Abstract: A resonator body for musical drum instruments is formed by shaping and gluing together several superimposed material layers, particularly wood veneer layers or plywood layers. The resonator body has the shape of a hollow cylinder. Abutting edges of the individual material layers extend in the direction of the resonator body axis and the abutting edges of the individual material layers are offset relative to each other in circumferential direction of the hollow cylinder. In order to ensure that the abutting edges are permanently and securely held together, the abutting edges of at least the outer material layer, preferably of all material layers, have contours which are toothed and complementary relative to each other and inter-engage in circumferential direction of the hollow cylinder.

Abstract: Instrument playing toy for acting a simulated instrument play comprising receiving device for receiving instrument playing information programmed originally for playing instruments electrically but not programmed for driving moving parts of a toy, decoding device for decoding the instrument playing information, converting device for converting output of the decoding device into driving signals and assigning the driving signals to moving parts of the instrument playing toy and driving device for driving the moving parts in response to the driving signals, thereby the instrument playing toy performs simulated instrument playing movements. Sound may be generated from provided acoustic musical instruments activated by the moving parts, or derived from the instrument playing information, or from a sound signal obtained from a source different from the instrument playing information.

Abstract: A conversion kit enables a conventional drum to be transferred into an electronically triggered drum. The kit includes a circularly shaped foam pad, a circularly shaped plywood panel residing beneath the pad and brackets connectable to the peripheral sidewall of the conventional drum in order to support the panel and pad beneath the drumhead. A pair of transducers are mounted to a bottom surface of the panel, one located near the center of the drumhead, and the other located adjacent to the sidewall. Wire leads connect the transducers to jacks mounted in the sidewall of the drum, with one jack being longer than the other to distinguish between the transducer mounting locations. Preferably, the kit also includes a shock absorber mounted between the second transducer and the panel.

Abstract: A novel capacitive pressure-sensitive sensing technique and apparatus wherein an elastomeric conductive electrode carrying a two-dimensional array of projections is pressure-deformed against a fixed coextensive cooperative electrode to generate signals, such as tones and sounds in the application to musical instruments, or visual representations, corresponding to the dynamic pressures applied over the two-dimensional surface. A novel drum-like and other musical instruments embodying such novel capacitive sensing techniques and the like are described.

Abstract: A pedal operated electronic drum. The electronic drum includes a pedal pivotally coupled to a base and a first striking or anvil element mounted on the base. A second striking or hammer element is operably coupled to the pedal so that depression of the pedal causes the hammer element to strike the anvil element. A transducer is acoustically coupled to the anvil element to convert impact induced vibrations in the anvil element into an electrical output signal. In one embodiment the hammer element is attached to a roller pivotally coupled to the base. A strap is wrapped about the roller and attached to the base so that depression of the pedal rotates the axle thereby causing the hammer element to strike the anvil element. In an alternative embodiment the strap is coupled to the pedal instead. Both of these embodiments may be adjusted to simulate the "feel" of a conventional pedal operated drum striking element.

Abstract: In construction of a musical recorder, a sound collector such as a microphone is attached to the body of the recorder at the position of the constant belly of the basic vibration of resonant air columns formed in the bore of the recorder at musical tone generation in order to obtain constant sound collecting level with large howling margin at musical tone regeneration without any influence of the wall configuration of the bore.

Abstract: An electronic bass drum is mainly constructed by two front legs which stand substantially vertically and are parallel to each other, two rear legs whose one ends are connected to the front legs and whose other ends extend obliquely downward, a pad whose back surface is fixed to the front legs and whose front surface is striken by a player and a pickup which is attached to the back surface. The pickup detects a vibration of the pad caused by the player's strike and outputs a detection signal representing electrically the vibration. Drum sound is realized by driving a sound source such as a PCM sound source, a FM sound source in response to the detection signal.

Abstract: A pulse generator for outputting a train of electric pulses with a controllably constant period (i.e., the reciprocal of pulse rate) between pulses of the pulse train. The generator includes electrical circuitry which produces an internal train of pulses some of whose periods vary an unacceptable amount from one another. Further, modifying circuitry is connected to receive each pulse of the internal train of pulses, the further circuitry being operable to modify the period of each pulse, when necessary, to an acceptable period with respect to the immediately preceding pulse.

Abstract: An electronic drum includes a relatively hard surface layer, a relatively hard base layer, a relatively hard coupling portion, and a detection element. The base layer is spaced apart from the surface layer by a predetermined distance. The coupling portion couples the surface layer to the base layer. The detection element is mounted on the base layer to detect striking of the surface layer. The surface layer and the coupling portion are nonfoamed layers. The base layer is a combination of a nonfoamed or foamed layer and a support plate. A foamed layer is inserted as an impact absorbing layer between the surface and base layers.

Abstract: An auxiliary electronic sound source for an electronic drum. The auxiliary sound source is attached to a conventional electronic drum and enables a drummer to practice acoustical "sticking" techniques involving a drum rim. The auxiliary sound source includes a striking element with an acoustically isolating connection to the electronic drum. A piezoelectric material transducer is attached to the striking element to convert impact induced vibrations in the striking element into an electrical output signal. In an alternative embodiment, the piezoelectric transducer is attached to a mounting plate detachably connected to the striking element.

Abstract: A sound attachment for a reed instrument such as a harmonica. A housing is provided having an open end adapted for attachment to the instrument, covering the full width of the portion of the instrument from which sound is emitted, and a closed opposite end. Interior walls of the housing converge from the open end to an area intermediate the length of the housing, defining a sound funnel. A sound absorbing collar is mounted transversely within the housing, located between the intermediate area and the closed end of the housing, and has an electronic sound pick up element mounted therein. The pick up element is located to provide an air chamber on both sides of the collar pick up element assembly, the rear chamber being at least partially filled with sound absorbing material such that virtually total sound from the instrument is received by the pick up element with very little or no distortion, and thus may be amplified without distortion.

Abstract: A harmonica support clamp which attaches any standard harmonica to any standard vocalist-type stand-held microphone. Which harmonica support clamp comprising a hollow, one-piece extruded plastic body open at both ends and with two juxtaposed harmonica-clamping edges; each of which harmonica-clamping edges extends the length of an attached clamping side wall and is formed simultaneously with and as a part of the associated clamping side wall; and between which harmonica-clamping edges a harmonica is receivable. Each clamping side wall is a continuation of a common central base wall.

Abstract: A novel music instrument is disclosed, comprising (i) a wind music instrument of the type wherein the emitted acoustic tone is dependent upon the placement of means such as valves or a slide which determine column length and the wind pressure exerted by the musician, (ii) a music synthesizer, and (iii) an interface apparatus. The interface apparatus includes sensing means for sensing the position of the instrument valves or slides and generating a sensing signal, transducer means for sensing characteristics of the note emitted by the wind instrument and generating a transducer signal, and a controller adapted to the type of wind instrument for generating a synthesizer control signal in response to the sensing signal and the transducer signal. By playing the instrument in a normal manner, the musician is able to also control the synthesizer to generate notes related to the notes emitted by the wind instrument.

Abstract: A sound attachment for a reed instrument such as a harmonica. A housing is provided having an open end adapted for attachment to the instrument, covering the full width of the portion of the instrument from which sound is emitted, and a closed opposite end. Interior walls of the housing converge from the open end to an area intermediate the length of the housing, defining a sound funnel. A sound absorbing collar is mounted transversely within the housing, located between the intermediate area and the closed end of the housing, and has an electronic sound pick up element mounted therein. The pick up element is located to provide an air chamber on both sides of the collar pick up element assembly which achieves a balanced condition such that when the chambers are filled with air, virtually total sound from the instrument is received by the pick up element with very little or no distortion, and thus may be amplified without distortion.

Abstract: An electronic percussion synthesizer is disclosed which includes a plurality of pressure transducers, each representing a different percussive musical instrument. Each transducer is responsive to an external striking force for generating analog pulses, each pulse representing one beat of the respective musical instrument. The transducers are mounted to a synthesizer housing in a manner which mechanically isolates the transducers from each other. Each transducer is supported within a pair of housing portions by a resilient coupler maintained in compression between the interior surfaces of the housing portions.

Abstract: An electronic percussion synthesizer is disclosed which includes a plurality of pressure transducers, each representing a different percussive musical instrument. Each transducer is responsive to an external striking force for generating analog pulses, each pulse representing one beat of the respective musical instrument. The transducers are mounted to a synthesizer housing in a manner which mechanically isolates the transducers from each other. Sound signal generating circuits are provided which are responsive to the analog pulses for generating sound signals comprising the beat of the respective musical instrument. The amplitude of the signal representing each beat is proportional to the magnitude of the force used to generate the respective analog pulse. The synthesizer also includes storage and playback circuitry for digitally storing a series of pulses, each pulse representing a percussive beat; for playing back the stored pulses; and for storing additional pulses in an interleaving manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simple and inexpensive, clamp-type microphone mount for base fiddles and the like. The mount includes at least a pair of members arranged to clampingly engage such portions of a musical instrument as defined opposite sides of an aperture formed through the housing of the instrument.

Abstract: To simplify playing of an electronic instrument and to avoid the otherwise clearly recognizable synthetic sound quality, the operating elements are arranged in a wind or blowing body constructed and playable similar to a mouth-harmonica. These operating elements comprise a pressure sensor responsive to the blowing and suction air current or stream of a human being and which is coupled to a mouthpiece displaceable along the wind or blowing body, and a number of position sensors which respond in accordance with the momentary position of the mouthpiece. The pressure sensor and the position sensors are coupled to an evaluation circuit which is structured such that it generates, as a function of the response of these sensors, the control voltages required for controlling the synthesizer.

Abstract: An envelope control device for the piezoelectric buzzer of the invention applies voltages changing with time to both surfaces of a sound generator for push-pull operation for generating an electric tone. The sound generator comprises an oscillating plate with a piezoelectric element attached thereto, and in response to a tone signal outputted from a tone signal generating circuit, it generates an electric tone. By the push-pull operations, an envelope is applied to the electric tone generated.

Abstract: A musical instrument combination including a rocket engine type combustion chamber and a system for firing it either by single drum beat control or by variable frequency control pulses. The effect achieved by the rocket engine output sound is similar to that of a pipe organ and resonator and further is of a pitch controllable by the barrel length and diameter of the rocket engine chamber exhaust structure.

Abstract: An electric piano has a complete player actuated piano voice of which harmonics are basically controlled by a tuning fork that is struck by the piano key. The piano is also provided with an electronically generated voice of which harmonics are electronically generated. To better enable the two voices to be played simultaneously by striking a single piano key, the amplitude envelope of the electromechanically generated piano voice is imposed upon the electronically generated voice which is gated and amplitude modulated so as to be heard in precise synchronization with a piano note produced by the instrument player. Linearity of modulation is extended to low piano voice amplitudes by use of modulating and gating diodes in oppositely poled feedback paths of an operational amplifier.

Abstract: A musical apparatus including a novel combination by which a musician may control the output of a musical synthesizer, while playing his own musical instrument in a normal manner. The musical synthesizer may be pre-programmed for many unusual and exciting tonal effects--such as harmonics, dissonances, parallel tracking, electronic sounds, etc. Broadly speaking, the present invention associates individual tone switches with respective tone control elements of the musical instrument. When the instrument is played, its tone-control elements function to "set" the associated tone switches to an active setting that completes associated tone circuits, so that corresponding electric tone signals are produced for application to the musical synthesizer.

Abstract: An action is described for musical instruments of the piano type. Means are included for braking and restraining each hammer of the action to prevent bouncing, rebounding, or other undesired movement, when the key is depressed and the hammer is positioned at the escapement distance from the tone generating tine and also when the key is released and the hammer is at rest position. The braking and restraining means move arcuately in cooperation with the key to exert a wedging force against a portion of the head of the hammer to brake and restrain it in the desired positions.

Abstract: In the herein illustrated embodiment the harp or tone generator assembly of the piano is supported pivotally at one end so as to pivot in a substantially horizontal plane on its support, and a mechanism manipulated by the player shifts the movable end of the harp thereby to shift the position of the tone generators in the harp relatively to the percussion hammers, so that while the keys of the piano are depressed for playing, the player can selectively change the tone at will; an amplifying circuit compensates for the loss of volume due to the shifting and to the resultant change of the striking line.

Abstract: A sound system, particularlyuseful for isolating the signals from each of a plurality of different sources disposed closely together, such, as for example, from the components of a drummer's set-up of drums and cymbals. The system includes individual transducers associated with each of the drummer's units to provide separate and mutually independent signal sources. The signals from each source are transduced along an associated channel to provide a discrete path for each. Each of the channels includes a selectively settable tone control means for modifying the signals thereof. Finally, each channel includes means for selectively coupling the output of the associated tone control means to one or more of a plurality of devices applying "special effects" to the input signals thereto.

Abstract: A holder for a harmonica comprising a pole mounted on a floor stand, a harmonica seat removably secured to the top of the pole and a pressure bar to releasably clamp a harmonica against the seat. A wind shield extends behind and above the seat to prevent respiratory sounds from reaching a microphone positioned immediately behind and below the wind shield, but an opening in the wind shield aligned with the harmonica enables the pickup of harmonica tones. A flexible screen extends between the pressure bar and the upper portion of the wind shield to block nasal respiratory sounds.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a reed-type harmonica includes a sound chamber having a convex central portion and a pair of outer edge portions which are formed for engaging the harmonica metal extensions. A transducer assembly includes a microphone pick-up attached to a flange at one end of the main chamber member. A sound input director element extends from the transducer assembly into the chamber, and includes a tapered portion at the end farther from the microphone pick-up.

Abstract: A transposing electronic instrument wherein the clock frequency applied to control a top octave frequency generator is derived by comparing any single output of the generator with the response of a frequency reference circuit to that output, deriving a dc voltage representative of the difference in frequency of the input and output of the reference circuit and controlling the clock frequency from the dc voltage, thereby transposing all the outputs of the top octave frequency generator.

Abstract: A musical wind instrument of the type having a plurality of valves, the opening and closing of which is normally used to control the instrument frequency, is combined with a music synthesizer of the type including a voltage controlled oscillator. The voltage applied to the oscillator is controlled by means connected to the instrument valves so that the applied voltage varies in response to the opening and closing of the valves.