Abstract: Effects units are disclosed which can modify the electrical signals of an instrument like a guitar. These effects units can include an internal effects device, which can modify the instrument's electrical signals by imparting sound effects thereupon, such as those found in conventional effects units, as well as an effects loop where an external device like a preamplifier can be plugged into. An effects unit can have a number of configurations a user can select which produce different signal processing results, such as the electrical signals from the instrument being modified by just the external device, just the internal effects device, first the internal effects device and then the external device, first by the external device and then the internal effects device, and, most uniquely, parallel processing through both the external device and the internal effects device. The resulting output signals can be received and amplified by a power amplifier.

Abstract: Audio signal management systems and methods are contemplated herein which can be incorporated into amplifiers and recording equipment receiving audio signals from a musical instrument. Such systems and methods allow for a smooth, natural-sounding decay of the wanted signals of the musical instrument while reducing unwanted signals of the musical instrument. An overdriven signal may be simulated and, after processing this signal, sent to a filter transistor which may receive both this processed signal and an out signal, based on the measured output signal of the musical instrument, to produce a signal to be amplified/recorded via an attenuation circuit. The filter transistor may respond dynamically to the received processed signal to create a smooth, natural-sounding decay of the wanted signals of the musical instrument. The methods and systems may incorporate additional elements including high pass filter transistors and mute circuits to remove unwanted signals and noise floor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic musical instrument system (1) for influencing the sound of an electric musical instrument having a housing (2) that has signal ports (14, 18) and a power supply port (15). In order to simplify the individual combination of different audio effects, the housing (2) contains control electronics (6) that have associated slots (4a-4f) for effects modules (19), wherein the slots (4a-4f) are arranged in the housing (2) and each slot (4a-4f) has a multipin connection (5a-5f) for connection to a plug-in effects module (19). The invention additionally relates to a corresponding effects module (19).

Abstract: Protective films for plasma displays, spectacles or especially polarizers (for example based on cellulose triacetate) including particular plasticizers as a constituent of imaging devices of liquid-crystal type or of spectacles, their production and use, and liquid-crystal display devices and film polarizers producible with them, and also further subject matter of the invention specified in the description, are particularly suitable for thin films and have advantageous properties, for example low water vapor permeability. The plasticizers used are one or more of the formula (I) in which the radicals are each as defined in the rest of the disclosure and are branched-chain alkyl radicals having 9 or 10 carbon atoms, and advantageously one or more further plasticizers.