Abstract: A musical instrument transducer module encloses a piezoelectric transducer, preferably comprising a polyvinylidene fluoride co-polymer sheet, and has an elongated electrically conductive member and a conductive shield. The shield forms a U-shaped channel and the elongated member extends from the shield. The conductive member can be moved by rotation into the shield. The conductive member covers one side of the piezoelectric transducer, and another conductor covers at least part of the other side of the transducer. An electrical lead has contacts to both conductors on either side of the transducer. The transducer can include one or more sheets.

Abstract: A musical tone control apparatus has grips and elbow angle detectors, in which the grips are hand held and provided with push-button switches and an actuator, both of which are operated by fingers to generate musical tone control data having variations of musical tone. While the elbow angle detectors are provided with an angle detector for measuring an angle of the elbow during a performance, and generating musical tone control data with the variations corresponding to the angle of the elbow. Each variation is determined by function assignments which correspond to each of the fingers and elbows. The function assignments are preloaded in a memory device, such as a depth of vibrato, a speed of tremolo, a range of pitch-bend, and the like. Accordingly, the musical tone control apparatus transfers musical tone control data having variations to a musical tone generating apparatus to produce a musical tone from a speaker.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is provided with an operator and a function switch, adding to a controller having a shape similar to that of woodwind instrument and a tone source unit. The function switch selects a function such as a controll function of a musical tone parameter, or a musical play expression to be assigned to the operator such as a wheel switch or a foot switch. The operator performs the function assigned by the function switch during playing. Player can widen range of playing by selecting proper function and play effectively with the proper music play expression.

Abstract: A double ended musical mechanism having a primary body for anchoring strings and containing electrical connections for electrical operation including pickups, volume, and tone controls, a secondary body for securing and tuning the strings and containing electrical connections, and an interconnecting central body. The central body, between the primary and secondary bodies, contains a number of hammer pads for temporarily anchoring strings against so that when a string is anchored against a hammer pad, two musical notes are produced, one each from the primary and secondary bodies.An additional embodiment includes the provision of an electrical pickup in the central body so that when a string is anchored in two places against a hammer pad, three musical notes are produced.

Abstract: A musical tone control apparatus controls a musical tone corresponding to a movement itself of an object and the like which is detected by a detector Such detector detects also a moving speed, a moving force, a moving angle or an intensity of given impulse of the object. In the case where the detector is mounted in the vicinity of a player's joint, the detector detects a revolving or bending angle of the player's joint. Hence, the musical tone can be controlled based on such angle of the player's joint. Thus, through this musical tone control apparatus, the player can generate a musical tone having, for example, a desirable tone pitch, a desirable volume and a desirable tone color based on the movement of the object or the player's joint.

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: An electronic rubbed-string instrument of a type which generates musical tones in response to rubbing operation of operation member across an instrument body or string in a similar way to a violin and a viola. When a part of instrument body is rubbed with an operating member, characteristics (e.g., tone color characteristics, pitch characteristics) of a musical tone to be generated are controlled in response to a speed of the operating member. Further, the characteristics of the musical tone are controlled in response to pressure applied to a part of the instrument body with the operating member. Furthermore, the characteristics of the musical tone are controlled in response to a direction in which the bow is moved across the strings.

Abstract: In a contact mike, a pair of coils are formed so as to be directly connected to the resonating surface of a musical instrument or other vibrating object. The coils are coaxial and oppositely wound such that a single space is defined at their common center. A magnet is resiliently suspended within the coils and is resiliently isolated from the vibration of the resonating surface. Since the coils vibrate in the vicinity of the magnet, which remains relatively stationary due to its own inertia, an alternating current is induced in the coils which anologues the vibrations of the surface. In one embodiment the resonating member of the instrument itself is used to form part of the resilient connection between the magnet and the coil.

Abstract: A device for electronically generating a sound according to the present invention includes an integrated circuit chip producing electronic signals corresponding to a desired melody, a switch controlling the ON and OFF states of the integrated circuit chip, a battery powering the integrated circuit chip, a sound generator having a dish-shaped vibrating plate and producing sounds responsive to the electronic signals, and a circuit pattern section having a plurality of lead portions interconnecting the integrated circuit chip, the switch, the battery and the sound generator. The circuit pattern section is formed by punching a conductive metal sheet in a press. Selected ones of the lead portions can advantageously be formed by punching into the battery holder or the switch. According to one aspect of the invention, an acoustic chamber is defined by the sound generator and a cover formed by potting or injection molding.

Abstract: The instant invention encompasses the combination of a modified electric guitar component coupled with a plurality of equivalent one-coil and equivalent two-coil transducer cradle components attached thereto upon which cradles, transducers are permanently mounted respectively. The transducer cradle components are readily amenable to detachment from and reattachment to the body of the electric guitar component and as well to speedy frontwise insertion into or frontwise removal from the modification of the electric guitar component, to wit, appropriately contoured openings in the front of the body of the electric guitar component below the level of intact guitar strings. Metallic contact rods on each cradle component receive transducer wiring emanating from a permanently mounted transducer and contact, upon insertion of a given cradle into a given opening, by way of contact points in the front wall of the opening, the internal wiring within the modified electric guitar component and ultimately, an amplifier.

Abstract: A musical tone control apparatus in an electronic musical instrument having a hollow body portion for controlling a musical tone or musical tone factors to be generated in accordance with operation of the player.

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: An electro-mechanical pickup for a musical instrument having a plurality of strings. The pickup includes a core, a first piezoelectric transducer element connected in parallel with a second piezoelectric transducer element, and a two-conductor output lead. Using two piezoelectric transducer elements connected in parallel increases the output voltage and capacitance of the pickup compared with using a single piezoelectric transducer element. The core is elongated, and has a first face opposite a second face. The first piezoelectric transducer element includes first and second electrodes on opposite faces of a first piezoelectric film. The second piezoelectric transducer element includes third and fourth electrodes on opposite faces of a second piezoelectric film. The piezoelectric transducer elements are each responsive to more than one string of the musical instrument. The first piezoelectric transducer element is stacked on the core with the second electrode in contact with the first face of the core.

Abstract: A device for electroacoustically amplifying a stringed instrument features a hollow tailpiece button (1), which supports a microphone (3) arranged inside the body of a stringed instrument (10).

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes a tone generator, a manipulator for defining a manipulation region and for performing manipulation within the manipulation region. The manipulator has a first detector which detects serial position data on the basis of positions of performance manipulation within the manipulation region, and a second detector which generates changing-degree data of a locus which is constituted by the serial position data. The tone generator generates musical tone with effect in accordance with the changing-degree data to thereby impart various effect such as vibrato with ease.

Abstract: A vibrator for vibrating an electronic musical instrument in accordance to the generated tone being produced. In this manner, a player of the electrical musical instrument will have the sensation of playing a conventional musical instrument due to the feedback of vibrational energy into the input device of the electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: A voice-controlled musical device is driven by an electroglottograph as an input to a controller. The electroglottograph (EGG) has a transducer in the form of a band that is located about the user's neck. The EGG converts the cycle of opening and closing of the vocal folds of the user's vocal chords into a clean electrical signal that is particularly accurate with respect to pitch. An output from a microphone integral to the band picks up acoustic dilations of the throat wall concurrent with the glottal cycle and this output is also applied to the controller to indicated vocal source volume. The EGG and microphone signals are combined and converted into a MIDI digital code which can be used to drive a musical synthesizer or a computer. An external switch may be used to alter the attack of a continuous voice performance.

Abstract: A motion orchestration system is provided to enable an artist or orchestrator to produce music or other sounds and to extemporaneously vary the sounds being produced without detracting from the visual effect intended by the artist or orchestrator. The system may include motion detecting sensors capable of generating three-space coordinates of various segments of the body of the orchestrator. Electrical signals generated by the motion detecting sensors may generate MIDI compounds which can be converted into appropriate music or sounds. Signals from traditional microphone equipment may also be employed. The system further includes hand switching devices responsive to various hand and/or finger movements to electronically control the orchestration of the electronic output signals generated by the motion or speech of the orchestrator or by external sources.

Abstract: An apparatus for outputting a pitch data corresponding to a relative distance between a pair of movable members or a position of a second movable member relative to a first movable member. Data indicating the output relative distance or data indicating the output relative position is converted to corresponding pitch data in accordance with one of a plurality of conversion characteristics selected by a selection section. A pitch corresponding to the converted pitch data is determined. An electronic musical instrument outputs a musical tone having the determined pitch. The musical tone is controlled in accordance with a flow state of air passing through a mouthpiece or a bite pressure.

Abstract: A pole piece for an electric string instrument comprised of a block of ferrous material having a slot formed therein. The string of the string instrument passes over the pole piece in aligned relationship with the slot thereby allowing vibration in a zone which is substantially free of any intense magnetic flux lines.

Abstract: Method for storage, transcription, manipulation and reproduction of music on system-controlled musical instruments which faithfully reproduces the characteristics of acoustic musical instruments. The system comprises a music source, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and a CPU-controlled plurality of instrument transducers in the form of any number of acoustic or acoustic hybrid instruments. In one embodiment, performance information is sent from a music source MIDI controller to the CPU, edited in the CPU, converted into an electrical signal, and sent to instrument transducers via transducer drivers. In another embodiment, individual performances stored in a digital or sound tape medium are reproduced at will through the instrument transducers, or converted into MIDI data by pitch/frequency detection/analyzation device for storage/editing/performance in the CPU.

Abstract: An electronic percussion synthesizer assembly incorporates a novel structure for supporting the drum heads. The novel supporting structure comprises a spider assembly (83) comprised of a plurality of legs (150) joined at one end for defining a hub (152) and secured at their free ends to the perimeter of the drum head (65) on the underside thereof. The spider assembly (83) minimizes mechanical damping of the striking surface and, where a plurality of drum heads (62, 63, 64, 65) are used, also minimiizes "cross talk" between the drum heads. A novel foot pedal control (120) for altering the sounds produced by the drum head is also disclosed.

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 improved string musical instrument is disclosed wherein a dynamic tone engendering structure provides adjustable filtering and conditioning of each of the variously tuned string's vibrational behavior. Acoustic energy transmission paths are provided for the overtone and fundamental tone components produced by the variously tuned strings, assuring even transmission of each string's particular acoustical energy to acoustical summing nodes where transducers convert acoustical energy to electrical energy. The present invention closely emulates the characteristic dynamic response and musical timbres found in a wide variety of traditional acoustic instruments.

Abstract: Apparatus for altering the output of an electronic string musical instrum responsive to bending of the string comprises a compressible electrically conductive member which has an electrical resistance which varies with the degree of compression applied and may be a conductive elastomer or a piezoresistive material. First and second holders are in contact with the conductive member and a current source is secured to the first holder and the string electrode secured to the second. Bending of the string causes the application of compression to the conductive member. The change in current flow is converted into an output which is a frequency variation which corresponds to the degree of bending of the string.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microphone arrangement for an electric guitar, comprising a body and at least one microphone to be attached to the body, the body comprising slide rails enabling the position of the microphone to be altered in the longitudinal direction with respect to the strings of the electric guitar.

Abstract: A keyboard instrument is provided, comprising a keyboard housing having a top and a bottom; a handle attached to and extending from the bottom of the keyboard housing; a keyboard having a plurality of keys operatively attached to the top of the housing; a plurality of keyboard controls, mounted on the keyboard housing; a sound component housing; at least one speaker mounted in the sound component housing; a synthesizer, mounted within the sound component housing; and keyboard, sound component and communications circuitry. The instrument may include a volume expression control mounted in the handle, enabling user to control volume expression while maintaining the instrument in a horizontally oriented plane.

Abstract: A percussion instrument employs a horizontal surface whose dimensions are about 1 foot.times.2 feet.times.3/8 inch made of oak. This piece of oak has transducers on its under side and is spaced one or two inches above the floor. The percussionist sits on a stool where he can tap this piece of oak with the heels and toes of his shoe. Mounted at an elevation and position within easy reach of the percussionist are a number of tubular drums which the percussionist may strike with a drumstick. These tubular drums are about two inches in diameter and each of them has a central cavity in which a transducer is located.

Abstract: In a stringed instrument which generates sound reproduction output signals by way of a transducer which are amplified for sound reproduction, a fundamentally correct note frequency signal is generated and electromagnetically broadcast by cycles of electromagnetic energy directly from a metallic string to be tuned to the transducer of the instrument, and blends with a correlated note as it issues from the same said vibrating metal string to be tuned, and through discernment by the ear of the user of the resulting blended signal the string is adjusted as necessary to match the two notes and therefore the string is quickly and easily brought into tune with the fundamentally correct note frequency, and when repeated upon each string of said instrument the task of tuning is done.

Abstract: According to this invention, an electronic drum has a head portion. An annular frame is arranged to generally surround the head portion. A vibration plate is arranged to be in tight contact with a lower surface of the head portion, and vibrates in response to the performer's strike of the head portion. A pickup device is mounted on the vibration plate so as to detect the vibration of the vibration plate. A vibration preventing portion is inserted between the head portion and the annular frame so as to prevent the vibration from being transmitted to the annular frame. The head portion and the vibration preventing portion are integrally formed of a flexible material. A sound device is connected to the pickup device so as to produce a drum sound in response to the detected vibration.

Abstract: A vibrator for vibrating an electronic musical instrument in accordance to the generated tone being produced. In this manner, a player of the electrical musical instrument will have the sensation of playing a conventional musical instrument due to the feedback of vibrational energy into the input device of the electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: An acoustic guitar is provided with a solid neck extension mounted between the front and rear blocks of the hollow body. Electric pickups and the control panel are mounted to this neck extension and extend up through holes in the top sound plate so as to be in the normal position for an electric guitar. The solid base for the pickups helps to prevent feedback as is usually associated with pickups mounted on the top sound plate.

Abstract: A conversion kit enables a conventional drum to be transferred into an electronically triggered drum. The kit includes a circularly shaped foam pad, a circularly shaped plywood panel residing beneath the pad and brackets connectable to the peripheral sidewall of the conventional drum in order to support the panel and pad beneath the drumhead. A pair of transducers are mounted to a bottom surface of the panel, one located near the center of the drumhead, and the other located adjacent to the sidewall. Wire leads connect the transducers to jacks mounted in the sidewall of the drum, with one jack being longer than the other to distinguish between the transducer mounting locations. Preferably, the kit also includes a shock absorber mounted between the second transducer and the panel.

Abstract: In a guitar or the like where fretting is detected by ultrasonic signals emitted by a transducer bridge and reflected at a point of each string held against a fret, and the same transducer bridge is responsive to audible frequency string vibration induced by a player, a damper bridge selectively dampens propagation of lower frequency vibrations from a note triggering string section adjacent to the bridge to a note selecting string section extending over the fretted neck, thereby minimizing intereference between fret detection and note triggering functions using a single set of string and a single acoustic transducer for each string.

Abstract: A simple method of attaching an audio transducer to a sounding board of a string musical instrument without altering or disturbing the function of the component parts of the instrument, so the instrument can be electrically activated to produce sound without being played by a musician or together with a musician playing the instrument.

Abstract: A guitar pickup module for insertion in an electric guitar having a well for accommodating a pickup. The module includes a base plate which is mounted in the well and which includes a plurality of electrical contacts for attachment to the plurality of output wires of the guitar. The pickup includes a plurality of electrical contacts which are placed in electrical communication with the base plate contacts upon insertion of the pickup in the well on the base plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a keyboard operated device having a plurality of keys includes a plurality of sensors associated with each key. Each sensor detects a different one or more attribute of the nature of actuation of the key. Each detected attribute is used by selection circuitry to form a characteristic of the device's response to actuation of the key. The individual characteristics are combined to form a response to actuation of the key. The response may be an output signal or may be further processed internally by the device. In a preferred embodiment the invention is part of a musical synthesizer. One sensor is arranged to detect actuation of a key, while a second sensor is arranged to detect which finger actuates the key. The detection of actuation of a key is used to control the pitch of the resulting output. The detection of which finger actuates the key is used to control the timbre of the resulting output signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic stringed musical instrument with a string vibration detecting device, such as an electronic guitar, guitar synthesizer, electronic violin, etc. A string supporting unit for supporting and fixing at least one end of stretched strings is removably mounted on a body unit. A string vibration detecting device and an electronic processing substrate, such as a printed board, are removably mounted on the string supporting unit.

Abstract: An electrical guitar is provided having a conventional guitar body, strings and mounting bridge for the strings. A manually rotatable disc is rotatably mounted on the guitar. On the rotatable disc are one or more electromagnetic pick-up heads which allow the pick-up heads to be rotated to a number of desired positions. The rotatable disc may be selectively fixed on each position by a brake or by friction. The pick-up heads are constructed to remain electrically connected to an amplifier during rotation. In addition, the rotatable disc is sized and positioned to facilitate easy, manual rotation thereof during performance by the musician.

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: A mount for positioning miniature (lavaliere) type microphones, transducers, or similar devices in musical instruments. Such microphones are attached to a flexible shaft which connects directly to an output jack in a manner that requires little or no modification of the instrument. Once installed, no parts of the mechanism are in a position which will interfere with playing the instrument. The flexible shaft permits the player to experiment with positioning the microphone in a variety of locations until the optimum location for sound reproduction is determined.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic connector for use with a musical instrument, such as a guitar, connected to an electronic amplifier and adapted to receive electrical signals from a transducer associated with the musical instrument and to receive and transmit soundwaves to a microphone incorporated therein. A three-position switch in the electro-acoustic connector controls the transmission to the amplifier of electrical signals from the transducer associated with the musical instrument and/or electrical signals from the microphone.

Abstract: Flexible cylindrical magnetic members are detachably attached on one of paired string support units, both of which are mounted on an instrument body to stretch strings therebetween, to face a string-vibration pickup device of an electromagnetic type. A string member is passed through each of the inner holes of the cylindrical magnetic member, and vibrations of the string are picked up by the pickup device through the cylindrical magnetic member to be outputted as electrical signals through the pickup device. Musical sounds are electrically or electronically generated by a sound source responsive to the electrical signals.

Abstract: A striker designed to strike or be swung for playing music is provided with a musical sound-initiating command signal-generating device including switching members. When the striker strikes or swings, the switching members perform a switching action which triggers the transmitting of a musical sound-initiating command signal from the musical sound-initiating command signal-generating device. A desired musical sound is produced by a musical sound producing unit in response to the musical sound-initiating command signal. A number of different timbres can be selectively used for a musical tone, by operating a timbre-selecting switch provided on the striker.

Abstract: An improved acoustic instrument is disclosed. The improvement includes a condenser microphone carried within the body of the acoustic instrument so as to primarily detect acoustical vibrations of the interior air column in contradiction to the mechanical vibrations of the instrument itself to generate electrical signals corresponding to the sounds of the instrument. The electrical signals can then be suitably amplified for connection to a conventional speaker to provide sound truly representing the acoustic sound within the instrument.

Abstract: A stringed instrument is provided which incorporates a resonator assembly mounted within its body which enhances the quality of the sound produced by the instrument. The resonator assembly includes either one or more resonator rods or one or more resonator springs tuned to desired frequencies, which are generally below about 200 cycles per second.

Abstract: A percussion instrument transducer for converting a striking impact into a representative electrical impulse triggering signal. The transducer is formed of a piezoelectric member of disc shape secured to an electrically conductive disc. The piezoelectric member and disc are supported in a housing on a support platform of smaller diameter than the diameter of the disc so that the periphery of the disc is cantilevered beyond the support platform to provide enhanced piezoelectric impulse action.

Abstract: For elimination of an error made in a sound production, an electronic fretted and stringed musical instrument operates in a parameter adjusting mode of operation prior to a playing mode of operation, and the fret positions are adjusted for actual fret members in the parameter adjusting mode of operation for precisely deciding the fret position where a string is engaged, thereby allowing a sound with a note assigned to the decided fret position to be produced.

Abstract: A sound pickup device for acoustic stringed instruments. A foam body mounts microphones and electronic circuitry associated therewith. The foam body has annular ridges projecting from opposite ends which will abut with the interior of the soundbox to mount the pickup device in the instrument. Recesses in the ends aid in collapsing the device for insertion into the soundbox and improve acoustic properties. In an alternative arrangement, the foam body is formed with a tubular shape. The electronic circuitry includes a battery pack for operation without a phantom power supply.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument having (a) a body portion, (b) a plurality of fret members located at predetermined spacings on the body portion, (c) a string stretched over the body portion, (d) an anchoring device installed on the body portion for anchoring one end of the string, (e) a probe located under the string and between the anchoring device and the plural fret members for making a lateral movement responsive to a deviation of the string in a lateral direction, and (f) a string deviation detector connected to the probe for detecting the deviation of the string based on the lateral movement of the probe and producing a detection signal responsive to the deviation of the string.