Jam-Pack
A compact and portable drum kit and case
Designed for beginners, small-space musicians, and gigging drummers, Jam-Pack packs a complete five-piece setup into a compact 16” × 16” bass drum that doubles as a protective carrying case. Custom plywood hoops integrate with a flower-petal tom rack system for quick setup and efficient nesting. Discreet wheels and integrated hardware storage make the kit easy to transport without compromising aesthetics or authentic acoustic sound.
Tools: Rhino, Solidworks, Keyshot, 3D printing prototyping, Adobe sweep, Fusion CAM, ShopBot 3-axis CNC
Duration: 10 weeks, Spring 2025
Working prototype
Discreetly placed wheels allow the case to glide like a suitcase, while its reinforced structure supports the pedal tom rack system and withstands the demands of transport and performance. Integrated storage within the lid accommodates cymbals, while additional compartments in the bottom corners organize hardware, consolidating the entire drum setup into one portable unit. Rivet details reference traditional drum cases, blending a familiar visual language with contemporary functionality.
Jam-Pack reimagines the drum kit to fit your life on the move. The bass drum splits open to nest a 12” snare, 8”,10”, and 13” toms plus a drum seat inside a compact 16” x 16” shell. Unique plywood hoops around the center of each drum secure the rim and batter head with tension rods and create a smooth nesting experience when stacked. The drum seat fits perfectly within the 13” tom, securing the nested drums in place within grooves under the seat.
CMF
Survey insights
“it bothered me not being able to just grab my kit and jam anywhere quickly”
“some venues are a pain to bring drums - parking, stairs, etc. out of town I usually rely on house kits which are generally low quality and poorly maintained.”
“I've used a suitcase as a kick and lightweight hardware that fits inside the suitcase sometimes.”
“some venues are a pain to bring drums - parking, stairs, etc. out of town I usually rely on house kits which are generally low quality and poorly maintained.”
“I've used a suitcase as a kick and lightweight hardware that fits inside the suitcase sometimes.”
The flower pedal concept
Prototyping
Initial Prototyping
Lazer cutting countless flower petal shapes and sizes. 3D printed 1/4 scale drums to pair with interchangable petal prototypes. Repurposed drum shells from various sets to find the 5 piece shell set for Jam-Pack. 3D printed full scale drum rim hoop for 8” tom on Prusa XL.
Full-scale Prototyping
Building a full-scale prototype early in the design process established the foundation for Jam-Pack’s overall structure and served as its initial skeleton. Without using the final materials, the skeleton made decisions about height, reach, spacing, and storage efficiency much easier to evaluate.
Lazer cutting countless flower petal shapes and sizes. 3D printed 1/4 scale drums to pair with interchangable petal prototypes. Repurposed drum shells from various sets to find the 5 piece shell set for Jam-Pack. 3D printed full scale drum rim hoop for 8” tom on Prusa XL.
Full-scale Prototyping
Building a full-scale prototype early in the design process established the foundation for Jam-Pack’s overall structure and served as its initial skeleton. Without using the final materials, the skeleton made decisions about height, reach, spacing, and storage efficiency much easier to evaluate.
Shaping the case
The full-scale skeleton informed the development of Jam-Pack’s exterior bass drum shell, designed to balance structural integrity, portability, and playability. Conceived with prototyping and production in mind, the shell functions as more than a protective casing; it serves as the foundation for the kit’s integrated storage and transportation system.
CAD form
Attention to detail extends into the hardware across the Jam-Pack drumset. The drum mount arm screw caps are designed for both durability and ease of adjustment, ensuring secure positioning even under frequent setup and breakdown. A custom-designed signature drum key complements the system. It is compact and shaped for efficient torque, reinforcing the identity of Jam-Pack while highlighting its user-focused functionality.
