Abstract: An electronic organ having an improved note generator, an improved control logic circuit for assigning note generators to generate output frequency signals corresponding to selected notes in accordance with the availability of the note generators, and an improved combination of a bass note assignment circuit and bass note generator is disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument which produces musical notes synthesized based on logic orthogonal functions stored in digital form. A coefficient corresponding to a tone selected by a tone selector is read out of a memory to calculate a logic orthogonal function, for example, a composite coefficient of a Walsh Hadamard matrix. The composite coefficient is applied to a plurality of waveshape calculators to calculate the amplitude value of a waveshape of the required tone and the waveshape calculators are actuated at the timing predetermined times the period of the musical note selected by the depressed key. Any desired musical waveshape can be produced by setting the coefficient corresponding thereto and the spectral structure of the waveshape can be changed with the lapse of time. Polyphonic tone synthesis is achieved by intermittent operation of the waveshape calculators to produce a wide variety of musical sounds. Further, a depressed key data detector is provided for detecting non-encoded key data.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument of a type capable of producing a musical tone corresponding to the tone pitch of a depressed key by controlling oscillation frequency of a voltage-controlled type oscillator by a pitch voltage corresponding to the tone pitch, wherein musical tone elements such as tone pitch and tone color are controlled in accordance with a control voltage which is produced for each individual key but is different from the pitch voltage.A temperature curve can be determined by controlling the tone pitch of the musical tone by this control voltage as well as by the pitch voltage. A desired temperament curve can be obtained by suitably adjusting the values of the control voltage for the respective keys. The tone color control is effected by varying the cut-off frequency of the voltage-controlled type filter in accordance with the aforementioned control voltage.

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.

Abstract: An apertured insulating strip permits closing a circuit only at contact points defined by the apertures between a low resistance conductor and a high resistance conductor in an electronic circuit of the type which produces musical notes each having a frequency dependent upon the resistance downstream of a particular contact point.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument comprises a keyboard circuit providing a pitch determining voltage signal whose magnitude corresponds to the note of a key depressed, a rectangular wave generation circuit generating a rectangular wave voltage signal, and a voltage controlled oscillator connected to receive the pitch determining voltage signal and the rectangular wave voltage signal to produce alternately first and second tone signals for trill performance. The tone pitch of the first tone signal depends on the magnitude of pitch determining voltage signal and the tone pitch of the second tone signal depends on the magnitudes of pitch determining voltage signal and rectangular wave voltage signal. The musical intervals between tone pitches of the first and second tone signals depends on the magnitude of rectangular wave voltage signal.

Abstract: An octave conversion system of the fundamental frequency of an audible tone signal produced by electrically picking up mechanical vibration of a musical instrument in which the audible tone signal and an audible modulation signal having a frequency in a preselected relation to the fundamental frequency of the tone signal are applied to a multiplier which is preferably constituted by a voltage-controlled amplifier. When the modulation signal has a frequency half that of the tone signal, the tone signal is one-octave down-converted, while, when the modulation frequency is equal to the tone signal frequency the tone signal is one-octave up-converted. With this frequency conversion system the fundamental wave component of the octave-converted tone signal has the same envelope as that of the original tone signal. This frequency conversion system is advantageous in attaining small size versions of electric musical instruments and extension of inherent compasses of electric musical instruments.

Abstract: Data-processings for spectrum signals which express the frequency spectrum distributions of corresponding tone waveshape signals, are performed on a frequency domain. The processed spectrum signals are transformed to the corresponding tone waveshape signals by the Fast Inverse Fourier Transform algorithm. Thus filters of desired characteristics on a frequency domain can be composed of simple and inexpensive circuits, and musical tones having desirable tone qualities with abundant varieties can be easily generated.

Abstract: In a musical instrument having one or more tone generators in which a plurality of data words corresponding to the amplitudes of a corresponding number of evenly spaced reference points defining the waveform of one cycle of an audio signal are transferred sequentially from a note register to a digital-to-analog converter in repetitive cycles at a rate proportional to the pitch of the tone being generated, apparatus is provided for adaptively computing the set of data points in response to values of preselected harmonic coefficients. The computation apparatus advances past all harmonic coefficients of smaller magnitude than a selected threshold thereby reducing the computation time and making the instrument capable of responding to time varying tonal changes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed which are utilized in providing a musical instrument useful for composing, teaching, learning and performing music. The instrument includes a pitch detector which responds to an applied input signal to produce and octave code representing the octave in which the input signal is located and a note code representing the note which is closest in pitch to the input signal. The octave and note codes are applied to display means which indicate the octave and note nearest in pitch to the input signal. The octave and note codes are also applied to an automatic pitch generator wherein they control the dividing down of a high frequency clock signal to produce a true pitch signal having the pitch corresponding to the octave and note codes. The automatic pitch generator also has provision for selectively combining octave and note transpose codes with the octave and note codes to achieve any desired degree of transposition of the true pitch signal.

Abstract: Key switches are connected in a matrix fashion between row lines making block lines for octaves and column lines making note lines for notes. The note lines are connected to a note detection circuit which converts the note line outputs of the actuated switches into key codes in a time shared fashion and to a chord detection circuit which includes a chord type detecting logic and a shift register connected thereto and storing the note line outputs in its respective stages. During a chord detecting period, the note detection circuit is loaded with signals "1" as if all the key switches were actuated and delivers key codes of all notes one after another, whereas the shift register is circulatingly shifted synchronously with the note code change. When the logic detects an establishment of a chord, the note code of that moment is extracted to be a code identifying the root note of the chord. The root note code is then processed for automatic bass and chord performance.

Abstract: A multiple pitch generator, in particular a chime generator, incorporated in an electronic organ of the multiplexed variety wherein the keyboard is scanned and a cyclically recurring serial data stream produced wherein keydown pulses appear in time slots corresponding to depressed keys of the keyboard. The chime generator produces a plurality of tones in response to the actuation of a single key of the solo keyboard, for example, wherein the tones are those necessary to closely simulate a chime sound. This is accomplished by sequentially passing the serial data stream containing the keydown pulse through a series of shift registers which insert in the data stream pulses in subsequent time slots corresponding to the next three lowest tones making up the chime.

Abstract: In order to tune the frequency characteristics of a filter or oscillator as an exponential function of the position of a note on a musical scale, a pulse stream with an exponentially scaled duty cycle is used to gate an on-off switch which controls an electronic tuning signal for the first or second stage of the filter or oscillator. The pulse stream source can be a pulse code generator responsive to a priority note generator, or it can be an oscillator-driven one-shot with an exponentially scaled power supply governing the charging rate of a reactive component which determines the one-shot cycle time. There are also pitch offset and pitch modulation features in the circuit, the latter being usable in a constant deviation or a constant interval mode.

Abstract: This invention concerns a monolithical integrated organ gate circuit showing a load resistance common to all audio signal currents. For the suppression of any bounces possibly occurring upon the operation of a second key after a first one, there is a rest current coordinated to each audio signal current which rest current is fed to the load resistance when the related key is not operated and which rest current amounts to the mean value of the related audio signal current.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is of a waveshape memory read out type which includes a waveshape memory device for storing amplitude values at respective sampling points in one period of a new musical tone waveshape to be generated subsequent to a present musical tone waveshape stored in another waveshape memory device, first calculating means for calculating differences in amplitude values at respective sampling points stored in corresponding addresses of the two waveshape memory devices respectively; renewal rate control means for generating a waveshape renewal signal having a period corresponding to difference information produced by the first calculating means, and renewal means for effecting renewal of the memory content of said another waveshape memory device at a rate corresponding to the period of the waveshape renewal signal.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument having tone signal sources and keyers for the tone signal sources has a time division multiplexer for multiplexing the key-down information in groups such as for the upper manual, lower manual and pedals. The keyers are provided in divider keyer packages with drawbar, or harmonic content, information being synchronously multiplexed with the key-down information to a single set of keyers.

Abstract: A plurality of rectangular waves of selected duty cycles and fundamental frequencies are generated. Selected ones of these waveforms are then added at selected amplitude ratios. Such additions provide resultant waveforms of desired fundamental frequencies and having desired harmonic contents or spectra, for simulating the characteristic sounds of acoustical musical instruments.

Abstract: An electronic musical keyboard instrument has a unit separate from the main console and having switching means for performing the function of at least some of the keys and stops of the console that unit being adapted to be operated by a handicapped person.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is provided with an upper, a lower and a pedal keyboards and musical tone generating circuits dependently corresponding to respective keyboards and, in addition thereto, an auxiliary musical tone generating circuit which is independent of the keyboards and can be selectively coupled with a particular keyboard according to the designation by a keyboard selection switch. This auxiliary musical tone generating circuit produces tone signals having a particular tone color. Key codes for a selected one of the keyboards among key codes supplied by a channel assignment circuit are latched separately in the auxiliary circuit, and musical tones corresponding to the latched key codes are produced in this particular tone color.

Abstract: In an electronic musical instrument wherein a frequency information related to the tone pitch of a depressed key is repeatedly accumulated and the progressing accumulated value is used to designate the addresses of a waveform memory device storing the waveform of a desired musical tone, the frequency information is varied with time instantaneously so as to vary the speed of addressing the waveform memory and thereby to vary the waveform read out from the waveform memory device, thus changing the color of the produced musical tone.

Abstract: An electronic tone generator of a type in which an audio signal of controlled waveform is generated from a stored master data list of digitally coded words incorporates apparatus for changing the harmonic structure of the waveform with time during the generation of the audio signal. The master data list is computed by generating two data lists of words defining different waveforms and multiplying the two lists together repeatedly while shifting one list relative to the other list by at least one word. The resulting master data list changes with each multiplication following a shift, producing a changing waveform in which the musical frequencies are harmonically related, the waveshape being free of intermodulation distortion.

Abstract: A circuit for an electronic organ for producing rhythmic patterns of notes in accordance with the selection of a chord in the accompaniment manual. The organ includes an accompaniment manual and a solo manual, either or both of which may be electronically scanned to develop a multiplexed data stream, and a chord generation circuit controlled by the accompaniment manual for sounding groups of notes in the accompaniment voices in response to the depression of one of the selected group of keys on the accompaniment manual. The circuit according to the present invention automatically sounds notes of the solo manual in a rhythmic pattern in response to the depression of one of the group of accompaniment manual keys by developing a logic pulse at the beginning of the top octave scan which is delayed in time to correspond to the time slot of the chord root note and subsequent notes of the chord. The amount of delay is controlled by pre-programmed patterns preselected by the musician.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument of a key code processing type includes a single tone generating section for producing a solo performance effect without providing a solo performance keyboard. This single tone generating section comprises a single data selection circuit which selects the highest (or lowest) note from among notes of depressed keys for producing a single musical tone. The single data selection circuit includes first and second memories and a comparison circuit. An input key code A is compared with a key code X stored in the second memory and the input key code A is stored in the first memory if the value of the input key code A is greater than the value of the key code X. When one cycle of the above described comparison has been completed, the data stored in the second memory is rewritten with the data of the first memory. The key code for the highest note is now stored in the second memory to designate a tone signal to be produced for a solo performance.

Abstract: A polyphonic digital synthesizer which will generate a plurality of periodic signals in real time with independent control of amplitudes. A set of digital memories are at least equal in number to the periodic signals to be produced, the address of each memory determining the frequency of a signal and the content of said memory determining at least the amplitude of said signal. Digital to analog conversion means produce positive or negative analog voltage or current steps whose amplitude is proportional to a data item read in a memory and in response to control signals. These reading and transfer of the data from the memories to the conversion means and conversion control signals are provided in accordance with the transitions of pulsed signals whose repetition frequencies are distributed over a predetermined musical range. Complex output signals can be obtained by writing data in the memories according to an additive synthesis method.

Abstract: An integrated keyer system for use in electronic organs comprising a plurality of discrete integrated circuit chips each corresponding to two adjacent octaves of the keyboard and connected in series to accommodate the entire keyboard. The keyer system is adapted for use in multiplexed systems wherein the keyswitch closure information is encoded in a time division multiplexed data stream fed through a plurality of the keyer chips, which are connected in series. Each of the keyer chips includes a plurality of tone inputs and outputs and a divide-by-four circuit for lowering the tones in by two octaves. The keyer chips also include serial data inputs and outputs and a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the serial data stream at the serial data input to produce a plurality of control signals corresponding to keydown signals in the serial data stream, which are fed to the individual keyers.

Abstract: An electronic organ uses several top octave synthesizer circuits for producing the various tones used in the organ. Each of the top octave synthesizers is capable of producing any tone which can be produced by the organ. As a consequence, the outputs of each synthesizer are applied to a coupler circuit, which in turn is connected to an octave assignment switching tree for directing the tones coupled to the inputs of the switching tree to individual leads, each corresponding to a different octave in the range of tones produced by the organ. The similar octave leads from each of the different octave switching circuits are connected together to common flute octave buses, so that the filters connected to the output buses have substantially fewer tones appearing at the input than one which would have the full tone range of the organ. Typically, the range of tones appearing at a filter input is one octave or less.

Abstract: A keyboard type automatic accompanying system wherein information representative of the root note of a chord and the type thereof are detected from key depression signals assigned by depressing a plurality of desired keys of an accompanying keyboard, the detected information are stored, and an automatic chord complying with the particular chord are accompanied. A chord detector comprises in combination a shift register which stores the accompanying key assignment signals therein and which shifts the stored contents cyclically, and a ROM device in which binary information indicative of the basic forms of chord names and the types of chords are stored. Outputs of the shift register are applied to the ROM device, and the type and the root note of the chord are detected in one shift cycle of the shift register, so that the circuit arrangement is simplified, that the detecting time is shortened and that the key response rate is enhanced.

Abstract: In an electronic organ of the time-sharing type, a single clock source drives a number of variable divisor frequency dividers which are assigned different divisor values to produce different musical tones at different times. In order to prevent phase synchronism between two simultaneously operating dividers, and thus achieve a rolling phase relationship which is perceived as a chorus effect, divisor values are employed for the two frequency dividers which are not in a whole number relationship. If the two dividers are generating octavely related notes, the divisors used have a ratio not quite equal to the nominal 2:1 value which musical theory requires. Moreover, the exact value of the ratio varies from note to note within each octave so that the rate of phase roll is not monotonously the same for all notes. Alternatively, if the two dividers are both generating the same note, then the divisors used have a ratio which is not quite equal to the 1:1 value which musical theory requires.

Abstract: Disclosed is a musical instrument and method for generating musical sound. Digital circuits produce a sequence of numbers which are converted to analog electrical signals which are periodically sampled to drive a conventional speaker. The digital circuits operate in accordance with a method of forming each sample by evaluation of a closed-form expression including a first function of time, either periodic or non-periodic, transformed by a second function of time where the second function is non-linear, non-sinusoidal and differs from the first function. The frequency spectra of the resulting musical sound can be finite and the amplitudes of frequency components do not have unwanted limitations.

Abstract: There are provided a plurality of key switches which respectively designate the pitches of the musical tones to be generated, a frequency number generator which generates frequency numbers corresponding to the respective key switches, a harmonic order number generator which generates harmonic order numbers representing the orders of the respective harmonic components, an arithmetic processor for producing a multiplication product of the frequency number and the harmonic order number, an accumulator which repeatedly accumulates the output of the arithmetic processor of each harmonic order at a predetermined speed, and a sinusoid table including a memory device storing the amplitude values at respective sampling points of a sinusoidal wave for generating the amplitude values of the sinusoidal wave corresponding to respective harmonic components thereby producing the harmonic components.

Abstract: The circuit enables the selection of the upper or the lower tone of an electronic organ chord with regard to a switching signal. In response to said switching signal each tone frequency signal handled is either fed to the anode or the cathode of a switch component of a plurality of switch components connected in series whereas the switch components of the tone frequency signal not handled are switched on.

Abstract: The electronic musical instrument is provided with a plurality of musical tone generating channels of a number smaller than that of the keys and a channel processor for randomly assigning key information representing depressed keys to the musical tone generating channels. Furthermore the musical elements including the pitch, the tone color and the envelope of the musical tones generated by respective channels are made to be different thereby imparting a random property (casualness) to the generated musical tone.

Abstract: A special effects circuit for use in an electronic musical instrument, preferably an electronic organ, including a filter circuit having variable bandpass characteristics and a tone source supplying a signal to the input of the filter circuit. The bandpass characteristics of the filter circuit are modified in accordance with a control signal. Upon the occurrence of an input signal, a control circuit provides the filter circuit with the control signal at a random or pseudo-random value. The instrument player may select the source of input signals from a variety of sources within the organ thereby determining the times or frequency at which the control signal changes but the value of the control signal is random or pseudo-random. The tone signal output from the filter circuit has randomly or pseudo-randomly attenuated frequency characteristics and is coupled to standard organ output circuits for audio presentation.

Abstract: A pattern display system is disclosed which includes a keyboard for the manual entry of data representative of the patterns to be displayed, a microcomputer for accepting the entry data and for controlling the display system, a random access memory for storage of the entered data, audio circuitry controlled by the microcomputer for accepting data to provide audio signals representative of stored data, coding/decoding circuitry for the transfer of stored digital data to or from a tape recorder, and video circuitry utilized under the control of the microcomputer for the visual display on a cathode ray tube (CRT) of the patterns represented by the stored data. Specifically, the video circuitry includes read-only memories which are controlled to provide video pattern information in response to the stored data which represented desired patterns and timing information for the CRT.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is provided with a plurality of wave shape memories storing different musical tone wave shapes of different memory sizes for different tone ranges. The memory for the treble tone is of a small size and that for the bass tone is of a large large size. When a key is operated in the keyboard, a memory corresponding to the tone range to which the operated key belongs is selected and read out. While successfully avoiding economically disadvantageous increase in the memory size of the wave shape memories, beautiful and clear musical tones can be obtained having different tone colors for different tonal pitches just like those generated by natural musical instruments.

Abstract: A fixed formant filter for a digital electronic instrument of the type in which musical tones are generated from waveshape data calculated independently of frequency of the tone from constituent generalized Fourier components. The Fourier components are individually scaled by scale factors selected from a set of stored scale factors which define the transfer characteristic of the fixed formant filter. Each separately addressable stored scale factor corresponds to a different frequency value in the musical scale. A scale factor is selected for separately scaling each harmonic of the tone generated in response to the particular note of the musical scale keyed on the instrument. The selected scale factors may be modified by a frequency deviation signal to provide vibrato or other frequency modulation effects.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument of a type in which information of actuation of keys is detected by scanning the keys of keyboard. The electronic musical instrument includes the keys selectively actuable for producing sounds which correspond to respective musical scale notes, circuitry for sequentially scanning said keys for detection of the information of the actuation of said keys, and memorizing circuitry which corresponds to each of the keys so that the information of the actuation of the keys is memorized. Each memorizing circuitry is composed of a pair of capacitors, one of which is a small capacitor for "dynamic" holding, and the other of which is a capacitor for determination of decay envelope, with the latter being sequentially connected electrically to the former.

Abstract: A tri-state encoding circuit for use with an electronic musical instrument encodes one of three possible states of a device such as a switch, utilizing only a single input line from that device. The tri-state encoding circuit includes, in the case of a single-pole, double-throw switch, a first signal source which feeds signals of like frequency and duty cycle, but 180.degree. out of phase to the respective fixed contacts of the switch. A first gating element is interposed between a source of biasing signal and the movable contact of the switch. Second and third gating elements receive control signals from a further signal source, these control signals being of like frequency and duty cycle but 180.degree. out of phase. These second control signals are also of the same frequency as the first control signals, but may have a different duty cycle.

Abstract: An automatic tuning device for use in a synthesizer of an electronic musical instrument in which an error signal is produced corresponding to an output tone signal from each of a plurality of voltage controlled oscillators and added to the input thereto for automatic tuning.

Abstract: A DC offset correction circuit for use in an electronic organ for eliminating audible noise or thump produced by an instantaneous DC level shift in the standard organ keyer circuit at both key depression and release. A standard keyer circuit is responsive to the depression of a key on the manual by the organist and provides a square or stairstep waveform output at a frequency representative of the note key depressed. Each keyer output waveform includes a positive or negative polarity instantaneous DC level shift at both key depression and release which when coupled through a capacitive output circuit, such as a filter, provides an undesirable audible thump. The DC offset correction circuit comprises a monitoring circuit which is responsive to both key depression and release and a detector circuit responsive to the monitoring circuit to provide a DC level signal output of opposite polarity to the instantaneous DC level shift in the keyer circuit.

Abstract: A binary interpolator circuit is embodied in an electronic musical instrument for producing a relatively smooth, inaudible transition between steps of different amplitude in a stepwise advancing or decreasing waveform, such as an envelope signal for a note from a percussive type instrument or voice such as a piano. The binary interpolator circuit includes a counter circuit for producing a sequence of stepwise changing binary coded signals and a combining circuit for combining the interpolating signals, in the sequence produced, with a binary coded scaling signal corresponding to the amplitude difference between the two points in the stepwise changing waveform between which interpolation is desired. A comparator circuit compares the interpolating signals, in the sequence produced, with the scaling signal and produces an output control signal for indicating whether the binary coded numbers corresponding to the respective interpolating and scaling signal are equal.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument develops digital pulses corresponding to electronic waves that are subsequently converted to audio sound such as by means of a loudspeaker. The musical instrument is provided a source of master frequency generated binary related numbers which act in conjunction with a read only memory, an adder, and a comparator, and also a counter, to control a J/K flip-flop to produce a pulse train output in which for any given cycle the starting time and duration of each pulse is controlled, thereby to determine the harmonic content of the electronic waves that are converted to audio sound.

Abstract: A monophonic electronic musical instrument comprises a single key preferential selection device. Key switches are connected in a matrix fashion between the group lines and the individual lines. The group lines are sequentially and repetitively scanned to detect the first one in the sequence of the groups where any key switch is closed, and the individual lines to which any closed key is connected deliver key detection signals, which in turn are introduced into a preference circuit to select the key detection signal of the highest priority. The group detection and the individual detection co-operatively designate a single key for tone production.

Abstract: In a modular, expandable organ system comprising a plurality of large scale integrated circuit (LSI) chips an LSI chip is provided which produces frequencies corresponding to notes played on an organ keyboard. Outputs of different duty cycles of rectangular waves are provided for best simulating desired sounds. Other outputs are provided in which the notes are in octave groups facilitating filtering thereof. Each group of outputs has different attack and decay characteristics respectively under the control of the organist so that similar or different types of attack and decay may be provided on different outputs.The present LSI chip provides three generators on one chip. The chips are capable of being interconnected such that any multiple of three generators may be provided.

Abstract: An electronic musical box is disclosed in which a musical score can be readily stored and reproduced and the musical score can be easily changed to another. The musical box includes a pulse generator for generating a unitary pulse for a note whose duration is the shortest in the musical score and generating integer numbers of unitary pulses for other notes in the musical score. A tone pitch generating circuit generates tone pitch signals coded by a plurality of tone pitch switches so as to correspond to the tone pitches of the notes in the musical score. The coded tone pitch signals are stored in a memory, and a musical tone generating circuit reads data stored in the memory and generates musical tones.

Abstract: In a generator of musical notes for use as an electronic organ or other instrument, particularly of keyboard type, a computer is programmed to provide control and data signals to external hardware in response to the selection of stops and keys. In response to each change of stop a range of characteristic harmonic structures is synthesized digitally to provide single-cycle reference waveforms for storage for so long as that stop remains in use. In response to the selection of a key in that stop an appropriate reference waveform is sampled, or interpolative sampling is performed between two waveforms, so that an harmonic structure is produced by sampling which is precisely related to the position of the key in the register. The pitch of the note to be reproduced from the digital samples is determined by the rate of sampling which can be finely resolved.

Abstract: Linearly binary-coded digital control signals representing specific time segments of musical sounds are used in part to control stepped ramp signal generators in a digital synthesizer which runs continuously on a fixed program. The ramp signals are used to control amplitude and frequency parameters of multiple digital oscillators that produce respective constituent tones of the musical sound segments. The synthesizer is operable in response to time-multiplexed digital control signals for multiple musical voices, one voice portion of which is also being computed in real time for multiplexing with previously computed and stored digital control signals for other voices. The indicated computations are effected by known techniques on a commercially available computer to translate performer-actuated transducer output signals, designating notes of a composition, into the aforementioned binary-coded digital control signals.

Abstract: A foot-operated control device for musical instruments includes a self-contained sounding member which can be struck by a beater pivotally attached to the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for encoding data representative of keyboard music is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the data source is a keyboard which is played by a musician which incorporates a set of switches forming key closures. The closures themselves represent the music. The music is encoded by grouping the keyboard in convenient sized groups, typically octaves, and all of these groups are input to a buffer. A multiplexer scans the buffer. Timed generators form the synchronization wave-forms, space wave-forms and mark wave-forms. All of these wave-forms are generated in timed sequence. They are input to a flip flop which forms an output word on a two wire carrier system. The two wire output encodes all data required for word decode; namely, clock, sync, mark, and space data.

Abstract: Adjacent primary digitals of a musical keyboard are actuated in the same fingering sequence for all key signatures. Each primary digital forms part of a three section group having two secondary digitals for producing the sharps and flats. Through a separate selector keyboard, the tones produced by selected digitals are shifted by a half-tone in accordance with a logic applied program to transpose operation of the keyboard to the selected key signature.