Abstract: A bifilar pickup for an electrical stringed musical instrument is provided. The bifilar pickup comprises a dual coil wherein at least one coil is formed with two closely spaced bifilar parallel wound wires. A guitar in combination with the pickup unit is additionally provided.

Abstract: A bifilar pickup for an electrical stringed musical instrument is provided. The bifilar pickup comprises a single coil wherein the coil is formed with two closely spaced but electrically isolated parallel wound wires. A guitar in combination with the bifilar pickup is additionally provided.

Abstract: A footswitch controller for an electric stringed musical instrument is provided. In one embodiment, the footswitch controller comprises a foot pedal assembly, base assembly, bottom plate assembly, battery pocket assembly, and compound assembly. The footswitch controller does not directly alter the input sound, but upon activation by a user sends a signal to the digital signal processor within the electric stringed musical instrument to alter the sound.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the field of control and manipulation of a digital audio signal by a user manipulable touch sensitive control surface. The present invention is specifically applicable to user manipulation of digital audio signals by disc jockeys (DJs). A touch sensitive surface substantially circumferential in shape is divided into two regions: an inner or central portion and an outer or circumferential portion. The inner portion responds to linear motion imparted by the user while the outer portion responds to circumferential motion. The linear motion imparted by the user in the central portion is used manipulate a digital audio data stream in order to impart a scratch effect.

Abstract: The invention pertains to utilizing a data packet with a header extended to contain information dealing with the payload. Specifically, IEEE 802.1Q standard contains an extendable header which is normally utilized to contain information regarding a VLAN. However, these fields can also be utilized to provide information about the payload of the data packet. In this manner, networking devices which are primarily concerned with layer 2 data-link layer protocols can transmit information according to the information being transmitted by the packet.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to control and audio manipulation of a digital audio signal by a user manipulable rotary control. The disclosure is specifically applicable to manipulation of a digital audio signal by disc jockeys (DJs). A magnet and corresponding sensor are used to obtain rotational state information from the turning of the user manipulable rotary control. This rotational state information is used to manipulate a digital audio signal. Manipulation of the digital audio includes forward and backward motion as well as a “scratch effect”. Rotational state information obtained from rotating magnet includes the possibility of absolute rotation position as well as relative rotational position, or rotational direction.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a display for a device for manipulating audio in a disc jockey or similar application. A touch sensitive user rotatable member detects the position where the DJ touches the surface. Effects like needle dropping are possible for the first time without the use of a phonographic table or without a computer device which uses a phonographic turntable as a control input device. The display can show music as color coded concentric circles which represent tracks and/or record grooves. Color coded markers show current position of the music on the control surface and allows the user to set and use visual cue points. Functionality of the rotatable member can be dynamically mapped for unprecedented control. For example, the inner portion of the rotatable member can be used for needle dropping while the outer portion can be used for scratch effects. The device is capable of manipulating audio and video streams or a combination of the two.

Abstract: A tremolo mechanism having a novel roller mounted beneath a tensioned string of a stringed musical instrument is described. During oscillatory movement, the tensioned string exerts both a static and a vibratory force on the roller. The roller rotates in relation to the tensioned string such that the static force is generally greater than any component of the vibratory force. The novel roller may be a saddle roller with a saddle block having two opposing block walls which form a roller cavity. The block walls each have a roller bore aligned along a roller axis. The saddle roller includes a cylindrical body attached to a roller pin and a circumferential seat receiving a tension string. The roller pin is rotatably disposed such that the saddle roller is in the saddle block cavity. The roller axis extends obliquely to define an oblique roller angle.

Abstract: A tremolo mechanism having a novel roller mounted beneath a tensioned string of a stringed musical instrument is described. During oscillatory movement, the tensioned string exerts both a static and a vibratory force on the roller. The roller rotates in relation to the tensioned string such that the static force is generally greater than any component of the vibratory force. The novel roller may be a saddle roller with a saddle block having two opposing block walls which form a roller cavity. The block walls each have a roller bore aligned along a roller axis. The saddle roller includes a cylindrical body attached to a roller pin and a circumferential seat receiving a tension string. The roller pin is rotatably disposed such that the saddle roller is in the saddle block cavity. The roller axis extends obliquely to define an oblique roller angle.

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: The tremolo mechanism includes a novel cam actuated lock having a plurality of parallel locking channels disposed on an engagement surface of a movable locking arm and further having a locking ridge disposed on an engagement surface of a locking block so as to be in aligned opposition with the locking channels. Each pairing of locking channels is separated by a chromatic spacing distance corresponding to a chromatic half step change in the pitch of the plurality of tensioned strings. The lock of the further including a cam actuated torsion bar to positioning the locking arm according to a cam follower's position on a cam profile. The torsion bar provides a flexible means of applying a motive force for moving the locking arm such that, with the locking ridge and a selected locking channel misaligned and the cam follower disposed upon the locked seat, the torsion bar elastically deforms as the locking ridge is received by a land disposed between the locking channels without damaging the lock.

Abstract: This invention is a guitar strap lock apparatus for connection to a guitar strap button on a guitar. The apparatus has a lock body defining a cavity with a resilient retainer latch attached to the lock body. The resilient retainer latch partially protrudes over a side opening in the lock body so that a securing portion of the button is secured within the latch when the button is received in the cavity.

Abstract: A joint between a neck and a body of a stringed musical instrument is described, wherein a neck receiving cavity in the body has a sloped major bearing surface. The sloped major bearing surface urges the neck laterally into a side surface of the neck receiving cavity as a connector pulls the neck into the neck receiving cavity. By urging the neck into a side surface of the neck receiving cavity, a second bearing surface is made in a different plane than the major bearing surface, which makes a more rigid joint between the body and the neck of the musical instrument.

Abstract: A digital audio mixing system for live performance venues includes a software user interface and system host PC with an internal digital signal processor to perform digital mixing functions. The system includes a console having an array of multiple touch screen displays with corresponding fader board (tactile) control surfaces operatively connected to the host PC, and an audio patch bay unit. One or more stage boxes are linked to each other and to the system host PC by wired or wireless connections. The user interface includes multiple functional views and configuration presets, displayed in setup and real time modes, to allow the user to operate the system in a user friendly and simplified environment.

Abstract: Included herein is an instrument component for mounting to the body of an instrument having strings, for example a guitar. The instrument component comprises a plurality of attachment devices, an elongated bracket, and a biasing element. The elongated bracket includes a plurality of attachment apertures where each aperture includes a center and is shaped to accept one of the attachment devices. A biasing element is positioned in each attachment aperture wherein each biasing element engages one of the attachment devices. Each biasing element includes a plurality of protrusions wherein each protrusion biases the attachment device toward the center of the attachment aperture.

Abstract: Included herein is an instrument component for mounting to the body of an instrument having strings, for example a guitar. The instrument component comprises a plurality of attachment devices, an elongated bracket, and a biasing element. The elongated bracket includes a plurality of attachment apertures where each aperture includes a center and is shaped to accept one of the attachment devices. A biasing element is positioned in each attachment aperture wherein each biasing element engages one of the attachment devices. Each biasing element includes a plurality of protrusions wherein each protrusion biases the attachment device toward the center of the attachment aperture.

Abstract: A tremolo mechanism having a novel roller is mounted beneath a tensioned string of a stringed musical instrument such as a guitar. The tensioned string exerts a static force on the roller and further exerts a vibratory force on the roller during oscillatory movement of such string. The roller rotates around a roller axis disposed with relation to the tensioned string such that the component of the static force directed along the roller axis is generally greater than any component of the vibratory force directed along the roller axis. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a saddle roller assembly includes a saddle block having two opposing block walls which form a roller cavity there between. The block walls each have a roller bore disposed in alignment along a roller axis. The saddle roller includes a cylindrical body attached to a roller pin. The saddle roller further includes a circumferential seat receiving a tension string.