Author |
Message |
Inventor
Stream Operator
Joined: Oct 13, 2007 Posts: 6221 Location: near Austin, Tx, USA
Audio files: 267
|
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 11:50 pm Post subject:
What guitar sound do you prefer? Subject description: from a signal analysis perspective |
|
|
I've just downloaded the demo version of Electroacoustic Toolbox, which is basically a spectrum analyzer, scope, and other stuff for your soundcard. I measured some signals from the OYT guitar invention in both factory and invention switch position, and was rather surprised at what I saw.
In particular there was no additional harmonic content with the invention. I also noted that a super-sharp initial transient occurs with the factory setup that is not there for the invention (attack i guess you'd call it), and a greater content at discordant frequencies, i.e. frequencies not at harmonic multiples.
Much to my surprise one guitarist on another forum said that he prefers the factory pickups because he likes the "richer harmonic content". Maybe guitarists like a little bit of dissonance, maybe a lot? This got me thinking about ways to make the invention more acceptable to the guitarist community. I could purposely create more discord if that's desired. I could add circuitry that increases the same stuff.
Backing up a bit, I guess I should just ask: what do you want in your guitar spectrum / waveform?
Les _________________ "Let's make noise for peace." - Kijjaz |
|
Back to top
|
|
|
BobTheDog
Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 4044 Location: England
Audio files: 32
G2 patch files: 15
|
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 12:55 am Post subject:
|
|
|
Hi Les,
Can you post some images of the frequency graphs?
Cheers
Andy |
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Inventor
Stream Operator
Joined: Oct 13, 2007 Posts: 6221 Location: near Austin, Tx, USA
Audio files: 267
|
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 2:46 am Post subject:
|
|
|
Sure Andy,
In this example I have placed the magnets near the bridge for the invention, and used the bridge pickup for the factory position. Pluck was done at middle pickup location of low E string, open (unfretted).
The spectrum in this case is very similar so it makes a good frame of reference for future comparison i suppose.
Les
Description: |
Spectrum of Invention Low E STring |
|
Filesize: |
101.75 KB |
Viewed: |
817 Time(s) |
This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge. |
|
Description: |
Spectrum of Factory pickups low E String |
|
Filesize: |
104.88 KB |
Viewed: |
851 Time(s) |
This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge. |
|
_________________ "Let's make noise for peace." - Kijjaz |
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Inventor
Stream Operator
Joined: Oct 13, 2007 Posts: 6221 Location: near Austin, Tx, USA
Audio files: 267
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
BobTheDog
Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 4044 Location: England
Audio files: 32
G2 patch files: 15
|
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 4:11 am Post subject:
|
|
|
Hi Les,
I bet if you tried other different mag pickups you would notice similar differences.
Different pickups sound very different, even combinations of different string types with different pickups produce very different sound.
My bet is also the attack changes as well but I must admit I have never thought of this before but it makes sense.
Cheers
Andy |
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Inventor
Stream Operator
Joined: Oct 13, 2007 Posts: 6221 Location: near Austin, Tx, USA
Audio files: 267
|
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 10:52 am Post subject:
|
|
|
As requested by woody monk, the next measurement is with the high E string. Magnets slightly adjusted also.
Les
Description: |
Spectrum with Factory pickups when high e string is plucked |
|
Filesize: |
124.79 KB |
Viewed: |
958 Time(s) |
This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge. |
|
Description: |
Spectrum with invention, high e string plucked |
|
Filesize: |
128.09 KB |
Viewed: |
858 Time(s) |
This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge. |
|
_________________ "Let's make noise for peace." - Kijjaz |
|
Back to top
|
|
|
GovernorSilver
Joined: Apr 26, 2004 Posts: 1349 Location: Washington DC Metro
G2 patch files: 1
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Inventor
Stream Operator
Joined: Oct 13, 2007 Posts: 6221 Location: near Austin, Tx, USA
Audio files: 267
|
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:36 am Post subject:
|
|
|
Well thanks for your comments, though I still do not have a feel for what subset of the market will be best for these pickups. I'm actually starting to think of piano and violin and lute or other instruments (maybe banjo) that people actually want to hear what the instrument itself sounds like.
What I've learned from playing with the measurement software is four things.
1. there is NOT more harmonic content with the new pickup. It is about the same.
2. there is much lower dissonance with the new pickup (see above 1khz on low E string plots above)
3. the attack is much lower with the new pickup
4. the bass is less enhanced with the new pickup (a known flaw of coil wound pickups).
I'm wondering what part of the market is best suited for this pickup given those four observations.
Les _________________ "Let's make noise for peace." - Kijjaz |
|
Back to top
|
|
|
GovernorSilver
Joined: Apr 26, 2004 Posts: 1349 Location: Washington DC Metro
G2 patch files: 1
|
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:10 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
Inventor wrote: |
I'm wondering what part of the market is best suited for this pickup given those four observations.
Les |
My guess is the metal guitar market. They are the ones who are enthusiastic unusual pickups such as Q-Tuners, Lace Alumitones, etc. _________________ Current and recent work on Soundcloud
Some old stuff on VIRB |
|
Back to top
|
|
|
|