View source for PorchBoard Floor Bass

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== Musical Instrument (Percussion) ==
The PorchBoard Floor Bass is a simple [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percussion_instrument percussion instrument] designed to be tapped by a foot to provide a "kick drum"-like sound.  It could be classed as an instrument of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percussion_instrument#Indefinite_pitch indefinite pitch] containing complex frequencies through which no discernible pitch can be heard.<ref>Wikipedia [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percussion_instrument#Indefinite_pitch Wikipedia/Percussion Instrument#indefinite pitch]</ref>

With very little audible sound by itself, the internal pickup provides both 1/4" and XLR output connections that may be used simultaneously. 

See the [http://www.porchboard.com PorchBoard website] for more information about the available models.


== Settings on the L1® for the PorchBoard ==
=== {{T1 no link}} ===
You can run the PorchBoard into T1® Channel 4 or 5, completely flat, no effects. While you could use T1® Channels 1, 2, or 3, there is no need to do that, so you can leave 1, 2, and 3 available for other inputs that require more gain.

The ToneMatch® settings are
* Category: Utility
* Preset: Flat
=== {{Classic}} or {{Model I}} ===
On a {{Classic}} or {{Model I}}, you may use Power Stand Channel 3 or 4.
=== {{Model II}} ===
You can also run the PorchBoard directly to a {{Model II}} [[L1® Model II#Analog Input|Power Stand Analog input]]. You would use the Analog trim to control the volume. If you don't mind doing that, this leaves another input on the {{T1}} available.

== Playing the PorchBoard through the L1® ==
Like any instrument, when you spend some time with it you can get different effects and be more expressive with it as you learn it's capabilities & limitations ''(and yours!)''.

* You get a different sound based on where along the tap-rail you place your foot (as well as how hard, of course).  This worked well for emphasizing different beats, with softer taps being near the outside end of the rail and the louder ones nearer the middle.

* While sitting ''(which makes it *much* easier to use both feet!)'', I found it effective to place one foot over one end of the tap rail (over the support on one end) while the other foot did the tapping at various places.  This acted something like a "damper" pedal/muffler, allowing me more control over how quietly I could 'tap'.

* As with many percussive instruments, you definitely get different sounds when you do a 
** stomp-and-leave -the-foot-on-the-rail" vs. a 
** quick-tap-and-get-the-foot-off-as-fast-as-you-can".

* There's no reason to just tap with just the toe or ball of your foot.  You can also turn it around to place the "tap-rail" ''(the one with the pickup under it)'' under your heel, so you tap by raising your heel rather than the toe.  In a lot of ways that is often a more comfortable position for me when I'm playing the keyboard ''(raising the heel rather than the toe)''.  Besides that, it uses different muscles -- so when my leg is getting a bit tired, I'll sometimes turn the PorchBoard around before the next song.

* One can get '''really''' quiet taps by tapping on the "fixed" rail, rather than the "tap-rail"; that is, tap so the vibration goes through the whole board to the pickup, rather than tapping on the "tap-rail" itself ''(which is directly over the pickup)''.  This effect, however, may vary widely, depending on which model of the PorchBoard you have.

* The most interesting range of effects is possible when the gain is high enough that you have to tap softly most of the time.  Besides that, it's a lot easier on the leg when you can minimize the effort involved in playing it.  Yeah, it'll often "flash red" at those higher gains if you then '''stomp''' on the 'Board, but the associated distortion can ''(judiciously applied)'' have it's own place.  Besides, why should guitarists be the only ones who have fun with deliberate distortion?!?! <br />''(Of course, for those of you who have seen Cliff Henricksen play the keyboard, if one stuck the PorchBoard under *his* foot you'd have to turn the gain waaaayyyy down! -- come to think of it, you'd really need two in order to stick one under each foot!)''

* Unlike an acoustic kick drum, or most other large drums, the PorchBoard seems to have few strong higher harmonics; for example, turning the High EQ way down seems to have little effect on the resulting sound. 
** The new (2007) UCL-S model offers all the low-end benefits of the UCL plus features a 3-way frequency response switch designed to match the frequency range of an increased number of amplifiers with higher frequency sound capability.  
*** The L (low) setting allows the very low bass, perfect for subwoofer or quality bass amp usage.  
*** The M (mix) setting filters a mix of low and high frequencies, and 
*** The H (high) setting provides for high end, stompbox slap.

* Also unlike an acoustic kick drum, the PorchBoard has very little intrinsic sense of "pitch" -- little sense of "playing a note".  What that means is that when you play it by itself, it is rather bland and boring.  The '''good''' aspect of that, however, is that it will complement most anything playing along with it -- you never have to "tune it up".

* Since the PorchBoard produces predominately low-end sounds, it really demonstrates some of the "curses" of bass sound which Hilmar-at-Bose talks about -- such as how the volume of bass sounds can vary radically at different positions in the room.  For example, at one point during an "acoustic jam", someone came up and turned down the volume a bit on the remote channel for the PorchBoard, whispering to the performer "it was way too loud in the back of the room" -- but from where the performer was sitting the sound seemed to be nicely "underneath" the other folks playing.

* The best sound of the PorchBoard seems to come when played through an Extended Bass {{L1}} System (one with 4 {{B1}}'s); four {{B1}}'s provide the broad dynamic low range which can bring out the variety of volumes one has with most percussive instruments.  However, it can also sound just fine through single or double {{B1}} Systems, too.  However, it is not recommend for use with an {{L1}} without at least one {{B1}} attached.

* The PorchBoard is uses a proximity sensor originally designed for the automotive industry rather than a musical instrument pickup. The sensor does not require a preamp and can be plugged into the line level inputs of the L1®. On the {{Classic}} and {{Model I}} that would be Channels 3 or 4. On the {{T1}} you can use Channel 4/5.

* Since it is (usually) sitting on the floor, you might need to be careful about what other pieces of electrical devices are near it.  For example, a "wall-wart" ''(an external power supply or transformer)'' next to it might cause a 60-cycle 'hum' to be amplified. (This has happened, at least with the older "solid" model.)

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[[Image:PorchBoardBass.jpg|300px|PorchBoard Bass]]

[[Image:PorchBoardDeanDwyer.jpg|Dean Dwyer holding the Mahogany PorchBoard Floor Bass]]

== See / Hear it ==
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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Where it came from and how it works.
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== Discussions about the PorchBoard ==
* [http://bose.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/778102955/m/5691038391/p/1 PorchBoard Bass- Check it out!] - Discussion on the {{forum}}
* [http://www.guitarseminars.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/011372.html PorchBoard Bass Questions] - Acoustic Guitar Forum 

== Enroute Music ==
* [http://www.porchboard.com/ Enroute Music] invented, manufactures and distributes (both wholesale and retail) the PorchBoard Bass
* Principals:
** Nadene Isackson - Owner
** Bill Stevens - Inventor
** Dean Dwyer - Designer
*** [http://toonz.ca/downloads/TheBirthOfAnInstrumentDeanDwyerPorchBoard.pdf The Birth of an Instrument - Dean Dwyer] Article at ISW Online (pdf version)

* [http://www.porchboard.com/choices/index.html Enroute Music Choices] A Drug Abuse Prevention Elementary School Assembly Program<br /> read this to get some insight into the people behind the PorchBoard.

<html><a href="http://www.porchboard.com/choices/index.html"><img src="http://toonz.ca/bose/wiki/images/2/25/EnrouteChoices.jpg" border="0" width="325" alt="Enroute Music Choices A Drug Abuse Prevention Elementary School Assembly Program" title="Enroute Music Choices A Drug Abuse Prevention Elementary School Assembly Program"></a></html>

=== Technology ===

==== Proximity Sensor ====
From the PorchBoard website:
:Our patented passive proximity sensor system creates an analog, clean bass beat without the common low-end amplification problems of noise, feedback or delay.
Added notes from Bill
:Microphones and piezo pickups make use of a resonant surface, leading to noise and feedback, especially when amplifying low-end.  Regular guitar pickups are wide range and not tuned to a specific frequency

==== Background ====
Notes from Nadene Isackson

:From his prior work in the automobile industry, Bill was familiar with electrically tuning a magnetic sensor for specific applications.  This was the basis for our 'proximity sensor system', which uses a tuned, magnetic sensor that is capable of producing a very low dominate pitch when approached by a ferrous transducer plate.  
 
:By eliminating the common problems associated with the resonant surfaces used with microphone and piezo pickups and by eliminating the wide range frequencies that are used with guitar style pickups, the PorchBoard can consistently produce a specific, rich, low-end thump without noise or feedback.
 
:The passive proximity sensor system is the basis of the PorchBoard patent that was granted to Bill and assigned to Nadene, owner of EnRoute Music.

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== The Instrument ==
=== General Description ===
*  constructed using durable composites
*  features XLR and 1/4" outputs 
*  passive - no batteries or additional power sources are  required.
*  no noise, feedback or delay
*  disassembles for compact travel (no tools required)
*  includes two interchangeable heel rails to accommodate  seated or standing musicians
*  includes a handy carry bag


=== Assembled ===
==== Long Heel Rail - Seated ====
The PorchBoard using the Long Heel Rail for playing while seated.

[[Image:PorchBoardLongHeelRail.jpg]]

==== Short Heel Rail - Standing ====
The Porchboard using the Short Heel Rail for playing while standing.

[[Image:PorchBoardShortHeelRail.jpg]]

=== Disassembled ===
The PorchBoard ships with both Long and Short Heel Rails.

[[Image:PorchBoardDisassembled.jpg]]

=== UCL-S ===

The UCL-S model is identical to the UCL (shown above) except that it has a 3-way frequency response switch for increased amplification  capabilities

[[Image:PorchBoardUCL-S.jpg]]

=== Instructions ===
This is included here because it gives insight into the different models. From the [http://www.porchboard.com/Instructions.html PorchBoard site]

The PorchBoard Bass plugs directly into an amplification system (set up much like a bass guitar would be.)using a quarter-quarter guitar cord or an XLR cord (or both simultaneously).  No additional power sources or batteries are required.

Beginning tapping (heel on heel rail and toe on suspended toe rail) with a very simple beat, tapping once or twice each measure.  With a little practice you will develop your own style and rhythm and your PorchBoard playing will become automatic.

Adjust the amplifier controls for tone and adequate volume.  We suggest using a maximum setting on the low end (bass) control and then adjust the volume control so that a good sound is achieved with minimum tapping effort.  Extreme tapping efforts are not necessary.

The UCL PorchBoard is designed to produce a tone in the 33-100 HZ range (very low).  The 33 HZ (with a strong 99 HZ harmonic) was selected because it offers a strong supportive bass "thump" in any key- similar to a large marching band bass drum.  Often the nature of the sound tends to resemble a note when another instrument (such as a guitar) suggests a note.

Excellent results can be obtained by using a quality bass amp, keyboard amp, capable PA system, powered subwoofer (the PorchBoard has adequate output to drive most powered subwoofers without the use of a pre-amp or any amplification system) that can reproduce these low frequencies at adequate levels.

The UCL-S PorchBoard has all the low-end benefits of the UCL model plus features a three way frequency response switch designed to match the frequency range of an increased number of amplifiers with higher frequency sound capability.  The L (low) setting allows the very low bass, perfect for subwoofer or quality bass amp usage.  The M (mix) setting filters a mix of low and high frequencies, and the H (high) setting provides for high end, stompbox slap.

=== Alternate Assembly ===
==== Normal ====
This is the way you usually assemble a PorchBoard.

[[Image:PorchBoardNormal.jpg]]

==== Reversed ====

If you prefer to keep the connectors protected so they are less likely to be stepped on try assembling your PorchBoard like this.

[[Image:PorchBoardReversed.jpg]]




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