Search
Items tagged with: TechHelpNeeded
#SoundEngineering #accessibility #TechHelpNeeded
Greetings Fedizens! Ive been busy researching some options and found it may be better to reach out to experts here. What am I referring to? Details:
I am mostly deaf so this is an accessibility project but also a music therapy project. I prefer the acoustic guitar to all other instruments played because I can "feel" many of the sound frequencies I can't hear. I've been away from playing guitar for some years but recently decided to get a 3/4 size folk/classical Austin travel guitar. My goal is to play it for both physical rehab and general wellness/pleasure.
The first thing I did on receiving the guitar was take it over to Guitar Center. I had them change out the steel strings with flexible low gauge nylon strings and file the rough fret edges while setting the nut and bridge accordingly. Then I spent a couple of weeks building callouses and starting the physical rehab. It's going great! However, I do have an issue hearing it, so this is what I need some help with.
I need to be able to hear the guitar sound better but not disturb anyone nearby - and to be able to hear another guitar being played better as well (anticipating a jam session). This reminded me of needing to play an electric guitar "silently" for a variety of reasons.
My plan to self-accommodate my disability is to find a way to
1) amplify a non-electric acoustic guitar without losing natural sound quality
2) hear the amplified natural sound of my guitar, and at times another guitar, via my headset (and make the mixed sound available to the other guitarist)
3) optionally also mix the microphone channels
4) optionally have other inputs for the mixer, i.e. drum machine, mp3, wireless mic, bluetooth connection, additional wired inputs for instruments or mics
5) output available to virtual amplifier/pedal/speaker/PC
Functionally, this diagram is what I came up with where: guitars are "electrified" using piezo or mic to convert the sound to electric form; headsets with 3.5mm jacks have Y adapters to split the mic input from the speaker capabilities; 8 channel mixer shown so all sounds can be mixed and pre-amplified; mixed and slightly amplified sound is heard in the headsets via a sound monitor splitter; and the potential to offer the other options exists for the future.
What I need help with is determining what tech to buy to achieve a natural quality reproduction of the sound a person with normal hearing hears. (Hearing aids are horrible regarding sound quality.) Summary of functions: audio mixer, audio pre-amp with multiple-headset monitor capability, natural sound quality audio interface (FX not needed but nice to have just in case), and modern features for wireless, bluetooth, and mp3 connectivity.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what tech options I have?