Automatic indicating tuning system for visual tuning of timpani and other tunable instruments
US4741242A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 29, 1986 |
| Grant date | May 3, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S84/18
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An automatically operated tuning indicating system for the preliminary tuning and for retuning during the performance of a set of timpani drums or other percussion-type instrument having a tunable resonating body cavity is provided. Automatic indication of tuning is achieved substantially in silence or at very low sound levels without requiring the production of an audible level of sound that could be readily detected by or distracting to persons in an orchestra other than the timpani player during the tuning and/or retuning. Tuning and/or retuning during a performance is under the visible control of the timpani player both as to which kettle drum of the timpani set or other musical instrument is being tuned and the extent of the tuning. The system is comprised by an automatic sound frequency signal analyzer for automatically comparing an electric input signal derived from the drum being struck to preset standards and for identifying and visually indicating on a dynamic display a particular note in the musical scale, or the closest note thereto whose frequency corresponds to the frequency of the input electric signal, and whether the note being played is sharp or flat and by how mu…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.