Patent · US Expired

Electronic musical instrument effects control

US3965789A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
17References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 1, 1974
Grant dateJun 29, 1976
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 1, 1994

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S84/07
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

The keyboard type instrument includes circuitry for controlling an envelope generator and a voltage controlled oscillator which in sequence operates a voltage controlled filter, and a voltage controlled amplifier both of which receive control signals from the envelope generator. The keys of the keyboard preferably have a common variable conductance touch sensor or transducer associated therewith which is responsive to key depression pressure in excess of a predetermined threshold pressure to control one or more audible characteristics of the played note. In one embodiment vibrato, pitchbend, brilliance and volume of the note are controllable. Associated with the keyboard is selection means including a plurality of audible characteristic selectors and variable means delimiting the range of the audible characteristics. The playing of a note at less than the threshold pressure provides the usual audible pitch and applied pressure above the threshold pressure introduces one or more of the audible characteristics at an intensity that is dependent upon the applied pressure and the setting of the variable control means associated with the keyboard.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.