Abstract: There is provided a touch detecting device of a keyboard instrument, which makes it possible not only to enhance the mounting density of a plurality of optical sensors, but also to detect touch information of a key with high accuracy without being affected by light from the other optical sensors.

Abstract: A playing device includes a hollow blowing body in which a vibration is applied to an internal air in the hollow blowing body in response to a vibration of lips of a player, a detecting portion which generates a detecting signal in response to the vibration in the blowing body, and a vibration applying portion which applies a vibration corresponding to the detecting signal to an air in the blowing body.

Abstract: A system for playing music includes an guitar with two audio output channels, a cable to connect to the two output channels to an amplifier, an amplifier having two channels, an effects apparatus, and a guitar tuner mounted within the guitar. A looping circuit is connected to record instrument performances and play a looped playback of the performance, permitting the performer to accompany his earlier performance. Multiple channel looping circuits are provided. A guitar strap is provided with a vocal microphone that is connected through the strap end for amplifying the vocal signal. An alternate guitar strap includes an instrument input, an amplifier, battery and speaker positioned near the player's ear.

Abstract: A module for removable insertion into a body of an instrument having longitudinal strings, the body defining a transverse cavity extending from a lateral edge. The module includes a base configured to engage the cavity as the module travels along an axis of movement into the cavity. A first ball plunger contact is configured to conductively engage a corresponding first contact plate affixed to the body when the module reaches at a first point in movement along the axis and to remain engaged as the module moves into cavity along the axis of movement. A second ball plunger is configured to conductively engage a corresponding second contact plate affixed to the body when the module reaches a second point displaced inwardly from the first point in movement along the axis and to remain engaged as the module continues to move into cavity along the axis of movement.

Abstract: A drum pad capable of providing an excellent percussion feeling and securely adhering a base portion to a body portion made of rubber. The drum pad has a rear-side clothlike material which is provided on a rear surface of the body portion and into which the rubber of the body portion is impregnated. The base portion is fixed to a rear surface of the rear-side clothlike material via a fixing layer made of pressure sensitive adhesive or adhesive and provided on the rear surface of the rear-side clothlike material.

Abstract: A hybrid wind musical instrument is a combination between an alto saxophone and an electronic system so that a player can perform a music tune selectively through acoustic tones and electronic tones; although various parts and accessories are assembled into the alto saxophone, a bell brace makes it possible to sustain a control unit of the electronic system without damage of alto saxophone and undesirable influence on acoustic characteristics of the tubular instrument body.

Abstract: A sound generating device of an electronic keyboard instrument, which eliminates overlap between frequency bands to avoid sound wave interference to stabilize acoustic characteristic. Woofers are disposed at a bottom part of a speaker box and directed downward, and squawkers are disposed at an upper part of the speaker box and directed upward. In a DSP, waveform data selected from waveform data groups are input into a MIX, and a waveform signal containing high and low frequency band components is produced from a signal output from the MIX. In a distributor, the waveform signal is converted into an analog signal which is then separated into a musical tone signal only containing the high frequency band component and a musical tone signal only containing the low frequency band component, and these musical tone signals between which there is no frequency band overlap are supplied to the tweeter and the woofer.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes a keyboard having a plurality of keys, a top board located in the rear of the keyboard and having a space for placing external equipment, a music stand that is erected on the top board, and a plurality of connection terminals that are located in the rear of the music stand and on a top surface of the top board, and that are freely connected with and disconnected from the external equipment.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes a performance operation portion that is operated by fingers of a performer, a contact portion that is adapted to be brought into contact with a lower lip of the performer, a contact pressure detection portion that detects the contact pressure at which the lower lip is brought into contact with the contact portion, and generates a pressure value in accordance with the detected contact pressure, and a control portion that specifies sound of a pitch in accordance with an operation status of the performance operation portion and changes the pitch of the sound in accordance with the pressure value.

Abstract: A video game controller includes: a string instrument-shaped housing comprising a body portion and a neck portion, said body portion including a opening; a console interface for coupling with a game console; and a strum interface coupled to the console interface. The strum interface includes: a pin having a central portion and distal end portions; a pin support structure for supporting the distal end portions of the pin; a strum bar comprising a body portion rotatably coupled to the central portion of the pin and a flange portion protruding from the opening in the housing; a compressible liner provided between at least a portion of the strum bar and the pin; an upper button positioned adjacent the strum bar so as to be depressed when the strum bar is rotated in a first direction; and a lower button positioned adjacent the strum bar so as to be depressed when the strum bar is rotated in a second direction.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to an electronic-device interface integrated into an electric stringed musical instrument. The electronic-device interface can be used for interconnecting an electric stringed musical instrument to an electronic device. In one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic-device interface includes a universal-serial-bus interface, a tip-ring-ring-sleeve output jack, and an enhanced electric-stringed-musical-instrument cable with a tip-ring-ring-sleeve connection at a first end and a universal-serial-bus connection at a second end. When an electric stringed musical instrument is equipped with an electronic-device interface, a user may insert the first end of the enhanced electric-stringed-musical-instrument cable into the tip-ring-ring-sleeve output jack and the second end of the enhanced electric-stringed-musical-instrument cable into a universal-serial-bus port for an electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic musical performance instrument that provides a user with a wide array of creative choices of operating systems, sound synthesis applications, user interfaces (including those emulating the interface of a conventional musical instrument and electronic control interfaces), supporting infrastructure components such as MIDI cards, sound cards, storage devices thus providing the performance artist with greater and deeper creative flexibility.

Abstract: A supporting system is provided on a saxophone for offering assistance to the player, and includes pressure sensors monitoring the touch pieces of the keys, power assisting units equipped with torque motors provided for the keys and a controller connected to the pressure sensors and the power assisting units; a conversion table for depressed touch pieces and another conversion table for released touch pieces are prepared in the controller, and different relations between the finger force and the amount of current to be supplied to the torque motor are respectively defined in the conversion tables, respectively; the amount of current to be supplied is read out from the conversion tables depending upon the increase and decrease of finger force so that the player quickly closes the tone whole with the padded cup without curious key touch.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard musical instrument includes a body unit of the musical instrument and a stand attached to the body unit. The stand includes a pair of side boards disposed in a standing manner so as to interpose the body unit therebetween. The body unit includes a pair of lateral surfaces. Each of the pair of lateral surfaces faces one of the pair of side boards and includes a first engaging portion disposed thereon. Each of the pair of side boards includes a first engaged portion engaged by the first engaging portion and disposed on an inner lateral surface thereof, which faces one of the pair of lateral surfaces of the body unit. The first engaging portion and the first engaged portion are engaged with each other by at least one of the body unit and the stand being moved in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: An electronic musical performance instrument that provides a user with a wide array of creative choices of operating systems, sound synthesis applications, user interfaces (including those emulating the interface of a conventional musical instrument and electronic control interfaces), supporting infrastructure components such as MIDI cards, sound cards, storage devices thus providing the performance artist with greater and deeper creative flexibility.

Abstract: Sounds in different frequency range are generated from the rear, top and/or front face of the musical tone apparatus, sounds are generated and spread in all directions around the musical tone apparatus, and the tones sound very realistically acoustic. Vibration of the sound board does not resonate, tones generated from the sound board are not changed unintentionally, and tones of real acoustic musical instruments are realized. Vibration from the sound board is not directly transferred to the whole musical tone apparatus, by means of not allowing the sound board to touch the body of the musical tone apparatus and of pressing and fixing the soundboard to the attachment component with the thickness of the attachment component compressed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the amplification and projection of the sound of a musical instrument, such as an acoustic guitar, adapted to mount within the guitar itself. The apparatus may mount within the sound hole of the guitar, with an outward facing speaker within the sound hole adapted to project the sound of the instrument. The apparatus may have an amplifier attached to the speaker in a unitary design. The apparatus may be battery powered.

Abstract: A percussion detecting apparatus and an electronic percussion instrument, which are capable of not only providing excellent percussion feeling, but also visually indicating a percussion pattern of a beat applied to a percussion surface, so as to serve for percussion practice as well as to increase interest in the percussion practice. A head of the percussion detecting apparatus is formed of an air-permeable material and has a light transmitting property. The head includes a percussion surface. A drum shell supports the head. A head sensor detects a beat applied to the percussion surface of the head and outputs a beat signal indicative of the sensed beat. A light radiating part is disposed on an opposite side from the percussion surface of the head so as to perform visual indication corresponding to a percussion pattern of the beat applied to the percussion surface, at least through the percussion surface, based on the beat signal output from the head sensor.

Abstract: A chambered electric guitar according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention includes at least one tone chamber that is linked to the external world only via a pick-up cavity of the guitar. Vibration of the strings of the guitar generates a vibration of the air in the tone chamber. This air vibration moves the air in and out of the tone chamber via the pick-up cavity. This air movement in the vicinity of the pick-up moves the pick-up as a whole and/or moves some portions of the pick-up. This pick-up movement changes the sound of the guitar.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the displacement of a movable member of an electronic musical instrument. The apparatus has superior mechanical durability compared to displacement sensors of the past and can withstand long-term use. The apparatus includes a sensor that provides a detectable electrical characteristic having a value and a spring that, when compressed upon displacement of the movable member acts with the sensor, causing the value of the electrical characteristic to change. The value of the electrical characteristic represents the amount of displacement of the movable member and is used by a controller of the electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying cues indicating input actions in a rhythm-action game may include: displaying, to a player of a rhythm-action game, a lane divided into at least two sub-lanes, each sub-lane containing cues indicating a drum input element; and displaying, to the player, an additional cue spanning a plurality of the sub-lanes, the additional cue indicating a foot pedal action. In some embodiments, the additional cue may span all the sub-lanes. In some embodiments, each sub-lane may contain cues indicating a drum input element of a set of linearly arranged drum input elements. In other embodiments, each sub-lanes may correspond to a fret button of a simulated guitar and the additional cue may correspond to an open strum.

Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument can carry out the control of the musical tones that is intended by the performer. The instrument includes electronic controls that set a vibration flag when the instrument is struck and a determination is made as to whether or not a timer has timed a specified time period. If the timer has timed the specified time period, the vibration flag that is stored in the flag memory is reset. If the time period has not been reached, the displacement sensor processing ends and the routine returns to the main processing. In those cases where the vibration flag is not set, or in those cases where the resetting of the vibration flag has completed, a determination is made as to whether or not the upper cymbal has shifted from an open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument device that functions as a peripheral for a computer or computing device, whereby electronic transducers placed inside and/or outside the instrument convert the vibrations of the strings and/or the instrument body from an analog electrical signals to digital signals. The digital signals are then transmitted via Class Compliant USB and/or FireWire-IEEE 1394 and/or IEEE 802.11 wireless and/or Bluetooth® wireless protocols to any computer or computing device that accepts data via those protocols. This device requires no external power, amplification, analog-to-digital conversion, software or hardware. This device is an improvement over the prior art in that it accurately and immediately represents on a computer or computing device the signals that are being sent from the instrument and reduces the number of devices needed to accomplish the task of sending digital signals to a computer or computing device.

Abstract: A sliding mount for removable insertion of a module into a body of an instrument having longitudinal strings, the body defining a transverse cavity extending from a lateral edge. The sliding mount includes a blade for fixation to the module by a generally planar face generally parallel to and spaced apart from a plane the strings define. The blade has first and second edges oriented perpendicularly to the lateral edge when inserted into the body. A sheath for fixation to the body by a generally planar face is configured to receive the blade. The sheath has a first and second lip configured to define opposing channels the edges that slidingly engage upon insertion of the blade into the sheath.

Abstract: While an automatic player piano is reenacting a music tune, the automatic player piano sometimes fails to miss a tone or tones in a repetition due to a high-speed key movement; a controller searches a music data file for a series of key events expressing the repetition, and makes the key movements uniform without changing the lapse of time from the last key event before the repetition and the lapse of time to the first key event after the repetition so that the automatic player piano is less liable to miss a tone.

Abstract: An Electronic Bass Drum includes one or more loudspeakers, an internal amplifier system, an optional electronic drum module and control panel, an impact sensitive electronic kick pad, an attachment for a bass drum pedal, mounting hardware for tom toms or other acoustic or electronic instruments, legs for stabilization, one or more headset jacks for silent play, input jacks for other instruments and/or microphones, and an ipod™ cradle for playing along with music. All of which are enclosed in a cylindrical shell which cosmetically matches the dimensions and design characteristics of a conventional acoustic bass drum.

Abstract: A musical instrument, having a monitor therein, contains a musical instrument body having a body cavity therein, and the monitor having a front face and a back, where the monitor fits within the body cavity of the musical instrument body. A screen cover is situated above the front face of the monitor and a cover plate positions the screen cover above the front face of the monitor, where the cover plate covers at least a portion of the screen cover. A bridge is located on a front face of the screen cover, where the bridge contains a pickup that does not use electromagnetic induction, and that senses vibrations of strings, suspended on said bridge, above the monitor, and translates the vibrations into audio signals.

Abstract: A pedal system and method for a musical instrument includes a supporting pedestal operatively connected to a foot pedal such that the foot pedal is pivotal to allow a user to control a musical tone in conformance with the angle of the foot pedal relative to the supporting pedestal. A rotating section is operatively connected to the foot pedal. A pressing member presses upon a contact surface of the rotating section. A leaf spring (or similar bias member) applies pressure on the pressing member causing it to press upon the contact surface of the rotating section. A pressing force adjusting structure to adjust the elastic force with which the leaf spring forces the pressing member upon the contact surface of the rotating section. The rotating section rotates about a central axis of rotation, and the rotating section rotates relative to the supporting pedestal. The rotating section has a contact surface parallel to the central axis of rotation.

Abstract: An attachment part is disposed on a part of the edge of a resonance plate, which is made of a metal containing copper, and a weight is attached to the resonance plate at a predetermined distance from the attachment part. Plural vibration pickups are attached to the surface of the resonance plate between the weight and the attachment part. The resonance plate is attached to a percussion instrument at the attachment part. The plural vibration pickups produce electric signals corresponding to the resonant vibrations at their respective positions on the resonance plate, and the electric signals are mixed and output as percussion-instrument-sound signals.

Abstract: A box installed in an instrument with a cut out where a pick up coil can be instantly slid in and out or side to side. The coils are slid into the box unit which has a slice in it to allow the coils to be slid side to side along a path of the strings to achieve different tonal effects.

Abstract: For battery-operated guitars and other stringed musical instruments, a coaxial battery-access cover cap mounts an audio phone jack that delivers the instrument's audio output. For battery access, the cover cap, which has a knurled rim for easy finger-gripping, can be removed from an attachment collar secured to the instrument with simple rotation of less than a half turn. As an option to enable the cap assembly to be installed in the instrument in place of an existing strap-peg, a strap-peg may be formed integrally on the cover cap around the jack opening. Extended embodiments can include an integral battery compartment with provision for mounting an electronic module enabling features including amplification, buffering, DSP and other effects in a self-contained system that requires only a single round opening for mounting in the instrument. The invention can be incorporated in original manufacture or as an after-market upgrade to practically any stringed instrument.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard instrument which enables an instrument frame to be shared by different types of electronic keyboard instruments, and facilitates separate mounting and removal of a keyboard unit and a tone-generating unit. A frame assembly (FAS) has a pair of left and right frame bodies (LFM and RFM) and upper and lower connecting members (20AS and 30AS). The frame assembly is configured such that the two frame bodies are connected together via the connecting members. A pair of keyboard unit-holding parts (16La and 16Ra) are provided respectively on the two frame bodies of the frame assembly. The keyboard unit-holding parts are capable of selectively holding one of a plurality of types of keyboard units (KB). A pair of speaker unit-holding parts (17La and 17Ra) are provided respectively on the two frame bodies, separately from the keyboard unit-holding parts. The speaker unit-holding parts are capable of selectively holding one of a plurality of types of speaker units (SP).

Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument that allows for a performance sensation that is similar to that of an acoustic HiHat cymbal. A sliding mechanism of a top cymbal pad section and a bottom cymbal pad section of an electronic HiHat cymbal where the top cymbal pad section and the bottom cymbal pad section are both fixed so that they can swing together when the top cymbal pad section is struck. Even when the first cymbal pad is struck and swings coming into contact with the second cymbal pad, the gliding contact between the first pad and the second pad is carried out smoothly and allows for a natural striking sensation comparable to that of an acoustic HiHat cymbal.

Abstract: A guitar having a heart-shaped body with red plexiglass covering the body's top and bottom includes a fiberglass or oak neck attached to a bridge mounted to the body, with the neck including a fiberglass fret board having three extra frets for playing extra high notes with each transparent red fret marker having a LED light disposed underneath for lighting that fret marker and the fret board and a rod embedded within the neck and extending therethrough for connection to the bridge for conveying sounds through the guitar.

Abstract: Embodiments of an electronic, frameless, musical keyboard with the ability to couple to other frameless musical keyboards are described. In one embodiment, a first musical keyboard section includes an arrangement of black and white keys, similar to a layout of a piano keyboard, disposed over a base. The keys at the left and/or right sides of the keyboard section have exposed sides, so that a second keyboard section can be integrated with the first keyboard section to give the appearance of a single keyboard. To integrate the first keyboard section with the second keyboard section, the base of the first keyboard section extends past the right-most key to a width and length that is substantially equal to the dimensions of a left-most key from the second keyboard section. The left-most key can then be laid to rest over the extended base portion. The reserved space formed by the base of the first keyboard section having dimensions of a key (e.g.

Abstract: A video game controller and a method of operating the controller are provided. The controller includes: a guitar-shaped housing comprising a body portion and a neck portion; a console interface for coupling with a game console; a tremolo arm extending from the body portion of the housing, said tremolo arm being rotatable about a first axis; and an angular detector coupled to the console interface for detecting angular rotation of the tremolo arm.

Abstract: An acoustic percussion instrument and percussion set containing the instrument. The instrument includes a hollow cylindrical shell having a first end and a second end and an inside cylindrical surface. A first substantially rigid plate having an outside surface and an inside surface is attached adjacent to the first end of the hollow cylindrical shell. A first resilient pad, that provides a percussion surface that does not require periodic adjustment, is attached adjacent to the outside surface of the first substantially rigid plate. A raised rim circumscribes the first resilient pad.

Abstract: An invention extending functionality and applications of traditional music keyboards. Individual musical keyboard keys may have individual key displacement sensors measuring key travel. Individual keys may further include surface sensors measuring two additional parameters, creating three independent continuous parameters essential for controlled rendering of vowel sounds and orchestral timbre spaces. Surface sensors may comprise pressure sensor arrays, which, via geometric image-processing, may produce five to six readily controlled independent parameters per key, useful in controlling expressive soloing and long-duration background sounds. Per-key pressure sensor arrays may comprise mass-produced modular components including intelligent distributed image processing to simplify manufacturing and substantially reduce cost. Synthesized tactile feedback may render variable keyboard actions or create ‘multi-level’ key travel functionality. Outgoing MIDI signals may also be provided.

Abstract: A digital guitar system and method includes a digital guitar and a digital guitar interface device, and a method of converting a conventional guitar into a digital guitar. The guitar is adapted to generate analog audio signals, convert those signals into digital signals, format the digital signals according to a digital communication protocol, and to output the formatted signals. The guitar may include a novel multi-signal guitar pickup that generates some of the analog audio signals. The guitar is further adapted to receive digital signals, convert those signals into analog signals, and output the analog signals. The interface device is adapted to receive digital signals, convert those signals into analog signals, and output the analog signals.

Abstract: An improved guitar and accompaniment apparatus featuring an electronic means configured to permit playback of a variety of accompaniment beats that may be selectively accessed and manipulated by the guitar player.

Abstract: An automatic player piano is fabricated on the basis of an acoustic piano, and an automatic player is expected to give rise to key motion for reenacting performance with solenoid-operated key actuators; since the hammers of acoustic piano are different in mass, the load against the key motion is also different among the keys; while the motion controller is forcing the keys to travel on reference key trajectories through a servo control loop, the motion controller takes the pitched part into account, and selectively accesses control parameter tables so as to read out the approximate control parameters for the individual keys, whereby the hammers surely reach the target final hammer velocity before striking the strings.

Abstract: A sliding mount for removable insertion of a module into a body of an instrument having longitudinal strings, the body defining a transverse cavity extending from a lateral edge. The sliding mount includes a blade for fixation to the module by a generally planar face generally parallel to and spaced apart from a plane the strings define. The blade has first and second edges oriented perpendicularly to the lateral edge when inserted into the body. A sheath for fixation to the body by a generally planar face is configured to receive the blade. The sheath has a first and second lip configured to define opposing channels the edges that slidingly engage upon insertion of the blade into the sheath.

Abstract: An automatic player piano is fabricated on the basis of an acoustic piano, and an automatic player is expected to give rise to key motion for reenacting performance with solenoid-operated key actuators; since the hammers of acoustic piano are different in mass, the load against the key motion is also different among the keys; while the motion controller is forcing the keys to travel on reference key trajectories through a servo control loop, the motion controller takes the pitched part into account, and selectively accesses control parameter tables so as to read out the approximate control parameters for the individual keys, whereby the hammers surely reach the target final hammer velocity before striking the strings.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing electrical power to signal conditioner circuitry inside a musical instrument having a signal output jack mounted thereon to carry a conditioned music signal via a signal cable to a remote location. The power source is a battery mounted inside a housing that is part of a signal plug on the signal cable plugged into the signal output jack. The battery powers the signal conditioner circuitry while the signal plug is in the jack. The housing provides access to the battery. Alternatively, a rechargeable power source is mounted inside or otherwise on the instrument and is connected to the jack. A power supply first plug is inserted into the signal output jack to charge the rechargeable power source. After charging the power source, the first plug is unplugged and a second plug of a signal cable is plugged into the jack to carry the conditioned signal to the remote location.

Abstract: Keys of an acoustic piano require balancers for cancellation of a part of self weight of the action units/hammers; however, the balancers are liable to be dropped off due to the aged deterioration of the wooden bars; in order to keep the balancers stable in the keys against the aged deterioration, the balancer is plastically deformed so as to bite into the wooden bar, the balancer, which is formed with thorns, is rotated so as to make the thorns bite into the wooden bar, the balancer is shaped into a configuration different from the holes so as to exert resilient force on the inner surface in a direction in parallel to the grain of wood, or the balancer is inserted into a constricted hole so as to strongly exert the resilient force on the inner surface, thereby being prevented from the dropping off from the keys.

Abstract: An automatic player reenacts a music passage on an acoustic piano without any fingering of a human player; solenoid-operated key actuators and a solenoid-operated pedal actuator is provided for the keys and damper pedal; the automatic player makes the damper pedal travel along a simulative pedal trajectory, and the central processing unit stores pieces of control data expressing the pedal stroke together with the amount of mean current supplied to the solenoid-operated pedal actuator; the central processing unit analyzes the pieces of control data so as to determine an entry point of half pedal section and an exit point of the half pedal section, and specifies a target half point in the half pedal section; while reenacting a music passage, the automatic player brings the damper pedal to the half point so as to reproduce the half pedal state, exactly.

Abstract: A modular docking station receives a variety of electronic modules, such as a tuner, effects processor, signal conditioner, signal distributor, and signal converter, for use with a musical instrument, such as a guitar. A base unit has a flat bottom portion and an angled top portion. A plurality of pushbutton switches are disposed in the angled top portion of the base unit. The electronic module is controlled by the pushbutton switches through the base unit. A plurality of electronic modules, each with a different electrical function, are interchangeable into the receptacle of the base unit. One electronic module is selected for inserting into the base unit to make mechanical and electrical contact. Each electronic module includes a display area and a plurality of indicators for the various electrical functions of the electronic module. The base unit has a connector for connecting to the musical instrument.

Abstract: An automatic player piano includes key sensors, solenoid-operated key actuators and a controller, which form a servo-control loop, and the key motion is reproduced under the control of the servo-control loop; the servo-control loop adjusts the driving pulse signal to a target duty ratio or mean current so as to force the black and white keys to travel on reference key trajectories; the controller categorizes the key motion in half-stroke or full-stroke, and determines the target duty ratio on the basis of a deviation between the target key position and the actual key position, a deviation between the target key velocity and the actual key velocity and the sort of key motion so as to make the key motion stable.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a control unit on a stringed musical instrument. The apparatus is designed such that the control unit can be easily mounted on and removed from the stringed musical instrument. The apparatus provides more stable and more firm mounting of the control unit compared to similar apparatuses of the past. The apparatus facilitates the mounting of the control unit on either the front surface of the stringed musical instrument or the rear surface of the stringed musical instrument. When mounting the control unit on the front surface of the stringed musical instrument, the apparatus also facilitates mounting the control unit above the bridge of the stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: An electronic module has an enclosure which is mechanically and electrically compatible with a plurality of receiving devices such as amplifiers, computers, mixer consoles, and musical instruments. The module has a programmable control panel and display on the enclosure and an electronic circuit disposed within the enclosure and receiving user commands from the control panel and displaying configuration information on the display. The electronic circuit performs a variety of functions for each of the receiving devices by way of a digital signal processor, synthesizer for generating a programmable audio signal in response to a data stream, storage device for storing musical information in a digital format, and playback device for retrieval and playback of the stored musical information. An audio output is coupled for transferring the programmable audio signal to or from the receiving device.