Abstract: A sound generation timing is set as when a position of a playing device main body (11) is positioned within a main region as well as the position thereof being positioned in a sub region, and a CPU (21) generates a Note-On-Event with a tone stored in a main region/tone table and associated with the main region, and with a pitch stored in a sub region/pitch table and associated with the sub region. The Note-On-Event is transmitted from the playing device main body (11) to a electronic instrument unit (10), and a sound source unit (31) of the electronic instrument unit generates and outputs a musical sound of a tone and pitch in accordance with the Note-On-Event.

Abstract: A potentiometer control for use as a volume or tone control for a musical instrument, such as a guitar, that includes a switch which switches out the resistive element when the control is set to its most clockwise position so as to not load the instrument pickup when desired and so permit maximum volume to be achieved.

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 location of one or more fingers or objects at selected locations on a playing surface of the instrument, and the detected locations are combined with information indicative of one or more strings being played to generate a digital signal containing information as to the notes being played.

Abstract: An electronic drum kit module and drum kit using the same is disclosed. The module includes a body having a cradle configured and arranged to hold a tablet computing device. A number of trigger inputs are on the body and configured and arranged to receive trigger cables from a number of electronic instruments. A microprocessor in the body is configured and arranged to receive trigger signals from the trigger inputs and transmit a message to the tablet computing device corresponding to the electronic instrument that generated the trigger signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electronic cymbal system includes a first pickup configured to generate an electrical signal representative of vibrations in a first cymbal, and a controller configured to receive the first electrical signal and to process the first electrical signal to generate an output. The controller includes a digital signal processor (DSP) configured to subject a version of the first electrical signal to a digital signal processing technique. The digital signal processing technique includes one or more of dynamic range compression, expansion, frequency equalization, harmonic excitation, comb filtering, and pitch shifting. The cymbals may be any of variety of known cymbals, such as hi-hat, crash and ride cymbals, and may be of the perforated type configured to reduce noise for indoor use. Lighting control may be provided to illuminate the cymbal for functional or aesthetic purposes.

Abstract: A drum head (1) for an electric drum (100), the drum head having a first side (11) and a second side (12), wherein the drum head (1) comprises chloroprene rubber and wherein a nylon fabric is provided on the first side (11) of the drum head (1).

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electronic cymbal system includes a first pickup configured to generate an electrical signal representative of vibrations in a first cymbal, and a controller configured to receive the first electrical signal and to process the first electrical signal to generate an output. The controller includes a digital signal processor (DSP) configured to subject a version of the first electrical signal to a digital signal processing technique. The digital signal processing technique includes one or more of dynamic range compression, expansion, frequency equalization, harmonic excitation, comb filtering, and pitch shifting. The cymbals may be any of variety of known cymbals, such as hi-hat, crash and ride cymbals, and may be of the perforated type configured to reduce noise for indoor use. Lighting control may be provided to illuminate the cymbal for functional or aesthetic purposes.

Abstract: A performance apparatus 11 extends in its longitudinal direction to be held by a player with his or her hand. The performance apparatus is provided with a geomagnetic sensor 22 and an acceleration sensor 23 in its extending portion. CPU 21 gives an instruction to an electronic musical instrument 19 to generate a musical tone of a tone color at a timing when a position of the performance apparatus obtained by the geomagnetic sensor and acceleration sensor passes through a sound generation area defined in space, wherein the tone color of the musical tone corresponds to the sound generation area. The sound generation areas and corresponding tone colors are stored in an area/tone color table in RAM 26. Upon receipt of an instruction, the electronic musical instrument generates a musical tone having a tone color corresponding to the sound generation area.

Abstract: Musical instruments are described including a first portion designed to be operated by one hand of a player and a second portion designed to be operated by the other hand. The two portions include means within each for sensing hand and/or finger activity, position or movement, and one of the portions is adapted to produce an output signal corresponding to the music being played by the user. The two portions may be physically connected together or they may be separate, each including its own power supply to enable it to operate, and for the two portions to communicate with one another. The invention is of particular value in the construction of practice instruments which do not need to include a sound box, and can thus be very compact, especially if the two parts, such as a fingerboard (20) and a body (82) with strings (83) mounted on it are connected by a telescopic neck (60A).

Abstract: A percussion instrument (1) in the form of a drum being a rectangular parallelepiped or a cuboid in shape and having three or more live striking faces (2), wherein each striking face (2) has a different percussive property. The invention further comprises a stand (30) specifically adapted to support a percussion instrument (1) in the form of a cuboid drum.

Abstract: The present invention includes an electronic cymbal assembly including a hi-hat clutch for mounting a hi-hat to a hi-hat stand post; a top cymbal; a self dampening trigger system attached to the underside of the top cymbal; a bottom cymbal; an input jack box mounted to the underside of the bottom cymbal; and a hi-hat cymbal mounting post. The cymbal assembly may be mounted using a magnetic ring configuration or a threaded pole configuration.

Abstract: An electronic instrument comprising at least one receptacle which is configured to insertably receive interchangeable pickup assemblies and which is positioned relative to at least one suspended and taut vibrating element, and whereby the interchangeable pickup assembly is electrically connected and removably secured to the instrument's body via an electric contact.

Abstract: A System and method for the creation and performance of enriched musical composition. One aspect of the invention allows a composer to associate content with one or more triggers, and to define behavior characteristics that control the functioning of each trigger. Another aspect of the invention provides a variety of user interfaces through which a performer can cause content to be presented to an audience.

Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument including: a detecting section which is provided in a stick and detects acceleration and angular speed based on movement of the stick; a first timing generating section which generates beat timing based on a predetermined tempo and beat width; a first pre-sound-production movement detecting section which detects a pre-sound-production movement that is performed prior to sound production, based on the acceleration and the angular speed detected by the detecting section; and a sound production instructing section which instructs to produce a sound at the beat timing generated by the first timing generating section, when the first pre-sound-production movement detecting section detects the pre-sound-production movement.

Abstract: A baseplate carries on its surface a pad constituting a strike surface and a tubular rim surrounding the pad and constituting a strike ring. A pad sensor is provided on the surface of the baseplate in the central area thereof for detecting the vibration of the baseplate caused by a strike on the pad, and a rim sensor is provided between the rim and the baseplate for detecting the vibration of the rim. The electric signals representing the detected vibrations trigger the generation of tone signals of drum sounds. The baseplate is supported via vibration absorber pieces on a support frame. Thus, disturbing vibrations externally given to the support frame will be prevented from propagating up to the baseplate, being absorbed by the vibration absorber pieces.

Abstract: An input apparatus including: a first operation detecting section provided on a first operating section which detects acceleration and angular speed based on movement of the first operating section; a second operation detecting section provided on a second operating section which detects acceleration and angular speed based on movement of the second operating section; a judging section which judges whether or not the first and second operating sections have been held together, based on the accelerations and the angular speeds detected by the first and second operation detecting sections; a detecting section which detects a change operation based on the accelerations and the angular speeds detected by the first and second operation detecting sections, when the judging section judges that the first and second operating sections have been held together; and a changing section which changes a predetermined parameter in accordance with the change operation detected by the detecting section.

Abstract: An input device including: a first operation detecting section which is provided on one stick and detects acceleration based on movement of the one stick; a second operation detecting section which is provided on an other stick and detects acceleration based on movement of the other stick; a first strike judging section which judges whether or not the one stick and the other stick have struck against one another, based on the acceleration detected by the first operation detecting section and the acceleration detected by the second operation detecting section; and an instructing section which instructs to produce a sound corresponding to striking of the one stick and the other stick against one another, when the first strike judging section judges that the one stick and the other stick have struck against one another.

Abstract: An apparatus is to assist an unskilled player in playing a musical instrument by detecting the quantity of the player's manipulation against the instrument, modifying the detected manipulation quantity with reference to a recommended manipulation to a degree according to a given assistance coefficient, and actuating the instrument with the modified manipulation quantity. For a brass instrument, the apparatus comprises an embouchure sensor and a breath pressure sensor to detect the embouchure and the breath pressure of the player as he/she plays the brass instrument. The detected embouchure and breath pressure are then modified with reference to a recommended embouchure and breath pressure weighted by a given assistance coefficient. The apparatus actuates the brass instrument based on the modified embouchure and breath pressure.

Abstract: Improvements in a microphone system for a musical instrument and more particularly for a percussion instrument such as a drum, marimba or similar musical instrument. The microphone system includes a vibration isolation system. A vertical or horizontal tracking system bridges across supports of a drum or marimba in a vertical or horizontal tracking system. One or more microphones are supported on the first bridging structure. The microphone(s) are positionally secured on the horizontal tracking system. Both the microphones and the horizontal tracking system provide vibration isolation to all of the microphones. A cable managements system is also disclosed to reduce mechanical vibration and eliminate transmission of undesirable sounds.

Abstract: As described herein, a sound pickup for musical cymbals includes an integrated assembly attachable to a cymbal stand. The integrated assembly includes a plurality of microphones arranged and electrically connected such that the resulting amplified sound is of optimal quality and of relatively constant loudness regardless of cymbal tilt. In one embodiment, two microphones are used, with the signal phase from one microphone being inverted prior to combination with the signal from the other microphone. The inversion is implemented using an inverter and serves to cancel signals that are in phase with one another and augment signals that are out of phase with one another. This, along with suitable placement of the pickup, exploits the fact that the more desirable components of the cymbal's vibration at the inflection point of the cymbal are out of phase with each other, whereas the less-desirable components are in phase with each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for artificially aging a musical instrument is provided. The apparatus and method include oscillating the sound board of the instrument by an energy source at specific frequencies over the playing frequency range of the instrument.

Abstract: A musical instrument and acoustic/electrical pickup is provided. The instrument includes acoustic and/or electrical pickup capabilities but also retains the feel of an acoustic instrument. The pickup is removable from the instrument.

Abstract: An electromagnetic field pickup (10) for a musical instrument including an electromagnetic signal generator (12), an electromagnetic field transducer (18), a mixer (28), the electromagnetic signal generator (12), the electromagnetic field transducer (18) and the mixer (28) are respectively connected in series, the electromagnetic signal generator (12) is also connected directly to the mixer (28), so constructed and arranged that when power is supplied to the electromagnetic field pickup (10) an audio electrical signal of substantially same pitch, intonation and sustain as a vibrating element (22) of the instrument is generated.

Abstract: A percussion instrument that is formed of a housing, a compressible foam material connected to the housing, an electronic pick-up embedded within said compressible foam material and a compression plate. The housing includes a front opening and a cavity and a rear portion of the compressible foam material extends through the front opening of the housing and into the cavity of the housing. The electronic pick-up is spaced from the outer surface of the compressible foam material. The compression plate is positioned on the front face of the compressible foam material and is spaced from an outer edge of the front face.

Abstract: An electronic hi-hat cymbal controller is disclosed. The controller includes a hi-hat cymbal stand with a foot pedal configured and arranged to mechanically lift a control shaft. A lower cymbal is supported by the hi-hat cymbal stand. An upper cymbal is supported by the control shaft and oriented over the lower cymbal. And a position detector is configured and arranged to detect the position of the control shaft relative to the hi-hat cymbal stand.

Abstract: Performance interface system includes a motion detector provided for movement with a performer, and a control system for receiving detection data transmitted from the motion detector and controlling a performance of a tone in response to the received detection data. State of a performer's motion is detected via a sensor of the motion detector, and detection data representative of the detected motion state is transmitted to the control system. The control system receives the detection data from the motion detector, analyzes the performer's motion on the basis of the detection data, and then controls a tone performance in accordance with the analyzed data. With this arrangement, the performer can readily take part in the tone performance in the control system.

Abstract: An interactive water fountain comprising means for providing at least one column or jet (1) of water, means for applying an electrical signal each column or jet (1), detector means (2) for detecting changes in electrical impedance of said water column or jet (1) caused by human interaction therewith and means for activating an electronic device capable of providing an auditory or visual effect upon detection of a change in electrical impedance.

Abstract: An improved transducer structure for musical instruments, principally for stringed instruments, permitting the production of an electrical analog signal which faithfully reproduces sound waves conducted to a sensor from the surface of the instrument through the attachment surface of the transducer and air borne sound waves incident on the elevated structure of the transducer, with nominal distortion. The sensors which are effective using this transducer technology include piezo-electrical sensors, magnetic sensors and capacitive pickups are made part of a symmetric resonant structure none of whose sides are parallel.

Abstract: A sensor bow system is described which generates various types of data representing various movements of and forces exerted upon a sensor bow intended for use with any of a variety of stringed instruments. The sensor bow data may be used to control a wide variety of audio, visual, and other effects.

Abstract: A combination distortion pedal and amplifier includes a foot pedal controls the distortion and the amplification of audio signals. The level of distortion and amplification are determined by the position of the foot pedal with a low level of distortion and amplification when the foot pedal is in a released position and a high level of distortion and amplification when the foot pedal is depressed. Various intermediate distortion and amplification levels are provided when the foot pedal is in positions between fully released and fully depressed.

Abstract: Based on acceleration-sensor values from a three-dimensional acceleration sensor 23, CPU 21 of a performance apparatus 11 determines a timing at which a musical tone is generated. Further, based on the acceleration-sensor values of the acceleration sensor 23 given at a predetermined timing, for example, at a time when a player starts swinging of the performance apparatus 11, a roll angle of the performance apparatus 11 rotating about an axis in its longitudinal direction is calculated. A timbre of musical tones to be generated is determined based on the calculated roll angle.

Abstract: A guitar-family-characteristic-sound selector switch (63) is incorporated into an electric guitar and used in conjunction with the normal guitar pickup selector switch (62) and the volume and tone controls. This guitar-family-characteristic-sound selector switch invokes different pickup (61) combinations and resistance/capacitance/inductance circuitry (68) in order to generate sounds characteristic of at least two other guitars in addition to the normal sound of the host guitar. In one implementation, the family selector switch is a single user controllable switch that makes the system is intuitive in that a single guitar-family-characteristic-sound selector switch is all that needs to be operated to put the guitar in the mode of sounding like one of three or more styles of guitars following such selection; the pickup selector, volume and tone controls are used in the usual manner.

Abstract: Improvements in a microphone system for a musical instrument and more particularly for a marimba or similar musical instrument. The microphone system includes a vibration isolation system. A horizontal tracking system bridges across the vertical supports of a marimba in a horizontal tracking system. One or more microphones are supported on the first bridging structure. The microphone(s) are positionally secured on the horizontal tracking system. Both the microphones and the horizontal tracking system provide vibration isolation to all of the microphones. A cable management system is also disclosed to reduce mechanical vibration and eliminate transmission of undesirable sounds.

Abstract: A drum, tube or cylinder of any size using any speaker that can be mounted using any standard drum lugs. Covered either using vinyl, leather, fur, metal, plastic and or wood grain painted or stained. With the speakers in the drums, the sound waves can be deadened so the microphone can only pick up speaker roll off or the sound waves coming off of the speaker, with no corners. There is no place for wind to go, so extra wind can not get pushed back onto the cone resulting in mud or cancel, where the speaker is pushed to the side, using the soft pillow to adjust the airflow you can deaden any amount of airflow inside the drum. A typical cabinet open or closed has to much room for extra air so the use of multiple amps will push more air onto the speaker cone.

Abstract: A removable electronic drum head for an acoustic drum is disclosed. The electronic drum head includes an elastic strike layer, a rigid plate centered below the elastic strike layer. A first sensor is attached to a bottom surface of the rigid plate. A structural body supports the elastic strike layer, rigid plate and first sensor. The structural body is further adapted to attach to an acoustic drum. Other optional foam layers may be included above and below the rigid plate.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument may include various features, including any of a soundboard designed for efficient production of acoustic tone, a removable cover for easy access to the instrument's interior, a tailpiece mounted to receive and tension strings, one or more transducers to record and amplify musical tones, a dampening device that further improves operation of the transducers, a detachable thumbrest, an overbrace to strengthen supporting cross members that embody openings, and a rigid overlay that may be placed over an original fretted fingerboard to create a fretless surface for the strings to contact.

Abstract: A portable system for drumming is provided that simulates a full drum kit. In one implementation, a system is provided that can digitally simulate a full drum kit without the need for actual drums. The system can include electronic drumsticks that can transmit digitally sampled drum sounds (e.g., snare, kick drum, high-tom, low-tom, cymbal) wirelessly to a receiver. The receiver can connect to one or more outputs, such as headphones or a stereo system. The receiver may also be configured to mix audio signals produced by the drumsticks with other audio inputs such as an MP3 player to permit a user to drum along with prerecorded music.

Abstract: Stringed instruments, game controllers, and related structures and methods are described. A game controller having one or more strings is described for a computer gaming application. Output signals may be sent from the controller to the gaming application indicative of fingering of the game controller and the time at which the strings of the game controller are struck. Multi-mode apparatus are also described. A stringed apparatus may be used as both a game controller and an instrument. Bracing structures and methods are also described for bracing stringed apparatus, such as stringed game controllers and instruments.

Abstract: An electronically-enabled glove system for producing simulated music comprising: a form-fitting hand-glove; integrated electronic tactile sensors able to convert a sensed-pressure into an electronic signal. The integrated electronic tactile sensors are integral within the form-fitting hand-glove and the integrated electronic tactile sensor, when contacting a surface measures the sensed-pressure and converts the sensed-pressure into the electronic signal that is relayed to produce simulated music.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable preamplifier for musical instruments which is particularly useful for electric guitars. The preamplifier has a body which houses an electronic system for amplifying and shaping the frequency spectrum of signals from the guitar and a battery for supplying power to the electronic system. A short, shielded input audio cable is permanently attached to the preamplifier body, is electrically coupled to the electronic system input, and terminates in an input phone plug. The preamplifier is also provided with an output phone jack. The preamplifier is portable and can be physically attached to a guitar strap or to the musician's clothing. When the input phone plug is inserted into a guitar output jack and an instrument cable is inserted into the preamplifier output phone jack, amplified and spectrally shaped signals from the guitar can be delivered via the instrument cable to a guitar amplifier/loudspeaker, mixing board, or other audio signal device.

Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer system for converting sound waves propagating from a musical instrument drum to an electric signal is generally provided. The system includes a housing, an electroacoustic transducer, and a cover. The housing includes a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface. In addition, the housing defines a housing cavity with a mouth. The electroacoustic transducer is disposed in the housing cavity and faces outwardly from the concave inner surface and towards the mouth to receive sound waves propagating from the drum. The electroacoustic transducer receives and converts the sounds waves in the housing cavity to the electric signal. The cover has a generally planar outer surface and extends over the mouth to at least partially enclose the electroacoustic transducer.

Abstract: An acoustic drum set amplifier specifically calibrated for each instrument within a drum set, specifically a snare drum, a bass drum, a bongo drum, tom-tom drum, a hi-hat, ride cymbal and crash cymbals, for optimizing the sound frequency of the instrument. In operation, an artist using the device might be able to filter, blend, and manipulate an electro-acoustic signal associated with an acoustic drum instrument, either captured by a microphone or generated by an electronic drum module to the artist's preferences while monitoring the sound directed towards an audience at a live performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration authoring tool, a vibration authoring method, and a storage medium recorded with the same. To this end, the present invention provides a vibration authoring tool, including: a scale defining unit that defines a scale by controlling the frequencies, amplitudes, and waveforms of the vibration; a clef defining unit that defines a clef by corresponding each staff line of a vibration score to a portion of the frequencies and corresponding head numbers of each note to a portion of the amplitudes; a score authoring unit that authors a score by inputting symbols including notes, rests, and dynamics in the vibration score; and a reproducing unit that reproduces the score authored through the score authoring unit.

Abstract: A sound synthesizer has a storage unit, a setting unit and a sound synthesis unit. The storage unit stores a plurality of sound data respectively representing a plurality of sounds collected by different sound collecting points corresponding to the plurality of the sound data. The setting unit variably sets a position of a sound receiving point according to an instruction from a user. The sound synthesis unit synthesizes a sound by processing each of the plurality of the sound data according to a relation between a position of the sound collecting point corresponding to the sound data and the position of the sound receiving point specified by the user.

Abstract: A sound system and method for modeling a sound field generated by a sound source and creating a sound event based on the modeled sound field is disclosed. The system and method captures a sound field over an enclosing surface, models the sound field and enables reproduction of the modeled sound field. Explosion type acoustical radiation may be used. Further, the reproduced sound field may be modeled and compared to the original sound field model.

Abstract: An electronic music stand system and methodologies relating thereto are presented. The electronic music stand system is comprised of a performer subsystem comprising a processing subsystem, librarian logic, performance logic, and communications management logic. The communications management logic provides management of communication via the communications interface with external apparatus responsive to the performance logic and the librarian logic. The user input apparatus and the display apparatus can be integrated into a touch-screen input display. The present invention also relates to a method for providing for video display of music responsive to the music data stored in a music database. The method is comprised of defining a page of music image data from the music database; defining ordered logical sections; storing the mapping in a memory for selective retrieval; and providing for the video display of the music responsive to the mapping and the storing.

Abstract: Musical instrument pickups comprising a plurality of coil-wire wrappings, each coil-wire wrapping having a particular geometric cross-section. Related embodiments exhibiting noise cancellation features are also disclosed.

Abstract: A transducer includes a piezoelectric element attached to a stringed musical instrument with an adhesive layer, and at least one intermediate layer provided in a thickness-wise middle portion of the adhesive layer and made of a material different from a material of the adhesive layer. The transducer has a mounting surface attached to face a back surface of a top of a body of the stringed musical instrument, and the mounting surface is disposed in an area, in the top, including an area right under an installation area of a bridge which is provided on a front surface of the top and supports a saddle supporting one-end sides of strings.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for multi-touch sensing is capable of detecting multiple musical instrument inputs and gestures. For example, a hand drummer may play with multiple fingers on one hand while using the heel of the palm of the other hand to slide across the drumming surface increasing the force on the head and modify the pitch of the drum. The method and apparatus for multi-touch sensing simulates conventional drum playing surfaces using multi-entry input and enables the gestural features of conventional drum playing surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for artificially aging a musical instrument is provided. The apparatus and method include oscillating the sound board of the instrument by an energy source at specific frequencies over the playing frequency range of the instrument.