Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices – Electro-acoustic audio transducer – Housed microphone
Reexamination Certificate
2002-08-24
2004-01-06
Kuntz, Curtis (Department: 2643)
Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices
Electro-acoustic audio transducer
Housed microphone
C381S362000, C181S022000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06674870
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to microphone recording accessories and, more particularly, to a tubular adjustable sound capturing device having a microphone input port and two articulating end ports for channeling sound from distal instruments to a centrally-mounted microphone.
2. Description of the Background
A problem arises when a conventional microphone is employed to pick up the sounds of a particular musical instrument that is being played in a group with other instruments. It is difficult to selectively pick up only the intended sounds of an instrument without also picking up unintended sounds from one or more of the other instruments (known as bleed-over). This problem is greatest where the output of the particular instrument that is being selectively miked is relatively low while other nearby instruments have a relatively high output level.
The current miking technique for studio recordings and live performances consists of positioning multiple microphones on stands in front of each instrument to be recorded. For example, drums are most commonly miked using a method known as “open air miking.” This requires each individual component of the drum set to have its own individual microphone pointing directly towards it. The existing technique has several disadvantages. Microphones must be handled with care because they contain delicate electronic components. Bands and musicians are forced to transport large numbers of microphones from show to show and are always at risk of dropping or damaging them. Moreover, the more microphones needed for recording studio and live performances increases the amount of time wasted on set up and tear down. Expense also becomes an issue especially for drum sets, where each drum set generally requires eight microphones for recording or live performance. With an average cost of $100.00 per unit ($800.00 total), the total cost adds quickly. For each microphone purchased there is also the added expense of the microphone cable, clip and stand (these necessary accessories are usually sold separately). Ironically, more money can be spent on the microphones and accessories than the actual drum set. “Bleed-over” is another problem. Open air miking captures the intended sound as well as other unwanted sounds emitted from the band or other sections of the drum kit. Thus, “bleed-over” occurs because sound waves are reaching each microphone head from all angles. It would be highly desirable to reduce the cost of multiple microphones, set-up time and possibility of unwanted sound waves reaching each microphone head.
The foregoing may be accomplished with an accessory that can be attached to a variety of conventional microphones, the device having distally-spaced input ports that effectively double the pickup capacity of the microphone and selectively pick up the sounds of spaced-apart instruments without also picking up ambient sounds or noise. The general concept of a microphone housing with spaced input ports is known, albeit in a different context (noise cancellation technology, comprising electronic components without the benefit of total adjustability).
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,245 to Anderson issued Jan. 25, 1994 shows a tubular bi-directional microphone with flared entries. The tubular member has flared spaced entries, but the goal is to cancel noise. Noise will enter both sides of the tube and will deflect the mike from both sides, effectively canceling out.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,836 to Barcus issued Jun. 6, 1989 shows a microphone pickup system in which the mike is seated in an elongated flat channel extending between oppositely facing open ends. This system provides improved response characteristics for the harmonica, accordion and drum.
None of the foregoing or any other known prior art devices suggest a simple tubular structure with adjustability benefits (rotational and lengthwise) for selectively channeling the sounds of spaced-apart instruments to an existing microphone without also picking up ambient sounds or noise. Moreover, none of the foregoing suggests an adjustable device (microphone accessory) that can be attached to a variety of existing conventional microphones, that has no electronic components, and that does not require its own power source.
In light of the foregoing there remains a need for an adjustable sound capturing device that can be attached to a variety of conventional microphones, the device having fully adjustable, distally-spaced input ports that effectively double the pickup capacity of the microphone and selectively pick up the sounds of spaced-apart instruments without also picking up ambient sounds or noise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable sound capturing device that can be attached to a variety of conventional microphones.
It is another object to provide an adjustable sound capturing device having distally-spaced input ports that effectively double the pickup capacity of a microphone and selectively pick up the sounds of spaced-apart instruments without also picking up ambient sounds or noise.
It is a more particular object to provide an adjustable sound capturing device with articulating distally-spaced input ports that can be adjusted in position near two spaced-apart instruments to effectively double the pickup capacity of a single existing microphone to selectively pick up the sounds of the instruments without also picking up ambient sounds or noise.
It is still another object to allow musicians to use a single microphone to effectively do the job of two, thereby reducing the number of accessories required for recording or live performance (stands, clips, cables, etc).
It is another object to provide an adjustable sound capturing device that offers maximum strength and durability, and yet is portable and well-suited for touring productions in order to reduce the number of microphones that need to be transported for live performances, thus minimizing the risk of damage.
It is still another object to provide an adjustable sound capturing device as described above that is simple and economical, more cost-effective than purchasing multiple microphones and mixing them electronically, and which requires no power source, contains no electronics, and is much simpler to use.
It is another object to virtually eliminate bleed-over problems associated with current microphones and miking techniques.
It is another object to allow musicians to use unidirectional microphone(s) in traditionally undesirable situations and to allow unidirectional microphones to effectively pick up two or more sounds with clarity and reduced bleed-over being achieved in both situations.
It is yet another object to allow musicians to use unidirectional microphone(s) in traditionally undesirable situations and to allow unidirectional microphones to effectively pick up two or more sounds with clarity and reduced bleed-over being achieved in both situations.
According to the present invention, the above-described and other objects are accomplished by providing a three-member tubular adjustable sound capturing device (“MICTUBZ”) having a hollow main cylinder open at both ends with a central microphone port defined in its side wall, the microphone port being equipped with an adjustable fastener for seating the head of a conventional microphone therein. In addition, two hollow, rotatable and telescoping, cylindrical tubes slide over the open ends of the main cylinder, each having one open end, one closed end, and an acoustic input port defined in its side wall, proximate the closed end, for channeling sound from spaced instruments to the centrally-mounted microphone. When a conventional microphone is mounted on an existing mike stand, the MICTUBZ can be attached to that microphone and adjusted to effectively double the pickup capacity of a single microphone and to selectively pick up the sounds of two spaced-apart instruments without also picking up ambient sounds or other noise (bleed-over).
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Ensey Brian
Kuntz Curtis
Price Scott C.
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