Creating a DIY Garbage Can Echo Chamber
The music industry has seen its fair share of innovative reverb effects, but none quite like the Street-Verb. This unique creation, constructed by specialist company Something Physical, uses a physical trashcan as its resonator, giving it a one-of-a-kind, garage-themed feel.
At its core, the Street-Verb operates on the same principle as traditional plate reverb systems. Audio is played through a speaker, which, with a bolt attached, physically contacts the trashcan. This transfers the vibrations into the metal body, transforming it into the reverb signal.
Piezo pickups serve as the microphone equivalents, converting the mechanical vibrations of the trashcan back into an electrical audio signal. The unit uses simple transistor preamps to amplify these pickup signals. Due to the use of two piezo pickups, the Street-Verb produces a stereo reverb output, despite a mono input.
The setup is modular, allowing the speaker driver and pickups to be repositioned and tested on various street furniture. However, the trashcan provides the most compelling reverberation effect.
In comparison to traditional plate reverbs that use a specifically designed and tuned metal plate, the Street-Verb is a DIY, physically driven alternative. It substitutes industrial or found objects (trashcan) and basic piezo pickups instead of dedicated plate setups and microphones, offering a unique, street-inspired take on plate reverb technology.
Tests with the Street-Verb have been conducted using various street furniture, including gates and street signs. A video demonstration of the Street-Verb is available for those interested in seeing it in action.
The Street-Verb is a creative, low-cost physical reverb that shares core operational mechanics with traditional plate reverbs but uses unconventional materials and amplification methods. Its trashcan 'verb setup offers a reverb signal similar to that of a traditional plate reverb, making it an intriguing addition to any musician's arsenal.
This low-cost, DIY reverb system, known as the Street-Verb, offers an unconventional take on plate reverb technology. It uses a trashcan as its resonator, providing a garage-themed feel to music. When tested on various street furniture like gates and street signs, its unique sound has been compared to traditional plate reverb systems, making it an intriguing addition for musicians who seek a fresh, street-inspired gadget in their technology-driven entertainment.
