Shimmer Generators V.3D

“Shimmer Generators V.3D” is an installation consisting of two Sideman 5000 drum machines with exposed electromechanical hardware.

The Sideman 5000 the world’s first commercially available drum machine, invented by Wurlitzer and brought to market in 1959. Though this electro-mechanical musical instrument was built to be repaired and serviced as it aged, it had a rather short commercial life. It was quite giant, weighted over 60 pounds, very expensive and rapidly replaced by much smaller transistor based electronics — most Sidemans ended up in the garbage.

This is a sister artwork to Shimmer Generators V.2D and A Sideman 5000 Adventure

Photo credit: Hannes Woidich