Microphone-tailored equalizing system

Abstract

A method and system is described to improve the reproduction of sound of an acoustic musical instrument. According to one embodiment, a first microphone is placed at a proximate location to the musical instrument to pick up the sound of the musical instrument. The sound as picked up by the first microphone is compared to a reference sound of the instrument (e.g., the sound of the instrument as perceived at a normal listening position). Based on this comparison, a tailor-made equalizer is designed to compensate for the differences between the sounds as picked up by the first microphone and the reference sounds of the musical instrument. Accordingly, using the tailor-made equalizer allows the reproduction of sound from the first microphone to have a quality similar to that of the reference sound of the musical instrument. In an implementation of the above system, a filter arrangement is provided having a low-pass and a high-pass filter that allows separate control of the frequency and / or gain for each filter.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention relates to microphone pickup and electronic amplification of musical instruments, particularly acoustic musical instruments, for concerts or recordings. [0003] 2. Background Art [0004] Pickups for electronically reproducing sound from musical instruments are of two general types, pressure and vibration. A pressure pickup or microphone has a diaphragm that vibrates in response to acoustic pressure variations in air. The diaphragm vibrations are transformed into an electrical signal. Since the human ear also has a diaphragm that works in the same way, the acoustic response of a good pressure type microphone located at an optimal distance from a musical instrument approximates the sound of the instrument in a given room. Pressure-type microphones present problems of isolation, placement, and feedback, however. [0005] The isolation problem results from pickup sounds from both desired sources (the instrumen...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016] The present invention provides a method for designing a system (microphones, attachment mechanisms, and associated preamplifiers, equalizers, and processors) to be used with solo or group musical instruments, and the system as designed by the method. A principal feature of the system is the use of one or more microphones placed proximately to, on or inside an instrument. For example, the microphone can be mounted permanently on or in the instrument, or it can be attached temporarily to the instrument with a clip designed for the specific instrument in question. It may also be held on a stand when feasible and preferable. While any microphone of suitable quality will do, a miniature microphone (and particularly when attached to the instrument) has two advantages. First, it is easier to accurately place, and will go in some places that a normal microphone will not fit. Second, it will move with a non-stationary (e.g., hand-held) instrument, and so avoid unwanted changes of sound quality that arise when an instrument moves relative to a microphone.

[0019] Each equalizer can be combined with a preamplifier in a small, lightweight package that can be mounted close to the performer. This allows the individual musicians to achieve their own preferred “sound” without needing a skilled audio technician to make complex multiple adjustments at a master equalizer console.

[0020] These features of the system sharply reduce the cost of the audio input equipment for a band or orchestra and dramatically shorten the time required to set up the equipment for a concert or recording session. They also enable a musician or other person to accomplish what is presently achievable only by a sound engineer.

[0047] The mounting device may also include a device for removably attaching the microphone to the instrument, the device being specifically designed for attachment at the preselected location on the particular instrument so as to avoid or minimize altering the sounds produced by the instrument and to enable a performer to play the instrument unencumbered.

Problems solved by technology

First, it is easier to accurately place, and will go in some places that a normal microphone will not fit.

Each filter control can be limited to the smallest useful range that allows enough flexibility for variations between individual instruments.

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