[sdiy] Magnetic String Actuation

[grant musictechnologiesgroup.com]

There are several ebow "clones" out there. I know I've seen a few on Indiegogo and Kickstarter, but this is the only one I could find with a quick search:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/38513516/wond-the-string-exciter-sustain-and-control-in-you

So maybe string exciter is the term you need. Also worth a listen is the famous Gizmo (the Gizmotron). It's being reissued.

https://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/it-promises-to-revolutionize-the-world-of-music-watch-this-rare-vintage-news-report-on-the-gizmotron

GB

------ Original Message ------
From: "Spiros Makris via Synth-diy" <synth-diy at synth-diy.org<mailto:synth-diy at synth-diy.org>>
To: "synth-diy mailing list" <synth-diy at synth-diy.org<mailto:synth-diy at synth-diy.org>>
Sent: 9/7/2022 10:54:50 AM
Subject: [sdiy] Magnetic String Actuation

Hello, list,
I am interested in experimenting with magnetic string actuation. That is, use an electromagnet to induce vibration to metallic(?) strings; the opposite of what a guitar pickup does typically. I have seen this concept realised in a couple of different applications:
1. Magnetic Resonator Piano<http://instrumentslab.org/research/mrp.html> is an electronically augmented piano that can do cool stuff such as real crescendos, electromagnetically dump strings, produce overtones etc. Every sound produced comes from the strings themselves.

2. Ebow<https://www.thomann.de/gr/ebow_ebow.htm> is an electromagnetic actuator for the electric guitar. Place it close to the strings and they will start vibrating, similar to the way they do when using a bow.

3. Moog Guitar<https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/moog-guitar> contains some sort of actuator and suitable circuitry to make it infinitely sustain notes, apply active damping and more.

I bet there are more if we start digging, but these are some examples I can think of off the top of my head. Unfortunately, I don't have enough to go on here and decide on what kind of hardware I need to produce this effect. The magnetic resonator piano researchers have published a couple of papers that go over the fundamental equations involved. Still, unless you can really wrap your head around them (I can't) it's not enough to get you going.
I obviously need some electromagnet, either off the shelf or custom wound. Then I need an amplifier that can drive enough power into it, in the correct frequency range.
Aliexpress is full of various electromagnets. How could I decide on a couple that might be promising and give them a try?
What about output amplifiers? I know the basics of driving speaker coils, but my guess is a strongly inductive load like an electromagnet is going to be a different story.

I've been thinking about this for the past 10 years and still didn't manage to figure it out. Any kind of info or advice you could share is invaluable!


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