Smoke Mic Prototype One

[SvenTwelve]

also, consider varying the size and shape of the flat bubble, though a circle will probably be ideal.

[imon2nd]

Hello, Sven.

The soap bubble or very thin film idea is a good one that has been implemented before, though with a polymer material. Take a look at Sennheiser's laser mic, which uses a Mylar film diaphragm.

Of course, I'm developing mics with no diaphragm so I'll leave the improvements in the previous technologies to others.

Best Regards,

David

[SvenTwelve]

also consider hitting the (flat) bubble with the laser in a variety of locations using multiple beams and separate detectors, since the bubble will multiple harmonics simultaneously (like a drumhead), as opposed to the simple fundamental harmonic (i.e., measuring in a single location would provide only a slice of the harmonic wave content on the flat bubble).

[SvenTwelve]

you could probably create a reflective "mirror" (flat) bubble, and hit it with the laser at an angle. this would enable you to measure amplitute very accurately using an array of photo detectors.

[SvenTwelve]

you can probably find a better solution than water and soap to make the flat "bubble", i.e., one that makes a longer-lasting bubble and one that has minimal (lateral) surface activity.

[SvenTwelve]

use a *flat* soap "bubble" suspended on a ring for a diaphragm and shine the lazer through the flat soap "bubble".

[SvenTwelve]

don't use smoke.

[jahcriado]

I'm wondering how you could make this more... conventional looking. I could see it working fine if there was a way to do a permanent suspension in air & have the laser shine through it, but I have not seen a gas mix that stays suspended & not condensing or the ratio fluxing. Could a liquid solution be used?

[imon2nd]

Hello, jahcriado.

Liquid won't work because it is practically incompressible; the sound pressure waves don't change the density of the liquid enough to "read."

A permanent suspension of particles in gas is too noisy; reverberation is uncontrollable and the pressure waves in the medium become chaotic.

A moving "ribbon" of smoke or fog gives the pressure waves something to "write" on that is always a clean slate, provided the ribbon moves fast enough.

This type of mic can look conventional.

[killerkewlaide]

Fantastic work! Tthere are many aplications that I can think of with a bit more development. I am a audio professional (live concert sound and studio recording) and am very excited about this.

[lwanatt]

really? i just have a hard time imagining the measurements in the modulations of smoke to be more ueseful than other possible mediums, just a thought, maybe shine a lazer at a diaphragm that could refract the beam, or is using light to measure sound the proprietary concept here?

[mytfinn]

Truly revolutionary. Proof of concept, and still a work in progress. Yeah team!

[gtochad]

pulling a Thomas Edison with the poem eh?

[synthtubedotcom]

This is great, but... Not to be a curmudgeon, but.. For a so called "Audio professional", the standard and quality of your audio on these videos is absolutely unforgivable. Hire a real sound recordist next time.

(Audio professional with 15 years experience)

[imon2nd]

synthtube;

You're right. Sorry about that.

We're upgrading our AV production values for the Prototype Two clips. Coming soon.

Cheers,

Dave

[Disasteradio]

Absolutely amazing! Good luck at AES!

[anmpir]

Wonderful idea & ultimately, super cool! It's just a prototype, stop complaining about horrid sound quality. If anybody can improve sound quality using this method it's the guys who invented MP3!

[imon2nd]

Thanks, anmpir.

Note that my audio compression patent from 1983 was only one of at least four main contributors to the MPEG Audio Layer 3 standard. Fraunhofer Institute's work is what made MP3 sound acceptable.

[anmpir]

You make it fundamentally possible, they tidy it up. Is that the plan this time around too? :) Thanks for the reply!

[imon2nd]

anmpir;

I'm hoping some mic manufacturers will be interested. We'll see what happens at the AES conference & exhibit in New York next month.

Cheers,

Dave

[hanooter]

wow, for being sound gurus, the sound in this video was absolutely horrible. I could barely hear you in some parts.

[skateplanb94]

Yes, hanooter, sorry about that. We will pay more attention to sound quality in our next video.

[CaptainRidley]

I'm going to keep my eyes on this. This could be huge.

[badmanners411]

I'd be more enthused, if the video makers were able to make a video with better sound quality. An off camera microphone, e.g. a lapel mic would greatly improve this clip.

[imon2nd]

You're absolutely right. The next video, showing Prototype Two will be posted this week and I promise we'll get the sound of the video clip done properly.

Dave

[funkmike]

Hay this is cool you should post a story about this on k5

[imon2nd]

Thanks, Mike!

I have a story about the mic pending at Kuro5hin. We'll see if they vote it in.

Cheers,

Dave