Revverrbb Constructing an Outdated but Superior Analog Device in the Digital Age
What is Reverb Reverb is short for Reverberation. A collection of reflected sounds that bounce back to the listener. Example- The Zombies The Way I Feel Inside
What is a Plate Reverb? An Analog piece of music equipment used to artificially recreate reverb. It was used in the studios of 50’s 60’s and 70’s before computers could recreate reverb digitally. EMT 140- The first commercially available plate reverb
Why Plate Reverb? I’ve been interested in music and in engineering for nearly my whole life. Always thought it would be cool to have one. Inspired by reverb-heavy contemporary music. Interest in analog signal processing. Wanted to do something that involved construction. Did not want to do anything conceptual.
Goals Build a working analog plate reverb. Weld the frame myself, by first learning how to weld. Build the electronics, learn how to troubleshoot and learn more about circuit design. Build the wooden enclosure. Have practical use after the project was finished.
Process: Inspiration Fleet Foxes, a band drenched in plate reverb Article: The Interfacing of Balanced and Unbalanced Equipment Using Jensen Transformers
Process: Motivation I like reverb as an effect. Although quite simple it is often just the sound you are looking for when in the studio. Knew I wanted to participate in college in a major that is based around electrical engineering and audio technology. Thought the working principle of the device was quite interesting.
Process: Construction Build the Frame and Plate Finding the Steel: Shipped from North Carolina Welding with Jonathan Fletcher- Plate construction went fairly smooth
Metal Frame and Plate
Process: Construction Build the Electronics Plans found online: had to be redesigned, multiple times Ordering parts Prototyping and final construction
Final Circuits
Process: Construction Build the Wooden Enclosure Solving the wheel problem Purchasing the wood
Wooden Enclosure
Challenges Finding a sheet of steel. Finding a welder that could take me in as a sort of “apprentice” Electronics- from the prototyping to using them with the plate Productivity over time.
What I Learned I do not like to work on two things at once, for instance regular schoolwork and my senior project. I go through bursts of interest. I am very hard on myself. I do not enjoy documenting my process. Welding and Electronics as I’ve discussed.
Future? This product fits exactly what I want to do in the future. It is the combination of engineering and music that I want to pursue in college. Keep improving on the plate; redesign the electronics. Build more things in my free time I became more interested in technical readings. I started the Naval Electricity and Electronics Training Series or NEETS and I want to finish those, though it will probably take a year
Thank You Sy Abramowitz Jonathan Fletcher Paul Hamilton Carrie Clark Dale Scott Dave Morgan The Ross School
Questions?