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Automatic performance apparatus of an electronic musical instrument
2010-03-15 00:00:00
musical instrument for activating and deactivating an automatic performance for each musical part such as melody tone, accompaniment tone, or rhythm tone. The first performance data memory stores an instruction signal which instructs the second reading circuit to start and stop reading performance data stored in the second performance data memory, so that the reading of the performance data stored in the second performance data memory can automatically start and stop in accordance with the progressing of the reading based on the performance data stored in the first performance data memory. Both performance data stored in the first performance data memory and in the second performance data memory are read by respective reading circuits, so that it is possible to selectively start and stop reading the performance data stored in both the first performance data memory and the second performance data memory.ClaimsWe claim:

1. An automatic performance apparatus of an electronic musical instrument comprising:

first automatic performance means for performing music comprising:

first memory means for storing first performance information and instruction information; and

first reading means for reading said first performance information and said instruction information from said first memory means;

second automatic performance means for performing music comprising:

second memory means for storing second performance information; and

second reading means for reading said second performance information from said second memory means; and

control means for controlling said second automatic performance means in response to the readout of said instruction information.

2. An automatic performance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first memory means comprises a chord sequence memory for storing said first performance information including basic tone data.

3. An automatic performance apparatus of an electronic musical instrument comprising:

first automatic performance means having a first performance data memory for storing first performance data and first reading means for reading out performance data stored in said first performance data memory;

second automatic performance means having a second performance data memory for storing second performance data and second reading means for reading out performance data stored in said second performance data memory; and

selection means for selecting at least one of said first automatic performance means and said second automatic performance means in accordance with the state of stored instruction data, said selection means comprising a start-stop switch and said stored instruction data comprising registered content data included in said first performance data memory.

4. An automatic performance apparatus of an electronic musical instrument comprising:

first automatic performance means having a first performance data memory for storing first performance data and first reading means for reading out performance data stored in said first performance data memory;

second automatic perfor...

Wavetable-modification instrument and method for generating musical sound
2010-03-12 00:00:00
AbstractA musical instrument employing probabilistic wavetable-modification method of producing musical sound. A randomly initialized wavetable which is periodically accessed to provide an output signal which determines the musical sound. The output signal from the wavetable is probabilistically modified and stored back into the wavetable as modified data. The modified data, after a delay, is accessed from the wavetable and thereby becomes a new output signal. This process is periodically repeated whereby each new output signal is stored (after possibly being modified) back into the wavetable to produce rich and natural musical sound.ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1. A musical instrument for producing musical sound comprising,

input means for specifying a musical sound to be generated,

wavetable-modification generator means for generating by wavetable modification an output signal representing the musical sound to be produced, including a wavetable unit for cyclically storing data values for a delay period N, including initialvalue means for storing input data values into said wavetable unit with said input data values having amplitudes determined at least in part randomly, including a modifier unit for combining two or more delayed data values from said wavetable unit toform a modified data value, and including selection means for selecting the modified data value as a stored value stored back into the wavetable unit for subsequent delay by the period N where the stored value forms the output signal, means for selectingthe stored value as the output signal at a rate independent of the pitch of the musical sound to be produced,

an output unit responsive to said output signal to produce the musical sund.

2. The musical instrument of claim 1 wherein said selection means includes means for selecting said modified data value or a delayed data value stochastically based upon a predetermined probability, d.

3. The instrument of claim 2 wherein said modifier unit includes an arithmetic unit for summing said two or more delayed data values from said wavetable unit and for dividing the summed data value by a number greater than unity to form saidmodified data value.

4. The instrument of claim 3 wherein said number greater than unity is 2 whereby said two or more delayed data values from said wavetable unit are averaged.

5. The instrument of claim 2 wherein said value has an amplitude yn at a sample time n greater than or equal to 0 where yn is given as follows, ##EQU7## where yn-N is the data value output from the wavetable after delay of N andwhere yn-(N 1) is the data value output from the wavetable after a delay of N 1 and where xn is an input data value at sample time n having a signal amplitude loaded for an initial number of samples M into the wavetable and where rn is arandom number between 0 and 1 generated at sample time n.

6. The instrument of claim 5 wherein said output signal, at sample time n, is the data value having the amplitude yn.

7. The instrument of claim 5 wherein said wavetable unit is a random access memory, wherein the data value, yn, is stored in said memory at a Write Pointer address and wherein the data value yn-N is stored in said memory at a ReadPointer address, and wherein said Write Pointer address and said Read Pointer address are offset by a number of addresses equal to the number, N.

8. The instrument of claim 7 wherein the data value yn-(N 1) is stored in said memory at a Read Pointer 1 address which is offset from said Read Pointer address by 1.

9. The instrument of claim 5 wherein the values of xn initially stored in said wavetable represent "white noise".

10. The instrument of claim 9 wherein said values of xn are given as follows:

where un is determined as 1 or -1 as a function of the output of a random number generator and where A is some amplitude.

11. The instrument of claim 5 including control means for producing the values of yn for the output signal at a sampling frequency, fs, and wherein the fundamental frequency of the sound produced for a pitch number N is approximatelyequal to fs /(N d/2).

12. The instrument of claim 7 including means for storing said Write Pointer address, means for storing the pitch number, N, as an address offset, means for calcula...

Programmed music on demand from the internet
2010-03-11 00:00:00
are stored and updated, musical content and related advertising are classified and matched. A subscriber has an appropriate microprocessor based device capable of selecting information and receiving information from the Internet. The subscriber receives the programmed music and matched advertisements from the repository over the Internet.Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of transmitting programmed information to a plurality of users, comprising:

(a) creating a first database containing a large number of discrete data units each of which has a related profile;

(b) creating a second database containing a variety of discrete advertising messages each of which has a related profile;

(c) receiving requests for the data units from the plurality of users, and enabling each user to select a desired one of said data units;

(d) appending to the requested data units at least one of said advertising messages based upon a matching of profile criteria to create a composite response packet in the form of a sequential data flow, containing an advertising message and a data unit; and

(e) transmitting the composite response packet to the requesting user.

2. The method of claim 1, including transmitting the response packets to the users over the Internet.

3. The method of claim 1, including transmitting the response packets to the users over a cable system.

4. The method of claim 1, including transmitting the response packets to the users over a satellite based communication system.

5. The method of claim 1, in which the data units are musical works.

6. The method of claim 5, including appending the advertising message to the musical work in the form of a voice over a leading portion of the musical work.

7. The method of claim 6, including classifying the users into predetermined subscriber classes.

8. The method of claim 7, in which the criteria includes the type of music selected by the users.

9. The method of claim 5, including appending the advertising message to the musical work in the form of a voice over a trailing portion of the musical work.

10. The method of claim 5, in which the advertising message is in the form of an audio message.

11. The method of claim 5, further including creating a credit account for at least two of the advertisers and storing in each credit account an "available allocation" for that advertiser, designating an available prepaid advertising credit amount.

12. The method of claim 5, including appending to the composite response packet generic audio messages.

13. The method of claim 12, in which the generic audio message is a message which identifies the artist and/or copyright holders of the musical work.

14. The method of claim 5, including receiving from users information responsive to audio messages in the form of orders for products and/or services which are offered by the advertising messages.

15. The method of claim 5, including providing a software facility for the handling of sales ...

Method for encoding music printing information in a MIDI message
2010-03-10 00:00:00
/>What is claimed is:

1. A method of encoding parametric musical printing information in a MIDI message where a digital message representing a MIDI parameter of a selected note is encoded with a binary code by substituting selected bits of said digital message with said binary code, said method comprising:

selecting at least one musical parameter related to music printing, said parameter capable of being described by a finite, integral number of states;

defining said binary code for each said state of said at least one musical parameter; and,

selecting said MIDI parameter from one of a note-on velocity parameter, a note-off velocity parameter, a polyphonic key pressure parameter, a channel pressure parameter or a control change parameter, said MIDI parameter not otherwise used for communicating information about said at least one musical parameter, said selected bits of said digital message being selected from one of a representation of least significant bits or a representation of undefined bits of said selected MIDI parameter for said note.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one musical parameter related to music printing is an enharmonic spelling of said note.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said selected MIDI parameter is said note-on velocity parameter.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said selected MIDI parameter is said note-off velocity parameter.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said binary code is defined as a two bit code encoded in bits representing two least significant bits of said digital message representing said note-on velocity parameter for said note.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said binary code is defined as a two bit code encoded in bits representing two bits of said digital message representing said note-off velocity parameter for said note.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one musical parameter related to music printing is selected from the group consisting of slur information, stem direction information, enharmonic spelling, dynamic marking, crescendo and decrescendo, musical text directions, transposition by octave, and direction markings.Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method and system of encoding one or more types of parametric information in conventional MIDI information. In particular, this invention relates to a method and system of encoding and using enharmonic pitch spelling information with a MIDI system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

C...

Control system for a musical instrument
2010-03-09 00:00:00
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 pr...

Musical apparatus detecting maximum values and/or peak values of reflected light beams to control musical functions
2010-03-08 00:00:00
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 ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PLAYING IN SYNCHRONISM WITH A DIGITAL AUDIO FILE AN AUTOMATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
2010-03-04 00:00:00
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 aut...

High density sound enhancing components for stringed musical instruments
2010-03-03 00:00:00
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 m...

Electronic music system and stringed instrument input device therefor
2010-03-02 00:00:00
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 st...