Thummer: This Synthesizer is All About Expression
September 25th, 2007
If that 312-key keyboard I told you about recently was a little too complex for you to wrap your head around, here’s another electronic musical instrument that I came across, and this one only has 114 buttons. It’s called the Thummer, and its a portable synthesizer that’s capable of creating some really dynamic sounds, thanks to its unique input scheme.
In addition to a set of keys set up on what looks like a modified variant of the Janko Keyboard, the Thummer offers thumb-controlled joysticks and buttons which are placed on the back of the device. The instrument can be played by placing it on a stand or tabletop, or can also be used as a handheld keyboard.
It’s designed to provide greater range of expression than other musical instruments by providing 7 degrees of freedom while playing. The thumb-operated joysticks let you adjust a variety of sonic attributes such as pitch, brightness and modulation. At the same time, each key on the keyboard is fully pressure sensitive, and can track the velocity and after-touch of each button pressed. From what I can tell, at least one of the prototype designs also includes motion sensor which can be programmed to influence your sounds too.
Thumtronics, the creator of the Thummer haven’t started selling a production model yet, and are looking for investors to make their dream a reality.
[via The Red Ferret Journal]
Comments (6):
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Categories: Audio Strange + Wonderful
Oh how sweet that is. I wonder if they’re selling anything like that.
I made a 66-key jammer (the generic form of the Thummer keyboard) from an old yamaha keyboard.
While it’s not perfect, (the keys stuck more than they should) it was a good enough prototype that I collected suggestions from people, and have devised how to make a better one (smooth, full pianoforte keys) from a $200 M-Audio controller and It requires about 2 weekends of work.
I’m about 1/2 way there and am posting a complete set of instructions on my blog site.
Just google MusicScienceGuy for details.
I appreciate your interest in the Thummer.
The Thummer is a USB-MIDI controller of synthesizers. It can add expression to the sound of any synthesizer you’ve already got (or get). Future versions of the Thummer may have built-in sounds, but we have to get the first version to market first.
You can experience the benefits of the Thummer’s simple & consistent note-layout using your computer keyboard here:
http://www.thummer.com/ThumBoard/thumboard.html
Due to this demo’s use of FlashMIDI, which is available only for Windows, the note-layout kdemo only works on Windows, too. Also, it has to be reinstalled each time you run it, which is a pain. Sorry about that.
I’ll buy it, just sell it and tell me where! Is it on the market yet?
I realize now that this is an older post, but If someone could tell me about this instrument, I would be greatfull.
Unfortunately, Thumtronics went under during the great recession of ’08 during their move to the US. A small but very devoted online community is collaboratively making DIY jammers though! See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jammer_keyboard and here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyr9Mywnmys
(Jammer=Generic Thummer)