Non-Contact Cymbal Pickup Using Phase-Inverted Microphones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for amplifying cymbal vibrations are hindered by the need for bulky microphone setups, interference with natural vibrations, and unwanted crosstalk, especially with perforated cymbals requiring special signal processing for acceptable sound quality.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact cymbal pickup system using multiple microphones positioned 180 degrees apart around the cymbal stand, with a phase inverter and combiner to stabilize signal amplitude and reduce tilt-induced variations, allowing for compact, cost-effective, and interference-free amplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If microphones are positioned close to the cymbal, then sound quality is improved, but the microphone support stands become bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single distant microphone to multiple microphones arranged in a three-dimensional configuration around the cymbal stand. By positioning microphones at different radial distances and angular positions (including 180 degrees apart), the system achieves close-proximity sound capture without requiring a single bulky support structure, as the microphones are distributed across multiple locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the sound capture function across multiple microphones rather than using one large microphone system. Each microphone captures sound from a specific position, and their signals are combined electronically. This segmentation allows the use of smaller, lighter microphone units positioned at various locations around the cymbal stand.
2Measurement precision
If microphones are positioned close to the cymbal, then sound quality is improved, but crosstalk from other nearby instruments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric arrangement of microphones at specific angular positions (including 180 degrees apart) around the cymbal stand. This asymmetric positioning, combined with phase inversion techniques, creates directional sensitivity that enhances cymbal capture while rejecting sound from other directions, thereby reducing crosstalk from nearby instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses phase inversion and signal combining techniques where the output from one microphone is inverted and combined with another. This feedback mechanism creates constructive interference for cymbal sounds and destructive interference for crosstalk, effectively filtering unwanted sounds while maintaining close-proximity sound quality.
3Ease of operation
If a microphone is positioned at a fixed location, then setup simplicity is improved, but the distance to the swinging cymbal varies causing amplitude variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sound capture task across multiple microphones positioned at different radial distances from the cymbal stand. By segmenting the measurement function across multiple fixed positions, the system ensures that at least one microphone maintains a relatively stable distance from the cymbal during its swing, preventing significant amplitude variations in the combined output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines signals from multiple microphones positioned at different locations around the cymbal stand. This merging of signals ensures that amplitude variations from individual microphones due to cymbal swing are averaged out, producing a stable overall output amplitude while maintaining setup simplicity with fixed microphone positions.
4Stability of the object's composition
If attachment hardware is added to the cymbal, then microphone stability is improved, but natural vibrations are interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the cymbal stand as an intermediary structure to support the microphones. Instead of attaching microphones directly to the cymbal, the stand serves as a mediator that holds microphones in fixed positions around the cymbal's swing path, providing stability without interfering with the cymbal's natural vibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the microphone support from the cymbal itself to the cymbal stand structure, utilizing the vertical and radial dimensions of the stand. This dimensional relocation allows microphones to be positioned close to the cymbal's swing path while being mechanically decoupled from the cymbal, eliminating vibration interference while maintaining stability.
5Weight of moving object
If perforations are added to reduce sound level, then volume control is improved, but sound quality deteriorates requiring special signal processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback-based signal processing where the output from one microphone is inverted and combined with another. This feedback mechanism compensates for the altered acoustic characteristics of perforated cymbals, restoring natural sound quality without requiring complex external signal processing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines signals from multiple microphones positioned at different locations around the perforated cymbal. This merging of multiple sound paths compensates for the altered acoustics introduced by perforations, maintaining natural sound quality while achieving volume control through the perforations themselves.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides stable and high-quality sound amplification that is independent of cymbal orientation and position, eliminating the need for attachment hardware and reducing wire entanglement issues, while enhancing sound quality for both solid and perforated cymbals.
Implementation Method 1
a phase inverter configured to invert the phase of the first transducer signal
Implementation Method 2
a combiner for combining the phase-inverted first transducer signal with the second transducer signal
Implementation Method 3
a first contactless transducer operable to generate a first transducer signal in response to vibrations in a cymbal
Data Source
AI summary
As described herein, a sound pickup for musical cymbals includes an integrated assembly attachable to a cymbal stand. The integrated assembly includes a plurality of microphones arranged and electrically connected such that the resulting amplified sound is of optimal quality and of relatively constant loudness regardless of cymbal tilt. In one embodiment, two microphones are used, with the signal phase from one microphone being inverted prior to combination with the signal from the other microphone. The inversion is implemented using an inverter and serves to cancel signals that are in phase with one another and augment signals that are out of phase with one another. This, along with suitable placement of the pickup, exploits the fact that the more desirable components of the cymbal's vibration at the inflection point of the cymbal are out of phase with each other, whereas the less-desirable components are in phase with each other.