With Musical Instrument Patents (Class 381/118)
  • Patent number: 8600068
    Abstract: A system for inducing an effect in a raw audio signal comprises a computing device for receiving a first audio signal and a second audio signal from a signal source, and the second audio signal comprises the first audio signal induced with an effect. The system further comprises logic that parameterizes the effect in the second audio signal into an artificial neural network (ANN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. DeBoer, Kenneth O. Stanley
  • Patent number: 8565450
    Abstract: Arrangement and method for controlling the order and selection of audio effect components using of a user-controlled crosspoint switch device. A user interface controls a processor which in turn controls the crosspoint device to set a plurality of switches forming a matrix therein, thereby allowing arbitrary control over the order and selection of audio effect components, such as pedals, connected to the matrix. The user interface enables both the pre-programming of the desired effect orders and selections as well as selection of preset stored in a memory component in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventors: Mark Dronge, David Anthony Amels
  • Patent number: 8565447
    Abstract: An instrument amplification system provides improved low frequency enhancement. A powered subwoofer system enhances the low frequency components of a standard instrument amplifier by incorporating a speaker level high-pass filter crossover network prior to connection to a standard instrument speaker. The speaker level instrument amplifier output is also attenuated, low-pass filtered and re-amplified to drive a dedicated low frequency subwoofer speaker. In one embodiment, a single speaker cabinet connects via a single speaker cable and includes both typical instrument speakers and an active powered subwoofer system. In another embodiment, a stand alone active powered subwoofer connects to a standard instrument amplifier and includes a speaker level high-pass crossover output for connection to a standard instrument speaker cabinet. The instrument amplifier speaker output is attenuated, low-pass filtered, re-amplified and connected to a low frequency subwoofer speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventors: James K. Waller, Jr., Jon J. Waller
  • Patent number: 8553896
    Abstract: The present invention relates to direct voice and instrument monitoring systems and methods of use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Ryan Dietz
  • Patent number: 8542848
    Abstract: The present invention provides embodiments of a musical instrument preamplifier. It is especially suited to acoustic and electric guitars and basses. All components, including the power source, are contained within or on the body of the instrument. The preamplifier dubbed BPTD (for Battery Powered Tube Driver) contains a vacuum tube input stage and may utilize a second stage consisting of either a vacuum tube or semiconductor device, such as a JFET. Circuitry is included to bias the cathode heater and the preamplifier circuit with no dangerous high voltages present. The tube may be mounted on the instrument body to provide for a pleasing display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Krutsick
  • Patent number: 8525015
    Abstract: A DC battery powered sound effect pedal housing with sound effect circuitry mounted therein and a battery terminal connector for being connected to battery terminals for powering the circuitry, a base and an adapter frame removably mounted intermediate the housing and the base with the adapter having said frame and an adapter power cord mounted to frame for transmitting DC power to the battery terminal connector whereby a conventional DC battery power sound effect pedal is converted to one being powered from an online AC power source without physically changing the base and housing. A convention power cord is used be powered from an AC power source to provide a DC power output that is plugged into the jack of the adapter power cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Timothy D. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 8494669
    Abstract: Control node includes: current memories provided in corresponding relation to a plurality of equipments to store, for each of the equipments, a first current data set for remote-controlling an operational condition of the equipment and a second current data set for remote-controlling a logical connection between the equipment and another equipment; and library memories provided in corresponding relation to the equipments to store, for each of the equipments, a plurality of first data sets each for remote-controlling the operational condition of the equipment and a plurality of second data sets each for remote-controlling the logical connection between the equipment and another equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20130177174
    Abstract: A percussion instrument is provided. The percussion instrument having: a seat; a pair of sidewalls extending downwardly from the seat towards a bottom of the percussion instrument, each of the pair of sidewalls providing a first tone when contacted; a forward surface extending from the seat and located between the pair of sidewalls, the forward surface providing a second tone when contacted, the second tone being higher than the first tone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventor: Mark Pires
  • Patent number: 8477965
    Abstract: Methods and systems for assigning functionality to a plurality of physical input controls of an audio mixing system involve: providing an interface for enabling an operator to select one of a plurality of audio channels and one of a plurality of mixing functional areas, wherein each of the plurality of mixing functional areas includes a plurality of audio mixing functions associated with the functional area; receiving an indication of a selection of one of the plurality of channels by an operator using the interface; receiving an indication of a selection of one of the plurality of audio mixing functional areas by an operator using the interface; and for each of the plurality of physical controls: assigning the physical control to control, for the selected channel, one of the plurality of audio mixing functions associated with the selected audio mixing functional area; and displaying a visual indication of the assigned function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Avid Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Sheldon Thane Radford
  • Patent number: 8457327
    Abstract: Mixer and one or more external devices, related to audio signal processing, are interconnected via a communication network, such as a LAN. For a particular one of the external devices for which communication with the mixer via the communication network is to be established, a network address unique to the particular external device and a communication protocol to be used for data communication with the particular external device are designated by entry operation by a user. Logical connection is established such that data communication is performed, in accordance with the designated communication protocol, between the mixer and the particular external device corresponding to the designated network address. Thus, data communication is performed, via the communication network, between the mixer and the particular external device for which the logical connection has been established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Okabayashi
  • Publication number: 20130136278
    Abstract: A device and methods are provided for a guitar amplifier. In one embodiment, an amplifier includes an overdrive shaping circuit including one or more elements for harmonic shaping of a received signal. The amplifier may also include a power amplifier circuit configured to receive the harmonic shaped signal from the overdrive shaping circuit, wherein the power amplifier circuit includes a switchmode amplifier to amplify the harmonic shaped signal includes one or more elements to increase the output impedance of the switchmode amplifier. An output of the amplifier can output a signal with desired harmonic shaping and a dynamic response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Quilter Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick H. Quilter
  • Patent number: 8428271
    Abstract: A device is disclosed to provide balanced distortion in a musical instrument and to emulate the sound of a tube amplifier when overdriven. The device distorts, clips, and limits, selectively, an input audio signal. The circuit includes: an input stage to receive the input audio signal, remain linear, and maintain balanced outputs, and to split the input audio signal into an inverting, negative path and a non-inverting, positive path; an inverting, negative path balanced distortion circuit to receive an inverting, negative path input; a non-inverting, positive path balanced distortion circuit to receive a non-inverting, positive path input; and an output stage, wherein the output stage combines a pair of differential inputs to produce an output audio signal. The audio distortion circuit cancels incoming asymmetries in the output stage from the combined pair of differential inputs and produces the output audio signal as symmetric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Charles Michael Luke
  • Patent number: 8416967
    Abstract: An audio frequency variable-impedance instrument-level to professional-level audio interface with balanced DC power, comprising a unique arrangement of electronic elements, consisting of the musical instrument-level signal splitter with professional-level audio output interface 10, the professional-level signal splitter to instrument-level interface 12 and the power supply with regulation, innovative new DC balancing and power distribution 14. The innovation of balanced DC power effectively cancels the unwanted power supply noise on professional audio electronics giving greatly improved distortion and lower noise specifications over previous designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Alexander George Welti
  • Patent number: 8411886
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing aid with at least one sound receiver and a sound generator. The hearing aid has an audio signal unit operatively connected to the sound generator, the audio signal unit being designed to generate an audio signal perceptible to a human ear. The audio signal has a plurality of mutually different frequencies of a frequency range. The audio signal unit has at least one tone generator. The at least one tone generator is designed to generate the audio signal with at least one fundamental frequency representing a tone and with harmonics of the fundamental frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Barthel, Wolfgang Sörgel
  • Patent number: 8374359
    Abstract: Feedback is reduced by routing an input signal through a kick gate that opens for a predetermined time period then closes. The gate may be kept closed for a predetermined minimum time period before being allowed to open again. The gate is triggered open based on the input signal and may include a plurality of triggering conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher B. Ickler, William R. Becker, Hilmar Lehnert, Michael G. Zartarian
  • Patent number: 8363847
    Abstract: An aliasing correction in a wave field synthesis system is achieved by ascertaining the aliasing filter property specific for a virtual source. This aliasing filter property, which, for example, may be the aliasing frequency is ascertained by help of the source position information. This aliasing filter property is used for an adaptive anti-aliasing filter for adaptive filtering of the audio signal associated with the source or the component signals associated with the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Joachim Deguara, René Rodigast
  • Publication number: 20120328128
    Abstract: A method for artificially reproducing an output signal of a non-linear time invariant system includes the steps of inserting an input signal of exponential sine sweep type in the non-linear time invariant system, acquiring an output signal of the non-linear time invariant system corresponding to the input signal, obtaining a mathematical function that characterizes the non-linear time invariant system on the basis of the output signal and applying the mathematical function to a further signal to obtain a still further signal which reproduces the output signal that would be obtained from the non-linear time invariant system if it were driven by the further signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA' DI BOLOGNA
    Inventors: Lamberto Tronchin, Andrea Venturi
  • Patent number: 8213640
    Abstract: There is described a hearing device especially for musicians. For this purpose a hearing device is proposed, in whose housing a music device is integrated with which tones or signals can be emitted via the signal processor and the loudspeaker to the hearing device wearer. This music device can, for example, be a tuner with tone pitch analysis or sound playback, a metronome and/or a tone pitch processing unit. A remote control for receiving pieces of music and for playback via a hearing device may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Chalupper, George Kobrick, Reinier Kortekaas
  • Patent number: 8204254
    Abstract: An amplifier is provided using digital potentiometer integrated circuits to control the tone of a vacuum tube preamplifier allowing digital control of the analog signal path of the amplifier. Using digital potentiometer integrated circuits to control the tone of a vacuum tube preamplifier results in an amplifier that preserves the unique tone quality of a vacuum tube amplifier that offers the flexibility, versatility, and user-friendly features of a digitally controlled amplifier, such as the ability to save and recall amplifier settings. The amplifier of the present invention is especially applicable for use with musical instruments such as for example, electric guitars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Donelson Arthur Shannon
  • Patent number: 8194893
    Abstract: A portable in-ear audio monitor system for a musician having reduced and simplified overall parts. The in-ear audio system providing the musician with time saving setup and teardown instrumentation for a performance. The invention provides an improved method and apparatus to allow a musician precise monitoring, more movement about stage, reduction in cables needed and improved simplicity of pre-performance setup of equipment. It eliminates the need for a hip pack, distribution box and wedge speaker providing a single cable system having a small and simple splitter jack for the headset and the instrument. Direct ‘in-ear’ monitoring is provided via a monitor box, having line level or speaker level input signals from a sound monitor, and feeding a headphone without using a wired or wireless hip pack. Monitor signal radio interference and noise is greatly reduced. Headset volume control is provided along with an optional reverb and/or sound equalizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Peter G. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8189812
    Abstract: Bass frequencies of audio can be boosted using various techniques and tools. The described techniques and tools can be applied separately or in combination. For example, bass frequencies of audio can be boosted using an integer bass boost filter by receiving user-settable parameters, such as “c” and “s” coefficients, and implementing the integer bass boost filter using a coupled form structure implementation and the user-settable parameters. Bass frequencies of audio can also be boosted using an integer bass boost filter that is configured to use any of plural coupled form structure implementations. Bass frequencies of audio can be also be boosted using a linear combination of an input audio signal and output of a high-pass filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Serge Smirnov, Qunli Li, James D. Johnston, John Bregar
  • Patent number: 8121300
    Abstract: A drum accessory comprising a housing for attaching to a drum; a microprocessor disposed in the housing; an audio gate circuit disposed in the housing and operatively connected to the microprocessor and operatively connected to a microphone; and a drum trigger sensor operatively connected to the microprocessor, the drum trigger positioned to touch an edge of the drumhead of the drum; wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive a first input signal from the drum trigger sensor when the drum trigger sensor detects that the drum is hit, wherein upon receipt of the first input signal the microprocessor generates a first output command to the audio gate circuit to activate the audio gate circuit to allow transmission of an audio signal from the microphone to an output location; wherein the audio gate circuit is set to automatically deactivate after a predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph A. LoDuca, JoAnne LoDuca
  • Patent number: 8084679
    Abstract: An electronic signal processor for processing signals includes a complex first filter, one or more gain stages and a second filter. The first filter is characterized by a frequency response curve that includes multiple corner frequencies, with some corner frequencies being user selectable. The first filter also has at least two user-preset gain levels which may be alternately selected by a switch. Lower frequency signals are processed by the first filter with at least 12 db/octave slope, and preferably with 18 db/octave slope to minimize intermodulation distortion products by subsequent amplification in the gain stages. A second filter provides further filtering and amplitude control. The signal processor is particularly suited for processing audio frequency signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffrey Arnold
  • Patent number: 8085954
    Abstract: A microphone amplifier arrangement comprises at least one microphone input connected to a dual output microphone pre-amplifier having an input resistance comprising a first resistance and a second resistance in a first voltage-to-voltage mode of operation, and only the second resistance in a second current-to-voltage mode of operation. A first output is operably coupled to a first feedback path comprising a V2V feedback resistor; and a second output is operably coupled to a second feedback path comprising an I2V feedback resistor. In this manner, the microphone amplifier arrangement is arranged to support both a V2V microphone amplifier and a low-noise I2V microphone amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Ludovic Oddoart, Jerome Enjalbert
  • Patent number: 8063294
    Abstract: A combining housing has first, second and third connectors. A music player has a first line adapted to be coupled to the first connector. A special effects box has a second line adapted to be coupled to the second connector. Earphones have a third line adapted to be coupled to the third connector. A musical instrument has a supplemental line adapted to be coupled to the special effects box. Positive, negative and ground wires are within each of the lines and continue within the combining housing. An electrical assembly includes the positive, negative and ground wires. The positive lines are coupled together within the combining housing forming a first junction. The negative wires are coupled together within the combining housing forming a second junction. The ground wires are coupled together within the housing forming a third junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen W. Amberg, II
  • Patent number: 8031886
    Abstract: In a mixer system having a digital mixer having functions of processing an audio signal in an input channel and outputting the signal via an ST bus, and a PC executing a DAW application realizing a function of plural tracks to record waveform data, a WET button corresponding to the input channel is provided to the digital mixer to select a DRY mode for inputting signal which is inputted from outside the device to the input channel, to the ST bus without sending the signal to the DAW application, or a WET mode for inputting signal which are inputted from outside the device to input channel, to the ST bus after sending the signal to the DAW application for processing and being sent back to the digital mixer, in response to a pressing of the WET button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Takahisa Kageyama, Tatsuya Umeo, Atsushi Fukada
  • Patent number: 8031885
    Abstract: A preamplifier arrangement for a drum microphone, in which drum the microphone is arranged inside the drum and wherein the microphone is connected to a preamplifier, characterized in that the preamplifier is secured to the side wall or bottom of the resonance chamber of the drum via a mounting arrangement comprising a threaded part, which is fastened to the preamplifier and fitted through a hole in the side wall or bottom, and a counterpart for it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: B-Band Oy
    Inventor: Heikki Raisanen
  • Publication number: 20110211713
    Abstract: A combination pickup, multi-effects processor and amplifying apparatus that is attachable, and detachable to an acoustical guitar and does enable a player of an acoustic guitar to produce, modify and amplify a myriad of sounds, and tones that are normally associated with that of an electrical guitar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventor: Eric Cavallo-Romano
  • Patent number: 7957546
    Abstract: A multi-channel noise reduction system provides improved noise reduction with direct instrument tracking of all channels. In a two channel noise reduction system, both channels detect and track the input level and dynamic range of the guitar directly with one channel of dynamic noise reduction between the guitar and the input of a guitar amplifier to eliminate the noise of the instrument and another channel of noise reduction connected in the effects loop of the guitar amplifier. Multiple channels of noise reduction can be implemented with separated threshold controls and with low level expansion and dynamic filtering being combined so as to detect and track the input level and dynamic range of the guitar directly. A buffer amplifier can be used to feed the direct guitar signal to the detectors of the noise reduction system and the input of a stereo guitar system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: James K. Waller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7932458
    Abstract: An electronic signal processor for processing signals includes a complex first filter, one or more gain stages and a second filter. The first filter is characterized by a frequency response curve that includes multiple corner frequencies, with some corner frequencies being user selectable. The first filter also has at least two user-preset gain levels which may be alternately selected by a switch. Lower frequency signals are processed by the first filter with at least 12 db/octave slope, and preferably with 18 db/octave slope to minimize intermodulation distortion products by subsequent amplification in the gain stages. A second filter provides further filtering and amplitude control. The signal processor is particularly suited for processing audio frequency signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffrey Arnold
  • Patent number: 7919704
    Abstract: A talk assisting system has a vibration sensor for detecting tones produced through a musical instrument and a signal interrupter connected between a microphone and a sound system; while a player is fingering a music tune on the musical instrument, pieces of vibration data express a wide amplitude of the vibrations, and a tone discriminator changes a state signal to an active high level; and the signal interrupter is responsive to the state signal so as to block the sound system from the voice signal, whereby the tones are not mixed with the voice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Haruki Uehara
  • Patent number: 7912233
    Abstract: A speaker system for a musical instrument that detects the displacement of a voice coil of a speaker and provides feedback processing. The speaker system has a preamp that alters the frequency characteristics of the an electrical signal that has been input to an input terminal, and a power amplifier that amplifies the electrical signal. A speaker is driven by the power amplifier and a feedback unit detects the displacement of the speaker and provides a feedback signal to the power amplifier. The power amplifier amplifies the electrical signal in conformance with the output of the preamp and the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Takagi, Kosuke Takata
  • Patent number: 7888577
    Abstract: A musical instrument amplification system comprising a footswitch and a main amplification device, its control panel having a variety of controls, such as switches, sliders, dials and the like allowing the user to set a variety of parameters for amplification. A remote footswitch having several controls is connected to the front-panel, the controls may be assigned either to a set of specific amplification parameters, or to the control for a particular parameter, allowing the performer improved access to the amplifier controls whilst performing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Marshall Amplification PLC
    Inventor: Santiago Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20110033066
    Abstract: A device comprising a circular shaped resonating chamber having an upper resonating chamber and a lower resonating chamber, which are joined together by a sound board, the sound board divides said upper resonating chamber and said lower resonating chamber, wherein one or more speakers are mounted to the sound board, the sound board has one or more breather holes, the upper resonating chamber has one or more exit holes for the sound to escape, and a base member for holding the circular shaped resonating chamber, the base member is a guitar amplifier, and the resonating chamber allows the sound waves to travel from the speaker to resonate sound into the sound board and out through the circular shaped structured walls outward in a 360 degree radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: James Siegrist
  • Publication number: 20100260347
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: Lloyd R. Baggs
  • Patent number: 7787634
    Abstract: Musical distortion circuits are presented, typically for use with electric guitars, other electronic musical instruments or other sources of audio signals. In one embodiment, the musical distortion circuits of the present disclosure include a non-limiting clipping section. In one embodiment, the musical distortion circuits of the present disclosure include a waveshaping section. In some embodiments, the musical distortion circuits additionally include pre- or post-distortion or pre- or post-clipping sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Philip Young Dahl
  • Patent number: 7742609
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Gibson Guitar Corp.
    Inventors: Nathan Yeakel, Jeffrey Vallier
  • Patent number: 7678985
    Abstract: An electronic module has an enclosure which is mechanically and electrically compatible with a plurality of receiving devices such as amplifiers, computers, mixer consoles, and musical instruments. The module has a programmable control panel and display on the enclosure and an electronic circuit disposed within the enclosure and receiving user commands from the control panel and displaying configuration information on the display. The electronic circuit performs a variety of functions for each of the receiving devices by way of a digital signal processor, synthesizer for generating a programmable audio signal in response to a data stream, storage device for storing musical information in a digital format, and playback device for retrieval and playback of the stored musical information. An audio output is coupled for transferring the programmable audio signal to or from the receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Adams, Dale V. Curtis, Jeremy A. Brieske, Lawrence E. Lorenzen
  • Publication number: 20090323988
    Abstract: An audio frequency variable-impedance instrument-level to professional-level audio interface with balanced DC power, comprising a unique arrangement of electronic elements, consisting of the musical instrument-level signal splitter with professional-level audio output interface 10, the professional-level signal splitter to instrument-level interface 12 and the power supply with regulation, innovative new DC balancing and power distribution 14. The innovation of balanced DC power effectively cancels the unwanted power supply noise on professional audio electronics giving greatly improved distortion and lower noise specifications over previous designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: Alexander George Welti
  • Patent number: 7636448
    Abstract: A system and method for recording and reproducing three-dimensional sound events using a discretized, integrated macro-micro sound volume for reproducing a 3D acoustical matrix that reproduces sound including natural propagation and reverberation. The system and method may include sound modeling and synthesis that may enable sound to be reproduced as a volumetric matrix. The volumetric matrix may be captured, transferred, reproduced, or otherwise processed, as a spatial spectra of discretely reproduced sound events with controllable macro-micro relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Verax Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Metcalf
  • Publication number: 20090268927
    Abstract: The invention fuse is a new type of guitar amplifier. This new amp allows for digital chips to be plugged into the amp and to be played. The amp processes the digital chips and guitar player can play whatever is stored on digital chips. This allows for the buying of chips to play whatever is liked and the amp processes the digital chips that store the amp sounds when guitar is played. The digital chips store sounds that are plugged into the amp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventor: Theodoros Asimakopoulos
  • Patent number: 7602927
    Abstract: An amplifier for electric guitar including a plurality of foot switch selectable preamplifier channels which can be set to provide differing sonic characteristics, and also including a power amplifier section for driving a loudspeaker that can be switched between at least two different power or performance capabilities. User operable switching dedicated to at least one of the preamplifier channels is provided to select preferred power amplifier parameters in conjunction with differing channel voicings. Thus, differing preferred power amplifier characteristics may be pre-set and assigned to individual preamplifier channels and called up automatically in conjunction with the remote channel selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Mesa/Boogie, Ltd.
    Inventor: Randall C. Smith
  • Patent number: 7522735
    Abstract: An electronic circuit for adding the effects of reverberation to a high impedance signal produced from an external audio source such as a guitar pickup or a high impedance microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Inventor: Timothy Dale Van Tassel
  • Publication number: 20090080677
    Abstract: A stringed instrument and preamplifier combination where the preamplifier simulates the sound of analog tube amplifiers, and contains only solid state active devices. The preamplifier uses a diode branch with the diode biased into its forward active region and as a non-linear resistive element to provide signal-modulated gain on the operational amplifier gain stage. An alternative embodiment supplements the diode branch with series and parallel resistors as additional design optimization parameters. Another alternative embodiment adds symmetrical output clipping diodes to simulate a vacuum tube push-pull output independently of the diode branch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Stephen P. Webster, Craig A. Small
  • Patent number: 7499558
    Abstract: A digital mixer includes a plurality of channel strips respectively having rotary encoders in a console, stores a plurality of layers that determine assignments of a channel to each of the channel strips, and assigns a channel to each of the channel strips in accordance with a layer selected among the plurality of layers. Further, the digital mixer is configured to be able to assign to each of the rotary encoder a parameter of a channel assigned to a channel strip to which the rotary encoder belongs in a reverse layer of a selected layer, assuming that there is an obverse-reverse correspondence between a (2n?1)-th and a 2n-th layer among the plurality of layers for a natural number n, and to change the value of the parameter in accordance with operation of the rotary encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Terry Holton
  • Patent number: 7492914
    Abstract: A system is provided for receiving audio signals from a plurality of microphones and transferring the audio signals via a common composite signal channel to a receiving unit, such as a mixing console. The system has at least two satellite units, each having a microphone signal input, a composite signal channel input and summing means for summing a microphone signal and a composite signal. The system further has a master unit with a composite signal channel input, and signal converting means for converting said composite signal into a master signal, which is provided to the receiving unit via a master signal output. In the system, each satellite unit is connected to the common composite signal channel, such that the microphone signal received at the respective satellite unit, is added to the composite signal, which is fed to the master unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Arva Trade
    Inventor: Olof Arvidsson
  • Patent number: 7483541
    Abstract: In a digital mixer including a display, cursor controls, an increase/decrease control, and a plurality of channel strips for controlling parameters of input channels associated therewith, on a control panel, the channel strips each having a selection switch, an assignment switch is provided for assigning any one parameter among the parameters of the input channel to the increase/decrease control, so that where operation of the increase/decrease control is detected, when no selection switch has been operated, a value of a parameter displayed at the position of the cursor is changed in accordance with the operation of the increase/decrease control, while when any selection switch has been operated, a value of a parameter assigned to the increase/decrease control among parameters of an input channel corresponding to a channel strip having the selection switch is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Hagiwara
  • Publication number: 20080212801
    Abstract: The invention relates to an amplifier for musical instruments, particularly a guitar amplifier, comprising at least one channel and at least one electronic memory for set parameter values such as delay, reverb, chorus, flanger, tremolo, treble, middle, bass, volume and the like. According to the invention, means are provided with which the storage of the parameter values of at least one channel, preferably of all channels, can be automatically carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Stamer Muslkanlagen GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Schneider
  • Patent number: 7420112
    Abstract: A digital media communications and control system includes a plurality of audio devices each of which includes a device interface module for communication of digital media data and control data from at least one of the devices to at least one other of the devices. A universal data link is operatively connected to each of the device interface modules. The device interface modules and universal data links are operative in combination to connect the devices together in the system and provide full duplex communication of the digital media data and control data between the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Gibson Guitar Corp.
    Inventors: Henry E. Juszkiewicz, Nathan W. Yeakel, Shri Amit, Thomas L. Sherman, Richard A. Frantz, Jason S. Flaks
  • Publication number: 20080205669
    Abstract: The invention concerns a sound pickup device for acoustic instrument (10), preferably a string instrument, in particular a plucked string instrument, such as an acoustic guitar, stroke or struck string instrument. Said device is characterized in that it comprises: at least two overhead microphones (1, 2) designed to be positioned above the instrument (10), outside the instrument (10), wherein said microphones (1, 2) are large bandwidth microphones one of which constitutes a preferably low frequency sensor, the other preferably a high frequency sensor in such a way that a wide spectrum of bass and trebles is covered; and at least another relay box (6) whereto each microphone (1, 2) is connected, said relay box (6) being adapted to transport sounds in parallel receiving, in parallel, in input, the signals of the microphones (1, 2) and being adapted to transmit, in parallel, in output, by wire our wireless connection to a mixing console or to a preamplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Gerard Claude Michelet