A contact sensitive device and method of operation, comprising a member capable of supporting propagation of vibrations; at least one sensor mounted on the member for measuring vibrations in the member, wherein the at least one sensor transduces a vibration into an oscillating electrical waveform representing the vibration while preserving phase information represented therein; and a processor responsive to the oscillating electrical waveforms of the at least one sensor and analyzing at least the preserved phase information from the oscillating electrical waveform, to determine the location of the contact on the member. In this manner, for example, superposed signals can be distinguished and non-attenuating perturbations of the signal detected.