GB2173031A - Musical cymbal/transducer combination - Google Patents

Musical cymbal/transducer combination Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2173031A
GB2173031A GB08503116A GB8503116A GB2173031A GB 2173031 A GB2173031 A GB 2173031A GB 08503116 A GB08503116 A GB 08503116A GB 8503116 A GB8503116 A GB 8503116A GB 2173031 A GB2173031 A GB 2173031A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
cymbal
transducer
combination
musical
lead
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08503116A
Other versions
GB8503116D0 (en
Inventor
Andrea Walton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TRADING MERCHANDISING SERVICE
Original Assignee
TRADING MERCHANDISING SERVICE
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by TRADING MERCHANDISING SERVICE filed Critical TRADING MERCHANDISING SERVICE
Priority to GB08503116A priority Critical patent/GB2173031A/en
Publication of GB8503116D0 publication Critical patent/GB8503116D0/en
Publication of GB2173031A publication Critical patent/GB2173031A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H3/00—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means
    • G10H3/12—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument
    • G10H3/14—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means
    • G10H3/146—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means using a membrane, e.g. a drum; Pick-up means for vibrating surfaces, e.g. housing of an instrument
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H3/00—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means
    • G10H3/12—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument
    • G10H3/14—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2220/00—Input/output interfacing specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2220/155—User input interfaces for electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H2220/211—User input interfaces for electrophonic musical instruments for microphones, i.e. control of musical parameters either directly from microphone signals or by physically associated peripherals, e.g. karaoke control switches or rhythm sensing accelerometer within the microphone casing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2220/00—Input/output interfacing specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2220/461—Transducers, i.e. details, positioning or use of assemblies to detect and convert mechanical vibrations or mechanical strains into an electrical signal, e.g. audio, trigger or control signal
    • G10H2220/525—Piezoelectric transducers for vibration sensing or vibration excitation in the audio range; Piezoelectric strain sensing, e.g. as key velocity sensor; Piezoelectric actuators, e.g. key actuation in response to a control voltage
    • G10H2220/531—Piezoelectric transducers for vibration sensing or vibration excitation in the audio range; Piezoelectric strain sensing, e.g. as key velocity sensor; Piezoelectric actuators, e.g. key actuation in response to a control voltage made of piezoelectric film
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2220/00—Input/output interfacing specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2220/461—Transducers, i.e. details, positioning or use of assemblies to detect and convert mechanical vibrations or mechanical strains into an electrical signal, e.g. audio, trigger or control signal
    • G10H2220/525—Piezoelectric transducers for vibration sensing or vibration excitation in the audio range; Piezoelectric strain sensing, e.g. as key velocity sensor; Piezoelectric actuators, e.g. key actuation in response to a control voltage
    • G10H2220/531—Piezoelectric transducers for vibration sensing or vibration excitation in the audio range; Piezoelectric strain sensing, e.g. as key velocity sensor; Piezoelectric actuators, e.g. key actuation in response to a control voltage made of piezoelectric film
    • G10H2220/535—Piezoelectric polymer transducers, e.g. made of stretched and poled polyvinylidene difluoride [PVDF] sheets in which the molecular chains of vinylidene fluoride CH2-CF2 have been oriented in a preferential direction
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2230/00—General physical, ergonomic or hardware implementation of electrophonic musical tools or instruments, e.g. shape or architecture
    • G10H2230/045—Special instrument [spint], i.e. mimicking the ergonomy, shape, sound or other characteristic of a specific acoustic musical instrument category
    • G10H2230/251—Spint percussion, i.e. mimicking percussion instruments; Electrophonic musical instruments with percussion instrument features; Electrophonic aspects of acoustic percussion instruments, MIDI-like control therefor
    • G10H2230/321—Spint cymbal, i.e. mimicking thin center-held gong-like instruments made of copper-based alloys, e.g. ride cymbal, china cymbal, sizzle cymbal, swish cymbal, zill, i.e. finger cymbals

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Piezo-Electric Transducers For Audible Bands (AREA)

Abstract

An electro-acoustic transducer 9 is mounted directly in contact with a musical cymbal 1, to replace the normal microphone. The transducer may comprise a polymer film of a type adapted to produce an electric signal in response to pressure waves produced by the cymbal. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to musical cymbals This invention relates to musical cymbals.
It is commonplace for a microphone to be placed near a musical cymbal. The relative positioning of the cymbal and the microphone and the choice of type of microphone can be critical and require the exercise of some skill.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided the combination of a musical cymbal with an electro-acoustic transducer in direct contact with the cymbal.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an electro-acoustic transducer adapted to be mounted or placed in direct contact with a musical cymbal.
In either case the transducer is preferably comprised of a polymer film of a type adapted to produce an electric signal in response to pressure waves produced by the cymbal, for example, film of a type used in electret microphones, and provided with an earth screen.
For example, the polymer may be polytettrafluroethylene ("PTFE") or polyvinylidene fluoride ("PVDF").
The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a section through an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a section through a transducer; Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of one possible amplifier for use in conjunction with the illustrated embodiment of the invention.
Referring to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a musical cymbal 1 of a type having a raised central bell 2 whereby the cymbal is mounted in a substantially horizontal position on a support 3 engaging the bell 2. More particularly, the support 3 has an upwardly projecting, screwthreaded stud 4 which projects upwardly through elastomeric upper and lower washers 5 and 6, respectively above and below the top 7 of the bell 2 and secured by a wing nut 8.
In between the lower washer 6 and the bell top 7 is an electro-acoustic transducer 9, illustrated in section in Fig. 2, which is annular in shape, with the stud 4 projecting through it.
The transducer 9 comprises a piezo-electric (tribo-electric?) film 10 sandwiched between two conductive films 11 and 12. The sandwich construction is folded over at the edge of the transducer 9, so that the conductive layer 12 not only covers the underside of the film'10 but also makes direct electrical contact with the metal of the cymbal 1, thereby forming an earth screen (since the cymbal 1 is electrically earthed through the metal support 3). The other conductive layer 11 may be electrically insulated from the cymbal 1 by a thin insulating washer 13 of hard electrically insulating material capable of transmitting the pressure waves of the cymbal to the conductive layer 11 and thence to the piezo-electric film 10.
Referring again to Fig. 1, a screened electrical lead 14 is connected to the transducer 9, the screen of the lead being connected to the layer 12 and the core of the lead to the layer 11.
Finally, Fig. 1 shows two alternative positions at 15 and 16 respectively for an electroacoustic transducer, instead of the transducer 9. The position at 15 is against the inside of a side surface of the bell 2, indicated by dashed lines, whilst the position at 16 is also against the underside of the cymbal 1, but outside of the bell 2, indicated by chain-dot lines. In either case, the lead can be secured to the support 3 to keep the lead out of the way.
Fig. 3 illustrates a typical electrical amplifier for use with the transducer 9. The amplifier circuit is well-known and requires no description, of course.
Reference is directed to British Patent Specification No. 2 072 458 in the name of C-Tape Developments Limited and to corresponding United States Patent NO. 4 389 580. These specifications relate to an electro-acoustic transducer for use with a musical instrument.
It is possible that such an electro-acoustic transducer could be used in the present invention.
1. The combination of a musical cymbal with an electro-acoustic transducer in direct contact with the cymbal.
2. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transducer comprises a polymer film of a type adapted to produce an electric signal in response to pressure waves produced by the cymbal.
3. The combination as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the cymbal is mounted in a substantially horizontal position on a support engaging a central portion of the cymbal.
4. The combination as claimed in claim 3 wherein the transducer is directly underneath a portion of the cymbal.
5. The combination as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the transducer is in direct contact with a middle portion of the cymbal.
6. The combination as claimed in claim 5 dependent on claim 4 wherein a cushion washer (e.g. of felt) underlies the transducer and supports the cymbal.
7. The combination as claimed in any preceding claim and further comprising an electrical lead connected to the transducer.
8. The combination as claimed in claim 7 dependent on at least claim 3 wherein the lead is attached to the support.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to musical cymbals This invention relates to musical cymbals. It is commonplace for a microphone to be placed near a musical cymbal. The relative positioning of the cymbal and the microphone and the choice of type of microphone can be critical and require the exercise of some skill. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided the combination of a musical cymbal with an electro-acoustic transducer in direct contact with the cymbal. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an electro-acoustic transducer adapted to be mounted or placed in direct contact with a musical cymbal. In either case the transducer is preferably comprised of a polymer film of a type adapted to produce an electric signal in response to pressure waves produced by the cymbal, for example, film of a type used in electret microphones, and provided with an earth screen. For example, the polymer may be polytettrafluroethylene ("PTFE") or polyvinylidene fluoride ("PVDF"). The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a section through an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a section through a transducer; Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of one possible amplifier for use in conjunction with the illustrated embodiment of the invention. Referring to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a musical cymbal 1 of a type having a raised central bell 2 whereby the cymbal is mounted in a substantially horizontal position on a support 3 engaging the bell 2. More particularly, the support 3 has an upwardly projecting, screwthreaded stud 4 which projects upwardly through elastomeric upper and lower washers 5 and 6, respectively above and below the top 7 of the bell 2 and secured by a wing nut 8. In between the lower washer 6 and the bell top 7 is an electro-acoustic transducer 9, illustrated in section in Fig. 2, which is annular in shape, with the stud 4 projecting through it. The transducer 9 comprises a piezo-electric (tribo-electric?) film 10 sandwiched between two conductive films 11 and 12. The sandwich construction is folded over at the edge of the transducer 9, so that the conductive layer 12 not only covers the underside of the film'10 but also makes direct electrical contact with the metal of the cymbal 1, thereby forming an earth screen (since the cymbal 1 is electrically earthed through the metal support 3). The other conductive layer 11 may be electrically insulated from the cymbal 1 by a thin insulating washer 13 of hard electrically insulating material capable of transmitting the pressure waves of the cymbal to the conductive layer 11 and thence to the piezo-electric film 10. Referring again to Fig. 1, a screened electrical lead 14 is connected to the transducer 9, the screen of the lead being connected to the layer 12 and the core of the lead to the layer 11. Finally, Fig. 1 shows two alternative positions at 15 and 16 respectively for an electroacoustic transducer, instead of the transducer 9. The position at 15 is against the inside of a side surface of the bell 2, indicated by dashed lines, whilst the position at 16 is also against the underside of the cymbal 1, but outside of the bell 2, indicated by chain-dot lines. In either case, the lead can be secured to the support 3 to keep the lead out of the way. Fig. 3 illustrates a typical electrical amplifier for use with the transducer 9. The amplifier circuit is well-known and requires no description, of course. Reference is directed to British Patent Specification No. 2 072 458 in the name of C-Tape Developments Limited and to corresponding United States Patent NO. 4 389 580. These specifications relate to an electro-acoustic transducer for use with a musical instrument. It is possible that such an electro-acoustic transducer could be used in the present invention. CLAIMS
1. The combination of a musical cymbal with an electro-acoustic transducer in direct contact with the cymbal.
2. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transducer comprises a polymer film of a type adapted to produce an electric signal in response to pressure waves produced by the cymbal.
3. The combination as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the cymbal is mounted in a substantially horizontal position on a support engaging a central portion of the cymbal.
4. The combination as claimed in claim 3 wherein the transducer is directly underneath a portion of the cymbal.
5. The combination as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the transducer is in direct contact with a middle portion of the cymbal.
6. The combination as claimed in claim 5 dependent on claim 4 wherein a cushion washer (e.g. of felt) underlies the transducer and supports the cymbal.
7. The combination as claimed in any preceding claim and further comprising an electrical lead connected to the transducer.
8. The combination as claimed in claim 7 dependent on at least claim 3 wherein the lead is attached to the support.
9. The combination as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein the lead is co-axial.
10. The combination as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the transducer comprises an earth screen.
GB08503116A 1985-02-07 1985-02-07 Musical cymbal/transducer combination Withdrawn GB2173031A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08503116A GB2173031A (en) 1985-02-07 1985-02-07 Musical cymbal/transducer combination

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08503116A GB2173031A (en) 1985-02-07 1985-02-07 Musical cymbal/transducer combination

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8503116D0 GB8503116D0 (en) 1985-03-13
GB2173031A true GB2173031A (en) 1986-10-01

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Family Applications (1)

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GB08503116A Withdrawn GB2173031A (en) 1985-02-07 1985-02-07 Musical cymbal/transducer combination

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GB (1) GB2173031A (en)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0238187A2 (en) * 1986-02-12 1987-09-23 Pennwalt Piezo Film Limited Contact microphone for cymbals and the like
GB2203587A (en) * 1987-04-15 1988-10-19 Baynext Limited Musical instrument
US5915289A (en) * 1997-12-12 1999-06-22 Hart; Peter Electronic cymbal apparatus
US6072112A (en) * 1997-01-24 2000-06-06 Yamaha Corporation Electronic percussion instrument
WO2001078060A2 (en) * 2000-04-06 2001-10-18 Agm - Academia De Ginástica Móvel Ltda. Rhythmic apparatus, rhythmic accompaniment method and electronic transducer
US7323632B2 (en) * 2003-08-19 2008-01-29 Martin Richard Wachter Percussion transducer
JP2013109139A (en) * 2011-11-21 2013-06-06 Roland Corp Pickup for cymbal and stand provided with pickup for cymbal
WO2013177580A1 (en) * 2012-05-24 2013-11-28 Avedis Zildjian Co. Electromagnetic cymbal pickup
US8729378B2 (en) 2010-09-15 2014-05-20 Avedis Zildjian Co. Non-contact cymbal pickup using multiple microphones
US8872015B2 (en) 2012-08-27 2014-10-28 Avedis Zildjian Co. Cymbal transducer using electret accelerometer
DE202019104371U1 (en) * 2019-08-08 2020-11-10 Roland Meinl Musikinstrumente Gmbh & Co. Kg Cymbal pickup device

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3509264A (en) * 1967-12-29 1970-04-28 Allen J Green Electric drum or other percussion instrument

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3509264A (en) * 1967-12-29 1970-04-28 Allen J Green Electric drum or other percussion instrument

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0238187A2 (en) * 1986-02-12 1987-09-23 Pennwalt Piezo Film Limited Contact microphone for cymbals and the like
EP0238187A3 (en) * 1986-02-12 1989-03-15 Pennwalt Piezo Film Limited Contact microphone for cymbals and the like
GB2203587A (en) * 1987-04-15 1988-10-19 Baynext Limited Musical instrument
US6072112A (en) * 1997-01-24 2000-06-06 Yamaha Corporation Electronic percussion instrument
DE19802832B4 (en) * 1997-01-24 2004-02-12 Yamaha Corp., Hamamatsu Electronic percussion instrument
US5915289A (en) * 1997-12-12 1999-06-22 Hart; Peter Electronic cymbal apparatus
WO2001078060A3 (en) * 2000-04-06 2002-04-04 Agm Academia De Ginastica Move Rhythmic apparatus, rhythmic accompaniment method and electronic transducer
WO2001078060A2 (en) * 2000-04-06 2001-10-18 Agm - Academia De Ginástica Móvel Ltda. Rhythmic apparatus, rhythmic accompaniment method and electronic transducer
US6838610B2 (en) 2000-04-06 2005-01-04 Agm - Academia De Ginastica Movel Ltda. Arrangement of a rhythmic apparatus with a vehicle sound apparatus, rhythmic accompaniment method and electronic transducer
US7323632B2 (en) * 2003-08-19 2008-01-29 Martin Richard Wachter Percussion transducer
US8729378B2 (en) 2010-09-15 2014-05-20 Avedis Zildjian Co. Non-contact cymbal pickup using multiple microphones
JP2013109139A (en) * 2011-11-21 2013-06-06 Roland Corp Pickup for cymbal and stand provided with pickup for cymbal
WO2013177580A1 (en) * 2012-05-24 2013-11-28 Avedis Zildjian Co. Electromagnetic cymbal pickup
US8872015B2 (en) 2012-08-27 2014-10-28 Avedis Zildjian Co. Cymbal transducer using electret accelerometer
DE202019104371U1 (en) * 2019-08-08 2020-11-10 Roland Meinl Musikinstrumente Gmbh & Co. Kg Cymbal pickup device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8503116D0 (en) 1985-03-13

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)