Need help with my Vader voice amplification setup

[jcoffman99]

As always for Halloween I'll be going as Darth. Last year I picked up a Hyperdyne voice changer. The problem I had was that I hooked it into my waist amp, which also had my breathing loop, which resulted in me literally talking out of my bum. I have two pc fans in the helmet. One on each grill. I'd hate to have to give up one of them because together they do a good job of keeping the lenses from fogging up.

Also where could I pick up a speaker that I could plug an 1/8 inch cable into? Is there somewhere else on the costume I could put my speaker?

If you have pics of your setup and wouldn't mind sharing I'd really appreciate it. Thanks,

John

 

[DB73]

i bought one of these ipod stands with the two wee silver speaker...stripped it down to just the speakers and amp part.

the speakers are very slim and just about go anywhere in the mask unseen, the amp can be fitted to perhaps sit above ure head dependin on helmet.

the sound is great, clear and ure mp3 etc can plug right in.

so id assume you could simple rip the small speakers out and just wire them up

i didnt mind ripping the unit up as it only cost a few bucks

 

[jcoffman99]

Thanks for the tip. Any other ideas?

 

[bubba fett]

I used two radio shack speakers and split the output from the Vortex to both of them. The two speakers mount on the belt to the left and right of the chestbox, just inside the inner robe. I happen to have mine in black clip-on pet snack bags which works well, but you can put clips directly on the speaker/amps too (mine kept snapping off which is why I use the bags).

The Vortex I put in a case with two clips and it hangs on the back of my Vader belt under the inner robe, pretty much right on my butt. I use a head mike (though I have heard the throat mic's are good too) so that I can get the helmet on and off without dealing with wires. I used to have the mike mounted in the helmet and may go back to that since the boom style mike I have seems to pick up some interference from the fan. I only have one fan in the helmet btw - which seems like plenty for me.

Sorry I don't have any pics. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Bigrfoot]

Thanks for the tip. Any other ideas?

I've been through several sound systems for my Vader and never really got one I was very happy with. I'm retiring my old helmet, a DP Classic Action vinyl one that is now signed by Prowse. That affords me the opportunity to work up a new helmet, (Probably one of Sarge's) from scratch with sound in mind from the begining.

I got a cheap bullhorn, of all things from Harbor Freight. I haven't actually put in a helmet yet, but it puts out a lot of volume, and with good clarity. (I think it's like a telephone... changes frequencies around for better legibility of voices... something I always had problems with as Vader even with larger speakers and powerful amps.. people could hear, but not understand well.) I'll probably use the amplifier circuit too... at about half volume.

My plan is to remove the horn and such and just use the speaker out of it in the mouth grill. I'll also try some other speakers just in case, but I suspect the bullhorn speaker or some similar mid-rangey one will be most legibile.

I'll make a back side to seal that off so more sound should go out the front and less back in to the helmet. I also want to line the inside of the helmet around the speakers with "dynamat" or similar sound deadening material. I also plan on using a Throat Mic, hopefully all of that will cut down on feedback problems.

For cooling, I'm moving the fans to the top of the helmet blowing down (Or maybe sucking up... whatever works better.)

So... that's my current plan. Past attempts were belt boxes, with a set of desktop sized computer speakers and a Hyperdyne unit. OK, but as you noted you talk out of your butt... LOL.

I also used a Radio Shack personal PA like a lot of troopers do, reconfigured and mounted in the chestbox. That works great for breathing... not so hot for voice. Lots of feedback with a regular mic. I will probably redo the chest box as well, and use that just for breathing and lights.

I also tried a backpack with a 10W amplifier and small car stereo speakers. It was great for blasting out the Imperial march, but crap for voice and breathing.

I would reccomend that you fit everything in the helmet, OR everything on the body. Connecting and disconnecting a mic cable everytime you take off the helmet is a PITA.

Soo... that's my advice. I'd love to hear everyone else's input too! I love whne someone mentions an idea and it's like "Doh! That would work beatifully!"

 

[jcoffman99]

Wow. Never thought about putting them under the inner robe. Fantastic tips. THanks!!

 

[Lan-Ed-Tul]

you seek JBL ontour speakers off ebay. i use, along with many other fellow 501st vaders, theses speakers, theyre stereo, work extremely well and are even reccommmended by Jim, the HYPERDYNE maker himself.

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

My speakers are under my shoulder armor, with the sound coming out around the chest box area on either side under the inner cape.

 

[vaderman1701]

My speakers are under my shoulder armor, with the sound coming out around the chest box area on either side under the inner cape.

What type of speakers are you using and can you take a picture of how you have them mounted?

Scott

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

I bought some 3" speakers from Frys and made some little mounts that velcro under the armor. My amp is separate mounted inside the chest box. I wish I could take a pic but my costumes in storage

 

[RBJ]

Let the madness begin! This is my third voice set up so far...and it works AWESOME!!! If I don't tuck my cloak into my belt tightly, the wind from the speakers blows my cloak up!!!


..my cloak goes OVER my armor,being a ANH Vader, so that led me to this ( also the fact that I have a spare set of armor if this does'nt work out! )

forgive the crudeness.. I want to get it working great, THEN I'll clean it up..2 Newtons,a Vortex2, radio shack powered mic, and a Ipod shuffle..

instead of using the speakers that came with the Newton, I have two 3.5" car speakers hard wired ( no disconects) and mounted BEHIND the chest armor, with "speaker grill" holes drilled to let the sound through! The holes are covered by my cloak and the speakers fit kind of in my armpits, and don't raise the armor off my chest at all...It is CRAZY LOUD..Bass sounds TONS better with the better speakers too...I have had NO problems with anyone understanding anything I say...even from across the room!

Heres a pic of me with the suit on ( just to show that you cant see the voice set up):

And here's the set up :

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

Mine are in the same location, just smaller and angled out instead of holes drilled.

I dig your set-up.

 

[jcoffman99]

All good ideas fellas. Keep em coming.

 

[Bigrfoot]

Brillant idea about mounting them in the chest armor! It never occured to me! LOL.

OK, now I've changed my plans for the Revision... well, 5 or so of my Vader sound, LOL.