Abstract: An electronic drum includes a pad to be beaten with sticks, a circular piezoelectric converter for converting stress to an electric signal and a semi-circular filter element adhered at one surface to the pad and at the other surface to the circular piezoelectric converter; the circular piezoelectric converter is partially held in contact with the semi-circular filter element and partially overhung under the pad; when the vibrations reach the filter element, the filter element eliminates high frequency vibration components from the vibrations, and transmits them to the half of the circular piezoelectric converter; the vibrations give rise to bending stress in the half of the piezoelectric converter held in contact with the filter element, and shake the other half of the piezoelectric converter; this results in enlargement of the bending stress, and the electric signal with a wide amplitude is taken out from the piezoelectric converter.

Abstract: The invention is an electric guitar. In detail, the guitar includes a solid body and neck portions. A pressure sensor is mounted at the junction of the body and neck, the pressure sensor having the sensor element in direct contact with the guitar. An electric circuit connects the pressure sensor to an electrical connector mounted on an external surface of the guitar.

Abstract: An electric acoustic violin is a combination of an acoustic violin and an electric system, and the electric system includes a pickup unit for converting the vibrations of the strings to an electric signal; and a hollow space is formed in the bridge for receiving the pickup unit so that the vibrations are transferred from the strings through the bridge to the pickup unit, whereby the pickup unit faithfully converts the vibrations to the electric signal without any influence of the tension exerted on the bridge by the strings.

Abstract: Performance interface system includes a motion detector provided for movement with a performer, and a control system for receiving detection data transmitted from the motion detector and controlling a performance of a tone in response to the received detection data. State of a performer's motion is detected via a sensor of the motion detector, and detection data representative of the detected motion state is transmitted to the control system. The control system receives the detection data from the motion detector, analyzes the performer's motion on the basis of the detection data, and then controls a tone performance in accordance with the analyzed data. With this arrangement, the performer can readily take part in the tone performance in the control system.

Abstract: Transducer (100, 200, 300, 500, 600) for converting mechanical vibrations to an electrical signal and/or for converting an electrical signal to mechanical vibration. Damping liquid (122, 222, 522, 622) damps the relative vibration of transducer components (110, 250, 252, 254, 510, 610). The damping liquid can be selected to optimize the sound quality of acoustic vibrations at the point of transduction. Also, a transducer with components that rotate relative to each other (304, 310, 504, 510, 604, 610). For example, a permanent magnet component may simultaneous vibrate rotationally and linearly with respect to an electric signal carrying coil. The characteristics of the rotational vibration may be adjusted to optimize sound quality of acoustic vibrations at the point of transduction.

Abstract: A sensing device is constructed by a sensor case which is attached to a bottom surface of a footwear (e.g., sole of a shoe) and which contains a piezoelectric sensor, a sensor fixing member, a disc plate pressure member and an annular elastic member. The sensor fixing member has elastic deformability so that the sensor fixing member is located to face with the disc plate pressure member with an air gap in which the sensor fixing member is capable of deforming within a limit of elasticity thereof. Thus, it is possible to perform musical tone control in response to an output of the piezoelectric sensor when a foot motion is applied to the footwear. In addition, a musical tone control apparatus of a percussion instrument type is constructed using a pad unit stored in a pad storage portion of an upper case. Herein, the pad unit is constructed by a pad skin unit and a sensing unit.

Abstract: The real drum trigger monitor and amplified tone module is an electronic percussion instrument, satisfying the desire of drummers to have realistic electronic drums with the audible drum sound coming directly from the instrument triggering the sound being heard. The monitor has a speaker subsystem and patch capability mounted within an actual acoustic drum shell having a mesh drumhead and electronic trigger. The output of the electronic trigger is fed into an industry recognized tone processor before being fed back to the integrated speaker sub-system mounted in the drum, thereby producing sound coming directly from the drum activating the electronic signal. Alternatively, a traditional electronic percussion instrument may be mounted to the real drum trigger monitor and amplified tone module to provide an integrated drum trigger and speaker monitor.

Abstract: Operation terminal capable of being carried by a user or human operator is, for example, in the form of a bar or shoe, and detection is made of a movement trajectory of the operation terminal on the basis of movement of the operation terminal. Tone signal is generated with a desired tone factor, such as a tone color, tone volume, tone pitch or effect, set or controlled on the basis of the detected movement trajectory of the operation terminal. Also, detection is made of a mechanical amount of the operation terminal corresponding to a motion of the user carrying the operation terminal, such as an amount of displacement of a predetermined portion (e.g. a shoe's heel portion) of the operation terminal or pressure applied to the predetermined portion, so that a tone signal is generated with a desired tone factor set or controlled on the basis of the detected mechanical amount.

Abstract: Extensions and generalizations are made to the pedal steel guitar. Separate transducers provided to each string permit fixed or variable pitch and timbre modifications determined by stored program control. Variable pitch and timbre modifications may be controlled by physical controllers such as single or multi-parameter foot pedals, knee levers, and wrist controllers. Physical controllers may return to an original position or hold their position after operation. A traditional mechanical tuning changer operated by traditional foot pedals and knee levers may be included; the latter may operate physical controllers. The bar position may be sensed, and the bar may include physical controllers wirelessly linked to the instrument. A miniature keyboard and strumpad may be provided in the picking area to control synthesizers and produce MIDI output. Strumpad operation can be controlled with chord buttons, foot pedals, or other physical controller devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement of a rhythmic apparatus with a vehicle sound apparatus that generates a first audio signal. The arrangement comprises an electronic module and an electronic transducer. The electronic transducer comprises conversion means of vibratory pulses into electrical signals. The electronic module comprises a processing unit having reception means for the signals from the electronic transducer and conversion means for converting the signals into a second audio signal. The processing unit is associated with a mixer unit having means for combining the second audio signal with the first audio signal.

Abstract: An electric acoustic violin is a combination of an acoustic violin and an electric system, and the electric system includes a pickup unit for converting the vibrations of the strings to an electric signal; and a hollow space is formed in the bridge for receiving the pickup unit so that the vibrations are transferred from the strings through the bridge to the pickup unit, whereby the pickup unit faithfully converts the vibrations to the electric signal without any influence of the tension exerted on the bridge by the strings.

Abstract: Surface impact position and/or intensity of an impact on a drum are detected and used to generate different sounds, lights and other special effects.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stringed instrument with embedded digital signal processing (DSP) modeling capabilities. The stringed instrument has a body and a plurality of strings and each of the plurality of strings is respectively coupled to a pickup of a polyphonic pickup. The polyphonic pickup is used to detect a vibration signal for each string. An A/D converter converts the detected vibration signal of a string into a digital string vibration signal. Further, a digital signal processor is located within the body of the stringed instrument to process the digital string vibration signal. Particularly, the digital signal processor is used to process the digital string vibration signal such that the corresponding string tone of one of a plurality of selectable stringed instruments may be emulated. The emulated digital tone signal is then converted to analog form to create an emulated analog tone signal for output to an amplification device.

Abstract: An acoustic drum or electronic percussion instrument is constructed by a drumhead corresponding to a punching sheet on which plenty of apertures are formed and a cylinder covered with the drumhead being stretched under tension as well as a muting structure which is realized by a vibration absorption member and a support structure containing L-shaped support members and a support plate. Herein, the support members are detachably attached to an interior periphery of the cylinder to support the support plate, on which the vibration absorption member is mounted and is arranged in contact with a backside surface of the drumhead to absorb vibration of the drumhead whose surface is being struck by a drumstick or else. Using the muting structure, it is possible to actualize mute performance in which drum sounds are being muted by reduction of the vibration of the drumhead propagating into the air.

Abstract: Transducer for converting mechanical stress into electric signals, which transducer is composed of at least one electromechanical sheet (107,108) and is capable of converting mechanical stress into electric signals and in which transducer at least one of the electrodes required by the electromechanical sheet is disposed on the surface of one or more thin and flexible dielectric materials, said electrodes (109) forming electrically conductive surfaces of the transducer for connecting the transducer to a signal processing device, said electromechanical sheets being permanently charged cellular electret film and which transducer is constructed of a unitary, thin and flexible layered laminate structure.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument enables a phrase that is stored as audio waveform data to be played back at an arbitrary tempo. The instrument includes an operator that allows the performer to change the readout position of the waveform data manually, enabling the performer to increase, decrease or reverse the speed of waveform data playback temporarily. Upon ceasing use of the operator, the playback of the waveform data returns to synchronization with the previously set tempo at a readout position that would be the current readout position had the operator not been used by the performer.

Abstract: A tactile metronome for use by a musician generally comprises a signal generator for producing an electrical signal according to a desired timing scheme and a tactile transducer in electrical communication with the signal generator. The tactile transducer, which may comprise a piezoelectric device, a buzzer, electrodes or any substantial equivalent, is adapted to impart a tactile sensation to the musician in response to the generated electrical signal. A strap, which may comprise an elastic material or a soft cloth material with hook and loop fasteners, is preferably provided to secure the tactile transducer in place on the musician's body.

Abstract: Surface impact position and/or intensity of an impact on a drum are detected and used to generate different sounds, lights and other special effects.

Abstract: A transducer for a stringed musical instrument utilizes a coaxial structure. An electromechanical film tape is disposed about an inner, electrically conductive core. An outer conductor is formed about the electromechanical film tape. The electromechanical film tape may be provided as a piezoelectric polymer film or an electret film having a permanent electric charge, and is formed about the inner core by wrapping or braiding. Prior to being disposed about the inner core, the film tape may be polarized through the application of a direct current through the film to substantially align the electrical domains in the film. The transducer is configured for placement underneath the saddle in a bridge of a stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: A sensing device is constructed by a sensor case which is attached to a bottom surface of a footwear (e.g., sole of a shoe) and which contains a piezoelectric sensor, a sensor fixing member, a disc plate pressure member and an annular elastic member. The sensor fixing member has elastic deformability so that the sensor fixing member is located to face with the disc plate pressure member with an air gap in which the sensor fixing member is capable of deforming within a limit of elasticity thereof. Thus, it is possible to perform musical tone control in response to an output of the piezoelectric sensor when a foot motion is applied to the footwear. In addition, a musical tone control apparatus of a percussion instrument type is constructed using a pad unit stored in a pad storage portion of an upper case. Herein, the pad unit is constructed by a pad skin unit and a sensing unit.

Abstract: A sensing device is constructed by a sensor case which is attached to a bottom surface of a footwear (e.g., sole of a shoe) and which contains a piezoelectric sensor, a sensor fixing member, a disc plate pressure member and an annular elastic member. The sensor fixing member has elastic deformability so that the sensor fixing member is located to face with the disc plate pressure member with an air gap in which the sensor fixing member is capable of deforming within a limit of elasticity thereof. Thus, it is possible to perform musical tone control in response to an output of the piezoelectric sensor when a foot motion is applied to the footwear. In addition, a musical tone control apparatus of a percussion instrument type is constructed using a pad unit stored in a pad storage portion of an upper case. Herein, the pad unit is constructed by a pad skin unit and a sensing unit.

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 moveable-saddle bridge to be used in conjunction with piezoelectric pickup designs for stringed musical instruments is provided. The device provides substantially frictionless string movement as string tension is adjusted while holding string length fixed. In the preferred embodiment this is accomplished by the use of knife-edge rocker elements that pivot in V-shaped grooves located in carrier pieces that are held in a fixed position. The bridge system is capable of using all types of piezoelectric elements and is especially useful with automatic tuning systems and tremolo devices. The bridge system is useful with respect to a wide variety of musical instruments, e.g., stringed instruments such as guitars, harps, pianos and other instruments.

Abstract: A pickup assembly for a stringed instrument comprises an elongated beam with slits that create gaps within the beam. Sensors are positioned over the slits and measure changes in dimensions of the gaps. The sensors produce an electrical signal in response to the change in dimensions of the gaps and the electrical signal is then sent to a pre-amplifier and thence to a speaker system for sound reproduction.

Abstract: A transducer for a stringed musical instrument utilizes a coaxial structure. An electromechanical film tape is disposed about an inner, electrically conductive core. An outer conductor is formed about the electromechanical film tape. The electromechanical film tape may be provided as a piezoelectric polymer film or an electret film having a permanent electric charge, and is formed about the inner core by wrapping or braiding. Prior to being disposed about the inner core, the film tape may be polarized through the application of a direct current through the film to substantially align the electrical domains in the film. The transducer is configured for placement underneath the saddle in a bridge of a stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: A transducer for a stringed musical instrument utilizes a coaxial structure. A thin layer of a piezoelectric polymer material is extruded about an inner, electrically conductive core. An outer conductor is formed about the piezoelectric polymer material. Polarization of the piezoelectric polymer material is accomplished in conjunction with the extrusion process. The piezoelectric polymer material has an optimized thickness for consistent responsiveness across a desired range of input stimuli, and is capable of maintaining the integrity of the transducer over time. The transducer configured for placement underneath the saddle in a bridge of a stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: A chorded musical instrument comprising an electronic signal interface with analog and MIDI signal outputs. In a dual-string configuration, the instrument includes piezoelectric pickups arranged in pairs. The pickups are coupled to inputs of a signal processing device, with each input being coupled to one or more pickups. The signal processing device provides both analog and MIDI signal outputs.

Abstract: A sensing device is constructed by a sensor case which is attached to a bottom surface of a footwear (e.g., sole of a shoe) and which contains a piezoelectric sensor, a sensor fixing member, a disc plate pressure member and an annular elastic member. The sensor fixing member has elastic deformability so that the sensor fixing member is located to face with the disc plate pressure member with an air gap in which the sensor fixing member is capable of deforming within a limit of elasticity thereof. Thus, it is possible to perform musical tone control in response to an output of the piezoelectric sensor when a foot motion is applied to the footwear. In addition, a musical tone control apparatus of a percussion instrument type is constructed using a pad unit stored in a pad storage portion of an upper case. Herein, the pad unit is constructed by a pad skin unit and a sensing unit.

Abstract: A transducer for a stringed musical instrument utilizes a coaxial structure. A thin layer of a piezoelectric polymer material is extruded about an inner, electrically conductive core. An outer conductor is formed about the piezoelectric polymer material. Polarization of the piezoelectric polymer material is accomplished in conjunction with the extrusion process. The piezoelectric polymer material has an optimized thickness for consistent responsiveness across a desired range of input stimuli, and is capable of maintaining the integrity of the transducer over time. The transducer configured for placement underneath the saddle in a bridge of a stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: A saddle for an electro-acoustic stringed instrument is provided having a string supporting member supported by a plurality of pillars. The pillars have bases and are separated from each other by gaps which are relatively large in comparison to the bases. The saddle has a total base area, defined by the combined area of the bases, which is relatively small compared to the total base area of a saddle with a continuous base surface, such that a biasing force applied to the string supporting member is applied to a relatively smaller area. Furthermore, all of the bases have substantially equal surface areas such that force applied to the string supporting member is transmitted to each base equally. Each of the pillars has constant cross-sectional areas along its length so that adjusting the height of a pillar does not change the surface area of its base.

Abstract: A transducer for musical instruments formed as a sandwich structure that utilizes a length of polarized fluoropolymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film folded over itself to form a U-shape over a center conductor of a length of shielded coaxial cable. Conductive silver epoxy is used to attach the center conductor of the coaxial cable to the inner surface electrode of the PVDF film. A length of double-sided tape is sandwiched between the two legs of the U-shaped PVDF film. The free end of the coaxial cable is folded over a side edge of the U-shaped PVDF film such that an outer shield of the coaxial cable is exposed outside the PVDF film. A U-shaped brass channel, whose inner surface has been coated with conductive epoxy, is then crimped over both the outer shield of the coaxial cable and the U-shaped end of the laminated PVDF film to form a transducer assembly, which is then laminated to a length of double-sided tape having an outer removable backing layer.

Abstract: A transducer for a stringed musical instrument utilizes a coaxial structure. A thin layer of a piezoelectric polymer material is extruded about an inner, electrically conductive core. An outer conductor is formed about the piezoelectric polymer material. Polarization of the piezoelectric polymer material is accomplished in conjunction with the extrusion process. The piezoelectric polymer material has an optimized thickness for consistent responsiveness across a desired range of input stimuli, and is capable of maintaining the integrity of the transducer over time. The transducer configured for placement underneath the saddle in a bridge of a stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: A drum head for a drum made of a natural and/or synthetic material or composite material which is designed to be attached to a drum head rim. The drum head includes a one or more sound producing devices that produces one or more distinct sounds. The sound producing device can be a mechanical device and/or electrical devices. The sound producing device can be connected to the top, bottom and/or side of the drum head.

Abstract: A generally rectangular shaped universal pickup cradle (50, 154 or 156 ) for an electric musical stringed instrument (20 or 150) allows a plurality of different pickups (50, 154, 156) to be interchangeably inserted into the stringed musical instrument. In addition, there are one or more receptacle cavities (36, 38, 40, 152) in the stringed musical instrument (20, 150) so that any of the universal pickup cradles (50, 154, 156) may be placed within any of the receptacle cavities. The universal pickup cradles (50, 154, 156), in combination with a separate electronics module (177, 200), provide a flexible and upgradeable system for an electric stringed instrument.

Abstract: An interactive drum set includes a storage device for storing data representing sounds of a plurality of background music styles, sounds of a plurality of drum beat sequences, and sounds of a plurality of percussion instruments. The drum set also includes a plurality of drum plates for receiving user-directed forces, each of the plurality of drum plates being associated with the data representing sounds of one of the plurality of percussion instruments. A sensor disposed at each of the plurality of drum plates detects the user-directed forces and generates a signal indicative of the user-directed forces. A triggering device operatively connected to each sensor outputs a trigger signal when the signal of the sensor exceeds a threshold value. A user-interface device responsive to user commands supplies signals indicative of a user's selection of at least one background music style and/or at least one drum beat sequence.

Abstract: The present invention is a rigid, solid bodied stringed instrument having an electrical pickup embedded in at least one predetermined position within the stringed instruments solid body to pick up the actual wood tones and resonance of the rigid solid body. The electrical pickup is comprised of a piezoelectric transducer embedded between a planar brass surface and a planar ceramic surface. In the preferred embodiment, the pickup transducer is circular in shape and embedded within the stringed instrument's solid body adjacent the strings which span the body. The embedded piezoelectric transducer requires a fraction of the area required by traditional electric coil pickups. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the pickup transducer is embedded within a transducer housing. The housing is then embedded within the solid body of a stringed instrument adjacent the strings.

Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument includes a pad section and a rim section provided about the pad section. A pad sensor is provided in the pad section to output a signal in response to a force applied to the pad section. A rim sensor is provided in the rim section to detect a signal corresponding to a force applied to the rim section, for example, to detect the presence or the absence of a pressure force applied to the rim section. The electronic percussion instrument includes a tone generation control device that provides unique control over the generation of tones. When a tone is generated based on a signal representative of a beat force applied to the pad sensor, the tone color of the tone is selected based on the presence or the absence of a pressure force applied to the rim sensor.

Abstract: An acoustic drum capable of triggering an electronic sound source is provided by a combination of a drum body shell, conventional drum heads held at adjustable tension across open ends of the shell, and a sound-to-electrical transducer mounted within an open space of the interior or exterior shell wall surface. The sound-to-electrical transducer is connected to an audio jack assembly which in turn allows the drum to be connected to conventional downstream electronics. The sound energy attenuating characteristics of the mounting material and the surrounding shell wall prevent the transducer from being falsely triggered by ambient sound exterior to the drum, by sympathetic vibrations of the drum, and resists false triggering due to lightly, inadvertently hitting the drum stand. A sound energy transfer arm with elastomeric pad having limited contact with the striking head couples vibration to the embedded transducer in the shell wall for enhanced trigger sensitivity and tracking.

Abstract: There is provided a method of determining the pitch in string instruments that are excited by plucking or striking, wherein a vibration of a string is converted by a transducer into an electrical signal and the electrical signal is evaluated.Up to now, the transducers have primarily been electromagnetic transducers for which a plurality of evaluation algorithms and methods are available. Now however, one also wants to be able to use pressure transducers without having to use new evaluation algorithms and methods.To this end, a pressure transducer is used as the transducer and the electrical signal is subjected to differentiation with respect to time.

Abstract: A bridge for supporting the strings of a musical instrument including an instrument body and an acoustic transducer, for example, a diaphragm microphone and an air space chamber which is closed airtight and located in front of the sound receiving side of the transducer, wherein the air space chamber extends transversely of the longitudinal extension of the strings and over the zone in which the strings are located next to each other, and wherein the bridge supporting the strings forms a boundary surface of the air space chamber or the bridge is mounted on a wall which forms a boundary surface of the air space chamber.

Abstract: The signal from a piezo-electric transducer in an electro-acoustic guitar is modified by a variable depth notch filter. The notch filter includes two paths between an input and a summation circuit. The signals in the two paths are 180.degree. out of phase and one of the paths includes a bandpass filter. The notch is located at approximately 5 khz. The depth of the notch depends upon either the broadband amplitude or the narrowband amplitude of the signal from the transducer and the depth of the notch is controlled using either feedback or feedforward control.

Abstract: A musical shoe construction 10 including a plurality of piezo electric sensor disks 40 imbedded in and disposed around the periphery of the heel and toe portions of a rubberized sole element 23 of the lower shoe portion 22. Each of the sensor disks 40 is associated with an individual oscillator circuit 41 to produce a distinctive musical tone in response to the application of an external force to one or more of the sensors 40.

Abstract: An acoustic drum capable of triggering an electronic sound source is provided by a combination of a drum body shell, conventional drum heads held at adjustable tension across open ends of the shell, and a sound-to-electrical transducer mounted within an open space of the interior or exterior shell wall surface. The sound-to-electrical transducer is connected to an audio jack assembly which in turn allows the drum to be connected to conventional downstream electronics. The sound energy attenuating characteristics of the mounting material and the surrounding shell wall prevent the transducer from being falsely triggered by ambient sound exterior to the drum, by sympathetic vibrations of the drum, and resists false triggering due to lightly, inadvertently hitting the drum stand.

Abstract: A musical sound controlling apparatus to be placed inside a shoe and operated by the foot of a user. The musical sound controlling apparatus has a substrate plate and at least a piezoelectric sensor device. The substrate plate and the piezoelectric sensor device include a pair of hook and loop pads for detachably connecting the piezoelectric sensor device and the substrate member. Upon depression of the piezoelectric sensor device by the foot of a user, the piezoelectric sensor generates a signal for controlling musical sounds. Furthermore, the substrate plate is divided into two separated sections, a toe section and a heel section. A size adjusting device slidably couples the heel section to the toe section so that the overall size of the musical sound controlling apparatus can be changed according to the size of the shoe.

Abstract: A device (1) for varying pitch manually on electronic keyboard instruments having electronically generated tones is made as a stick or rod. The upper portion of the stick is also the upper part of handle (5) which extends upwards, through a window (11) above the top surface of a casing (13) of the instrument. The handle (5) is attached to an elastic leaf spring (3), the bending of which is sensed by means of strain gauges (21) mounted on the plate (3) at the lower portion thereof, adjacent the attachment region thereof to a rigid cantilever (19). When the handle (5) is moved by means of a finger in its cup-shaped, top surface, the leaf spring (3) is deflected, the deflection signal being provided to the electronic circuits that generate the tones and that then give them a higher or lower pitch depending on the deflection.

Abstract: A percussion synthesizer comprising a generally triangular body with a triangular upper surface upon which a plurality of piezoelectric transducers are mounted. Side surfaces adjacent the top surface and intersecting same at angles between 180 and 270 degrees also carry transducers. The outputs from the transducers are provided to a MIDI interface that transmits standard musical instrument digital interface data to a sound reproduction device. The identity of the transducer provides the pitch information for the MIDI interface and the velocity is calculated from the time rate of change of the output voltage from the piezoelectric transducers.An improved transducer having superior cross talk suppression capabilities is also disclosed.

Abstract: A musical instrument includes a guitar-shaped housing and a drum rhythms triggering assembly mounted thereon. The guitar-shaped housing has a body and an elongated neck attached at one end of the body and extending outwardly therefrom. The drum rhythms triggering assembly includes a first plurality of trigger pads mounted at selected locations on an exterior surface of the housing body and a second plurality of trigger pads mounted at selected locations on an exterior surface of the housing neck. Also, the drum rhythms triggering assembly includes a plurality of electrical conductors and a connector mounted on the housing body and neck in an arrangement for electrically connecting electro-mechanical transducers of the first and second pluralities of trigger pads with an external electrical signal processing system capable of generating different drum rhythms in response to contact with different selected ones of the trigger pads by a player's fingers.

Abstract: A pad member of an electric percussion instrument is supported through a cushion member by a case member for isolating the pad member from noise produced in the case member upon strikes of the pad member, and a vibration sensor is connected with the pad member by means of a sensor board of vibration transmissive substance so as to propagate the vibrations of the pad member to the vibration sensor without any influence of the noise.

Abstract: A transmitter (2) is arranged on an acoustic drum to transform wave motions generated by hits on the drumhead (10) in electrical signals. The transmitter (2) comprises a vibration sensitive body (8) designed to be elastically forced against the drumhead (10). According to a first aspect on the invention the vibration sensitive body (8) has got an oblong shape (L:W) for detection of wave motions of a predetermined direction and within a predetermined frequency range. Another aspect on the invention is to avoid the risk of mechanical damages to the vibration sensitive body (8) as well as to emphasize the ability to detect the wave motions in the drumhead (10). This is implemented by a holder (3) being fixable to the edge (5) of the drum rim (6). The holder (3) includes an elastic spring device (12, 13) carrying the vibration sensitive body (8).

Abstract: A planar wave transducer assembly comprising a rigid, unitary structure formed by a pair of foot pads attached to a planar surface, each foot pad having an upstanding leg, and a span bar extending across the tops of the legs. A piezoelectric transducer element extends between the legs of the transducer assembly in spaced, parallel alignment with the span bar to convert wave motion in the planar surface into an electrical signal. That is, the movement of one leg towards the other in response to planar wave energy causes the one leg to flex or bend so as to apply a compressive force to the piezoelectric transducer element connected between the legs. The transducer assembly herein disclosed has been found to be particularly effective as a pick up when applied to a soundboard of a musical instrument, such as a piano, and the like.