1. The Talk Box By Alex Bowers

2. Background/History Device which enables individual to manipulate the sound of an instrument by changing the shape of the mouth. Device which enables individual to manipulate the sound of an instrument by changing the shape of the mouth. –Produces classic “talking guitar sound” Ex. Peter Frampton, Frampton Comes Alive Ex. Peter Frampton, Frampton Comes Alive Created by Bill West in 1971 for Joe Walsh to play "Rocky Mountain Way" live Created by Bill West in 1971 for Joe Walsh to play "Rocky Mountain Way" live Later patented by Bob Heil of Heil Sound Later patented by Bob Heil of Heil Sound 1973: Heil gave his talk box to Peter Frampton as a Christmas present 1973: Heil gave his talk box to Peter Frampton as a Christmas present 1988, Heil sold the manufacturing rights to Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc. 1988, Heil sold the manufacturing rights to Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc. Peter Frampton also sells his own line of “Framptone” products Peter Frampton also sells his own line of “Framptone” productsFramptone

3. History Created by Bill West in 1971 for Joe Walsh to play "Rocky Mountain Way" live Created by Bill West in 1971 for Joe Walsh to play "Rocky Mountain Way" live Later patented by Bob Heil of Heil Sound Later patented by Bob Heil of Heil Sound 1973: Heil gave his talk box to Peter Frampton as a Christmas present 1973: Heil gave his talk box to Peter Frampton as a Christmas present 1988, Heil sold the manufacturing rights to Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc. 1988, Heil sold the manufacturing rights to Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc. Peter Frampton also sells his own line of “Framptone” products Peter Frampton also sells his own line of “Framptone” productsFramptone

4. Other Models Danelectro Free Speech Talkbox Danelectro Free Speech Talkbox Rocktron Banshee Rocktron Banshee Heil Sound Talkbox Heil Sound Talkbox Electro-Harmonix (E-H) Golden Throat Electro-Harmonix (E-H) Golden Throat –1970s, first to include integrated amp Kustom Bag Kustom Bag –1970s, enclosed compression in suede pouch worn over shoulder, looked like strange bagpipe/water bong

5. Famous Talk Box Users Peter Frampton – "Do You Feel Like We Do", "Show Me the Way" Peter Frampton – "Do You Feel Like We Do", "Show Me the Way" Bon Jovi (Richie Sambora) – "It's My Life", "Livin' on a Prayer“ Bon Jovi (Richie Sambora) – "It's My Life", "Livin' on a Prayer“ Slash – "Lower", "Anything Goes", "Dust n' Bones", "Rocket Queen" (Live) Slash – "Lower", "Anything Goes", "Dust n' Bones", "Rocket Queen" (Live) Aerosmith (Joe Perry) – "Sweet Emotion", "Walk this way“ Aerosmith (Joe Perry) – "Sweet Emotion", "Walk this way“ Foo Fighters (Dave Grohl) – "Generator" Foo Fighters (Dave Grohl) – "Generator" The Flaming Lips – "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song", "The Wizard Turns On...” The Flaming Lips – "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song", "The Wizard Turns On...” Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder

6. Talk Box in Action Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder 2 Stevie Wonder 2 Stevie Wonder 2 Stevie Wonder 2 Peter Frampton Peter Frampton Peter Frampton Peter Frampton Peter Frampton 2 Peter Frampton 2 Peter Frampton 2 Peter Frampton 2 Random Dude Random Dude Random Dude Random Dude

7. How it Works Instrument signal into amp Instrument signal into amp Amplified signal sent to horn driver Amplified signal sent to horn driver Sound sent through tubing into mouth Sound sent through tubing into mouth Mouth-shape modifies sound Mouth-shape modifies sound Picked up by mic Picked up by mic

8. Source – Filter Model Vocal chords (folds) create periodic signal of pressure pulses, high harmonic content Vocal chords (folds) create periodic signal of pressure pulses, high harmonic content Vocal tract operates like a variable filter Vocal tract operates like a variable filter –Response different for different frequencies –Shape of tract changes frequency response Gain of tract sampled at multiples of the fundamental frequency Gain of tract sampled at multiples of the fundamental frequency Resonances can be estimated from the peaks in the envelope of the sound spectrum. Resonances can be estimated from the peaks in the envelope of the sound spectrum. –Formants –Easier to determine for low fundamental, i.e. man’s voice

9. Formants Vocal tract acts as a closed open pipe w/ nodes and anti-nodes Vocal tract acts as a closed open pipe w/ nodes and anti-nodes When tract (pipe) is constrained at node, the resonant frequency (formant) decreases, when expanded, rises. When tract (pipe) is constrained at node, the resonant frequency (formant) decreases, when expanded, rises. Opposite is true for anti-nodes Opposite is true for anti-nodes