CA2306506C - Universal communications and control system for amplified musical instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

An audio communications and control system includes a plurality of audio devices each of which includes a device interface module for communication of digital audio data and control data from at least one of the devices to at least one other of the devices. A universal data link is operatively connected to each of the device interface modules. The device interface modules and universal data links are operative in combination to connect the devices together in the system and provide full duplex communication of the digital audio data and control data between the devices.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to systems for enabling the communication of signals and data between a musical instrument and electronic components needed to control and re-produce sounds generated by that instrument. More specifically, this invention relates to a system and method that facilitates the interconnection of one or more diverse musical instruments and related audio components on a universal network for purposes of communication of audio signals and signals to identify and control the devices.
The generation, transmission, amplification and control of audio signals and devices involves diverse yet interrelated technologies that are changing rapidly. The development and implementation of high bandwidth digital communication technologies and distribution systems is significantly affecting all media industries, Attorney's Docket Rio. 4089C
from book publishing to television/video broadcasting. Products, systems, and services that affect the sense of sight or sound are converging in the use of common technologies and distribution pipelines. This has a profound effect, not only on the nature of the products that are produced. but on the sales channels and the nature of producing content for those products.
Current examples of the convergence of audio and digital technologies are the arrival and consumer acceptance of the VIPEG-3 digital music format, the inexpensive recordable CD (e.g., the "IVIiniDisc"), and the high bandwidth Internet.
However, the markets for technology-driven products are not served by implementation of multiple technical standards. Typically, a new technology begins in its early phase with multiple standards, which in many cases are vigorously debated and disputed among various advocates for the different standards. In most technology-driven industries that prosper, a single standard historically is universally adopted by members of that industry. Examples of such 1~ standardization include AC versus DC household electrical supply, Postscript printing language, and VHS versus Beta video recording format. Similarly, there is a need for a universally accepted standard for digital communication of audio and video content. Because of the overwhelming acceptance of the Internet and its TCP!IP protocol, coupled with a substantial pre-existing infrastructure of network '?0 hardware, software, and know-how, a universal standard for diaitai audio~'video ~~ummuW canon and control should revolve around this weil-known TCPIiP arid Internet technology.
o f~ttorney's Docket No. 4089C
The weakness of the existing audio hardware market is in its application of digital electronic technologies. Today's musicians can record and process multi-tracks of high quality sound on their computers but are forced to plug into boxes with 1950's era analog circuits. For example, the original challenge in the guitar musical instrument industry was to make the guitar louder. The circuits of the day distorted the sound of the instrument, but did accomplish their task. With time, these distortions became desirable tones, and became the basis of competition.
Guitar players are very interested in sound modification.
Digital technology allows a musician to create an infinite variety of sound modifications and enhancements. The guitar player in a small club has a veritable arsenal of stomp boxes, revert effects, wires, guitars and the like. He generally has a rack of effects boxes and an antiquated amplifier positioned somewhere where the sound distribution is generally not optimal because the amplifier is essentially a point source. Because of this lack of accurate sound placement, the sound 1~ technician is canstantly struggling to integrate the guitar player into the overall Sound spectrum, so as to please the rest of the band as well as the audience who would love to hear the entire ensemble.
Technology has made some progress along a digital audio path. For example.
there are prior art guitar processors and digital ampliners that use digital signal '?0 processing (DSP) to allow a single guitar to emulate a variety of different amta~
types, amplifier types, and other sound modifications such as revert anc'.
delay. To achieve the same variety of sounds and variations without using DSP technology-. a CA 02306506 2000-04-25 -' -Attorney's Docket Rio. 4089C
musician would have to buy several guitars, several different amplifiers, and at least one, if not more than one, accessory electronic box.
All existing instruments, if they use a transducer of any kind, output the sound information as an analog signal. This analog signal varies in output level and impedance, is subject to capacitance and other environmental distortions, and can be subject to ground loops and other kinds of electronic noise. After being degraded in such fashion by the environment, the analog signal is often digitized at some point, with the digitized signal including the noise component. Although existing digital audio technologies show promise, it is clear that the audio equipment and musical instrument industries would benefit from a system and method where all audio signals are digital at inception.
At present, there are multiple digital interconnection specifications, including AES/EBU, S/PDIF, the AD AT "Light Pipe" and IEEE 1394 ''Firewire". However, none of these standards or specifications are physically appropriate for the unique i~ requirements of live musical performance. In addition, clocking, synchronization, and jitter/latency management are large problems with many of these existing digital options.
Different segments of the music market have experimented in digital audio.
tome segments have completely- embraced it. but there is no appropriate scalable '?l, standard. Clearly-, digital components exist, but these are designed as digital islands". Correspondingly, many manufacturers have chosen to make their small portion of the product world digital but rely mainly on traditional analog 1/O
to connect to the rest of the world. This may solve the local problem for the specinc Attorney's Docke t Vo. 4089C
~oroduc~ in question, but does little to resolve the greater system-oriented issues that arise as the number of interconnected devices grows. In addition, the small sound degradation caused by a analog-to-digiial and digital-to-analog transformation in each "box" combines to produce non-optimal sound quality.
Finally, the cost, power and size inefficiency related to having each component in a chain converting back and forth to digiial begs for a universal, end-to-end digital solution.
mother basic yet important part of the problem is that live musicians need a single cable that is long, locally repairable, and simple to install and use.
In addition, it is highly desirable to support multiple audio channels on a single cable, as setups often scale out of control with current multiple cable solutions.
Also.
phantom power is preferred over batteries as means to power the active circuits used in digital instruments.
Based on the technology trends and patterns that have already been established, a digital guitar will emerge with the transducers (pick-ups) feeding a high bandwidth digital signal. This advance will remove many detrimental aspects of the analog technology it will replace, including noise, inconsistent tonal response from time to time, and loss of fidelity with a need for subsequent signal processing.
The introduction of digital technology from the instrument will allow the entire '?0 signal path and the equipment associated with the signal path to be digital.
~~n1<>r~unately. there is no system available that will easily and quicklw interconnect multiple musical instruments and associated audio components ~co that they can communicate with each other and be controlled entirely in the digital domain, using a universal interface and communications protocol.
Performing musicians need a new, performance-s oriented solution that provides multiple channels of advanced fidelity audio, intuitive control capabilities, extreme simplicity and total reliability. It is also desirable for this system to be scalable to meet the requirements of permanent installations, including recording studio applications.
SU1~IARY OF THE INVENTION
To overcome the limitations and weaknesses of existing analog and digital technologies in the musical performance environment, applicant has invented a system that will allow, in a preferred embodiment, up to sixteen (16) channels of 32 bit - 96 kHz digital audio signals and data to flow over a single cable in both directions, using inexpensive connectors and cables already available and in use in virtually every computer network. This cable will also carry sufficient power to allow the electronics in the guitar (or other instrument) to function without a battery or other power source. For convenience, the system of the present invention will sometimes be referred herein as the Global Musical Instrument Communications System (or GMICS).
GMICS is a trademark of the assignee of the present invention, Gibson Guitar Corp.
According to one aspect, the invention provides a digital media communications and control system comprising:
a. a plurality of digital media devices, each of the devices including a device interface module for communication of digital data and control data from at least one of the devices to at least one other of the devices; b. a universal data link operatively connected to each of the device interface modules; c. the device interface modules and universal data links are operative in combination to connect the devices together in the system and provide full duplex communication of the digital audio data and control data between the devices; and d. at least one of the devices is configured as a system timing master and at least one of the other devices is configured as a slave device, wherein the system timing master is operative to provide synchronization data to the slave devices.
In accordance with another aspect, the invention provides a digital media communications and control system comprising: a plurality of digital media devices, each of the devices including a device interface module for communication of digital data and control data from at least one of the devices to at least one other of the devices; a universal data link operatively connected to each of the device interface modules; the device interface modules and universal data links are operative in combination to connect the devices together in the system and provide full duplex communication of the digital data and control data between the devices; and wherein the data link includes a cable having means for providing phantom power to the devices.
The invention also provides a digital media communications and control system comprising: a. a plurality of audio devices, each of the devices including a device interface module for communication of digital audio data and control data from at least one of the devices to at least one other of the devices; b. a universal data link operatively connected to each of the device interface modules; c. the device interface modules and universal data 7 4 6 9 7 - rJ 6 CA 02306506 2004-09-09 links are operative in combination to connect the devices together in the system and provide full duplex communication of the digital audio data and control data between the devices; and d. wherein the control data includes device identification data that identifies each of the devices to other of the devices connected to the system; at least one of the devices is configured as a system.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a digital media communications and control system comprising:
a plurality of audio devices, each of the devices including a device interface module for communication of digital audio data and control data from at least one of the devices to at least one other of the devices; a universal data link operatively connected to each of the device interface modules; the device interface modules and universal data links are operative in combination to connect the devices together in the system and provide full duplex communication of the digital audio data and control data between the devices; and wherein the audio devices are operative to generate user data associated with a specific user of that device and the device interface modules and data links are operative to communicate the user data to other devices connected to the system; at least one of the devices is configured as a system timing master and at least one of the other devices is configured as a slave device, wherein the system timing master is operative to provide synchronization data to the slave device.

7 4 6 9 7 - 'rJ 6 CA 02306506 2004-09-09 There is also provided in accordance with another aspect of the invention a digital media communications and control system comprising: a plurality of audio devices, each of the devices including a device interface module for communication of digital audio data and control data from at least one of the devices to at least one other of the devices; a universal data link operatively connected to each of the device interface modules; the device interface modules and universal data links are operative in combination to connect the devices together in the system and provide full duplex communication of the digital audio data and control data between the devices; wherein the audio data communicated between the devices is packed in system data packets; and wherein the data packets are continuously transmitted between devices in accordance with a packet timing signal that is synchronized to an audio sampling rate associated with the digital audio data.
The invention further provides a digital media communications and control system comprising: a plurality of audio devices, each of the devices including a device interface module for communication of digital audio data and control data from at least one of the devices to at least one other of the devices; a universal data link operatively connected to each of the device interface modules; the device interface modules and universal data links are operative in combination to connect the devices together in the system and provide full duplex communication of the digital audio data and control data between the devices;
wherein the audio data communicated between the devices is packed in system data packets; wherein each of the system data packets comprises a plurality of data channels including a header, a plurality of audio data channels containing the digital audio data, a user data channel 8a containing the user data, and a control data channel containing the control data; wherein the control data channel can contain non-system control data; wherein the audio devices are operative to generate user data associated with a specific user of that device and the device interface modules and data links are operative to communicate the user data to other devices connected to the system; and wherein the non-system control data comprises MIDI control data.
According to another aspect, the invention provides a musical performance system comprising: a. a musical instrument including a first device interface module operative to convert audio signals generated by the instrument into digital audio data and to generate control data associated with the instrument; b. an audio amplifier including a second device interface module operative to receive the digital audio data and the control data; and c.
a first data link operatively connecting the first and second device interface modules and adapted for bi-directional communication of the digital audio data and control data.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a musical instrument comprising: a. an audio transducer for generating analog audio data; b. a device interface module operative to convert the analog audio data into digital audio data and to provide the digital audio data and system control data at a musical instrument output; c. the musical instrument output including an instrument connector adapted for connection to a system data link whereby the device interface module and data link can cooperate to provide bi-directional communication of digital audio data and system control data over the data link.
8b In accordance with another aspect, the invention provides a method of arranging a plurality of electronic audio devices in an audio system comprising: a. providing each of the audio devices with a device interface module adapted for communication of digital audio data generated by one or more of the devices connected to the system and for storage and communication of control data associated with that audio device; b. operatively connecting the device interface modules over one or more data links, the data links adapted for full duplex communication of the digital audio data and control data to and from each device; and c.
directing the digital audio data for use by one or more specified devices connected to the system; and d.
communicating the digital audio data and control data across the data links in discrete data packets.
The invention also provides a device interface module for providing a universal data link to connect an audio device in an audio communications and control network to other audio devices connected to the network, the device interface module comprising: a device connector adapted to connect the audio device to a single network cable; data communications means to provide full duplex communication of multi-channel digital audio data and control data between the audio devices across the single network cable; and wherein the device interface module is operative to send device identification data that identifies each of the audio devices to other of the audio devices connected to the network.
The system of an embodiment of this invention includes the GMICS data link, a high-speed point-to-point connection for communication of digital audio data between two GMICS devices. The system and method may further 8c include definitions and description of the characteristics of individual GMICS devices as well as GMICS system configuration and control protocols.
The GMICS data link is a high-speed point-to-point connection transmitting full-duplex digital audio signals, control signals, and user data between two interconnected GMICS devices. Self-clocking data are packed in frames that are continuously transmitted between GMICS devices at the current sample rate.
Flexible packing of digital audio data within a frame allows a tradeoff between bit resolution and channel capacity to optimize the fit and interface for GMICS devices having diverse characteristics. A Control data field provides for GMICS system configuration, device identification, control, and status. User data fields are provided for transmitting non-audio data between GMICS
devices.
A GMICS system may include two types of GMICS
devices - "instruments" and "controllers". An instrument is typically a sound transducer such as a guitar, microphone, or speaker. A controller is typically an intelligent amplifier that provides connections and power for multiple GMICS instruments, and is capable of, and responsible for, configuring the GMICS system. Controllers may also include upstream and downstream connections to other controllers for increased instrument connectivity.
Data link electronics and associated cabling and connectors are designed for reliable use in harsh environments. "Hot-plugging" of GMICS devices is supported by the system.
8d 7 4 6 9 7 - rJ 6 CA 02306506 2004-09-09 Accordingly, an embodiment of a Universal Communications and Control System for Amplified Musical Instruments is provided that includes the following novel features:
(1) The Control data for each device includes a "Friendly naming" scheme using a Device ID so that: (a) there is an automatic configuration by, and synchronization to, the system by the identifying device; (b) the use of a "Friendly name" allows the user to name his device on the system; (c) the "device name" resides in the device, not in a data base; and (d) the device ID is available when the device is plugged into a 'foreign' GMICS system.

(2) A bi-directional device interface is provided that adds "response" to the existing instrument stimulus to create a full duplex instrument that is able to display and react to other devices in the system.

(3) The system topology allows for nodal connection of resources so that instruments and control devices plug in to create the desired system complexity and allowing for simple system enhancement by plugging in a new device with the desired features.

(4) The system implements dynamic resource allocation, including: (a) routing of audio and control signals "on the fly"; (b) audio nodes can be 'moved' at will; and (c) special effects devices can be shared without physically moving or connecting them.

(5) Logical connections are made to the system so that a device can be physically connected into the system through any available connector, e.g., a guitar does not have to be directly plugged into the guitar amplifier.
8e Attorney's Docket No. 40890 (6> The system has a multi-layered protocol that supports many different physical transport media and allows for simple expansion of both the number of audio channels and the data bandwidth.
(7) There can be a familiar looking (to the userj point to point connection of devices. or a "star" network (analogous to a "breakout box") configuration for multiple devices, thereby simplifying the user experience.
(81 The system can operate at multiple sampling rates so that different G1~IICS data links operate at different sample rates within the system.
(9) Phantom power for instrument electronics is delivered over the GNIICS
data link.
(10) The system can take advantage of conventional network hardware, e.g.. one embodiment of a GIVIICS system is implemented over a 100 megabit Ethernet physical layer using standard Category 5 (CATS) cable Thus, GVIICS is the first low-cost digital interconnection system based on a 1 ~ universal standard that is appropriate for use in the live. professional, studio and home music performance environments. CTVIICS technology can be quickly adapted for use in musical instruments, processors. amplifiers, recording devices. and m_mn~ devices.
GVIICS overcomes the limitations ana performance liabilities inherent in '?() current "point solution" digital interfaces and creates a completely digital system rhac offers enhanced sonic iidelitv, simplified setup and usage while providing new-levels of control and reliability.
c, Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
Gi'~IICS enables musical instruments and their supporting devices such as amplifiers, mixers, and effect boxes from different vendors to digitally inter-operate ~n an open-architecture infrastructure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the system of this invention showing a typical arrangement that interconnects instrument devices with various control devices.
Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the system of this invention showing a physical implementation and interconnection of devices in an on-stage performance audio environment.
Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of a music editing control device usable in the system of this invention.
Fig. a is a block diagram showing two device interface modules used in instrument or control devices connected to in a G'~IICS system, with one device l~ interface module configured as a system timing master and a second device interface module configured as a slave.
Fig. ~ is a schematic diagram of a crossover connection between linked device. in a GVIICS system so that the data transmitted by one device is received by ire ot:~ze: device.
''(! >~ lg. 0 is a block diagram showing typical connections of guiiar, effect.: box.
-end ampi_it=er devices in a G1~IICS system.
' 10 -'' ' CA 02306506 2000-04-25 Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the direction of dominant data flow in a simple G1VIICS system.
Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the direction of dominant data flow in a GNIICS system that includes a recording device.
Fig. 9 is a high-level view of a typical GMICS data packet format.
Figs. 10 a and b are block diagrams illustrating control message flow scenarios among linked devices in a GyIICS system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Svstem Overview As shown generally in Figs. 1 and 2, the topology of a GMICS system 10 of this invention is characterized by a modular, daisy chained bi-directional digital interconnection of musical instrument devices, processing devices, amplifiers and/
or recording systems. Each device has a data link connection to one or more other devices. Thus, the system 10 is comprised of instrument and control devices that are interconnected by GNIICS data links. Each G?VIICS device generates, processes, relays, or receives audio data, control data, or both.
For example, as shown in Fig. '?, a guitar setup in a G~IICS system 10 may include a guitar 1?, an amplifier 13, and a control pedal 15. The guitar 1'?
may be '?0 directly connected to the amplifier 13 through a system data link cable 11. The foot control 15 may be connected through a USB cable 16 to a control computer 1 i.
with the control computer 17 also connected to the amplifier 13 through another link :attorney's Docket No. 4089C
cable 11. alternatively, the guitar 12 may be directly connected to the control pedal 15. which is in turn connected to the amplifier 13. The guitar 12 contains a system device module 23 (Fig. 4) so that the guitar 12 can generate digital audio data as well as send control data from one or more of its several internal control devices such as a pickup selector, volume control knob, or tone control. The control pedal 15 will generate control data, and relay the audio data sent from the guitar 12.
The amplifier 13 will act as a receiver for any control or audio data sent by the guitar or volume pedal. Because the system 10 provides bi-directional communication of audio and control data, it is feasible for amplifier 13 to send control messages or audio back to the guitar 12.
Physical Interface GIVIICS is capable of having multiple physical interfaces. This application identifies two physical interfaces, the common instrument interface and the high-speed optical interface.
1 ~ In one embodiment of the system. the common instrument interface (the connection between a musical instrument and an amplifier) is based on a conventional 100 megabit Ethernet physical layer. The 100 megabit GVIICS data link is referred to as the G100TX link. This includes both the data transport mechanism and the interconnecting cables and connectors. One embodiment of the '?0 GVfICS transport uses standard C~T5 cable and Rd-45 connectors.
Other physical interfaces can include a high-speed mufti-link optical interface, wireless. and a physical layer interface based on a new gigabit Etherner physical layer. The wireless applications of a GVIICS system are dependent on the ' f'?

Attorney's Docket No. 40890 current capabilities and bit density of available technology. The high bandwidth optical interfaces are ideal for transporting large numbers of Gi~IICS
channels over long distances. This is very useful in large arenas where the mixing console or amplifiers may be hundreds of feet from the stage and require an enormous number of audio channels. Phantom power is not available for optical-based systems.

Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
Electrical Interface The common interface, G100TX, will transport GNIICS data through the link layer protocol used in 100 megabit Ethernet. Data is encoded with a 4bit/5bit scheme and then scrambled to eliminate RF 'hot spots', thus reducing emissions.
This is a well-documented and tested data transport with a large installed base. Of the eight conductors in a standard Category 5 ("CATS") cable, only four are used for data transport. G100TX uses the four unused conductors to supply phantom power for instruments that can operate with limited power. Guitars, drum transducers, and microphones are examples of such devices. Preferably, the Gl00TX-based GVIICS data link supplies up to 500mA at 9 volts DC to the instrument. The Link Host insures that the GIVIICS Link power is safe both to the user and to the equipment. Current limiting is done so that the system will become operational after a short circuit has been corrected. Fuses that need replacement when triggered are not recommended.
l~ The GMICS protocol is designed to allow the use of many different physical transport layers. There are a few important rules that must be followed when selecting a possible transport layer for G1~IICS. First, the transport must have very low latency. Gi~IICS is a real-time digital link. Latency must not only be very- low, ur the order of a few hundred microseconds. but must also be deterministic et; ~econCL. the physical interface must be robust enough to function properly in a iive ~enformance environment. ~ live environment may include high voltageicurrent cables running near or bundled with a link cable. For a link to be acceptable it must function properly in this harsh environment.

Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
Data Link Interface Data is transmitted between GNIICS devices in the form of discrete packets at a synchronous rate. The GMICS data packets contain a header, 16 audio data pipes, a high-speed user data pipe, the GMICS control data pipe, and an optional CRC-32. The header contains a preamble, start of frame byte, data valid flags, sample rate, frame counter and bus control bits.
Audio data pipes are 32-bit data highways between two G1~IICS devices. The format for the data in the pipe is identified in the packet header and in some cases in a 4-bii nibble used as a tag in each data pipe. Audio can be 16, 24, 28 or 32 bits of PCNI audio data. Specific compressed data formats are also supported and are identified in the tag. Each individual audio pipe can be reassigned as 32 bit data if desired, providing up to 16 extra data channels, with the corresponding non-availability of audio channels.
The GMICS control data pipe is a highway for GNIICS-related control l~ messaging. The control pipe can ship multiple types of control including MIDI, although native GMICS control should be used. The control pipe contains a control type byte, version field. 48 bit source and destination address spaces, message field.
and a 3 2 bit data word.
.1~'Iaster Timing Control ''0 In order for all devices within the GMICS system to be processing data in-phase with one another, there must be a single source of synchronization. This aourice is called the System Timing Vla~ter (STVI). It can be anv non-instrument device and may be selected during the system configuration process. If ne device l 1~ -~tiorney's Docket No. 4089C
configured as the STIVI one will be selected automatically based on system hierarchy. In a situation where multiple devices are hooked up as a daisy chain, three rules are presented which allows for an STNI to automatically be selected.
The GVIICS packet timing is synchronous to the audio sample rate of the system. This sample, or packet, timing is either locally generated, in the case of the ST1VI, or recovered and regenerated in a slave device. The transport clock is asynchronous to the sample clock and is only used by the physical layer transport mechanism. Fig. 4 is a simplified block diagram of a device interface module including a G1VIICS ST1VI 23m connected to a GMICS system timing slave device 23s. The slave device 23s uses only the recovered and regenerated sample clock for encodingldecoding the GyIICS data packets.
GVIICS Control Control information is an essential factor in instrument functionality. An intricate native control protocol is used in a G1VIICS system. GNIICS control 1~ revolves around 48 bit address spaces that are divided in three 16-bit fields: device, function, and parameter. This allows for access to a device at multiple levels.
Device addresses are determined during enumeration. The manufacturer of the nevice determines the other two address fields. This alleviates the necessity to ~redefir~e parameter and controller messages as is done in 1~IIDI systems.
Devices '?G can query for other device addresses and associated friendly names by using system control messages. This allows for complete control while still supportxna a non-technical, user-friendly interface.

Attorney's Docket No. 40890 The control type byte allows non-GyIICS control messages access to the control pipe or channel. Control message from other specifications can be encapsulated in the 32 bit data word. yIIDI is one example of a defined alternate control type.
Device Classification In the case where no control information is being sent, a device can send a device classification message in place of conirol data. This message provides information regarding the functionality and capabilities of the device. Any other device in a G1YIICS system can use this information as needed. The device classification method is encapsulated in the 32-bit data word.
Classic ylode Classic mode is a means of further increasing the simplicity and universality of a G1~IICS system. Classic mode provides a set of default channel assignments for instruments. This will allow for an unknown device to power up in a known state 1~ providing a positive initial user experience. Devices can assign channels in anv fashion, but all devices should supply the capability of being in classic mode. unless overridden by a previous configuration. Classic mode can expand to allow for automatic controller assignment, and various other features.
Classic mode assures that devices power up in known states by providing ~?(s default assignments for all channels. Other devices can communicate by default on know-r~ channels. Default channel assignments are given to all applicable instruments. Classic mode increases the universalitv and simplicity of GVIICS
in a wav that General MIDI provides a common user experience for tone generation.
1i :attorney's Docket No. 4089C
The channel assignments described in this embodiment are defaulis: other channel assignments may be used at the discretion of a device manufacturer, but any variation will create incompatibilities with other Classic mode devices.
acoustic Guitar Classic Mode ~n acoustic guitar device in a GMICS system may have the following default channel assignments: , Acoustic Guitvcr~'llf~ode f,FJefault' anrre~
~ssignmefor~coustic T 3: ,y 's ~riX~N'.

~ .. 1 a aw.?1 Channel # Assignment (decimal) 1 ll~Iono Guitar (Mono Pickup) ~

' ? ~ Microphone t 3 - 4 Stereo Guitar j 5 - 10 HeY Pickup I

11 - 16 ~ Reserved 1b ~ttornev's Docket No. 4089C
Electric Guitar Classic Mode An electric guitar in a GMICS system may have the following default channel assignments:
Acoustic-Guitar Classic Mode (Default C~Cannel Assignments for Acoustic Guatarsj Channel # Assignment (decimal) 1- 3 Nlono Guitar (3 Mono Pickup) Microphone - 6 Stereo Guitar ~ - 1G ~ iieX Pivkup I

13 - 16 Reserved Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
Keyboard Classic Mode Electronic keyboards in a GNIICS system may have the following default channel assignments:
Key&oard ~lassic:Nlode-(Default Channel Assignments for Acoustic Guitarsj Channel # Assignment (decimal) 1 Mono 2 Microphone 3 - 4 Stereo - 16 Reserved System Mechanical Detail The GNIICS Connector G100TY G1VIICS Link The 100 megabit G1VIICS data link (G100TX) uses the industry standard RJ-45 connector and Category 5 cable as shown in Fig. 5. Preferably, the cables and connectors will meet alI requirements set forth in the IEEE80'?.3 specification for 100B~SE-TZ use.

Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
GiVIICS G100TX Signals & Connector Pin Assignment G100TX-based G1VIICS uses a standard Category 5 cable for device interconnection. A single cable contains four twisted pairs. Two pairs are used for data transport as in 100BASE-TX network connection. The remaining two pairs are used for power.
Standard Category 5 patch cords are wired one-to-one. This means that each conductor is connected to the same pin an both connectors. A crossover function must be performed within one of the connected devices so that the data transmitted by one device is received by the other, as shown in Fig. 5.
Due to this relationship, a GMICS system has two different connector configurations for GNIICS devices. The diagram of Fig. 6 shows a guitar 12, and effect boY 24, and an amplifier 13. There are two preferred connector configurations used in the system. labeled A and B in the table below All instruments must use ' connector configuration A. Amplifiers and other devices use connector configuration l~ B for inputs from instrument and connector configuration A for output to other devices. GVIICS connections are made with Category 5 approved RJ-45 plugs and Tacks.
The following table lists the signals and connector pin numbers for both the A
B connector configuraiions.
.? 1 attorney's Docket No. 4089C
~ Signal Name Type A Tgpe ~B

I ~'o From Instrument Amglifier, ~~.Pin M r a ~~.~' d ~ 3 ~~ 3 ~.:,~ '' a s ~~ , ~ ~
g' a i .a.s ,p ~ s, ~* # ~ - ~ ~~ ~~ ' r'rn ~ , ~

~_ Q ~~
. ' Tx Data + (from instrument) 1 3 Tx Data - (from instrument) 2 6 I

Rx Data + (to instrument) 3 I 1 i I

Rx Data - (to instrument) 6 2 ( i i I

j Gnd (Instrument Phantom 4 4 Power) I Gnd (Instrument Phantom 5 5 Power) i ' V+ (Instrument Phantom Power)7 7 V+ (Instrument Phantom Power)8 8 ~

Table - Sagnal ~z~td connector pin numbers , The pin number assignments are chosen to insure that signals are transported over twisted pairs. The transmit and receive signals use the same pin:
that a computer's network interface card (NICI does. The two pair of wires not used ir~ standard 100BASE-T~ networks carry phantom power. This connector pm ass:anment is chosen to reduce the possibility of damage if a G1~IICS device is directly plugged into a computer network connector.
.~.~

Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
Instrument Connectors AlI instruments connected to a G1VIICS system use a RJ-45 Jack wired in the Type A configuration. This connector is labeled To Amplifier.
~'o Amp~i~er-. a A Co~gt~ratian : R~~~
Slgn~ ~~a~iaem E~~
. _- #' , Tx Data + (from instrument) 1 Tx Data - (from instrument) ~ 2 Rx Data + (to instrument) 3 Rx Data - (to instrument) 6 Gnd (Instrument Phantom Power) 4 Gnd (Instrument Phantom Power) 5 V+ (Instrument Phantom Power) r V+ (Instrument Phantom Power) 8 Table - Instrument Type A configuration Effect/Amplifier Connectors Effect Boxes and Amplifiers may have more than one GiYIICS connector.
There are two possible configurations for these G1~IICS connections. Inputs from instruments to the effect box or amplifier are wired in the Type B
configuration and Should be labeled From Instrument. Output from the effect box or amplifier ahould be wired in the Type A configuration and labeled To :4naplifier.
'? 3 Attorney's Docket No. 40890 From Instrument - Type B RJ-45 Configuration Pin Signal: Name #

Tx Data + (from instrument) 3 Tx Data - (from instrument) 6 Rx Data + (to instrument) 1 Rx Data - (to instrument) 2 Gnd (Instrument Phantom Power) 4 Gnd (Instrument Phantom Power) 5 V+ (Instrument Phantom Power) 7 V+ (Instrument Phantom Power) 8 Table - EffectlAmp Type B configuration .ill connectors that can receive input directly from an instru~r-~ent use an RJ-45 jack wired in a Type B configuration.
'?4 Attorney's Docket No. 40890 ~'a ~crgh~er -':T3xpe-: ~; Configuration1tJ-45-~~gna~~m~ 3 z pi~#~

Tx Data + (from instrument) 1 Tx Data - (from instrument) 2 Rx Data + (to instrument) 3 Rx Data - (to instrument) 6 Gnd (Instrument Phantom Power) 4 Gnd (Instrument Phantom Power) 5 V+ (Instrument Phantom Power) 7 V+ (Instrument Phantom Power) 8 EffectlAmp Type A configuration All other connections use a RJ-45 jack wired in a Type A configuration.
Dominant Data Flow The terms To Amplifier and From Instrument not only refer to the typical physical connections but also the dominant data flow. While it is true that the Gi~IICS protocol is a symmetrical bi-directional interconnect there is almost always a dominant direction to the data flow. In a simple G~'IICS system consisting of a musical instrument, an effects box, and an amplifier. the dominant data direction is from the instrument to the effects box then on to the amplifier, as shown in Fig. 8.
2~

Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
In the second example of Fig. 8, three instruments (two guitars 12 and a microphone 14) are connected to through an amplifier 13 to a mixer 25 that is connected to a recording device 26. The recording device 26 does not have a dominant direction of data flow. While recording, the dominant direction is to the recorder 26 while it is from the recorder 26 during playback. For clarity in describing a G1VIICS system, a recording device 26 will always be treated as an instrument in that the dominant data flows from the recorder.
Special Considerations Special considerations need to be made when selecting RJ type connectors for use with GMICS. These special requirements are due to the fact that GMICS
enabled devices are used in live performance applications by musicians and must be reliable and resilient.
Several physical supports exist that augment the standard RJ-45 connector.
This includes the addition of locking clip protection for the RJ-45 connectors. In addition, cable manufacturers can make specially designed cable ends that help the locking clip from breaking. Without some sort of protection these locking clips can be over-stressed and broken. Once the locking clip is broken the connector will not stay properly seated in the mating jack and the connection will be unsatisfactory .
Mechanical stress on the RJ-45 jack must be also considered when designing ?0 ~~IICS enabled devices. The locking nature of the RJ-45 offers advantages and disadvantages. The positive locking provides protection against accidental unplugging. However, the RJ-45 will not automatically release (as will a standard Attorney's Docket Rio. 4089C
guitar cable) when the cable is completely stretched or becomes tangled.
Therefore it is recommended that the RJ-45 jack and mechanical assembly be able to withstand repeated tugs of the cable without physical or electrical damage.
The GMICS Cable GMICS G100TX Interconnect Cable G100TX-based GMICS devices use industry standard computer networking cables for both signal and power. The G100TX daia link is designed to use standard Category 5 patch cables of lengths up to 500 ft. Acceptable Cats cables must include all four twisted pairs (8 wires). Each conductor must consist of stranded wire and be 24 gauge or larger. The cable and connectors must meet all requirements for 100BASE-TX network usage. It should be noted that Gi~IICS
uses the standard computer-to-hub CAT 5 patch cords, not the special computer-to-computer cables. The G1VIICS cable is always wired as a one-to-one assembly.
The following table shows the connector/cable wiring for a GNIICS G100TX
Interconnect Cable.
Signal Name Twisted pair Connector pin # #

~ Tx Data (from instrument) 1 ~ 3 Tx Data - (from instrument) 1 , 6 ' ' I

Rx Data (to instrument) ( 2 ! 1 Rx Data - (to instrument) 2 I '' I

Gnd (Instrument Phantom Power)3 j 4 Gnd (Instrument Phantom Power)~ 3 j :~
I

2i -r'lttorney's Docket No. 4089C
v- (Instrument Phantom Power)4 7 ~

V+ (Instrument Phantom Power)4 8 1 able - C;onnectorlcable wiring Special Considerations There are special considerations to be made when selecting Category 5 cables for use with G100TX. These special requirements are due to the fact that enabled devices are used in live performance applications, which place additional requirements on the cable, compared to standard office network installations.
One consideration would be to use a cable that includes protection for the locking clip of the RJ-45 connectors. Without this protection the locking clips can be over-stressed and broken. Once the locking clip is broken the connector will not stay properly seated in the mating jack.
A second consideration is the flexibility and feel of the cable itself. The selected cable should have good flexibility and be constructed such that it will , withstand the normal abuse expected during live performances. Unlike most network installations the connecting cable in a G100TX system will experience 1~:, much twisting and turning throughout its life. For these reasons, stranded CATS
~~aDl2 iS required for GyIICS applications. Solid wire CAT5 will function correctly initially, but will fail more often. It should be noted that cables must be hooked from ~ connectors to B Connectors, not A to A or B to B. ~ G~IICS system should never be wired in such a fashion that ay loops exist.
.~8 Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
Also, the pin assignments described with reference to this embodiment are e:~emplary only and may be varied depending on the choice of cable and connector.
Device Definitions GiVIICS is designed to function on two levels: as a daisy-chained system or as a hub-centric system. The following sections give mechanical definitions of devices that may be contained in a GMICS system. All GMICS devices should follow the following rule: No device in a GMICS system should contain more then one type A
connector (To Amp).
Instruments , Instruments (guitars, keyboards, etc.) are defined as any device that contains a type A (To Amp) connector only. It should be noted that the GNIICS
definition of an instrument goes beyond the traditional definition of musical instruments.
It is possible for a device such as an amplifier or a signal processor to only contain a type A connector and therefore be considered an instrument according to the above 1 ~ definition. In such a situation a hub would be required to connect a guitar to the amplifier.
Signal Processors Signal Processors (siomp bores, effects processors, etc.) should generally have one B (From instrument) and one A (To Amp) connector. This definition. i '?0 necessary to allow for signal processing devices to function in both a daisy- chain setup and a hub-centric system.

Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
Amplifiers Amplifiers can either be seen as the end point of a daisy chain system. or as another device capable of being connected to a hub. If an amplifier is considered an end point device, then it will contain only one type B connector (From Instrument).
o An amplifier that is to be used with hubs should generally have one type B
(From Instrument) and one type A (To Amp) connector.
Hubs Hubs shall generally have multiple type B (From Instrument) connectors cznd up to one type A (To Amp) connector for connection to another hub. Hubs can have either daisy chain systems or single devices connected to them.
System Electrical Detail GVIICS Physical Layer - G100TX
IEEE802.3 compatibility The common GMICS data link physical layer (G100TX) is based on the 1008 ASE-TX Ethernet physical layer as described in the IEEE802.3 Specification.
while much of the IEEE802.3 specification is relevant, special attention should be oaid to the following clauses:
.. Physical Signaling (PLS) and Attachment Unit Interface ( AL'I>
'?0 specifications 21. Introduction to 100 VIb/s baseband networks, type 1008 ASE-T

Attorney's Docket ~'o. 4089C .
24. Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) and Physical Medium Attachment (PI~L~j sublayer, type 100BASE-Y
G~IICS G100TX/IEEE802.3 Differences The GiVIICS data link Physical Layer is always operated at 100 megabits per second in the full duplex mode. Much of the functionality of a standard 10/100 megabit physical layer implementation is dedicated to detecting and switching modes and is not required for Gl00TX. ' Timing Parameters Sample Clock Recovery Recovering the sample clock from any digital link is of critical concern to the designer. In G1VIICS the sample clock is based on the recovered frame rate and not the data transmission rate over the physical medium. The fitter performance required for a specific application must be taken into account when designing the sample rate recovery circuits. For high quality A/D & D/A conversion fitter should not exceed poops.
It is imperative that the recovered sample clock is locked to the incoming sample rate, and it is also desirable that all devices operate in phase with each other. This will insure that all devices are processing data in a synchronous manner.
'?0 Onlv one device may supply' sample timing for all devices in a GVIICS data link or jvstem. The only exception to this rule would be a device with sample rate Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
conversion capability. The master timing source shall generate GVIICS packets on all its G1VIICS Links with a maximum packet-to-packet fitter of 120 nsec. X11 other devices must generate all their outgoing packets based on the reception of this stream of incoming packets. The packet-to-packet fitter of these outbound packets musi not exceed 160 nsec. Note that accurate measurement requires a fitter free input. This is not a measure of accumulated fitter.
Latency Latency of data transmitted between directly connected G1~IICS devices shall not exceed 250 microseconds. This does not include A/D and D/~, conversion. As GMICS is designed to be a live performance digital link, care must be taken when choosing A/D and D/A converters to minimize latency within these devices.
litter The jitier performance required for a specific application must be taken into account when designing the sample rate recovery circuits. For high quality :~/D &
1 ~ D/A conversion, fitter should not exceed 500pS. Extreme care must be taken when propagating the sample clock within a large system. The G1~IICS system is designed with the expectation that the device itself will manage the fitter to an acceptable level. In this manner, the designer can determine the required quality of the resultant fitter at the appropriate cost and return.
3'?

attorney's Docket No. 4089C
power Gl00TX Phantom Power Source G1~IICS phantom power sources shall supply a minimum of 9vDC, at >500m_~
to each connected instrument, measured at the cable termination on the , instrument.
The phantom power source must supply 24 volts +/-5% (22.8 - 25.2 volts DC) measured at the source's Type B GNIICS Link connector. The phantom power source must be capable of delivering >500mA to each Type B GVIICS data link.
Current limiting should occur at a point greater than 500mA (1 amp recommended).
It should not be in the form of a standard fuse, as such a device would need to be replaced if an over-current condition occurred. It is desirable that the full power be restored upon correction of the fault. Each Type B GVIICS data link must be independently protected so that one defective link cannot stop all other links from functioning. :~11 Type B GVIICS Links must supply the above specified phantom 1~ power.
G100T~ Phantom Powered Instrument Phantom powered devices must properly operate on a range of voltages from '?-~vDC down to 9vDC. The phantom powered device must not draw more than ~OUm ~ while m operation. Proper heat dissipation gad or cooling of the instrument at '~-~vDC must be considered during the physical design of the instrument.
Phantom Power Considerations when using Daisy Chained Devices attorney's Docket No. 4089C
Use of Phantom Power Special consideration must be given to phantom power in a daisy chain configuration of GyIICS. If more than one device within the chain were allowed to use the power supplied by the GiVIICS data link, the power budget would likely be exceeded. Therefore it is recommended that only end point devices, such as instruments, be permitted to use the power supplied by the G100TX cable.
Phantom Power Source and Pass Through r Phantom power distribution must be carefully managed. At first, it would seem that allowing phantom power to physically pass through a device within the chair. would be ideal. However, this design can create unsupportable configurations. Since the ultimate chain length is indeterminate, the user could unknowingly violate the maximum cable length specification. Exceeding the maximum cable length would cause excessive voltage drop in the cable thereby limiting the voltage at the instrument to less than the required minimum voliage.
1 ~ a device may only pass along the phantom power if the available voltage at its Type ~ G1VIICS connector is greater than 20vDC with a load of >500mA. This simple test will insure that proper power will be supplied to the instrument even when attached by a 500 foot cable. If this condition cannot be met. the device must supply its own phantom power.
~?C~ l~raster Timing Control & Device Enumeration 3-~

Attorney's Docket No. 40890 SvsLem Timing Master When dealing with sampled data it is imperative to achieve sample synchronization. This synchronization insures that all devices are processing data in phase with one another. There is always one source of synchronization in a GNIICS system, and that device is called the System Timing Master (STlVl).
Establishing the STM
When multiple devices are daisy chained together or wired in a more hub-centric format, the following three rules are used to establish the STM (these rules are dependent on the device definitions as follows:
1) A device with only A connectors can never be the STNI.
2) A device with only B connectors will be the STNI.
3) In the case that all non-instrument devices in the system contain A and B
type connector configurations, then the one device with no signal on its Type A configuration connector will be the STNI. , 1 ~ Examples of STNI
guitar_ _ 4rn15~~
_. .. _ (a) Guitar ~ Amp ~S~ ate ~ ~_ - 3~ -:attorney's Docket No. 4089C
) Establishing the STM Losing rules 1 and ~: (a) Incorrect (b) Correct , Guitar - _ Stomp ___ - Amp -= _ ~ - -Guitar Stomp Amp tsar) (c) Establishing the STM using rules 1, ~, and 3:
(a)incorrect (b) incorrect (c)Correct Guitar j B I
'? ('~ i attorney's Docket No. 4089C
Establishing the STM with a Hub using rules 1, .,~, and 3 Establishing the STNI with a Mixer (Hub) using rules 1, 2 and 3 Device Enumeration The ST1VI serves two purposes; it provides the sample clock, and enumerates 1~ all devices on the GlYIICS data link. The enumeration process supplies each G1~IICS
device with the address that it will respond to in response to control messages.
address spaces are 16 bits, which limits the number of devices in a GVIICS
system co 6.356.
Svsiem Startup ~?0 X11 GVIICS devices should respond to the "Startup address" on power up.
Startup Device Address OxFFFC

~~~ ,.,~.,..,~...» ~.. i _ ..~.. ...~.W., Attorneys Docket No. 40890 Once a device establishes itself as the ST1VI it will automatically assign itself the base address.
Base Device Address (STNS ~ 0x0000 After addressing itself, the STM should begin the enumeration process.
Address fields other then the device address fields should use the "not in use"
address 0x0000 during enumeration.
Enumeration Algorithm Since any device other then an instrument can be the STM, it is necessary for all non-instrument devices to be able to perform the enumeration process. For this reason the enumeration algorithm presented here is quite simple. The enumeration algorithm is focused around three system control messages as follows:
Message type Message.value Data Enumerate device 0x0001 Next device address i Address offset 0x0002 Source Address +
return 1 i Request new device0x0003 ~ //ND
I
i address ~
i E~LUmeration a~gorithrn messages l~ Daisv chain Enumeration Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
In a daisy chain system, the STM will assign itself the base address it will then send an "Enumerate device" message with the ''base address" as the source address, and the "startup address" as the destination address.
//ST?~I pseudo code ST~I.address = 0x0000;
STNLSendMessage([Destination device address = OxFFFC]
[Source device address - 0x0000][Message - Ox0001(enumerate device)]
[Data = STM.address + 1]);
The next device in the chain will receive the "Enumerate device" message from the STM, address itself as the number provided in the incoming message, , increment the data field, and then send the new "Enumerate device" message upstream. It is important to recognize that the device should not pass the original STNI message along. The new "Enumerate device" message should maintain the source and destination addresses of the original message.
ilNext device in chain pseudo code Device2.ylessageBuffer = Device2.ReceiveMessageQ; (/Enumerate device Device2.address = Device2.NlessageBuffer.Data //0x0001;
Device2.SendNIessage([Destination device address = OxFFFC]
[Source device address - 0x0000][Message - Ox0001(enumerate device)]
[Data = Device2.address + 1]):
The process above should be followed for each device in the system except for the last device. The Nth device in the system. which represents the other end point in the daisy chain should address itself with the number provided in the incoming message and then send a ''Address offset return" message back to the address provided in the source address field (usually the STI~~i). The '' Address offset return"

Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
message should use the "base address"(ST1V1) as a destination address, and the device's own address as the source address. The data field should equal the device address plus one.
//End point device pseudo code DeviceN.iVIessageBuffer = DeviceN.ReceiveNlessage~; //Enumerate device DeviceN.address = DeviceN.MessageBuffer.Data ; IIN-1 DeviceN.SendMessage([Destination device address = 0x0000]
[Source device address = N-1][Message = Ox0002(Address offset)]
i0 [Data = DeviceN.address + 1]);
Hub-centric Enumeration In a hub-centric system, where the STM will generally be a hub, enumeration will occur slightly different; the hub will select a starting port, and then follow the 15 method provided for the daisy chain system. Once the STNI receives the ''Address offset return" message, it will move to the next port, and follow the daisy chain enumeration with the data field equal to the number provided by the "Address offset return" message.
I/Hub (STNI) pseudo code 20 Hub.address = 0x0000;
Next Device Address = Hub.address + 1:
for(int i = 1; i <= Number of Ports; i++) t '?5 Hub.port[i].Sendll~Iessage([Destination device address = OxFFFC]
[Source device address = 0x0000]Message = Ox0001(enumerate device)]
[Data = Next Device address]);
llFollow daisy chain procedure (Section ~.-~.'?.1);
fort ; ;?
i if ( Hub.port[i].ReceiveMessage( ) ) II Address offset return 3:~ ( Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
Next Device Address = Hub.VIessageBuffer.Data;
Break:
In the situation that a hub is connected to another hub, then the second hub should repeat the process above, but use its own address as the starting address. It should also send all messages with its own address as the source address, so that it receives the "Address offset return" message. Upon receiving this message it should for~~ard it to the STNI or the previous hub.
//Hub pseudo code Hub.address = lvl;
Next Device Address = Hub.address + 1;
for(int i = 1; i <= Number of Ports; i++) Hub.port[i].SendNIessage([Destination device address = OxFFFC]
[Source address = l~I][l~Iessage = Ox0001(enumerate device)]
[Data = Next Device Address]);
!/Follow daisy chain procedure fore; ; ;) if ( Hub.port[i].ReceiveNlessage( ) ) //Address offset return ' Next Device Address = Hub.l~IessageBuffer.Data;
Break;
SendMessage([Destination device address = 0x0000 ]
3~ [Source device address = Hub Address][Message = Ox000'?(~ddress offset)]
[Data = Next Device Addre~sjj:
PluaginQ and Unplu~aina .1t Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
Devices may be plugged and unplugged from the system at any time. All , other devices in the GMICS system should maintain their current address if this occurs. If a new device is plugged in after startup initialization occurs, or an old device is unplugged and then plugged in again a new address must be assigned.
Instead of re-enumerating the whole system, the "Request new device address"
message can be used to get a new address.
When a device first plugs in to a GMICS system, it is unaware of whether or not an initial enumeration has occurred. Hence it is the responsibility of the device that it is directly connected to the new device to send the "Request new device address" message. Unless that device is the STNI, in which case the STM should acknowledge a new device physically hooked up to it, and then send an "Enumerate device" message with the last address given +1 as the data field.
//New device being plugged in //Directly cannected device Device. SendMessage([Destination address - 0x0000][Source address -Device. Address]
[Message = Ox0003(New Address))[Data = NULL]);
'?0 /; STNI
ST~I. SendMessage([Destination address - OxFFFC][Source address -Device. Address]
[Message = Ox0001(Enumerate device)][Data = Last Address Giver, ~ 1]);

//New Device NewDevice. SendMessage([Destination device address = 0x0000 [Source device address = NewDevice. Address]
fl~Iessage = Ox0002(~ddress offset)][Data = NewDevice.~ddress--1]);
Data Link interface ~.o ..w.~,.~..- .,.. ... _ ...

Attorney s Docket No. 4089C
Overview The data packets sent between G1VIICS devices are at the heart of the G\~IICS
system. They contain the audio information sent between devices as well as control information.
Figure 9 is a high-level view of the G\~IICS data packet format. It is broken down into two different sections, the header (see table below) and Audio/Control data. Each G1VIICS data packet will be a fixed size of 27 - 32 bit words. The standard G1VIICS packet shall have 16 channels of 32 bit audio, a control version and type byte, two 48 bit control address fields, a 16 bit control message word, a 32 bit control data word, a 32 bit User High word, and an optional 32 bit CRC.
The GNIICS packet will have 4 words of header, which will include preamble, start of frame, cable number, sample rate, bus control bits, audio/control valid flags, and a 32 bit frame counter.
Header Format Word B31 -B28 827- B23-B20 Bl9-B16B15- BII-B8 B7-B4 B3-BO
I

B24 BI.

0 Preamble = OY55555555 (~s described in IEEE 802.3 section i .2.3.2) 1 Start of Frame Preamble i ~ = = 01555555 i i OsDS i y audio Valid I Control/ Sampl F)C~\-1 flag bits Cable I Re ~#

i i I i ~ ~ a Rate P T I
CRC ser Valid ved F S P

flag i ~
bits ~ i ~ i I I
i ... .,~_. . .W~

Attorney s Docket No. 4089C
3 ~ Frame Count GNIICS Data Lanh Header Format Preamble and Start of Frame These two fields are used as specified in the CS1VIA/CD IEEE 802.3 specification. For further information, refer to sections 7.2.3.2 and 7.2.3.3 in the IEEE 802.3 specification.
CTS and l~IIP Fields.
These two bits will be used to manage the control bus. It will allow for all devices to send control messages, without requiring enormous buffers. A device will set the Clear To Send (CTS) bit low to indicate to other devices in the system that they may not send a message at this time. This bit should remain low until tr ansmission begins, at which point the bit should be set high to allow other devices to send messages.
The 'l~Tessage in Progress (1VIIP) bit will be set high to indicate to other to devices in the system that a message is being sent. It should remain high until a message is sent in its entirety.
To maintain order on the bus, the following rules must be obeyed:
1) A device can set its CTS bit low at any point, but can not send a message until it has received a minimum of two frames with the MIIP bit set Iow.
v0 '?) A device must send its message in its entirety before it can release control.

Attorney's Docket No. 40890 3) :~ device must wait a minimum of 8 frames from the end of the last message it sent before another can be sent.
Fig 11 displays possible scenarios regarding the control bus.
FPF Field o The FPF field gives a high level description of the subsequent data in the GVIICS packet. The two defined formats are shown below.
_ FPF .
~'Ioattn~Point~
de~z~ition Value ~ Description j I

lbinary ) I I

0 Words 4-19 in the GNIICS packet contain audio information, I
which will be defined by the label field located i in each word.
~

1 Words 4-19 contain 32 bit data.

FPF Field Definitions Sample Rate Field This field specifies the sample rate of the audio. Five sample rates are supported: 3'?k, 44.1k. 48k. 96k, and 192k. Sample rates and their respective binary representations are shown below.
4~

~ttornev's Docket No. 4089C
Sample Rate Field Definitions.

I Value (binary) Sample l~,ate i 000 32k I I

001 44. 1k 010 48k 011 96k 100 192k 101 - 111 i Reserved I I

Table - Sample Rate Field Definitions The default sample rate for all GVIICS devices is 48k. 311 GVIICS devices must support the 48k sample rate. Devices configured for multiple sample rates should power up at 48k. The 192k sample rate is supported by reducing the number of audio channels to 8 and sending two samples per packet. Channels 1-8 should function as normal and provide their corresponding samples. Channels 9-should sequentially provide the second samples of channels 1-8.
Cable Number Field i~:~ This numeric field is intended for labeling G~IICS streams that m~av- he multiplexed onto a high bandwidth medium such as fiber optic cabling.
=i 6 Attorney's Docket No_ 4089C
~~~~rltroi/CRC V alid B19 818 &17 B16 Control Valid Classification User high valid CRC Valid bit bit valid bit bit I

ControllCheeksum Field Format This 4 bit field tells the receiver whether this packet contains am valid Control, User high, Device Classification, and CRC data. Any of the four bits will be set if there is valid data in their corresponding fields.
Audio Valid Field This bit field tells the receiver of the packet which Audio Channels contain valid data. There is one bit per channel where a set bit denotes valid audio data.
The format of this field is as follows:
Bit 16 = Audio Channel #1 Valid Bit 1. = Audio Channel #2 V alid Bit 18 = Audio Channel #3 V alid ...etc...
i ~ Bit 31 = Audio Channel #16 Valid Frame Count Field The frame count field keeps a running count of frames starting at the beginning of transmission. The number stored in this field will roll over when it '?(? ~eaoi~es the maximum 3'? bit number O~cFFFFFFFF.
~i Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
Data Format >
Ii Word ~ B31-B.8 ~ B27-B24 ~ B23-B20 ~ B19-B16 ~ B15-B12 ~ BII-B8 B7-B4 ~ B3-BO
~_ 1g Data UsrH
I '21 I Control Destination Device Version Control Type Address ?2 Control Destination Parameter AddressControl Destination Function Address I

I 23 Control Source Function Address Control Source i Device Address I I

2:1 ~ Control Message Control Source Parameter Address ;

25 ' Control data/Device Classification i I >

i i GMICS Data Linh AudiolControl Format Dana Field The information in the data section of our packet is partially dependent on the FPF field in the header. If the FPF flag is low then our packet will contain 16 channels of audio. If the FPF flag is high the packet will contain 16 words of 32 bit ~~iaca.
~udioi Control Data ~~.-hen the FPF bit is low, the body of a GVIICS packet will take on the iorma~
;hewn on the table on the next page:

_ _ ~ _ __ ~-~~-m.
_~. _ _~..-v attorney's Docket Rio. ~089C
AzcdiolControl Packet Format Word B31-B28 B27-B~4 B23-B20 B19-B16 B15-B12 B11-B8 B7-B~1 B3-BO

Audio 0 Type 0 ~ Audio 1 Type 1 6 Audio 2 Type 2 Audio 3 ~ Type 3 g Audio 4 Type 4 g ~ Audio 5 Type 5 Audio 6 Type 6 11 Audio 7 Type r 1~ Audio 8 Type 8 13 Audio 9 Type 9 I

1~ Audio 10 Type 10 Audio 11 Type 11 16 Audio 12 Type 1'?

1 r Audio 13 ~ Type 18 Audio 14 t Type 1g Audio 15 Type 15 UsrH

'? Control Destination Device Version ~ Control Type 1 Address w? Control Destination Parameter Control Destination Function - Address Address , i '?3 ' Control Source Function Control Source Device Address Address ;. i i p_.~ Control Message Control Source Parameter Address j .>5 Control data/Device Classification j .~ CRC-,3'?

~9 Attorney's Docket ~o. 40890 Tvae Fieid The type field is a 4 bit field which describes the nature of the information that follows. The type field is formatted as follows:
B~ B~ " B~ Bo High Level Format(HLF) Field Sub Format(SF) Field Type Field Format The following high level formats are defined:
r~F~~er~. ~le~imo~cs -Value High Level (binary) Format 00 ~ Raw Audio O1 ! Compressed ' ~ ' i0 ~ Reserved I

j 11 Reserved __ I

High Leuel Format Field Sub formats for each high level format are defined below:

Attorney's Docket No. 40890 SF Field Definitions I '~Jalue ~ Sub format (binary) ~ i 00 00 28 bit Raw Audio 00 O1 24 bit Raw Audio 00 10 20 bit Raw Audio 00 11 ~ 16 bit Raw Audio ~

0100 I AC-3 t O1 O1 - O1 11 ~ Reserved 'i 00 - 10 11 t Reserved I
I

11 00 - 11 11 i Reserved Sub Format Field It should be noted that the recommended default GVIICS audio format is 24-bit raw audio.
Audio Fields Each of the 16 audio channels has a dedicated 32 bit word in the GVIICS
T"acket of which 28 bits can be used for data. The format of the audio is liven in the tv~e tieid. Regardless of format the Audio data must be left justified.
~l Attorney's Docket No. ~089C
32 bit Data In the case that the FPF field in the GiVIICS header is high, the body of the GVIICS packet will be in the following format:
'Word B31-B28 B2?-B24 B23-B20 B19-Bl6-BIS-BI?BII-B8 B?-84 ~ B B
~ ~

r I

I -~-19 I 32 bit Data l '?G ~ UsrH

I

1 Control Destination Control Type Device Address ~ Version I
~

l ~ l 22 Control Destination Parameter Address ~ Control Destination Funciion Address l I

l ~ontroi source r unction r~aaress ( Loniroi source Levice r~anress '?-~ ~ Control Message Control Source Parameter Address 25 Control Data/Device Classification I
26 ~ CRC-32 , , 3~ bit Floating Point Data Packet Format 32 bit Data Field This field will provide the ability to pass intermediate 32 bit DSP data around. The 32 bit words will also be available for other 32 bit formats as they become available.
User Hiah Field The 3'? bit user high field is a high speed data pipe that will be available for suture applications. A device can use this field to sena ay data it would like. a ion; ~~ a receiving demce knows how to handle the data.

r~tiorney's Docket ~o. 4089C
Control Fields This 5 word field is set aside for Gl~IICS control messages. The format of these messages and the data contained within can be found in the description of the Control Pipe below.
Device Classification (dc) In the case that the Classification Valid bit is set in the header, the 32-bit ' control data word becomes a 32-bit device classification field. Device classification is further described below.
CRC-32 Field 'This field contains a 32-bit Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) for the data contained in entire data packet. This includes the header and both the audio and data pipe sections. This CRC is based on the standard CRC-32 polynomial used in Autodin. Ethernet, and rIDCCP protocol standards. An example of a C language ' function performing CRC-32 generation is shown below.
i"crc32h.c -- package to compute 32-bit CRC one byte at a time using *.
*the high-bit first (Big-Endian) bit ordering convention *I
! * */
i'~ Synopsis: *i * gen crc table -- generates a 256-word table containing all CRC *' '~0 '* remainders for every possible $-bit byte. It "l !* must be executed tonce) before arv CRC updates.;
;* *%
i~' unsigned update crc(/crc_accum, data blk_ptr, data blk_sizes *' /x unsigned crc_accum: char *data blk_ptr: int data-blk size*
p5 !* Returns the updated value of the CRC accumulator after *-;* processing each byte in the addressed block of data. ~'!
,* *, /* It is assumed that an unsigned long is at least 3'? bits wide and *' /* that the predefined type char occupies one 8-bit byte of storage. */

Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
!* *;
~'* The generator polynomial used for this version of the package is X~
x~32+x~26tx~23+x~22+x~16+x~12+x~11+x~10+x~8+x~7+x~;~+x~4+x~p+x~
- ltx~*,r J
/* as specified in the Autodin/Ethernet/ADCCP protocol standards. */
/* Other degree 32 polynomials may be substituted by re-defining the */
I* symbol POLYNOMI_<1L below. Lower degree polynomials must first be *I
/* multiplied by an appropriate power of x. The representation used */
i0 I* is that the coefficient of x~0 is stored in the LSB of the 32-bit */
/* word and the coefficient of x~31 is stored in the most significant*/
/* bit. The CRC is to be appended to the data most significant byte */
/* first. For those protocols in which bytes are transmitted MSB */
/* first and in the same order as they are encountered in the block */
15 /* this convention results in the CRC remainder being transmitted wit*/
/* the coefficient of x~31 first and with that of x~0 last (just as */
/* would be done by a hardware shift register mechanizaiion). */
~* */
'* The table lookup technique was adapted from the algorithm describe*/
'?0 !* by wram Perez, Byte-wise CRC Calculations, IEEE Micro 3, 4(1983).*/
#define POLYNOMIAL Ox04clldb iL
25 static unsigned long crc table[256];
void gen crc table() /* generate the table of CRC remainders for all possible bytes *I
register int i, j; register unsigned long crc accum:
3C~ for ( i = 0; i < 256; i++ ) ~; crc accum = ( (unsigned long) i « 24 );
for (j=O;j<8;j++) if ( crc_accum & Ox80000000L ) crc_accum =
l crc accum. « 1 ) ~ POL'NOVIIAL;
else crc accum =
crc_accum « 1 ): i crc table[i] = crc_accum;
40 return; }
unsigned long update crc(unsigned long crc_accum. char *data blk_ptr.
ir~t data blk size) /* update the CRC on the data block one byte at a time *~
j register int i, j;
-t attorney's Docket Rio. 4089C
for ~ j = 0; j < data blk size; j++ ) t = ( (int) ( crc accum » 247 ~ *data blk_ptr++ ) & Oxff:
crc accum = ( crc accum « 8 ) ~ crc table [t];
return crc accum; }
Control Pipe Specification Overview Each GMICS packet provides a control type byte, a version byte, a 48 bit destination address field, a 48 bit source address field, a 16 bit message field, and a 32 bit field for control data. The control information can be in any of the defined formats, which are currently GMICS and MIDI.
worm B,~r-s2s.s~~-s2~:: ~2~= za~:.sm=Bas.s~~ ~~z Bra-8~ ~~-s4 a3-BO , '? Version ~ Control Type t I
Control Destination Device Address t '?'? Control Destination Function . Address Control Destination Parameter Address ~

I Control Control Source Device Address Source t Function t t Address Control ~ Control Source Parameter Address Message Control Data Control Message Format 5~

rlttornev's Docket No. 4089C
Control Tvpe Bvie The control message byte will indicate the type of control message that follow s.
~"on~raFMessage Typ e Definitions Value Control Message , l (binary) Types I 0000 0000 - 0000 Reserved 111 l 0001 0011 - 0001 1111 Reserved 0010 0000 - 0111 1111 Reserved 1TPC CCCC ~ GNIICS Control l Control Message Type Format MIDI Control VIessa~e Tune When MIDI is used for control, the control message byte will take the form show: below.
B? 86 BS ~ B4 ~ B3 ~ B2 ~ B1 ~ BO
Ii 0 . 0 l 0 I 1 ~ SysE~ ~ JPF l ?~ of Valid Bytes I~
.. . ~
1n .yllDl C'ovtrol .Message Type Bs~te ~6 Attorney's Docket ~o. 4089C
If the SysEx bit is high then the following MIDI data will be a MIDI SysEx message. If it is low then the following data is any of the other existing MIDI
message formats. The "Joined with Previous Frame" (JPF) bit indicates whether the MIDI data is a continuing part of data sent in a previous packet.
The "# of Valid Bytes" field indicates the number of valid MIDI bytes minus one. The LSByte of the "Control Message" field should be used to indicate the MIDI
cable number. The other byte should not be used. 1VIIDI bytes should be encapsulated in the 4 bytes provided by the control data field. If there are less then 4 MIDI bytes, they should be left justified within those 4 bytes.
1G G~IICS Control Nlessa~e Type GMICS control is a native control-messaging scheme that is described in the following seciions. This section discusses the nature of the GMICS control message type byte.
B7 B& ' B5 B4 B3 B2: BI BO
-f 'I JPF Channel # f CDV f , ~I f 1 ~ GNIICS Control ~l~lessage Type $yte The 1~ISB in the "Control Message Type Byte" is the quintessential factor in detemining whether the corresponding two bytes are Gl~IICS control or some other format. If the MSB is high then the following bytes are GMICS control data.
The 'Control Data Valid" (CDW bit determines if the GVIICS message '?0 cont<~ins a 3'? bit data word that corresponds to the message.
W

:~ttornev's Docket Rio. 4089C
~'ontrol Data Yalid CDR defusitian l V alue I Description l I (binary) ' 0 ~ The control data field contains no data 1 ~ The control data field contains data j GMICS Message Status (GMS) definition As with MIDI, the JPF bit indicates whether the GNIICS data is a continuing part of data sent in a previous packet. The Channel number field indicates the channel this message is intended for. The channels are defined as follows:
Channel. Numberll~essage ~'yprl3ef nitions Value Channel Number j (Decimal) !Message Type I N -1 ~ Channel # n is ~ Omni I
I

1- 29 ~ Reserved '.
l 3C ~ Reserved 31 ~ Reserved Channel :~unzber De~i.nations ~8 Attornev's Docket No. 4089C
jr~ihen a device has a multiple channel setting (i.e. Hex Pickup'! (See Appendix-~), the channel number field should indicate the first channel in the group. and all channels in the group should respond to the message.
~ ersion Number Field The version number field should indicate the version of the control specification being used. Only specification versions of the x.x format should be used. The 8 bit field should be divided as follows:
B? B6 ' Ba B'~ 83 B2' BI BO-i int i int int frac frac frac frac frac i ~

Version number field Where bits 0-4 should be used for the fractional portion of the version number and bits ~~-7 should be used for the integer portion of the version number.
Control Source and Destination address Fields GVIICS addresses are 48 bits long, and divided into three 16 bii fields.
16 bit 16 bit 16 bit Device Address I Funciion Address ~ Parameter :address ''.' i 1;, G.vIICS address format ~9 Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
Device address All G~rIICS devices must contain a unique device address. Device addresses will be determined during the enumeration process presented in section 5.4.

control messages should be sent with source and destination address fields properly filled. The following addresses are reserved. They may be used if the situation permits.
Address Name ~~~~ss, Nurrtber'Address Name Address Number n ~

...
_ ~ex~ ~Fiex) ; . ~._ _,; .
.

System BroadcastOxFFFF Amplifier DaisyOxFFF9 I
chain Broadcast i Local Hub OxFFFE Signal ProcessorOxFFF8 j I

Broadcast System Broadcast Daisy chain OxFFFD I Signal ProcessorOxFFF7 ~
i t Broadcast ~ Hub Broadcas~ j ' ~
i Startup OxFFFC Signal Processor~ OxFFF6 Daisy chair.

I
i Broadcast i , amplifier System! OxFFFB i Reserved OYFFEO - ~ , Broadcast ~ JxFFF-~I

.a,.,r,l;fi;~.~~ OxFFFA ' Base (ST'~I'~
H,~h 0x0000 I !
Br:~adcas~ ~ I
!
60 '.

Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
The system broadcast address should be used to address a1 devices ~n a GI~iICS system. A.11 G~IICS devices should acknowledge this address, except for crevices That neither create nor accept control information.
All devices connected to a hub's multiple type B connectors including the hub itself should respond to the local hub broadcast message. If a hub generates this message or receives this message on one of its type B connectors it should not pass , this through its type A connector if one exists. If a message is received with this address on a hub's type A connector, it should pass it along to all its ports.
The daisy chain broadcast address should be used to address all devices within a daisy chain. If a hub receives a message with this address on one of its type B connectors, it should not pass to any other of its ports, both type A
and B. If a hub generates this message it should only send it down one of its type B
ports, and never through its type A port. If a hub receives this message from its A
port, it should pass to all devices attached to it.
The amplifier system, hub, and daisy chain broadcast messages should be handled in the same fashion as their general counterparts (i.e. System broadcast).
except only- amplifiers need to acknowledge this address. This holds true for the predefined signal processor addresses and any other device addresses that may later tie de Wined.
The startup and base addresses should be used as mentioned above.
al Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
Function Address -yZ a define a function as either an effect or an assignable controller. hence ali effects and assignable controllers should have a 16-bit address assigned by the manufacturer. Devices will query for these addresses. The following addresses are reserved:
~Address~ ~~ a~,e~e~es~'tugber~Address f~Fe ' ~~c~ress.I~'~er ~~ :

.(hex) - (Hex) Reserved ~ OxFFFF ~ (Not in use) 0x0000 ~
NILT

Reserved Function Addresses The NIU address should be used when there is no address needed in this field. This includes when a message is directed at a device itself, and not one of its i0 functions.
Parameter Address A parameter is currently defined as any effect parameter. By effect , La~ameter we are referring to things such as chorus depth, delay time. etc.
This definition may expand as needed. This means that manufactures should assign.
l~ i~nic~ue 16 bit addresses for all parameters that may be controlled by another device.
6~~

Attorney's Docket Nc. 4089C
The following addresses are reserved:
Address Name Address Number Address Name Address Number (Hex) (Hex) Reserved OxFFFF (Not in use) 0x0000 NIU

Reserved Function Addresses As with the Function address field, the NIU address should be used when there is no address needed in this field.
Vlessaae Field and Data Field GiVIICS control provides a 16-bit message field. These messages are defined by the GMICS organization. A 32-bit data field is also provided.
The following are reserved messages:
Reserved Control Messages Value Control ~ Description o Data I
(hex) Messa;e Types 0x0000 Reserved ' i OxFFF F Reserved Reserved message spaces Attorney's Docket No. :f089C
Effect Parameters Effect Parameters require no message in regards to their actual value. Effect parameter values are communicated by supplying the proper address and correct data value.
All data values that are in regards to an effect parameter should be a 32 bit floating point number in-between 0 and 1. It will be the responsibility of the individual signal processing devices to properly interpret the values as necessary.
A message is provided for signal processing devices to return a string that represents the curreni parameter value. A request message is also provided for devices that seek to obtain this information.
'Eisiwrceratioa M'essa~es~
Value Control Description of Data , i (her) Messabe Types 0x0030 Return Actual parameter value in ~
i parameter value 16 bit UnicodeT'x j OY0031 I Request ~ //IV'D i i i I
i j parameter value i Parameter value messages The ~trina format of the parameter value should be in 16 bit L~mcocler'', two c~haracter~ per frame.

Attornev's Docker No. 4089C
Enumeration Messages Enumeration Messages I

Value Control Description of Data I (hex) Message Types I 0x0001 ~ Enumerate Next device address.I

i devices Expressed as 16 bit I right justified integer i I 0x0002 ~ Address offsetReturns to a hub or the return ST1VI the next address that should be used I
Should be expressed as 16 I
i bit right justified i integer , 0x0003 ~ Request new //ND ' device address 0x0004 - 0x0008 Reserved Enumeration messages .ail current enumeration messages that require data use a 16 bit integer. The :~s~ ~zt integer data words should be right justified mthin the 32 bits allowed fo.~
a..
uatii.
6:J' '' "- CA 02306506 2000-04-25 Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
Address & Name Queryin~ ylessa~es These messages are provided so devices can build a database of addresses and friendly names.
i address &
Name Querying I
i t j Value Control Message Types Description of Data (hex) ! 0x0009 ue device addresses //ND

Ox000A ue function addresses IIND

Ox000B ue Parameter addresses //ND

Ox000C Return device address //ND Address should be i retrieved from the source ' address fields Ox000D Return Function address //ND Address should be j retrieved from the source ~

' address fields j Ox000E Return Parameter address//1~1D Address should be i retrieved from the source i I I address fields ' Ox000F Query device friendly //STD I
names & I

addresses 0x0010 Query Function friendly IIND
( names & addresses , I 0x0011 Query Parameter friendly//ND

names & addresses 0x0012 I Return device friendly Devices friendly name name & in address 16 bit UNICODET~'..

i Address in source address i field i 0x001'? . Return function friendlyFunctions friendly V name I

I names & address in 16 bit UNICODET'''.
', i ; Address in source address ' i ~ field 0x001-1 i Return ~ Parameters friendly parameter friendly name ~', i J

, ' ir_ 16 bit UNICODET'x.
I I name & address I

~~ :address in source address I field 0x0015 - ' Reserved Ox001F i i Address & Name Queryins ll~lessages Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
Although messages are provided for address requests only, it is recommended that the address and friendly name messages be used.
Friendly names should be supplied in 16 bit UnicodeT'~, two characters per a frame. Names should be unique. This is best accomplished by incorporating the manufacturer's name in some fashion. Names should be limited to 16 characters.
Use abbreviations if necessary.
Channel Messages Channel Messages Value Control Description of Data (hex) Message Types 0x0020 Channel on/off 16 bit data word (see below) 0x0021 - Ox002F ~ Reserved Channel messages The channel on/off message is a single packet message that can be used turn channels on and off. When using this message the 32 bit data field should be formatted as follows:
Byte B7 B6 B5 B~ B3 B? BI BO

1 ~ Channel Channel ChannelChannelChannel Channel I Channel i I Channel #16 ~ #15 #1~ #13 #12 #11 #10 ~ #9 ' 0 i Channel I ChannelChannelChannelChannel Channel Channel Channel I
~

#Q ~ #. j #6 #5 #.1 #3 #2 #1 Data format for chavnel onloff message :attorney's DocKet No. 4089C
Byte 0 represents the least significant byte of the 32-bit data weld. ~ value of indicated channel on, and a value of 0 indicates channels off.
Device Classification GlIiIICS allows for devices to send a 32 bit word that identifies a device's class and functionality.
A device class word is formatted as follows:
831-B24 B2~BIG -'. BlrB8 BT-BO

(Byte 3~. Byre 2)' byte r~ (Byte 0) Instrument/ Instrument/DeviceInstrument/deviceInstrument/device Device Type Function Function Function Device Class Word Format Instrument/Device type Field This field is devoted to defining the instrument or device. Device/Instrument definitions are listed below.
InstrumentlDevice ype Definitions T

'Jalue ~ Instrument/devic (binary) ~ a types 0000 0000 Reserved I 0000 0001 Acoustic Guitar 0000 0010 j Electric Guitar 0000 0011 - 1111 Reserved hLstrumemtiDevice Type Field Detiuitions ' Attorney's Docket No. 40890 Instrument/Device Function Field Electric Guitar Byte B7 B6 B5 B.1 B3 B2 BI BO

Mic Head- Hex Mono Mono Mono ReservedReserved i i phones Pickup Pickup Pickup Pickup 1 Volume Tone Pickup Effect ReservedReservedReservedReserved ~

SelectorSelector 0 ReservedReservedReservedReservedReservedReservedReservedReserved Electric Guitar Function Field acoustic Guitar Byte B7 B6 B6 B4 B3 B2 BI BO

3 Mic Head- Hex Mono ReservedReservedReservedReserved phones Pickup Pickup 1 Volume Tone Pickup Effect ReservedReservedReservedReserved ' I ~

i SelectorSelector i I

0 ~ ReservedReservedReservedReservedReservedReservedReservedReserved l i Acoustic Guitar Function Field CA 02306506 2000-04-25 -'' w Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
Use of GNIICS System Typical arrangements of musical instruments and related audio and control hardware in a GiVIICS system are shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
Each of the instruments and the microphones are digital. Each of the amplifiers, preamplifiers and the soundboard are connected using the GNIICS
data link described above. The stage has a hub 28 with a single cable (perhaps an optical fiber) running to the control board 22. An optical GMICS data link will allow over a hundred channels of sound with a 32 bit - 192 kHz digital fidelity, and video on top of that.
As each instrument and amplifier are connected into a hub 28 on the stage via simple RJ-45 network connectors, they are immediately identified by the sound board 22 which is really a PC computer with a Universal Control Surface (Fig.
3) Giving the sound professional complete control of the room. Microphones are actually placed at critical areas throughout the room to audit sound during the performance. The relative levels of all instruments and microphones are stored on a RW CD RONI disc, as are all effects the band requires. These presets are worked or~ until they are optimized in studio rehearsals. and fine tuning corrections are recorded during every performance.
The guitar player puts on his headset 2 l, which contains boih a stereo (each '?0 ear) monitor and an unobtrusive microphone. In addition, each ear piece has Gr.
outward :'acing mike allowing sophisticated noise canceling anti other sound processing. The player simply plugs this personal gear directly into his gmtar 1'%
and the other players do the same with their respective instruments. The monitor i0 :attorney's Docket No. 4089C
mix is automated and fed from different channels per the presets on the CD-ROVI at the board. The monitor sound level is of the artists choosing (guitar player is loud).
The guiiar player has a small stand-mounted laptop 17 (Fig. 2) that is G'1~IICS enabled. This allows sophisticated visual cues concerning his instrument, vocal effects and even lyrics. The laptop 17 connects to a pedal board 1~ that is a relatively standard controller via a USB cable 16 to a connector on the laptop 17.
_another USB cable is run to the amplifier 13, which is really as much of a specialized digital processor as it is a device to make loud music. This guitar 12 is plugged into this amplifier 13, and then the amplifier 13 is plugged into the hub 28 using the GVIICS RJ-45 cables 11.
The laptop 17 contains not only presets, but stores some of the proprietary sound effects programs that will be fed to the DSP in the amplifier, as well as some sound files that can be played back. Should the drummer not show up, the laptop can be used.
1 ~ The guitar player strums his instrument once. The laptop 17 show s all six strings mth instructions on how many turns of the tuner are required to bring the instrument ir_ tune, plus a meter showing the degree of tone the strings have (i.e., do they need to be replaced). The DSP amplifier can adiust the guitar strings on the flw tc tune, even thought they are oui of tune, or ii can place the guitar mio '?() different tunings. This player, however, prefers the "real" sound so he turns off the auto-tune function.
i1 Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
The best part of these new guitars is the additional nuance achieved by squeezing the neck and the touch surfaces that are not part of the older instruments. They give you the ability to do so much more musically.
The sound technician, for his part is already prepared. The room acoustics are present in the "board/PC". The band's RW CD-R01VI contains a program that takes this info and adjusts their entire equipment setup through out the evening.
The technician just needs to put a limit on total sound pressure in the house, still and always a problem with bands, and he is done except for monitoring potential problems. .
The complexity of sound and room acoustic modeling could not have been addressed using prior art manual audio consoles. Now, there is sophisticated panning and imaging in three dimensions. Phase and echo, constant compromises in the past, are corrected for digitally. The room can sound like a cathedral, opera house, or even a small club.
The new scheme of powered speakers 18 throughout is also valuable. Each speaker has a digital GiVIICS input and a 48 VDC power input. These all terminate in a power hub 19 and a hub at the board 22. In larger rooms, there are hubs throughout the room, minimizing cable needs. Each amplifier component is replaceable easily and each speaker is as well. The musician has the added ?(~ :components and can switch them out between sets if necessary.
The GVIICS system dispenses with the need for walls of rack effects and patch bays. All of the functionality of these prior art devices now resides in software plug-ins in either the board-PC or the attached DSP computer. Most io ..

Atiorney's Docket No. 4089C
musicians will bring these plug-ins with them, preferring total control over the performance environment.
The band can record their act. All the individual tracks will be stored on the board-PC system and downloaded to a DVD-ROVI for future editing in the studio.
.
To set up the G\~IICS system, the players put their gear on stage. They plug their instruments info their amplifiers, laptops, etc. These are, in turn, plugged into the G1VIICS Hub. The band presets are loaded and cued to song 1. The house system goes through a 30-second burst of adjustment soundtrack, and then the band can be introduced.
'The keyboard business several years ago went to a workstation approach where the keyboard product became more than a controller (keys) with sounds.
It became a digital control center with ability to control other electronic boxes via midi, a sequencer and included very sophisticated (editing) tools to sculpt the sounds in the box. It included a basic amount of reverb and other sound effects that 1 ~ had been external previously.
In the G1~IICS system, the guitar amplifier can be a workstation for the guitar player, encompassing many effects that were previously external. In effeci.
the amplifier is actually become part of the player's control system, allowing control ma the only appendage the player h<~s that is not occupied playing, his foot.
'?(? ~ddiiionallv, a small stand mounted laptop will be right by the player where he can make more sophisticated control changes and visually see how his scstem l:
functioning. The view screen can even allow the lyrics and chord chances to be displaced in a set list.
;5 _, y CA 02306506 2000-04-25 -' attorney's Docket Rio. 4089C
The amplifier in the new GNIICS system will allow flexible real time control of other enhancements and integration into the computer and future studio world.
The amplifier can be separated into its constituent parts:
The preamplifier 1 (the controls, or the knobs);
The preamplifier 2 (the sound modifier);
The power stage (simple amplification); , The speakers (create the sound wave envelope).
The cabinet (esthetics and durability);
This is a lot of functionality when you look at the constituent components.
The G1VIICS system introduces a novel technology and a whole new way of looking at a musical instrument amplifier. Nlany designers and companies have already identified the constituents of the whole and marketed one of them as a single purpose product with modest success. But, just as a controller keyboard (one without the sounds) has not made a major market penetration, the single purpose 1~ constituent is not satisfying to the player. The Gi~IICS workstation encompasses all of the constituents in an easy to use form.
:~s described above, the GVIICS Link uses currently available components.
the Ethe:-net standard (the communications protocolj. a commonly used R~-4~
connector and a new communications protocol utilizing Internet type formatting.
'?0 This allows the system to send ten channels of digital musical sound over standard c,lbles directly from the instrument for further processing and amplification.
~ new upgraded MIDI standard signal along with a music description ianauaae can alto tmzvel over this cable. This scheme allows for up to phantom instrument power as i4 -Attorney's Docket No. 40890 described over that same cable to power circuits in the instrument, including D/A
conversion.
The txI~IICS circuit board is very small and uses custom application specific integrated circuits (ASIC) and surface mount technology. It will connect to o standard pick-ups and CPA's in classic guitars and is particularly suited for new heYaphonic pick-ups that provide an individual transducer for every string) The GMICS Enabled Musical Instrument The only noticeable hardware difference in Gi~IICS enabled traditional instruments will be the addition of a RJ-45 female connector, and a small stereo headphone out. Of course, this innovation makes a host of new possibilities possible in the design of new modern instruments. Older instruments will be able to access most of the new functionality by simply replacing the commonly used monophonic audio connector with a new RJ-45 connector and a tiny retrofit circuit board.
Vintage values can be retained.
l~ The original analog output will be available as always with no impact on sound, and the digital features need never be used. The GMICS system will allow access to both the digital signal and the unadulterated analog signal.
Having eight digital channels available for output, si.Y of these will be used by each string in a six-string instrument. Two channels will be available to ~e '_'C? zn~ut txirectly into the instrument for furiher routing. In a typical set up, one input will be a microphone from the performer's headset and the other input is a monitor mix fed from the main board. The headphones would then be the stereo monitor adjusted to the musicians liking without impacting the sound of the room.

7~

Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
The physical connector will be a simple, inexpensive and highly reliable RJ-45 locking connector, and category 5 stranded 8-conductor cable.
A new he.c pickup/transducer will send 6 independent signals to be processed.
The transducer is located in the stop bar saddles on the guitar bridge.
Alternatively, the classic analog signal can be converted post CPA to a digital signal from the classic original electromagnetic pick-ups. There are also two analog signal inputs that are immediately converted into a digital signal (.a/D converter) and introduced into the GiVIICS data stream.
This GVIICS ASIC and the G1VIICS technology can be applied to virtually every instrument, not just guitars.
The preamplifier 1 (the controls. or the knobs):
~ T he Control Surface The knobs or controls for the current generation of amplifiers are unusable in a performance setting, and practically in virtually every other setting. It is very diffaculi to adjust the control knobs in the presence of 110 dB of ambient sound level. Utilizing both the GIVIICS and USB protocols, a communication link is available with all components of the performance/studio system. Any component can be anywhere without degrading the sound. The GVIICS standard includes a channel for high-speed control information. using the MIDI format Gut witr.
e(f au~r~;~~matelw one-hundred times the bandwidth. Thus. the G1~IICS sytem is backward compatible with the current instruments utilizing MIDI most keyboards and sound sy nthesizers).
l CA 02306506 2000-04-25 , Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
The display and knobs will be a separate unit. In the GNIICS system, this is referred to as the physical control surface that will be plugged into either the Master Rack directly, or into a laptop computer via a USB connector. When using the laptop, it will function as the visual information screen showing various settings, parameters, etc. Software resident on the laptop will be the music editor allowing control over infinite parameters. ' This laptop will be unobtrusive but highly functional and the settings can be displayed on this screen visible from a distance of 12 feet to a player with normal vision. It will have a USB connection. There will also be a pedal controller with a LTSB or GMICS out to the Master Rack where processing shall take place.
Because both GMICS and USB have phantom power, both the Control Surface and the Foot Controller have power supplied via their connectors. Software drivers for major digital mixers and music editors will allow the controller function to be duplicated in virtually any environment.
The foot controller will have one continuous controller pedal, one two-dimensional continuous controller pedal, and eleven-foot switches clustered as above.
i7 Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
The t~reamplifier 2 (the sound modifier): ' The Master Rack Unit The Master Rack unit is a computer taking the digital GMICS unprocessed signals in and outputting the GMICS processed digital signals out for distribution (routing). The Master Rack will be in a cabinet enclosure that will allow five rack unit. The Global Amplification System will use two of these, and the other three will allow any rack-mounted units to be added.
The Master Rack enclosure is rugged with covers and replaceable Cordura TAT gig bag covering. It will meet UPS size requirements and is extremely light.
The three empty racks are on slide-in trays (which come with the unit) but will allow the effects devices to be removed easily, substituted and carried separately.
The rack trays will make electrical contact with the mother board unit, so that stereo input, stereo output, two foot switch inputs, and digital input and output are available so that no connections are necessary once the effects device is docked.
The ylaster Rack enclosure has several unconventional features which will be highly useful for the performer/player. There are power outlets, four on each side ' that will allow for power to the three empty rack bays, plus others. The power ouLiets will allow wall plug power supplies (wall worts) both in terms of distance between outlets and allowing space for these unlikable supplies. The supplies are '?0 rested inside the enclosure (protected and unobtrusive) and will never have to be dealt with again. Loops will allow these supplies to be anchored in using simple tie wraps.
i8 Attorney's Docket No. 40890 All rack units mount to a sliding plate on which they will rest. The effects devices can thus slide out and be replaced, similar to "hot swap" computer peripherals. A set of patch bay inputs and outputs is installed on the back plane, accessible via a hinged action from the backside of the Master Rack. The other side of the patch bay will be accessible from the top of the enclosure, which will be recessed and unobtrusive when not needed. All I/O to the integral Global Amplification System will be on the bay for flexible yet semi permanent set-ups.
The Global Amp rack units can also slide out for maintenance and replacement. One of the rack units is the control computer for the G1VIICS
system, including a "hot swappable" hard disk, a "hot swappable" CD-RW unit, and the digital processing and signal routing and control circuits. The control unit takes the digital GMICS signals in and out and 2 USB connectors, coupled to a general purpose processing section. The processor section processes multiple digital signals intensively on a real time basis and handles all the G1VIICS control functions.
The rack unit uses an internal SCSI interface to communicate with outboard storage devices. This allows not only modification of the sound, but the ability to record and store musical signals for real time play back. The unit has a built in EchoplexT'~, plus the ability to store large programs to load from cheap hard media. , ~:ing the SCSI protocol allows the use of hard disks, ZIP drives. CD drives, etc. to ?U rrmumize use of expensive R.~.1VI.
The other rack units include a power supply and other ''high voltage" relay s.
etc. The power supply is preferably a switching supply that can be used throughout the world. The pow ar outlets for the rack bays are connected to a transformer, 79 ' Attorney's Dockei No. 40890 ~~hich can be switched in or out to accommodate worldwide use even for these effects.
The l4laster Rack will nest on top of the Base Unit/Sub Woofer and will extend from the Base via microphone type locking extension rods. Thus. the unit can be raised to a level to be easily accessed and view by the performer/player.
A 48 VDC power bus will be provided. Modules stepping this down to common voltages for non-AC boxes will be available (i.e. 12 WC, 9 VDC). This will eliminate ground loops and heavy wall plug power supplies.
3 The power stage (simple amplificationO
The major effort in amplification of a signal deals with the power supply section. particularly when the amplification is at high levels. The G1VIICS
system devices use conventional switching power supplies to supply standard 48 VDC.
This will address issues of certification in various countries, will allow the "amplifier" to work in any country around the world, reduce weight, insure safety and increase reliability and serviceability.

Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
s The speakers (sound modifier create the sound envelope).
The speakers have both a digital G1VIICS signal and 48 VDC power input.
Optionally, the speaker can have a built in power supply and thus could take AC in.
The speaker cabinet can have a built in monitoring transducer that sends information back to the Master Rack via the GMICS Link, allowing sophisticated feedback control algorithms. Thus, with adjustments digitally on the fly by the DSP amplifier, even poor speakers can be made to sound flat or contoured to suit personal taste. , Additionally, multi-speaker arrays can be used, where individual speakers are used per guitar string in a single cabinet, giving a more spacious sound.
The cabinet (esthetics and durability);
By "packetizing" speaker cabinets, they can be made small and scalable. In other words, the can be stacked to get increased sound levels, or even better, distributed on stage, in the studio, or throughout the performance arena.
Sophisticated panning and spatialization effects can be used even in live performance. The speakers can be UPS shippable, and plane worthy .
The L niversal Control Surface One embodiment of a universal control surface usable in the Gi~IICS system is shown in Fig. 3.
'?0 '?4 Slider Tvpe controls.
Each slider has LED's acting as VU meters (or reflecting other parameters) on the left of the slider. A single switch with an adjacent LED is at the bottom of 3' Attorney's Docket No. 4089C
the slider. Four rotary controls are at the top of each slider. Preferably, a full recording Jog Shuttle, recording type buttons, and "go to" buttons are included.
Standard control position templates can be printed or published that can be , applied to the control surface for specific uses.
The control surface shown in Fig. 3 does not represent a true mixing console.
The controls are simply reduced to a digital representation of the position of knobs, etc., and are then sent to a computer via USB, MIDI or GNIICS where any real work takes place, such as mixing, editing, etc. The control surface can connect via USB
to a remote PC.
Thus, a system and method has been described that allows for the universal interconnection, communication and control of musical instruments and related audio components in the digital domain.
Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful Universal Audio Communications and Control System and Method," it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.
gp

Claims (64)

1. A digital media communications and control system comprising:
a. a plurality of digital media devices, each of the devices including a device interface module for communication of digital data and control data from at least one of the devices to at least one other of the devices;
b. a universal data link operatively connected to each of the device interface modules;
c. the device interface modules and universal data links are operative in combination to connect the devices together in the system and provide full duplex communication of the digital audio data and control data between the devices; and d. at least one of the devices is configured as a system timing master and at least one of the other devices is configured as a slave device, wherein the system timing master is operative to provide synchronization data to the slave devices.

2. The system of Claim 1 wherein each data link comprises a single cable connecting a pair of the devices.

3. The system of Claim 1 further comprising a network hub and wherein at least some of the data links comprise network cables connecting the device interface modules to the hub in a network topology whereby the digital data and control data that are communicated over the data links are accessible by each of the devices linked to the hub without having a direct connection between devices.

4. A digital media communications and control system comprising:
a plurality of digital media devices, each of the devices including a device interface module for communication of digital data and control data from at least one of the devices to at least one other of the devices;
a universal data link operatively connected to each of the device interface modules;
the device interface modules and universal data links are operative in combination to connect the devices together in the system and provide full duplex communication of the digital data and control data between the devices;
and wherein the data link includes a cable having means for providing phantom power to the devices.

5. The system of Claim 3 wherein each of the network cables comprises a conventional CAT-5 network cable terminated by conventional RJ-45 connectors.

6. The system of either of Claims 1, 3, or 5 wherein the digital media devices comprise audio transducer devices, the transducer devices including one or more devices selected from a group comprising musical instruments, microphones, headphones, audio speakers, and audio recording devices.

7. The system of Claim 6 wherein the digital media devices further comprise audio controller devices, the controller devices including one or more devices selected from a group comprising audio amplifiers and system control devices.

8. A digital media communications and control system comprising:
a. a plurality of audio devices, each of the devices including a device interface module for communication of digital audio data and control data from at least one of the devices to at least one other of the devices;
b. a universal data link operatively connected to each of the device interface modules;
c. the device interface modules and universal data links are operative in combination to connect the devices together in the system and provide full duplex communication of the digital audio data and control data between the devices; and d. wherein the control data includes device identification data that identifies each of the devices to other of the devices connected to the system.

9. The system of Claim 8 wherein the device identification data includes a device name selected by a user of the device.

10. The system of Claim 8 wherein the device interface modules and data links are adapted to allow the audio devices to be connected and identified to the system while the system is active.

11. The system of Claim 8 wherein the control data includes device control data whereby one of the devices can control one or more of other devices connected to the system.

12. The system of Claim 11 wherein the control data further includes system configuration data.

13. The system of Claim 12 wherein the control data further includes device status data.

14. A digital media communications and control system comprising:
a plurality of audio devices, each of the devices including a device interface module for communication of digital audio data and control data from at least one of the devices to at least one other of the devices;
a universal data link operatively connected to each of the device interface modules;
the device interface modules and universal data links are operative in combination to connect the devices together in the system and provide full duplex communication of the digital audio data and control data between the devices; and wherein the audio devices are operative to generate user data associated with a specific user of that device and the device interface modules and data links are operative to communicate the user data to other devices connected to the system; and at least one of the devices is configured as a system timing master and at least one of the other devices is configured as a slave device, wherein the system timing master is operative to provide synchronization data to the slave devices.

15. The system of Claim 14 wherein the audio data communicated between the devices is packed in system data packets.

16. The system of Claim 15 wherein the system data packets also contain the control data.

17. The system of Claim 16 wherein each of the system data packets comprises a plurality of data channels including a header, a plurality of audio data channels containing the digital audio data, a user data channel containing the user data, and a control data channel containing the control data.

18. The system of Claim 17 wherein the system data packets further comprise a CRC field for providing cyclic redundancy checking of the system data packet.

19. The system of Claim 17 wherein the data packet comprises 16 audio data channels.

20. The system of Claim 19 wherein the audio channels contain the digital audio data in 16, 24, 28, or 32 bit format.

21. The system of Claim 19 wherein one or more of the audio channels can be dynamically reassigned by the system to carry data other than audio data.

22. A digital media communications and control system comprising:
a plurality of audio devices, each of the devices including a device interface module for communication of digital audio data and control data from at least one of the devices to at least one other of the devices;
a universal data link operatively connected to each of the device interface modules;

the device interface modules and universal data links are operative in combination to connect the devices together in the system and provide full duplex communication of the digital audio data and control data between the devices;
wherein the audio data communicated between the devices is packed in system data packets; and wherein the data packets are continuously transmitted between devices in accordance with a packet timing signal that is synchronized to an audio sampling rate associated with the digital audio data.

23. The system of Claim 22 wherein the audio sampling rate is selected from a group comprising 32k, 44.1k, 48k, 96k, and 192k.

24. The system of Claim 23 wherein each of the audio devices can operate at a different one of the sampling rates whereby a system can have data links operating at different sampling rates.

25. The system of Claim 22 wherein the packet timing signal is generated by one of the device interface modules.

26. The system of Claim 17 wherein the control data channel can contain non-system control data.

27. A digital media communications and control system comprising:
a plurality of audio devices, each of the devices including a device interface module for communication of digital audio data and control data from at least one of the devices to at least one other of the devices;

a universal data link operatively connected to each of the device interface modules;
the device interface modules and universal data links are operative in combination to connect the devices together in the system and provide full duplex communication of the digital audio data and control data between the devices;
wherein the audio data communicated between the devices is packed in system data packets;
wherein each of the system data packets comprises a plurality of data channels including a header, a plurality of audio data channels containing the digital audio data, a user data channel containing the user data, and a control data channel containing the control data;
wherein the control data channel can contain non-system control data; wherein the audio devices are operative to generate user data associated with a specific user of that device and the device interface modules and data links are operative to communicate the user data to other devices connected to the system; and wherein the non-system control data comprises MIDI
control data.

28. The system of Claim 27 wherein the plurality of data channels in each system data packet can be reassigned by the system for carrying different types of data in accordance with the requirements of a specific device connected to the system.

29. The system of Claim 28 wherein certain of the data channels in the system data packets are assigned by default to carry certain types of the data when a predetermined type of audio device is connected to the system.

30. The system of Claim 3 wherein the device interface modules are operative to direct digital audio signals and control signal generated by a source audio device to one or more target audio devices connected to the system.

31. The system of Claim 30 wherein the target devices are changeable by a user while the source and target audio devices are actively connected to the system.

32. The system of Claim 1 wherein functions performed by one of the digital media devices can be shared by more than one of the other devices connected to the system.

33. A musical performance system comprising:
a. a musical instrument including a first device interface module operative to convert audio signals generated by the instrument into digital audio data and to generate control data associated with the instrument;
b. an audio amplifier including a second device interface module operative to receive the digital audio data and the control data; and c. a first data link operatively connecting the first and second device interface modules and adapted for bi-directional communication of the digital audio data and control data.

34. The system of Claim 33 further comprising an audio speaker including a third device interface module operatively connected to the audio amplifier by a second data link.

35. The system of Claim 34 further comprising a system control device including a fourth device interface module operatively connected to the system by a third data link, the system control device operative to generate control data for communication to the audio amplifier.

36. The system of Claim 34 wherein the first and second data links each comprise a single data cable.

37. The system of Claim 36 wherein the audio speaker includes an audio power amplifier and the system further comprises a device power source electrically connected to the audio speaker over the second data link.

38. The system of Claim 35 further comprising a network hub and wherein the data links are electrically connected to the hub such that the audio digital data and control data is accessible by each device interface module connected to the system.

39. The system of Claim 35 wherein the musical instrument is a guitar.

40. A musical instrument comprising:
a. an audio transducer for generating analog audio data;
b. a device interface module operative to convert the analog audio data into digital audio data and to provide the digital audio data and system control data at a musical instrument output;
c. the musical instrument output including an instrument connector adapted for connection to a system data link whereby the device interface module and data link can cooperate to provide bi-directional communication of digital audio data and system control data over the data link.

41. The musical instrument of Claim 40 wherein the control data includes instrument identifier data.

42. The musical instrument of Claim 41 wherein the instrument identifier data includes an instrument name selectable by a user of the instrument.

43. The musical instrument of Claim 42 wherein the instrument identifier data includes data describing functional characteristics of the instrument.

44. The musical instrument of Claim 43 wherein the instrument connector comprises a single cable connector.

45. The musical instrument of Claim 44 wherein the cable connector comprises a network cable connector.

46. The musical instrument of Claim 45 wherein the network cable connector is an RJ-45 jack.

47. The musical instrument of Claim 44 further comprising power supply means to receive instrument power from an external connection to the cable connector.

48. The musical instrument of Claim 40 wherein the instrument is a guitar and the audio transducer is a guitar pick-up.

49. A method of arranging a plurality of electronic audio devices in an audio system comprising:
a. providing each of the audio devices with a device interface module adapted for communication of digital audio data generated by one or more of the devices connected to the system and for storage and communication of control data associated with that audio device;

b. operatively connecting the device interface modules over one or more data links, the data links adapted for full duplex communication of the digital audio data and control data to and from each device; and c. directing the digital audio data for use by one or more specified devices connected to the system; and d. communicating the digital audio data and control data across the data links in discrete data packets.

50. The method of Claim 49 further comprising synchronizing the communication of the data packets to an audio sampling rate.

51. The method of Claim 50 further comprising varying the audio sampling rate among the different data links in accordance with requirements of specific audio devices connected to the data links.

52. The method of Claim 49 further comprising providing a means for allowing a user of an audio device to select a name for that device and to include the selected device name in the control data communicated by the corresponding device interface module.

53. The method of Claim 49 further comprising providing 16 channels of up to 32-bit audio data in each data packet.

54. The method of Claim 53 further comprising providing user data in each data packet.

55. The method of Claim 53 further comprising connecting a plurality of the data links using network cables connected to a network hub.

56. A device interface module for providing a universal data link to connect an audio device in an audio communications and control network to other audio devices connected to the network, the device interface module comprising:

a device connector adapted to connect the audio device to a single network cable;

data communications means to provide full duplex communication of multi-channel digital audio data and control data between the audio devices across the single network cable; and wherein the device interface module is operative to send device identification data that identifies each of the audio devices to other of the audio devices connected to the network.

57. The device interface module of Claim 56 wherein the data communications means is adapted to provide at least 16 channels of audio data.

58. The device interface module of Claim 57 wherein the data communications means and device connector comprise an Ethernet physical data connection between the devices.

59. The device interface module of Claim 58 wherein the device connector is a CAT-5 data network connector.

60. The device interface module of Claim 59 wherein the data communications means is operative to send and receive the audio and control data through separate audio and control data channels.

61. The device interface module of Claim 60 further comprising means to send and receive device synchronization data to and from the audio devices.

62. The device interface module of Claim 61 wherein the data communications means is operative to communicate the audio and control data in packets and further comprises means to provide redundant error checking of the data in the packets.

63. The device interface module of Claim 56 wherein the data communications means and device connector are adapted to allow the audio devices to be connected and identified to the network while the network is active.

64. The device interface module of Claim 63 wherein the control data includes Message in Progress (MIP) and Clear To Send (CTS) bits to allow the audio devices receiving the data to manage control packet buffer space.