WNYT: Invention opens world of music to people with disabilities

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Updated: 10/16/2015 4:05 PM Created: 10/16/2015 3:58 PM WNYT.com By: WNYT Staff

ALBANY - Imagine having a love for music -- but not being able to play most instruments because you're a quadriplegic.

A local company set out to make music available to everyone -- with help from SUNY Polytechnic.

It's through something called a “Jamboxx.”

Its creators say it is about to change the way people with physical disabilities create music.

The idea started years ago -- when Mike DiCesare's next door neighbor -- who is a quadriplegic -- told him he wanted to play music.

“The only instrument that he could play was a harmonica. So we developed the “Jamboxx” as a way for him to play electronic music,” DiCesare explained.

The “Jamboxx” hooks into a computer through a USB -- and a program allows someone to compose music -- with any instrument -- electronically.

However, the initial prototype was expensive -- and wore out too quickly.

So My Music Machines Inc. came to SUNY Polytechnic for a solution.

“We've spent about a year and a half developing the component itself,” noted Dr. Jim Castracane, a professor at the school.

Where the old “Jamboxx” had two metal contacts that wore out -- the technology developed by SUNY Polytechnic relies on an LED and a detector for it.

“Since it's non-contact and all optical, there's no wear and tear on the device,” explained Castracane.

The “Jamboxx” was originally a very specialized device, but the technology developed through the partnership with SUNY Polytechnic has applications in many other fields.

“We can really see this as even a children's toy or just a musical instrument, an electronic harmonica that anyone can play and we're really excited about it,” admitted DiCesare.

However, the new and improved “Jamboxx” wasn't just built by researchers.

Two graduate students also helped invent the new technology -- which DiCesare says shows the power of STEM education.

“It just leads to so many practical applications down the road,” DiCesare remarked.

Practical applications to give people the gift of music all over again