Abstract: A step sequencer with a four by sixteen grid of buttons is disclosed. The sequencer is used to generate patterns of sounds on different channels. The sequencer can be used as a hardware controller to control music production software. The grid of the sequencer emulates the virtual grid generated in a graphical user interface by the music production software. The grid of the hardware controller is used to control the corresponding grid on the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A DJ media player is provided. The DJ media player includes a display to show audio playback information; a platter used to control audio playback; one or more energy-storing devices; and a processor for responding to DJ media-player electrical-power loss. Responding to DJ media-player electrical-power loss includes storing electrical charge on energy-storing devices; sensing a disruption in electrical current supplied by a power source to the DJ media player; powering the DJ media player using the electrical charge on the energy-storing devices; and displaying a notification on a DJ media-player display that there was a disruption of power. Responding to electrical-power loss comprises performing a safe shutdown procedure for avoiding file and system corruption.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting an audio track by performing a gesture on a track-list image are provided. The system includes a processor that performs a method including displaying the audio-track list, detecting a contact with the touchscreen display at a location corresponding to the audio track, detecting a continuous movement of the contact in a direction, detecting a length of the continuous movement, and selecting the audio track if the continuous movement has a length longer than a threshold length. The method includes shifting text associated with the audio track based on the length and direction of the continuous movement. The method includes determining that the selection is a command to queue the audio track for playback or add it to a preparation track list. This determination may be based on the direction of the continuous movement.

Abstract: An electronic drum-module for connection to electronic-drum pads is provided. The module includes an electronic display, a memory storing audio files for playback when the playback is triggered by a signal received from the pads, and one or more processors coupled to the electronic display and the memory. The processors are configured to play a portion of the one or more audio files when the playback is triggered by the signal received from the pads and to display, on the electronic display, a user interface for an application. The user interface includes a waveform associated with recorded audio. The user interface includes a sample-start marker and a sample-end marker. A portion of the waveform between the sample-start marker and sample-end marker is displayed brighter than a portion not between the sample-start marker and the sample-end marker. Playback of the portion may be initiated by striking a drum-pad zone.

Abstract: An electronic-drum module for connection to one or more electronic-drum pads is provided. The module includes an electronic display; a first memory storing audio files for playback when the playback is triggered by a signal received from a pad; and one or more processors coupled to the display and the memory. The processors are configured receive an instruction to transfer a set of samples. The set of samples is associated with a priority-instruction and includes a first subset of samples and a second subset of samples. The processors are also configures to transfer the first subset of samples from a second memory to the first memory based on the priority-instruction before transferring the second subset of samples and to transfer the second subset of samples from the second memory to the first memory.

Abstract: An electronic-drum module for connection to one or more electronic-drum pads is provided. The module includes an electronic display, a memory storing audio files for playback when the playback is triggered by a signal received from a pad, and one or more processors coupled to the electronic display and the memory. The processors are configured to play the audio files when the playback is triggered and display, on the display, a user interface for an application. The user interface for the application includes a list of available trigger sources. The processors are also configured to receive an instruction to select an available trigger source and display, on the display, a list of available drum kits to associate with the available trigger source. The processors are also configured to display images of the available drum kits in response to receiving an instruction to select an available drum kit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for musical tempo detection are provided. The method includes detecting peaks and their locations in a waveform of a digital audio track, and dividing the track into first measures with a first-measure length based on a first estimated tempo. The method includes determining distances between a beginning of the first measures and each peak location, and determining a first number of peaks having the same distance from the beginning of the first measures. The method includes dividing the track into second measures with a second-measure length based on a second estimated tempo; determining distances between a beginning of the second measures and each peak location; and determining a second number of peaks having the same distance from the beginning of each of the second measures. The method includes estimating an accurate tempo by comparing the first number of peaks and the second number of peaks.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a graphical representation of audio-file playback during playback manipulation are provided. The system may include a processor that performs a method including displaying a waveform during audio-file playback by scrolling the waveform from a right to a left portion of a display. The method includes receiving a command to manipulate the audio-file playback and displaying a first half of the waveform corresponding to the manipulated audio-file playback until a command is received to resume the audio-file playback. The first half of the waveform is a portion of the waveform adjacent to a horizontal or vertical axis. The method includes simultaneously displaying a second half of the waveform and displaying the first half of the waveform corresponding to the manipulated audio-file playback. The second half of the waveform is on an opposite side of the axis from the first half of the waveform.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a graphical representation of audio signal data during time compression or expansion are provided. The system may include a processor that performs a method including displaying a waveform during audio-signal playback at a first speed by scrolling the waveform from aright portion of a display to a left portion of the display. The method includes receiving a command to increase or decrease the audio-signal playback speed and horizontally expanding or horizontally contracting the waveform in response to receiving the command to increase or decrease the audio-signal playback speed.

Abstract: An electronic-drum module for connection to one or more electronic-drum pads is provided. The module includes an electronic display, a memory storing audio files for playback when the playback is triggered by a signal received from a pad, and one or more processors coupled to the electronic display and the memory. The processors are configured to play a portion of the audio files when the playback is triggered by the signal received from the one or more electronic-drum pads. The processors are also configured to display, on the display, a user interface for an application, which includes a waveform associated with recorded audio. The processors are also configured to display, on the display, tempo gridlines with a tempo-gridline spacing over the waveform. The module includes a control for adjusting the tempo-gridline spacing. The control is a wheel and is actuated by a rotation of the wheel.

Abstract: A DJ media player is provided. The DJ media player includes a display to show audio playback information, a patter used to control audio playback, a light emitting element for displaying different colors, and an interface located on the media player for selecting different colors for the light emitting element. The interface is a graphical user interface on the display. The display is a touchscreen display and one or more colors are selected by making contact with the touchscreen display. The light emitting element is in a platter housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a visual color display of audio-file data are provided. The system includes a processor that performs a method including receiving audio-file data; generating filtered-audio data by processing the audio-file data by frequency-band filters. The frequency band filters have different frequency bands. The method includes generating one or more waveforms corresponding to the filtered-audio data and displaying the waveforms superimposed in unique color relative to one another. The method includes downsampling the waveforms. The method includes processing the waveforms through an envelope detector. The method includes processing the waveforms through an expander and applying a gain factor. The waveforms have transparency levels at sections that are proportional or inversely proportional to amplitudes at the sections.

Abstract: A method of displaying drum-strike velocity information is provided. The method includes receiving trigger data. The trigger data includes a strike velocity of a drum-pad zone on a drum pad. The method includes displaying an image of a drum associated with the drum pad on a display, displaying a first portion of the drum in a first color, and changing the first portion of the drum to a second color. The second color is determined by a magnitude of the strike velocity.

Abstract: An electronic drum with active crosstalk detection includes a first vibration transducer configured to generate a first signal in response to a strike to the electronic drum, and a second vibration transducer configured to generate a second signal in response to vibrations in a mount coupled to the electronic drum. A circuit compares an amplitude of the first signal and an amplitude of the second signal within a predetermined time, and determines whether the signal was generated by crosstalk or an actual drum hit based on various criteria.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods related to measuring a frictionless audio-fader position. A frictionless audio-fader position measuring system comprises a control slider, a sensing magnet, at least two magnetic flux sensors configured to output at least one of a voltage or a current based on the position of the sensing magnet and, a processor wherein the processor calculates a correlation between the position of the sensing magnet and a phase angle between the outputs of at least two of the magnetic flux sensors to determine a position of the sensing magnet, wherein the determined position of the sensing magnet controls an amplifier, mixer, and/or other hardware or software component.

Abstract: The tone arm holder includes a saddle with a hook portion that defines an open end. A resilient dividing member is located on the top surface of the saddle. The space between the resilient dividing member and the hook define a lock seat configured and arranged for frictional engagement, receipt and storage of a tone arm therein. The opposing side of the saddle from the resilient member defines a performance seat configured and arranged for freely supporting a tone arm whereby a tone arm may be placed on and removed from the performance seat without frictional engagement of the tone arm to the holder. The tone arm is freely movable between the performance seat at a first position and the lock seat at a second position by traversing across the resilient dividing member by exceeding the resilient force of the resilient dividing member.

Abstract: The turntable platter configuration of the present invention includes a groove on the platter edge about its periphery to allow for an improved ergonomic finger control for a DJ to alter the speed of the platter rotation. The turntable platter configuration also includes a regularly spaced shape about the periphery of the platter to be used with a strobe for allowing the user to ensure the rate of the rotation is at the appropriate speed, such as 33 RPM or 45 RPM.