Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to electronic musical instruments, systems, and methods. More particularly, this disclosure relates to electronic percussion instruments such as tom toms, snare drums, bass drums, cymbals, and hi-hats, and assemblies of instruments (e.g., percussion instruments), such as drum sets. Some cymbals and hi-hats according to the present disclosure can be used in conjunction with a traditional acoustic metal cymbal. This disclosure also relates generally to devices and methods for operating electronic musical instrument systems including one or more musical instruments and a hub, and particularly to systems including wireless communication between the instrument(s) and hub. Various devices and methods are described for operating the system, including various operational modes of the devices, and including methods and techniques for connecting the devices, improving communication speed and robustness, and conserving power.

Abstract: A sound source device for an electronic musical instrument includes processing electronics to provide at least one virtual input port, assign a different respective tone or other effect to each virtual input port, associate each respective first playing operation device of a musical instrument system with a respective virtual input port, and receive first playing information from at least one of the first playing operation devices. A musical sound generating unit generates a musical sound signal on the basis of the first playing information received and the tone or other effect assigned to the respective virtual input port associated with the first playing operation device.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to electronic musical instruments, systems, and methods. More particularly, this disclosure relates to electronic percussion instruments such as tom toms, snare drums, bass drums, cymbals, and hi-hats, and assemblies of instruments (e.g., percussion instruments), such as drum sets. Even more particularly, this disclosure relates to wireless electronic percussion instruments, and percussion instruments with interchangeable and/or removable components to change the instrument between a traditional percussion instrument (that relies on resonance and/or vibration to produce sound) and an electronic percussion instrument. The present disclosure also relates to electronic cymbal instruments, such as cymbal assemblies and hi-hat assemblies, that can be used in conjunction with a traditional acoustic metal cymbal.

Abstract: Described herein are percussion instruments and drums, such as snare drums. The drums include a throw-off device with a handle attached to a mount, which itself can be attached to a drum sidewall. One of the handle and the mount includes a magnet while the other includes a magnetic portion for magnetic engagement with the magnet. The magnetic engagement can be used to bias the handle toward or into a desired position.

Abstract: Described herein are multipiece drum lugs and drum lug assemblies for use with percussion instruments such as drums. The drum lugs can include a separate base and a separate cap that can be interlocked, along with an insert to prevent rotation and disconnection. Receivers can be placed in the lug prior to the connection of the base and cap and sandwiched therebetween. Such a lug assembly can enable the use of regular size tension rods on drums having a relatively small depth.

Abstract: Drum pedal systems are disclosed which can include separate pedal and beater portions connected by a connecting portion. The connecting portion can be flexible such that the location of the beater portion can be adjusted relative to the location of the pedal portion. The pedal and beater portions can be disconnected from one another for improved transportability. Direct drive pedal systems are also disclosed, which can include separate pedal and beater portions connected by a direct drive connecting portion having rigid connections.

Abstract: A snare drum including a self-alignment component is disclosed. The self-alignment component may be engaged by a tensioning band, which can attach to one end of a snare that contacts or is proximate a bottom drum head. The tensioning band may loop around a part of the self-alignment component, such as an alignment piece thereof. The geometry of the self-alignment component is designed to allow the tensioning band to self-align such that portions on opposing sides of the alignment piece have approximately equal tension therein and/or have approximately equal length, thus allowing for a properly aligned snare on the bottom drum head. The self-alignment component can include a plate portion attached to a drum sidewall or tensioning device on a drum sidewall, and can further include a cover portion for attachment to the plate portion.

Abstract: Percussion assemblies, such as mini hi-hat percussion assemblies, are disclosed. The mini hi-hat assemblies can include a first connecting portion between a pedal and a drive shaft. A roller can be included between the first connecting portion and an underside of the pedal. Non-flexible members and/or flexible members such as a chain can be included between the drive shaft and a cymbal rod. Actuation of the pedal can cause rotation of the drive shaft and downward movement of the cymbal rod, which can have a top cymbal mounted thereon. This downward movement can cause the top cymbal to contact a bottom cymbal and produce a desired sound. A compression spring can then cause the system to rebound toward its equilibrium or resting position.

Abstract: Drum pedal systems are disclosed which can include separate pedal and beater portions connected by a connecting portion. The connecting portion can be flexible such that the location of the beater portion can be adjusted relative to the location of the pedal portion. The pedal and beater portions can be disconnected from one another for improved transportability. The pedal portion may include a roller beneath the pedal so as to increase the smoothness of play. The angle of the beater can be laterally adjusted, thus causing the contact point on a drum to be lower or higher as desired. The beater portion can include a beater axis that is relatively low to the ground, which can aid in preventing a user's hands and the beater striking a percussion instrument at the same height.

Abstract: Nut devices including a butterfly portion with an axial hole that can be opened such that the nut device can be slid up or down a host device, such as a cymbal stand rod, without the typical screw-type motion, are disclosed. Also disclosed are nut devices including drum key functionality.

Abstract: A transportable drum kit and components thereof are disclosed. The kit can include a stand that is connected to a bass drum, the stand having two legs that can provide support to the bass drum. The two legs can fold into a cavity of the bass drum. The kit can include a second drum supported by a leg. The two stand legs and the second drum leg can be on opposite sides of said bass drum so as to provide for triangulated support of the bass drum, resulting in less sound distortion than a bass drum that supports its own weight.

Abstract: Percussion instruments such as cajóns including auxiliary devices such as snares are disclosed. The positioning of the auxiliary device or devices with respect to the main body of the percussion instrument can be adjustable so as to produce different sounds depending upon the auxiliary device position. In one embodiment, a lever device on the back of a cajón is used. The lever device is linked to one or more snares by an adjustment rod and/or an auxiliary bar. As the lever device is adjusted, the positioning of the one or more snares and the amount of the snare wires that is in contact with the back of the tapa is adjusted, resulting in different sounds when the cajón is played.

Abstract: Drum pedal assemblies are disclosed which can include one or more adjustment features. Adjustment features which can be included in embodiments of the present disclosure can include components for adjusting pedal angle and/or height, and the resistance offered by the pedal (such as due to a spring connection). Pedal assemblies according to some embodiments of the present disclosure can include rotatable base plates for easy storage and travel. Pedal assemblies according to some embodiments the present disclosure can include securing means such as retractable spikes for stabilizing the pedal assembly.

Abstract: A method of forming a drum hoop is described and shown. The method can include forming connecting portions into ends of a strip of hoop material. The strip of hoop material can then be rolled such that the connecting portions interconnect. The method can also include forming an elongated edge of the strip and/or hoop of material into a rolled bend, such as a rolled bend toward the outside of the hoop. Finally, the method can include leveling the top and/or bottom surfaces of the hoop, such as leveling the rolled bend. This leveling can be accomplished by stamping one or both of the top and bottom surfaces of the hoop, the top surface in some embodiments being the top of the rolled bend.

Abstract: A mounting assembly configured for detachably mounting a percussion instrument to an instrument stand is disclosed. The assembly has an instrument mounting assembly that has a clamp bracket, a clamp, and a wing screw. An instrument is held to the instrument mounting assembly by placing a mountable portion of the instrument between a set of notches carved out of a first and a second side of the clamp bracket and a clamp. The instrument is secured in the bracket by screwing the wing nut through a hole in a third side of the clamp bracket to cause the clamp to apply a force against the mountable portion of the instrument such that the instrument is held in place between the notches and a groove of the clamp.

Abstract: Drum pedal assemblies are disclosed which can include one or more adjustment feature and/or interlocking feature. Adjustment features which can be included in embodiments of the invention can include spring tension adjustment features, pedal incline adjustment features, lever length adjustment features, and/or beater stem angle adjustment features. Drum pedal assemblies are also disclosed which can include slot-and-tab connections between assembly pieces, which can reduce or eliminate certain undesired pedal movements.

Abstract: Drum stands and drum stand baskets, including those for use with a snare drum, are described. Drum stands and drum stand baskets according to the present disclosure can include an adjustment feature which enables the basket to fit differently sized drums. Additionally, drum stands and drum stand baskets according to the present disclosure can include elements which result in less interference with the sound of a snare drum compared to a snare drum in a prior art drum stand. Finally, embodiments of the present disclosure can be compacted for easy storage or transport.

Abstract: Devices that allow one or more objects to be quickly and easily attached to a musical device are described. In one embodiment, a spring-enabled mounting device is disclosed that allows a device such as a microphone to be removably attached to a musical instrument, such as a drum. The apparatus may be operable via the use of a single hand applying forces to manipulate one or more springs within the apparatus, thus allowing for convenient and timely attachment, removal, and/or repositioning of the object, such as a microphone, with respect to the instrument.

Abstract: Drum pedal assemblies are disclosed which can include one or more adjustment features. Adjustment features which can be included in embodiments of the present disclosure can include components for adjusting pedal angle and/or height, and the resistance offered by the pedal (such as due to a spring connection). Pedal assemblies according to some embodiments of the present disclosure can include rotatable base plates for easy storage and travel. Pedal assemblies according to some embodiments the present disclosure can include securing means such as retractable spikes for stabilizing the pedal assembly.