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: The disclosure relates to control and audio manipulation of a digital audio signal by a user manipulable rotary control. The disclosure is specifically applicable to manipulation of a digital audio signal by disc jockeys (DJs). A magnet and corresponding sensor are used to obtain rotational state information from the turning of the user manipulable rotary control. This rotational state information is used to manipulate a digital audio signal. Manipulation of the digital audio includes forward and backward motion as well as a “scratch effect”. Rotational state information obtained from rotating magnet includes the possibility of absolute rotation position as well as relative rotational position, or rotational direction.

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: Apparatus comprising a base, a finger attachment, and an electromagnet. The base comprises a proximity detector configured to determine an input distance between the finger attachment and the base. The apparatus further comprises a converter configured to convert the input distance between the finger attachment and the base into an output force to be applied to the finger attachment. The electromagnet is configured to apply a force to the finger attachment in accordance with the output force to be applied to the finger attachment as determined by the converter.

Abstract: A drum includes a shell having first and second, spaced apart ends defining an interior volume; first and second drumheads, each stretched over a respective one of the first and second ends of the shell; and an electromechanical driver having a moving coil element operable to move the first drumhead in response to an electrical drive signal.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a scratch effect controller for use by a disk jockey, wherein at least one electromagnet creates the slippage tension or friction effect between the user manipulated disc, which includes a vinyl-like surface thereby simulating a vinyl record, and the rotatable or fixed platter. The strength of the electromagnet is variable so as to create a variable slippage tension or friction effect.

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: Embodiments are directed to a novel technique used to create electronic apparel that is powered by batteries and generates light, or sound in reaction to various sensors on the garment. The wearer through the use of various options or effects can further modify the output through the use of various options or effects. The electronic apparel includes an image of an instrument and a keypad that allows for user control of sounds generated by electronic circuits incorporated in the garment. Sound generation circuitry and speakers are coupled to the keypad in an electronic assembly that is detachably coupled to the garment in such a way as to allow regular washing of the garment without any damage to the electronic devices.

Abstract: A passive pickup that utilizes electromagnetic coils comprising circuits that are connected in series and placed underneath and parallel to the strings of the electrical instrument. Each circuit within the passive pickup can be run through separate amplifiers in stereo or combined with standard guitar pickup signals and run through one or more amplifiers. The passive string isolating pickup is directed at allowing utilization of signal processing (guitar effects) in a string-isolated mono or stereo manner and the adjustment the volume and tone of isolated strings when wired in conjunction with volume and tone potentiometers.

Abstract: A method of artificially aging a musical instrument is provided by placing the instrument in an enclosure, providing at least one electromechanical transducer proximate to the instrument and providing an electrical signal to the transducer. The transducer is a three-way speaker in a preferred embodiment. The method has particular utility wherein the instrument is a wooden, stringed instrument.

Abstract: A force feedback apparatus of the present invention includes: jetting means that includes a nozzle and that can control a jet amount or a jet direction of gas or liquid jetted from the nozzle; jet control means for controlling the jet amount or the jet direction of the gas or the liquid according to a position or an orientation of a receiver that receives pressure by the gas or the liquid jetted from the jetting means so as to provide force feedback to an operator. When the receiver has a concave shape of a diameter D, intervals for placing the nozzles in the jetting means are set such that at least one nozzle exists within a region having a diameter of a constant×D.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stringed instrument with embedded DSP modeling capabilities to model an acoustic stringed instrument. The stringed instrument has a body and a plurality of strings and each of the plurality of strings is respectively coupled to a pickup 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. A DSP is located within the body of the stringed instrument to process the digital string vibration signal and to implement an acoustic modeling system to process the digital string vibration signal in order to emulate a corresponding string tone of one of a plurality of selectable acoustic stringed instruments. Acoustic modeling includes acoustic string and body modeling, microphone placement modeling, and pick-sound modeling. The emulated acoustic digital tone signal is then converted to analog form for output to an amplification device.

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: An electronic keyboard musical instrument which can realize natural sounds with favorable sound quality as an acoustic piano. A sound board (33) made of a plate member is vibrated so as to generate musical tones. A first performance signal generator (22) generates a first performance signal based on the operating state of a plurality of keys of a keyboard (17). A second performance signal generator (23) generates a second performance signal, which is different from the first performance signal, based on the operation of the plurality of keys and the operation of a pedal (18). Speakers (41A-41D) generate musical tones based on the first performance signal generated by the first performance signal generator (22). Transducers (21A-21C) mounted to the sound board (33) vibrate the sound board (33) based on the second performance signal generated by the second performance signal generator (23).

Abstract: A drum includes a shell having first and second, spaced apart ends defining an interior volume; first and second drumheads, each stretched over a respective one of the first and second ends of the shell; and an electromechanical driver having a moving coil element operable to move the first drumhead in response to an electrical drive signal.

Abstract: A transducer for converting mechanical vibrations to an electrical signal and/or for converting an electrical signal to mechanical vibration. Damping liquid damps the relative vibration of transducer components. 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. 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 audio effects control for and method of controlling the application of special audio effects applied to an audio signal, comprises a sensor configured to sense movement associated with the generation of the audio signal, wherein the sensor produces a control signal in response to detecting the movement, and the control signal is transmitted to an audio effects unit to control application of an audio effect on an audio signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the displacement of a movable member of an electronic musical instrument. The apparatus has superior mechanical durability compared to displacement sensors of the past and can withstand long-term use. The apparatus includes a sensor that provides a detectable electrical characteristic having a value and a spring that, when compressed upon displacement of the movable member acts with the sensor, causing the value of the electrical characteristic to change. The value of the electrical characteristic represents the amount of displacement of the movable member and is used by a controller of the electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: A pickup is provided in an electric guitar to detect sound generated by the electric guitar. The pickup is fitted between the housing of the body of the electric guitar and a string. The pickup includes a magnetostrictor the magnetic characteristic of which varies depending on the vibration of the string; a detector operative to detect the variation in the magnetic characteristic of the magnetostrictor as an electric signal; and a supplier operative to supply the electric signal detected by the detector to a signal processor. Certain stress is applied to the magnetostrictor by the string of the electric guitar and the housing of the body.

Abstract: A musical instrument pickup comprising a plurality of coil-wire wrappings, each coil having a particular geometric cross-section. Each coil-wire wrapping is positioned around a pole piece. Related embodiments exhibiting noise cancellation features are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to electromagnetic transducers, and more specifically, to devices that convert the mechanical vibrations of a magnetically permeable object, such as a ferromagnetic instrument string, into an electrical signal using electromagnetism.

Abstract: An electronic hi-hat cymbal comprises a hi-hat having a strike detector, a pedal unit having a stepped degree detector, a waveform data memory for storing a plurality of electronic hi-hat sound waveform data, corresponding to respective stepped degrees, in a plurality of stages, a CPU, a musical tone generating controller, and so forth. The CPU causes the musical tone generating controller to read out electronic hi-hat sound waveform data corresponding to a stepped degree in the pedal unit from the waveform data memory when a strike to the hi-hat is detected to thereby generate a musical tone signal before outputting, and when a change occurs to the stepped degree during a musical tone being produced thereafter, to read out electronic hi-hat sound waveform data corresponding to a new stepped degree halfway through to thereby generate a musical tone signal to be outputted, which is continued while the musical tone is being produced.

Abstract: A keyboard (25) has keys (10) mounted to pivot about a vertical axis as well as about a horizontal axis. Movement of the keys (10) about tile vertical axis is detected to adjust the sounds provided by the musical instrument resulting from striking the keys (10). Wells may be provided with a substance that is selectively solid and fluid. An electronic string instrument emulator has an electromagnetic string and a bow with ferromagnetic material. A method for performing musical instruments includes adjusting the temperament of the instrument during performance based on the music being played. A keyboard instrument may be caused to sound using suitably arrayed electromagnets.

Abstract: A string musical instrument, such as an electric guitar, comprises a plurality of sound pickups and a user interface which allows the user rapid access to various configurations of pickup settings and connections. An embodiment of the musical instrument has a user interface which allows quick access to all forty-seven possible pickup connections available in a guitar having three single-coil pickups. Another embodiment of the invention allows rapid to access a large number of possible pickup connections made possible with the use of dual coil pickups, or a combination of single-coil and dual-coil pickups on a single guitar. The different pickup configurations are accessed via user operated controls such as clear illuminated momentary buttons or touch pads. Although the musical instrument provides a large number of accessible pickup configurations, a user display makes the determination of the pickup configuration intuitive and relatively simple.

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 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. 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. Video cameras may be attached to an instrument, and may be used as an instrument itself in conjunction with hand gestures.

Abstract: A system and methods which allow even a novice performer to easily play music which is not disharmonious and which is pleasing to the performer and his or her audience. The music is preferably created by a performer breaking one or more beams of light, which are emitted by one or more beam emitters and received, or detected, by one or more beam detectors. When a beam detector determines that a beam has been broken, a trigger is sent to a synthesizer, with such synthesizer preferably being a computer interfaced to the beam detectors via a Universal Serial Bus connection. The synthesizer selects from one or more electronic sounds, based on a pre-programmed collection of sounds, and a sound generator, such as an amplifier and speakers, plays the sound.

Abstract: A method of making musical sounds from a musical instrument may include amplifying musical sounds from vibrations of a vibrating element when a musical instrument is played, sensing forces between the musical instrument and the vibrating element and altering the forces applied to the vibrating element in response to the sensed forces to emulate musical sounds produced by a musical instrument having different musical characteristics, for example, to emulate an acoustic guitar. Piezoelectric material or magnetic material may be used to apply forces along one or more than one axis of vibration and may be controlled by a replaceable element and/or in response to user adjustments. The applied forces may be adjusted to control relative phase between the sensed and applied forces to avoid unwanted musical effects, such as unwanted sustained oscillation, in response to a fundamental period of the vibrations or random number generation to change the vibration waveform.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the displacement of a movable member of an electronic musical instrument. The apparatus has superior mechanical durability compared to displacement sensors of the past and can withstand long-term use. The apparatus includes a sensor that provides a detectable electrical characteristic having a value and a spring that, when compressed upon displacement of the movable member acts with the sensor, causing the value of the electrical characteristic to change. The value of the electrical characteristic represents the amount of displacement of the movable member and is used by a controller of the electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: A method and system for producing synthesizer and MIDI control data and for reconstructing and reproducing a signal from data collected by sensors coupled to a string instrument comprising a plurality of sensors coupled to the string instrument and a control unit that is associated with the plurality of sensors. The sensors are adapted to collect temporal and spatial data referring to performer's actions and to the sound generation process of the string instrument, specifically as to string deflection along time, while the control unit is adapted to process the data and generate a signal corresponding to the sound characteristics of the performer's playing and actions on the string instrument.

Abstract: A musical instrument may include a musical instrument body, a vibrating element associated with the musical instrument body for producing musical sounds, a transducer coupled to a portion of the vibrating element to apply forces to the vibrating element, a sensor responsive to forces between the transducer and the vibrating element and a signal conditioner responsive to forces sensed by the sensor for altering the forces applied by the transducer to the vibrating element to alter the vibrations of the vibrating element. Alternately, a structure may be included supporting the vibrating element to permit vibrations, the structure coupled to the vibrating element to modify the vibrations in response to a drive signal and to produce an electrical signal related to the vibrations of the vibrating element and a signal conditioner responsive to forces sensed by the sensor for altering the forces applied by the transducer to the vibrating element to alter the vibrations of the vibrating element.

Abstract: An 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 adjacent to the first end of the hollow cylindrical shell. A first resilient pad, that provides a percussion surface that does not require periodic adjustment, is attached adjacent to the outside surface of the first substantially rigid plate. A raised rim circumscribes the first resilient pad.

Abstract: A pickup apparatus for independently detecting the vibrations of each of a plurality of strings, and an electronic stringed instrument utilizing the pickup apparatus. The pickup apparatus minimizes the crosstalk effects between the different pickups by positioning the pickups such that the magnetic force lines of each pickup is not parallel to or not in close proximity of the magnetic force lines of adjacent pickups. In one example, each pickup in the pickup apparatus is disposed at an angle with respect to the string and with respect to adjacent pickups. In another example, each pickup is disposed at an offset along the length direction of the strings relative to adjacent pickups. In yet another example, each pickup is disposed both at an angle and at an offset relative to adjacent pickups.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for electronically controlling the acoustical characteristics of certain percussion musical instruments such as acoustical drums and cymbals are provided. The various embodiments incorporate one or more electroactive materials which are conjoined to the vibratory elements associated with a drumhead or cymbal. A processing unit may be provided to electronically control the electroactive materials in dependence on signals received from the electroactive materials, and/or separate acoustical sensors. The processing unit may also control the electroactive materials in dependence upon user input signals, pre-programmed profiles, and/or pre-programmed threshold values. In this way the present invention may selectively and dynamically vary the tonal qualities and/or muting characteristics of percussion musical instruments in accordance with the needs and/or desires of a user.

Abstract: A pick-up system is provided that can be suitably used irrespective of the type of the guitar by means of an arrangement of a plurality of pick-up coils that can appropriately conform to the curvature of the strings that are arranged in a stringed instrument. In accordance with the pick-up system of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the curvature of the roof surfaces of the pick-up coils in conformance with the bending of a pick-up board on which the pick-up coils have been mounted. Therefore, a distance that is always an appropriate distance can be maintained between each of the pick-up coils that are arranged on the pick-up board and each of the strings by means of the suitable adjustment of the curvature of the pick-up board. Accordingly, there is the advantageous result that the vibrations of each of the strings can be appropriately detected irrespective of the type of guitar.

Abstract: The present invention is an device and method for providing an improved transducer for musical instruments. It an object of the present invention to provide a transducer which, because of its design, can be placed on or within a musical instrument quickly and effectively. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a transducer which is effective over an enlarged area or sweet spot. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a transducer with increased gain. These and other objects an advantages of the present invention will become clear to those skilled in the art in view of the description of the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention and the applicability of the preferred embodiment as described herein and as illustrated in the several figures of the drawings.

Abstract: An electric contrabass has a bridge structure on a body in which an inner space is defined, and the body is further formed with a slit under the bridge structure so that the lid of the body vibrates like a cantilever; a vibration sensor is provided inside the body, and has a vibration sensitive surface held in contact with the lower surface of the lid; while a player is bowing the strings, the vibrating strings excite the lid through the bridge structure, and the vibrations of the lid is converted to an electric signal through the vibration sensor; since the distance from the vibrating strings and the single vibration sensor is approximately equal, the single vibration sensor produces the electric signal without undesirable imbalance and interference.

Abstract: An electro-acoustically amplified drum mixer or sound level adjuster for amplifying a hollow drum shell having at least one open end, a drumhead spaced from the open end of the said drum shell and supported thereon. One or more microphones are supported on, and positioned within said drum shell and adapted for connection to an external amplifier and speaker. A second or additional microphones may be included with the internal mounting or may be adapted for mounting outside the drum housing.

Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument includes input means, correction information storage means, and musical tone generation means. The input means allows for vibration information, which expresses a vibration of an operator, position information, which expresses a position of the operator, and standard position information, which indicates a standard position of the operator, to be input. The correction information storage means allows for correction information to be stored that is based on the position information that has been input in the input means that corresponds to the standard position information that has been input in the input means. The musical tone generation means allows for the generation of a musical tone in conformance with the position information that has been input in the input means that corresponds to the vibration information that has been input and the correction information that has been stored in the correction information storage means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transducer for converting between mechanical vibration and electrical signal, the transducer comprising a housing enclosing a substantially cylindrical permanent magnet and a coil, the magnet having a side-to-side polar orientation. The transducer may be used as sensor that is part of a sensor array for detecting vibrations from a hollow-bodied musical instrument and converting the vibrations into electrical signals for amplification.

Abstract: An electric acoustic stringed musical instrument is a combination between an acoustic stringed musical instrument and an electric system; while a player is bowing on the strings, the strings not only laterally vibrate but also are repeatedly elongated and shrunk so as to give rise to rolling motion and pitching motion of the bridge; a strain sensor sensitive to the lateral component force of the vibrations and another strain sensor sensitive to the longitudinal component force are provided in and on the bridge for producing electric signals; since the timbre of tones is varied dependent on the ratio between the lateral component force and the longitudinal component force, the player can express his artistic expression in the electric tones by strongly or gently pressing the bow onto the strings.

Abstract: A tactile metronome for use by a musician generally includes a signal generator for producing an electrical signal according to a desired timing scheme and a tactile transducer in electrical communication with the signal generator. The tactile transducer, which may take the form of a piezoelectric device, a buzzer, electrodes or any substantial equivalent, is adapted to impart a tactile sensation to the musician in response to the generated electrical signal. A strap, which may be formed from an elastic material or a soft cloth material with hook and loop fasteners, is provided to secure the tactile transducer in place on the musician's body.

Abstract: A sound pickup device, which is arranged in proximity to a percussion instrument (e.g., a bass drum), comprises a diaphragm stretched under tension over an opening of a shell having a cylindrical shape, and an electroacoustic transducer arranged inside of the shell. The electroacoustic transducer comprises a magnetic transducer or a speaker unit. Herein, the percussion instrument is played to produce the low-pitch sound, which is transmitted to the diaphragm to vibrate so that the electroacoustic transducer is activated to convert the low-pitch sound into an electric signal, based on which the low-pitch sound is reproduced by a sound system with a high fidelity to the original sound.

Abstract: A soundhole accessible musical instrument control platform mounted inside the body of a musical instrument requires no physical alterations to the instrument, allowing the user convenient and ergonomic access to the control platform through the soundhole while using the musical instrument. The control platform includes a circuit platform, mounted inside the instrument with adhesives, separably attached to a mounting bracket. Control detents and markings are easy to feel and to read and thus provide feedback for control position and the relative degree of effect. The controls are surrounded by a cosmetic bezel that hides the actual mounting mechanism and circuitry. Any combination of controls, circuitry, and sensors may be used. Power is either provided onboard or offboard. An output connector may be integrated into the circuit platform or via an endpin jack.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electromagnetic pickup comprising a bobbin, a single coil wound around the bobbin and at least one pole piece coupled to the bobbin. The pickup is adapted for use with a stringed musical instrument including a body portion, a neck portion and a plurality of strings. In operation, the pickup is disposed between the neck and body portions of the musical instrument such that the pickup is substantially invisible to a user of the musical instrument.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor array for detecting vibrations from a hollow-bodied musical instrument and converting the vibrations into electrical signals for amplification. The sensor array includes a plurality of sensors connected in series including a string sensor disposed under the strings of the musical instrument and at least one body sensor attached to the soundboard of the musical instrument.

Abstract: Transducer for converting mechanical stress into electric signals, which transducer is composed of at least one electromechanical sheet (107,108) and is capable of converting mechanical stress into electric signals and in which transducer at least one of the electrodes required by the electromechanical sheet is disposed on the surface of one or more thin and flexible dielectric materials, said electrodes (109) forming electrically conductive surfaces of the transducer for connecting the transducer to a signal processing device, said electromechanical sheets being permanently charged cellular electret film and which transducer is constructed of a unitary, thin and flexible layered laminate structure.

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: 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: 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.