Operation Manual

6.59 Pickup 119

objects (such as a string or a beam) near the pickup. As such an object vibrates near a pickup, the

latter outputs an oscillating signal determined by the varying distance between the object and the

pickup. The waveform of the output signal can be varied by adjusting the pickup position relative

to the object.

The Pickup module has one input and one output. The input can be any

oscillating signal that one wants to process through the Pickup. The shape of

the output signal depends on the settings of the controls on the module front.

The symmetry and distance knobs are used to adjust the position of the pickup

relative to a signal source as shown in Figure 6.59. The pickup can be posi-

tioned precisely in front of the source by adjusting the symmetry knob in the

center position (green LED on). The position of the pickup determines both the

amplitude of the signal transmitted by the pickup and the amount of “distortion”

applied to the input signal. Distortion occurs because the distance between the

vibrating source and the pickup does not vary in the same way as the original

vibrating motion. The ampin and ampout knobs on the front panel determine the gain of ampliﬁers

placed respectively at the input and output of the pickup module.

distance

symmetry

pickup coil

pickup magnet

vibrating object

Figure 66: Symmetry and distance settings in a Pickup module.

Typical Use

Figure 67: A Pickup is used to create an electric piano.