Abstract: Techniques are provided for a completely programmable fluidic manipulation without requiring any external control elements or electricity. A chip includes multiple microfluidic channels separated from an outside of the chip by an outer flexible substrate. An apparatus includes a plurality of actuators rotatably connected to a support structure with a recess for receiving the chip. Each actuator includes a plurality of teeth protruding outward, and is positioned so that at least in some angle of rotation a tooth of the actuator extends sufficiently into the recess to compress a microfluidic channel in a chip disposed in the recess. An optional punch card guide is included for guiding a card to contact the actuators. A system or kit includes a punch card on which is formed a plurality of punch features, each configured to engage a tooth of an actuator. Different microfluidic protocols are executed by simply changing the punch card.

Abstract: A music box includes a bedplate, a plurality of projections, a driving mechanism, an enclosure, a first member, and a second member. The bedplate is fixedly provided with a plurality of vibration reeds. One or more projections are provided to correspond to each of the plurality of vibration reeds. The driving mechanism is configured to drive the plurality of projections. The enclosure accommodates therein the bedplate and the driving mechanism and comprising a resonant plate. The first member is fixed to the resonant plate of the enclosure and the bedplate accommodated in the enclosure. The second member is provided between the driving mechanism and the enclosure.

Abstract: A musical device for generating music using a tape loop having a plurality of holes a mechanism, which includes a plurality of guide rollers for defining a tape path, for transporting the tape loop along the tape path. A unit for generating music using the plurality of holes in the tape loop is disposed in the tape path. The musical device also includes a device for hindering movement of the tape loop to fold the tape loop.

Abstract: A Digital Recording Center having a removable playback module for permanently capturing a human voice or other sounds into a compact module for playback within a greeting card or photograph. A recording center having a microphone (or other audio input device) is used to record a brief message, in a digital fashion, for loading into a playback module. Before loading the message into the playback module, the customer may listen through a speaker to determine if his message as recorded sounds proper. If the temporarily recorded message is in good form, the customer activates a transfer command button and the message is non-volatilely stored in the removable playback module. The playback module may be placed into a compartment within a greeting card or picture, ornament, a stuffed animal or doll, or even a dog tag.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for ecoding data in MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) format on an audio compact disc without affecting the digitized sound stored in the main channel by utilizing what is known as the subcode channel of the compact disc which is reserved for information other than digitized compact disc audio data. The invention is directed to a technique for converting MIDI information generated by a MIDI source (for example, a keyboard or sequencer) into subcode data which may be recorded on a transportable floppy diskettes or other transportable media for subsequent conversion to signals which are input to a compact disc encoder which places the MIDI information into the subcode channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an analog audio signal and a speed control signal for a disk drive for use with a microprocessor having a RAM which provides a video signal for a raster scanned display. Direct addressing to the RAM is used during horizontal blanking periods to allow data to be read from the RAM and used to generate the audio and speed control signals. The data is updated during the blanking periods. The speed control signal to the disk controller varies as a function of track (radius).

Abstract: An integral music system for use in association with all chromatically scaled musical instruments comprising an improved graphic keyboard design utilized in various mechanical, electric and over-keyboard embodiments, and a cooperative improved hexaline scoring method utilizing octave-designating noteforms, and a cooperative improved graphic referencing method utilizing color, symbol and tactual coding means. The improved graphic keyboard design has essentially coextensive alternately arranged, uniformly narrowed and widened keys. The improved hexaline scoring method has one or more six-line staffs which respectively utilize eight distinct noteforms to provide an eight-octave compass for each staff. The improved graphic referencing method has code formats which correlate the lines and spaces of the improved scoring method with the keying means of the various instruments. The invention additionally comprehends manual and computer assisted methods for converting existing music into the improved scoring format.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument of the sampling type is provided. The electronic musical instrument comprises a memory having a plurality of storage areas, and operates in one of full sampling, part sampling, full play and part play modes. Sampling data of waveform of a tone are stored into addresses of all the storage areas in the full sampling mode, and are stored into addresses of one of the storage areas in the part sampling mode. Thus, only one waveform is sampled and stored in the full sampling mode, whereas a plurality of waveforms can be sampled and stored in the part sampling mode. In the full play mode, the whole sampling data are read from the storage areas to form a tone, so that the tone can have a complicated waveform if the sampling data have been stored in the memory in the part sampling mode.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument for reproducing chords in a fixed interval scale, know as Tru-Scale, without overtone collision. The instrument includes a memory for storing of frequency information corresponding to respective notes for producing tones using the Tru-Scale interval system. The inventive instrument reproduces single notes and chords in accordance with an interval system which eliminates dissonance, allows complete modulation, in all key signatures, and pure tone chords without altering the keyboard. The invention also contemplates the use of the Tru-Scale frequencies with all MIDI interface compatible instruments, in conjunction with a suitable tone generator, or through internal or external memory sources.

Abstract: A sound generating outer garment, such as a suit, a coat, or a jacket, includes switches and a sound generating circuit. The switches are connected to the sound generating circuit, and both the switches and the sound generating circuit are mounted in the garment. The sound generating circuit produces a sound or sounds in response to the actuation of one or more of the switches. Preferably, a switch is positioned at each shoulder and at each elbow of a coat or a jacket and at each knee of a pair of pants. The sound generating outer garment may also include a transmitter for transmitting the sound or sounds that are produced to an AM or FM receiver. Each switch may include a flexible and conductive first outer lamina and a flexible and insulating second outer lamina. Interposed between the two outer laminas is a resilient insulating cushion. The cushion has a number of holes formed through its thickness.

Abstract: For imparting a sostenuto effect to a series of sounds produced by key depressions successively repeated in an electronic musical instrument, a searching device searches a first memory device for a first memory channel which has already stored a note information identical with the note information produced on the basis of the repeated key depression, and, then a setting device is actuated in the presence of aforementioned first channel and operative to copy the sostenuto information indicative of the instruction of imparting the sostenuto effect from a second channel paired with aforementioned first channel having already stored the identical note information to the second channel paired with another first channel where the note information produced by the repeated key depression is newly stored, thereby imparting the sostenuto effect between tones produced by repeated key depressions.

Abstract: A key scaling apparatus includes a reference data input device which is operated by a user of an electronic musical instrument to designate at least three different key numbers together with respective key scaling data for those key numbers. When a key number is supplied from a play input device such as a keyboard in the electronic musical instrument, an interpolator computes key scaling data for that key number from the data designated by the reference data input device. The computed key scaling data serve to control a tone parameter such as an envelope level which is then used in a tone generator to develop a tone for that key number. Accordingly, a satisfactory key scaling response is obtained over the entire pitch range of keyboard.

Abstract: An input waveform signal is converted into a digital peak value signal by an A/D converter, and the digital peak value signal is input to one input terminal A of a comparator. The other input terminal B of the comparator receives a preset digital peak value signal from a memory. These input signals are compared by the comparator. The content of the memory is reduced at a predetermined rate. If the comparator detects that the currently input waveform level is larger than the continuously reduced level of the memory, i.e., if A>B, a new waveform level is loaded in the memory. As a result, the output from the comparator is inverted. That is, condition A>B is changed into condition A<B. The timing of this change in condition serves as a peak timing of the input waveform signal.

Abstract: In storing digital tone waveshape data in a waveshape memory, sampled tone waveshape data is stored in the memory by previously elevating the level of frequency components in a predetermined high frequency region. This predetermined high frequency region corresponds to a frequency region to which quantization noise components belong. The tone waveshape data stored in the waveshape memory in this manner has the signal level of the component of the region including the quantization noise components reinforced as compared with the original tone waveshape. The tone waveshape data read out from the waveshape memory is applied to a filter of a characteristic which restrains the level of the component in the predetermined high frequency region. The level of the quantization noise components belonging to the predetermined high frequency region contained in the tone waveshape data thereby is restrained.

Abstract: Calculations by an envelope circuit and a waveform calculation circuit, which are principal functions of an electronic musical instrument, can be performed by the same calculation routine through use of the same general formula A=B.+-.C.times.D. Accordingly, their circuit structures are substantially simplified and the circuits can be fabricated as a one-chip large scale integrated circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved musical cube. The cube includes circuitry mounted within its cubical housing with the circuitry including three two-axis switches with each such switch having a central open position and two positions, one to either side of the central position, each side position of which closes a particular unique sub-circuit. The three switches are mounted in the housing in mutually perpendicular relation and the switches combine to control the operation of six sub-circuits. In the operation of the improved musical cube, a read-only memory and synthesizer device are incorporated into a circuit with the read-only memory being pre-programmed with a distinct musical sequence for each of the six sub-circuits.

Abstract: A composition or a series of notes to be transposed are introduced with mathematical data into the memory (11) of a computer (1). A calculator (12) works out the data and a control unit (13) actuates an optical (4) or acoustical (3) output device. All the series of notes received and calculated may be addressed by the computer to a memory (5) external to the computer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dream retrieval method and system including the physiological monitoring of a sleeping subject, the analysis of recurring behavioral parameters, the application of suitable algorithms to the observed parameters and, subject stimulation in response to algorithm deductions. In the preferred embodiment, gross body motions and postural changes are both analyzed in magnitude and regularity. Upon recognizing recurring body motions indicative of a dream cycle, the device establishes a time window during which the completion of the next dream should occur. If physiological behavior indicative of dreaming is discovered within the time window, the subject is awakened. As a result of this timely awakening, the subject obtains greater dream recall than is normally possible and may optionally record dream content.

Abstract: A tone control apparatus for use in an electronic musical instrument is responsive to an easily accessible switch such as a foot-lever switch to control conditions of muscial tone which include, for example, a tone pitch, a tone color, a tone volume and a tone effect. The tone control apparatus has a keyboard for designating a frequency of a musical tone to be generated and a musical tone generating circuit for generating a musical tone having a frequency designated by the keyboard. The tone control apparatus further has a memory for storing a plurality of groups of tone control data. Each time the foot-lever switch is operated by the performer, one of the tone control data group is read and supplied to the musical tone generating circuit to control the conditions of the generating musical tone. In a first mode, the plurality of tone control data groups are sequentially read in synchronization with the operations of the foot-lever switch.

Abstract: Musical information is analyzed in terms of pitch and/or amplitude to provide an output which is useful in controlling musical synthesizers but may have other applications also. By controlling music synthesizers, synthesized sounds may be played in synchronism with source music. Detection of musical gestures occurs in the present improved method, a musical gesture being the onset or cessation of individual notes comprising a musical performance or the like. The method comprises measuring at selected points in time the pitch and/or amplitude of the musical signal, calculating the change in pitch and amplitude at intervals, calculating the change of said changes in pitch and/or amplitude at intervals, comparing these change of changes to threshold values, and providing the change of changes in pitch and/or amplitude exceeds the threshold, generating a signal signifying the onset of the musical gesture.

Abstract: A peripheral control circuit for a computer system. Independent control and interface circuits are provided for left and right audio channels, for a communications port, for storage media, and for joysticks or paddles. Control logic is provided for direct memory access to system memory and for interrupts to the processor by each of the peripherals. Sound data corresponding to a sound waveform during a particular time period is fetched using DMA or interrupts. Registers store data for selecting the output rate of the sound data, the length of the sound waveform, and the volume of the sound waveform. Four audio channels and two separate audio ports are provide.

Abstract: A foot-operated, bass drum pedal assembly is provided, and it includes: a base in the form of a metal plate, a first drum beater, a support for the beater mounted on the base, and a pedal pivotally mounted to the base and operatively connected to the beater to pivot same as the pedal is pivoted by the drummer's foot, and structure located proximate the pedal to sense downward movement of the pedal to predetermined downward position, and to produce an electrical signal usable to effect production of phenomena corresponding to a drum beat.

Abstract: An electronic stringed instrument includes a mode selecting section for selectively setting a normal play mode and at least one other selection mode. When picking of a string under a pitch designation operation status is performed after the normal play mode is selected by the mode selecting section, generation of a musical tone with the designated pitch can be started. When picking of a string also under the pitch designation operation status is performed after another selection mode is selected by the mode selecting section, a desired musical tone parameter such as a timbre corresponding to the designated pitch or a rhythm pattern can be easily set. The content of the set musical tone parameter can be confirmed by a sound.

Abstract: A tone source system for a superior electronic musical instrument suitable for an LSI application in which the wave data can be provided in a time division multiplex form, or the envelope data can be provided in a time division multiplex form in a synchronous relationship with it, and the wave data to which the envelopes are attached can be provided in a time division multiplex form through multiplication of the data.

Abstract: A musical tone signal is synthesized on the basis of a predetermined modulation operation (e.g. an FM or AM operation) employing a modulating signal and a carrier signal respectively having an audio range frequency. The modulating wave signal and/or carrier signal is derived by reading out a predetermined waveshape signal from a waveshape table in accordance with progressive phase angle data. The value of the waveshape signal read out from the waveshape table is modified in a specified phase section. This modification is effected by applying a simple operation such as gating, shifting or selecting to the phase angle data addressing the waveshape table or to the waveshape signal read out from the waveshape table. The modified waveshape signal is utilized in a predetermined modulation operation as the modulating wave signal and/or carrier signal.

Abstract: A tone generating apparatus comprises at least an address generator, a waveform memory and a sound system. The waveform memory provides a plurality of storing areas each of which stores word data of N bits. Amplitude data of M bits (where M denotes as N<M.ltoreq.1.5N) of two sampling points are pre-stored in these storing areas in order to raise the utility efficiency of the waveform memory. Then, the word data stored in each storing area are sequentially read out from the waveform memory in a predetermined order based on the addresses generated by the address generator, and the amplitude data of two sampling points are reproduced by use of three word data stored in three storing areas. As a result, the tone corresponding to the reproduced amplitude data is generated in the sound system.

Abstract: A sound synthesizing circuit has means for synthesizing sound digital data in a pitch period of a sound to be synthesized and means for producing a sound analog signal according to the synthesized sound digital data. The synthesized sound digital data are sequentially transferred to the producing means according to a sequential sampling pulse. The sequential sampling pulse has a predetermined interval and a corrected interval different from the predetermined interval in one pitch period of a sound to be synthesized. Thus, a sound of good quality with an arbitrary interval can be synthesized in a wide scale by a simple hardware integrated circuit in a small semiconductor chip.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument has a memory capable of storing musical tone waveform data therein. A read circuit reads out the musical tone waveform data from the memory and supplies the readout data to a musical tone generator. The musical tone generator generates a musical tone signal in accordance with the input musical tone waveform data, and outputs the musical tone signal. A write circuit writes new data in the memory at a timing different from the timing at which the read circuit reads out the musical tone waveform data from the memory. The write circuit partially updates the musical tone waveform data stored in the memory, and stores data of a played sound in part of the memory.

Abstract: A melody producing candle in which an Integrated Circuit (IC) placed within the candle is activated upon kindling of the wick to produce music. The candle stops playing music once the flame is put out. The invention is provided with a light reflector which allows adjustment of sensitivity of the candle to light.

Abstract: The present invention is a light producing ball which produces a light in one or more areas of the ball depending upon the orientation of the ball with respect to gravity. A tone generator and speaker are included with the ball to provide unique audio tones for each orientation of the device. Switches and timers are provided to control the volume output and rate of generation of tones and light signals by movement of the ball through a predetermined series of positions, thereby obviating the need for external switches. Automatic turn-on and shut-off is provided to increase power source life.

Abstract: A real-time polyphonic pitch controller and process for controlling notes or tones emanating from signal synthesizers such as used in the performance of music. The controller comprises a body with key controllers, each of which activates a pre-programmed note; a strumming controller which automatically activates selected key controlled notes in a pre-programmed sequence and rate; and controls and displays used for programming and performance. Extending longitudinally from the body is a guitar-like neck graduated by fret markings and over which slides a hand controller incorporating finger levers. Sliding the hand controller creates portamento, vibrato or glissando effects on the notes activated by the key controllers. Also, each finger lever of the hand controller when depressed raises and/or lowers its own peculiar, pre-programmed combination of individually voiced notes by pre-programmed amounts.

Abstract: A plurality of waveshapes of different characteristics are stored in a waveshape memory among which a waveshape to be read out is selected in accordance with a selected tone color or elapse of time and data of the selected waveshape is read out. At least one waveshape among the waveshapes stored in the waveshape memory is coded in a coding form different from one used for the other waveshapes. For matching characteristics of each individual waveshape, waveshapes are coded according to respectively suitable coding forms such, for example, that one waveshape is coded according to the pulse code modulation system, another waveshape according to the differential pulse code modulation system and still another waveshape according to the delta modulation system. The waveshape data read out from the waveshape memory is converted in its code to a predetermined common coding form (e.g. PCM).

Abstract: A tone generator includes a plurality of tone generation channels each comprising one or more operation channels. One operation channel performs basic operation of a tone signal computing operation (e.g., FM or AM) and a tone signal is generated by using one or more operation channels for one tone generation channel. Tone generation channels in the tone generator are established according to a selected performance mode. In a first mode, the operation channels are divided into N groups and N tone generation channels are established in correspondence to the respective operation channel groups. In a second mode, the operation channels are divided into M groups and M tone generation channels are established in correspondence to the respective operation channel groups wherein N is a different number from M. Tone generation channels of the number required according to the selected performance mode can be established by efficiently utilizing the operation channels of a limited number.

Abstract: A waveshape memory stores waveshape data representing plural waveshapes each having plural periods. A reading sequence controller designates ones to be read out among said waveshape data from the waveshape memory and the readout order thereof. This order may either be a random order or a predetermined one. By performing the readout of the waveshape data, repetitive reading of the same waveshape data is basically avoided, and a periodical noise and monotonousness in the tone color which tend to arise from such repetitive reading are eliminated.

Abstract: An electronic source synthesizer that employs frequency modulation. Wave-form data of both a fundamental wave and a modulated wave are stored in a RAM as 6-bit digital data. A sine wave signal is produced by modulation wave frequency data and the wave-form data from the RAM. The sine wave signal is multiplied with amplitude data of the modulation wave to obtain the modulation index data (J(t)). The frequency data (w.sub.c) of the fundamental wave and the modulation index data are multiplied. A result of the multiplication provides a read out address of the RAM for storing the wave-form data of the fundamental wave, thereby changing the read out speed of the RAM. The digital data read out from the RAM is converted to an analog sound signal by a D/A converter. Amplitude data (A) of the fundamental wave is pulse-width modulated, and the digital data from the RAM is gated by the modulated pulse. Thus the output of the D/A converter is activated and, forms a sound signal represented by the equation e=A sin J(t) w.

Abstract: A musical tone generating apparatus for an electronic musical instrument utilizing a data compression system is disclosed. This musical tone generating apparatus is basically constructed by a memory storing difference data and a data reproduction circuit. The difference data is in advance obtained by converting a musical tone signal to be reproduced to digital sample data, effecting a linear prediction operation on the digital sample data to produce prediction data and calculating the difference between the digital sample data and the prediction data. The stored difference data are sequentially read from the memory. In the data reproduction circuit, the musical tone signal is reproduced by effecting a reverse operation of the linear prediction operation on the read difference data.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes a waveshape generator which generates first and second waveshapes having a pitch corresponding to a designated note. The first waveshape represents a complete waveshape produced by a certain musical instrument under a certain extreme condition (e.g., the hardest key touch). The second waveshape represents a complete waveshape produced by the same musical instrument under another extreme condition (e.g., the softest key touch). The electronic musical instrument further includes an interpolator which interpolates the first and second waveshapes in accordance with a playing condition (e.g., the strength of key touch) and produces and interpolated new waveshape as a waveshape of a musical tone to be produced. The introduction of this interpolator enables any waveshape under an intermediate condition to produce by preparing only two waveshapes under the two extreme conditions.

Abstract: A new type of musical instrument and performance apparatus is disclosed and is used with the special performing art called "Instrument dance", "instrument exercise" or "instrument boxing" etc. The instrument comprises a floor keyboard, on which the performer can either dance and produce switching signals with his or her feet, hand or hand hammer in accordance with the intention of the performer. In addition, a similar wall keyboard is provided along with a multi-color system and an electronic organ circuit. The performer can play on the floor keyboard while at the same time adjusting with ease the tone, timbre, volume and color, to thereby achieve the multiple artistic effect of a single performer producing the shape, sound, light and color of the performance.

Abstract: Described is a digital electronic device which selectively intercepts and reroutes the serial data being transmitted between digital music instruments interacting via the MIDI signal standard. Simultaneously, the device performs either transposition or control increment operations by incrementing (or decrementing) only those data bytes which are MIDI addresses of either musical keys or selected controls, (e.g., controls pertaining to volume, pitch bend, tremolo, tone duration, and the like) respectively. The device when equipped with logic gates can operate even faster than a microprocessor-based device performing the same functions, and no programming is required. In fact, a preferred device of the invention built with logic gates and other components available now is capable of operating at 250 kilobaud which is 8 times as fast as the present MIDI baud rate.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a control unit which is freely moveable in space is equipped with three sensors to measure motion (e.g. velocity, acceleration, or the time derivative of acceleration) along three substantially orthogonal axes. The sensors may be meter movements configured to output motion signals indicative of their movement in free space, which signals are amplified, digitized, processed by a microprocessor to detect relative minima and maxima. Processed motion signals are converted to standard MIDI control signals for controlling an electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: A covering member of keyboard prepared by separately fixing the push button elements to a base plate instead of integral molding is disclosed in which the plate has openings arranged conforming to the pattern of the fixed contact points on the circuit board. Fixing is carried out by using a silicone rubber-based adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive optionally with the aid of tailing of protrusions on the base plate into the cavity of the base of the push button elements. A method of using unit bodies carrying push button elements is alternatively used. A base plate having openings arranged in the pattern corresponding to the fixed contact points is also disclosed for use in fixing the push button elements.

Abstract: There is provided a selection switch for selecting musical information determining characteristics of a tone such as a tone color. This selection switch is pre-assigned with first musical information. Switches and circuits are provided for assigning second musical information to the selection switch. This second musical information is one selected as desired from among plural musical information. Thus, at least two musical information of the pre-assigned first musical information and the selectively assigned second musical information are assigned to the selection switch. There is also provided a mode selection switch. When a first mode has been selected by this mode selection switch, a characteristic of a tone to be produced is determined by the first musical information. When the second mode has been selected, a characteristic of a tone to be produced is determined by the second musical information.

Abstract: An electronic entertainment device which allows an untrained vocalist or instrumentalist to easily synthesize an instrumental lead, and optionally, one or more harmonies, simultaneous with the lead, playing along with predefined background musical sequences. While the background parts to a song are being played by the device, or any outside musical player, the user plays the melody, or "lead", by humming, singing, whistling, or operating any tone-producing device, such as a musical instrument, into the device. The device then identifies the pitch, compares it with a table of allowable pitches, as dictated by predefined data associated with the background music, chooses an appropriate output tone, and drives a music synthesizer to play the chosen instrument at the determined pitch, in accordance with the allowable pitches. The note which is produced by the device is one which sounds pleasing in the context of the musical background.

Abstract: A musical tone signal is synthesized on the basis of a predetermined modulation operation (e.g. an FM or AM operation) employing a modulation signal and a carrier signal respectively having an audio range frequency. In a waveshape table provided for defining at least one of a modulation wave function or a carrier wave function, a wave function expressed in a logarithmic form log{f(x)} is stored. The wave function log{f(x)} read out from this waveshape table is multiplied with a coefficient k whereby the wave function of the modulation signal or the carrier signal to be used in the modulation operation is changed from f(x) to {f(x)}.sup.k. That is, k log{(f(x)}=log{f(x)}.sup.k is obtained by this multiplication and {f(x)}.sup.k is obtained by converting this log {f(x)}.sup.k to a linear form. Therefore, it is enabled to synthesize a tone having abundant frequency components by using the wave function {f(x)}.sup.k obtained by a simple operation.

Abstract: A keyboard circuit for an electronic musical instrument which, with the depression of a key, couples an AC signal to an allocated multiplexer input. The output of the multiplexer is connected via a rectifier and a sample-and-hold circuit to a depression recognizing circuit. The coupling is preferably inductive.

Abstract: In an electronic musical instrument of the waveshape memory type including at least one waveshape memory for storing and reproducing sample values of a musical sound wave to be generated, the waveshape memory stores the sample values of the complete waveshape of a musical tone with a shaped envelope.

Abstract: A knob for attachment to a removable lid of a container, the knob containing a selectively actuatable music module. The knob serves both a utilitarian function, as a means for removing a lid from a container, and an entertainment or advertising function, by playing a preprogrammed message. Either function may be utilized separately or in combination as the user selects.

Abstract: A portable set of electronic drums includes individual drum units which are attached to different parts of a musician's body to provide maximum mobility for a stage performance. An impulse analyzer with each of the drum units processes the outputs of the drum units for transmission to a synthesizer which further processes and amplifies the resulting sound for application to a loudspeaker. A wire, radio transmitter or optical link may be employed to communicate the signals from the musician's body to a stationary synthesizer and loudspeaker. A percussion transducer in the musician's shoe may be employed to further increase the flexibility of the system. The output of the percussion transducer in the musician's shoe is combined with the outputs of the remaining drum units to create a total drum signal. In addition, the outputs of the shoe percussion transducer and the drum units may be employed to control the energization of optical emitters on the person of the musician.

Abstract: A drum pedal device for immediately and accurately triggering and controlling a synthesizer. The device includes a movable pedal, which can be a foot pedal, an actuation device which actuates a transducer to supply an electrical signal to the synthesizer upon movement of the pedal, and a resisting mechanism which resiliently resists overtravel movement of the pedal after the transducer is actuated. The resisting mechanism opposes the movement of the pedal with increasing force as the overtravel movement of the pedal progresses. The foot pedal can be pivotally mounted on a base and the device can have a biasing mechanism for controlling and imparting bouncing and rocking motion to the foot pedal.

Abstract: In an electronic musical instrument of digital processing type, key codes are stored in a memory channel by channel for respective tone productions. The stored key codes are utilized for determining pitches of respective tones to be produced. Upon depression of new keys, the formerly stored key codes are automatically added or subtracted channel by channel with the value for a certain note step toward the new key codes at a certain clock rate defining a glissando speed. Thus automatic glissando performances are easily realized.