Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!vicorp!ron
From: ron@vicorp.com (Ron Peterson)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Electronic Mouthpieces
Message-ID: <1990Dec6.002534.18546@vicorp.com>
Date: 6 Dec 90 00:25:34 GMT
References: <1990Dec3.185404.7641@infonode.ingr.com>
Reply-To: ron@vicorp.com (Ron Peterson)
Organization: V. I. Corporation, Amherst, Massachusetts
Lines: 22

In article <1990Dec3.185404.7641@infonode.ingr.com> palmerc@infonode.UUCP (Chris Palmer) writes:
>I am thinking about building an electronic instrument.
>My problem is the mouthpiece.  What should I use?  What I need is some
>kind of device that outputs a digital or analog signal proportional to
>the pressure of an airstream applied to it.  The sensor should be cheap
>and immune to moisture and should respond to changes quickly.  Does anyone
>have any suggestions?
>
A breath controller option is available for DX-11 (and probably other)
synthesizers.  It is a headset like device with a small tube that extends
out to a small whistle-like mouthpiece.  The tube has a wire running through
it so that it can be bent to accomadate different head sizes.  The air
you blow into the mouthpiece presses against a resistive strain gauge
which can be read electronically.  The breath controller sells for about
$70-$80 US.  Electronic Musician had an article a year or two ago on
how to adapt this device to produce a control voltage for controlling
other synths.  Between the two you should be able to cobble up a
breath sensor for under $100.
   If I remember correctly, playing a sax involves using the tongue or
teeth to damp the reed also.  Maybe a waterproof microswitch or another
strain gauge could be used for that.
ron@vicorp.com