Sound post

For the reed blocks of accordions Accordion see.

The sound post, or even the voice is a cylindrical piece of spruce, which is clamped on the strings between ceiling and floor. It is under the treble side of the web, and transmits the main vibrations from the ceiling to the floor.

Use

The "soul" of the instrument

The soundpost is often referred to as the " soul " of the instrument (especially the violin), since its placement greatly affects the sound quality and playability. In French ( and sometimes also in English ) of the voting stock is referred to as âme ( = " soul ").

Functions

The fact that the vibrations are transmitted mechanically directly and not passively on the ground on the sides, the soundpost contributes a significant portion to the volume of the string instruments.

Furthermore, the soundpost still static function because it transfers some of the pressure, which the web has on the ceiling, on the floor, thus preventing deformation or destruction of the ceiling.

Placement

For the fulfillment of the above mentioned properties ( increase volume and stabilize the ceiling) a placement would meet directly under the Diskantfuß of the land, but is the sound post always puts pinched (see schematic diagram). This displacement has the effect that the vibrations transmitting to the web on the blanket can not reach, at this point its maximum value, but by an effect - similar to the mechanical lever in the broadest sense and relatively in connection with the point of symmetry - through the blanket are projected and diffused. The point at which the reed block the swing is in derogation of quasi is considered equal to this case, with the fulcrum. The web is the acting force, while the connections of the top and sides as well as the strength and the object resulting from the voltage overshoot in the ceiling, the opposing forces. This vibration mountains contribute to the formation of interference in the resulting sound waves, which are important for the balanced sound of the instrument.

The swing of the ceiling can thus be directly influenced by correct placement, which also can not be carried out subsequently. Generally it should be done by a luthier and in the presence of the player to adjust the instrument to the player.

Modernization

Nowadays one uses wider reed blocks to compensate for the larger concert halls. Similarly, other details were adapted in order to increase the volume, capacity and precision of the instruments. Without such adjustments, the old Stradivari himself would no longer meet today's requirements.

Pinblocks with other instruments

Mostly you will find voices even when plucked. Thus, in the crwth 's voice is directly connected to the web and suppressed by the soundhole on the treble side directly on the floor. In the zither, piano / piano and the harpsichord is the wooden beams, in which the tuning pins are taken, also called vocal floor.

A pinblock the accordion is the summary of Kanz Ellen to a group. On the Kanz cubits votes (voting disks) are mounted. Of which is probably derived the name.