Abstract: A musical instrument provides the ability to both automatically detect an initial note or chord played on a touchscreen, correct the initial note or chord to neutral tone or tones, as well as to “slide” the note or chord to a new location, providing a continuously variable and continuous pitch to the new location, thereby creating a new type of keyboard instrument. The keyboard is operative to initialize a series of pitch arrays, one for each key, where the pitch array value is computed to provide a lookup or translation from a pressed key into an output pitch with fine granularity which matches the granularity of resolution of the touchscreen.

Abstract: The current document is directed to a query-as-a-service system (“QAAS system”) that collects enormous volumes of data from network-connected entities, referred to as “Things” in the phrase “Internet of Things,” persistently stores the collected data and provides a distributed-query-execution engine that allows remote clients to continuously execute queries against the collected data. In a described implementation, both the raw data and query results are persistently stored in the QAAS system, with the raw data stored for significantly longer periods of time. Query results generated by the query-processing engine are securely transmitted to QAAS remote clients for distribution to file systems, storage.

Abstract: System and method for enhancing audio reproduced by an audio reproduction device with a first channel and second channel is described. X samples of audio signals are received and stored in a portion of an input buffer with 2x positions and rest of the x positions are padded with zero for both the channels. Contents of the input buffer are transformed to frequency domain (FD) components. FD components are multiplied with a first filter coefficient to generate FD components with short echo effect and with a second filter coefficient to generate FD components with long echo effect. Then, they are converted to time domain (TD) components with short echo effect and TD components with long echo effect. Selective TD components with short echo effect and long echo effect are combined to generate a convolved first channel output and a convolved second channel output.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling energy feedback, a braking system and a vehicle are disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing; an actuating assembly, received in the housing and movable back and forth between a first position and a second position along an axial direction of the housing; a first control member for a stop lamp, received in the housing and configured to trigger the stop lamp to be turned on or off along with a back-and-forth movement of the actuating assembly; and a second control member for energy feedback, at least partially received in the housing. The control member for the energy feedback is configured to acquire a braking depth signal of a brake pedal in real time based on the back-and-forth movement of the actuating assembly, and control the energy feedback based on the braking depth signal.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, there is provided a system and method for automatically generating a complete music work from a partially completed work provided by a user. One approach uses an artificial intelligence (AI) engine that is trained by creating incomplete works from a database of complete works and then instructing the AI to complete the incomplete works. A comparison is made between the completed works and the originals to determine the effectiveness of the training process. After the AI is trained, it is applied to the user's incomplete work to produce a final music item.

Abstract: An keytar (1) includes a keyboard (2) on which a plurality of keys (2a) are arranged, a ribbon (5) in which a front surface panel (81) is arranged, and the degree of the same type of musical sound effect applied to each of tones (A-D) produced by the key (2a) is changed corresponding to detection positions in an X-direction in the front surface panel (81). Accordingly, because the degrees of the musical sound effects can be respectively changed for each of the tones (A-D) corresponding to the detection positions in the X-direction of the front surface panel (81), for the change of the same type of musical sound effect toward the tones (A-D), the monotony of this change can be suppressed and an expressive performance can be achieved.

Abstract: For each sound of a model performance, performance information designating a sound generation timing and sound and intensity information indicative of an intensity of the sound are supplied. In accordance with a progression of a performance time and for each sound of the model performance, the intensity information is acquired ahead of the sound generation timing, and the intensity of the sound is presented based on the acquired intensity information. The intensity of the sound is presented in a visual or audible manner. In this way, a human player who receives sound-intensity-related performance operation training can know, through a visual display and/or an audible sound, an intensity of each sound of the model performance before the sound generation timing of the sound. As a result, the human player can practice the performance while being aware of the intensity of each sound of the model performance.

Abstract: A musical instrument activity monitoring system having a tracking and monitoring assembly including a microcontroller with non-volatile memory, an accelerometer, at least one sensor, and an antenna each in communication with the microcontroller, a power source, and a coupler. In-use parameters of musical instrument activity is tracked and monitored by the tracking and monitoring assembly. The microcontroller with non-volatile memory stores data. The data relates to values and timestamps retrieved from use of the at least one musical instrument and environmental conditions at least one musical instrument is in to analyze performance of the at least one musical instrument.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting actuation of a deflectable transmitter component, comprising the steps of: recording (20) a measured value (U) corresponding to a deflection of the deflectable transmitter component; comparing (30) the measured value (U) with a predefined threshold value (Us); if a result of the comparison (30) is that a predefined condition has been satisfied (34): storing the measured value (U) as a first measured value (U1); allowing (40) a predefined time difference (?t) to elapse; recording (50) a second measured value (UM) corresponding to a deflection of the transmitter component; and calculating (60) a value representing the actuation.

Abstract: A vibrato tailpiece system for a stringed instrument includes a tailpiece, a vibrato bar operable with the tailpiece and having an end portion rotatable about an axis of rotation, and a magnet attached to the end portion of the vibrato bar. A sensor chip is spaced from the magnet by a gap sufficiently small to enable the sensor chip to detect a change in the magnetic field due to a rotation of the vibrato bar. The sensor chip outputs a control signal based on the change in the magnetic field. A sensor circuit uses the control signal from the sensor chip to adjust or modify the pickup output signal based on the position of the vibrato bar and deliver an adjusted output signal to an output connector of the stringed instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the location of a moving body. The apparatus may include a speaker configured to intermittently generate a pulse signal to a detection space and a microphone array configured to obtain a reflected sound of the pulse signal that is generated in the detection space. The location of a moving body is estimated by extracting a change of a sound field from the reflected sound. The present invention can be applied to an apparatus for detecting a moving body without any side effect because the location of a moving body can be accurately detected up to an angle and distance. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to various application apparatuses, such as a lighting apparatus, an air conditioning apparatus, a security apparatus, and a parking lot management apparatus because there is no problem in health and there is no side effect in application.

Abstract: An audio/visual system (e.g., such as an entertainment console or other computing device) plays a base audio track, such as a portion of a pre-recorded song or notes from one or more instruments. Using a depth camera or other sensor, the system automatically detects that a user (or a portion of the user) enters a first collision volume of a plurality of collision volumes. Each collision volume of the plurality of collision volumes is associated with a different audio stem. In one example, an audio stem is a sound from a subset of instruments playing a song, a portion of a vocal track for a song, or notes from one or more instruments. In response to automatically detecting that the user (or a portion of the user) entered the first collision volume, the appropriate audio stem associated with the first collision volume is added to the base audio track or removed from the base audio track.

Abstract: A heater system for the mouthpiece of a musical brass instrument includes a heater element and a heat sensor, both in thermal proximity to the mouthpiece, closed-loop electronic circuitry coupled to the heater element and heat sensor, and a battery power source. The musician playing the mouthpiece uses a control to adjust desired mouthpiece temperature. The circuitry compares musician adjusted temperature to heat sensor detected mouthpiece temperature and controls electrical current through the heater element to adjust mouthpiece temperature as required. The heater system preferably fits within a cylindrical-shaped housing having a central opening through which the mouthpiece fits. In practice the mouthpiece is removed from the instrument leadpipe, is passed through the central opening of the housing, and reinserted into the leadpipe. A battery supply may be attached to the instrument to couple battery operating power through a cable to the circular housing and components within.

Abstract: When a key depression speed and a key release speed of a key is to be detected based on a value of a counter (44) which accumulates a value every time the key passes through key switches (SW1, SW2), a number of digits of data indicating the key depression speed, a unit of the data being a bit and a number of digits of data indicating the key release speed, a unit of the data being a bit, are made the same.

Abstract: A multi-channel noise reduction system provides improved noise reduction with direct instrument tracking of all channels. In a two channel noise reduction system, both channels detect and track the input level and dynamic range of the guitar directly with one channel of dynamic noise reduction between the guitar and the input of a guitar amplifier to eliminate the noise of the instrument and another channel of noise reduction connected in the effects loop of the guitar amplifier. Multiple channels of noise reduction can be implemented with separated threshold controls and with low level expansion and dynamic filtering being combined so as to detect and track the input level and dynamic range of the guitar directly. A buffer amplifier can be used to feed the direct guitar signal to the detectors of the noise reduction system and the input of a stereo guitar system.

Abstract: Provided are an effect device and method to receive an input tone signal based on vibrations of a stringed instrument. A pitch is determined. Parameters specifying filter characteristics are determined from the pitch. The determined parameters are set in at least one filter. The input tone signal is passed into the at least one filter set with the determined parameters to produce a filter output signal that is used to generate an output signal for feedback performance produced through a speaker.

Abstract: Provided is a sound source control information generating apparatus, adapted for performing slapping techniques. According to the present invention, information based on an output value of a first sensor that detects striking on the housing is stored in a memory means. If striking on the struck head of a percussion instrument is detected based on an output value of a second sensor that detects striking on the struck head, whether an output value equal to or greater than a predetermined value is obtained from the first sensor in a predetermined time interval before a timing of detecting the striking on the struck head is determined based on the information stored in the memory means.

Abstract: A stringed instrument includes a body, a string, a string exciting device and a bridge. The body supports the string, the string exciting device and the bridge. The string has a scale length determined by a distance between a first support point and a second support point. The string exciting device is designed to be driven by an electrical signal having a certain frequency and vibrate the string by applying an excitation signal having a frequency corresponding to the frequency of the electrical signal. The bridge has the first support point and a surface located between the first support point and the second support point and designed to come into contact with the string during vibration of the string.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting audio samples in response to musical stimuli are provided. In some embodiments, an audio sample can be selected based on the excitation state of an instrument. A musical stimulus can be received, and a current excitation level associated with previously received musical stimuli calculated. An audio sample can be selected for playback using the current excitation level. In some embodiments, audio samples having different velocity levels can be selected in response to repeated musical stimuli. A first instance of a musical stimulus having a first velocity level can be received, and a first audio sample corresponding to the first velocity level played back. A second instance of the musical stimulus having the first velocity level can be received, and a second audio sample corresponding to a second velocity level can be selected for playback. The first and second audio samples can have different audio characteristics.

Abstract: We describe a musical effect device comprising drive electronics to drive a first tuned resonant circuit at a resonant frequency, a moveable mechanical control associated with a second, passive tuned resonant circuit and read-out electronics coupled to the first tuned resonant circuit to sense a position of the control. A first frequency of resonance of the first tuned resonant circuit matches a second frequency of resonance of the second, passive tuned circuit, and the first and second frequency resonance match a resonant frequency of the drive signal. The first tuned resonant circuit has an input coupled to the drive electronics, an output coupled to the read-out electronics and a resonant LC circuit coupled in series between the input and output. The variable output signal is dependent on an amplitude of a signal at the output of the first tuned resonant circuit.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument has a front side, back side, right side, and left side with respect to a perspective of a performer of the musical instrument, and comprises: a planar surface having a first speaker positioned on the front side and the left side, a second speaker positioned on the front side and the right side, and a third speaker positioned on the back side; a first localized sound processing section receives left and right channel signals of tone signals assigned as first localized sounds and produces sound signals to the first speaker, the second speaker and the third speaker to form a first sound image; and a second localized sound processing section receives left and right channel signals of tone signals assigned as second localized sounds and produces sound signals to the first speaker, the second speaker and the third speaker to form a second sound image.

Abstract: This method of converting a displacement of a magnetic object into a signal directly perceptible by a human being, comprises: —the acquisition (32) of a temporal succession of measurements of a magnetic field modified by the displacements of the object during a sliding time window of predetermined duration, —the construction (34) on the basis of this acquired temporal succession of measurements of several signals each representing a characteristic of the measured magnetic field dependent on a corresponding characteristic of the displacement of the object, and —the adjustment (50) of several parameters of the directly perceptible signal as a function of the signals so as to render these characteristics directly perceptible.

Abstract: An electronic piano includes a tone signal synthesizing system implemented by software, keys and key sensors monitoring the keys and reporting the key positions to the tone signal synthesizing system, and the tone signal synthesizing system includes damper model calculating modules for determining resistance against vibrations of wires of an a piano, a hammer model calculating module for determining force exerted on the wires, string model calculating modules for determining force exerted on an instrument body of the piano by the wires on the basis of the resistance and force exerted on the wires, an instrument body model calculating module for determining displacements of instrument body on the basis of the force exerted on the instrument body and an air model calculating module for determining a sound pressure at an observation point from the displacement of instrument body.

Abstract: The object of the present invention concerns a control device (100) for a generation module (GM) of sound effects (EFA, EFB) of a musical instrument (MI), such device comprising computer software configured for: —the capture, using a digital camera (10), of at least one digital image (I) comprising at least one portion of the user's (U) face; —processing of such at least one image (I) to define expression data (D_EXi, i being a positive integer) containing information relating to facial expressions (EXa, EXb) of the user (U); —an analysis of such expression data (D_EXi) using a predefined first database (DB1) to determine a sound effect data (D_EFj, j being a positive integer) containing information relating to at least one sound effect (EFA, EFB) corresponding to the facial expression (EXa, EXb) of the user (U).

Abstract: Multi-channel audio signal processing systems and techniques are provided for electronic instruments having multiple and distinct output channels. Such systems may be used in conjunction with instruments comprising multiple vibrating elements, each with a dedicated signal output. Each received audio signal channel may be directed to a dedicated or shared signal processor for variably changing selected attributes of pitch, timing, timbre, and amplitude in ways that are unique for each signal. Signal processors may be shared using an allocating mixer, allocating switch, or both. An output mixer may be used to mix signal processor output signals into one or more outgoing mixed audio signals. Signal processors, mixers, and switches may be configured by stored program control and controlled in real-time. Real-time pitch variations can be used to change the pitch organization of fixed-pitch vibrating elements within an electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: A system for using body motion capture for musical performances. A motion detection camera captures a series of body movements which are assigned to begin one of more songs, to activate musical filters, and to active sound effects. Once the movements are captured and assignment, the user begins the performance.

Abstract: A percussion electronic device allows a percussionist to learn, through electronic feedback, the correct playing of the right or left hand. The percussion device could be struck by the percussion player on the right or left side of the pad. Alternatively, the percussion device can connect to a visual detector to detect motions of the user's left and right hands. Computer software may display written music or instructions of what hand to play at what time and the percussion device would input the performance of the percussionist into the computer, designating which inputs were from the right hand/side and which inputs were from the left hand/side. Optionally, foot sensors can be used to detect movement of the left and right feet to assist in teaching of instruments such as a drum set where the feet may control operation of instruments such as a bass drum and hi-hat.

Abstract: A guitar amplifier system is disclosed. Specific implementations for the guitar amplifier system may comprise an audio input for an audio signal, a preamplifier coupled to the audio input, a tone control element coupled to the preamplifier, a power amplifier coupled to the tone control element, and an audio output coupled to the power amplifier. In an implementation, the tone control may be configured to control at least one of sound equalization, compression distortion, chorus or reverb. In an implementation, at least one of the preamplifier and the power amplifier may comprise at least one distortion multiplier circuit. The distortion multiplier circuit may comprise an audio signal multiplier configured to amplify an audio signal and output an amplified audio signal.

Abstract: An electric keyboard musical instrument 10 includes: keys 32; third switches 36 that detect that the keys 32 are pressed down to a position x3; various switches 12 to 15 that receive a selection of a kind of tone; and a CPU 21 that executes generating a sound with a tone of the kind received by various switches 12 to 15 in response to the third switch 36 detecting that a key 32 is pressed down to a position x3. The CPU 21 changes a time from when the third switch 36 detects that a key 32 is pressed down to position x3 until sound generation is executed, according to a kind of tone received through the various switches 12 to 15.

Abstract: A string signal generator generates a string signal representing vibration of a string corresponding to a specified pitch in response to a note-on instruction such that the string signal rises and then attenuates in response to a note-off instruction. The string signal generator distributes the generated string signal to a plurality of loop circuits of a string resonance simulator. The plurality of the loop circuits correspond to a plurality of pitches and circulate resonant signals of the corresponding pitches, each loop circuit having a delay element for delaying the resonant signal by a time depending on the corresponding pitch, and an attenuation element for variably attenuating the resonant signal according to an attenuation coefficient. A controller respectively provides attenuation coefficients to the attenuation elements in the plurality of the loop circuits based on the note-on instruction, the note-off instruction, a damper-pedal-on instruction, and a damper-pedal-off instruction.

Abstract: An electronics module for an electric guitar is provided. The electronics module includes a processor, a plurality of controls, an antenna, and a computer-readable medium. The processor receives an audio signal generated by a vibration of a plurality of strings of the electric guitar. The plurality of controls are operably coupled to the processor and provide a mechanism for adjusting a sound created from the audio signal. The computer-readable medium is operably coupled to the processor and configured to cause the electric guitar to determine a control of the plurality of controls associated with the received effects parameter; adjust a state of the determined control based on the received effects parameter; modify the audio signal based on the plurality of controls and on the received effects parameter; and output the modified audio signal through the antenna to a second device.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic stringed instrument comprising: a pickup that detects vibration of a string; a feedback operator used to select a level of feedback effect; a feedback control device that controls to add a feedback effect to a tone signal based on the vibration of the string detected by the string vibration detection device and based on the selected level of feedback effect from the feedback operator; and an output device that outputs the tone signal to which the feedback effect is added by the feedback control device.

Abstract: This invention introduces several methods, apparatus, and systems for controlling musician audio effects or musical instruments wirelessly from the performer's footwear. In one embodiment, the performer's foot motions are monitored using a motion detection device and compared against a set of criteria by a microprocessor to activate or deactivate one or more audio effects. Once the foot controller is activated, a radio transmits either data from the motion detection device (or sampled foot pressure from an optional pressure sensor in the footwear) for used by the Base Unit to modulate one or more audio effect. In addition, effect activation can occur through gesture recognition (remotely) or on the Base Unit (locally). Tactile feedback is provided in the footwear as a means to confirm system status changes.

Abstract: A performance apparatus prevents a player's unintentional motion from being detected as a playing, thereby generating no sound, when the player plays a virtual musical instrument. The performance apparatus has a player operated stick, a ROM for storing layout information, which correlates plural areas set on a virtual plane to tone colors, respectively, an image sensor for continuously taking pickup images of a subject including the stick, and a CPU for calculating a difference image between a first pickup image and a second pickup image taken prior to the first pickup image and for detecting an operating position of the stick based on the difference image. A CPU refers to the ROM to specify a tone color correlated to the area corresponding to the operating position detected by the CPU. And a sound source generates a tone of the tone color specified by the CPU.

Abstract: This display is a light-emitting display that is capable of creating unique and/or pleasing visual effects. It incorporates a light-emitting diode (LED) display into a sound-generating portion of a sound-generating system. The two are interactive with each other. The idea behind this product line is to create a circuit that “listens” to the music that is being played, and then changes the output state of several lights or LEDs based on the pulses that are being generated by the music. The lights or LEDs would be embedded directly into the musical instrument or speaker cabinet.

Abstract: Each parameter is provided with increase/decrease switches and a slider. In a case where a user desires seamless rough control of the value of a target parameter, the user is to use the slider. In a case where the user desires easy control of the value of the parameter with the smallest unit of the resolution, the user is to use the increase/decrease switches. Since the slider specifies a parameter value in accordance with the position of the manipulated slider, the range within which the parameter value can change is determined on the basis of the current parameter value and the maximum value and the minimum value of the parameter. Because the increase/decrease switch increases/decreases a parameter value by “1” at each manipulation, the range within which the parameter value can change by a single manipulation of the increase/decrease switch is “±1”.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stringed instrument that includes a plurality of strings and a pickup to which each of the plurality of strings is respectively coupled that is connectable to a computer to implement DSP modeling. A serial interface circuit is coupled to the pickup and to a digital connector that formats each digital string vibration signal received from the pickup into a digital serial protocol. A computer is coupled by a serial link to the digital connector such that the computer receives each serially formatted digital string signal (SFDSS). The computer operates at least one audio DSP-based software module to process each received SFDSS wherein each SFDSS is processed in order to emulate a corresponding string tone of one of a plurality of stringed instruments to create an emulated digital string tone signal (EDSTS). Each EDSTS is then transmitted back over the serial link to the stringed instrument for playback.

Abstract: A foot-operated pedal for programming audio and other effects, including an HMI or Human-Machine Interface that digitally communicates with a CPU, providing the parameters of effects set by the user, where a PC Interface is responsible for the mediation of the communication between the CPU and an external computer used to program the settings and adjustments of the device, with the audio interface having the function of promoting the compatibility between the electrical signal from the musical instrument and the CPU.

Abstract: A wireless sensor network for musical instruments is provided that will allow a musician to communicate natural performance gestures (orientation, pressure, tilt, etc) to a computer. User interfaces and computing modules are also provided that enable a user to utilize the data communicated by the wireless sensor network to supplement and/or augment the artistic expression.

Abstract: A pitch shift device provides pitch-shifted sounds based on performance sounds generated by an electronic string musical instrument. The pitch shift device has a device that detects vibrato. When vibrato is detected, an interpolation device of a pitch shift control device performs a control of interpolating for a pitch shift change in the musical sound signal accompanying a change in pitch shift information stored in a pitch information storage device and read out by a pitch shift readout device from a group of pitch shift information. Therefore, unnatural pitch changes in pitch-shifted sound can be suppressed.

Abstract: A musical keyboard touch sensor pad having a plurality of integrated sensors disposed in an array is disclosed. The plurality of integrated sensors represents a keyboard key. A processor is electronically coupled to the plurality of integrated sensors. The processor is programmed to receive signals from several of the plurality of integrated sensors and to generate a sound signal based on input from the several of the plurality of integrated sensors. The output is variable based on the number in the plurality and the location of the plurality in the array. An audio output device is electronically coupled to the processor to generate a sound based on the sound signal. A keyboard using a plurality of the sensor pads as well as a method of generating sounds from the keyboard are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for generating music via a computing system includes providing a website coupled to a computing system. A music application is executed on the computing system. Generated music is audibly played at least in part using the computing system. As a first step musical data is provided for a complete music piece, and the musical data for the complete music piece includes one or more seed parameter values transmitted by the website that are determinative of the complete music piece and based on which the music is generated. At least one seed parameter value is processed by a pseudorandom number generator routine to generate the music.

Abstract: An apparatus for combining input signals produced by a plurality of electric musical devices includes a plurality of audio buses and a plurality of segments. Each segment includes input circuitry configured to receive at least one input signal from at least one electric musical device and to deliver the at least one input signal to one of the plurality of audio buses; a plurality of variable adjustment devices each associated with a corresponding one of the audio buses and each configured to change at least one property of an input signal received by another of the plurality of segments and carried on the corresponding one of the audio buses independent from input signals carried on other of the plurality of audio buses; and a mixer configured to combine the input signals carried on each of the plurality of audio buses into an output signal.

Abstract: An electronic percussion device includes a drum shell, a drumhead as striking surface, vibration sensors, and a peripheral and a central vibration carrier. The vibration carriers abut against the drumhead to convey vibrations therefrom to the sensor(s). The central vibration carrier is a helicoidal spring. The peripheral vibration carrier is a rigid body of solid material supported by peripheral sensors disposed thereunder. Two electrical leads of each one of the peripheral sensors are correspondingly coupled in parallel to produce only two common output leads. An electronic sound module is configured to sample the sensors and employs software procedures to detect percussion strokes delivered on the drumhead, and to generate sounds accordingly. The software procedures use averaged and aggregated signals to provide accurate detection of position and intensity of a drum stroke. Alternative embodiments of the device use only a peripheral vibration carrier or only a central vibration carrier.

Abstract: An electronic percussion device includes a drum shell, a drumhead as striking surface, vibration sensors, and a peripheral and a central vibration carrier. The vibration carriers abut against the drumhead to convey vibrations therefrom to the sensor(s). The central vibration carrier is a helicoidal spring. The peripheral vibration carrier is a rigid body of solid material supported by peripheral sensors disposed thereunder. Two electrical leads of each one of the peripheral sensors are correspondingly coupled in parallel to produce only two common output leads. An electronic sound module is configured to sample the sensors and employs software procedures to detect percussion strokes delivered on the drumhead, and to generate sounds accordingly. The software procedures use averaged and aggregated signals to provide accurate detection of position and intensity of a drum stroke. Alternative embodiments of the device use only a peripheral vibration carrier or only a central vibration carrier.

Abstract: A system for controlling digital effects in live performances with vocal improvisation is described. The system features a controller that utilizes several switches attached to clothing that is worn by an artist during a live performance. The switches activate a digital vocal processor unit that provides a dual mode, multi-channel phrase looping capability wherein individual channels can be selected for recording and replay during the performance. This combination of features allows a sequence of digital audio and video effects to be controlled by the artist during a performance while maintaining the freedom of movement desired to enhance the performance.

Abstract: A performance apparatus 11 is provided with a first acceleration sensor 22 at its head portion and a second acceleration sensor 23 at its base portion. CPU 21 determines operation of the performance apparatus 11 during a period from the first timing to the second timing, based on a first acceleration-sensor value and a second acceleration-sensor value, and determines operation mode corresponding to the operation of the performance apparatus. Referring to a tone-color table stored in RAM 26, CPU 21 determines a tone color of musical tones to be generated, based on the determined operation mode.

Abstract: This invention introduces several methods, apparatus, and systems for controlling musician audio effects or musical instruments wirelessly from the performer's footwear. In one embodiment, the performer's foot motions are monitored using a motion detection device and compared against a set of criteria by a microprocessor to activate or deactivate one or more audio effects that are ready or “armed.” Once the foot controller is activated, a radio transmits sampled foot pressure that is used by the Base Unit to modulate all armed audio effects capable of being modulated. Tactile feedback is provided in the footwear as a means to confirm system status changes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an application for an iPad or similar electronic device having a touch screen. It provides a sensor to detect the touch position along the vertical length of a key as it is being engaged and to then offset the notes of the keyboard accordingly. This enables several octaves of notes to be accessed on the touch screen at any given time with a key size that is sufficient for real time playing. This arrangement further enables the incremental offset of the note pitches in a continuous manner to emulate the “string stretching” and “fretless neck” techniques of guitars and basses. The invention further provides a screen overlay to physically define the borders and travel of the on-screen keys thereby emulating the tactile feedback of real keys, again in a manner sufficient for real time playing.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a programmable pedalboard for a musical instrument is provided. The pedalboard includes a docking station for receiving a removable portable computer that provides a plurality of instrument effects. The docking station is configured to receive an audio signal from a musical instrument and to modify the audio signal from the musical instrument based on at least one instrument effect from the plurality of instrument effects.