Shrinking cylindrical drum while still achieving “large” sound

Abstract

Bass drums are designed to have a large air volume which is used to produce a deep, rich bass sound. The issue is that bass drums are then hard to transport due to their large size. There exists a method called waveguide technology which can be used to shrink the size of the drum while maintaining the same sound as the larger drum. Currently, the best example for products that use waveguide technology are products made by the audio company, Bose. Bose is able to replicate the sounds that are produced by large speakers while maintaining a small volume. This project was proposed by Bill Wallace from the Stan Cassidy Rehabilitation Centre, with the purpose of reducing the size of the drum without sacrificing sound quality, in order to make transportation easier. To complete this project will require research into waveguide technology, as well as other potential methods to replicate sound. The waveguides are chosen to filter out the 40, 85, 140 and 160 Hz frequencies. These frequencies were selected from the initial tests on the drum for which the sound is being replicated. In order to filter out these frequencies, the waveguides are to be cut a specific lengths depending on the quarter wavelengths of the frequencies. To collect and amplify the sound, inlet and outlet horns are used, respectively. The inlet horn follows a linear profile while the outlet horn follows a tractrix curve profile. Currently, the construction phase of the project is in the final stages, with the inlet horn being completed and the waveguides almost constructed. All that remains is to construct the outlet horn and assemble the waveguides and horns. Once the construction is completed testing will ensue. Additional changes may be required after testing has been conducted.