Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument modifies the effect applied to note generated in response to a strike based on the intensity of the strike. A plurality of patches are stored in the waveform memory. Each patch includes settings for the effects applied to each pad of the instrument. The patch also includes a setting indicating whether the parameters of the effects applied to the pads are to be modified in accordance with strike intensity. Subsequently, during performance, when a strike is detected the intensity of the strike is used to determine whether the parameters of the effect applied to the note are to be modified, and if so the parameters are modified in correspondence to the intensity of the strike. This allows the performer to easily modify the effect applied to the notes of the percussion instrument during performance.

Abstract: A digital guitar processing circuit includes a guitar converter circuit and a guitar formatting circuit. The guitar converter circuit receives one or more analog string signals representative of the string vibrations of a guitar and generates one or more digital string signals based upon the analog string signals. The guitar formatting circuit formats the digital string signals to be compatible with a digital communication protocol, and outputs the formatted digital string signals.

Abstract: A wind controller is disclosed which provides glitch-free playing of the instrument by using key position sensors which produce tristate logic signals indicating released, held, or transition positions of each key. Logic circuitry processes the key position signals and prevents any note from sounding when any of the keys is in transition between the released and held positions. The controller also allows the player to select alternate fingering charts which avoid “mine field” fingerings and which are created and downloaded to the wind controller using a personal computer. A set of chord keys and a computer program allows the player to register, without sounding, a series of notes to make up a chord using a registration key and an enable/disable key which alternately activates the last registered chord for playing or deactivates it to return to monophonic mode. Another registration key is provided to register another chord whereby an endless progression of chords can be played in succession.

Abstract: A method, and corresponding computer system, for mapping user positional data to output data based on user selection and customization input. The method includes displaying a number of mapping routine identifiers to a user through a user interface. User selection input is received indicating a user selection of one of the mapping routine identifiers and a mapping routine corresponding to the selected identifier is retrieved and executed. User position data is received (e.g., MIDI data from a MIDI hardware controller) and the user position data is processed with the selected mapping routine to map the user position data to output data. The output data is then transmitted via an interface such as a MIDI interface to an output device to create an output (such as a synthesizer connected to speakers).

Abstract: A stringed instrument comprises, in combination, a body with a neck extending forwardly therefrom The neck has a tuning portion mounted opposite the body which is adapted to receive one end of a plurality of strings. The tuning portion adjusts the tension on each of the plurality of strings. The other end of the plurality of stings is attached to the body. A plurality of pickup elements is positioned on the body proximate to the neck. The plurality of pickup elements is underneath the plurality of strings. The plurality of pickup elements are also in electrical communication with a position sensitive switch which determines which of the plurality of pickup elements is actuated in response to movement of the body. A plurality of tremolo mechanisms corresponding to the plurality of strings is attached to the end of the plurality of strings attached to the body. Also, interchangeable fret boards are mountable on the neck.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for utilizing switches on the back of the neck of a musical instrument are provided. Multiple switches may be positioned along the length of the back of the neck of a musical instrument to produce tones to accompany the musical instrument. The pitch of the tones generated by activation of the switches may vary depending upon the position of the switches along the back of the neck of the musical instrument. With embodiments of the invention, a musician is able to play both music for an electric guitar and music for a bass guitar at the same time.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument for conducting an arpeggio performance of a stringed instrument capable of readily producing a pattern for the arpeggio performance as one likes, and also of conducting the arpeggio performance which is perceived as being less musically incompatible even if the player makes a mistake during a performance of allocating of pitch at the time of the arpeggio performance. A pattern for the arpeggio performance is produced adopting such a rule that a time axis is renewed when all the strings become silent, or such a rule that it is regarded as having the same timing while a pedal is kept depressed. When the arpeggio performance is conducted, even if a mismatch occurs between the string of the pattern and the string played for a pitch allocation, those strings are compulsively allocated together.

Abstract: A woodwind-styled electronic musical instrument comprises an instrument body of an elongated rod shape provided with a plurality of manipulating note keys arranged thereon for designating musical notes to be played, and a mouthpiece arranged at the top end of the instrument body and including a lip sensor for detecting a bite condition of the player. Musical tones are produced according to the designation by the note keys and to the bite condition. On the front surface of the instrument body in the slope area near the top end thereof are arranged a first and second LED'S. In a tight-lip control condition, the bite condition is detected to be neutral level when the lip sensor detects a middle extent of the bite degree, while in a loose-lip control condition, the bite condition is detected to be neutral level when the lip sensor detects a substantially zero extent of the bite degree.

Abstract: A performance data generation apparatus generates performance data for controlling the tone generation condition of a tone to be generated based on a string vibration signal obtained from the string vibration of a stringed instrument. The performance data generation apparatus includes an operation member for selecting a predetermined performance operation mode and a control device responsive to the operation member. When the predetermined performance operation mode is selected by operating the operation member, the control device does not output note-on data or note-off data among performance data that is generated based on the string vibration signal, and outputs specified performance data other than the note-on data and the note-off data.

Abstract: A woodwind-styled electronic musical instrument comprises a plurality of manipulating note keys for designating note names in an octave of the tones to be produced, a plurality of manipulating octave keys for designating octave levels of the tones to be produced, and a mouth manipulating device for controlling the generation of each of the tones to be produced having a note name and an octave level as designated by the manipulating note keys and the manipulating octave keys. The manipulating note keys are arranged on the front surface of the instrument body. The manipulating octave keys are arranged on the back surface of the instrument body around the thumb rest of the instrument in two separate groups, the one group being for shifting up the octave level of the tones to be produced and the other group being for shifting down the octave level of the tones to be produced, wherein the octave level is determined in accordance with the combination of the manipulated octave keys in each of the groups.

Abstract: A pickup system for an electrical musical instrument having strings includes two pickup windings to respond to playing of the strings. A third winding is included. A switch connects any of the three windings in electrical series with either of the remaining two windings so that any of three respective pairs of connected windings can be selected. The windings of each of the respective pairs are connected such that interference such as 60-hertz hum is canceled.

Abstract: A guitar pickup switching system has a single-coil treble pickup, a single-coil middle pickup, and a single-coil rhythm pickup for an electric guitar. A switch arrangement allows the guitar player to select outputs of the pickups in any one of the following seven combinations: treble pickup output alone, treble pickup output plus middle pickup output, middle pickup output alone, middle pickup output plus rhythm pickup output, rhythm pickup output alone, treble pickup output plus rhythm pickup output, and treble pickup output plus middle pickup output plus rhythm pickup output. Two volume controls enable the player to vary the blend of treble pickup output and middle and rhythm pickup outputs provided from the switching system.

Abstract: An electric monophonic/stereophonic stringed resonator instrument includes a body, a resonator assembly mounted on the guitar body, and strings connected to the body. A pickup responsive to string movement and a transducer responsive to resonator assembly action provide respective electric signals representing respective sounds. Independent volume control is provided for each signal. A switch connects the signals either to a common output channel as a blended monophonic output or to respective output channels as a stereophonic output.

Abstract: A wind instrument is provided with electronic tubing control. The wind instrument has at least a pair of an acoustic sensor and an acoustic actuator in a straight pipe portion of a wind instrument and an electronic control for supplying a delayed output of the acoustic sensor to the actuator to electronically control a change in pressure in a pipe by variably changing the delay amount in correspondence with a performance of the instrument thereby electronically changing the pitch of a produced musical tone.

Abstract: An electric guitar is provided with a connector for easily replacing or rewiring magnetic transducers or other components of an electric guitar. The connector of the subject invention includes a non-conductive base with a plurality of connecting springs mounted therein. The connecting springs enable releasably electrical connection of electrical connecting wires from a magnetic transducer of an electric guitar.

Abstract: A lap steel guitar having two hidden pickups at least halfway along the neck of the guitar underneath the fret board and electrically connected to a conventional fret board circuit so that, by a volume, control and a tone control, a new sound from the two hidden pickups may be mixed with sound from the conventional circuit when the strings of the guitar are strummed.

Abstract: A switching system for an electric guitar using bridge and fingerboard humbucker pickups and an intermediate pickup provides for ready selection of distinct groups of Gibson tonalities and Fender tonalities. A four pole, five position switch for tone selection provides one-of-ten tonality selection in conjunction with a dual pole, double throw switch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling electronic tone generation determines a type of gesture used by a player to contact a performance surface provided with an array of pressure sensors. The performance surface repeatedly is scanned to determine which of the sensors has been activated at each scan time. When a player contacts the performance surface, parameter data associated with the incoming gesture is compared with gesture recognition rules corresponding to various reference gestures. The gesture recognition rules may be preset, and/or the control system may be provided with an optional programming capability which allows the player to establish individualized gesture recognition rules in accordance with reference gestures input by the player. An electronic tone generator is controlled in accordance with the reference gesture which is determined to best fit an incoming gesture.

Abstract: A polyphonic breath controlled electronic musical instrument includes a hand held breath sensor unit having a plurality of bidirectional air flow sensing passageways for detecting sucking or blowing action of the performer in a manner similar to a conventional acoustic harmonica. The breath sensor unit further includes pressure sensing transducers on the surface thereof, adapted to sense lip pressure and finger pressure of the performer, as well as a plurality of switches activated by the fingers of the performer holding the breath sensor unit. A microphone configured in the breath sensor unit picks up the vocal sounds of the performer. A thumb wheel controller is provided on the sensor unit to allow a control of tone parameters, such as volume, by the thumb of the performer.

Abstract: A sound enhancing apparatus for use with a string instrument has separate tone pick-ups for picking up the tones of individual strings and circuits for, determining the fundamental tones of these tones, multiplying the frequencies of these fundamental tones by small integers and/or dividing them by small integers and consequently producing harmonic overtones and/or undertones. The thus produced harmonic undertones and/or overtones are selected and amplified according to fixed and/or adjustable criteria and finally admixed with the original sound. The electronic apparatus for performing the process can operate in analog or digital manner.

Abstract: An electric guitar has a plurality of strings stretched over a rigid body and a neck, and a vibration detecting unit embedded into the rigid body, and the vibration detecting unit has a plurality of photo emitting elements paired with a plurality of photo detecting elements spaced apart from the associated photo emitting diodes in directions parallel to the associated strings, wherein the photo emitting elements radiate light spots toward the associated strings for causing the reflections to be fallen upon the associated photo detecting elements so that the photo detecting elements produces photo currents without any diffraction of light.

Abstract: A detecting device for detecting the positions where strings are operated, and an electronic musical instrument using the detecting device, such as an electronic stringed instrument or an electronic keyboard instrument, wherein each of frets, with which conductive strings are brought into contact, is formed of a two-layer structure of a conductive member and a resistance member provided on the conductive member. Voltage pulses are sequentially applied to either the conductive strings or the conductive members of the frets and a voltage pulse is detected from a conductive member or a string, thus detecting a position in which a string is stopped against the fret.

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

Abstract: A guitar control system using multiple string processing channels for developing pitch and peak signals for a multiple of string vibrations. Pitch data is multiplexed into a microprocessor along with the peak data and the programmed microprocessor outputs processed sound information on an address/data buss. Midi input/output, analog input/output and counter circuitry are interactively connected with the data buss, and final audio processing is derived from the analog output.

Abstract: Stringed instrument pickup and active switching circuitry that provide improvements in pickup sound combination, hum rejection and overall electronic function. The circuit employs plural pickups, a selected combination of which may be selected by a rotary switch. A latching device controlled by the switch outputs then produces a combination of control outputs to energize selected different FET switching devices to enable pickup signal outputs. Combined pickup signal outputs are then mixed and buffer amplified in a final output stage.

Abstract: A switching system for an electric guitar using bridge and fingerboard humbucker pickups and a single coil intermediate pickup wherein distinct groups of GIBSON tonality and FENDER tonality can be readily selected. The system uses a two-gang, five position switch for tone selection, the switch employing two, double contacting wipers; and, for mode selection either a toggle or push-pull double pole, double throw switch is utilized.

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

Abstract: A tone signal controlling apparatus for an electronic musical instrument comprising a body having a string corresponding portion, a movable performance member, and a sensor for detecting the action of the movable performance member with respect to the string corresponding portion, and generating a musical tone signal simulating a rubbed string instrument. The apparatus can control an electric signal simulating vibration of a string without any actual vibration of the string according the action of the movable performance member based on the output of the sensor, especially, by using signals representing a bow speed and a bow pressure which are applied to the string corresponding portion. Such special effects as vibrato can also be easily generated electrically. Owing to such electronic operability, the apparatus can also easily control the generation of the signal in accordance with a skill of a player.

Abstract: A removably mountable multiple effects device for an electronic signal processor for an electric guitar having an output socket is disclosed which includes a selection panel for accessing and selecting multiple effects from the signal processor contained therein, a jack for plugging into the output socket of the guitar, a power source for supplying power to the signal processor and an output signal device for communicating the signals. The selection panel may be a keyboard which is mounted on the guitar face having easy accessibility to the fingers of the guitar player. The keyboard provides the guitar player with access to any multiple effect accessible by the signal processor, such as tremelo, echoing, and many others, on the face of the guitar rather than having an access to such multiple effects in a remote location.

Abstract: A detecting device for detecting the positions where strings are operated, and an electronic musical instrument using the detecting device, such as an electronic stringed instrument of an electronic keyboard instrument. Wherein each of frets, with which conductive strings are brought into contact, is formed of a two-layer structure of a conductive member and a resistance member provided on the conductive member. Voltage pulses are sequentially applied to either the conductive strings or the conductive members of the frets and a voltage pulse is detected from a conductive member or a string, thus detecting a position in which a string is stopped against the fret.

Abstract: A vibration of a string is picked up by a pickup to be converted to an electric signal. A pitch extracting circuit obtains pitch data expressing a pitch or a duration of the string vibration from the electric signal. A musical tone generating circuit generates a musical tone having a corresponding tone pitch in accordance with the pitch data. An envelope extracting circuit extracts an envelope from the electric signal detected by the pickup and supplies a signal expressing the envelope to a multiplier. Furthermore, a signal expressing the musical tone is supplied to the multiplier to be multiplied by the signal expressing the envelope. Thus a musical tone having a controlled envelope determined by the extracted envelope is generated.

Abstract: A musical-tone-control apparatus having finger sensors that detect the bending of each finger and produce on/off signals in response to the bending. One group of outputs of the finger sensors is converted into keycodes that control tone pitches by the use of converting rules, and the other group of the outputs thereof is also used for changing the ranges of the tone pitches. Hence, musical tones controlled by finger motions of a performer are generated. Moreover, the converting rules can be altered by a modification-control means so that keycode-conversion rules can be varied. Thus, conversion rules appropriate for generating tones which occur frequently and are easy to produce for an individual, can be set for each musical piece. Furthermore, grouping the outputs of finger sensors makes it possible for a performer to achieve a variety of control of musical tones.

Abstract: A guitar control system using multiple string processing channels for developing pitch and peak signals for a multiple of string vibrations. Pitch data is multiplexed into a microprocessor along with the peak data and the programmed microprocessor outputs processed sound information on an address/data buss. Midi input/output, analog input/output and counter circuitry are interactively connected with the data buss, and final audio processing is derived from the analog output.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to offer an electronic musical instrument which can synthesize the sound of brass instruments with fidelity and furthermore in real time. In order to achieve the above purpose, the musical sound synthesis algorithm is to utilize the tonguing information as well as the embouchure information in addition to the sound generation information, the frequency information, and the sound volume information, which have been used as the playing informations in conventional electronic musical instruments. Furthermore, by tabulating the functional relations between the above-mentioned playing informations and corresponding output waveforms, and storing them in memories, necessary waveforms for sounding the musical instrument can be obtained by only referring to those tables, thereby the speed-up, that is, the realization by hardware, can be realized and thus the sound of brass instruments can be synthesized with fidelity and in real time.

Abstract: A pitch is extracted from an input waveform signal, and a musical tone having a corresponding tone pitch is generated. In this case, a signal intensity at the leading edge of the input waveform signal is detected to determine a tone volume of the musical tone. A change degree of the signal intensity at the leading edge of the input waveform signal is detected to determine a timbre of the musical tone. As a result, the tone volume and the timbre of the output musical tone can be independently controlled in accordance with a music performance manner, and an improvement of a performance effect is expected.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument according to the present invention is applicable to musical instruments such as electronic wind instruments, electronic rubbed string instruments and electronic stringed instruments. Parameters of a musical tone to be generated are individually and independently altered and controlled in accordance with control data corresponding to a variation tendency of performance-input data which is detected by a performance input detection section and alters with time. And in accordance with a variation tendency per a predetermined period of time of breath operation intensity and/or lip operation intensity, parameters of the musical tone having a designated pitch are individually and independently altered and controlled.

Abstract: An electronic muscial instrument for use in a stringed instrument such as a guitar, a guitar synthesizer or a violin. Two modes can be selectively set by a mode setting operation conducted on a mode setting section. Even if the same fingering operation is performed, a pitch designated by the fingering operation differs depending on which one of the two modes is currently set.

Abstract: An input waveform signal representing, for example, a string oscillation is input to a pitch extraction circuit. The pitch extraction circuit extracts a pitch frequency from the input waveform signal, and this pitch frequency is input to a RAM connected to a CPU. On the other hand, LFO data from an LFO is input to a RAM. The CPU detects the amount of variation of the pitch frequency based on the pitch frequency and coverts the amount of variation of the pitch frequency in accordance with a predetermined conversion function. Thereafter the converted value is added to the LFO data to form musical sound control data for imparting a tremolo effect or a vibrato effect. The musical sound production circuit thereby imparts the above effect to the musical sound to be produced.

Abstract: A present electronic musical instrument is applied to an electronic wind instrument and an electronic keyboard instrument. At least one piece of pitch difference data representing an arbitrary pitch difference with respect to a first pitch that is to be designated by a pitch designation section is stored in a memory section. Before or during a musical performance, the pitch difference data is selected, and an original tone having the first pitch and a coupler tone having a pitch different from the first pitch are simultaneously generated with a pitch difference corresponding to the selected pitch difference data. The timbres of the original tone and the coupler tone may be set different from each other.

Abstract: A pitch of a musical tone to be generated based on a breath sense signal detected by a breath sensor is set by a pitch setting operation of a pitch setting section. When the pitch setting operation is changed during generation of the musical tone based on the breath sense signal, pitch data corresponding to a pitch newly set by the change in the pitch setting operation is output upon elapse of a predetermined time from the timing of the change. The pitch of a musical tone being generated is altered to the pitch according to the new pitch data upon elapse of the predetermined time.

Abstract: A breath detection signal from a breath sensor section is converted to a digital breath detection signal, and when the value of the detection signal exceeds a preset value, a tone is generated. After the tone generation, a tone parameter of the tone being generated is controlled according to the value of said digital breath detection signal. When a predetermined period of time is elapsed from an instant when the digital breath detection signal exceeds a preset signal, initial breath data is generated in correspondence to the breath detection signal or preset value at that instant. The tone parameter of the tone at the time of the tone generation is controlled according to initial breath data. After the generation of the tone, the tone parameter of the tone being sounded is controlled according to after-breath data corresponding to the breath detection signal.