MTF - Week 2: Piezo Transduction - Ins and Outs

Years ago I saw Ensemble Moderne performing a show called 'Black on White'. Without going into detail, their use of sound reinforcement left an impression. The most minuscule sounds were rendered obvious. The show began with someone at a writing bureau, scribbling away with a pencil and for a long while, I marveled at what technology of the tiny microphone variety they must be accessing to amplify pencil on paper, wooden benches and all manner of body noise and instrument creaking. That is until I discovered the piezo transducer and realised how simple it was. It was the imagination that made the difference. So I decided to experiment with this idea and also a tree.

One transducer, centre - top.

PenWriting.mp3

Call me obsessive, but I immediately thought of stereo writing. Perfect, and soon after that 5.1 surround, but that's for another day. Consequently, I settled for soldering up another transducer and experimenting.

The stereo setup - bugs left and right.
StereoPen.mp3

This next one is a river red gum tree in the back garden. Was keen to know what might be captured from this and as you can hear, fascinating result (at least to me!). I was specifically going for creaks and unless my imagination is playing tricks, if you listen closely, there is some creaking going on. There is also a sound like the lead slapping against a protruding twig, but this is not the case. Have used eq to remove some unwanted sound in an attempt to capture only what's coming from the tree.

Looks like dodgy first aid for a case of bark rash, but the transducer's under there.

RedGum.mp3

The gods, knowing I was the impatient type and the world's best cold solderer, sent me plenty of (extra) practise. Checking my first mic the morning after, ready to start experimenting anew, noticed the red wire had come off the transducer itself, as if unsoldered during the night (soldering somnambulist?). Whilst I pondered, the black lead literally fell off also! So to work. Fixed up so working, then in the process of dismantling transducer 2, its red wire came off. Back on, lead on, jack on. Dodgy but improving. All about waiting for the wires to heat up to melt solder. Have patience, Daz!

Endnote: Breakfast would be worth a go; piezo teacup and one inside folded toast. Piezos recordings for use in film, sampling, sound FX gathering/libraries, live theatre applications etc ...).

Haines, Christian. "Electronics, Instrument Building & Improvisation." Music Technology Forum Readings, Semester 2, 2007.

—. "Piezo Transducers." Music Technology Forum, Semester 2, Week 2, August 4, 2007.

Tomczak, Seb. "Piezo Transducers." Music Technology Forum, Semester 2, Week 2, August 4, 2007.

The excellent Emutron Blog: http://emutron.blogspot.com/

* A special thanks to Charlie for the safety rundown *