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PorchBoard Floor Bass: Difference between revisions

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    <div>__TOC__</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size:1.5em">PorchBoard is not accepting orders.</span>
<br>This page is for historical reference only.
<br>Confirmed by [[User:ST|ST]] ([[User talk:ST|talk]]) 15:39, 28 April 2017 (UTC) via telephone with Bill Stevens. -->
 
For more information, visit [https://www.porchboard.com/home porchboard.com]
 
== Musical Instrument (Percussion) ==
== Musical Instrument (Percussion) ==
The PorchBoard Floor Bass is a simple [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percussion_instrument percussion instrument] designed to be tapped by a foot to provide a "kick drum"-like sound.  It could be classed as an instrument of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percussion_instrument#Indefinite_pitch indefinite pitch] containing complex frequencies through which no discernible pitch can be heard.<ref>Wikipedia [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percussion_instrument#Indefinite_pitch Wikipedia/Percussion Instrument#indefinite pitch]</ref>
The PorchBoard Floor Bass is a simple [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percussion_instrument percussion instrument] designed to be tapped by a foot to provide a "kick drum"-like sound.  It could be classed as an instrument of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percussion_instrument#Indefinite_pitch indefinite pitch] containing complex frequencies through which no discernible pitch can be heard.<ref>Wikipedia [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percussion_instrument#Indefinite_pitch Wikipedia/Percussion Instrument#indefinite pitch]</ref>
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With very little audible sound by itself, the internal pickup provides both 1/4" and XLR output connections that may be used simultaneously.  
With very little audible sound by itself, the internal pickup provides both 1/4" and XLR output connections that may be used simultaneously.  


See the [http://www.porchboard.com PorchBoard website] for more information about the available models.
* The [http://porchboard.com/RP.html RP PorchBoard] was introduced in January 2010. It replaces all previous models including all the features of all previous models in a smaller package.  
 
           
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== Settings on the L1® for the PorchBoard ==
 
== Settings on the {{L1}} for the PorchBoard ==
=== {{T1 no link}} ===
=== {{T1 no link}} ===
You can run the PorchBoard into T1® Channel 4 or 5, completely flat, no effects. While you could use T1® Channels 1, 2, or 3, there is no need to do that, so you can leave 1, 2, and 3 available for other inputs that require more gain.
You can run the PorchBoard into T1® Channel 4 or 5, completely flat, no effects. While you could use T1® Channels 1, 2, or 3, there is no need to do that, so you can leave 1, 2, and 3 available for other inputs that require more gain.
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== Playing the PorchBoard through the L1® ==
== Playing the PorchBoard through the L1® ==
Like any instrument, when you spend some time with it you can get different effects and be more expressive with it as you learn it's capabilities & limitations .
Like any instrument, when you spend some time with it you can get different effects and be more expressive with it as you learn its capabilities & limitations .


* You get a different sound based on where along the tap-rail you place your foot (as well as how hard, of course).  This worked well for emphasizing different beats, with softer taps being near the outside end of the rail and the louder ones nearer the middle.
* With the new model, there is a shorter sensor rail and more consistent sound across the length. With older models you could get more variation of volume depending on where you placed your foot. With the newer model, you can moderate the volume by how hard you tap with your foot.  


* While sitting ''(which makes it *much* easier to use both feet!)'', I found it effective to place one foot over one end of the tap rail (over the support on one end) while the other foot did the tapping at various places.  This acted something like a "damper" pedal/muffler, allowing me more control over how quietly I could 'tap'.
* While sitting ''(which makes it *much* easier to use both feet!)'', I found it effective to place one foot over one end of the tap rail (over the support on one end) while the other foot did the tapping at various places.  This acted something like a "damper" pedal/muffler, allowing me more control over how quietly I could 'tap'.
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** quick-tap-and-get-the-foot-off-as-fast-as-you-can.
** quick-tap-and-get-the-foot-off-as-fast-as-you-can.


* There's no reason to just tap with just the toe or ball of your foot.  You can also turn it around to place the "tap-rail" ''(the one with the pickup under it)'' under your heel, so you tap by raising your heel rather than the toe.  In a lot of ways that is often a more comfortable position for me when I'm playing the keyboard (raising the heel rather than the toe).  Besides that, it uses different muscles -- so when my leg is getting a bit tired, I'll sometimes turn the PorchBoard around before the next song.
* There's no reason to just tap with just the toe or ball of your foot.  You can also turn it around to place the toe rail (the one with the pickup under it) under your heel, so you tap by raising your heel rather than the toe.  In a lot of ways that is often a more comfortable position for me when I'm playing the keyboard (raising the heel rather than the toe).  Besides that, it uses different muscles -- so when my leg is getting a bit tired, I'll sometimes turn the PorchBoard around before the next song.


* One can get '''really''' quiet taps by tapping on the "fixed" rail, rather than the "tap-rail"; that is, tap so the vibration goes through the whole board to the pickup, rather than tapping on the "tap-rail" itself ''(which is directly over the pickup)''.  This effect, however, may vary widely, depending on which model of the PorchBoard you have.
* Unlike an acoustic kick drum, or most other large drums, the PorchBoard seems to have few strong higher harmonics; for example, turning the High EQ way down seems to have little effect on the resulting sound. <br />There is a three way switch
** The L (low) setting allows the very low bass. This is appropriate with any model of L1® or bass amp or subwoofer  
** The M (mix) setting filters a mix of low and high frequencies, and
** The H (high) setting provides for high end, stompbox slap.  


* The most interesting range of effects is possible when the gain is high enough that you have to tap softly most of the time. Besides that, it's a lot easier on the leg when you can minimize the effort involved in playing it. Yeah, it'll often "flash red" at those higher gains if you then '''stomp''' on the PorchBoard, but the associated distortion can ''(judiciously applied)'' have it's own place. Besides, why should guitarists be the only ones who have fun with deliberate distortion?!?! <br />''(Of course, for those of you who have seen Cliff Henricksen play the keyboard, if one stuck the PorchBoard under *his* foot you'd have to turn the gain waaaayyyy down! -- come to think of it, you'd really need two in order to stick one under each foot!)''
* It is designed to produce a tone in the 33-100 Hz range (very low). The 33 Hz (with a strong 99 Hz harmonic) was selected because it offers a strong supportive bass "thump" in any key- similar to a large marching band bass drum. Often the nature of the sound tends to resemble a note when another instrument (such as a guitar) suggests a note. <ref>Nature of the sound.... [http://porchboard.com/FAQ01.html - excerpt from the PorchBoard FAQs]</ref>


* Unlike an acoustic kick drum, or most other large drums, the PorchBoard seems to have few strong higher harmonics; for example, turning the High EQ way down seems to have little effect on the resulting sound.
* Since the PorchBoard produces predominately low-end sounds it is subject to the same issues that can arise with any instrument that works in the low bass ranges. See: [[Bass Regeneration]] for more information. <br />Because the PorchBoard does not make any audible acoustic sound, and it does not use a resonant surface<ref>the PorchBoard does not use a resonant surface for pickkup [http://porchboard.com/FAQ02.html PorchBoard FAQs]</ref> to pickup the sound, it does not contribute to low end feedback in a live music setting.
** The [http://porchboard.com/RP.html RP PorchBoard]] was introduced in January 2010. It includes the features of all previous models in a smaller package.  This includes the  3-way frequency response switch designed to match the frequency range of an increased number of amplifiers with higher frequency sound capability. 
*** The L (low) setting allows the very low bass, perfect for subwoofer or quality bass amp usage. 
*** The M (mix) setting filters a mix of low and high frequencies, and
*** The H (high) setting provides for high end, stompbox slap.


* Also unlike an acoustic kick drum, the PorchBoard has very little intrinsic sense of "pitch" -- little sense of "playing a note".  What that means is that when you play it by itself, it is rather bland and boring. The '''good''' aspect of that, however, is that it will complement most anything playing along with it -- you never have to "tune it up".
* When using the PorchBoard with a {{Classic}} or {{Model I}} use at least one {{B1}} as you would with any instrument that plays bass notes. The sound of the PorchBoard comes through well with the {{Compact}} but sounds deeper with the {{L1 nl}} models that have a {{B1}}.  


* Since the PorchBoard produces predominately low-end sounds, it really demonstrates some of the curses of bass sound which Hilmar-at-Bose talks about -- such as how the volume of bass sounds can vary radically at different positions in the room.  For example, at one point during an acoustic jam, someone came up and turned down the volume a bit on the remote channel for the PorchBoard, whispering to the performer "it was way too loud in the back of the room" -- but from where the performer was sitting the sound seemed to be nicely "underneath" the other folks playing.
* The PorchBoard is uses a proximity sensor originally designed for the automotive industry rather than a musical instrument pickup<ref>Proximity Sensor [http://porchboard.com/FAQ01.html PorchBoard FAQs]</ref>. The sensor does not require a preamp and can be plugged into the line level inputs of the L1®. On the {{Classic}} and {{Model I}} that would be Channels 3 or 4. On the {{T1}} you can use Channel 4/5. On the {{Compact}} use Channel 2 &frac14; inch jack or the RCA inputs also work fine.  


* The best sound of the PorchBoard seems to come when played through an Extended Bass {{L1}} System (one with 4 {{B1}}'s); four {{B1}}'s provide the broad dynamic low range which can bring out the variety of volumes one has with most percussive instruments.  However, it can also sound just fine through single or double {{B1}} Systems, too.  However, it is not recommend for use with an {{L1}} without at least one {{B1}} attached.
* The new RP model PorchBoard has metal shielding around the sensor making it less susceptible to RF noise than earlier models.


* The PorchBoard is uses a proximity sensor originally designed for the automotive industry rather than a musical instrument pickup. The sensor does not require a preamp and can be plugged into the line level inputs of the L1®. On the {{Classic}} and {{Model I}} that would be Channels 3 or 4. On the {{T1}} you can use Channel 4/5.
* The following notes are most applicable to the older solid wood model of the Porchboard
** One can get '''really''' quiet taps by tapping on the heel rail (back), rather than the toe rail; that is, tap so the vibration goes through the whole board to the pickup, rather than tapping on the "tap-rail" itself ''(which is directly over the pickup)''.
** The most interesting range of effects is possible when the gain is high enough that you have to tap softly most of the time.  Besides that, it's a lot easier on the leg when you can minimize the effort involved in playing it.  Yeah, it'll often "flash red" at those higher gains if you then '''stomp''' on the PorchBoard, but the associated distortion can ''(judiciously applied)'' have it's own place.  Besides, why should guitarists be the only ones who have fun with deliberate distortion?!?! <br />''(Of course, for those of you who have seen Cliff Henricksen play the keyboard, if one stuck the PorchBoard under *his* foot you'd have to turn the gain waaaayyyy down! -- come to think of it, you'd really need two in order to stick one under each foot!)''


* Since it is (usually) sitting on the floor, you might need to be careful about what other pieces of electrical devices are near it. For example, a "wall-wart" ''(an external power supply or transformer)'' next to it might cause a 60-cycle 'hum' to be amplified. (This has happened, at least with the older "solid" model.)
== PorchBoard Micro Bass ==
In 2012 the PorchBoard Micro Bass was introduced.


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{{:PorchBoard Micro Bass}}
[[Image:RP PorchBoardFront.jpg|300px|PorchBoard Bass - new model 2010]]


[[Image:PorchBoardDeanDwyer.jpg|Dean Dwyer holding the Mahogany PorchBoard Floor Bass]]
[[File:RP PorchBoardFront.jpg|link=http://porchboard.com/RP.html|325px|PorchBoard Bass - new model "RP" 2010]]
 
[[File:PorchBoardDeanDwyer.jpg|http://porchboard.com/FAQ03.html|325px|Dean Dwyer holding the original model Mahogany PorchBoard Floor Bass]]


== See / Hear it ==
== See / Hear it ==
<html>
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<object width="325" ><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8wYQ8IAWvI0&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8wYQ8IAWvI0&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="325" ></embed></object>
<iframe max-width="560" height="auto" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8wYQ8IAWvI0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<hr>
<hr>
<object width="325" ><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q9pVwWQrU94&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q9pVwWQrU94&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="325" ></embed></object>
<iframe max-width="560" height="auto" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UGTbNwYkulE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<hr>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Where it came from and how it works.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Where it came from and how it works.
<br />
<br />
<object width="325" ><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zSBiVkYm9fg&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zSBiVkYm9fg&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="325"></embed></object>
<iframe max-width="560" height="auto" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/THEpDigp6PQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<hr>
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<object width="325"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZmgFStQvOAQ&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZmgFStQvOAQ&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="325"></embed></object>
<iframe max-width="560" height="auto" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zSBiVkYm9fg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>


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* [http://www.porchboard.com/choices/index.html Enroute Music Choices] A Drug Abuse Prevention Elementary School Assembly Program<br /> read this to get some insight into the people behind the PorchBoard.
* [http://www.porchboard.com/choices/index.html Enroute Music Choices] A Drug Abuse Prevention Elementary School Assembly Program<br /> read this to get some insight into the people behind the PorchBoard.


<html><a href="http://www.porchboard.com/choices/index.html"><img src="http://toonz.ca/bose/wiki/images/2/25/EnrouteChoices.jpg" border="0" width="325" alt="Enroute Music Choices A Drug Abuse Prevention Elementary School Assembly Program" title="Enroute Music Choices A Drug Abuse Prevention Elementary School Assembly Program"></a></html>
<html><a href="http://www.porchboard.com/choices/index.html"><img src="http://toonz.ca/bose/wiki/images/2/25/EnrouteChoices.jpg" border="0" max-width="325" alt="Enroute Music Choices A Drug Abuse Prevention Elementary School Assembly Program" title="Enroute Music Choices A Drug Abuse Prevention Elementary School Assembly Program"></a></html>


=== Technology ===
=== Technology ===
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:The passive proximity sensor system is the basis of the PorchBoard patent that was granted to Bill and assigned to Nadene, owner of EnRoute Music.
:The passive proximity sensor system is the basis of the PorchBoard patent that was granted to Bill and assigned to Nadene, owner of EnRoute Music.


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== The Instrument ==
== The Instrument ==
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Retrieved from "https://boseperformer.com/PorchBoard_Floor_Bass"