tuning in noisy environments.

[Sarah Fox]

Hi Don,

> The soundboard of a piano will pick up the extranious noise. *grin* just
> like a big ear drum.

True.  However, it's not the size of the eardrum that counts but rather its
acoustic impedance.  There is virtually no impedance mismatch between the
wood of the sounding board and the solid materials of the contact
microphone, hence high efficiency of sound conductance.  There is a very
large impedance mismatch between air and wood, hence a very low efficiency
of sound conductance between those media.  It's like being underwater.  The
surface of the pool is HUGE.  Yet it's hard to hear anyone talking above
water owing to the impedance mismatch.  Try the contact mic, and I bet
you'll find it works.  The only question is whether you want to work tied
down to a cord, wearing headsets.

Peace,
Sarah