyros2 (for example) offers players one finger accompaniment control and thus, they have more opportunities to control/handle other settings.
Live-Styler.de offers the same for only US 51.18
Then you can mount ten more controls on top of the Synth. Last edited by jjj on Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:08 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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MusicScienceGuy
Joined: Jun 22, 2007 Posts: 97 Location: Vancouver, Canada
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Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 5:06 pm Post subject:
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<ahem>
To get back on topic, what do you think of the option to attach a joystick to the keyboard? if mounted on the hand, thumb, foot or mouth, ti would give 2 extra dimensions of expression. They are cheap too, about $7.00 each.
Ken. |
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jjj
Joined: Feb 28, 2008 Posts: 135 Location: Australia
Audio files: 2
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MusicScienceGuy
Joined: Jun 22, 2007 Posts: 97 Location: Vancouver, Canada
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Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:54 pm Post subject:
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Rounding the keys - good idea
Actually, my keys have rounded edges and rounded corners. It was a true pain to make them so, but would have been more painful yet to have left them square - they'd be pretty sharp to play.
Rounding the keys was very labour intensive. - 130 or so keys, most with 6 sides, and most with 6 corners to round.
The underside was not rounded. I have definitely not found that to be problem.
On a better design and mount for the mod wheels
Mounting a 2 big pitch bend/mod wheels on the end of the keyboard, as is standard design is just plain silly - and marks them as design afterthoughts. Much worse is that it's hard to integrate using the wheels with using the keys. So the wheels are used as gimmicks, gimmicks that one can use only one at a time.
So how about if we replace the mod wheels with one or 2 joysticks, and put them in the center, or even mount them on a glove you can wear? Then you can adjust your pitches and timbre as you play.
What do you think?
Ken. |
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jjj
Joined: Feb 28, 2008 Posts: 135 Location: Australia
Audio files: 2
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Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 10:21 am Post subject:
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Quote: | how about if we replace the mod wheels with one or 2 joysticks... |
As mentioned, the problem is that both hands are busy to create the melody and its accompaniment.
Additional controls used to be done with foot pedal or knee lever.
The advanced idea is to free the left hand by an intelligent, automatic accompaniment, such as Yamaha-Styles or Live-Styler offers, to control additional functions.
Even then, the left hand can only be used intermittently; i.e. it cannot be continuously applied as required for volume and tremolo variations.
Accordions/ bandoneons control volume and tremolo variations perfectly via bellow movements, whereas foot or knee control of the same is inaccurate.
That's why a MIDI breath controller, such as Yamaha's BC3 offers far better control.
As it turns out, we lack a third hand to control the joysticks! |
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MusicScienceGuy
Joined: Jun 22, 2007 Posts: 97 Location: Vancouver, Canada
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Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 11:19 am Post subject:
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Ah, but as Jim Plamondon points out, we do have thumbs.
Ken. |
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jjj
Joined: Feb 28, 2008 Posts: 135 Location: Australia
Audio files: 2
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Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:41 pm Post subject:
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But that only works with Wicky... and even there it might be pretty difficult to vary tremolo/ volume (like with accordion) changes and at the same time playing melody or manual bass/chord accompaniment.
That's why I planed to use an old 120-button accordion bass box for manual and automatic (Live-Styler) accompaniment, suspend this box onto springs, (mounted in a frame) so that (similar to bellow movements) I can easily & precisely shake the whole box and so, induce volume/ tremolo variations. This ingenious arrangement even works with BC3 without using breath from my mouth, but rather a self-made Mini air-bellow attached to a lever.
Since your design doesn't offer any of these possibilities, I'm afraid you'll have to go without it! ...Unless of course you come up with an equally ingenious device idea (of which I didn't think yet), which successfully resolves this dilemma.
Think hard and harder, for the success of your project is all yours!
Obviously, for your project the simplest solution is to advice buyers to use apply the BC3 breath controller for effective volume & tremolo variations. |
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jjj
Joined: Feb 28, 2008 Posts: 135 Location: Australia
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Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:05 pm Post subject:
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That how th BC3 breath controller works: move the slider 69% forwards... that you hear the Sax.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qksKsEnsxpU
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The BC3 requires a separate MIDI interface box, unless the Synth has an input for it.
Breathalizer:
http://www.synthony.com/vintage/midisolutions.html
Can you please see how much this one cost, because here (in Chile) the price isn't shown They explain that they ship only to US & Canada. |
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MusicScienceGuy
Joined: Jun 22, 2007 Posts: 97 Location: Vancouver, Canada
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Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 10:28 pm Post subject:
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That link gives me no information - it just dies when I link to it.
Ken. |
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seraph
Editor
Joined: Jun 21, 2003 Posts: 12398 Location: Firenze, Italy
Audio files: 33
G2 patch files: 2
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