Abstract: A musical instrument includes a multiplicity of circular endless magnetizable tapes with a plurality of different tracks, a multiplicity of pick-up heads for each of the tracks and a multiplicity of variable-gain amplifiers connected to the tracks, respectively. Keys having respective contact means for energizing each of the amplifiers, cause a multiplicity of magnetic elements to generate respective voltages in coils, each voltage being proportional to the force with which an individual key has been depressed. This voltage sets the gain of a respective amplifier, so that the loudness of a recorded tone heard is proportional to the actuating force of a key.
Abstract: An electronic musical instrument, in the nature of an organ, employs a plurality of endless magnetic tape players, each continuously playing an endless magnetic tape stored therein, each endless tape having recorded thereon a continuous tone, and a keyboard arranged such that depression of a key causes the output of a selected tape player to be played through a speaker system continuously for as long as the key is depressed.A method of recording a continuous tone on a magnetic tape is also disclosed, in which a short loop of a master tape carrying the desired tone is fed sequentially across two transducer heads and the output of the heads is selectively fed toa tape player in the record mode so as to avoid recording the splice on the master tape.
Abstract: There is disclosed a rotatable record for use in the artificial reproduction of sounds, such as musical notes, tones, chords, words, voice phonemes or the like, in which there is at least one endless data track on at least part of which there is recorded one or more sounds to be reproduced and, associated spatially with the sound track, is an endless track on which is recorded information indicating the locations of the component parts of the recorded sound.
Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is provided to produce audible tones by the use of at least a pair of electron beam guns having deflecting means, the output of the guns energizing luminous screens with masks in front of the screens of the tubes upon which is graphically depicted an image that represents one or more timbres or mixing control voltages. Electronic means are provided for energizing the cathode ray tubes so that they will scan the masks and light sensitive devices are focused on the images produced by the masks and a variety of means are used to mix the outputs.
Abstract: A musical-tone signal forming apparatus is provided for an electronic musical instrument. The apparatus comprises a musical-tone wave form setting circuit in which at least one cycle of a musical-tone wave form is repeatedly subjected to sampling at n points and the amplitude at each sampling point is compared with the amplitude at the preceeding sampling point. An increase, equal or decrease signal is generated in the form of a digital signal to indicate the relationship determined. An envelope setting circuit is provided in which an envelope of a desired musical-tone is subjected to sampling at m point and the analog amount at each sampling point is generated sequentially as a digital signal corresponding thereto. A pulse generating circuit whereby a pulse signal having a number corresponding to the digital signal value produced by the envelope setting circuit is repeatedly generated is employed.