A simple kit is available that radically improves performance of the Marimba Lumina.

• Double stops and especially four mallet strikes will sound much tighter.

• Multiple channel layers will sound much tighter.

As an added benefit you'll also get:

• Much quicker response of the editing menu.

• Much quicker changes from program to program.

• Much quicker writing to and from memory and memory cards.

Not only that, but if there are any changes, operating system updates will be available for download and are uploadable via MIDI sysex messages! Alternately, memory cards can be purchased and used for uploading a new OS.

I'll throw in 2 free memory cards to the first 6 people who upgrade.

Joel has played and toured extensively with the upgrade without any hardware problems for over 2 years now. With a couple of minor software edits, Quicksilver should be ready for public shipment soon.

What you won't get:

• It won't make you play better; but it might make you sound better. You might just play those grooves a little tighter than before.

• If you really only play one mallet at a time and you rarely edit the instrument or change programs, you might not notice a difference in performance. We won't try to convince you otherwise.

But why?:

"I thought the Lumina was really responsive?" you say. Indeed it is, but due to budget and design concerns when the initial instruments were made, the CPU that converted the gestures into meaningful MIDI information was already a few years old. This CPU can sometimes get overwhelmed with data and the milliseconds will start to add up. This CPU was never made available with faster clock speeds.

A new CPU required significant hardware and software modifications. So a scheme was devised to plug a small circuit board with the new CPU directly into the old socket. It's been through about a year of beta testing, and it's been holding up very well.

Why "Quicksilver"?

Mercury, commonly known as "quicksilver", was thought to have curative and life extending properties. Mercury is also known as the god of speed (and commerce). The 3.5 model of the Marimba Lumina was originally known as the "silver" edition.

Cost:

Quicksilver costs $450 for user installable kit. Add $50 if upgrade is done at Absolute Deviation. Shipping carrier fees may be added.

Future software updates will be downloadable via MIDI sysex for free, or via program card for $40.

The Macintosh Quicksilver software accessory has no relationship with this hardware for your instrument.