I've had an idea kicking around in my head for awhile and I think it is time to try it out. The inspiration is from my old neighbor's recording studio where he had a huge sheet metal reverb unit and a pie plate spring resonator design that was posted on this site.
I thought about suspending a small steel sheet inside a cigarbox secured by springs at each corner. The box may need some extra bracing depending on the spring tension. I'm not sure of whether this is worth the effort and there are a couple design elements that I'm not sure about:
- Option to have the plate passively resonate with the soundboard or through an active attachement. I thought about passing wooden golf tees through the saddle with sufficient length to press on the plate and avoid rattling.
- Pickup method for the plate. Piezo or a cheap 6-pole mag pup?
Following is a rough sketch. [WARNING: NOT DRAWN TO SCALE!]
What says the group? Worth the effort to try it out?
Replies
I recently built a coffee can resonator, with a cheap (guitarfetish clearance section)single coil mounted under the coffee can i am very pleased with the quality of the signal.video at the bottom of the page
Your git has me thinking about a Star Wars chocolate tin I got from my girls on Valentine's Day. Thanks again.
Cool stuff. Thanks.
Definitely try it out. What about springs at one end and something that allows you to adjust the tension on the other to vary the amount of resonation?
Cheers
Peter, thanks for the idea. An eye bolt or something hooked through one end of the sheet would be a handy tensioner and simplify mounting significantly. I like it.
I found the beavers audio article interesting. I think it experienced numerous failures, some acknowledged in the article, for the following reasons:
1) Plate was too rigid for the size box used. That's why I recommended you start with an unrolled aluminum soda can.
2) Plate was not sprung, but was tied down, so tightly it couldn't vibrate.
3) Plate was mounted in an open frame box; while this is not a true failure per se, the lack of top and sides means any vibration would dissipate into open air pretty quickly, leaving no room for setting up oscillating waves as you might get in an enclosed air volume.
4) Plate was being driven by a tiny sound source located too close to the plate, and in the wrong place.
A quick 'Net search revealed the following details of plate reverb construction, which could be scaled for Bad's application:
http://platereverb.com/manuals/Plate%20Construction.pdf
http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/how_to_build_your_own_plate_reverb/
http://www.bsidebeats.com/how-to-make-a-plate-reverb/
This is gonna be interesting to watch!
Hi ED,
Just having a slow day looking on the www and came across this page which overlaps with what you are doing and thought it might be of interest.
http://www.beavisaudio.com/Projects/Plate_Reverb/index.htm.
Robert,
Bad Finger. Saw blade reso.
Not a good combination, I'm thinkin...;-)
Better keep him away from Backporch Mojo's git with the saw blade reso cover, might turn Bad Finger into No Finger.
Check out banjo tone enhancers for more ideas, something like this one on Banjo.com
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