In the Studio Proders and Engineers Th Mastering Session PhotosAsk an Expert Publishing and Royalties Promotion John Fry Jody Stephens Joel GradingerArdent Rords Todd Agnew Joy Whitlk SkilletArdent U. Bass of a Home StudioGeneral Big Star Guy Sebastian The Great Debaters Stax Rords Mus Events Miellaneous Ardent Sessions
MakeshiftyAsk about Guy Sebastian and you'll get a thesis!! Tina Turner has been my superstar for many years. In 2003 Guy Sebastian bame my 2nd superstar.Iidentally he's sold over 1,000,000ds here. onvert that to a USAustralian populationomparison and youanaulate why Guy has justly earnt the title 'superstar'Guy Sebastian rording at Ardent Studios in Memphis blows my mind.
Thanks to Heather at Guy's offial forum for this great artle:...
AbstractAn electrical musical instrument amplifier is disclosed in which a signal which has been provided by an instrument to a second one of two different preamplifiers for amplification therein is passed to one of the inputs of a summing amplifier together with the output of the first preamplifier, the output of the summing amplifier being coupled through a tube driven power amplifier to a loudspeaker system. The amplified signal from the second preamplifier is applied to a second input of the summing amplifier via a circuit arranged as a voltage divider and having a variable resistance provided by a field effect transistor driven by an oscillator. The modulation provided by the field effect transistor and associated oscillator can be adjusted to provide total phase r...
AbstractA musical instrument of the stringed kind having a hollow sound box formed of a top plate, bottom plate and side walls. A string supporting bridge is mounted on the top plate and has two feet which are spaced apart transversely of the instrument. A sound post extends between the top and bottom plates and is connected to one foot of the bridge through an opening formed in the top plate. The opening and the connection are related so that there is no impediment to movement of the top plate in the region of the opening. By way of example, the post may extend through the opening to effect the connection with the bridge foot, in which event clearance will be provided between the post and the opening.ClaimsI claim:1. A musical instrument of the stringed kind including, a sound box having top and bottom plates which are spaced apart, a string supporting bridge positioned over the top plate and having one of two opposite ends connected to said top plate, said one end being adjacent the string of said instrument of highest pitch, a sound post extending between said top and bottom plates and having a lower end connected to said bottom plate, an opening in said top plate, a connection between an upper end of said post and the other said end of the bridge such that said end is supported by the upper end of the post, said connection being effected through said opening and arranged so as to not impede movement of the top plate towards and away from the bottom plate, a bass bar connected to the underside of said top plate and extending transverse to said bridge, said bass bar being located so that said one end of the bridge is located between the bass bar and the sound post and is spaced from the bass bar, and a tension member extending across the undersurface of said top plate in substantially the longitudinal direction of said bridge and having each of two opposite ends secured to said top plate at locations beyond the ends of said bridge.2. An instrument according to claim 1, wherein an upper end portion of said post extends through said opening so as to effect said upper end connection, and clearance exists between said opening and said upper end portion.3. An instrument according to claim 2, wherein a flexible annular diaphragm extends across said clearance to close said opening without inhibiting movement of said top plate relative to said post.4. An instrument according to claim 1, wherein said upper end connection is such that relative angular movement is permitted between said upper end of the post and said other end of the bridge.5. An instrument according to claim 1, wherein said connection involves direct engagement between said post and said bridge.6. A musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said tension member is located directly beneath said bridge and has an aperture therein through which said sound post extends with clearance.7. An instrument according to claim 1, wherein an end of said tension member is attached to said bass bar.8. An instrument according to claim 1, wherein said lower end of the post is connected to the bottom plate through a flexible post supporting lever which extends transverse to said post, one end of said lever is attached to said sound box and an opposite end portion thereof is engaged by the lower end of said post, a fulcrum is connected to said bottom plate, and said lever extends over said fulcrum and engages the fulcrum at a location between said post and said one end of the lever.
9. An instrument according to claim 1, wherein said one end of the bridge is connected to said top plate through a flexible bridge supporting lever which extends transverse to said post and is located within said sound box.10. A musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein a further bass bar is connected to the undersurface of said top plate, said further bass bar extending substantially in the same direction as the first said bass bar, and said further bass bar is located so that said other end of the bridge is positioned between the two said bars and is spaced from each.11. An instrument according to claim 10, wherein there are two f-holes in said top plate and each is located adjacent a respective longitudinal side of said sound box, and there are two said bass bars, each of which is located adjacent a respective said f-hole.12. A musical instrument according to claim 10, wherein each said end of the said tension member is connected to a respective one of said bass bars so as to be thereby secured to said top plate.13. A musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein two f-holes are formed in said top plate adjacent respective opposit...
AbstractAn electronic musical instrument capable of reporting a sound level and a tempo to be set. When a particular sound level or a particular tempo is selected and set, a click having a particular pitch matching the sound level or the tempo is generated to allow the user to recognize the sound level or the tempo on the basis of the pitch of the click. The instrument has a right and a left loudspeaker and, when the sound level is high or the tempo is fast, produces louder sound from one of the loudspeakers while, when the sound level is low or the tempo is slow, producing louder sound from the other loudspeaker.ClaimsWhat is claimed is:1. An electronic musical instrument for generating tones by a digital procedure, comprising:tone generating means for generating a tone associated with a key selected;selecting means for selecting operating conditions in which said instrument should operate;operating condition storing means for storing each of said operating conditions;click data storing means for storing click data each being associated with respective one of said operating conditions and each having a plurality of pitches; andcontrol means for controlling said tone generating means, said selecting means, said operating condition storing means and said click data storing means such that click data matching an operating condition selected by said selecting means is read out of said click data storing means, and a click having a pitch represented by said click data is generated by said tone generating means.2. An instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein said operating conditions include a sound level of a tone to be produced from said instrument and a tempo for an automatic accompaniment.3. An instrument as claimed in claim 2, wherein said selecting means comprises at least one of sound level switch means for selecting sound levels and tempo switch means for selecting tempos.4. An instrument as claimed in claim 3, wherein said sound level switch means and said tempo switch means each comprises an UP switch and a DOWN switch.
5. An instrument as claimed in claim 3, wherein said operating condition storing means comprises at least one of a sound level data memory and a tempo data memory for storing sound level data and tempo data, respectively.6. An electronic musical instrument for generating tones by a digital procedure, comprising:selecting means for selecting operating conditions in which said instrument should operate;tone generating means for generating tones;click data storing means for storing click data each being associated with respective one of said operating conditions and representative of sequentially decreasing or increasing sound levels; andcontrol means for controlling said selecting means, said tone generating means, and said click data storing means such that click data associated with an operating condition selected by said selecting means are read out of said click data storing means, and clicks each having a sound level represented by respective one of said click data are generated by said tone generating means.7. An instrument as claimed in claim 6, wherein said operating conditions include a sound level of a tone to be produced from said instrument and a tempo for an automatic accompaniment.8. An instrument as claimed in claim 7, wherein said selecting means comprises at least one of sound level switch means for selecting sound levels and tempo switch means for selecting tempos.9. An instrument as claimed in claim 8, wherein said sound level switch means and said tempo switch means each comprises an UP switch and a DOWN switch.DescriptionBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to an electronic musical instrument of the type generating tones by a digital procedure and, more particularly, to an electronic musical instrument capable of informing the user of a sound level or a tempo of an automatic accompaniment to be set by changing the pitch of a click to be generated by a tone generating section thereof or changing the sound levels coming out of a left and a right loudspeakers.An electronic musical instrument of the type described has a sound level selector and a tempo selector each being implemented with a switch device. The sound level selector and tempo selector are operable to select a particular sound level and, when an automatic accompaniment is desired, a particular tempo therefor. The sound level and tempo selected by the user are displayed by LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) or similar indicators, so that the user or player may recognize them immediately. However, many of popular-priced instruments are not provided with such indicators and, therefore, do not allow the user to see the sound level or the tempo by eyes. The instrument without the indicators simply produces a click from a tone generating section thereof as an answer to the operation of the sound level selector or that of the tempo selector. Specifically, the switch device constituting the sound level selector, for example, has two switches, i.e., an UP switch and a DOWN switch for turning the sound level up or down, as desired. Every time either one of the UP and DOWN switches is pressed by...
AbstractDescribed herein are fingerboards and neck assemblies for use with stringed musical instruments. The neck assembly can include a light-system disposed therein. The light system has a light matrix of light elements. The fingerboard is adapted to conceal the presence of the light elements when the light elements are not illuminated and to allow the passage of at least some illumination from the light elements when the light elements are illuminated.ClaimsWhat is claimed is: 1. A fretboard for a stringed musical instrument, the fretboard comprising: an elongated body sized and shaped for placement on an instrument neck of a stringed musicalinstrument, the fretboard having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface having a plurality of openings with wells extending therefrom toward but not through the top surface; multiple transverse channels disposed along the top surface ofthe fretboard and extending into the fretboard; inserts positioned in the channels; and frets positioned in the inserts. 2. The fretboard of claim 1, wherein the inserts have a slot for received the frets. 3. The fretboard of claim 1, wherein the inserts are formed of a compressible material. 4. The fretboard of claim 1, wherein the inserts have a width that is greater than the width of the channels prior to placing the inserts into the channels. 5. The fretboard of claim 1, wherein the inserts, with the frets positioned therein, have a width that is greater than the width of the channels prior to placing the inserts into the channels. 6. The fretboard of claim 5, wherein the inserts are constructed of an elastic material. 7. The fretboard of claim 1, wherein the inserts are constructed of wood. 8. The fretboard of claim 1, wherein the fret comprises a head portion and an anchor portion, the anchor portion being disposed within the insert. 9. The fretboard of claim 8, wherein the anchor portion has locking fins.
10. The fretboard of claim 1, wherein each of the channels extend substantially perpendicular to elongated sides of the fretboard, each channel disposed along the top surface of the fretboard according to the finger positions on which thestrings of the musical instrument can be engaged by the player. 11. An acoustical stringed instrument comprising: an acoustical instrument body, the body having an open interior defined by a top surface, a bottom surface, and a sidewall, the sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface, a portionof the outer surface of the sidewall defining a recessed area; a mounting block having a shape corresponding to at least a portion of the recessed area and coupled to the recessed area, the mounting block having a top surface adapted to receive aportion of a bottom surface of an instrument neck having a light-system, the light-system having a wire coupled thereto; and an aperture extending through the recessed area of the sidewall of the body, the aperture sized and shaped to provide passage ofthe wire of the light-system into the interior of the body, the aperture positioned such that it is concealed when the stringed instrument is assembled. 12. The stringed instrument of claim 11, further comprising: a fingerboard having an elongated body and disposed on the instrument neck, the fingerboard having a bottom surface having a plurality of openings with wells extending from theopenings toward but not through the top surface; and the light-system having a plurality of light elements, each light element capable of producing illumination when energized by the light-system. 13. The stringed instrument of claim 11, wherein the mounting block further comprises one or more bores extending from a bottom surface through the top surface, each bore sized to receive a mounting anchor. 14. The stringed instrument of claim 11, wherein the instrument neck is adapted to receive the mounting anchors and be secured to the mounting block. 15. The stringed instrument of claim 11, further comprising a substantially rigid mounting plate disposed on the bottom surface of the mounting block, the mounting plate having holes disposed therethrough and arranged according to the boresextending through the mounting block, the mounting plate receiving the mounting anchors. 16. The stringed instrument of claim 15, further comprising: a reinforcement block disposed in the interior of the acoustic body, the reinforcement block having shape corresponding to at least a portion of the interior surface of the sidewalland disposed opposite the mounting block. 17. The stringed instrument of claim 16, wherein the reinforcement block has an aperture extending therethrough, the aperture adapted to receive the wire of the light-system. 18. An acoustical stringed instrument comprising: an acoustical instrument body, the body having an open interior defined by a top surface, a bottom surface, and a sidewall, the sidewall having an inner surface and an out surface, a portion ofthe outer surface of the sidewall defining a recessed area: a channel disposed in the top surface and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the recessed area in a direction toward a center of the acoustical body, the channel sized andshaped to receive a portion of a fingerboard extending from an instrument neck, the fingerboard having a light-system, the light-system having wires coupled thereto; a mounting block having a shape corresponding to at least a portion of the recessedarea and coupled to the sidewall along the recessed area, the mounting block having a top surface adapted to receive a portion of a bottom surface of the instrument neck; and an aperture extending through the top surface of the body, the aperture sizedand shaped to provide passage of the wire of the light-system into the interior of the body, the aperture positioned such that it is concealed when the stringed instrument is assembled.DescriptionBACKGROUNDLearning to play any instrument, and particularly stringed instruments such as a guitar, violin, banjo and the like, can be difficult and time consuming. In general, multiple strings must be pressed against a fingerboard or fingerboard at one ormore finger positions disposed along a neck of the instrument. At the same time, one or more selected strings must be vibrated via plucking, strumming or bowing, and thus, producing a musical tone, note or chord. Fingerboards are generally used onstringed instruments such as violins and cellos, and do not visually indicate finger positions per se. Conversely, guitars, for example, do have visual indicators--known as frets--and thus use a fretboard. Nonetheless, regardless of the type ofstringed instrument, finger positions must be memorized, one or more strings pressed at those positions against a fretboard (used herein forward interchangeably with "fingerboard"), and selected strings caused to vibrate.Although mastering stringed instruments can be accomplished through employing instructors and/or utilizing self-teaching books and automated chord charts, among other means, it is time-consuming and arduous. A student generally must translatediagrams from paper or a computer screen to locations of finger positions along the fingerboard. Next, the student must determine which strings to vibrate. Further, because a single note or cord can be played using one of several different fingerpositions and/or strings, the student must then determine which of those positions is most beneficial in a sequence of notes or chords according to a song or tune.Some attempts have been made to facilitate the learning process. One attempt has been to provide a fingering display apparatus that has one or more holes bored through a fretboard through which illuminated lights are visible even when notilluminated. Unfortunately, the bores were difficult to create, and often damaged or negatively impacted the strength of the neck, as well as its tonal qualities. The neck of the instrument could flex creating the need for frequent adjustments. Further, the bores required a cover or cap causing visible indications that the instrument had been altered. Moreover, the user could see the lights through the cover or cap. Thus, it was apparent that the instrument was a "learning" instrument.Another attempt incorporated a "stick" on display having small lights. Much like the attempt described above, the lights could illuminate according to certain finger positions. But the display caused difficulties as it affected the tactile feelof the fingerboard, could slip in position, and was difficult to place on a neck of the instrument.With those and other drawbacks in mind, it is apparent that while the light-system sub-displays are useful, there are no means to inexpensively employ them, no means to preserve the integrity of the instrument, and no means to hide the systemfrom observers.Thus, one object of the invention is to provide stringed musical instrument neck assemblies that are useful as learning tools, and are inexpensive and substantially non-detectible. Another object is to provide necks assemblies for suchinstrument that have a light-system along the fingerboard. Another object is to provide neck assemblies with fingerboards that do not negatively affect the integrity or tonal characteristics of instruments and that can provide a tactile feelsubstantially as that of an instrument using a non-modified fingerboard.SUMMARYDescribed he...
AbstractA first amplifier stage receives electrical signals generated by a musical instrument and provides an output signal. A second amplifier stage is driven by the output signal from the first amplifier stage as switch selectively connects an attenuator to the first amplifier stage to attenuate the output signal thereof and selectively connects a gain modifying circuit to the first stage. In a first mode, the attenuator is connected to the first amplifier stage and the gain modifying circuit is disconnected from the first amplifier stage. As a result, an output signal from the first amplifier stage has a level which drives the second amplifier stage to provide a substantially linear output signal therefrom. In a second mode, the attenuator is disconnected from the first amplifier stage and the gain modifying circuit is connected to the first amplifier stage. As a result, an output signal from the first amplifier stage has a level which will overdrive the second amplifier stage to provide a non-linear saturated signal therefrom having a first desired amount of increased harmonic saturation.ClaimsWhat is claimed is:1. In a preamplifier for audio frequency electrical signals generated by a musical instrument such as a guitar:a first amplifier stage for receiving electrical signals generated by the musical instrument and providing an output signal;a second amplifier stage adapted to be driven by the output signal from the first amplifier stage;means for attenuating the output signal of the first amplifier stage;gain modifying means for the first amplifier stage; andswitch means for selectively connecting the attenuating means to the first amplifier stage and for selectively connecting the gain modifying means to the first amplifier stage to provide in a first mode an output signal from the first amplifier stage having a level which drives the second amplifier stage to provide a substantially linear output signal therefrom and to provide in a second mode an output signal from the first amplifier stage having a level which will overdrive the second amplifier stage to provide a nonlinear saturated signal therefrom having a first desired amount of increased harmonic content.2. In the preamplifier of claim 1, said switch means comprising a first switch for selectively connecting the attenuating means to the first amplifier stage and a second switch for selectively connecting the gain modifying means to the first amplifier stage, and which further includes means for controlling said first and second switches whereby in the first mode the attenuating means is connected to the first amplifier stage and the gain modifying means is disconnected from the first amplifier stage and in the second mode the attenuating means is disconnected from the first amplifier stage and the gain modifying means is connected to the first amplifier stage.3. In the preamplifier of claim 1, said first amplifier stage comprising an electron discharge device having a control grid, an anode, a cathode and a cathode resistor and wherein said gain modifying means comprises means for selectively shunt-connecting a capacitor across at least a portion of the cathode resistor.4. In the preamplifier of claim 3, said attenuating means comprising a resistance adapted to be selectively connected across the output circuit of the first amplifier stage.
5. In the preamplifier of claim 1, further comprising means for modifying, for each mode of operation, the output level of the second amplifying stage.6. In the preamplifier of claim 5, the modifying means comprising a first mode volume control and a second mode volume control; said switch means comprising a first switch for selectively connecting the attenuating means to the first amplifier stage, and a second switch for selectively connecting the gain modifying means to the first amplifier stage; which further includes a third switch for selectively activating the first mode volume control, and a fourth switch for selectively activating the second mode volume control, and which further includes means for controlling said first, second third and fourth switches whereby in the first mode the attenuating means is connected to the first amplifier stage, the gain modifying means is disconnected from the first amplifier stage, the first mode volume control is activated and the second mode volume control is deactivated and in the second mode the attenuating means is disconnected from the first amplifier stage, the gain modifying means is connected to the first amPlifier stage, the first mode volume control is deactivated and the second mode volume control is activated.7. In the preamplifier of claim 1, further comprising means for controlling, for each mode of operation, the frequency response of the output signal of the second amplifying stage.8. In the preamplifier of claim 7, further comprising a first mode tone control and a second mode tone control; said switch means comprising a first switch for selectively connecting the attenuating means to the first amplifier stage, and a second switch for selectively connecting the gain modifying means to the first amplifier stage; which further includes a third switch for selectively activating the first mode tone control and a fourth switch for selectively activating the second mode tone control, and which further includes means for controlling said first, second, third and fourth switches whereby in the first mode the attenuating means is connected to the first amplifier stage, the gain modifying means is disconnected from the first amplifier stage, the first mode tone control is activated and the second mode tone control is deactivated and in the second mode the attenuating means is disconnected from the first amplifier stage, the gain modifying means is connected to the first amplifier stage, the first mode tone control is deactivated and the second mode tone control is deactivated.9. In a preamplifier for audio frequency electrical signals generated by a musical instrument such as a guitar:a first amplifier stage for receiving electrical signals generated by the musical instrument and providing an outPut signal;a second amplifier stage adapted to be driven by the output signal from the first amplifier stage;a third amplifier stage adapted to be driven by the output signal from the second amplifier stage;means for attenuating the output signal of the first amplifier stage;first gain modifying means for the first amplifier stage;means for altering the level of output signal of the second amplifier stage;second gain modifying means for the second amplifier stage; and switch means for selectively connecting the attenuating means to the first amplifier stage, for selectively connecting the level altering means to the second amplifier stage, for selectively connecting the first gain modifying means to the first amplifier stage, and for selectively connecting the second gain modifying means to the second amplifier stage to provide in a first mode an output signal from the second amplifier stage having a level which drives the third amplifier stage to provide a substantially linear output signal therefrom and to provide in a second mode an output signal from the second amplifier stage having a level which will overdrive the third amplifier stage to provide a nonlinear saturated signal therefrom with a first desired amount of increased harmonic content.10. In the preamplifier of claim 9, said switch means comprising a first switch for selectively connecting the attenuating means to the first amplifier stage, a second switch for selectively connecting the first gain modifying means to the first amplifier stage, a third switch for selectively connecting the level altering means to the second amplifier stage, a fourth switch for selectively connecting the second gain modifying means to the second amplifier stage, and which further includes means for controlling said first, second, third and fourth switches whereby in the first mode the attenuating means is connected to the first amplifier stage, the first gain modifying means is disconnected from the first amplifier stage, the level altering means is connected to the second amplifier stage and the second gain modifying means is disconnected from the second amplifier stage, and in the second mode the attenuating means is disconnected from ...
AbstractAccording to the invention, a new sounding operation changes a solo being played, and various ways of sounding musical tones are permitted by a selection of whether or not a chord being played is to be changed. In response to an instruction for sounding a musical tone, chord tone data is provided together with tone data indicating a single key number, to thereby determine whether or not the chord is to be detected, and whether or not chord tone data is be output. Accordingly, ways of sounding musical tones, such as changing a chord being played together with a solo being played, or not changing a chord being played but changing only the solo being played.ClaimsI claim:1. A device for supplying sounding instructions in an electronic musical instrument comprising:a plurality of sounding instruction means for generating on and off instructions for sounding a musical tone;on determining means for determining on instructions of said plurality of sounding instruction means;off determining means for determining an off instruction of said plurality of sounding instruction means;first output means for detecting and outputting solo tone data corresponding to the instructions generated by said plurality of sounding instruction means, according to a result of an on determination by said on determining means;output terminating means for terminating the output of said solo tone data by said first output means, according to a result of an off determination by said off determining means;second output means for detecting and outputting chord tone data corresponding to the instructions generated by said plurality of sounding instruction means, independent of said solo tone data according to said result of the on determination by said on determining means;switching means for switching said second output means, independent of said first output means between an operative and an inoperative state;storing means for storing state data indicating the operative state or the inoperative state switched by said switching means; and
switching control means for controlling the switching of said second output means between the operative or inoperative state according to the state data stored in said storing means, independent of said first output means.2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first output means includes means for outputting tone data indicating a single key number, and means for sounding a tone corresponding to said tone data indicating a single key number.3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said second output means includes means for detecting a chord and means for outputting tone data indicating a detected chord.4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said second output means includes means for storing auto chord play data, means for detecting a chord, and means for reading out auto chord play data corresponding to a detected chord.5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said second output means further includes means for executing an auto play according to read-out auto chord play data.6. The device according to claim 3, wherein said second output means further includes means for storing detected chord data.7. The device according to any one of claims 1, 3 or 4, wherein said second output means holds previous chord tone data output when said switching means is switched to the inoperative state.8. The device according to claims 1, wherein said the sounding instruction means is key of a keyboard instrument.9. The device according to claims 1, wherein said the sounding instruction means is string of a string instrument.10. The device according to claims 1, wherein said the sounding instruction means is wind of a wind instrument.11. A method of supplying sounding instructions in an electronic musical instrument, comprising the steps of:(a) providing on and off sounding instructions for a plurality of musical tones;(b) determining an on instruction for said plurality of musical tones;(c) determining an off instruction for said plurality of musical tones;(d) detecting and outputting solo tone data corresponding to the on sounding instructions provided in said step (a), according to a result of the on determination made in said step (b);(e) detecting and outputting chord tone data corresponding to the on sounding instruction provided in said step (a), independent of the solo tone data, according to the result of the on determination made in said step (b);(f) terminating the output of said solo tone data in said step (d) according to a result of the off determination made in said step (c);(g) switching the output of the chord tone data in said step (e) independent of the output of the solo tone data in sai...
AbstractApparatus for modifying a musical instrument string as it is being fabricated by winding a fine metal wire helically about a core, the apparatus comprising a first roller having a fixed axis and a second roller mounted on a moveable arm for moving the second roller toward and away from the first roller, and a controllable air cylinder apparatus connected to said moveable arm for moving the second roller toward the first roller. As the string being wound and rotating passes between the two rollers and is maintained between guides, the crown or outer arcuate surface of each helical winding is flattened at the outer surface of the string, resulting in a string which produces less noise when the player slides his fingers along the string to change positions, and which still provides perfect intonation and frequency response.ClaimsInvention is claimed as follows:1. An apparatus for modifying a musical instrument string having a core and a cover wire of circular cross-section helically wound on said core, said apparatuscomprising a frame, a first roller rotatably mounted on an axis fixed with respect to said frame, and a second roller rotatably mounted on an axis moveable with respect to said first roller, guide means for maintaining said string in proper position topass between said rollers while said string rotates about its axis and additionally moves axially through said rollers, and power means for applying force to urge said second roller against said first roller, thereby compressing said string andflattening the crown of said cover wire on the outer surface of said string while maintaining substantially the original curvature of said cover wire in the remainder of said cover wire.2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a lever arm is pivotally mounted on said frame and supports said second roller, and wherein said power means is engaged with said lever arm for urging said second roller toward said first roller.3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said guide means is mounted on said frame.4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said guide means comprises a pair of plates spaced apart to permit said string to pass therebetween.5. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said guide means comprises a pair of opposed rollers rotatably mounted on said frame.6. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said power means comprises a compressed air cylinder having a piston rod operatively connected at one end to said lever arm.7. In combination, a string fabricating apparatus having means for rotating a musical instrument string and for winding a helically arranged cover wire on said string as the core rotates and means for moving said string axially, and an apparatusfor modifying said string as it rotates and leaves said fabricating apparatus comprising a frame, a first roller rotatably mounted on an axis fixed with respect to said frame, a lever arm pivotally mounted on said frame and having a second roller mountedon said lever arm, guide means for maintaining said string in position as it passes between said rollers, and power means ope...
AbstractA method for providing real-time musical interaction among a plurality of players connected via a network includes the steps of analyzing local player's musical performance to extract emulation data that represents the musical performance; transmitting emulation data to remote players over a network; receiving emulation data from remote players over the network; and using the emulation data to emulate the remote player's musical performance by locally generating approximations of the performances.ClaimsWhat is claimed is:1. A method for facilitating real-time competition between players of a game, the method comprising the steps of:(a) receiving music performance input from a local player;(b) generating audio output responsive to the received input;(c) receiving emulation data extracted from a remote musical performance; and(d) generating a local approximation of the remote musical performance using the emulation data, the local approximation synchronous with the local musical performance.2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises receiving music performance input from a local player via a game pad.3. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises receiving music performance input from a local player via a fake musical instrument.4. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises playing a note to indicate a successful input.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises playing an error message to indicate unsuccessful input.6. A method for facilitating musical interaction over a network, the method comprising the steps of:(a) receiving emulation data representing a remote user's musical performance; and(b) locally generating an approximation of the remote user's musical performance using the received emulation data, the approximation synchronous with a local musical performance.7. The method of claim 6 wherein step (a) comprises receiving emulation data, the emulation data comprising a moving average of recent remote musical performance events.8. The method of claim 6 wherein step (a) comprises receiving emulation data, the emulation data comprising a moving average of timing deltas between recent remote musical performance events.9. The method of claim 6 wherein step (a) comprises receiving emulation data, the emulation data comprising an identification of recent remote musical performance events.10. The method of claim 6 further comprising extracting local emulation data representing a local musical performance.11. A means for facilitating musical interaction over a network, comprising:(a) means for receiving emulation data representing a remote user's musical performance; and(b) means for locally generating an approximation of the remote user's musical performance using the received emulation data, the approximation synchronous with a local musical performance.12. The means for facilitating musical interaction over a network of claim 11 further comprising means for receiving music performance input from a local player.13. The means for facilitating musical interaction over a network of claim 12 wherein the means for receiving music performance input from a local player further comprises means for receiving music performance input from a local player via a game pad.14. The means for facilitating musical interaction over a network of claim 12 wherein the means for receiving music performance input from a local player further comprises means for receiving music performance input from a local player via a fake musical instrument.15. The means for facilitating musical interaction over a network of claim 11 further comprising means for extracting local emulation data representing a local musical performance.16. The means for facilitating musical interaction over a network of claim 11 further comprising means for generating audio output responsive to the received input.17. The means for facilitating musical interaction over a network of claim 16 wherein the means for generating audio output responsive to the received input further comprises means for playing a note to indicate a successful input.18. The means for facilitating musical interaction over a network of claim 16 wherein the means for generating audio output responsive to the received input further comprises means for playing an error message to indicate unsuccessful input.DescriptionFIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to electronic music systems and, more particularly, to an electronic music system by which game players interact musically with one another in real-time over a network.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMusic is a temporal medium, the organization of sound in time. Accordingly, music making is highly timing sensitive. When a musician presses a key on a piano, the musician expects the result to be immediately audible. Any delay in hearing the sound, even as brief as few milliseconds, produces a perceived sluggishness that impedes the ability of the musician to use the instrument.Music making is also often a collaborative effort among many musicians who interact with each other. One form of musical interaction popular among non-musicians is provided by a video game genre known as "rhythm-action," which requires a player to perform phrases from a pre-recorded musical composition using the video game's input device to simulate a musical instrument. The best-known example of this genre is the BEATMANIA series of games published by Konami Co., Ltd. of Japan. An example of the game environment provided by BEATMANIA is shown in FIG. 1. In this series of games the notes in musical phrases are graphically displayed to the player as a series of visual markers 104 spaced along one or more timelines 110, 120, 130, 140; each marker 104 corresponds to one note in the phrase. In the environment shown in FIG. 1 the visual markers move...
A waveform memory for storing data of musical tone waveforms can be mounted in and dismounted from an electronic musical instrument body. The waveform memory is thus replaceable, permitting the sounding of tones with various varieties. In addition, if musical tone waveform data corresponding to a tone designated for sounding is not stored in the memory, it is automatically loaded in the memory, thus permitting automatic sounding of tones to be requested.ClaimsWhat is claimed is:1. A waveform data reading/writing device for an electronic musical instrument comprising:first waveform storage means capable of being mounted in and removed from said electronic musical instrument and having storage capacity to store data of musical tone waveforms;first reading means for reading the data of musical tone waveforms from said first waveform storage means;third waveform storage means, in said electronic musical instrument, for storing the data of musical tone waveforms read by said first reading means;third writing means for writing the data of musical tone waveforms read by said first reading means in said third waveform storage means;third reading means for reading the data of musical tone waveforms from said third waveform storage means;second waveform storage means, in said electronic musical instrument, including a semiconductor for storing the data of musical tone waveforms read by said third reading means;second writing means for writing the data of musical tone waveforms read by said third reading means in said second waveform storage means;
automatic performance information storing means for storing automatic performance information;automatic performance information reading means for reading the automatic performance information in an order of performance from said automatic performance information storing means;designating means for designating a musical tone according to the automatic performance information read by said automatic performance information reading means;second reading means for reading the data of musical tone waveforms from said second waveform storage means according to a designation by said designating means;output means for outputting the data of musical tone waveforms read by said second reading means as data concerning the musical tone designated by said designating means;checking means for executing a check with respect to the musical tone designated by said designating means as to whether the data of musical tone waveforms corresponding to the musical tone designated is stored in said second waveform storage means;fourth reading means for reading the data of musical tone waveforms from said third waveform storage means according to the check by said checking means; andfourth writing means for writing the data of musical tone waveforms read by said fourth reading means in said second waveform storage means.2. The waveform data reading/writing device for an electronic musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the data of musical tone waveforms is of a sampled type.3. The waveform data reading/writing device of claim 1, wherein the data of musical tone waveforms corresponds to sounds of various musical instruments or corresponds to groups of spectra of specific frequency bands according to specific formants.4. The waveform data reading/writing device of claim 1, wherein the data of musical tone waveforms corresponds to touch data, range of touch data, pitch data, or range of pitch data.5. A method of waveform data reading/writing for an electronic musical instrument comprising the steps of:(a) storing data of musical tone waveforms in a first waveform storage area capable of being mounted in and removed from said electronic musical instrument and having storage capacity;(b) reading the data of musical tone waveforms from the first waveform storage area;(c) writing the data of musical tone waveforms read in step (b) in a third waveform storage area provided in said electronic musical instrument;(d) reading the data of musical tone waveforms from the third waveform storage area;(e) writing the data of musical tone waveforms read in step (d) in a second waveform storage area provided as a semiconductor in said electronic musical instrument;(f) storing automatic performance information;(g) reading the automatic performance information in an order of performance stored in step (f);(h) designating a musical tone according to the automatic performance information read in step (g);(i) reading the data of musical tone waveforms from the second waveform storage area according to the designation in step (h);(j) outputting the data of musical tone waveforms read in step (i) as data concerning the musical tone designated in step (h);(k) checking with respect to the musical tone designated in step (h), whether the data of musical tone waveforms is stored in the second waveform storage area;(l) reading the data of musical tone waveforms from the third waveform storage area according to a result of the check in step (k); and(m) writing the data of musical tone waveforms read in step (l) in the second waveform storage area.6. The method of waveform data reading/writing of claim 5, wherein the data of musical tone waveforms is of a sampled type.7. The method of waveform data reading/writing of claim 5, wherein the data of musical tone waveforms corresponds to sounds of various musical instruments or corresponds to groups of spectra of specific frequency bands according to specific formats.8. The method of waveform data reading/writing of claim 5, wherein the data of musical tone waveforms corresponds to touch data, range of touch data, pitch data, or range of pitch data.9. A waveform data reading/writing device for an electronic musical instrument comprising:first waveform storage means for storing data of musical tone waveforms;first reading means for reading the data of musical tone waveforms from said first waveform storage means;second waveform storage means set in said electronic musical instrument for storing data of musical tone waveforms used for musical tone generation;second writing means for writing the data of musical tone waveforms read by said first reading means in said second waveform storage means;automatic performance information storing means for storing automatic performance information;automatic performance information reading means for reading the automatic performance information in an order of performance from said automatic performance information storing means;designating means for designating a musical tone according to the automatic performance information read by said automatic performance information reading means;second reading means for reading the data of musical tone waveforms from said second waveform storage means according to a designation by said designating means;output means for outputting the data of musical tone waveform read by said second reading means as data concerning the musical tone designated by said designating means;checking means for executing a check with respect to the musical tone designated by said designating means as to whether the data of musical tone waveforms corresponding to the musical tone designated is stored in said second waveform storage means;third reading means for reading the data of musical tone waveforms from said first waveform storage means according to a result of the check by said checking means; andthird writing means for writing the data of musical tone waveforms read by said third reading means in said second waveform storage means.10. The waveform data reading/writing device of claim 9, wherein the data of musical tone waveforms corresponds to sounds of various musical instruments or corresponds to groups of spectra of specific frequency bands according to specific formats.11. The waveform data reading/writing device of claim 9, wherein the data of musical tone waveforms corresponds to touch data, range of touch data, pitch data or range of pitch data.12. The waveform data reading/writing device of claim 9, wherein the data of musical tone waveforms is of a sampled type.13. The waveform data reading/writing device of claim 9, wherein said first reading and second writing means write the data of musical tone waveforms read from said first waveform storage means in third waveform storage means, read the data of musical tone waveforms from said third waveform storage means and write the read data in said second waveform storage means.14. The waveform data reading/writing device of claim 9, wherein said first waveform storage means is capable of being mounted in and removed from said electronic musical instrument.15. A method of waveform data reading/writing for an electronic musical instrument comprising the steps of:(a) storing data of musical tone waveforms in a first waveform storage area;(b) storing data of musical tone waveforms used for musical tone generation in a second waveform storage area set in the electronic musical instrument;(c) reading out the data of musical tone waveforms from the first waveform storage area;(d) writing the data of musical tone waveforms read in step (c) in the second waveform storage area;(e) storing automatic performance information;(f) reading the automatic performance information in an order of performance stored in step (e);(g) designating musical tone generation according to the automatic performance information read in step (f);(h) reading the data of musical tone waveforms from the second waveform storage area according to the designation in step (g);(i) outputting the data of musical tone waveforms read in step (h) as data concerning the musical tone designated in step (g);(j) checking, with respect to the musical tone designated in step (g), whether the data of musical tone waveforms is stored in the second waveform storage area:(k) reading the data of musical tone waveforms from the first waveform storage area according to a result of the check in step (j); and(l) writing the data of musical tone waveforms read in step (k) in the second waveform storage area.16. The method of waveform data reading/writing of claim 15, wherein the data of musical tone waveforms corresponds to sounds of various musical instruments or corresponds to groups of spectra of specific frequency bands according to specific formants.17. The method of waveform data reading/writing of claim 15, wherein the data of musical tone waveforms corresponds to touch data, range of touch data, pitch data, or range of pitch data.18. The method of waveform data reading/writing of claim 15, wherein the data of musical tone waveforms is of a sampled type.19. The method of waveform reading/writing of claim 15, wherein the reading in step (c) and writing in step (d) are executed to write the data of musical tone waveforms read from the first waveform storage area in a third waveform storage area, read the data of musical tone waveforms from the third waveform storage area and write the read data i...
