Abstract: Methods and digital circuits providing frequency correction to frequency synthesizers are disclosed. An FLL digital circuit is provided that is configured to handle a reference frequency that is dynamic and ranges over a multi-decade range of frequencies. The FLL circuit includes a digital frequency iteration engine that allows for detection of disappearance of a reference frequency. When the digital frequency iteration engine detects that the reference frequency signal is not available, the oscillator generated frequency is not corrected, and the last value of the oscillator generated frequency is held until the reference frequency signal becomes available again. This FLL circuit is also preceded by a low-pass filter which is dynamically tuned to the frequency to which the FLL locks, eliminating harmonic components in the original signal which might otherwise cause errors in frequency estimation.

Abstract: A pickup for a guitar that has four (4) or more separate magnetic coils and selection means to select among the coil outputs. In some embodiments, the pickup is passive, not requiring an active pre-amplifier and voltage supply to shape the sound. In some embodiments, the selection means may be incremental or continuous, providing a wider degree to selectivity between and among the outputs of the separate coils.

Abstract: A weather-resistant drum is presented. The weather-resistant drum comprises a drum head configured to produce a sound when struck. The weather-resistant drum also comprises a drum shell, configured to resonate the sound produced by the drum head. The drum shell also comprises a drain. The weather-resistant drum also comprises shield, coupled to the weather-resistant drum using a fastener. The fastener is configured to couple the shield to the weather-resistant drum, such that the drum head maintains a tuned configuration over an operational lifetime of the weather-resistant drum.

Abstract: A method in accord with certain implementations involves, at a data interface of a musical instrument effects processor, receiving an extracted characteristic of an audible sound that is captured at a microphone; transferring the extracted characteristic to a digital signal processor residing in the musical instrument effects processor; receiving input signals at an input to the musical instrument effects processor; at the digital signal processor of the musical instrument effects processor, modifying the received input signals using the extracted characteristics to create the electronic audio effect; and outputting the modified input signals as an output signal from the musical instrument effects processor. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A foot pedal actuator is secured to legs of a portable musical instrument using a first elongate member having an aperture for a leg to pass through on one end, and an aperture for securing to a foot pedal actuator fastener aperture on the opposite end. A second elongate member has an aperture which is secured to the foot pedal actuator aperture on one end, and a rotatable attachment to the first elongate member along the span of the first elongate member. A third member similar to the first member and fourth member similar to the second member secure the four corners of the foot pedal actuator to two feet of the portable musical instrument, which pass through the leg apertures of the elongate members.

Abstract: A marching tenor drum assembly includes a quad mounting frame and two individual mounting frames for receiving a plurality of tenor drums. A mounting lip of each drum shell rests on the top plate of one of the mounting frames, a compression rim of a bearing ring covers the mounting lip and is fastened to the mounting frame with a plurality of clamp screws. The drum skin of a top head is placed over the top edge of an upwardly extending support wall of the bearing ring. A top hoop is placed over a peripheral portion of the top head and is fastened to the clamp screws.

Abstract: Vibratory motors are used to generate a haptic language for music or other sound that is integrated into wearable technology. The disclosed system enables the creation of a family of devices that allow people with hearing impairments to experience sounds such as music or other auditory input to the system. For example, a “sound vest” or one or more straps comprising a set of motors transforms musical input to haptic signals so that users can experience their favorite music in a unique way, and can also recognize auditory cues in the user's everyday environment and convey this information to the user using haptic signals.

Abstract: A polyphonic multi-dimensional controller (PMC) provides for independently expressing multiple concurrently sounding musical notes. The PMC includes rows and columns of force-sensing potentiometers (FSPs) that define an array of single-touch zones (STZs). Using a z-axis switch configuration, touches are detected and the forces associated with the touches are measured. For STZs for which a touch is detected, a fine x position and a fine y position are determined respectively using an x-axis switch configuration and a y-axis switch configuration. By repeatedly scanning the STZs, the x-axis position, the y-axis position, and the z-axis force can be tracked and translated into 3-axis note expression data. The PMC is multi-touch so that the 3-axis note expression data can be polyphonic.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a plurality of pads, each of the plurality of pads including a touch sensor and an acceleration sensor, a sound output interface configured to output sounds that are set to the respective pads, a display configured to display visual feedback, and a processor configured to, in response to the touch sensor in a pad among the plurality of pads detecting a touch of the pad, and the acceleration sensor in the pad detecting an intensity of the touch that is greater than or equal to a value, determine that a beat is performed on the pad, control the sound output interface to output a sound that is set to the pad on which the beat is determined to be performed, with a magnitude corresponding to an intensity of the beat, and control the display to display the visual feedback corresponding to the beat determined to be performed.

Abstract: A pickup unit for an electrical stringed instrument, such as an electric guitar, includes a housing structured to be connected to the stringed instrument and a number of pickups provided within the housing, each pickup being structured to produce signals corresponding to vibration of one or more strings of the stringed instrument. The pickup unit also includes a number of capacitive touch electrodes provided on or within the housing, wherein the pickup unit is structured to generate control signals in response to a user of the pickup unit touching one or more of the number of capacitive touch electrodes, the control signal being configured to control processing of the signals produced by the number of pickups.

Abstract: A fluid flow control valve comprising an outer casing with an inner valve member displaceable between first and second positions within the casing, the valve member including passages which interconnect different valve inlets and outlets dependent on whether the valve member is in its first or second position, the valve member being made from plastic material so that the diameter of the valve member can be increased without increasing its weight above that of a conventional metal inner valve member. This allows the passages through the inner valve member to be of the same internal diameter as the tubing leading up to and away from the valve. The valve member can be acted upon by a magnetic restoring means which tends to return the valve member towards its first position when displaced therefrom.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a method and system for training a student to sight-read music. The method includes displaying a measure of music having at least a first and second phrase of notes. As the student moves through the music, the phrases of notes are removed from the measure of music, in such a way to encourage the student to read ahead of the point at which she is playing. In some exercises, a focal point can be provided in order to train the student to engage the fovea for acquiring pitch information from the measure of music and the parafovea for acquiring rhythm information from the measure of music. The method can be executed on a dedicated computing device such as a tablet or in the form of an application or program for use on a number of different computing devices.

Abstract: Bowing platforms are disclosed for use in playing a bowed musical instrument without reliance on strings. A bowing platform includes a support and a track that replace the strings, bridge, and tailpiece on a conventional bowed instrument, to provide an alternative vibrational bowing surface. The bowing platform can be attached to a conventional fingerboard or to the body of the instrument. In one aspect, the bowing platform is useful as a bow guide to improve bow technique by restricting the player's bow angle to be within a desirable range, while still allowing for natural arm movement. The bowing platform can be further equipped with piezoelectric sensors to sense bowing motion and to create sound electronically in response to the sensed motion. A stringless bowed instrument includes a bowing platform, bowing sensors, and pitch sensors that sense finger placement along the fingerboard.

Abstract: A musical instrument carrier includes a shoulder rest member that is abutted on the shoulders of a performer and an abdomen rest member that is provided separately from the shoulder rest member, that includes a portion coupled to the shoulder rest member, and that is abutted on the abdomen of the performer, in which coupling between the shoulder rest member and the abdomen rest member is achieved by plate-like members having a curved portion or a bent portion being overlapped and affixed in a state of making surface contact, and by changing the position at which the curved portions or bent portions overlap, it is possible to change the angle of the abdomen rest member with respect to the shoulder rest member.

Abstract: A switched reversing configuration control for string instruments connects to a pair of pickup sensors located on an electric string instrument for selectively electrically configuring the pickup sensors between (a) the pair of pickup sensors being coupled with like polarity in one of series or parallel with respect to a pair of output terminals, or (b) effectively coupling only one of the pair of pickup sensors to the output terminals, or (c) the pair of pickup sensors being coupled with opposing polarity in one of series or parallel with respect to the output terminals. An optional reverse polarity passive boost circuit is provided for increasing the output voltage coupled to the output terminals when the pickup sensors are coupled with opposing polarity as compared to the output voltage that would otherwise be provided absent the reverse polarity passive boost circuit.

Abstract: An electronic guitar pick, system, system and method may include an enclosure forming a cavity, the enclosure having a first end that is substantially pointed and a second end opposite the first end that is substantially flat, the enclosure having a thickness proximate the cavity greater than a thickness proximate the first end. The electronic guitar pick, system, and method may further include a sensor contained, at least in part, within the cavity and configured to generate a sensor output based on an interaction with the enclosure and a sensory output device, communicatively coupled to the sensor, configured to output a sensory output based, at least in part, on the sensor output.

Abstract: A musical instrument adapted for use with a turntable. Said apparatus uses a rotary pulse generator to create musical tones when in contact with the rotating platter of the turntable. Said apparatus mounts to the turntable in such a way that a rotary pulse generator rotates when in contact with the rotating turntable platter. As the radius at which the rotary pulse generator contacts the turntable platter is increased the frequency of the tone produced increases proportionally, likewise when the radius at which the rotary pulse generator contacts the turntable platter is decreased the frequency of the tone produced decreases proportionally allowing a range of pitches to be sounded.

Abstract: A percussion system comprising a pedal and an inserting/retracting mechanism operably connected to a percussion instrument and the pedal from moving the percussion instrument horizontally from a first position to a second position and from the second position to the first position by operation of the pedal.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide techniques for generating real-time musical accompaniment for musical content included in an audio signal. A real-time musical accompaniment system receives the audio signal via an audio input device. The system extract, from the audio signal, musical information characterizing at least a portion of the musical content. The system generates musical information that has at least one of a rhythmic relationship and a harmonic relationship with the musical information. The system generates an output audio signal that is complementary to the musical information. The system transmits, substantially immediately after receiving the audio signal, the output audio signal to an audio output device.

Abstract: A drum configured for permanent installation in an outdoor environment is presented. The drum comprises a mounting structure configured to permanently engage a mounting surface in the outdoor environment. The drum also comprises a shell coupled to the mounting structure. The drum also comprises a drum head coupled to the shell through use of a plurality of fasteners. The drum head comprises a tuned configuration. The drum structure is configured to be weather resistant. The drum head is configured to maintain the tuning configuration after a period of outdoor exposure.