Abstract: Systems and methods for a digital instrument are described, for example to simulate or be used in conjunction with a stringed instrument. A sensor system detects the deflection of one or more strings of the digital instrument, produces a measurement of the detected deflection, correlates the measurement to a musical note, and produces at least a portion of digital output based upon the musical note.

Abstract: A method in accord with certain implementations involves, at a data interface of a musical instrument effects processor, receiving an extracted characteristic of an audible sound that is captured at a microphone; transferring the extracted characteristic to a digital signal processor residing in the musical instrument effects processor; receiving input signals at an input to the musical instrument effects processor; at the digital signal processor of the musical instrument effects processor, modifying the received input signals using the extracted characteristics to create the electronic audio effect; and outputting the modified input signals as an output signal from the musical instrument effects processor. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: The disclosed electronic percussion instrument includes a plate-like pad that has a front surface to be struck, a sheet-like pressure sensor that is provided on a back surface of an outer circumferential end portion of the pad and that detects a pressure change, and a weight portion that contacts a front surface of the pressure sensor, wherein, due to striking on the front surface of the pad, an inertial force from the front surface of the pressure sensor toward a back surface of the pad acts on the weight portion, and the weight portion presses the pressure sensor.

Abstract: An installation structure for an acoustic transducer configured to vibrate a vibrated body in a first direction so as to permit the vibrated body to generate sounds, wherein the acoustic transducer includes: a magnetic-path forming portion that forms a magnetic path; a vibrating unit configured to vibrate in the first direction; and a connecting unit connecting the vibrating unit and the vibrated body to transmit vibration of the vibrating unit to the vibrated body, wherein the magnetic-path forming portion has a through-hole penetrating therethrough in the first direction from a first opening to a second opening, the connecting unit passing through the through-hole, wherein the vibrating unit is disposed on a first-opening side of the magnetic-path forming portion and is fixed to the connecting unit on the first-opening side, and wherein the vibrated body is connected to the connecting unit on a second-opening side of the magnetic-path forming portion.

Abstract: A percussion controller comprises an instrumented striker including devices for obtaining inertial measurements and a wireless transmitter, a sensor-enabled striking surface that receives an impact from the instrumented striker, and a data processing system that receives the inertial measurements and predicts at least one of the force or location of impact of the instrumented striker on the sensor-enabled striking surface before impact actually occurs.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes a database including timbre data corresponding to a plurality of musical instruments an acoustic data input unit configured to display an acoustic data input position corresponding to a selected one of the musical instruments, detect whether the acoustic data input position is touched, and receive information on the touched acoustic data input position a mouthpiece detachably provided and having a shape corresponding to a shape of a mouthpiece of the selected musical instrument a wind sensor unit configured to measure an amount of air to generate loudness data a control unit configured to receive timbre data corresponding to the information on the touched acoustic data input position, receive the loudness data from the wind sensor unit, and synthesize the timbre data and the loudness data to output an acoustic sound signal of the selected musical instrument and a power supply unit configured to supply power.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes: a contact sensor that generates lip detection information from an operation by a performer; and a controller that derives a lip contact area from the lip detection information generated by the contact sensor, and performs musical note control of an electronic sound source in accordance with the derived lip contact area.

Abstract: A tone control system for string instruments includes at least one capacitive filter selected for coupling to at least one of a pair of series coupled pickup transducer sensors. The tone control system employs a potentiometer or switch to selectively enable the capacitive filter in different filtering configurations. When selectively not enabled, the capacitive filter is connected to neither of the pair of pickup transducer sensors. The capacitive filter may include a pair of filter capacitors for individually being selectively enabled as a low pass filter for one of the pair of pickup transducer sensors and a high frequency bypass circuit path for the other of the pair of pickup transducer sensors.

Abstract: An electronic instrument comprising an elongated member, comprising a plurality of detectors aligned in the elongated member, each detector for detecting a finger-sized object in the vicinity thereof and for providing a corresponding signal; a processing unit operatively connected to the plurality of detectors, the processing unit for receiving the signals from the plurality of detectors and for generating a signal indicative of a sound to generate and a sound generating unit operatively connected to the processing unit, the sound generating unit for receiving the signal indicative of a sound to generate and for generating a sound accordingly and wherein the processing unit and the sound generating unit are located inside the elongated member.

Abstract: A passive noise reduction device may be used with an instrument having at least one electromagnetic pickup. The device may include a device coil wound so as to form at least one free-shaped ring, a first terminal for connection to the pickup coil, and a second terminal for connection to ground. The device coil is responsive to the one or more stimuli so as to produce a noise electrical signal component in the device coil. The pickup coil and the device coil are in substantially the same plane. The noise reduction device coil is wound such that the pickup noise electrical signal component is substantially 180° out of phase with respect to the device noise electrical signal component, and such that the device noise electrical signal component destructively interferes with the pickup noise electrical signal component so as to reduce noise in a resultant electrical signal into the output circuit.

Abstract: A method and a configuration for visualizing an electrical signal are provided with a stand, a movable part, an electromechanical actuator and a vessel. The movable part is movable by the electromechanical actuator in at least one stroke direction. The movable part is mechanically connected to the vessel.

Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument includes a head, a frame, and an impact sensor, and a plate serving as a vibration-damping member. The back of the head is divided into a main area (e.g. a main strike area) and an auxiliary area. The plate is ring-shaped sheet, made of a harder material (e.g. a metal) than the head, with an elongated hole and attached to the head to encompass or sandwich the main strike area of the head, thus demonstrating a vibration-damping effect. When the main strike area of the head is being struck with a beater, a vibration is caused to occur in the head and detected by the impact sensor to produce an electric signal which is used to generate an electronic musical sound while the vibration-damping member suppresses vibration being transmitted through the head due to an impact of the beater on the head.

Abstract: An electric-acoustic stringed instrument has a removable, adjustable and acoustic artwork top with a decorative bridge and tailpiece; a mounting system for electric string vibration pickups that allows five degrees of freedom in placement and orientation of each pickup anyplace between the neck and bridge; a pickup switching system that provides K*(K?1)/2 series-connected and K*(K?1)/2 parallel-connected humbucking circuits for K matched single-coil pickups; and an on-board preamplifier and distortion circuit, running for over 100 hours on two AA cells, that provides control over second-and third-harmonic distortion. The switched pickups, and up to M=12 switched tone capacitors provide up to M*K*(K?1) tonal options, plus a linear combination of linear, near second-harmonic and near-third harmonic signals, preamp settings, and possible additional vibration sensors in or on the acoustic top.

Abstract: A pickup device for a string instrument includes a base unit to be disposed at a rear side of the string instrument, a securing unit disposed on the base unit and configured to secure removably the base unit to the string instrument, and a sound pickup unit mounted to the base unit and configured to generate an electrical sound signal in response to a sound received thereby.

Abstract: A central neck portion has planar left and right lateral edges. Laterally spaced left and right body regions have planar interior edges corresponding to planar left and right lateral edges of a central core portion. The left and right body regions have non-planar exterior edges forming continuous peripheries with hollow centers. Coupling components separably couple the planar interior edges of the left and right body regions to the left and right lateral edges of the central core portion.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems are disclosed for movable sensing for stringed instruments. A string selector module selects one or more strings of a stringed instrument in response to a user of the stringed instrument positioning at least a portion of the string selector module over the one or more selected strings. The stringed instrument includes a plurality of strings, and the plurality of strings includes the one or more selected strings and one or more unselected strings. A sensor module produces an electrical signal in response to vibration of the one or more selected strings.

Abstract: A method in accord with certain implementations involves capturing an audio sound at a hand held computing device; extracting a characteristic from the audio sound; and programming one or more digital signal processors in a musical instrument effects processor to modify an input signal to the musical instrument effects processor using the extracted characteristic. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Game rhythm in an electronic game can be synchronized, allowing a desired emotional state to be achieved. Specifically, a desired emotional state of a user playing an electronic game is identified. Then a beats-per-minute (bpm) level corresponding to the desired emotional state is selected. Game music may then be played at the selected bpm level, while animation for one or more game objects within the electronic game is synchronized with the selected bpm level. In some example embodiments, the game rhythm is synchronized based upon which game object a user selects, and there remain some game objects whose animations are synchronized at a different bpm level than the selected game object.

Abstract: In a musical instrument, such as a piano, having a sound board, the sound board vibrates in response to vibrations of a string responsive to depression of a key. A waveform corresponding to such vibrations of the sound board is detected and recorded into a memory for each of the keys. The recorded vibration waveform is usable for reproduction of a sound based on sound board vibrations. In a sound reproduction apparatus, such as a piano, having a sound board, an excitation device physically excitable in response to an input waveform is provided on the sound board. In response to an operation of a key, a sound board vibration waveform corresponding to the operated key is read out from the memory, and the excitation device is driven in accordance with the read-out waveform signal so that the sound board is vibrated.

Abstract: The present invention includes a guitar comprising: a hollow body, the body having a top surface, a bottom surface, an upper end, a lower end, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall, the first and second sidewall connecting the top surface and the bottom surface, the top surface having a central opening; an equalizer, the equalizer integral to the body; a mixer, the mixer integral to the body; a microphone jack, the microphone jack integral to the body; an amplifier, the amplifier integral to the body; a battery compartment, the battery compartment integral to the body, an output board, the output board integral to the body; an auxiliary input, the auxiliary input integral to the body. Other embodiments of the guitar include an all in one onboard mixer, a wireless system including a wireless transmitter and wireless receivers and an output board.

Abstract: A vibrating headset capable of generating a vibration of variable operational characteristics in the earpiece of the vibrating headset is disclosed. The vibrating headset may include one or more earpieces, each of which includes a speaker and a vibrator mechanism, wherein the vibrator mechanism receives a vibration input signal which is distinct from the audio input signal received by the speaker and defines the variable operational characteristics of the vibration to be generated by the vibrator mechanism. A gaming apparatus including a gaming device and a vibrating headset communicably coupled to the gaming device for generating vibrations of variable operational characteristics in response to receiving a vibration input signal from the gaming device is also provided. Finally, a method of creating vibrations defined by at least one variable operational characteristic in an earpiece of a vibrating headset is provided.

Abstract: A supporting structure for an electronic pad of a percussion instrument includes a pad member, a pair of a first engaging part and a second engaging part, and a connecting part which connects a first object (e.g. a leg fixed to a stand) and a second object (e.g. the second engaging part) in a rotatable manner about the rotation center. The connecting part includes a rotation-regulating unit which regulates the rotational displacement of the second object within the regulation range irrespective of a rotational torque less than a predetermined value which is applied to the second object disposed at the initial position relative to the first object. Due to a rotational torque above the predetermined value, the rotation-regulating unit shifts the regulation range so as to shift the initial position, and therefore the second object will be restored to the new initial position.

Abstract: The Pole Position Sliding Pickup System changes the way tonal variety is arrived at by electric guitar players. Rather than installing multiple pickups in different positions in order to achieve a limited variety in tone, the Pole Position Sliding Pickup System uses a single pickup which can be moved quickly and easily to any position between the base of the neck and the bridge in order to achieve a much greater variety in tone, and create wah wah-like sound effects by manipulating the pickup at different speeds and distances. Not only are the variety of possible tones increased, but so is the ease with which they can be attained, because the method of sliding the pickup into place is easier than conventional methods of choosing stationary pickups.

Abstract: A percussion controller comprises an instrumented striker including devices for obtaining inertial measurements and a wireless transmitter, a sensor-enabled striking surface that receives an impact from the instrumented striker, and a data processing system that receives the inertial measurements and predicts at least one of the force or location of impact of the instrumented striker on the sensor-enabled striking surface before impact actually occurs.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a stringed musical instrument having a plurality of movable strings includes a primary winding extending outward to form a mounting member and adapted to be disposed on the stringed musical instrument. The sensor assembly includes at least one magnet disposed adjacent the primary winding to generate a magnetic field. The primary winding creates a primary current from a disruption in the magnetic field by the movable strings and the primary current creates a primary electromagnetic flux. The sensor assembly further includes at least one secondary being coupled to the primary winding. The at least one secondary winding transforms the primary electromagnetic flux into a secondary current adapted to pass out the stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: An acoustic instrument is fitted with a flexible member that is fitted into the instrument and attached to the bridge of the instrument in such a fashion that the member vibrates freely in sync with the instrument. A compact optical pickup unit is attached to the flexible member in an arrangement comprised of cooperating optoelectronic devices which are mechanically isolated from the vibrations of the instrument and are positioned on the member. The member interferes with, and when stationary entirely obstructs, the path of a light beam generated by a light emitting device (LED) which is directed towards a light receiving device, the frequency and intensity of the vibrations of the member modulating the frequency and intensity of the light from the LED impinging on the receiving device. The result is an electronic output signal that corresponds to both the frequency of the note (or notes) played and to the tonal quality of the acoustic instrument on which the pickup is mounted.

Abstract: An inflatable electronic drum set includes an inflatable bladder, which when inflated, forms a three-dimensional outer configuration of a combination of a drum set and including multiple structural sections of drums and cymbals. The interior is filled up with air and each drum surface or cymbal surface is provided with a pressure detection film, so that through settings made with a control module, when a drummer hits, a corresponding drum sound or cymbal sound is generated. The inflated music instruments are set at positions corresponding to those of a traditional drum set. Due to high resiliency and flexibility, percussion can be made with perfect hand perception and no concern about collision and tumbling may be caused. Another advantage is that the sound volume can be adjusted. In addition, after air is completely discharged, the drum set can be stowed in a very limited space.

Abstract: A sensor obtains an angular rate of a stick member. A sound source map includes plural areas disposed in a virtual space. CPU presumes a direction of a turning axis of the stick member based on the angular rate obtained by the sensor, while a user is operating the stick member, calculates an angular rate of a top of the stick member based on the angular rate obtained by the sensor with the angular rate in the longitudinal direction of the stick member removed, calculates a position of the holding member in the virtual space after a predetermined time, based on the recent direction of the turning axis of the stick member and recent angular rate of the top of the stick member, and sends a sound generating unit a note-on event of a musical tone assigned to an area corresponding to the calculated position among the plural areas.

Abstract: At a timing at which a music playing operation is made by way of a music playing member, it is determined whether the position coordinates of the music playing member belong to any of a plurality of regions arranged on a virtual plane based on layout information store in memory, and in a case of having determined as belonging to the region, it is determined whether the pitch angle of the music playing member detected by way of a pitch angle sensor belongs to the pitch angle range corresponding to the region, and in the case of having determined as belonging to the pitch angle range corresponding to the region, the generation of a sound of a musical note corresponding to the region is instructed.

Abstract: A musical instrument (1) includes a stick (10) to be held by a player and provided with a marker (15) at a leading end that emits light and switches off; a camera unit (20) that captures an image of the player holding the stick (10); and a center unit (30) that generates a percussion instrument sound based on a position of the marker (15) while emitting light in image-capture space captured by the camera unit (20), in which the stick (10) causes the marker (15) to emit light under the condition of detecting start of a down swing movement by the player, and causes the marker (15) to switch off under the condition of detecting the end of this movement.

Abstract: An electric stringed musical instrument includes a body, a neck extending from the body, a plurality of tensioned strings extending between the body and the neck and an electric pick-up mounted to the body at a location for cooperation with the tensioned strings. The electric stringed musical instrument also includes an amplifier electrically connected to the electric pick-up and a speaker connected to the amplifier for the generation of sound waves. An elongated acoustic chamber extends from the speaker to an output port. The amplifier, speaker and elongated acoustic chamber are housed within the body.

Abstract: A rod-shaped electronic percussion instrument is provided. A rod-shaped percussion instrument, which has a striking surface made of an elastic material in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above, is characterized in including: a plate-shaped member, which is made of a hard material in a substantially rectangular shape and is elastically supported by a position facing a bottom surface side of the striking surface; and two sensors, which are disposed on a surface side of the plate-shaped member and detect a vibration due to striking on the striking surface, wherein the two sensors are connected to electrically combine detection signals detected by the sensors and output the same.

Abstract: A percussion instrument that suppresses erroneous detection by a rim sensor includes a first plate affixed to a frame, a second plate elastically supported on the first plate by one or more elastic members, and a rim sensor attached to the second plate. Large vibrations of the frame from an impact of a strike on the rim are transmitted to the second plate, and the rim sensor provides an output corresponding to the striking force. Also, vibrations of the frame generated by striking sound or external sound is attenuated by the elastic member, to suppress transmission of such vibrations to the second plate.

Abstract: A human interface device may include at least one analog control pressure surface that may operate in conjunction with at least one optical tube assembly (OTA) to allow precision human control of signal modulation, such as an audio signal being generated by a musical instrument. Each OTA may be incorporated within a body and may include a tube and an emitter-sensor pair wherein when pressure is applied to at least one of the pressure surfaces, the amount of light transferred within a sensor-emitter pair of an OTA is altered to selectively effect the signal modulation. Any type of control range may be expressed that depends on dynamic range and “touch” control. Accordingly, the human interface device may allow more “feeling” or expressiveness through application of pressure rather than positioning.

Abstract: Describes a mobile communication device (1, 20, 55, 111, 150, 200, 220, 335) having musical instrument (percussion, keyboards, string and blow) function, which “can be scrapped onto the user's body through an adjustable elastic belt (151). It is also able to receive commands from a remote sensor (4, 70, 75, 160, 210, 257, 392,412), which has a musical instrument interface (percussion, keyboards, string and blow), preferably scrapped onto the user's body by means of an adjustable elastic belt (151). A sound system (6) or an audio/video equipment might receive audio and/or video from the mobile communication device (1, 20, 55, 111, 150, 200, 220, 335) through an adapter (5, 56, 63, 68). The use of this device is intended to be an occupational therapy, satisfying, entertaining and relaxing for the user, which will provide user's mental and physical health benefits. Its technical classification is under “electronics”.

Abstract: Electronic musical instruments as disclosed, include sensors to digitize and alter the sound using FSR sensors in the mouthpieces and other elements of the instrument to mimic the variations available in analog instruments.

Abstract: An automatic tuning system for pendulum clocks provides for a separable magnet and ferromagnetic attractor, one positioned on the pendulum and one positioned off of the pendulum and adjustable to change the separation between the two. The magnetic attraction between these elements serves to simulate a changing gravitational force fundamentally affecting pendulum period.

Abstract: A very efficient guitar design, light weight and having a body-mounted tuning system to assist with performance is disclosed. The guitar comprises two main components: an acoustic body and a housing. This separation is intended so that the acoustic body is isolated from the housing and free to vibrate. The guitar further optionally comprises seven strings, twelve-strings, a vibrato system and a retractable built-in stand attached to the back of the housing.

Abstract: A magnetic pickup for a stringed musical instrument with a secondary magnetic source that modifies the primary magnetic field distribution of the pickup. The secondary source comprises at least one permanent magnet and may further comprise a ferromagnetic loss component. A method for retrofitting and changing the tone of a pickup by attaching one or more secondary magnetic sources to the pickup.

Abstract: A pickup unit of an electric stringed instrument is constituted of a vibrator supporting strings, a support which is installed inside the recess of a lower bridge so as to support the vibrator, and a plurality of piezoelectric elements which convert vibrations of strings transmitted thereto via the vibrator into electric signals. At least one presser member is interposed between the vibrator and the support. The presser member is constituted of a screw that is put into the lower surface of the vibrator from the lower surface of the support, thus upwardly pressing the piezoelectric elements onto the vibrator. This makes it possible to efficiently transmit vibrations of strings to the piezoelectric elements, thus improving the tone color and sound quality of an electric stringed instrument.

Abstract: An electronic percussion pad includes: a pad main body that is formed of a foaming elastomer; and a composite layer that includes an expandable fiber sheet laminated on a front surface of the pad main body. In the composite layer, fiber of the fiber sheet and a foaming elastomer of the pad main body are present, and the composite layer contains bubbles.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for temporary dampening and temporary conversion of a wide range of an analog percussion surfaces into electronic percussive surfaces by means of a modular self-dampening trigger system attachable in an openly modular configuration to the underside of said analog percussive surfaces in a manner that allows physical variations to traverse different media and span distance and time and allowing for discrete detection and manipulation of said variations. A trigger system that is releasably attachable to an acoustic percussion element has a metal cover plate releasably affixable to an undersurface of the acoustic percussion element, the metal cover plate partially covering less than half of the undersurface. A plurality of piezo sensors are releasably affixable to the undersurface of the acoustic percussion element.

Abstract: A sound pickup for musical cymbals includes an integrated assembly attachable to a cymbal stand. The integrated assembly includes a plurality of microphones arranged to achieve optimal quality and relatively constant loudness regardless of cymbal tilt. In one embodiment, two microphones are used, with signal phase from one microphone being inverted prior to combination with the signal from the other microphone. An illumination system having one or more light sources and a controller is optional. The controller includes a processor couplable to the pickup by way of a cable having at least one signal conductor for delivering audio signals from the microphone to the processor. The controller also includes an illumination control signal source delivering a DC voltage bias to the pickup for actuating the light sources.

Abstract: A pickup device includes: a speed detector which is configured to detect speed of vibration of a soundboard of an acoustic musical instrument; and a signal generator which is configured to generate an audio signal from the speed detected by the speed detector and to output the audio signal.

Abstract: A musical instrument location transmitting device and system includes a musical instrument having a location transmitting device and an electric power source permanently secured in the musical instrument in a position that requires removal of a musical component of the musical instrument in order to remove the location transmitting device. The location transmitting device includes a location sensing unit and a wireless transmitter that outputs a location of the musical instrument. A system wirelessly monitors a location of the musical instruments. A method of making a musical instrument includes coupling a location transmitting device inside a musical instrument and closing the musical instrument to permanently install the location transmitting device.

Abstract: An acoustic/electronic drum assembly comprising a mesh batter drumhead comprising a mesh membrane and an annular ring, a resonant drumhead comprising an acoustic membrane and an annular ring, the acoustic membrane capable of creating acoustic sound in response to a force applied to the mesh batter drumhead, an annular shell member for maintaining the mesh batter drumhead in fixed relation to the resonant drumhead, and a pick-up acoustically coupled to at least the resonant drumhead for picking up the acoustic sound and creating an electrical signal.

Abstract: A portable electronic drumhead includes a sensor responsive to drumstick impacts in producing electrical signal pulses input to headphones to thereby simulate sounds of an acoustic drumhead. The sensor includes a Force Sensing Resistor (FSR) lamination coated with an electrically conductive polymer ink, a spacer lamination, and a flexible electrode lamination having on an inner surface thereof a pair of interdigitated electrodes, the electrode lamination elastically contacting the FSR lamination in response to drumstick impacts on the outer surface of the electrode lamination or FSR lamination to thus momentarily reduce electrical resistance between the electrodes. Resilient batter pads overlying the laminations muffle sounds produced by drumstick impacts. Optionally, the sensor may have an annular ring shape which may be placed concentrically on the head of an acoustic drum, the sensor having an upwardly protruding resilient bumper strikable to produce electronically synthesized rim shot sounds.

Abstract: A chambered electric guitar body according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention includes at least five contiguous closed chambers enclosed in the assembled monolithic top and bottom parts comprised of a generally solid material such as a metal. The autonomous dimensions of the chambers, cubic volumes, and thickness as well as the density of the material, allow customization of shape and guitar performance. This is accomplished by using the method provided to produce the monolithic structures using digital technology, CAD and CNC machining to achieve desired specifications.

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: The invention relates to the automatic creation of a specific atmosphere by controlling contributions of sensorial perceptible stimulus means such as lights, sounds, and scents. The invention provides atmosphere settings containing data adapted for controlling the sensorial perceptible stimulus means in order to create at least one specific atmosphere, and atmosphere creation means adapted for automatically controlling the contributions of the sensorial perceptible stimulus means depending on the data contained in the atmosphere settings. Thus, a specific atmosphere may be created automatically without requiring a tedious adjusting of individual contributions of sensorial perceptible stimulus means to the specific atmosphere.