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The Buffer Has Arrived
After testing a high-impedance PM-1 buffer, I confirmed my piezo signal path is no longer loading the pickup. Harmonics remain stable, decay improves, and measurements reflect the instrument — whether steel tongue drum, kazoo, slide whistle, or rubber chicken. Read More
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Rebuilding My Piezo Signal Path for Accurate Acoustic Analysis
After tracing brittle transients and missing bass to piezo impedance mismatch, I researched buffering solutions and mapped my signal path. This field note documents the investigation, measurements, and hardware choices behind pursuing accurate steel tongue drum analysis—before the new preamp even arrives. Read More
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Hopwell Steel Tongue Drum (15 note, Key of D)
A deep dive into a 15-note D-major steel tongue drum used as a rain-activated idiophone. Measured tuning accuracy, harmonic behavior, sustain, lacquer acoustics, and psychoacoustics reveal a thoughtfully engineered instrument that bridges ambient sound sculpture, melodic percussion, and experimental recording. Read More
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Boao Tingsha
A pair of Tibetan tingsha cymbals acquired for playful curiosity and pocket-sized performance, explored through ritual meaning, acoustic analysis, and clown mischief. This entry blends meditation bells, spectral frequencies, knot-tying mishaps, and everyday experimentation into a living sound artifact. Read More
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Coconut Kalimba
A $5 coconut-shell kalimba from a Samuels Library fundraiser, valued for its deep, earthy tones and handmade character despite tuning challenges. It now serves as a bassy, experimental companion to a more practical 17-key kalimba. Read More
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Kalimba: 17 Keys
A simple kalimba became a portable soundscape, replacing a paper music box with something more alive. Played in quiet parks beside wandering dogs and flowing water, its gentle tones turned small moments into meditative, wandering melodies. Read More