Abstract: The present invention permits the parameters of at least one of the frequency characteristic adjusting circuit and the effect circuit in its DSP to be modified for providing the line-out jacks with an optimum music signal when its speaker (SP) switch is turned offwithno headphone connected. When the headphone plug is connected with no headphone jack, the effect setting switch is assigned with a function of speaker system effect setting. When the headphone plug is connected with a corresponding headphone jack, the effect setting switch is assigned with a function of headphone effect setting. Also, upon judging that the headphone plug is connected with the headphone jack, the function of an equalizer (EQ) switch is disabled.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard musical instrument includes a plurality of keys turnable between a rest position and an end position, an electronic sound generating system responsive to the motion of the key so as to generate an electronic sound and a key touch generator for offering resistance against the motion of the key, and the key touch generator has a magnetic plate attached to a side surface of each key, a stationary electromagnetic actuator generating electromagnetic force so as to attract the magnetic plate thereto and a controller responsive to a key position signal representative of a current key position so as to change the magnitude of a driving signal supplied to the electromagnetic actuator, thereby varying the resistance like the key of an acoustic piano.

Abstract: A fretted stringed musical instrument is provided with channels which can removably accommodate frets. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the channels are provided at locations where it is sometimes, but not always, desirable to have a fret. The frets which are standard to the instrument may remain imbedded in the fingerboard. Alternatively, channels may be provided at all possible fret locations such that the instrument can be played fretted or unfretted. This embodiment would eliminate the need for expensive, time consuming, and instrument damaging refretting operations. In another embodiment of the invention, a set of tempered frets can be used to change the temperament of the instrument, such as from equal temperament to mean temperament in an Appalachian dulcimer. In another embodiment, using frets having a variety of lengths, it also becomes possible to fret only certain strings.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard musical instrument stores first key touch data codes representative of a first reaction component and grouped into first data groups by a key velocity, second key touch data codes representative of a second reaction component and grouped into second data groups by a key position and third key touch data codes representative of a third reaction component and grouped into third data groups by the key position, and produces a digital key position signal representative of current key position, a digital key velocity signal representative of current key velocity and a digital key acceleration signal representative of current key acceleration so that a solenoid-operated actuator generates a resistance against the key motion on the basis of the first key touch data code selected by using the digital key position signal and the digital key velocity signal, the second key touch data code selected by using the digital key velocity signal and the digital key position signal and the third key touch

Abstract: A control apparatus comprises a rod-like member having a gripping portion at its distal end, a support member for supporting the rod-like member, the gripping portion being movable along an axial direction of the rod-like member, and moving amount detectors for detecting moving amounts of the gripping portion. The control apparatus inputs a control signal to a control object on the basis of a detection value of the moving amount detectors. An electronic musical instrument has a control apparatus as a performance operation member for controlling electronic tone generation parameters in correspondence with a performance function, and a sound source for generating an electronic tone on the basis of inputs from a keyboard and the performance operation member.

Abstract: An electronic dance floor system (10) that consists of a dance floor (12) having at least two dancing sections (14) with each section further having at least four composite pad assemblies (16). Each of the assemblies (16) is connected through a musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) converter (100) to a MIDI equipped sound source (102). When a dancer, during his or her dance routine, steps on selected assemblies (16), an electrical switch module (34) embedded in each assembly triggers the MIDI converter which, in turn, energizes the sound source. Thus, by stepping on selected assemblies (16) a dancer can produce sounds that compliment the dancer's stepping routine. The system (10) can also be designed to include a pair of tapping shoes (110). The shoes independently allow a sound(s) to be produced that enhances the sound(s) produced by the dance floor (12).

Abstract: A musical tone generating apparatus employs an array of microresonant structures to generate the harmonic component signals of a musical tone to be generated. The microresonant structures produce high frequency signals which are down converted to audio frequency range by mixing them with a high frequency reference signal. The desired tone color is achieved by modifying the relative amplitudes of the harmonic component signals to produce a desired tone color. A large number of microresonators are preferably integrated on a single integrated circuit substrate to provide a variable tone generating system in a relatively compact environment.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to audio equipment simulative of musical instruments. The invention allows a user to simulate the playing of music reproduced from an external audio source. The present invention allows a user to quickly modify the amplification of a given audio band pass frequency by selecting a first trigger associated with that band pass frequency, and subsequently activating a second trigger to modify the selected band pass frequency. The present invention has an decorative and functional appearance which may simulate any musical instrument, such as a guitar.

Abstract: The electronic device uses domino-shaped sound elements in combination with a support track to generate audible sounds or musical notes. The sound elements are placed in indentations on a support track in a selected sequence corresponding to the sequence of musical notes in a song to be played. Each of the sound elements corresponds to a single sound or musical note. When the sound elements are toppled in a domino-type manner, the notes are played in the selected sequence. Each of the sound elements has one or more magnetic elements in its bottom surface. The movement of the magnetic element away from associated Hall Effect sensors in the support track during toppling of the sound elements is used to trigger a decoding circuit. The decoding circuit determines the note pattern and generates the associated sound through an output speaker. A timbre sound element may also be used to select the timbre or other tonal characteristics of the output sounds.

Abstract: Keyboard instruments incorporating sound systems for generating musical tones are disclosed. In a first keyboard instrument, speakers are mounted near a keyboard, and are arranged upright to be directed to the keyboard on the front side, thereby allowing a performer to clearly grasp the sound quality of performance tones. In a second keyboard instrument, which comprises a Helmholtz resonator consisting of a resonance port and a cabinet, an electro-acoustic transducer mounted on the outer surface of the cabinet and a driver for driving the transducer so as to cancel an air counteraction from the resonator, the size of a sound system is reduced, and the frequency characteristics, especially the low-frequency reproduction characteristics of the sound system are improved.

Abstract: A musical tone control mechanism for an electronic musical instrument in which a musical tone adjustment rotary body having a rotating shaft extending along the longitudinal direction of a keyboard is provided, the rotary body is divided into a plurality of parts, and an operation position of the rotary body is movable along the longitudinal direction of the keyboard, or a means for selecting an adjustment function of the rotary body is arranged. The musical tone control mechanism further includes an operation amount detector for detecting an operation amount of the rotary body as a pivot amount of a pivot shaft body of the operation amount detector, cylindrical intermediate members fitted to both ends of the rotary body for connecting the pivot shaft body to the rotary body, and bearings having bearing holes for pivotally receiving the intermediate members.

Abstract: A musical tone control information input manipulator comprises a manipulator body, a slide manipulator, and a pressure sensor. One end of the manipulator body is supported so as to be pivotally turnable and the other end thereof is supported by an elastic spring. The slide manipulator is provided on the manipulator body to generate a position signal representing a slide position on the manipulator body. Force acting on the elastic spring is detected by the pressure sensor to generate a pressure signal. The position signal and the pressure signal are respectively used as a bow position signal and a bow pressure signal for a rubbed string instrument such as a violin to generate a musical tone of the rubbed string instrument from an electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: The musical tone control apparatus detects a movement of a player, such as a holding, touching, beating, depressing, pulling, lifting up or down movement. Then, the musical tone control apparatus generates musical tone control data based on a detecting result of the movement of the player. The musical tone control data control a tone pitch, a tone color or a tone volume of a musical tone to be generated.

Abstract: Apparatus for altering the output of an electronic string musical instrum responsive to bending of the string comprises a compressible electrically conductive member which has an electrical resistance which varies with the degree of compression applied and may be a conductive elastomer or a piezoresistive material. First and second holders are in contact with the conductive member and a current source is secured to the first holder and the string electrode secured to the second. Bending of the string causes the application of compression to the conductive member. The change in current flow is converted into an output which is a frequency variation which corresponds to the degree of bending of the string.

Abstract: Keyboard instruments incorporating sound systems for generating musical tones are disclosed. In a first keyboard instrument, speakers are mounted near a keyboard, and are arranged upright to be directed to the keyboard on the front side, thereby allowing a performer to clearly grasp the sound quality of performance tones. In a second keyboard instrument, which comprises a Helmholtz resonator consisting of a resonance port and a cabinet, an electro-acoustic transducer mounted on the outer surface of the cabinet and a driver for driving the transducer so as to cancel an air counteraction from the resonator, the size of a sound system is reduced, and the frequency characteristics, especially the low-frequency reproduction characteristics of the sound system are improved.

Abstract: The musical tone control apparatus generates a musical tone control signal in response to a motion at a certain part of a human body, preferably a bending motion at an articulation of a finger, wherein it includes a light emitting element, a photo-conductive member and a light receiving element. The light emitted from the light emitting element is transmitted through the photo-conductive member whose light transmission rate varies in response to the force applied thereon, so that the amount of the light transmitted through the photoconductive member is reduced. Such reduced amount of the transmitted light is received by the light receiving element. Based on the received light, the musical tone control signal is generated. Thus, by bending the photo-conductive member, the musical tone control signal can be varied. Preferably, the light emitting element is a photodiode, the photo-conductive member is an optical fiber, and the light receiving element is a phototransistor.

Abstract: Keyboard instruments incorporating sound systems for generating musical tones are disclosed. In a first keyboard instrument, speakers are mounted near a keyboard, and are arranged upright to be directed to the keyboard on the front side, thereby allowing a performer to clearly grasp the sound quality of performance tones. In a second keyboard instrument, which comprises a Helmholtz resonator consisting of a resonance port and a cabinet, an electro-acoustic transducer mounted on the outer surface of the cabinet and a driver for driving the transducer so as to cancel an air counteraction from the resonator, the size of a sound system is reduced, and the frequency characteristics, especially the low-frequency reproduction characteristics of the sound system are improved.

Abstract: An electronic stringed instrument employs a plurality of sensors or monitors for instrument performance. Preferred sensors or monitors include a detector for detecting that a string of the instrument is vibrated, an apparatus for evaluating a string-vibration strength or a string touch, an apparatus for discriminating a fret operation position on a fingerboard or a fundamental frequency of a vibration of the vibrated string, a tremolo arm sensor, and a string-bending sensor. These performance input parameters are assigned to various control functions for musical tones generated by a sound source and/or various control functions for effects added to these musical tones by an effector. The function assignment is preferably programmable. In an operation, a music control apparatus control the sound source and/or effector in response to a performance monitor so that musical tones for the strings can be distinguished from each other or effects for the musical tones can be distinguished from each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating an enveloped tone signal includes a digital portion for generating an alternating logical wave form at the desired frequency, and a start pulse for initiating the tone; and an analog portion responsive to the alternating logical wave form and the start pulse for creating the tone, the analog portion including a capacitor responsive to the start pulse for storing a charge and a switching device connected to the capacitor and responsive to the alternating logical wave form for repeatedly bleeding off a portion of the charge from the capacitor in synchronization with the alternating logical wave form, and a transducer connected to the capacitor for producing the enveloped tone signal.

Abstract: A variable control device accessory for a music synthesizer having a horizontally disposed keyboard. The device is positioned in front of the keyboard. It has a plurality of movable bars, at least of one of which is capable of being pivotally and slidably moved by the wrist of a player while all the others are only slidable. The bars modulate selected light beams focussed on light responsive mechanisms to produce variably dependent analog signals as inputs to the music synthesizer.

Abstract: For elimination of an error made in a sound production, an electronic fretted and stringed musical instrument operates in a parameter adjusting mode of operation prior to a playing mode of operation, and the fret positions are adjusted for actual fret members in the parameter adjusting mode of operation for precisely deciding the fret position where a string is engaged, thereby allowing a sound with a note assigned to the decided fret position to be produced.

Abstract: A manually played control device mounted on the playing board of an electronic keyboard instrument, to be played by one hand of a player while the other hand plays the main keys. The main keys produce usual control signals whereas the control device produces electrical control or sound signals for the variation, supplementing and completion of the control signals produced by the main keys. A plurality of continuous and/or gradual control signals can be played simultaneously for a subtle control and shaping of sound parameters, such as volume, pitch, timbre and noise, through the use of a control handle which is movable in several directions and in several planes and is sensitive to the variable load by the player's hand.