I hate alternative speaker diaphragms

[jamess]

I've been fascinated for a while by the concept of the metallique speaker for an Ondes Martenot. For anyone who doesn't know, that is a speaker, the diaphragm for which is a small gong. I'm interested in the possibilities of using various alternative diaphragms to create unusual effects, but I'm certainly not the first to have this idea. So has anyone here tried using unusual "found objects" or similar as speakers? How easy is it to do (technically speaking)? Any notable examples?

EDIT: Here's a video of a metallique speaker

http://youtu.be/gzU8b4mWRoQ

[jamess]

44 views and no replies... either no one knows, or no one is willing to give up their secrets! Better start experimenting for myself.

[cheapmachines]

You could approximate a crude version of this using a transducer on a tuned (or tuneless) piece of metal.

There are a number of different types around, Rolen Star being one of the longest running manufacturers:

http://www.baudline.com/erik/bass/tactile_report.html

Signal > Amp > Transducer > Object

With enough amplification pretty much any surface becomes a speaker to a greater or lesser degree.

Good example are any of David Tudor's Rainforest realisations e.g. http://vimeo.com/11912552

[jamess]

Just what I was looking for! A million thanks.

[flies]

I guess cannibalizing a regular speaker coil won't work?