What driver for a talk box?

[Steve Conner]

Hi all,

For my new project I'll be needing a talk box. Can anyone recommend a good driver to make one? I heard that modern horn drivers don't work too well as they don't go low enough, and you need something more like the old midrange ones used in Leslies. I've also seen a wooden adaptor made to fit a tube onto an ordinary small cone speaker. Is this worth doing?

[tboy]

I've also seen a wooden adaptor made to fit a tube onto an ordinary small cone speaker. Is this worth doing?

I'd try something like that before shelling out for a horn driver. I'll bet you could find a plastic funnel with a small end of suitable size to stuff the tubing into, and a large end big enough to cover a small speaker -- maybe something like a cheap computer speaker with it's own little amp built in.

[Robert M. Martinelli]

Hi Steve,
I wouldn't worry too much, I'd say any small speaker would do just fine...years ago I built one using a 4 inch car radio speaker, an LM386 (1W), a funnel I "stole" from my mom's kitchen (unfortunately for her, it perfectly fitted the speaker ) and a couple of meters of silicone flexible tubing...

Hope this helps

Best regards

Bob

[Chuck H]

I used to get that effect when I was in my teens by using a metal funnel and a hard plastic tube over a full range 6" speaker. I ran my amp into the speaker contraption and had the plastic tube in my mouth in front of a microphone. The method was crude but as I recall the tone was really there.

[kg]

Tommy used to work on the docks
The Union went on strike
He's down on his luck, it's tough, so tough

Gina works the diner all day
Working for her man, she brings home her pay for love
She brings home her pay for love

You know we've got to hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love, for love

Woah, we're half way there, woah, livin' on a prayer
Won't you take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer

[Robert M. Martinelli]

...Tommy's got his six strings in hock
now he's holdin' in what it used to make it talk,
it's tough, so tough....
Gina dreams of running away
when she cries in the night Tommy whispers:
"baby it's OK.....someday..."

[Jag]

LOL!

One of my favorite misquotes, a singer in one of my bands in the '80's thought the line was;

"Gina drives a grader all day"

[Ronsonic]

I used to get that effect when I was in my teens by using a metal funnel and a hard plastic tube over a full range 6" speaker. I ran my amp into the speaker contraption and had the plastic tube in my mouth in front of a microphone. The method was crude but as I recall the tone was really there.

That sort of approach worked for me. Speaker, funnel, plastic tube + lots of RTV.

[tboy]

+ lots of RTV.

What, no duct tape?

[tboy]

Do you feel alright?

[Steve Conner]

OK, you have me sold on the cone speaker and funnel approach.

Now any tips on a cheap way to make a blond wig?

[Chuck H]

First, you need a blonde and two bottles of wine...

[Robert M. Martinelli]

...(sharp) scissors....

[jrfrond]

This is the driver we use for Talk Box replacements: Midrange Driver Threaded 1 3/8 X 18 Thread 60W RMS | 54-060 (54060) | Distributed By MCM

It sounds "right", and has the correct 16 ohm impedance. If you remove the rear cover and invert the underlying spacer, it has the correct front-to-back dimensions to fit the old Altec drivers used in the original Heil Talk Box. I went through a few drivers before arriving at this choice.

[imaradiostar]

I used the funnel approach. I didn't like the results. A horn driver is superior in my opinion.

jamie