Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a digital audio filter, such as an impulse response filter, using a pickup audio signal provided to an instrument signal capture device and a microphone signal provided to a mobile device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes capturing a first audio signal using a signal capture device, performing frequency analysis on the digitized first audio signal to generate a frequency response spectrum representation, transmitting the frequency response spectrum representation of the first audio signal from the signal capture device to a mobile device, capturing a second audio signal using a microphone on the mobile device, performing frequency analysis on the at least one digitized second audio signal using the mobile device to generate a frequency response spectrum representation, and generating a digital audio filter from the frequency response spectrum representations of the first audio signal and the second audio signal.

Abstract: In several embodiments of the invention, a pickup saddle for a stringed instrument includes a U-shaped top cap having two legs, each leg including a receiving portion configured to mate with a mating portion of a base, a base fitted to the interior of the top cap, where two surfaces of the base include a mating portion matching with and affixed to a receiving portion of the top cap, a piezoelectric transducer placed between the top cap and the base and electrically connected to the base, a positive wire connected to the piezoelectric transducer, and a ground wire connected to the base.

Abstract: In several embodiments of the invention, a pickup saddle for a stringed instrument includes a U-shaped top cap having two legs, each leg including a receiving portion configured to mate with a mating portion of a base, a base fitted to the interior of the top cap, where two surfaces of the base include a mating portion matching with and affixed to a receiving portion of the top cap, a piezoelectric transducer placed between the top cap and the base and electrically connected to the base, a positive wire connected to the piezoelectric transducer, and a ground wire connected to the base.

Abstract: Reflection cancelling boundary microphones are described in which a microphone capsule is mounted within the pressure zone of a vibrating surface and the microphone is tuned in such a way as to cancel pressure waves reflected by the surface while admitting pressure waves generated by the vibration of the surface. One embodiment of the invention includes a microphone capsule configured to be mounted within the pressure zone of a vibrating surface. In addition, the microphone is tuned to cancel pressure waves reflected by the surface while admitting pressure waves generated by the vibration of the surface.

Abstract: Reflection cancelling boundary microphones are described in which a microphone capsule is mounted within the pressure zone of a vibrating surface and the microphone is tuned in such a way as to cancel pressure waves reflected by the surface while admitting pressure waves generated by the vibration of the surface. One embodiment of the invention includes a microphone capsule configured to be mounted within the pressure zone of a vibrating surface. In addition, the microphone is tuned to cancel pressure waves reflected by the surface while admitting pressure waves generated by the vibration of the surface.

Abstract: A light display that is mountable on a musical instrument is provided such that musical indicators are visible through the light display housing when illuminated by a light source but otherwise remains opaque or not visible.

Abstract: An undersaddle pickup for a musical instrument. The undersaddle pickup is constructed from a layer of sensor material or sensor element coupled at a first surface to an electrode. A second electrode is created by coupling a second surface of the sensor material or sensor element to a conductive overbraid surrounding the undersaddle pickup. Depending upon the way the undersaddle pickup is constructed, one or both of the surfaces of the sensor material or sensor element are capacitively coupled to their respective electrodes. A subassembly of the undersaddle pickup may be conveniently manufactured from a sheet of sensor material and an insulating base having a plurality of electrodes deposited on or attached to the base's surface. A sheet of sensor material may be laminated to the base using an adhesive and individual subassemblies may then be die-cut from the insulating base.

Abstract: A pickup for use in a stringed musical instrument. The pickup includes a primary transducer that is sensitive to the motion of the musical instrument's strings and is mechanically coupled to the body of the musical instrument. The primary transducer senses the motion of the musical instrument's strings and generates a “string sound” signal in response. The primary transducer is further flexibly coupled to a secondary transducer that is not fixedly attached to the body of the musical instrument. Relative motion between the primary transducer and the secondary transducer generates a “body sound” signal within the secondary transducer. The string sound signal and the body sound signal are combined to generate a signal representing the acoustical response of the musical instrument.

Abstract: An undersaddle pickup for a musical instrument. The undersaddle pickup is constructed from a layer of sensor material or sensor element coupled at a first surface to an electrode. A second electrode is created by coupling a second surface of the sensor material or sensor element to a conductive overbraid surrounding the undersaddle pickup. Depending upon the way the undersaddle pickup is constructed, one or both of the surfaces of the sensor material or sensor element are capacitively coupled to their respective electrodes. A subassembly of the undersaddle pickup may be conveniently manufactured from a sheet of sensor material and an insulating base having a plurality of electrodes deposited on or attached to the base's surface. A sheet of sensor material may be laminated to the base using an adhesive and individual subassemblies may then be die-cut from the insulating base.

Abstract: A feedback resistant stringed acoustic musical instrument. The stringed acoustic musical instrument includes a body having a sound board and a back with a side portion extending from a peripheral edge of the sound board to a peripheral edge of the back thus creating an enclosure. The side portion includes perforations extending from an exterior surface of the side portion to an interior surface. The perforations reduce or essentially eliminate the tendency of a stringed musical instrument's body to behave as a Helmholtz resonator and the tendency of a an acoustic instrument's sound board to resonate when they are exposed to the instruments's own amplified acoustic signal. The acoustic qualities of the amplified acoustic signal may be further enhanced by using one or more peaking filter circuits in a preamplifier or audio amplifier used to generate the amplified acoustic signal.

Abstract: A pickup assembly for a stringed instrument comprises an elongated beam with slits that create gaps within the beam. Sensors are positioned over the slits and measure changes in dimensions of the gaps. The sensors produce an electrical signal in response to the change in dimensions of the gaps and the electrical signal is then sent to a pre-amplifier and thence to a speaker system for sound reproduction.

Abstract: In a stringed instrument, such as a guitar including a saddle for holding the strings and a pickup assembly for converting vibrations of the strings into electrical signals, the saddle has a curved bottom surface for contacting the pickup assembly. The pickup assembly is formed in flexible layers, including a first layer of insulation, a second layer of piezoelectric film with a ground lead on top, a third layer having contacts formed thereon in positions corresponding to the strings to create active areas in the film underneath the strings, the third layer having lead lines disposed at the bottom thereof, and additional lead lines at the bottom of a fourth flexible layer. Electrodes communicate one end of the lead lines with the contacts via through-holes in the intervening layers. The other ends of the lead lines fasten to pins which connect to an amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit can be combined with a wireless FM transmitter.

Abstract: In a stringed instrument, such as a guitar including a saddle for holding the strings and a pickup assembly for converting vibrations of the strings into electrical signals, the saddle has a curved bottom surface for contacting the pickup assembly. The pickup assembly is formed in flexible layers, including a first layer of insulation, a second layer of piezoelectric film with a ground lead on top, a third layer having contacts formed thereon in positions corresponding to the strings to create active areas in the film underneath the strings, the third layer having lead lines disposed at the bottom thereof, and additional lead lines at the bottom of a fourth flexible layer. Electrodes communicate one end of the lead lines with the contacts via through-holes in the intervening layers. The other ends of the lead lines fasten to pins which connect to an amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit can be combined with a wireless FM transmitter.

Abstract: A stringed instrument is provided which incorporates a resonator assembly mounted within its body which enhances the quality of the sound produced by the instrument. The resonator assembly includes either one or more resonator rods or one or more resonator springs tuned to desired frequencies, which are generally below about 200 cycles per second.

Abstract: A piezoelectric crystal transducer defines a unitary part of a low profile saddle member adapted for interchangeable mounting in the bridge portion of a stringed musical instrument while obviating external modification of the instrument itself. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the body of the saddle is molded or potted around elongated piezoelectric crystalline bar segments to form a unitary saddle in which the bar segments traverse the substantial length of the saddle in a direction transversely of the extension of the strings over the saddle with hook-up leads or wires extending from one end of the bar for connection to a suitable cable leading to a conventional amplifier or loudspeaker system. The transducer is constructed to respond to stresses produced by string vibrations in one or more dimensions yet is completely shielded from external electrical fields and minimizes interference with the acoustical circuit of the instrument.