Copperphone
Encyclopedia
The Placid Audio Copperphone is a hand crafted specialty microphone
designed and built by The Polyphonic Spree
bassist Mark Pirro
. The Copperphone uses components from vintage communications equipment as well as a mechanical filtering device to achieve a limited bandwidth frequency response similar to that of AM radio and the nostalgic sound of the early days of recording.
On August 7th, 2004, the Copperphone made an unusual appearance in news headlines when it was mistaken for a pipe bomb as it passed through security scanners at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport
. Brian Teasley
, percussion player of The Polyphonic Spree
, was on his way home after a tour and had a Copperphone packed in his luggage. Due to the microphones suspicious appearance and internal wiring, Teasley's luggage was held back by TSA
officials and the terminal was shut down. The bag was retrieved by the bomb squad
using a robot and later 'disarmed' by blasting the contents of the bag with a water cannon.
Teasley was unaware of the incident until he arrived at his residence in Birmingham, Alabama
where he was approached and questioned by members of the FBI
. Eventually the facts were confirmed that the device back in Dallas was not a pipe bomb but was indeed a microphone. Amazingly, Brian Teasley's Copperphone survived the water blasting and continued to work properly.
Jack White
has been known to use a Copperphone connected to a Zvex Tremolo Probe while onstage with The Raconteurs
.
Microphone
A microphone is an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal. In 1877, Emile Berliner invented the first microphone used as a telephone voice transmitter...
designed and built by The Polyphonic Spree
The Polyphonic Spree
The Polyphonic Spree is a choral symphonic pop rock band from Dallas, Texas that was formed in 2000 by Tim DeLaughter. The band's sound relies on a variety of vocal and instrumental color by featuring a choir, flute, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola, cello, percussion, piano, guitars, bass, drums,...
bassist Mark Pirro
Mark Pirro
Mark Pirro is a Dallas-based musician, bass player in The Polyphonic Spree, and former member of Tripping Daisy. He is also the inventor and manufacturer of the copperphone microphone. He runs Placid Audio studio in Dallas....
. The Copperphone uses components from vintage communications equipment as well as a mechanical filtering device to achieve a limited bandwidth frequency response similar to that of AM radio and the nostalgic sound of the early days of recording.
On August 7th, 2004, the Copperphone made an unusual appearance in news headlines when it was mistaken for a pipe bomb as it passed through security scanners at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is located between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, and is the busiest airport in the U.S. state of Texas...
. Brian Teasley
Brian Teasley
Brian Teasley is an American musician from Alabama. He is a founding member of Man or Astro-man? , The Boster & Servotron . Brian has also recorded and performed with the CauseyWay, ShannonWright, Japancakes, Tyro, Watts, The Mono Men, Har Mar Superstar, the Vue and The Polyphonic Spree...
, percussion player of The Polyphonic Spree
The Polyphonic Spree
The Polyphonic Spree is a choral symphonic pop rock band from Dallas, Texas that was formed in 2000 by Tim DeLaughter. The band's sound relies on a variety of vocal and instrumental color by featuring a choir, flute, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola, cello, percussion, piano, guitars, bass, drums,...
, was on his way home after a tour and had a Copperphone packed in his luggage. Due to the microphones suspicious appearance and internal wiring, Teasley's luggage was held back by TSA
Transportation Security Administration
The Transportation Security Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that exercises authority over the safety and security of the traveling public in the United States....
officials and the terminal was shut down. The bag was retrieved by the bomb squad
Bomb disposal
Bomb disposal is the process by which hazardous explosive devices are rendered safe. Bomb disposal is an all encompassing term to describe the separate, but interrelated functions in the following fields:*Military:...
using a robot and later 'disarmed' by blasting the contents of the bag with a water cannon.
Teasley was unaware of the incident until he arrived at his residence in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
where he was approached and questioned by members of the FBI
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
. Eventually the facts were confirmed that the device back in Dallas was not a pipe bomb but was indeed a microphone. Amazingly, Brian Teasley's Copperphone survived the water blasting and continued to work properly.
Jack White
Jack White (musician)
Jack White , often credited as Jack White III, is an American musician, songwriter, record producer and occasional actor...
has been known to use a Copperphone connected to a Zvex Tremolo Probe while onstage with The Raconteurs
The Raconteurs
The Raconteurs is an American rock band that was formed in Detroit, Michigan, featuring four members known for other musical projects: Jack White , Brendan Benson , Jack Lawrence , and Patrick Keeler .-Formation:The...
.