One the one hand, it's just a cool riff with a cool instrument sound, which may be point enough. :-)
Also, towards the end of the video, motion sensing is used to vary a low-pass filter (like a wah-wah pedal).
The prototype motion sensors offered only two degrees of freedom (and therefore could control only two independent musical variables simultaneously). But motion sensors have improved (and become cheaper) since then, so the eMotion Thummer's motion sensors ought to be able to offer SIX degrees of freedom. That's a LOT of variables to control at once, while also playing melody and accompaniment.
So, the point is, the eMotion Thummer allows you to control the same kind of variables you might expect to control with an electric guitar's foot-pedal, such as wah-wah -- and a lot more, too.
Fair enough?
Thanks! :-)
Jim Plamondon CEO, Thumtronics Inc The New Shape of Music(tm) www.thummer.com Austin, Texas
Jim, I really like the idea of using 3D space to shape sound. I've used controllers before, but they require using the hand or foot. The motion control would be a feature I would use exclusively.
As compared to the Reactable, which is a bit more avant-garde, I think the Thummer has some interesting possibilities as an actual instrument that could produce unique music.
I would think that the motion sensors can also be assigned to various MIDI controllers or VCFs, not only pitch-bend. What would the options be in this regard?
In any event, I'm anxious to see how the prototypes develop!
Everything in MIDI is user-assignable. That it its greatest strength, but also its greatest weakness, because you have to know what you're doing to use it. We've got some pretty sensible default assignments for the thumb-operated joysticks, but the motion-sensors are likely to be less-standardized, because different synths map timbre controls differently.
Please allow me to suggest that anyone interested in this thread can learn more at www.thummer.com/blog.
Comments
One the one hand, it's just a cool riff with a cool instrument sound, which may be point enough. :-)
Also, towards the end of the video, motion sensing is used to vary a low-pass filter (like a wah-wah pedal).
The prototype motion sensors offered only two degrees of freedom (and therefore could control only two independent musical variables simultaneously). But motion sensors have improved (and become cheaper) since then, so the eMotion Thummer's motion sensors ought to be able to offer SIX degrees of freedom. That's a LOT of variables to control at once, while also playing melody and accompaniment.
So, the point is, the eMotion Thummer allows you to control the same kind of variables you might expect to control with an electric guitar's foot-pedal, such as wah-wah -- and a lot more, too.
Fair enough?
Thanks! :-)
Jim Plamondon
CEO, Thumtronics Inc
The New Shape of Music(tm)
www.thummer.com
Austin, Texas
As compared to the Reactable, which is a bit more avant-garde, I think the Thummer has some interesting possibilities as an actual instrument that could produce unique music.
I would think that the motion sensors can also be assigned to various MIDI controllers or VCFs, not only pitch-bend. What would the options be in this regard?
In any event, I'm anxious to see how the prototypes develop!
Please allow me to suggest that anyone interested in this thread can learn more at www.thummer.com/blog.
Thanks! :-)