Abstract: A hybrid electric/acoustic percussion instrument and percussion set containing the instrument. The instrument includes a hollow cylindrical shell having a first end and a second end and an inside cylindrical surface. A first substantially rigid plate having an outside surface and an inside surface is attached to at least the first end of the hollow cylindrical shell. A first resilient pad is attached to the outside surface of the first substantially rigid plate. An electroacoustic transducer is attached to the inside cylindrical surface of the hollow cylindrical shell.

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: A two-coil pickup having a magnetic flux shield configuration which shields an upper coil from magnetic flux variations caused by unwanted noise and concentrates this noise flux in a lower coil. The magnetic flux shield also concentrates magnetic flux generated by magnets and which envelopes strings of a stringed instrument in the vicinity of the upper coil. The upper coil and lower coil are coupled so that the noise signal generated in the lower coil is subtracted from the signal generated in the upper coil so as to cancel noise therefrom. The resulting output signal has substantially less noise than a one coil pickup. The shield also allows the lower coil to be smaller such that the overall size of the two coil pickup can be small enough to fit into the cavities formed for traditional one coil pickups.

Abstract: The invention is an electric guitar. In detail, the guitar includes a solid body and neck portions. A pressure sensor is mounted at the junction of the body and neck, the pressure sensor having the sensor element in direct contact with the guitar. An electric circuit connects the pressure sensor to an electrical connector mounted on an external surface of the guitar.

Abstract: A musical stringed instrument having a top pickup for producing variable tones and pitches. The top pickup is mounted on top of the strings. Present pickups are all mounted beneath the strings. The top pickup can be permanently mounted, slidably mounted and it can be made to swing into or out of the zone of the string vibration. The top pickup can be used independently or in combination with a bottom pickup or bottom pickups. The latter provide more variety of tones and pitches not achievable when the pickups are used independent of each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interactive multimedia apparatus (1, 11, 21) comprising a digital musical instrument (3, 14, 24, 41) and having a plurality of control members (42, 44, 45, 46) including at least one limited state (on/off) control member (44) and one or more dynamic range state control members (42, 45, 46). A central control unit (2, 12, 22) is also provided having a store of digital media stored thereon and a suite of software for interpreting the state of the control members (42, 44, 45, 46) in order to select, open and render the digital media. A control unit is associated with the digital musical instrument (3, 14, 24, 41) and has a CPU and a sensing means for identifying the state of the control members (42, 44, 45, 46).

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: 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: Transducer (100, 200, 300, 500, 600) for converting mechanical vibrations to an electrical signal and/or for converting an electrical signal to mechanical vibration. Damping liquid (122, 222, 522, 622) damps the relative vibration of transducer components (110, 250, 252, 254, 510, 610). The damping liquid can be selected to optimize the sound quality of acoustic vibrations at the point of transduction. Also, a transducer with components that rotate relative to each other (304, 310, 504, 510, 604, 610). For example, a permanent magnet component may simultaneous vibrate rotationally and linearly with respect to an electric signal carrying coil. The characteristics of the rotational vibration may be adjusted to optimize sound quality of acoustic vibrations at the point of transduction.

Abstract: An optoelectronic pickup that generates a fluctuating voltage that is analogous to the vibrations of a vibrating body. When utilized with the vibrating body of a musical instrument and amplified and fed to a speaker the musical tones are reproduced at an amplified level. When the signal is fed to an FM transmitter the musical tones can be reproduced in any FM radio receiver. The device makes possible portable electric instruments and ‘wireless’-electrical instruments, i.e. a guitar that does not require a connecting cord or amplifier. The device anticipates new and unique musical instruments.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument which can realize a choking effect by a simple operation. The electronic musical instrument is constructed such that a neck provided with a fingerboard is fixed to a body. A plurality of (twelve) fret operating elements are provided for each of six sounding channels. The body is provided with a string input section and an arm, and six stringed operating elements are provided for the respective sounding channels. For each sounding channel, a tone generator generates a musical tone at a pitch determined by the corresponding fret operating element and in sounding timing determined by the corresponding stringed operating element. When the arm is operated, a CPU provides control to apply a choking effect to a musical tone for a sounding channel, in which the musical tone is being sounded, by raising the pitch of the musical tone by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A combination stringed musical instrument for providing different stringed instruments on a common housing. The instrument includes a housing, neck portion, head portion, first plurality of string and second plurality of strings. The neck portion includes a neck first side and a neck second side. The head portion may be operationally coupled to the neck portion. The head portion includes a head first side and head second side. The head portion includes a plurality of tuning pegs. The first plurality of strings is preferably operationally coupled to the first side of the housing and extends upwardly along the neck first side. The first plurality of strings is coupled to the head first side. Similarly, the second plurality of strings may also be coupled to the second side of the housing and extends upwardly along the neck second side. The second plurality of strings is coupled to the head second side.

Abstract: An innovative music instrument (101) comprises at least one tunable string (102), a holding device (106) for holding the at least one string (102), an electrically or electronically operated exciting device (116,116?) for contactlessly exciting of the at least one string (102), a sounding body (108) for acoustically radiating oscillations of the string and an interface (113) for supplying a signal to the exciting device (116, 116?), wherein the signal is produced independently from the at least one string (102). The exciting device (116, 116?) enables exciting oscillations of the string of a sufficiently large amplitude so that the sounding body (108) can radiate tones of a loudness which is at least in the range of known acoustical string instruments. For transferring the string's oscillations to the sounding body (108), a bridge (112) is arranged between the sounding body (108) and the at least one string (102) .

Abstract: A hybrid saxophone is a combination of an acoustic saxophone and an electronic system, and the electronic system includes key sensors for monitoring the keys and a tonguing sensor for detecting the position of the tongue together with a breath sensor and a lip sensor, and the pieces of playing data are brought to an electronic tone generator for producing electric tones; the mouthpiece of the acoustic saxophone is replaced with another mouthpiece, which does not supply the breath to the reed, and a rotary type air-flow regulator is provided in the mouthpiece so that the player feels the blowing same as that in the acoustic saxophone.

Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument includes a vibration detection apparatus having a simplified frame structure that increases the uniformity of its rim shot strike sensitivity distribution. The frame is comprised of a flange, a center section and a linking section that surrounds the center section and extends from the center section to the flange. The flange engages the end of the drum body and the frame is disposed within the drum body. A rim shot sensor is mounted to the center section of the frame and detects rim shot vibrations that are transmitted through the frame. Because the linking section of the frame surrounds the center section, uniformity of rim shot strike sensitivity is improved. A head sensor is also mounted to the frame on a support plate that is coupled to the frame through a vibration isolating damper. A cushioning material is placed between the head sensor and a head of the percussion instrument for transmitting vibrations from the head to the head sensor.

Abstract: There is provided a musical tone generation control system which enables the user to obtain a feeling of operation as well as to obtain a feeling of satisfaction as if he or she were aggressively participating in performance or playback of a musical composition or the like. The musical tone generation control system has at least one operating terminal that can be carried by an operator. Each operating terminal detects a motion of the operating terminal caused by an operation of the operator, generates motion information based on the detected motion, and transmits the generated motion information to the musical tone generation control apparatus.

Abstract: A system for expanding generalizing aspects of an autoharp and making these functionalities beneficially available on other instruments. Strumpads comprising arrays of isolated touch switches, each generating distinct signals, are used to generate MIDI note events according to interpretations of an active mapping selected from a plurality of programmable mappings. The active mapping may be selected via chord buttons or foot switches, or may be determined by keys on a melodic keyboard. Mappings in some embodiments may provide repeated notes, non-note signals, and utilize one or more MIDI channels for controlling synthesizers, lighting, electronic percussion, and the like. The strumped may further include orienting tactile markings and provide pressure and velocity sensing. The system may be attached to or integrated within another instrument such as a guitar, keyboard, autoharp, pedal steel guitar, sitar, koto, mbria, and pipa, among others.

Abstract: A transducer for use with a musical instrument to transmit vibrations from the instrument to an amplifier has a weight, at least one sensor connected to the weight, an insulating layer covering the weight and the sensor, a substrate layer covering the insulating layer, an attachment device for mounting the transducer to the musical instrument and a cable mounted to the bas for connecting the transducer to an amplifier. One conductor of the cable is mounted to the weight and a ground shield of the cable is connected to the substrate. The transducer translates surface vibrations of the instrument into electrical signals that can then be amplified or recorded. The transducer has superior tonal qualities.

Abstract: An electronic synthesized steelpan drum resembling a conventional steelpan drum and featuring the same shallow cylindrical shape with a sunken concave playing surface. The steelpan drum includes a central processor chip and associated memory chips for providing a variety of synthesized steelpan and a full range of musical, orchestral, and symphonic instrumental sounds, including tenor, double-seconds, guitar, cello, quadraphonic, tenor-bass, and bass steel drums. The concave playing surface is comprised of a series of rubber striking pad areas, which can be arranged in a conventional or other unique pattern typical of a tenor pan. The striking pad areas will be played with a pair of pansticks. Attached under each pad is a pressure sensor, which will detect the amount of force applied when a pannist strikes a pad and provide a signal to the central processor for controlling the synthesized sound.

Abstract: A pick-up assembly for a stringed musical instrument includes first and second identical pick-ups in respective housings. The first pick-up is positioned toward strings of the instrument and the second pick-up is positioned toward inside of the instrument. The first and second pick-ups are attached back to back with a hard rubber sound suppressing material sandwiched between the back of the two housings. The sound suppressing material has the same size as the back of the housing. The second pick-up is grounded with a metal wire or is tuned to zero amplication.

Abstract: A sensing device is constructed by a sensor case which is attached to a bottom surface of a footwear (e.g., sole of a shoe) and which contains a piezoelectric sensor, a sensor fixing member, a disc plate pressure member and an annular elastic member. The sensor fixing member has elastic deformability so that the sensor fixing member is located to face with the disc plate pressure member with an air gap in which the sensor fixing member is capable of deforming within a limit of elasticity thereof. Thus, it is possible to perform musical tone control in response to an output of the piezoelectric sensor when a foot motion is applied to the footwear. In addition, a musical tone control apparatus of a percussion instrument type is constructed using a pad unit stored in a pad storage portion of an upper case. Herein, the pad unit is constructed by a pad skin unit and a sensing unit.

Abstract: A removable and portable single pickup unit for stringed instruments such as guitars, and the like. The unit can be mounted inside of a sound hole of an acoustic guitar without damaging the guitar. The unit can combine inputs from three different pickups(such as a magnetic sensor, vibratory transducer, and a microphone) into a single small housing. The unit can include a pre-amplifier and circuitry within the unit along with three rotatable rheostat type control knobs for each of the pickups, and an overall volume control knob that are easily reachable to the user's fingers while the fingers are on the strings. An output cable connects the unit to a single external amplifier or three individual amplifiers for each of the three different pickups.

Abstract: A performance processing apparatus is operable by an operation device and equipped with a sound device and a display device. In the apparatus, a storing section stores song data representative of a music sound constituting a music song, and stores image data representative of an image. An acquiring section acquires detection information from the operation device, which is used by a user and which has a detector for detecting a chronological action or state of the user and outputting the detection information representative of the detected chronological action or state. A sound control section generates the music sound through the sound device according to the song data, and controls a progression degree of the generation of the music sound according to the acquired detection information. A display control section displays the image by the display device according to the image data in correspondence with the progression degree of the generating of the music sound.

Abstract: A stringed instrument including a body having a top surface defining a picking area; a bridge supported by the top surface at one end of the picking area; a neck extending from the body at an opposite end of the picking area; and a plurality of strings extending in substantially parallel paths over the picking area. Each pickup is disposed under a different associated one of the strings and a support mechanism mounted on the top surface and adapted to accommodate movement of each pickup in a path within the picking area and parallel to its associated string.

Abstract: The real drum trigger monitor and amplified tone module is an electronic percussion instrument, satisfying the desire of drummers to have realistic electronic drums with the audible drum sound coming directly from the instrument triggering the sound being heard. The monitor has a speaker subsystem and patch capability mounted within an actual acoustic drum shell having a mesh drumhead and electronic trigger. The output of the electronic trigger is fed into an industry recognized tone processor before being fed back to the integrated speaker sub-system mounted in the drum, thereby producing sound coming directly from the drum activating the electronic signal. Alternatively, a traditional electronic percussion instrument may be mounted to the real drum trigger monitor and amplified tone module to provide an integrated drum trigger and speaker monitor.

Abstract: A bass drum foot pedal assembly for triggering rapid multiple drum beats in an electronic drum or percussion synthesizer having a frame with an upper striking surface with an electronic drum trigger wired to the electronic drum and a lower striking surface with an electronic drum trigger wired to the drum, a spring-biased foot pedal having a contact on the upper surface of the pedal toe and a contact on the lower surface of the pedal toe positioned between the upper and lower striking surfaces. The drummer can trigger a drumbeat upon depression of the pedal by causing the lower contact to actuate a trigger and by releasing the pedal to the upper contact to actuate a trigger, thereby triggering multiple rapid drumbeats.

Abstract: An electronic tone generation system including a plurality of separate, portable, handheld transmitters, or batons, that are provided as “instruments” to numerous players to form a choir. Each baton is activated by one of the players to send a signal, preferably a wireless signal, to a single receiver which produces an output signal fed to a tone generator, preferably a MIDI tone generator, which produces audible sounds via an amplifier and speakers. For example, the batons can correspond to different musical notes as played by a selected musical instrument and the batons can be played in concert by the choir to produce a musical or other audible presentation. Alternatively, selected batons can be designated to play in one voice, while others batons are set to play other voices.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide an electronic cymbal having improved accuracy for detecting a striking force and a striking position without hampering a striking sensation and an appearance. A piezoelectric sensor 5 and a cup portion sheet sensor 8 provided on a portion of a cup portion formed into a dome shape at a center of a cover 2 on a first frame 3 having the cover 2 formed out of a soft material, the cover 2 spreading to contact with an upper surface of the first frame 3, and an edge upper portion sheet sensor 7 and an edge lower portion sheet sensor 6 provided on an outer peripheral edge portion 3b formed to be lowered by a step are provided, and a center of a second frame 4 is supported by a cymbal stand (shaft) 10 penetrating an opening portion at a center of the first frame 3.

Abstract: A signal controller for a musical instrument such as a guitar includes a liquid-filled tilt-sensor that has means to cause a variation in electrical resistance that is exploited by control circuitry to vary one or more qualities of the signal of the musical instrument. Such a signal may be a volume control, a tone control, a balance control and/or an effects control.

Abstract: Film of dielectric material, which film contains gas bubbles preferably of a flat shape. To achieve improved electrical properties, the film is given a large internal unipolar charge, which is created by charging the film by means of an electric field intensive enough to produce partial discharges in the gas bubbles and to cause the charges to move into the dielectric material of the film.

Abstract: Extensions and generalizations are made to the pedal steel guitar. Separate transducers provided to each string permit fixed or variable pitch and timbre modifications determined by stored program control. Variable pitch and timbre modifications may be controlled by physical controllers such as single or multi-parameter foot pedals, knee levers, and wrist controllers. Physical controllers may return to an original position or hold their position after operation. A traditional mechanical tuning changer operated by traditional foot pedals and knee levers may be included; the latter may operate physical controllers. The bar position may be sensed, and the bar may include physical controllers wirelessly linked to the instrument. A miniature keyboard and strumpad may be provided in the picking area to control synthesizers and produce MIDI output. Strumpad operation can be controlled with chord buttons, foot pedals, or other physical controller devices.

Abstract: A guitar pickup mounting system is provided for mounting a pickup on a base plate adjacent a bridge which rides on first and second posts extending from the guitar body. Thus a height of the bridge relative to the pickup remains constant regardless of the height of the bridge above the guitar body.

Abstract: Method for playing a string instrument that utilizes electric sound amplification pickups, such as an electric guitar. The player can manipulate either or both ends of one or more strings. The electric amplification pickups are maintained between the ends where the player manipulates the instrument strings.

Abstract: An electronic pad generates a sound imitating a tone generated during a musical performance by an acoustic percussion instrument. In some examples, an electronic hi-hat cymbal imitates the sound created by an acoustic hi-hat cymbal without having to correct for uneven detection of striking sensitivity. The electronic pad includes a striking sensor, a striking surface, and a bowl-shaped frame that is curved such that the sensor detects vibration waveform data according to the striking force of a strike against the striking surface.

Abstract: A personal amplification sound system includes a microphone adapted to receive a sound and convert the sound into an original source signal, and an amplifier in operable communication with the microphone and adapted to receive the original source signal from the microphone and amplify the original source signal, thereby resulting in an amplified signal. The personal amplification sound system also includes at least one speaker in operable communication with the amplifier and adapted to receive the amplified signal from the amplifier, and an article of clothing adapted to the worn by a user, and that houses the amplifier and the at least one speaker therein.

Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument is constituted by a hi-hat, a stand, and a foot pedal, wherein the hi-hat is interlocked with the foot pedal via a movable shaft. In the hi-hat, a core plate (and a core) is arranged in the upper portion, and membrane switches are arranged in the lower portion and are covered with a rubber block, which is gradually brought into contact with membrane switches when depressed by the core plate, which is moved downwards upon depression of the foot pedal. In response to a depressed position of the foot pedal, membrane switches are sequentially turned on or off, thus producing a control signal whose value is varied to control an electronic sound in tone color. Thus, it is possible to produce various hi-hat sounds such as an open hi-hat sound, a closed hi-hat sound, and a foot hi-hat sound as necessary.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stringed instrument with embedded digital signal processing (DSP) modeling capabilities. The stringed instrument has a body and a plurality of strings and each of the plurality of strings is respectively coupled to a pickup of a polyphonic pickup. The polyphonic pickup is used to detect a vibration signal for each string. An A/D converter converts the detected vibration signal of a string into a digital string vibration signal. Further, a digital signal processor is located within the body of the stringed instrument to process the digital string vibration signal. Particularly, the digital signal processor is used to process the digital string vibration signal such that the corresponding string tone of one of a plurality of selectable stringed instruments may be emulated. The emulated digital tone signal is then converted to analog form to create an emulated analog tone signal for output to an amplification device.

Abstract: A novel multi-signal guitar pickup is provided. The pickup includes a coil assembly for each string that is capable of generating two signals which can be combined together in a predetermined manner to generate an x-plane and a y-plane signal. The pickup is particularly useful in a digital guitar system which generates multiple digital signals representative of the vibrations of each string.

Abstract: An acoustic drum or electronic percussion instrument is constructed by a drumhead corresponding to a punching sheet on which plenty of apertures are formed and a cylinder covered with the drumhead being stretched under tension as well as a muting structure which is realized by a vibration absorption member and a support structure containing L-shaped support members and a support plate. Herein, the support members are detachably attached to an interior periphery of the cylinder to support the support plate, on which the vibration absorption member is mounted and is arranged in contact with a backside surface of the drumhead to absorb vibration of the drumhead whose surface is being struck by a drumstick or else. Using the muting structure, it is possible to actualize mute performance in which drum sounds are being muted by reduction of the vibration of the drumhead propagating into the air.

Abstract: A high-precision input device which has less delay in signal transmission and can pick up a plurality of input signals is provided. This input device includes a planar first input area (30) in a predetermined region and a second input area (32) annularly formed around the periphery of the first input area (30). The input device outputs different signals when beating inputs are applied to the first and second input areas (30 and 32). The first input area (32) includes a sheet-like first input sensor (36) which is formed over the almost entire surface of the first input area. This first input sensor (36) is divided into left-side and right-side first input sensors (36a and 36b). The second input area (32) includes a plurality of second input sensors (38) which are annularly arranged in the second input area (32). The plurality of second input sensors (38) are connected to a conductive section (40).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic sound generating system and more particularly to a sound pickup apparatus. By using microwave field, as sound pickup medium, the present invention reduces the noise and hums inherent to the conventional sound pickup device, without sacrificing the sound quality.

Abstract: A digital guitar system and method includes a digital guitar and a digital guitar interface device, and a method of converting a conventional guitar into a digital guitar. The guitar is adapted to generate analog audio signals, convert those signals into digital signals, format the digital signals according to a digital communication protocol, and to output the formatted signals. The guitar may include a novel multi-signal guitar pickup that generates some of the analog audio signals. The guitar is further adapted to receive digital signals, convert those signals into analog signals, and output the analog signals. The interface device is adapted to receive digital signals, convert those signals into analog signals, and output the analog signals.

Abstract: A feedback resistant stringed acoustic musical instrument. The stringed acoustic musical instrument includes a body having a sound board and a back with a side portion extending from a peripheral edge of the sound board to a peripheral edge of the back thus creating an enclosure. The side portion includes perforations extending from an exterior surface of the side portion to an interior surface. The perforations reduce or essentially eliminate the tendency of a stringed musical instrument's body to behave as a Helmholtz resonator and the tendency of a an acoustic instrument's sound board to resonate when they are exposed to the instruments's own amplified acoustic signal. The acoustic qualities of the amplified acoustic signal may be further enhanced by using one or more peaking filter circuits in a preamplifier or audio amplifier used to generate the amplified acoustic signal.

Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument includes a vibration detection apparatus having a simplified frame structure that increases the uniformity of its rim shot strike sensitivity distribution. The frame is comprised of a flange, a center section and a linking section that surrounds the center section and extends from the center section to the flange. The flange engages the end of the drum body and the frame is disposed within the drum body. A rim shot sensor is mounted to the center section of the frame and detects rim shot vibrations that are transmitted through the frame. Because the linking section of the frame surrounds the center section, uniformity of rim shot strike sensitivity is improved. A head sensor is also mounted to the frame on a support plate that is coupled to the frame through a vibration isolating damper. A cushioning material is placed between the head sensor and a head of the percussion instrument for transmitting vibrations from the head to the head sensor.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is equipped with plural series combinations of switches and resistors and a piezoelectric transducer associated with a movable member for producing electric signals representative of player's intentions to music sound to be generated, and a signal processing system processes the signals for generating the music sound; the signal processing system has a voltage discriminator so that the plural series combinations are connected in parallel to the voltage discriminator through a single conductive line; a vibration absorber is inserted between the movable member and the piezoelectric transducer so that the piezoelectric transducer exactly converts the motion of the movable member to the electric signal at each player's manipulation.

Abstract: A personal amplification sound system includes a microphone adapted to receive a sound and convert the sound into an original source signal, and an amplifier in operable communication with the microphone and adapted to receive the original source signal from the microphone and amplify the original source signal, thereby resulting in an amplified signal. The personal amplification sound system also includes at least one speaker in operable communication with the amplifier and adapted to receive the amplified signal from the amplifier, and an article of clothing adapted to the worn by a user, and that houses the amplifier and the at least one speaker therein.

Abstract: South Asia's unique musical instruments and raag systems have provided many rich treasures to Western music. This invention melds Western-music technologies with the innovations, timbre, playing techniques, and performance environments of South Asian musical instruments and traditions. Sitars, Dilrubas, and Esraj may be provided with multi-channel signal processing and pitch change for individual strings, additional playing strings, keyboards, strumpads, percussion interfaces, controls for timbre and stage environment control, synthesizer interfaces, pickups for brass strings, resonant and twang processors, and spatial sound distribution. Bows may include sensors measuring the bow's physical activity or direct finger manipulation. Tabla and baya may be replaced with touch pads capable of recognizing relevant hand contact modalities and positions. Touch pads may be comprised of pressure sensor arrays that recognize traditional bols and permit other generalizations and deeper levels of sonic control.

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: There is provided a performance apparatus which is capable of performing fine variable control of musical tone parameters so as to obtain a variety of sounding characteristics. A plurality of reeds are fixedly mounted on a center block and each excited to vibrate by a corresponding actuator. A plurality of, e.g. three, resonant plates of different sounding volume are arranged in layers and each provided with a short yoke. A plurality of, e.g. three, vibration transmission mechanisms are fixed on a lower surface of the center block in association the respective resonant plates, and each comprised of a clutch coil wound around a clutch yoke.

Abstract: East Asia's unique musical instruments and traditions have sadly been increasingly loosing favor to Western music and musical instruments. This invention intends to help reverse this trend by melding cutting-edge Western-music technologies with the noble innovations, timbre, playing techniques, and performance environments of, for example, East Asian musical instruments and traditions. East Asian stringed instruments may be fitted with separate pickups for each string for amplification, music synthesizer interfacing, separate string electronic pitch shifting, exotic signal processing, etc. Examples include the Japanese Koto, Chinese Sheng, Vietnamese Koto, Chinese Pipa, Japanese Biwa, and other similar instruments. Additional devices and structures, such as strain gauges, electronic strumming pads, miniature keyboards, harp, bass, or sympathetic strings, percussion impact sensors, and electronic music control switches, sliders, and buttons may be included.