Abstract: A string saddle system for a multi-stringed instrument includes a unitary saddle body having a plurality of integral cavities, each in correspondence with a respective string and defining an area of sensitivity beneath each string extending from a top saddle body surface to the corresponding cavity structure and extending horizontally according to a length of the integral cavity. A flexurally responsive transducer element is located within and mechanically coupled to each integral cavity at mechanical coupling points for converting vibratory energy from the respective string to an electric signal. A first conductor layer is embedded within the saddle body, and, a second conductor layer embedded within the saddle body, the first and second conductor layers configured on a unitary plane, and connected to each transducer such that the transducer element of adjacent integral cavities couple electrical signals of alternating phase.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard musical instrument, including: an instrument main body; a keyboard portion including a plurality of keys as performance operating elements; a musical-sound-signal generating portion configured to generate a musical sound signal by a key operation of the keyboard portion; and at least one planar speaker configured to output a sound in accordance with the musical sound signal generated by the musical-sound-signal generating portion, wherein the planar speaker is formed by superposing a plurality of flexible layers that at least include a vibrating layer and electrode layers which sandwich the vibrating layer from opposite sides of the vibrating layer and wherein the planar speaker is disposed at an inside of a casing that constitutes the instrument main body or disposed at a portion of a surface of the casing.

Abstract: A pickup assembly is provided comprising a bridge defining an elongated slot, a saddle at least partially disposed within the slot, and at least one transducer. The slot has a slot end surface and two side walls. The saddle has a string contact surface, a saddle end surface generally opposite the string contact surface, and two opposing side surfaces. The at least one piezoelectric transducer may be located on a side wall of the slot, and have a contact surface in contact with a side surface of the saddle. The at least one transducer may be located on the slot end surface of the slot, and the contact surface contacts the saddle end surface of the saddle. An adjustment mechanism is connected to the bridge and engageable with the transducer. The transducer is adjustable relative to the saddle such that when the adjustment mechanism engages the transducer the force between the transducer and the saddle is adjusted.

Abstract: An effects pedal including a first stage configured to asymmetrically limit an input signal, and a second stage configured to symmetrically clip the asymmetrically limited signal.

Abstract: An electronic percussion musical instrument comprises a plurality of playing pads for playing music by striking the face of each pad. The pads are configured to work either as individual pads respectively for playing different percussion tones or as grouped pad zones by combining some of the pads, each zone playing a same percussion tone. Plural timbres of musical tones are stored in a storage unit and are respectively allocated to the individual playing pads or the grouped pad zones. The grouped pad zone can be handled just as a wide area pad. When an individual pad or a grouped pad zone is struck, the allocated tone will be generated. Some of the pads or grouped pad zones can be used as a special playing technique instruction pad to input an instruction to impart an effect of special playing technique to the tones to be generated.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of replacing, exchanging or repositioning pickups and other accessories used by stringed instruments from the back of the musical instrument.

Abstract: A performance apparatus 11 extends in its longitudinal direction to be held by a player with his or her hand. The performance apparatus 11 is provided with a geomagnetic sensor 22 and an acceleration sensor 23. At the time when the geomagnetic sensor and acceleration sensor determine that the performance apparatus 11 is kept within a sound generation space and has been moved by the player, CPU 21 gives an electronic musical instrument 19 an instruction to generate a musical tone of a tone color corresponding to the sound generation space. The sound generation spaces and corresponding tone colors are stored in a space/tone color table in RAM 26. Upon receipt of the instruction, the electronic musical instrument generates a musical tone of a tone color corresponding to the sound generation space.

Abstract: A percussion instrument may include a plurality of coupling device for operatively connecting a first hoop member, which may be configured to hold down a head arranged across a first end of a shell, with a second hoop member, which may be arranged on a second end of the shell. A sensor adjacent the head configured to detect vibration of the head may be operatively connected to the second hoop member.

Abstract: An electronic bass musical instrument that has the appearance, character and ambiance of a traditional washtub bass where the sounds of the bass are produced electronically by manually pressing an electrically conductive string extending along a neck of the bass against selected electrically conductive contacts arranged at spaced positions along the neck thus sending signals to an electronic control circuit of the instrument, whereby the sounds of the bass are produced electronically, providing vastly improved tonal quality and pitch accuracy to the sounds produced.

Abstract: A keytar is disclosed. The keytar has a keyboard body having a front face, left side, right side and rear face. A piano-style keyboard with a number of keys is on the front face of the keyboard body. A neck extends from either the left or the right side and the left side of the keyboard body. A number of drum pads are on the front face of the keyboard body. A microprocessor is electrically connected to the drum pads. The microprocessor is configured and arranged to scan the state of each of the drum pads and generate a MIDI note signal corresponding to the state each drum pad. The keytar may further include an accelerometer to provide music effects and an internal sound engine to generate analog audio.

Abstract: A closing position sensor comprises detecting unit and signal converting unit. The detecting unit is disposed on the electronic instrument element for detecting the distance between one electronic instrument element and the other electronic instrument element, and generating a first signal representing the detected distance value; and the signal converting unit is configured to receive the first signal provided by the detecting unit, and convert the first signal to a second signal corresponding to generate a sound or mute a sound according to a predetermined reference.

Abstract: A keyboard device for an electronic keyboard instrument, which enables facilitation of work for mounting and dismounting a key switch and install hammers and the key switch with high accuracy, and provision of a touch feeling similar to one provided by an acoustic grand piano while keeping the device compact in depth. The device comprises swingable keys, a hammer support formed by a synthetic resin molded article, hammers pivotally supported by the hammer support, and a key switch including switch bodies provided in association with the hammers and a switch board. The hammer support has a switch mounting part formed with an opening vertically extending therethrough. The key switch is removably mounted to the switch mounting part, with the switch bodies facing the hammers from above via the opening and the switch board placed on the upper surface of the switch mounting part.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method and system for electronic sensing of string instrument input. The method includes receiving a first signal from a peak detection circuit. The peak detection circuit is operable to sense string activation. A second signal is received from one or more capacitive sensors. The second signal may include finger placement information. The method further includes processing the first and the second signals to generate an audio signal and outputting the audio signal.

Abstract: A sound system producing characteristic sounds from an acoustic instrument is provided. The sound system may include a stringed musical instrument and an electronic audio subsystem. The stringed musical instrument may include a neck extending away from a body toward a head. A plurality of strings may be stretched from a bridge on the body to the head at a terminal end of the neck. The bridge may be coupled to a soundboard and operable for connecting the plurality of strings to the body. The electronic audio subsystem may include at least one distributed mode loudspeaker. The distributed mode loudspeaker may be attached to the soundboard of the stringed musical instrument. The distributed mode loudspeaker may induce uniformly distributed vibration modes in the soundboard. A power amplification device may be disposed inside the body of the stringed musical instrument to provide power to the distributed mode loudspeaker.

Abstract: A sonically controlled motor has a rotating shaft and an escapement selectively allowing or denying rotation there-of. An acoustic element cooperates with the escapement such that selective operation of the acoustic element selectively allows or denies rotation of, or controls the rotational speed of the shaft. A machine, such as a toy, having one or more moving elements may be controlled by the motor such that selective operation of the acoustic element selectively allows or denies movement of the machine. Alternation of the volume and/or frequency of the acoustic element may be used to alter the operation of the motor, or the motor may be operated according to the beat and qualities of music. The motor may be operated by remote control of the acoustic element.

Abstract: A pedal device for an electronic keyboard apparatus adds sound effects to musical notes generated by the electronic keyboard apparatus in response to an operator depressing the pedal device. A first reaction force application device is configured to apply a first reaction force countering a depression of the pedal by the operator from an initial state to a specified state to produce a first reaction force, wherein the first reaction force increases as the pedal is depressed from the initial state to the specified state. A second reaction force application device that is configured to apply a second reaction force countering a depression of the pedal by the operator after the specified state, wherein after the specified state the first reaction force and the second reaction force are applied to the pedal.

Abstract: A Wearable Trigger Electronic Music System that can simulate any kind of music, anywhere and at any time. For example one can create all the benefits of the percussion instrument, such as a drum kit, without its cost and burden. The same also applies to string, wind, and other types of instruments of any nation, culture, motif, era, age, etc. The system includes constituent components, including sensors, transducers, electronics, music modules, pre-amps, and amplifiers, wired or wireless, with connections for intra- and inter-modules, including final enjoyment by wired or wireless headphones or speakers. Also delineated is the process of creating music for the DIY enthusiast.

Abstract: A split keyboard with an optional middle section of keys for controlling regular PC input to a host, two play music, and to input and play music with a multiple octave keyboard that when the middle section of keys are removed can be portable to travel. And when working on just the split keyboard inputting data to a host the operator arms are not abducted do to the perpendicular advantage or slide apart keyboard where an operators arms are perpendicular to the keyboard keys.

Abstract: A hybrid drum as described combines the characteristics of both acoustic and electronic percussion apparatus enabling a musician to have a single instrument and have either acoustic or electronic output. A hybrid drum includes a multilayer drum head with a built-in FSR sensor such that the FSR drum head replaces the drum head of the acoustic drum and can be used to perform acoustically and or electronically. The FSR sensor is built into a double layer, double-head acoustic drum head, wherein one layer of the double head system has the FSR element printed on it, while the other layer of the double layer head has the inter-digiting conductive fingers printed on it and facing the FSR element. A conductive tail extends from one of the drum head layers and is operably connected to an electronic module secured to the drum shell.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard instrument with a hammer action, in which a circuit board for generating electronic musical tones can be disposed at a location for easy maintenance and for effective space utilization. Front and rear bars are bridged between side plates of an instrument main body so as to extend parallel to each other in the left-right direction and reinforce the instrument main body. A hammer action mechanism having hammers for respective keys is disposed rearward of a key-depression part of a keyboard and upward of a rear end portion of the keyboard, and a board tray is bridged between the front and rear bars. The board tray and the circuit board are located upward of the hammer action mechanism.

Abstract: An electric instrument music control device is provided having at least two multi-axis position sensors. One sensor is a reference multi-axis position sensor having at least one axis held in a fixed position. Another sensor is a moveable multi-axis position sensor rotatable about at least one axis corresponding to the at least one axis of the reference multi-axis position sensor. The electric music control device also includes a processor in communication with both the reference multi-axis position sensor and the moveable multi-axis position sensor. The processor calculates an angular difference in response to receiving the angular position of the at least one axis of the reference multi-axis position sensor and the angular position of the at least one axis of the moveable multi-axis position sensor. The angular difference correlates to a music effect of an electric instrument.

Abstract: A guitar controller for a tablet computer is disclosed. The guitar controller includes a body having a cavity formed therein sized and dimensioned to receive a tablet computer. The body has an edge on a front of the body defining an opening into the cavity. The edge has a thickness forming a lip into the opening wherein the lip is configured and arranged to be received partially over the tablet computer. A neck extends from the body and has a plurality of simulated fret positions thereon. An electronic circuit is included and configured and arranged to transmit a message encoded with presses of the simulated fret positions to the tablet computer.

Abstract: A fluid user interface is presented for applications such as immersive multimedia. In one embodiment, one or more sprays or jets create an immersive multimedia environment in which a participant can interact within the immersive multimedia environment by blocking, partially blocking, diverting, or otherwise engaging with a fluid, to create computational input. When the fluid is air, a keyboard can be implemented on cushions of air coming out of various nozzles or jets. When the fluid is water, the invention may be used in environments such as showers, baths, hot tubs, waterplay areas, gardens, and the like to create a fun, playful, or wet user-interface. In some embodiments, the spraying is computationally controlled, so that the spray creates a tactile user-interface for the control of such devices as new musical instruments. These may be installed in public fountains to result in a fluid user interface to music by playing in the fountains.

Abstract: An electric musical instrument deploys a strap that is tensioned and spaced away from an elongated supporting member generally having a flat face or strap support that extends below the plane of the strap. The instrument is generally played by slapping, tapping or drumming on the strap to causing it to vibrate. When a flat metal strap is deployed, the vibrations are detected by a magnetic transducer or “pick up” generally disposed within the supporting members and converted to sound by conventional audio amplification.

Abstract: A module for removable insertion into a stringed instrument body, the body having a transverse cavity extending from a lateral edge. A first fixation device is attached to the body in the cavity and having electrically conductive contact members. The module includes a base configured to engage the cavity as the module travels along an axis of movement into the cavity. The pickup module assembly having a base slidably inserted into the cavity along an axis from the lateral edge between removed and inserted positions. A plurality of pickups are carried by the base in operative proximity to the strings. A second fixation device is attached to the base and positioned to slideably engage the first fixation device when the base is in the inserted position. First and second electrical connectors are electrically coupled to the plurality of pickups and connected to the second fixation device.

Abstract: A percussion detecting apparatus capable of enhancing an effect of disturbance interception by intercepting a micro-vibration conveyed from a support frame. A pad member has a pad having a back-side surface to which a base is fixed, and a percussion sensor is disposed on a back-side surface of the base. The pad member is supported by a frame via fixing members integral with the pad member and intervening members made of silicon rubber. Vertical protrusions having different protrusion heights are formed on an upper surface of a flange of each intervening member, and horizontal protrusions are formed on an inner peripheral surface of a through-hole of each intervening member. When the pad member in an unstruck state, each fixing member is in contact with a corresponding one of the intervening members only at the vertical and horizontal protrusions of the intervening member.

Abstract: In an implementation of this invention, a stringed musical instrument has a resonator comprised of a bridge and a soundboard. Vibrations from the strings are transmitted through the bridge to the soundboard. A plurality of sensors are attached to or embedded in the soundboard. The sensors measure primarily the vibrations of the soundboard, rather than primarily the vibrations of the strings. Preferably, three or more sensors are used. Piezoelectric sensors sample vibrations in the soundboard. The resonator includes a printed circuit board that amplifies the signal from each sensor separately. Also, a signal processing device that is “onboard” the musical instrument processes the separate input signals to create one output signal. The resonator may be easily removed, enabling resonators to be interchanged. Also, the physical characteristics of a particular resonator, such as its mass or its boundary condition, may be adjusted, thereby changing the acoustic qualities of the soundboard.

Abstract: A detachable pickup assembly comprises a mounting assembly including a first body having a pickup mounting portion and a connection mechanism comprising one or more clip members. A second body defines a connection portion sized to receive the one or more clip members and has a top surface engageable with an inside surface of a guitar body. A pickup is fixedly mounted to the pickup mounting portion of the first body.

Abstract: Electronic game components are described. The electronic game components may define radiation striking zones in which user strikes may be detected. In response to detecting the strikes, control signals for an audio generator or gaming console may be generated. The electronic game components may be used to simulate percussive instruments, with the radiation striking zones corresponding to percussive components of the simulated percussive instrument.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard musical instrument which is placed on a supporting surface when it is used, includes an instrument main unit which includes a keyboard having a plurality of keys and which generates electrical signals in response to depressions of the keys, a speaker which has a front side and a rear side and which produces sounds corresponding to the electrical signals from the instrument main unit, and an instrument main unit supporting member which is placed on the supporting surface. The instrument main unit supporting member includes an outer surface facing an external space, an internal space surrounded by the outer surface and housing the instrument main unit at a position apart upward from the supporting surface, and an opening formed in the outer surface and communicating the internal space with the external space. The speaker is attached to the outer surface with the front side facing the opening.

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

Abstract: A keyboard apparatus having hammers each adapted for contact at its mass-unconcentrated half with a lower surface of an initial stopper that restricts initial pivot positions of the hammers, thereby reducing a contact force with which each hammer contacts the initial stopper, whereby the required thickness of the initial stopper can be reduced and height positions of key-depression surfaces of the keys in a non-key-depression state can be made uniform with ease. In the non-key-depression state, the hammers are in contact with the lower surface of the initial stopper mounted to a stopper mounting portion of the frame, whereby initial pivot positions of the hammers in a key-depression forward stroke are restricted and key-depression initial positions of respective keys are indirectly restricted, so that the height positions of key-depression surfaces of the keys are made uniform.

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: A control unit for a musical instrument having a keypad and/or touch pad areas for controlling a signal processing unit. The control unit is preferably formed in a thin and elastic layered structure whereby touching electrode surfaces of the structure generates a charge, voltage or capacitance that is subsequently processed. The control unit includes a surface element, whereby settings and values of the signal processing unit can be changed and controlled by a user applying physical contact to the surface element. A user control device is further coupled to the control unit, and is operable under at least two forms of operation, and wherein the user control device is configured to (1) select an acoustic parameters and (2) adjust the selected acoustic parameter.

Abstract: An apparatus for combining input signals produced by a plurality of electric musical devices includes a plurality of audio buses and a plurality of segments. Each segment includes input circuitry configured to receive at least one input signal from at least one electric musical device and to deliver the at least one input signal to one of the plurality of audio buses; a plurality of variable adjustment devices each associated with a corresponding one of the audio buses and each configured to change at least one property of an input signal received by another of the plurality of segments and carried on the corresponding one of the audio buses independent from input signals carried on other of the plurality of audio buses; and a mixer configured to combine the input signals carried on each of the plurality of audio buses into an output signal.

Abstract: An electronic percussion musical instrument comprises a plurality of playing pads for playing music by striking the face of each pad. The pads are configured to provide ungrouped pad zones, each constituted by an individual playing pad and grouped pad zones, each constituted by combining plural playing pads into a grouped pad zone to work as an integral pad zone. Timbres of musical tones are allocated to the respective pad zones. A sequence of pad zones, each designating the allocated timbre, is set for a pad zone to represent a pad chain performance, so that plural music playing strikes on the same pad zone cause the generation of musical tones in the timbres allocated not only to the struck pad zone but also to the other pad zones in the order designated in the sequence for the pad chain performance on the struck pad zone.

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

Abstract: A sound generating device of an electronic keyboard instrument, which eliminates overlap between frequency bands to avoid sound wave interference to stabilize acoustic characteristic. Woofers are disposed at a bottom part of a speaker box and directed downward, and squawkers are disposed at an upper part of the speaker box and directed upward. In a DSP, waveform data selected from waveform data groups are input into a MIX, and a waveform signal containing high and low frequency band components is produced from a signal output from the MIX. In a distributor, the waveform signal is converted into an analog signal which is then separated into a musical tone signal only containing the high frequency band component and a musical tone signal only containing the low frequency band component, and these musical tone signals between which there is no frequency band overlap are supplied to the tweeter and the woofer.

Abstract: A simulated musical instrument may be used to alter the audio of a video game, the video aspects of video game, or both. Use of a controller simulating a musical instrument allows a rhythm-action game can be enjoyed in a manner closer to a realistic state of playing an instrument.

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

Abstract: 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: A violin display, installed on a violin, including: a control device, used to output a fingering lines pattern data; and a fingerboard display, installed on the fingerboard of the violin to display an image corresponding to the fingering lines pattern data.

Abstract: Electronic piano includes speakers arranged on its front side region and another speaker provided at a back position of the piano. Waveform memory provided in a tone generator section has prestored therein sets of four-channel waveform data, each of the sets corresponding to a tone. The four-channel waveform data are data recorded from a natural musical instrument via four microphones installed at sampling positions corresponding to the above-mentioned speakers. The microphones are installed with the on-microphone setting in which the microphones are positioned close to sounding members of the natural musical instrument. In response to depression of a key, any one of the sets of four-channel waveform data, corresponding to a tone pitch designated by the key depression, is read out from the waveform memory, so that the four-channel waveform data are supplied in parallel to the individual speakers.

Abstract: A sound system producing characteristic sounds from an acoustic instrument is provided. The sound system may include a stringed musical instrument and an electronic audio subsystem. The stringed musical instrument may include a neck extending away from a body toward a head. A plurality of strings may be stretched from a bridge on the body to the head at a terminal end of the neck. The bridge may be coupled to a soundboard and operable for connecting the plurality of strings to the body. The electronic audio subsystem may include at least one distributed mode loudspeaker. The distributed mode loudspeaker may be attached to the soundboard of the stringed musical instrument. The distributed mode loudspeaker may induce uniformly distributed vibration modes in the soundboard. A power amplification device may be disposed inside the body of the stringed musical instrument to provide power to the distributed mode loudspeaker.

Abstract: A media application for providing outputs (e.g., audio outputs) in response to inputs received from an input device is provided. The media application may connect input mechanisms of an input device with parameters of channel strips (e.g., which may define output sounds) using an intermediate screen object. The media application may first assign an input mechanism to a screen object, and separately map a screen object to a channel strip parameter. The media application may map a screen object to several channel strips simultaneously such that, based on the value of the screen object, the volume of each of the several channel strips changes. The media application may provide a graphical representation of available channel strips using layers. As the media application accesses a channel strip, the appearance of the portion of the layer associated with the channel strip may change.

Abstract: A video game controller includes: a string instrument-shaped housing comprising a body portion and a neck portion, said body portion including a opening; a console interface for coupling with a game console; and a strum interface coupled to the console interface. The strum interface includes: a pin having a central portion and distal end portions; a pin support structure for supporting the distal end portions of the pin; a strum bar comprising a body portion rotatably coupled to the central portion of the pin and a flange portion protruding from the opening in the housing; a compressible liner provided between at least a portion of the strum bar and the pin; an upper button positioned adjacent the strum bar so as to be depressed when the strum bar is rotated in a first direction; and a lower button positioned adjacent the strum bar so as to be depressed when the strum bar is rotated in a second direction.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard instrument in which the efficiency of sound emission is enhanced by preventing a soundboard portion having a large vibration amplitude from being hidden by a musical score plate to make sound emission of the soundboard to be hardly hindered by the musical score plate. A musical stand device is disposed rearward of a key-depression part of a keyboard and right above the soundboard, and has a musical score plate disposed close to and parallel to an upper surface of the soundboard when the musical score plate is in a fallen state. The soundboard is excited for sound production by transducers disposed on a lower surface of the soundboard. The transducers are disposed at positions where the transducers do not overlap, as viewed in plan, the musical score plate which is in the fallen state.

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 musical instrument is provided. The instrument is light weight and portable. The instrument includes electrical pickup capabilities but also has the feel of an acoustic instrument. The instrument can be folded to an arrangement that is easy for transport. The folding instrument has maximum similarity to an acoustic cello, including the feel and size when unfolded. The instrument includes a floating soundboard to provide maximum acoustic feel. The instrument further includes an acoustic pickup.