Marimba Lumina

Buchla Marimba Lumina (lower left) used by the group LEMUR

Don Buchla's Marimba Lumina is a MIDI controller that lets a musician play music via a control surface based on the layout of a marimba. More than one version exists, with similar characteristics. Performers known for playing the Marimba Lumina include Joel Davel of the Paul Dresher Ensemble, Vessela Stoyanova of Goli, and Max Lord. The Residents and Tortoise have also used it on tour. Recently, Jon Fishman, drummer of the band Phish, has incorporated a Marimba Lumina into his drum kit as well.

Description

Control Surface: Velocity-, position-, and contact-sensitive bars are laid out in an array similar to a conventional marimba. Additional controller strips and pads provide other functions.

Controller: Specialized color-coded mallets must be used as the surface will not recognize conventional ones.

See also

• Thunder, a tactile MIDI controller
• Lightning, a spatial MIDI controller

External links

• Marimba Lumina at Buchla Electronic Musical Instruments