Control system for a musical instrument
2010-03-09
AbstractA control system for a musical instrument, e.g., an electric guitar, which is programmable so that a tremolo characteristic can be applied to the audio signal produced by the musical instrument. The tremolo characteristic can be comprised of a combination of three preset amplitude components and three preset frequency components. The control system can also be used to dynamically vary the volume characteristic of the audio signal produced by the musical instrument. Specifically, the control system includes a tactile member which produces a signal proportionate to the pressure exerted on the tactile member by the musician. This signal can be used to increase the volume characteristic of the musical instrument while the musician is playing the musical instrument.Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A control system to be used to change one or more characteristics of an audio signal produced by a musical instrument comprising:

a plurality of user inputs including a tactile member which produces a first signal which is proportionate to the pressure exerted on said tactile member by a musician while said musician is playing said instrument;

a controller which receives said first signal, said controller having a program mode, wherein preset component values for audio characteristics can be programmed by said musician, and an operation mode wherein audio characteristics for an audio signal produced by said musical instrument can be modified by said musician manipulating said plurality of user inputs; and

an audio signal modifier, responsive to signals from said controller which modifies said audio signal produced by said musical instrument in response to signals received from said controller.

2. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a transducer and wherein said tactile member comprises an air filled tube mounted on a surface of said musical instrument wherein depression of said air filled tube towards said surface of said musical instrument results in a proportionate change in pressure within said air filled tube and wherein said transducer produces said first signal in response to detecting said proportionate change in pressure.

3. The control system of claim 2, wherein said tactile member is positioned on the musical instrument in a location where said musician does not have to remove his or her hands to manipulate said tactile member.

4. The control system of claim 3, wherein said air filled tube has a square base with a rounded upper hemisphere, wherein said square base is mounted on said surface of said musical instrument.

5. The control system of claim 4, wherein said musical instrument comprises an electric guitar and said tactile member is mounted on said neck of said electric guitar.

6. The control system of claim 1, wherein said controller, when in said program mode, can be programmed by said musician to set an initial starting volume for a volume audio characteristic of said audio signal produced by said musical instrument.

7. The control system of claim 6, wherein said controller, when in said operation mode, produces an audio signal having a volume audio characteristic which is at least said initial starting volume and wherein said controller increases said volume audio characteristic from said initial starting volume in proportion to said first signal generated by said musician exerting pressure on said tactile member.

8. The control system of claim 7, wherein said controller, when in said operation mode, sustains the volume audio characteristic of said audio signal produced by said musical instrument at a first level, which is proportionate to the greatest amount of pressure exerted on said tactile member by said musician, until said musician exerts a greater amount of pressure on said tactile member.

9. The control system of claim 1, wherein said controller, when in said program mode, can be programmed by said musician to set a plurality of initial starting frequencies and a plurality of initial starting amplitudes of a tremolo audio characteristic of said audio signal produced by said musical instrument.

10. The control system of claim 9, wherein said controller, when in said operation mode, produces an audio signal having a tremolo audio characteristic having one of said plurality of initial starting frequencies and having one of said plurality of initial starting amplitudes.

11. The control system of claim 10, wherein said controller, when in said operation mode, increases the frequency of said tremolo audio characteristic in response to said musician exerting pressure on said tactile member.

12. The control system of claim 11, wherein said controller is configured, in said operation mode, so that said musician can switch between said plurality of starting frequencies and said plurality of starting amplitudes of said tremolo audio characteristic by manipulating said plurality of user inputs.Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a system for controlling the output-of a musical instrument and, in particular, concerns a system which includes a pressure sensitive control device which is mounted on a musical instrument to allow the player of the instrument to alter various characteristics of the audio output signal of the musical instrument.

2. Description of the Related Art

Electric guitars are extremely popular musical instruments as they can produce a wide range of different sounds when they are used in conjunction with an amplifier. The musician can produce sound signals having a wide range of volume with an electric guitar and the musician can also produce a sound signal from the electric guitar that has a particular sound quality. For example, using the amplifier, the musician can produce a sound signal having a characteristic which varies in volume over time. This characteristic is generally referred to as tremolo. Other types of sound signals that can be produced using an electric guitar include reverberation, vibrato and the like.

The sound signals produced by the guitar are generally adjusted by the musician either changing the settings of dials on the guitar, or by changing settings of dials on an amplifier. Foot pedals are also often used to change the characteristics of the audio signals produced by an electric guitar. It can be appreciated, however, that these devices for changing the characteristics of the sound signals have several disadvantages for the musician.

Specifically, if the musician has to remove his hands from the strings of the guitar to adjust a dial, he cannot continue playing the instrument during that interval. This causes disruptions in the melody that the musician is playing. This problem is somewhat solved by foot pedals which are linked to the amplifier and effectuate changes in characteristics of the audio signal. However, the foot pedals are generally fixedly positioned in one place which requires that the musician also remain in the same place. In many musical performances, the musicians prefer to move around the stage, and their ability to do so is hampered when they have to remain in the proximity of the foot pedals to effectuate changes in the characteristics of the audio signals that they are producing.

One possible solution to this problem has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,443,018 to Krebs. The Krebs patent discloses an electric guitar wherein compressive rubber resistance elements are built into the neck of the guitar at specific locations. These elements can be used by the musician to change various characteristics of the sound signals, e.g., the volume, by depressing the elements while playing the guitar. However, the guitar in the Krebs patent still suffers from several difficulties.

First, Krebs discloses a guitar wherein the compressive rubber elements are embedded in the neck of the guitar. This requires that the guitar be specially made to facilitate these rubber elements or that the neck of existing guitars be drilled and hollowed to facilitate the rubber elements. Further, the rubber elements are generally small in size and made of a solid piece of rubber. While a solid piece of rubber can be depressed by an individual, the tactile feel of a solid piece of rubber is generally very poor.

In particular, a musician who is depressing one of the elements to change a characteristic of the audio signal in the Krebs guitar will generally not be able to predict ahead of time the exact change of a characteristic of the audio signal. The musician will generally have to wait until the audio signal is produced, and then exert more or less pressure on the element to adjust the signal to have the desired characteristic. Hence, the desired audio signal may not be produced at the desired time or the characteristic may initially be not what the musician intended.

A further difficultly with the Krebs device is that some desired changes in characteristics of audio signals still require the musician to remove his hands from the guitar to effectuate the desired change. For example, if the musician wishes to change the tremolo, e.g., change the frequency of the recurring audio signal having a constant volume, the musician has to remove his hand from the guitar and change a pre-set setting of a dial on the amplifier.

Generally, tremolo settings are pre-set prior to the musician beginning a performance. The musician determines ahead of time the desired frequency of repetition of the audio signal and the desired volume and then, during the performance, engages the tremolo to produce the desired characteristic. If the musician determines during the performance that the settings for a desired effect should be changed, the musician must then stop playing the guitar and change the settings to the new desired settings. It can be appreciated that this significantly limits the flexibility of the musician to change the characteristics of the audio signal while the instrument is being played.

Hence, from the foregoing it is apparent that there is a need in the prior art for a device which allows a musician to change the characteristics of a sound signal produced by a musical instrument without removing his hands from the instrument. To this end, there is a need for an apparatus which allows the musician to know, prior to the production of the resulting sound signal, the changes in a particular characteristic that are going to occur. Further, there is also a need for a system which allows the musician to program multiple different settings for multiple different changes in characteristics ahead of time and then, while playing the instrument, change between the different changes in characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned needs are satisfied by the present invention which is comprised of a control system having a tactile member which can be positioned on an instrument in a position where the musician can access the tactile member while playing the instrument. The tactile member produces a signal which is proportionate to the pressure exerted by the musician and this signal is then sent to a controller. The controller then interprets the signal and adjusts a characteristic of the sound signal produced by the musical instrument accordingly.

Preferably, the controller has one or more inputs which allows the musician to select between separate functions wherein separate sound characteristics can be affected by manipulation of the tactile member. In the preferred embodiment, in a volume function the controller adjusts the volume characteristic of the audio signals produced by the musical instrument. In second and third functions, i.e., the tremolo functions, the controller will adjust a tremolo characteristic that is applied to the audio signal produced by the musical instrument.

In the volume function, the controller is preferably programmed so that the musician can choose between two separate volume modes: the pressure mode and the sustained mode. In the pressure mode, the volume of the audio signal produced by the musical instrument is dependent upon the amount of pressure the musician is exerting on the tactile member. In the sustained mode, the controller selects a volume value, depending upon amount of pressure exerted on the tactile member, and sustain the volume at this volume value for any future audio signal produced by the instrument until the musician selects a higher sustained volume or clears the controller. In the preferred embodiment, the musician clears the controller by depressing the tactile member a pre-selected amount to thereby send a clear signal to the controller.

In the tremolo functions, the musician can first preset up to three separate speeds or frequencies of the tremolo. The musician initially places the controller into a tremolo frequency program mode and then selects one of the presets. The musician can then program a preset tremolo frequency by playing the instrument and depressing on the tactile member which will result in the frequency of the tremolo varying proportionately to the amount of pressure exerted on the tactile member. Once the musician has attained a desired frequency, the musician then depresses one of the inputs on the controller to record the frequency in one of the presets.

When the musician is subsequently playing the instrument, the musician can activate the tremolo and have the frequency of the tremolo set at one of the presets. The musician can change between presets by simply depressing the inputs on the controller. Further, the musician can also increase the speed or frequency of the tremolo from one of the presets by depressing the tactile member which causes the tremolo to increase proportionately to the signal from the tactile member.

Further in the tremolo functions, the musician can also program three pre-set volumes for the tremolo characteristic so that when the instrument is subsequently played and the tremolo characteristic is sought, one of the preset volume levels can be selected to dictate the amplitude of the tremolo characteristic. To program the tremolo amplitude, the musician enters the program mode and then plays the instrument. The musician adjusts the volume by depressing the tactile member until a desired volume is reached. The musician then records this desired volume as one of the amplitude presets in the controller. Subsequently, when the musician is playing the instrument, the musician can select the amplitude of the tremolo from one of three pre-set amplitudes.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the control system of the preferred embodiment enables the musician to program preset volume levels, tremolo frequency levels and tremolo amplitude levels by simply playing the instrument and exerting pressure on the tactile member. Subsequently, the musician can select between the preset levels while playing the instrument. The musician can also use the tactile member while playing the instrument to dynamically adjust the volume of the audio signal and the frequency of a tremolo effect applied to the audio signal by exerting pressure on the tactile member. Hence, the control system affords the musician greater flexibility in adjusting the characteristics of the audio signal produced by the musical instrument.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims take in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a musical instrument used in conjunction with a first embodiment of a control system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the musical instrument shown in FIG. 1, used in conjunction with a second embodiment of a control system of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are partially cut-away perspective views of a tactile member which forms a portion of the control system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a control box, and the external controls associated therewith, comprising a portion of the control system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic which illustrates a control circuit which forms a portion of the control system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the control circuit as it performs an operation function shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the control circuit as it performs a volume operation function shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the control circuit as it performs a tremolo operation function shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the control circuit as it performs a program function shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the control circuit as it performs a program volume function illustrated in FIG. 10; and

FIGS. 12 and 12A is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the control circuit as it performs a program tremolo function shown in FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a musician 100 holding a musical instrument 102, which in this case is an electric guitar. The musical instrument 102 is equipped with a music control system 104 of the preferred embodiment.

The music control system 104 includes one or more flexible tactile members 106 that are positioned on the musical instrument 102. The flexible tactile members 106 are preferably positioned on the musical instrument 102 in places where the musician 100 can exert pressure on the flexible tactile members 106 without the musician 100 removing his hands from playing positions on the musical instrument 102. In this embodiment, the tactile member 106 is positioned adjacent the neck of the guitar where the musician 100 can press down in the tactile member 106 with either his thumb or finger. Alternatively, the tactile member 106 could have been positioned adjacent the musician's strumming hand (shown in phantom) thereby allowing the musician 100 to use his strumming hand to exert pressure on the tactile member 106.

In the preferred embodiment, the tactile member 106 is a sealed air hose that the musician 100 can depress to thereby change the pressure within the air hose. The tactile member 106 is connected to a central control box 108 that has a sensor which determines the extent to which the musician has depressed the tactile member 106.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention wherein the tactile members 106 all are connected to a central manifold 110. The central manifold 110 is preferably connected to the central control box 108 via a connecting member 112. In the preferred embodiment, the connecting member 112 is ...

Musical apparatus detecting maximum values and/or peak values of reflected light beams to control musical functions
2010-03-08
AbstractA musical apparatus which outputs music under the control of various musical control instructions where the desired musical control instructions are reliably determined by the movement of an object in an operation space, and where the musical control instructions are varied by changing the state of motion of the object in space.The musical apparatus performs musical control instructions whose contents are based on the state of motion of an object in motion within a specified operation space. The musical apparatus may have at least one light source which shines light into said operation space, at least one light sensor which receives light which has been reflected by an object in the space so that it has at least two light paths which reach from the light source to the light sensor via the object, so that a detection values is output according to the quantity of light received via a respective one of the light paths, and a musical controller which outputs music and controls a musical function when the correlation between the current values of the detection values of the various paths satisfies a specified relationship.Claims

We claim:

1. An electronic musical system which responds to the motion of an object within a specified space to control a sound function, wherein the electronic musical system comprises:

at least one radiation source that emits radiation into the specified space;

at least one sensor that receives radiation reflected along at least two different paths from an object in the specified space and provides at least one detection value corresponding to a characteristic of radiation received from the two paths; and

a controller for generating a control signal for operating the sound function based on the detection value.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one radiation source that emits radiation comprises a light source that emits at least one light beam and wherein the at least one sensor that receives radiation from each of the at least two different paths comprises at least two light detectors for detecting light in at least two light paths.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sound function is an audio signal.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sound function is a tone signal.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a central processing unit.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a digital signal processor.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sound source comprising a storage device for storing multiple tone waveform data, the multiple tone waveform data being readable for producing the sound function.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the radiation comprises magnitude of radiation.

9. A method of controlling music based on the motion of an object within a specified spate, the method comprising:

receiving radiation reflected from an object within the specified space along at least two light paths;

generating information based on a characteristic of radiation received from each of the at least two light paths;

receiving performance data from a performance signal source;

generating an audio signal based on the performance data; and

controlling a characteristic of the audio signal based on the generated information.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein receiving radiation reflected from an object comprises receiving light reflected from an object.

11. The method recited in claimed 9, wherein receiving performance data from a performance signal source comprises receiving performance data from a digital music signal source.

12. The method recited in claim 9, wherein receiving performance data from a performance signal source comprises receiving performance data from a Musical Instrument Digital Interface ("MIDI") signal.

13. The method recited in claim 9, wherein generating information based on a characteristic of radiation received from each of the at least two paths comprises:

generating at least two detection values, each of which is based on a characteristic of radiation received from each of the at least two paths;

detecting a maximum value of each of the at least two detection values; and

controlling a characteristic of the audio signal based on a correlation between the maximum values of the at least two detection values.

14. The method recited in claim 9, wherein the audio signal is a tone signal.

15. The method recited in claim 9, wherein generating information based on a characteristic of the radiation received from each of the at least two paths comprises generating information based on a quantity of radiation received from each of the at least two paths.

16. The method recited in claim 13, wherein generating at least two detection values, each of which is based on a characteristic of radiation received from each of the at least two paths comprises generating at least two detection values, each of which is based on a quantity of light received from each of the at least two light paths.

17. A method of controlling and outputting music based on the motion of an object within a specified space, the method comprising:

receiving radiation reflected from an object within the specified space,

controlling a characteristic of the received radiation by moving the object within the specified space;

generating a detection value based on the characteristic of the received radiation;

receiving performance data from a performance signal source;

generating an audio signal based on the performance data,

outputting the audio signal; and

controlling the audio signal based on the detection value.

18. A method as recited in claim 17, further comprising emitting radiation into the specified space.

19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein emitting radiation comprises emitting light and wherein receiving radiation comprises receiving reflected light.

20. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein receiving radiation comprises receiving light reflected from the object within the specified space.

21. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein receiving radiation comprises receiving light reflected along at least two paths from the object and wherein generating a detection value comprises generating a value dependent upon a characteristic of light received along the at least two paths.

22. The method recited in claim 17, wherein the audio signal is a tone signal.

23. The method recited in claim 17, wherein generating a detection value based on a characteristic of the received radiation comprises generating a detection value based on the quantity of the received radiation.

24. The method recited in claim 18, wherein receiving performance data from a performance signal source comprises receiving performance data from a digital music signal source.

25. The method recited in claim 18, wherein receiving performance data from a performance signal source comprises receiving performance data from a Musical Instrument Digital Interface ("MIDI") signal.

26. The method recited in claim 18, further comprising:

detecting a peak value of the detection value; and

controlling a characteristic of the audio signal when the peak value is detected.

27. An electronic musical apparatus which responds to the motion of an object within a specified space to control the music output by said electronic musical apparatus, wherein said electronic musical apparatus comprises:

at least one radiation sensor which receives radiation reflected from an object within said specified space and providing a detection value corresponding to a characteristic of radiation received by said light sensor,

a threshold detector for detecting a condition in which the detection value passes a predefined threshold;

a signal generator which generates music; and

a musical controller which, upon the detection value passing the threshold, controls the music generated by said signal generator.

28. An apparatus as recited in claim 27, further comprising a radiation source for emitting radiation into the specified space.

29. An apparatus as recited in claim 28, wherein the radiation source comprises a light source and the radiation sensor comprises a light sensor.

30. An apparatus as recited in claim 27, wherein the radiation sensor comprises a lift sensor.

31. An apparatus as recited in claim 27, wherein the characteristic of the radiation comprises the quantity of radiation.

32. A method of controlling and outputting music based on the motion of an object within a specified space, said method comprising:

receiving radiation from an object within the specified space;

generating at least one detection value based on a characteristic of radiation received from the object;

detecting a condition in which the detection value exceeds a predefined threshold; and

outputting music and modifying the outputted music upon the detection value exceeding the predefined threshold.

33. A method as recited in claim 32, further comprising emitting radiation into the specified space.

34. A method as recited in claim 33, wherein the radiation comprises a light.

35. A method as recited in claim 32, wherein the radiation comprises a light.

36. An apparatus as recited in claim 32, wherein the characteristic of the radiation comprises the quantity of radiation.Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is electronic musical apparatuses such as electronic musical instruments, music-related sound generation devices, music-related sound modification devices, and their controllers, including, for example, synthesizers, keyboards, drum machines, effects processors, effects pedals, sequencers and sound modules. More specifically, the electronic musical apparatus embodying the invention is controlled by detecting the location and/or movement of an object (e.g., a hand) within a space by using a light beam, including an infrared light beam.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Non-contact musical control devices have been known in the past which issue control instructions by optically detecting the movement of a hand or the like within a specified space. These devices provided a pair consisting of one light source (infrared emitting diode or the like) which shines a light into the space and one light receiving element (infrared sensor or the like) which receives the light of the light source which has been reflected by the hand when said hand proceeds into said space, and if reflected light was received by the light receiver, the device performed a switch-like control which turned the instruction for a specified operation ON when said received light quantity exceeded a certain threshold value, and turned it OFF when it was below the threshold value.

The intensity distribution of the light beam irradiated from the light source in the conventional non-contact musical control devices described above is as shown, for example, in FIG. 26. In this case, the light quantity received by the light receiver will differ, even if the hand is held at the same height from the light receiver, when the hand is held directly above the light source as compared to when it is held to the side. Consequently, in a case where ON/OFF operation instructions are performed according to whether or not the quantity of received light exceeds a specified threshold...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PLAYING IN SYNCHRONISM WITH A DIGITAL AUDIO FILE AN AUTOMATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
2010-03-04
Abstract text
The invention disclosed is a system for playing a music sequence such as a MIDI file in synchronization with a prerecorded digital audio data file, such as an MP3 file. The synchronization is accomplished by using the digital media sample rate as a common time base for progression of the playing of the digital media and the music sequence.Claims
1. An apparatus for playing an automated musical instrument in synchronism with a digital audio file, the apparatus including: a source for a music sequence including time stamped articulation events; a source for a digital audio file; the controller in communication with the source for a music sequence a source of a digital audio file and in communication with the automated musical instrument, the controller providing the articulation events to the automated musical instrument, the controller further including a digital to analog converter to convert the digital audio file to an analog signal for play, the digital to analog converter providing the controller with a progress status of the time since the beginning of the play of the analog signal, the controller using the progress status of time as a time base for providing the time stamped articulation events to the automated musical instrument.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, where the music sequence is a MIDI file.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, where the source of a music sequence is digital media.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, where the digital media is selected from the group of compact flash cards, or SD cards.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, where the digital audio file is an MP3 file.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, where the source of a music sequence and the source for a digital audio file are the same media.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, where in the media is selected from the group including: optical disc, digital audio tape, SD cards, hard drives, and compact flash cards.

8. A controller for playing an automated musical instrument in synchronism with a digital audio file, including, a media reader; a DAC subsystem; a microprocessor; memory storing a music sequence; the media reader in communication with the microprocessor and the DAC subsystem, the media reader providing the DAC subsystem with digital audio data, and providing the microprocessor with information regarding identity of the audio track; the DAC subsystem including a digital to analog converter to convert the digital audio data into an analog signal for transmission to a transducer; the DAC subsystem in communication with the microprocessor and providing the microprocessor with information regarding the time progress of processing the digital audio data; the microprocessor in communication with the memory storing a music sequence, the microprocessor sending the music sequence to the automated musical instrument based on the time progress of processing the digital audio data.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the music sequence is a MIDI file including time stamped articulation events.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the microprocessor sends the events in music sequence to the automated musical instrument at a discreet time prior to the time called for by the time stamp for the event.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the discreet time is between 100 msec and 500 msec.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor sends the events in music sequence to the automated musical instrument at a discreet time prior to the time called for by the time stamp for the event.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the discreet time is between 100 msec and 500 msec.

14. A method of playing in synchronism digital audio data and an automated musical instrument, the method including the steps of: providing a music sequence having time stamped articulation events, providing digital audio data; converting the digital audio data into an analog signal and sending the analog signal to a transducer to convert the signal into an audible signal; monitoring the progression of the conversion of the digital audio data to establish a time base; referencing the time base and sending the articulation events to the automated musical instrument in accordance with the time stamps as the time base progresses.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the articulation events are advanced a discreet period of time.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the discreet period of time is between 100 msec to 500 msec.

17. The method of claim 14, where the digital audio data is on a CD, the digital audio data having a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the digital audio data includes a first indicia identifying the digital audio data, and the music sequence includes a second indicia identifying the music sequence, the method including the further step of comparing the first indicia to second indicia and determining if the indicia match.

19. The method of claim 18, including the step of selecting the music sequence from a plurality of music sequences, reading the first indicia of the selected music sequence, and selecting for conversion into an analog signal, the digital audio data having matching second indicia.

20. The method of claim 14, where the music sequence is authored to accompany the digital music data.Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and is a CIP of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/469,813 entitled A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PLAYING IN SYNCHRONISM WITH A CD AN AUTOMATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT and filed on Sep. 1, 2006 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 60/713,936 entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM THAT ISSUES TIME-STAMPED MUSICAL ARTICULATION EVENTS TO A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT filed on Sep. 2, 2005. This application also claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/469,797 entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PLAYING IN SYNCHRONISM WITH A DVD AN AUTOMATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT filed on Sep. 1, 2006 which also claims priority to U.S. Provisional 60/713,936. All of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to the area of automated musical instruments, particularly pianos, the invention also relates to the method of creating or authoring music sequences files for use with the automated musical instrument.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Automated musical instruments, such as pianos, are well known in the art. Such instruments are typically acoustic instruments that use mechanical actuators to operate the instrument. The actuators receive commands of articulation events or music sequences to control or play the instrument. The music sequences are delivered to the instrument by a controller. There have been a number of attempts to have an automated instrument play in synchronization or accompaniment with a prerecorded CD or hard drive. Such attempts are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,138,925, 5,300,725, 5,148,419 and 5,313,011. In order allow for synchronous play, those previous attempts rely upon timing information presented on a sub-channel of the CD to provide a common time frame for both the music sequences and the CD audio to reference. While such an arrangement is sufficient, it suffers from the limited resolution offered by the timing information of the CD sub-channel. The timing information of the CD sub-channel has a period or resolution of 13 milliseconds, which is not accurate enough for some piano sequences. The present invention described herein uses the timing inherent in the CD audio data as the time reference. By the use of this technique, the timing can have a period or resolution of 22.7 microseconds based upon the sample rate of 44.1 kHz of the digital audio data of the CD. One will recognize that this technique can be applied to any digital audio data, not just data on a CD. For instance, the technique may be applied to MP3, WAV or other popular digital media files.

[0004] While listening to the automated instrument playing alone is entertaining for the user, some users desire to have the instrument play along with a commercial recording of a musical selection, thus allowing the user to experience the recorded selection accompanied by a live automated instrument.

[0005] In some early products for playing an automated piano in synchronism with a CD, the CD media contained music sequences that were pre-synchronized to a digital accompaniment music track encoded as linear PCM. For instance, the audio music track would be encoded as PCM on the left channel of the CD, and the music sequence, encoded as MIDI, would be encoded on the right channel. In the invention described herein, the system utilizes off the shelf commercially recorded CD, or other digital audio data such as MP3 files, and music sequences specifically authored to play in synchronism with the musical selections on the media. The music sequences are generally MIDI files stored on removable media such as SD cards and the like. One skilled in the art will recognize that there are many ways to deliver the music sequences, such as MIDI files, to the consumer and ultimately to the controller of the automated musical instrument, and SD cards are but one example. Likewise, the MP3 or other digital audio data can be stored in any number of media, including optical discs, hard drives, SD cards, Compact Flash cards or any other media suitable for storing digital data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The system described herein includes a controller for delivering the music sequences to the automated mus...

High density sound enhancing components for stringed musical instruments
2010-03-03
AbstractThe present invention provides a system for producing vibratical unification of components of a musical instrument comprised of a soundboard, a plurality of strings, a bridge system, a neck, and a body. The system acoustically interconnects the major sound components of the musical instrument in a time-correct sound transfer loop. An acoustically high sound conductivity material selected from the group comprising minerals, ceramics, metals, and combinations thereof, is employed as an interconnect member to produce a balanced, compressed, and naturally equalized sound, with extreme clarity and sustain, and with minimal distortion. The low end sound that is produced by the unified components are coherent, tight, and well defined. The acoustically high sound conductivity material has a specific gravity on the order of at least 2, and preferably at least the specific gravity on the order of the specific gravity of granite. Advantageously, the specific gravity is at least four, and can be six or higher.ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1. A stringed musical instrument comprising a body section, a head secured to said body by a neck region, said head having means for securing the distal ends of a pluralityof strings to said musical instrument, a bridge to support the proximal ends of said strings above said body section, anchoring means for securing said proximal ends of said strings to said musical instrument, a soundboard secured to said body section,said soundboard being a layer of granite having a thickness in the range from about an eighth to about eleven sixteenths of an inch, a bridge member and a bridge-contacting block, said bridge member being secured to said bridge-contacting block, saidbridge contacting-block being a high acoustic transfer material having a specific gravity of at least two, and being in acoustic contact with said soundboard.

2. A stringed musical instrument comprising in combination; a body section; said body section being a solid piece of wood having at least one recess and at least one block of a high vibratic transfer, high density material having a density atleast equal to the density of granite, said at least one block being within said at least one recess, and said block being in acoustic contact with said soundboard; a head secured to said body by a neck region, said head having means for securing saiddistal ends of a plurality of strings to said musical instrument; a bridge supporting the proximal ends of said strings an anchoring means, said proximal ends of said strings being secured by said anchoring means to said musical instrument; asoundboard secured to said body section; said soundboard being a layer of a high density solid mineral; and an electric pickup in acoustical contact with, and supported by, said at least one block.

3. The stringed musical instrument of claim 2, further comprising at least a second electric pickup and at least a second block, said solid wood having a second recess, said at least a second block being a high acoustic transfer material havinga specific gravity of at least two, and being within said second recess, and being in acoustic contact with said soundboard and said second electric pickup.

4. The stringed musical instrument of claim 1, wherein said body section is a solid piece of wood having at least one recess, a first block, said at least one high acoustic transfer material having a specific gravity of at least two, and beingwithin said at least one recess, and said first block being in acoustic contact with said soundboard.

5. The stringed musical instrument of claim 2, further comprising a transfer rod, said transfer rod being a high acoustic transfer material having a specific gravity of at least 2, and being in acoustic contact with said soundboard and said atleast one block.

6. The stringed musical instrument of claim 5, further comprising a second high vibratic transfer block, said second transfer block being a high acoustic transfer material having a specific gravity of at least two, said second block being inacoustic contact with the base of said neck region and said transfer rod.

7. A stringed musical instrument comprising a body section, a head secured to said body by a neck region, said head having means for securing the distal ends of a plurality of strings to said musical instrument, a bridge to support the proximalends of said strings and anchoring means for securing said proximal ends of said strings to said musical instrument, and a soundboard secured to said body section, said body section being a hollow bodied member, at least a first high vibratic transferblock, said block being in acoustic contact with said soundboard and at least one member selected from the group comprising a bridge, an anchoring means, the base of said neck region, and at least one acoustic pickup, wherein said block has a specificgravity of at least two.

8. The stringed musical instrument of claim 7, further comprising an electric pickup supported by, and in acoustic contact with, said at least one block.

9. The stringed musical instrument of claim 7, further comprising at least a second high vibratic transfer block, said second block being a high acoustic transfer material having a specific gravity of at least two, and being in acoustic contactwith said soundboard.

10. The stringed musical instrument of claim 9, further comprising a bridge contacting high vibratic transfer block and bridge secured to said bridge contacting high vibratic transfer block, said bridge contacting being in acoustic contact withsaid soundboard, said soundboard being a layer of a mineral having a specific gravity of at least two, and having a thickness in the range from about 1/8 to 11/16 of an inch.

11. The stringed musical instrument of claim 1, wherein said musical instrument is selected from the group comprising an acoustic guitar, an electric guitar, an acoustic bass, an electric bass, a cello, a viola, and a harp.

12. The stringed musical instrument of claim 11, further comprising an electric pickup supported by a first granite block, said first granite block being in acoustic contact with said soundboard, a bridge contacting granite block and a bridgesecured to said bridge contacting granite block, said bridge contacting granite block being in acoustic contact with said soundboard, said soundboard having a thickness in the range from about two to about four sixteenths of an inch, and a granitetransfer rod, said granite transfer rod being in acoustic contact with said soundboard, and said first granite block.

13. The stringed musical instrument of claim 1, wherein said block is selected from the group comprising granite, high acoustic transmitting ceramic and high acoustic transmitting metal.

14. The stringed musical instrument of claim 2, wherein said block is selected from the group comprising granite, high acoustic transmitting ceramic and high acoustic transmitting metal.

15. The stringed musical instrument of claim 7, wherein said block is selected from the group comprising granite, high acoustic transmitting ceramic and high acoustic transmitting metal.

16. The method of producing vibratical unification of components of a musical instrument comprised of a soundboard, a plurality of strings, a bridge system, a neck and a body, comprising the steps of; acoustically interconnecting each of saidcomponents in a time-correct sound transfer loop, said sound loop comprising a soundboard, a plurality of strings, a bridge system, a neck, a body, a high sound acoustically conductive material and a pick up acoustically coupled to a high soundacoustically conductive material having a specific gravity of at least two.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said acoustically high sound conductivity material is selected from the group comprising minerals, ceramics, metals, and combinations thereof, thereby producing a balanced, compressed, and naturally equalizedsound, with extreme clarity and sustain, and with minimal distortion.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said acoustically high sound conductivity material has a specific gravity on the order of at least 2.6.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said acoustically high sound conductivity material has a specific gravity on the order of at least four.DescriptionGOVERNMENT INTEREST STATEMENT

NONE

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a stringed musical instrument having a soundboard and/or other enhancements made of a dense material, in particular, granite, and more particularly, to a music generating device including acoustic instruments andelectrically amplified musical instruments, with further particularity, the invention relates to a high density veneer and/or other stone enhancements for a string instrument such as a guitar, bass, banjo, viola, cello. Dobro鈩?and lapsteel guitar,and the like.

2. Related Art

It is well recognized that wood, in particular aged wood, makes an ideal material for such musical instruments such as a piano, violin, guitar, or the like. U.S. Pat. No. 3,769,871 to Cawthorn for a "Stone Guitar With A Tuned Neck", issued in1973. The patent discloses a heavy stone slab, typically 1 to 1.125 inches thick for use in guitars. According to the patent, the flat stone body is of a mineral or petrified matter such as granite, marble, onyx, rose quartz, petrified wood, or agate. It can have a hollowed out cavity for the electric pickups. It is a solid body guitar except for the cavity for the electrifying of the guitar. It is further disclosed that the cavity can be covered with a conventional pick guard.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,499 to Othon, discloses a method of enhancing and modifying the visual and aural characteristics of a stringed instrument wherein the flat surfaces of a stone and the body of a stringed instrument are adhesively securedtogether. The stone is worked while the stone is bonded to the instrument to reduce the thickness of the stone and produce a stone laminate. According to the disclosure of the patent, the stone employed may be extremely dense and hard, extremely soft(soapstone being an example), or anywhere in between in order to provide the desired effect. An extremely hard rock, for example, will give the musical instrument great sustain properties. A softer rock or stone, on the other hand, may be used toaffect the sound in other ways, such as "softening" the tone and resonance. The patent further discloses that when the stone laminate is positioned at the pick guard of an electric stringed instrument, the aural characteristics are affected due toshielding of the instrument's electronic components.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,514 for an Equilateral Tetrahedral Speaker discloses that the enclosure can be constructed of dense material such as a CORIAN鈩?material to minimize enclosure coloration. CORIAN鈩?is Dupont's registered trademark forits premium quality brand of solid surface product that is a solid, homogeneous, filled material containing methyl methacrylate.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,739 for High-Fidelity Stereo Sound System discloses that in an actual embodiment of a surface, marble gravel was glued across the surface of a parabolic surface like the parabolic surface of well-known microwave antennas.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,221 for the Construction of Sound Converter in Sound Guide Especially for Loudspeakers, for Example Speaker Boxes, discloses that the conventional technology for attaining this object consists in providing the sound guideand housing with sufficiently thick walls, adding braces and reinforcements, and/or selecting a material which has high internal clamping. Examples of this are speaker boxes made of concrete, marble, ceramic Plexiglas, and aluminum.

SUMMARY

According to a first broad aspect of the present invention, stone can be used as a resonating surface for an acoustical device, such as a musical instrument. With many such instruments, weight of the instrument is a critical factor. Forexample, musicians generally reject guitars that weigh over 8 or 9 pounds. Similar weight limitations apply to other string instruments, such as banjos, mandolins, violins, and the like. An instrument such as a piano generally does not have a weightlimitation from the standpoint of a performer but practical considerations limit the weight of pianos.

According to another broad aspect of the invention, it has now been found that although a material such as granite would not resonate in a manner comparable to wood, providing a stringed musical instrument with a thin acoustical veneer of stoneas a sound board, in conjunction with grounding and interconnecting, and having stone as the major sound-generating components of the instrument, dramatic acoustic benefits can be produced. The added stone enhancements are designed to connect andvibratically unify the soundboard, strings, bridge system, pickups, neck and body in a time-correct sound transfer loop.

According to a further broad aspect of the invention, it has now been found that the added stone enhancements collective mass and high-efficiency transmission rate focuses, retains and centralizes the instruments core vibrations producing abalanced, compressed, naturally equalized sound with remarkable clarity and sustain with minimal distortion. It should be understood, that when reference is made to a veneer, it is not intended to be inclusive of a mere thin, decorative layer, such astypically made from materials such as wood, metal, paper or plastics. The veneer must be of sufficient mass to function as an acoustic...

Electronic music system and stringed instrument input device therefor
2010-03-02
AbstractAn electronic music system includes a voltage controlled tone generator, or synthesizer, and an input device, in the form of a guitar or other fretted stringed instrument and associated electronic circuitry, for sequentially providing voltage signals, selected from a set of discretely different voltage levels each analogously related to a musical tone, for driving the tone generator. Each string-fret pair of the stringed instrument is assigned a given musical tone, preferably in accordance with normal tuning of the instrument, and means are provided for producing a corresponding voltage when a string-fret pair is closed by pressing the string against the fret. When two or more string-fret pairs are simultaneously closed, the output voltage corresponding to the highest frequency musical tone associated with the closed string-fret pairs is produced. In particular, different electrical voltages are applied to the instrument frets so as to apply such voltages to the strings when the strings are pressed into contact with the frets. A multiplexing system repetitively samples the string voltages, adds to each string voltage an offset voltage compensating for the musical intervals between the open strings, and processes the highest summed voltage for output to the tone generator.ClaimsWe claim:

1. An electronic music system comprising a voltage controlled tone generator, a stringed instrument having at least one string and a plurality of frets spaced from one another along thelength of said string with each string-fret pair representing an assigned musical tone, and means responsive to said string being pressed into contact with any one of said frets for producing and supplying to said voltage controlled tone generator, asthe driving input signal for said tone generator, a voltage signal having a voltage value analogously related to the frequency of the musical tone assigned to the contacting string-fret pair, said voltage controlled tone generator including means forproducing an intermediate signal having a frequency related to said input voltage signal, an amplifier having a voltage controlled gain for varying the amplitude of said intermediate signal, an envelope generator for providing a voltage waveformcontrolling the gain of said amplifier, and means for turning said envelope generator on to initiate the production of a new voltage waveform therefrom in response to said at least one string being brought into contact with any one of said frets.

2. An electronic music system comprising a voltage controlled tone generator, a stringed instrument having a plurality of spaced parallel strings located over a fret board having a plurality of frets extending transversely of said strings andspaced one from another along the length of said fret board with each string-fret pair representing an assigned musical tone, and means responsive of any one of said strings being pressed into contact with any one of said frets for producing andsupplying to said voltage controlled tone generator, as the driving input for said tone generator, a voltage signal having a voltage value analogously related to the frequency of the musical tone represented by the contacting string-fret pair.

3. A music system as defined in claim 2 further characterized by said voltage controlled tone generator including means for producing an intermediate signal having a frequency related to said input voltage signal, an amplifier having a voltagecontrolled gain for varying the amplitude of said intermediate signal, an envelope generator for producing a voltage waveform controlling the gain of said amplifier, and means for turning said envelope generator on to initiate the production of a newvoltage waveform therefrom in response to any one of said strings being brought into contact with any one of said frets.

4. A music system as defined in claim 3 further characterized by means for inhibiting the production of another voltage waveform from said envelope generator until after all of said strings are first out of contact with any of said frets.

5. An electronic music system comprising a voltage controlled tone generator, a stringed instrument having a plurality of spaced parallel strings and a plurality of frets spaced from one another along the length of said strings and eachextending transversely across all of said strings with each string-fret pair representing an assigned musical tone, and means responsive to any one or more of said strings being pressed into contact with any one or more of said frets for producing andsupplying to said voltage controlled tone generator, as the driving input signal for said tone generator, a voltage signal having a voltage value analogously related to the frequency of the highest musical tone represented by the contacting string-fretpair or pairs.

6. An electronic music system as defined in claim 5 further characterized by said means for producing a voltage signal including means for applying a discrete voltage to each of said frets and which discrete voltage is different from thatapplied to other of said frets, an offset voltage source providing a plurality of offset voltages each assigned to a respective one of said strings and each of which offset voltages is different from the other of said offset voltages, and meansresponsive to any one of said strings being pressed into contact with any one of said frets for adding the voltage appearing on said one fret to the offset voltage assigned to said one string to produce a resultant voltage signal analogously related tothe tone represented by the contacting string-fret pair.

7. An electronic music system comprising a voltage controlled tone generator, a stringed instrument having a plurality of spaced parallel electrically conductive strings and a plurality of electrically conductive frets spaced from one anotheralong the length of said strings and each extending transversely across all of said strings with each string-fret pair representing an assigned musical tone, and means responsive to any one of strings being pressed into contact with any one of said fretsfor producing and supplying to said voltage controlled tone generator, as the driving input signal for said tone generator, a voltage signal having a voltage value analogously related to the frequency of the contacting string-fret pair, said means forproducing a voltage signal including means for applying a discrete fret voltage to each of said frets and which discrete voltage is different from that applied to the other of said frets, an offset voltage source providing a plurality of offset voltageseach assigned to a respective one of said strings and each of which offset voltages is different from the other of said offset voltages, a multiplexer means for sequentially and cyclicly sampling the voltages appearing on said strings, means for addingeach sampled string voltage to its corresponding offset voltage to produce a resultant voltage, means for detecting and temporarily storing the peak resultant voltage obtained during each sampling cycle, and means utilizing said peak resultant voltage assaid voltage signal supplied to said voltage controlled tone generator.

8. An electronic music system as defined in claim 7 further characterized by the highest one of said offset voltages provided by said offset voltage source being lower than the lowest one of said discrete fret voltages, and said means utilizingsaid peak resultant voltage including means for testing said peak resultant voltage and for inhibiting the transmission of said peak resultant voltage to said voltage controlled tone generator in the event said peak resultant voltage is less than saidlowest one of said fret voltages.

9. An electronic music system as defined in claim 7 further characterized by said means utilizing said resultant peak voltage including means for comparing said new resultant peak voltage with the old resultant peak voltage obtained during thepreceding sampling cycle and for inhibiting the transmission of said new resultant peak voltage to said voltage controlled tone generator in the event said new resultant peak voltage is less than said old resultant peak voltage.

10. An electronic music system as defined in claim 7 further characterized by said means for applying a discrete fret voltage to each of said frets comprising a plurality of resistors connected in series with one another with each of saidresistors being electrically connected between a respective pair of said frets and means for providing a constant valued flow of current through said resistors.

11. An electronic music system as defined in claim 10 further characterized by said means for providing a constant valued flow of current being arranged so that said current flows in the direction from the highest tone valued one of said fretsto the lowest tone valued one of said frets whereby said highest tone valued fret has the highest discrete fret voltage applied to it.

12. A means for providing voltage signals for driving a voltage controlled tone generator in an electronic music producing system, said means comprising: a stringed musical instrument having a plurality of spaced parallel strings located over afret board having a plurality of frets extending transversely of said strings and spaced from one another along the length of said fret board with each string-fret pair representing an assigned musical tone, and means responsive to any one of saidstrings being pressed into contact with any one of said frets for producing a voltage signal having a voltage value analogously related to the frequency of the musical tone assigned to the contacting string-fret pair.

13. A means for providing voltage signals for driving a voltage controlled tone generator in an electronic music producing system said means comprising: a stringed instrument having a plurality of spaced parallel electrically conductive stringslocated over a fret board having a plurality of electrically conductive frets extending transversely of said strings and spaced from one another along the length of said fret board, with each string-fret pair representing an assigned musical tone, meansfor applying an electric voltage to each of said frets with each of said frets having a voltage different from that applied to the other of said frets, an offset voltage source providing a plurality of offset voltages each assigned to a respective one ofsaid strings with each of said offset voltages being different from the other of said offset voltages, and means responsive to any one of said strings being pressed into contact with any one of said frets for adding the voltage appearing on said one fretto the offset voltage assigned to said one string to produce an output signal, said fret voltage and said offset voltage being so selected that said output signal has a voltage value analogously related to the frequency of the musical tone represented bythe contacting string-fret pair.DescriptionBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to electronic music producing systems having a voltage controlled tone generator or synthesizer, for sequentially producing electrical audio frequency signals, for driving a loud speaker or other electro-acousticaltransducer, having fundamental frequencies controlled in accordance with the values of input voltage signals, and deals more particularly with a device for producing such input voltage signals which device is generally in the form of a guitar or otherfretted stringed instrument.

Electronic music systems having voltage controlled tone generators or synthesizers are well known in the art. The tone generator of such a system usually includes a large number of manually adjustable controls for varying various tonecharacteristics, such as timbre, attack, decay, vibrato, tremolo, etc. to obtain different sounds or effects. However, the basic sequence of the tones and their timing is usually controlled manually through a generally conventional keyboard played in agenerally conventional manner. Thus, persons performing on presently known synthesizer systems should be relatively skilled keyboard instrument players, and such systems are of limited usefulness to musicians skilled primarily in the playing ofnon-keyboard instruments.

The general object of this invention...

Transducer for stringer musical instrument
2010-03-01
AbstractA transducer for a stringed musical instrument includes a pair of coils mounted adjacent each string of the instrument. The coils have substantially the same number of turns of electrically conducting wire wound thereon, and the wires constituting the coils are of different gauges.ClaimsI claim:

1. In a transducer for a stringed musical instrument whose output is to be electrically amplified, in which said transducer includes a pair of coils mounted adjacent each string of saidinstrument, the improvement in which said coils have individual axes and substantially the same number of turns of electrically conducting wire wound thereon, and the wires constituting said coils are of different gauges.

2. A transducer as in claim 1, in which said coil wires range in diameter between about 0.00078 inch and 0.00400 inch.

3. A transducer as in claim 2, in which the wire diameter of one of said coils is about 0.00249 inch, and the wire diameter of the other of said coils is about 0.00198 inch.DescriptionBACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to transducers, or pickups, for stringed musical instruments whose output is to be electrically amplified. More particularly, the invention pertains to improved transducers providing reduction in undesirable frequencycomponents and improved tonal qualities.

So-called electric guitars or other electrical stringed instruments develop an output for amplification by converting the vibration of the strings to an electrical signal, whose frequency spectrum corresponds to that of the vibration of thestrings. Typically, such transducers, or pickups, consist of a permanent magnet element for developing a magnetic field that intercepts the strings and a coil positioned within that magnetic field. When the strings, which are of a ferromagneticmaterial, are plucked so as to vibrate within the magnetic field, variations in the field pattern caused by the string vibration are detected by the coils to develop an output current which follows the vibration pattern of the strings.

One of the problems encountered in connection with the electrical amplification of the output of stringed instruments is that transducers tend to pick up 60 cycle signals emanating from the power supply employed in the amplifying equipment. The60 cycle signal is converted to an audible hum in the amplifying equipment which is annoying and degrading to the quality of the musical output. To overcome this 60 cycle hum, transducers have been developed comprising a pair of pickup coils so woundand disposed adjacent one another that the 60 cycle currents induced in the coils cancel one another, effectively eliminating 60 cycle hum from the audio output. A representative prior art patent disclosing such hum cancellation is U.S. Pat. No.2,896,491 issued to S. E. Lover on July 28, 1959.

Prior hum elimination expedients, while effective in reducing 60 cycle hum, have disadvantages which limit their overall effectiveness. A conventional side-by-side arrangement of coils senses vibrations of each string at two relatively widelyspaced points along the string, causing cancellation of certain frequencies other than the 60 cycle hum frequency and consequent degradation of musical quality. With coils mounted one on top of the other, the musical signal is not so degr...

Generation of noise-like tones in an electronic musical instrument
2010-02-27
AbstractAn electronic tone synthesizer in which a master data list of digital values representing the amplitudes of points defining the waveform of a musical tone are transferred to a digital-to-analog converter at a rate proportional to the pitch of the tone being generated. Noise is superimposed on the musical tone by means of a random binary signal generator which controls a circuit for modifying selected ones of the digital values as they are transferred from the master data list to the converter. Modification of the selected values may be by a right shift operation, a 2's complement operation, or by selective delay.ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1. An electronic tone synthesizer for generating an audio signal having a predetermined waveform in which noise is superimposed on the audio signal, comprising: a group ofdigital words representing the relative amplitudes of equally spaced points defining the waveform of an audio signal, a digital-to-analog converter, means transferring the digital words sequentially from the generating means and applying the words inrepetitive sequence to the converter, the transferring means including means for modifying the digital value of any selected word as it is being transferred, a random signal generator for generating an output signal at random time intervals, and meansresponsive to the random output signal for momentarily activating said means for modifying a word being transferred, whereby the digital words are modified at random during transfer.

2. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for modifying said digital values includes a right shift circuit for shifting the digital values of the randomly selected words numerically at least one place to the right.

3. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for modifying said digital values includes a 2's complement circuit for generating the 2's complement of the digital values of the randomly selected words.

4. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for modifying said digital values includes means for delaying the time of transfer at which a selected word is transferred from the generating means.

5. Apparatus of claim 2 wherein the transferring means further includes a shift register, a right shift circuit for transferring each of the digital words in sequence from the generating means to the shift register, clock means for generatingclock signals at a rate proportional to the pitch frequency of the tone being generated, said transferring means being activated by said clock signals.

6. Apparatus of claim 3 wherein the transferring means includes a shift register, a 2's complement circuit for transferring each of the digital words from the generating means to the shift register, clock means for generating clock signals at arate proportional to the pitch frequency of the tone being generated, said transferring means being activated by said clock signals.

7. In an electronic tone synthesizer in which a master data list of digital values representing the amplitude of points defining the waveform of a musical tone are transferred to a digital-to-analog converter at a rate proportional to the pitchof the tone being generated, apparatus for superimposing noise on the tone comprising: an addressable memory for storing the master data list, a shift register receiving the output of the memory, clock means for generating clock pulses at said rateproportional to the pitch of the tone being generated, the clock means shifting said register, random address generating means for selectively transferring words from any one of a plurality of locations in the master data list memory to the shiftregister with each clock pulse, and means transferring the words in the shift register to said converter to convert said words to an analog voltage whose amplitude is controlled by the digital values of said words stored in the shift register.

8. A tone synthesizer comprising source means providing a group of words representing respectively the amplitudes of equally spaced points defining the waveform of a musical tone, digital-to-analog converter, means transferring said group ofwords in timed sequence from the source means and applying the words to the converter, and a random signal generator for generating timing pulses at random time intervals, said transferring means including means responsive to the timing pulses from saidrandom signal generator for modifying the values of those digital words transferred in time coincidence with the pulses from the random signal generator.DescriptionFIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to musical tone synthesizers, and more particularly, to a noise generator for a digital tone generator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The generation of musical tones electronically, either by analog or digital circuits, is well known. In attempting to duplicate the sounds of conventional musical instruments it may be desirable to superimpose sounds which can only becharacterized as "noise" onto the musical tones. Such added noise may be introduced to simulate the air noise, hiss, or breathiness characteristic of wind-operated instruments, such as the organ pipes of a conventional organ, or other types of windinstruments. In prior art digital type organs tones have been created imitative to noisy wind-blown organ pipes, by using a frequency modulation technique. This has been accomplished by adding or subtracting a fixed constant to the frequency numberused to address the tone data. Alternatively, the noise has been added to the reference voltage of the analog output signal from the digital-to-analog converter to produce an amplitude modulated noise. Noiselike tones have been created in digital tonegenerators by the type which calculate musical waveshapes by computation with an algorithm that uses sets of harmonic coefficients. However, the resulting tonal effect is not easily controlled. If the harmonic coefficients are varied in a randomfashion, noise having a very wide spectrum is produced and has the effect of substantially obliterating the basic musical tone being generated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In copending application Ser. No. 603,776, filed Aug. 11, 1975, entitled "Polyphonic Tone Synthesizer", now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 4,085,644 there is described a digital tone generator in which a master data list is calculated and stored ina main register. The master data list consists of a series of digital values representing the amplitudes of a corresponding series of points defining the waveform of one cycle (or fraction of a cycle) of a musical tone. The master data list istransferred from the main register to a Note shift register and from the Note register to a digital-to-analog converter at a rate determined by the pitch or fundamental frequency of the tone being generated. Because the ...

Electronic musical instrument with exponential keyboard and voltage controlled oscillator
2010-02-26
AbstractAn electronic musical instrument includes an oscillator for generating a signal at a frequency corresponding to that associated with a depressed key of the keyboard. The key selects a control voltage, from an exponential voltage divider, for controlling the frequency of a voltage controlled oscillator, which produces a frequency which is directly proportional to the control voltage and inversely proportional to a reference voltage. The reference voltage compensates for variations in the level of the supply voltage, so that the oscillator frequency is independent of the supply voltage.ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1. An electronic musical instrument having a voltage controlled oscillator for producing a sound signal having a frequency proportional to a control voltage applied to it, akeyboard having a plurality of keys, a plurality of switches, one for each of said keys, each adapted to be operated by depression of its associated key, and a voltage divider connected with said switches for connecting a control voltage to saidoscillator which corresponds to the position of the key associated with an operated one of said switches, said voltage divider comprising a plurality of resistance elements connected in series, each of said elements having different resistance valueswhich bear an exponential relation to the resistance values of the adjacent connected resistors such that the voltage at successive junctions of said resistance elements correspond to a geometric series, said resistance elements being formed of the samematerial and being physically located in close physical juxtaposition with each other, so that all said resistors are maintained at approximately the same temperature, with approximately constant relative resistances.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said resistance elements are formed simultaneously as portions of a single integrated thick-film circuit.

3. In an electronic musical instrument having an electrical power supply, a voltage controlled oscillator for producing a sound signal having a frequency proportional to a control voltage applied to it, a keyboard having a plurality of keys, aplurality of switches, one for each of said keys, each adapted to be operated by depression of its associated key, and connecting means connected with said switches for connecting a control voltage to said oscillator which corresponds to the position ofthe key associated with an operated one of said switches, the combination comprising a reference voltage generator connected to said electrical power supply for producing a reference voltage, and means connecting said oscillator to said reference voltagegenerator, said reference voltage generator being adapted to produce a shift in the level of said reference voltage in response to a change in the level of voltage of said electrical power supply, said shift having a magnitude and direction tending tocompensate for said change in power supply voltage level, whereby said oscillator frequency is substantially independent of said change.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said reference voltage generator comprises an inverter having an input connected with said power supply.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said oscillator comprises an integrator for integrating a voltage derived from said voltage divider, a comparator connected to said integrator and operative to compare an output produced by saidintegrator with said reference voltage, and means connected with said comparator and operative upon a comparison of said integrator output and said reference voltage for resetting said integrator for a subsequent cycle of integration.

6. An electronic musical instrument having a voltage controlled oscillator for producing a sound signal having a frequency proportional to a control voltage applied to it, a keyboard having a plurality of keys, a plurality of switches, one foreach of said keys, each adapted to be operated by depression of its associated key, a voltage divider connected with said switches for connecting a control voltage to said oscillator which corresponds to the position of the key associated with anoperated one of said switches, said voltage divider comprising a plurality of resistance elements connected in series, each of said elements having resistance values which bear an exponential relation to the resistance values of adjacent connectedresistors such that the voltage at successive junctions of said resistance elements correspond to a geometric series, means for supplying a selected potential across said series circuit, whereby said control voltage is dependent both on which of saidswitches is operated and on the selected potential, and selector means for selecting one of a plurality of potentials for application to said series circuit.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said selector means comprises means for selecting one of a plurality of discrete voltage levels for application to said series circuit, said discrete voltage levels differing from each other by factorswhich are powers of two, whereby the frequency of said sound signal falls within an octave selected by said selector means.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6, including means for producing an a.c. signal, means for coupling said a.c. signal to said voltage divider, and detector means connected with said control voltage for developing a signal in response to detectionof said a.c. signal following depression of one of said keys.

9. An electronic musical instrument having a first voltage controlled oscillator for producing a sound signal having a frequency proportional to a control voltage applied to it, a keyboard having a plurality of keys, a plurality of switches, onefor each of said keys, each adapted to be operated by depression of its associated key, a voltage divider connected with said switches for connecting a control voltage to said oscillator which corresponds to the position of the key associated with anoperated one of said switches, said voltage divider comprising a plurality of resistance elements connected in series, each having resistance values which bear an exponential relation to the resistance values of adjacent connected resistors, such thatthe voltage at successive junctions of said resistance elements corresponds to a geometric series, a second voltage controlled oscillator, and tuning means for connecting said control voltage to said second oscillator, said tuning means being operativeto modify said control voltage whereby said second oscillator oscillates at a frequency which differs from the frequency of the first oscillator by a constant factor.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said tuning means includes manually adjustable means for selecting a predetermined relationship between the frequencies of said first and second oscillators.DescriptionBACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electronic musical instruments, and more particularly to the class of such instruments known as synthesizers.

2. The Prior Art

Electronic music synthesizers generally include an oscillator with means for selectively controlling the frequency produced by the oscillator, so that the output of the oscillator may be caused to produce musical tones and sounds. One componentof a synthesizer is a tunable oscillator, and it is important that the oscillator remain in tune, without varying as a result of changes in temperature and other environmental conditions. If the oscillator does not inherently have the requiredstability, it must frequently be retuned, which is an inconvenience. In addition, rapid changes in tune (e.g., during warming up) are musically unsatisfactory.

In one class of synthesizers, a voltage divider is employed with several taps which are selected individually in accordance with the frequency of the signal which is desired to be produced by the oscillator. It is conventional to construct sucha voltage divider by connecting in series several components which all have the same resistance, so that an equal voltage difference is developed by each change in the position of a selected tap, connected to the junction of adjacent components. It isnecessary to use an oscillator arrangement which produces a frequency which is an exponential function of the control voltage, so that twelve successive taps produce the frequencies corresponding to the various notes of one octave of the musical scale.

Several designs for oscillators which have the required exponential function have been developed. In one such design, the oscillator is provided with a function generator for developing an exponential function in response to a linear inputvoltage, and a linear oscillator is controlled by the output of the function generator. This design has not been completely successful, because the function generator and the oscillator are both responsive to changes in the environmental condition, suchas temperature, power supply voltage level, etc., and so the required stability has not been attained.

It is, therefore, desirable to produce a system in which the aforementioned disadvantages are overcome.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide means for generating a variable frequency signal in response to depression of one of a plurality of keys of the keyboard, in which there is a high degree of compensation for changes inenvironmental conditions, such as changes in the ambient temperature and in the supply voltage.

This and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become manifest upon an examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronic musical instrument having a keyboard with a plurality of keys for selecting the pitches of musical sounds to be produced, a plurality of switches individually associatedwith the keys of said keyboard, a voltage divider having a plurality of resistance elements which are exponentially related to each other and connected with the switches to produce a control voltage, the level of which is a function of the supply voltageand the operated key, means for developing a reference voltage in response to said supply voltage, whereby a fractional variation in the supply voltage produces a proportionately equal and opposite fractional variation in the reference voltage, andoscillator means connected to said control voltage and to said reference voltage for developing a signal having a frequency proportional to the control voltage and inversely proportional to the reference voltage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram, partly in schematic circuit diagram form, comprising an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram, partly in functional block diagram form, of a keyboard circuit of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram, partly in functional block diagram form, of an oscillator circuit employed in the musical instrument of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, a functional block diagram of an electronic musical instrument incorporating an illustrative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The system of FIG. 1 includes a keyboard 10 having a plurality of switches12 associated therewith in conventional fashion. When each key of the keyboard 10 is depressed, one of the switches 12 is closed. An exponential voltage divider 14 is associated with the switches 12, and one of a plurality of leads 4 connected to thetaps of the voltage divider 14 is connected by an individual switch 12 to a sample and hold unit 5, via a line 13. The unit 5 manifests, on an output line 6, the voltage present on the line 13, which is dependent upon the operated switch 12. The sampleand hold unit 5 has a triggering unit 7 which is connected with the switches 12 and which is responsive to closing thereof for activating the sample and hold unit 5.

The exponential voltage divider 14 is made up of a series of resistors, as shown in FIG. 2, the resistance values of which are related in a geometric series, so that the value of the voltage at the taps of the voltage divider (between the pairsof adjacent resistors) has an exponential relationship, i.e. the voltages at the taps are approximately directly proportional to the frequencies of the notes of the musical scale.

A high frequency generator 8 is also associated with the switches 12. The generator 8 produces a high fr...

Rotary valve for a musical instrument
2010-02-25
AbstractA rotary valve for selectively inserting and removing a slide loop from the sound path of a musical instrument is disclosed. The valve includes a cylindrical rotor housed in a cylindrical casing coupled to the instrument's lead pipe, main bore and slide loop leading and trailing ends. The rotor has two passages extending through it. The first passage is generally "Y" shaped with two leading ends and a trailing end, while the second passage is generally straight having a leading end and a trailing end. In a first valve position, the first leading end and the trailing end of the "Y" shaped rotor passage coaxially align with the instrument's lead pipe and main bore, respectively, providing an air pathway excluding the additional slide loop. In a second valve position, the second leading end and the trailing end of the "Y" shaped passage coaxially align with the instrument's lead pipe and slide loop leading end, respectively, while the leading end and trailing end of the straight rotor passage coaxially align with the instrument's slide loop trailing end and main bore, respectively, to provide an air pathway including the additional slide loop. The present rotor design eliminates undesirable noises during rotor operation common to prior rotors while not adversely affecting the integrity and quality of the air column during play.Claims

What is claimed:

1. A rotary valve for musical instruments having a lead pipe, a main bore pipe leading to a horn bell and an alternate slide loop with a leading end and a trailing end, the valve comprising:

a cylindrical casing having a cylindrical sidewall, a top end, a bottom end and an inner circumferential surface, the casing being formed to include radially spaced apart first, second, third and fourth apertures extending through the cylindrical sidewall, the lead pipe, slide loop leading end, slide loop trailing end, and main bore pipes being coupled to the casing in communication with the first, second, third and fourth apertures, respectively; and

a cylindrical rotor having an outer circumferential surface, the rotor being coaxially mounted in the casing for rotation about a rotor axis between predetermined unswitched and switched positions such that the outer rotor surface maintains sealing contact with the casing inner circumferential surface, the rotor being formed to include a first generally "Y" shaped passage having first and second leading ends and a trailing end, and a second passage having a leading end and a trailing end, the first and second passages being aligned through the rotor so that when the rotor is in the unswitched position, the first leading end and the trailing end of the first passage are coaxially aligned with and in communication with the first and fourth casing apertures respectively while the second leading end of the first passage is in sealing contact with the casing inner circumferential surface, and when the rotor is in the switched position, the second leading end and the trailing end of the first passage are coaxially aligned with and in communication with the first and second casing apertures respectively while the second leading end of the first passage is in sealing contact with the casing inner circumferential surface, and the leading and trailing ends of the second rotor passage are coaxially aligned with and in communication with the third and fourth casing apertures respectively.

2. The rotary valve of claim 1, wherein the first and second leading ends of the first rotor passage are aligned at an acute angle relative to one another.

3. The rotary valve of claim 1, wherein the first leading end and the trailing end of the first rotor passage coaxial with one another.

4. The rotary valve of claim 3, wherein the first and second leading ends of the first rotor passage are aligned at an acute angle relative to one another.

5. The rotary valve of claim 1, wherein the second leading end and the trailing end of the first rotor passage are substantially coaxial with one another.

6. The rotary valve of claim 1, wherein the second passage has a generally straight shape.

7. The rotary valve of claim 1, wherein the second passage has an arcuate shape.

8. A rotary valve for a musical instrument which includes a lead pipe coupled to a mouthpiece, a main bore pipe leading to a horn bell, and an alternate slide loop having a leading end and a trailing end, the valve comprising:

a casing configured to be coupled to the musical instrument; and

a rotor configured to be mounted in the casing for rotation about a rotor axis between predetermined unswitched and switched positions, the rotor being formed to include a first generally "Y" shaped passage having first and second leading ends and a trailing end, and a second passage having a leading end and a trailing end, the first passage being configured to direct air from the lead pipe, through the first leading end of the "Y" shaped passage, out the trailing end, and through the main bore pipe leading to a horn bell when the rotor is in its unswitched position, and the first and second passages also being configured to direct air from the lead pipe, through the second leading end of the "Y" shaped passage, out the trailing end, through the alternate slide loop, through the second passage, and through the main bore pipe leading to a horn bell when the rotor is in its switched position.

9. The rotary valve of claim 8, wherein the first and second leading ends of the first rotor passage are aligned at an acute angle relative to one another.

10. The rotary valve of claim 8, wherein the first leading end and the trailing end of the first rotor passage are substantially coaxial with one another.

11. The rotary valve of claim 10, wherein the first and second leading ends of the first rotor passage are aligned at an acute angle relative to one another.

12. The rotary valve of claim 8, wherein the second leading end and the trailing end of the first rotor passage are substantially coaxial with one another.

13. The rotary valve of claim 8, wherein the second passage has a generally straight shape.

14. The rotary valve of claim 8, wherein the second passage has an arcuate shape.Description

This invention relates to a rotary fluid flow valve and more particularly to a rotary air valve for musical instruments.

One recognized method of changing tones in a musical wind instrument, particularly a brass instrument, is to change the length of the path an air column travels through the instrument. One method of accomplishing this is to provide the instrument with alternate loops of tubing of different lengths connected by one or more valves. As a valve is switched between alternate set positions, the air column is diverted through alternative desired combinations of loops resulting in different path lengths and thus different tones.

Rotary valves have long been used for musical instruments and are highly regarded for their quick action and relative simplicity of structure as compared to piston-type valves. Rotary valves have made strides in reducing overtones in the sound of the instrument caused by sound waves partially reflecting off the inside walls of the air passages as the air column travels through bends. Such partial reflection reduces the energy of the fundamental sound wave and produces undesirable overtones. Current rotary valves such as the Selmer-K valve and the Thayer valve reduce overtones by minimizing bends in the air passages through the valve and by providing air passage cross sections that are as congruent as possible a...

Music Transcription
2010-02-06
Abstract text
Methods, systems, and devices are described for automatically converting audio input signal data into musical score representation data. Embodiments of the invention identify a change in frequency information from the audio signal that exceeds a first threshold value; identify a change in amplitude information from the audio signal that exceeds a second threshold value; and generate a note onset event, each note onset event representing a time location in the audio signal of at least one of an identified change in the frequency information that exceeds the first threshold value or an identified change in the amplitude information that exceeds the second threshold value. The generation of note onset events and other information from the audio input signal may be used to extract note pitch, note value, tempo, meter, key, instrumentation, and other score representation information.Claims
1. A system for generating score data from an audio signal, the system comprising:an audio receiver operable to process the audio signal; anda note identification unit operable to receive the processed audio signal and generate a note onset event associated with a time location in the processed audio signal in response...

© 2009 www.tcomic.net The music of the Music4Usounds very sweet.