Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a third signal channel from an input signal received in each of a first and second channel involves inverting a predetermined frequency range of signals in the first channel out of phase with a corresponding frequency range of signals in the second channel. Thereafter, the inverted signal in the first channel and the corresponding frequency signal in the second channel may be communicated to a speaker, which is bridged across the first and second channels, as the third signal channel. This speaker produces sound corresponding to the difference (i.e., the frequency range determined by the predetermined bandwidth of the inverted signal) between the inverted signal in the first channel and the corresponding frequency signal in the second channel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed that achieve sub-harmonic signal processing, stereo-width expansion, sub-woofer signal processing, and tube distortion emulation to achieve various desirable acoustic effects when used to modify an input signal containing, for example, music content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus may provide for one or more of: receiving an input signal containing frequencies from among a first range; filtering the input signal to produce a first intermediate signal containing frequencies from among a second range; producing a sub-harmonic signal from the first intermediate signal containing frequencies from among a third range, the third range of frequencies being about one octave below the second range of frequencies; canceling energy at at least some frequencies from among a fourth range of frequencies from a left channel signal of the input signal to produce at least a portion of a left channel output signal; and canceling energy at at least some frequencies from among a fifth range of frequencies from a right channel signal of the input signal to produce at least a portion of a right channel output signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for dissipating heat in a voice coil of a loudspeaker, where at least one of: a bobbin having a substantially cylindrical shaped wall member is operable to support the voice coil, and the wall member includes at least one aperture operable to provide thermal communication from the voice coil through the wall member; and a heatsink is coupled to an outer surface of a bobbin and is in thermal communication with the voice coil.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed that achieve sub-harmonic signal processing, stereo-width expansion, sub-woofer signal processing, and tube distortion emulation to achieve various desirable acoustic effects when used to modify an input signal containing, for example, music content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing first and second drive signals from an input signal such that each drive signal is about 180 degrees out of phase with respect to the other; variably altering at least one of the first and second drive signals such that their respective magnitudes may be unbalanced to a varying degree; and producing an output signal from the first and second drive signals such that it includes harmonic distortion when the first and second drive signals are unbalanced.

Abstract: A sub-harmonic generator includes: an input filter operable to receive an input signal containing frequencies from among a first range and to produce a first intermediate signal containing frequencies from among a second range; a signal divider circuit operable to receive the first intermediate signal and to produce a square wave signal containing square wave signal components at fundamental frequencies from among a third range, the third range of frequencies being about one octave below the second range of frequencies; a wave-shaping circuit operable to receive the square wave signal and to produce a second intermediate signal containing sinusoidal signal components from among frequencies corresponding to the respective fundamental frequencies of the square wave signal components; an RMS detector operable to produce an RMS signal corresponding to an instantaneous amplitude of the first intermediate signal; and a voltage controlled amplifier operable to amplify the second intermediate signal by an amount prop

Abstract: Methods and apparatus contemplate: an output transformer having at least first and second separate primary windings and at least one secondary winding, each winding including a first (in phase) end and a second (out of phase) end; at least first and second active elements, each having at least a pair of power terminals and a control terminal, one power terminal of each active element being coupled to a common node; and a switching circuit operable to change a circuit configuration of the first and second primary windings and the active elements between a class A mode and a class A/B mode.

Abstract: An audio amplifier is provided that adjusts the supply voltage rails communicated to a power amplifier circuit according to the circuit's output. The amplifier compares the output voltage from the power amplifier to a predetermined voltage range to determine if the output voltage is or is not within a predetermined range. If so, the audio amplifier reduces the supply voltage rails for the power amplifier circuit to reduced values. When the output voltage from the power amplifier moves outside the predetermined range, the supply voltage rails return to maximum levels. Whenever the output voltage from the power amplifier is not within the predetermined range, the audio amplifier maintains the supply voltage rails at maximum levels. By reducing the supply voltage rails for the power amplifier circuit, less power is dissipated by the power amplifier circuit, thereby generating less heat in the audio amplifier.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for dissipating heat in a voice coil of a loudspeaker, where at least one of: a bobbin having a substantially cylindrical shaped wall member is operable to support the voice coil, and the wall member includes at least one aperture operable to provide thermal communication from the voice coil through the wall member; and a heatsink is coupled to an outer surface of a bobbin and is in thermal communication with the voice coil.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus for use with a microphone and a sound mixing system wherein each microphone has an associated channel located in the sound mixing system. Each microphone has a lighting means that assigns a particular color to that particular microphone and each channel has the same color associated with it as the color identifying the microphone. The color coding of the microphone and the channel allow for both to be visually identified. The apparatus has an audio connector for connecting the lighting apparatus to the microphone; a light source connected to the audio connector; a holder means for holding the light source; a power conductor for providing a pathway for power to the apparatus; and a strain relief connector for preventing the power conductor from being strained when the microphone is in use. The apparatus allows the microphone to be identified visually by the color it emits.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modeling an acoustic sound in an electric stringed musical instrument is provided. A preferred embodiment, among others, includes a bridge sensor configured to sensing string vibrations at the bridge of the instrument so that a bridge signal is generated in accordance with the vibrating strings. A body sensor, which may be positioned at different points on or within the body of the instrument, senses the resonance of the string vibrations. The body sensor generates a body resonance signal in accordance with the sensed resonance. An amplification circuit amplifies the body resonance signal when the amplitude of bridge signal exceeds a first predetermined level. In addition, a second amplification circuit amplifies the bridge signal. A summing circuit adds the amplified body resonance signal with the amplified bridge signal to produce an output signal that, when replicated in sound, models the sound of an acoustic instrument.

Abstract: A signal cable includes a first connector having at least one signal lead and a ground lead, and being operable to couple to a first mating connector of a first piece of electronic equipment; a second connector having at least one signal lead and a ground lead, and being operable to couple to a second mating connector of a second piece of electronic equipment; at least one signal wire and a ground wire electrically connecting the respective at least one signal leads and the respective ground leads of the first and second connectors; and at least one switch disposed with at least one of the first and second connectors, the at least one switch having selectable make/break contacts coupled between the ground lead and the ground wire of the at least one of the first and second connectors such that an electrical path between the ground leads of the first and second connectors may be selectively opened and closed.

Abstract: An audio mixer includes: a cross-fader circuit operable to produce a first intermediate signal that includes respective proportions of a first signal and a second signal; an effects circuit operable to alternately send a cue signal (one of the first and second signals) and the first intermediate signal to an effects processor, and to receive an effects return signal from the effects processor in response thereto; and a monitoring circuit operable to receive the program signal (the other of the first and second signals), the cue signal, and the effects return signal and to produce a mixed signal including, in the alternative, respective proportions of (i) the cue signal and the effects return signal; (ii) the program signal and the cue signal; and (iii) the program signal and the effects return signal, wherein the mixed signal is for output from the audio mixer via a headphone output such that a user of the audio mixer is capable of hearing the mixed signal but the audience is not capable of hearing the mixed

Abstract: A musical instrument pickup having a central core bobbin with a first winding wound around the central core bobbin and a second winding wound around the first winding. Both ends of each winding are attached to a respective termination point. Each termination point is connected to an amplification source wherein the tones of the instrument strings are amplified.

Abstract: A heat sink alignment apparatus having an internal chamber with a plurality of heat sinks placed at an angled relationship to one another creating a tunnel through which air streams flows. At least one heat source is attached to a heat sink. A plurality of air streams enter the heat sink alignment apparatus through an ambient air intake and over a fan into the tunnel. The tunnel gradually narrows thereby increasing the velocity of the air streams which increases the cooling of the heat source. The narrowing shape of the tunnel creates turbulence within the plurality of air streams increasing the transfer of heat to various airstreams from the heat sink thereby lowering the temperature of the heat sources also.