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Re: [microsound] richard lerman & transducers



> -:=====  On 24 Nov 2000, Alberto Gaitan wrote:  =====:-
> > Richard and one of his students, composer Doug Quin, taught me
> > everything I know about the piezo disk.
> 
> -:=====  On 29 Nov 2000, Kerry Uchida wrote:  =====:-
> WOW!  I love Doug's work.  I didn't know he was a student of Richard.
> Anyone have any link's to Richard Lerman sites?

yup: http://www.west.asu.edu/rlerman/

doug quin's is at: http://home.pon.net/quin/index.html

> So I guess the key hear is to to try to get the 'disk' to actually
> become physically attached to the vibration source.

yup. the tighter the better. soldering is best.

> Also, are you looking at attaching the 'disk' to a source that
> vibrates? 

that's what transducers do. they convert energy from one state to 
another. because of that they can be used both as speakers and 
as mics. i'm using piezo disks as mics, Radio Shack buzzers use 
them as speakers. even minute vibrations are transduced very well 
by piezos. Some applications demand that you ground the system 
(unless you also want to pick up radio stations;).

Doug and I have used them along with trigger-to-MIDI controllers so 
that any touch on the installation objects caused samples to be 
triggered. I posted details about how to do this on this list some 
time back.

I used them with collaborative artist group Art Attack International 
(http://artattackinternational.org/ - no sound on this website, yet) to 
mic-up entire gallery walls. If a patron accidentally (or purposefully) 
even slightly touched the metal wall, a HUGE sound resulted.

> What are you guys using for mic-pre amps on these?

Depends how tweaky you want to be. I've used an effects pedal (or 
box) 'cause i wasn't particularly concerned with fidelity. = )

piezo-->effects box-->mixer-->amp

> What is the output level?

pretty hot mic level

> What is the impedance of these mics?

very high. don't have exact numbers though.

> How would you record to Mini-disc or to DAT with XLR
> mic-pre in's?

through a [mic mixer] or [rackable processor box]-->Mini-disc or 
DAT. Use a XLR connector instead of 1/4" jack when you construct 
the transducer, or an adapter.

HTH,

ag

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