Abstract: A planar wave transducer assembly comprising a rigid, unitary structure formed by a pair of foot pads attached to a planar surface, each foot pad having an upstanding leg, and a span bar extending across the tops of the legs. A piezoelectric transducer element extends between the legs of the transducer assembly in spaced, parallel alignment with the span bar to convert wave motion in the planar surface into an electrical signal. That is, the movement of one leg towards the other in response to planar wave energy causes the one leg to flex or bend so as to apply a compressive force to the piezoelectric transducer element connected between the legs. The transducer assembly herein disclosed has been found to be particularly effective as a pick up when applied to a soundboard of a musical instrument, such as a piano, and the like.

Abstract: A planar wave transducer assembly comprising a rigid structure formed by a pair of foot pads, each with an upstanding leg and a span bar extending across the top of the legs. A piezoelectric transducer element is attached to the span bar, preferably in a channel extending between the legs, to convert wave motion in the plane defined by the flat bases of the foot pads into an electrical signal. The transducer assembly herein disclosed has been found to be remarkably effective as a pick up when applied to the soundboard of a piano, achieving excellent signal isolation as well as enhancing the acoustic sound produced by the instrument.

Abstract: A system for establishing a generally elongated and preferably also generally flat pattern of response for a microphone. A microphone pickup module according to the invention has a body with an elongated, preferably also generally flat, channel extending therethrough between generally oppositely facing open ends. A miniature pressure type microphone is mounted in the body with its sound-sensitive surface in communication with the channel intermediate the ends of the channel. The system provides improved response characteristics for the harmonica, accordion and drum.

Abstract: A string instrument pickup system sensitive to 360.degree. of transverse string movement, which is substantially immune from microphonics, and which has a substantially equal or balanced response to all of the strings. In one form of the invention a piezoelectric transducer is compressively associated with vertical movement components of each string of the instrument, but is laterally offset from a centered position under the string for compressive association of the transducer also with the horizontal string movement components; and halves of the total piezoelectric transducer area are oppositely polarized so as to cancel out microphonics.

Abstract: A sonic transducer incorporating a rigid plate-like transmitting member coupled to electromechanical compression wave generating means such as a piezoelectric crystal for transmitting sonic energy in a medium. The transmitting means is damped to prevent ringing, and the transducer is particularly responsive to the high frequency audio spectrum. The sheet-like configuration of the transducer enables it to be recessed within a generally flat panel such as a front panel of a speaker cabinet while nevertheless being separated from the inside of the cabinet to avoid interaction with a conventional cone-type speaker that may be mounted in the same cabinet. The sheet-like transducer is resiliently mounted in a direction contrary to the principal direction of sonic energy propagation in the transducer to minimize loss of sonic energy to supporting structure such as a speaker cabinet.

Abstract: A sonic transducer incorporating a rigid plate-like transmitting member coupled to electromechanical compression wave generating means such as a piezoelectric crystal for transmitting sonic energy in a medium. The transmitting means is damped to prevent ringing, and the transducer is particularly responsive to the high frequency audio spectrum.

Abstract: A tension rod for a string instrument such as a guitar is utilized to dampen flexural vibrations transferred to the instrument body while maintaining direct compressional wave coupling from strings to the instrument body.

Abstract: A bridge for a string instrument such as a guitar is utilized to dampen flexural vibrations transferred to the instrument body while maintaining direct compressional wave coupling from strings to the instrument body.