Specdrums: An evolution in the world of sound and colors.

Specdrums are wireless rings with color sensors with which you can turn colors into music. These rings are connected to an app which lets you assign audio samples and melodies to colors. All you have to do is wear the rings and tap on the color and the spectrum of colors around you becomes your sound machine.

To use Specdrums all you have to do is connect the rings to the Android or iOS app, then tap the colors that you want to play then assign a sound of your choice from the library then start jamming. You can choose from various sound and instruments like, drums, percussion, keyboards and synthesizers or import audio samples from external libraries. You can even assign your own audio samples and recordings. You can play it on magazines, books, paintings, furniture, walls, graffiti and even on your clothes.

Steven Dourmashkin and Jack FitzGerrell

The mastermind behind this amazing invention, Steven Dourmashkin who is a drummer and an engineer from Cornell University had started developing this idea since his undergraduate days in Cornell. As a drummer he liked to tap onto things whenever and wherever he could to enjoy drumming. “The original goal was to make something I could use to drum anywhere,” Dourmashkin said. “It’s a fun way to learn about notes and rhythm. It’s for anyone who wants to make music anywhere.” (Bruner, 2017).

During his graduate days Dourmashkin invited two other fellow university students into his pursuit, Jack FitzGerrell a junior majoring in marketing and technology, arts and media and Jenna Palensky who was a doctoral student in ethnomusicology. Together they developed and marketed Specdrums to what it is today.

Designed to be more accessible and portable, Specdrums are perfect for drummers and keyboardists who cant carry their instruments around with them all the time. It can also be used as a MIDI device which can fit into your pockets. Specdrums provide the option to loop audio samples which makes composing easier and enjoyable. One can layer up different loops and create an entire song with ease.

One of the main objectives of the team was to make spectrums suitable for music education. Palensky’s role with the team is to improve Specdrums’ educational potential. “When I met Steven, he talked about this device he made, Palensky said. “I thought it was the coolest thing and wanted to be a part of it. ”Making music accessible to all ages is the goal of Specdrums. Dourmashkin is planning to develop additional Specdrums music products, including Specdrums drumsticks and a foot pedal that allows users to tap coloured surfaces with their feet (Bruner, 2017).

Another amazing feature of Specdrums is that their app is open sourced. One can modify the app to use Specdrums to their needs and to discover new possibilities. You can create games, automation tools, interactive spaces and even modify music instruments. This feature along with the provided feature of sharing your audio sample and loops to collaborate with other musicians makes Specdrums into such a democratic instrument.

What Dourmashkin and his team has created is a new way to interact with your colorful environment. Like guitars are played through strumming and plucking, brass and wind instruments generate sounds through wind and synthesizers through electricity, Specdrums has given us a new medium to generate sound. Specdrums have already gone beyond the boundaries of sound, imagine what it can turn into in the future. Specdrums has become an evolutionary step and a giant leap for music and sound.

References:

Ong, T. (2017). These connected rings let you tap out sounds on any surface. [online] the verge. Available at: https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/8/17/16160672/specdrums-app-connected-rings-tap-sounds-music [Accessed 19 Apr. 2018].

Bruner, K. (2017). Pushing Boundaries: Specdrum rings let you turn any color, any surface into sound. [online] CU Boulder Today. Available at: https://www.colorado.edu/today/2017/05/15/pushing-boundaries-specdrum-rings-let-you-turn-any-color-any-surface-sound [Accessed 19 Apr. 2018].