The BumBleBee, Box version
- Stock: In Stock
- Model: The 3B in Box
- Weight: 1,100.00g
- Dimensions: 180.00mm x 200.00mm x 55.00mm
This item is a purchase from The 3B Box Version.
The 3B is guaranteed for 2 years, parts and labor. Please read the full description below before ordering. |
The BumBleBee (aka The 3B), Box version
« Your hands create the sound. Every gesture becomes emotion, every movement, a new sonic landscape »
The 3B is a standalone hybrid instrument, combining two powerful audio engines with two high-precision 3D sensors, designed as both a unique instrument and a spectacular controller for modular systems and MIDI synthesizers.
The 3B comes assembled in its external case: 2mm folded aluminum, 4mm machined aluminum front panel, epoxy paint, DC/DC converters and Meanwell power supply, the whole package demonstrates hardware quality equal to the pleasure The 3B brings.
The sensor module
On the left (yellow adjustable support) is a 3D Laser/IR, completely safe for fingers and eyes, it is a specific technology called TOF (Time Of Flight). This sensor transmits an image of your hand or any other object that enters its cone of vision, along with the precise distance between the object and the sensor. The image allows, by analysis, to determine the X and Y position of the hand or the object. The Z height is transmitted directly by the sensor with millimeter precision.
A second identical sensor, placed on the right (blue adjustable support), transmits the coordinates X2, Y2, Z2 as well as a GATE G2, allowing completely independent two-handed play.
In the center, two buttons A and B are very sensitive pressure sensors. They transform pressure into voltage available on sockets A/X2 and B/Y2. They can operate as two independent sources or as a single source controlled by both knobs: in this case, knob A decrements the value, B increments it and both can act simultaneously to allow excellent fineness of control.
Both sensors are pivotable. Press each hinged bracket to tilt the sensitivity cone in either direction. By making the cones converge, you create a common zone that allows both channels to be controlled with a single hand. By moving the cones apart, you increase the independence of both hands
Height information management (Z1 and Z2)
The height of the hand, another part of the body, or an object relative to the sensor is fundamental information and The 3B offers you several ways to manage it.
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LIKE THEREMIN modeWhen the hand enters the sensor's visibility cone, the GATE is activated. The tension available on Z will correspond to the height of your hand. By default, The 3B offers 120mm per octave. With its sensitivity, in broad daylight and without gloves, you cover three octaves minimum . You can change this reference by 120mm per octave (possible values 72, 96, 120, 180, 240 and 360 mm). |
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SELECTED SEMITONE modeEach 10 mm of movement (with 120 mm/octave adjustment) corresponds to a semitone. The GATE in this mode is generated for each note played. You can enable/disable certain semitones to limit the scale to a specific key or notes. |
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RANGE NOTE modeIt's up to you to decide how to manage the height. Set the number of intervals per octave and assign a note to each interval. Example: divide the 120mm into four 30mm zones and assign each interval the notes C-1, C, G-1, G+1. In the first 120mm, he will therefore play C1, C2, G1, G3, in the following 120mm C2, C3, G2, G4 and so on.. |
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MICROTONAL modeThe 3B reads SCALA files. It comes with some files on its microSD by default. Select a microtonal scale , The 3B will adapt the tensions to match the pitches of the tones defined in the SCALA file. You will be able to play baroque with 12-tone scales but also in more exotic scales from 2 to 24 tones. |
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MULTI SEQ modeIt's a bit like RANGE NOTE mode. Set the number of intervals per octave but instead of assigning a note to a position, you will assign a sequence of 2 to 24 steps to each interval. This allows you to prepare arpeggios in the key of your choice, each pitch will play the sequence adapted to the key thus avoiding the simple transposition of a classical sequence. |
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EXPR. ENV modeIn this mode, the sensor acts like an expression pedal. Above 200mm nothing happens. Below, bringing your hand closer to the sensor acts as if you were pressing a volume pedal, the voltage emitted on Z will increase. X and Y information are transmitted normally. |
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MORPH LFO modeEach sensor manages an LFO. The LFO signal is found on jack Z. We can define two waveforms and indicate what information is used to move from one waveform to the other. The height of your hand will define the amplitude of the modulation, X and Y can be assigned or not to the morphing of the wave and/or to the modulation speed. This module handles classic waveforms as well as custom waveforms that you can edit with the WaveEdit application. |
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OFF / MIDI IN modeIn this mode, the sensor is deactivated. No X, Y, Z or G information is generated, and no notes are played or transmitted via MIDI. So,The USB socket operates MIDI IN streams and processes NOTE ON/OFF messages, as well as the main modulations (velocity, aftertouch, modulation, bend and, volume) that will be available as voltage. The 3B becomes a remarkable MIDI / CVs+GATE interface as well as a 4-voice polyphonic expander, with shared filter and filter envelope, for each sensor. |
Built-in audio generators
For each sensor, The 3B features a high-quality 16-bit 96K digital audio generator. The oscillators offer classic waveforms (both fixed and variable), wavetables, and a Karplus-Strong physical modeling generator. Each engine also includes a sub-oscillator, a multimode filter (Moog 24dB or OTA 12dB/octave, LP, BP, HP), and an ADSR envelope.
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The Z transmitted by the sensor changes the pitch of the sound. Morphing between two waves from the same table or from several tables, the frequency and amplitude of each generator can be modulated by information from sensors, buttons or the CV In input. The wavetables are saved on the microSD and editable with the WaveEdit application. |
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These generators are 4-voice polyphonic. They receive monophonic information from the sensor but this helps avoid abrupt transitions when changing pitch: with release, you notice that the last note played is not cut off when a new note is played. The filter frequency and resonance can be modulated by information from sensors, knobs or the CV In input. |
Sequencer
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Each sensor has its own sequencer. It is active for modes SELECTED SEMINOTE , RANGE NOTE and MICROTONAL. The sequencer allows you to create a pattern that will be transposed by the pitch of the note generated by the defined mode. The sequences on microtonal scales are quite exciting. This screen allows you to directly modify the steps of the sequence, the time division relative to the global tempo and the playback mode. Complex rhythms can be created by inserting silent steps. The sequence models (presets) are defined in a text file on the microSD, customizable as desired. |
I/O and hardware options
On the back of the module, for each GATE jack, a jumper allows you to choose between a classic GATE output (0V..Selected voltage) or S- Trig (open collector).
A third jumper allows you to choose between powering the module with +12V -12V or +12 -12V and +5V. The +5V option is recommended to avoid an additional 300mA load on the +12V rail.
A fourth jumper selects the audio output level: +-2V or +-4V.
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For each CV output, a dedicated button and screen allow you to quickly configure the output, 0.. 5V, 0.. 8V, +-5V as well as an offset and an amplitude coefficient. The voltage available on the jack is displayed in real time. You can thus adapt each CV information to the connected module. |
The 3B integrates a CV input and a Gate input. This allows you to synchronize your module with an external sequencer/BAR/TB/DAW via the Gate In and receive voltage information that can transpose the notes and sequences played by the module. The CV input can also be used to modulate an internal LFO parameter or to morph between wavetables of digital generators.
CALIBRATION function allows you to adjust the Z1 and Z2 voltages so that your oscillators meet the microtonality requirements proposed by The 3B and play in tune over several octaves in concert with the audio generators.
Midi controller
The 3B is also a fantastic MIDI controller, capable of controlling both vintage and modern synths thanks to its complete compatibility (notes, CC, MPE, bends , etc.).
Each sensor will output either notes On/Off, CC (Control Change), MPE information, or bends to allow almost any synthesizer to take full advantage of all of The 3B's modes. Any synthesizer can even do LIKE THEREMIN provided it supports a bend of ±12 or ±24 semitones.
Every synthesizer can also access microtonal scales , with some restrictions on polyphony if you're not in MPE.
The 3B is MPE compatible and can therefore generate an MPE stream, with your hand movements replacing gestures on your MPE keyboard.
MIDI data is output on the DIN OUT socket and/or the USB socket available on the external box. Without an external box, the necessary cables can be purchased to allow you to have a personalized installation.
If you select the OFF / MIDI IN mode for a sensor, the USB socket operates MIDI IN streams and processes NOTE ON/OFF messages, as well as the main modulations that will be available as voltage. The 3B becomes a remarkable MIDI / CVs+GATE interface as well as a 6-voices polyphonic expander, with shared filter and filter envelope, for each sensor.
Accessories
- 1 x Meanwell universal external power supply
