Mic placement robot

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burglar

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2011
Messages
183
Location
UK
Man, someone really needs to come up with a kit for one of these:

http://vimeo.com/45374503

I just don't have the know how but, I REALLY WANT ONE!
 
I like this design, I have some old printers to get parts. my problem is that I use two microphones :/
I wonder if there is any analog circuit to control stepmotors. something with an encoder maybe.
one axis for me is enough I always put the microphone very close it would be cool to have a "jog weel" to control the position.
 
They have all kinds of kits and stuff to control motors. Like pwm controllers, DIY robotics and radio controlled airplane type stuff. Would be a cool thing to do. Its on my list once I get a place to put it! (and an amp room)
 
I think we as human race are on a decent path when even Lego has kits for this kind of thing.

http://mindstorms.lego.com/en-us/Default.aspx
 
I also have been thinking of designing something for that as so many others. My educational, low cost, desktop robot arm has been a standard teaching aid worldwide for some time.

http://www.robotica.co.uk/robotica/ramc/products/robotic_arms/edubot250.htm
 
Eric Vanlentine from undertone audio/barefoot studios built one as well. It's on a 3 way access so it does forward/backwards, up/down, and left/right. He has controls built into his console. Well watch the video

Here eric talks about his robot mic and drumbrella two of the coolest things I have seen in a while.

Robot mics are not hard. Look up track actuators and controls.

(has what you need)
http://www.firgelliauto.com/default.php?cPath=104
 
You could easily do one analog, but there are tons of robot type applications that could be adapted.

If we could teach the robot what to listen for we wouldn't need humans at all.  ;D

JR
 
[silent:arts] said:
nothing new  ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApLHCbQ3gnw&feature=player_detailpage#t=149s

Ok, I think it will be my next DIY project :)

If we start from a CNC project, it couldn't be that hard, no ? More, we did not have the constraints of work with a soft...
Mmmmh, I'm gonna think about this :-D
 
Satblip said:
[silent:arts] said:
nothing new  ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApLHCbQ3gnw&feature=player_detailpage#t=149s

Ok, I think it will be my next DIY project :)

If we start from a CNC project, it couldn't be that hard, no ? More, we did not have the constraints of work with a soft...
Mmmmh, I'm gonna think about this :-D
People tend to think of it as a complicated think involving robotics, software, servo-control... but in fact, in most cases, it's as simple as motorized shutters or electric windows in a car.
The common mistake is to start with step motors that require specific drives, when in fact, all one needs is a good old DC motor with polarity inversion for two-way actuation. Very often, robotic arms don't have the load rating needed for a heavy mic.

I believe the main issue is positional feedback when you don't have direct sight of the mic. That's the case in many studios with a drum or amp booth. How do you know you've moved the mic too high and it starts lifting the drum kit, or have you gone too far so the mic is punching a hole in the batter skin? Indeed, your ears should be the guide, but I must admit a video camera would be a good complement.
Then you have to think about the cabling. If -like me - you can't draw any new lines, maybe you can use two or three existing mic lines, or use an RF remote control.
The electric guitar application is simple because it requires only linear actuators (unless you're vicious enough to want to tilt the mic), but for kock drum, you need two rotary actuators and one linear. It seems linar are easy to find, but rotary are rarer.
The Stereoblade is a different application, which justifies stepped motors and robotics.
 
Like Abbey said, I think a few little dc gear motors with high reduction ratios and some switches would do it.  If they're geared down enough, even a small motor would do fine holding a mic in place...

Surplus security cameras & monitors cost pretty much nothing, too.
 
Time flies. I'll look into this.  A simple 3 axis gantry with a rotary head would do. In the meantime here is the  control software and the user/programming manual for my old robot arm. Install the program in your PC and start playing with it.

The program is very old but still works on Windows7.  It also communicates through RS232 but we can get it working through the USB using a USB to RS232 converter.

You can save the positions of the motors hence the session.  It would have been great to have a snap shot button but the purpose of the program was different at that time ('98).

http://www.robotica.co.uk/tac/ControlSoftwV1.1.2.zip

http://www.robotica.co.uk/tac/Edu250_manual.pdf



 
Tickled by this discussion, I have ordered two motor/gearbox from MFA, one with 3000:1 reduction (about 2 rpm nominal) for direct up/down and left/right movement of the arm, the other with 4:1 reduction (about 1500 rpm) driving an M6x0.75 screw for front/back. I loved my Meccano.
 
Why do I need a robot,  ?
When I can do the same job in 15-20  seconds ?
I prefer to pefect my art myself.
Or is it a " looks cool looking ego thing " , or.....whatever floats you boat
No frickin robots here ever,...!!
Just more computer trivia to clutter up the workflow  methinks.
::)
 
s2udio said:
Why do I need a robot,  ?
As I wrote, no robotics need be involved. Only basic mechanics and electricity.
When I can do the same job in 15-20  seconds ?
So, you can actually move from your control room to the studio, move the mic and back in 20 sec?
I prefer to pefect my art myself.
The nice thing is being able to actually hear the sound change while the mic is moved.

 

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