DE3109423A1 - Device for producing and controlling lingering sound - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic device for producing and controlling lingering sound in electrically amplified musical instruments, in particular electric guitars and electric bases. The object of the invention is to eliminate disadvantages of the known electronic reverberation devices, for example chiefly the loss of sound presence caused by the temporal retardation and blurring of the transients of the sound signal, and the missing, simple controllability of various settings of lingering sound during playing. The achievement of this object provides that the electrical sound signal obtained by the sound pick-up is digitally coded and input into a preliminary memory, from which it is relayed into a main memory and read out with a time delay only if the original sound signal collapses abruptly due to damping. When the device according to the invention is applied in electric guitars and electric bases, it is preferable to be able to select three different settings by means of an operating lever during playing. First setting: no lingering sound. Second setting: lingering sound having a relatively steeply falling envelope. Third setting: lingering sound having a relatively slowly falling envelope.

Description

DEVICE FOR GENERATING AND CONTROLLING EFFECTIVE SOUND

Description The invention relates to a device for generating and control of reverberation in electrically amplified musical instruments, in particular Electric guitars and electric basses.

The actively executed termination of a musical sound will technically referred to as damping. The player performs a technical game Action that serves to break off the existing sounds. With string instruments is the vibration of the strings by applying them with a damping Body completely interrupted. In the case of guitars, this is done in the playing technique Usually the fact that the gripping pressure of the gripping hand is released, the string from the fret lifts off and through the passive application of the fingers of the gripping hand, which is called Dampers act, a sudden breakdown of the vibrations is generated. At the The player must play open strings if he actively ends the string sound want to cover the strings with the gripping or plucking hand. Here too it comes to same, abrupt sound interruption that is characteristic of this instrument It goes without saying that after the technical execution of the damping, the vibrating System needs a certain amount of time to completely dampen. The one after the technical Damping sounds that are still occurring are used here as an aftertaste designated. This term describes a technical-sound connection and is therefore not synonymous with the room acoustic term reverberation. After sound phenomena occur in mechanical-acoustic string instruments, for example with the piano and the guitar. For electrically amplified string instruments, for example the electric guitar, when these instruments only vibrate the Strings are amplified, there are no after-effects.

From the musical and technical point of view, hzr is feasibility Different types of reverberation desirable to transition from a sound event to the next in technically and musically different ways to be able to.

Staccato needs an extremely short decay time, while legato a clearly perceptible aftertaste is a great advantage in terms of playing technique. For It is also desirable for certain sound representations that the Sounds continue to vibrate undamped, although a damping movement has been performed in terms of playing technique became. In the case of the piano, this is achieved, for example, by the fact that the damper with lifted off the strings with the pedal so that the strings continue to sound after they have been struck, although the corresponding keys have already been released, so one Damping control has been performed.

For electric guitars and basses with electromagnetic pickups As already described, the damping of the strings causes an abrupt break which generates electrically amplified sound vibrations without echo. This abortive Tone ending or this zero aftertaste only has for the representation from staccato a technically and tonally favorable suitability. For other sound transition forms this type of tone ending is a major disadvantage.

This disadvantage is caused by the different ones in use electronic devices for generating reverberation-like sound phenomena somewhat softened in so far as a certain aftertaste appears after steaming occurs. Devices of this type are known to serve a time-delayed and repeated reproduction of the entire vibration sequence emitted by the pickups. That means, the emitted sound signal is in its entire sequence, i.e. beginning with the sound of the action delayed until the end of the steam termination reproduced or mixed with the directly amplified audio signal. There one such a device actually creates the impression of room acoustic reverberation, For musical reasons, the delayed signal becomes the direct amplified signal only mixed in with a considerably weaker amplitude, since in particular through the repetition or temporal blurring of the sound insert the desired Otherwise, the presence and clarity of the tone shape is lost Compared to the directly amplified sound signal, attenuates only a lot in terms of volume weak aftertaste. A playing technique similar to pedaling the piano or sound representation is not possible.

The Ndchhall devices in use are with regard to their technical mode of operation known in various embodiments. One simple embodiment uses a metal spiral spring as mechanical-acoustic Delay element. Another embodiment uses an endless magnetic tape as an analog memory on which the original sound signals are stored and timed read out with a delay.

In another embodiment, the digitization is the original Sound signal provided, so that afterwards storage and readout by means of digital, electronic components is enabled. Feature of all of the aforementioned electronic Devices is the permanent processing of the entire original sound sequence with the resulting musical disadvantages already described.

The invention is based on the object with regard to the aftertaste limited sound properties of electrically amplified musical instruments, in particular Plucked instruments, so that the player can play various Choose and display any types of reverberation that are important in terms of playing technique and music can.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that an electronic Circuitry is provided which converts the analog electrical sound signals into an or several input-side switching stages digitally coded and then in one or saves several pre-memories as sound samples for a short time, which in one or more, further Switching stages the amplitude values of the sound signal forming the envelope curve continuously measures and in the event of a drop in these amplitude values, as caused by damping is stored in the pre-storage, unaffected by the steaming process Switches sound samples into one or more reverberation memories, in which the sound pattern is stored, read out and on the output side to a digital-analogue changing switching step is given until one or more more, the envelope the output signal shaping switching stages reduced its mean amplitude to zero have, the entire circuit and / or parts of the circuit by means of an im Mechanical-electrical control device located in the player's area of action can be switched on and off or regulated continuously during the game can.

To a technically easy to master way of working of the inventive To obtain electronic circuit, provides a preferred embodiment of the invention suggest that three switching states in particular can be controlled during the game: Control case 1: The circuit according to the invention has no function, that is, the sound signals reach the amplifier unchanged and have no echo.

Control case 2: The circuit according to the invention is functional and working with a relatively steeply sloping aftertaste envelope.

Control case 3: circuit according to the invention is in function and working with a relatively slowly declining aftertaste envelope.

The part of the control device according to the invention that is to be operated by the player is preferably designed as a control lever for electric guitars and electric basses, the in the action area of the plucking arm on the top of the instrument body is arranged.

The advantages achieved with the invention are in particular: that the player can play different types of echoes during the game can easily choose and display without reducing the tone shape To have to accept disadvantages of the so-called reverberation devices. Clay bindings, which are not shown in terms of playing technique due to the structural peculiarities of the guitar can now be relatively slow when the aftertaste is switched on sloping envelope, similar to pedaling on a piano, easily represented will. The musical display options, especially the electric guitar are expanded considerably as a result. - Using the information shown in the figures Exemplary embodiment, the aforementioned and other features of the Invention will be described in more detail. They show: FIG. 1 front view of an electric guitar with control device.

FIG. 2 Side view of an electric guitar with control device.

FIG. 3 Schematic representation of the control device.

FIG. 4 Block diagram of the electronic circuit.

The embodiment relates to the application of the invention Setup for electric guitars. When used with basses and other plucked instruments the basic structure of this exemplary embodiment can be retained.

The embodiment provides that the electric guitar accordingly the German Offenlegungsschrift OS 29 08 766 with a device for stepless Pitch change and furthermore according to the German Offenlegungsschrift OS 29 08 765 with a device for stepless regulation of volume and tone color can be equipped. The device according to the invention should be technically playable and musically makes sense with the facilities of the aforementioned Offenlegungsschriften add to. Of course, the device according to the invention can also be used with electric guitars are applied that are not compatible with the facilities of the aforementioned Offenlegungsschriften are equipped.

The control device for the technical control of the inventive Device is in its part to be operated by the player preferably as Control lever 1 is formed, which is perpendicular or almost perpendicular to the cabinet top 2 of the instrument and in the range of action of the plucked forearm 3 of the player is arranged on the body cover 2. The control lever 1 protrudes so far over the top of the cabinet 2 in addition that he can be applied in a comfortable manner with the plucked forearm 3 can.

Is the electric guitar according to the disclosure code OS 29 08 766 with a control plate 4 and according to OS 29 08 765 with a control arm 5, the control lever 1 is spatially so close to the control plate 4 arranged that a simultaneous application of control lever 1 and control plate 4 is possible in a convenient manner by means of the plucked forearm 3. The control arm 5 relevant game actions are by the support of the plucked forearm 3 on the Control lever 1 not affected.

The control paths of the control lever 1 preferably run in one Plane parallel to the carcass ceiling 2. In this embodiment, the control lever 1 three switching positions on switching position 1: The control lever 1 is unloaded. In this switching position, the rotatably mounted in the body 6 of the instrument Lower part 7 of the control lever 1 by a spring 8 automatically against an upper Limit stop 9 held. The limit stop 9 is immobile in the body 6 stored.

Switching position III: The control lever 1 is controlled by the plucking forearm 3 charged.

As a result, the lower part 7 moves against the catch lever 10, the is also rotatably mounted in the body 6. The pivot bearing 11 for the lower part 7 and the pivot bearing 12 for the catch lever 10 can be combined in a storage unit be.

The rest position of the catch lever 10 is automatic by the spring 13 set.

The spring forces of the two springs 8 and 13 are dimensioned so that the Free weight of the player's arm approximately in the rest position of the catch lever 10 will be carried.

This resting position is made clear by the player from a technical point of view perceived.

By a further, increased load on the control lever 1 arrives the catch lever 10 up to the lower limit stop 14. When charged of the lower limit stroke 14, the switching position III is reached.

Switching position II: The switching position is given if neither the upper limit stop 9 still acts on the lower limit stop 14 is, that is, when the control lever 1 is between the two limit stops is located.

A technically stable position is given when the springs 8 and 13 carry the player's arm.

Another definition of the switching positions can be that the switching position II is only reached when the catch lever 10 is applied is. As soon as it is not occupied, the switching position I is given. Such Switching definition has the advantage that the change between switching positions I and II can be controlled very quickly from a technical point of view. The first described Switching definition has the advantage that switching position II is very safe can be taken.

In order to avoid background noises, all parts to be exposed are the control device covered with noise-dampening material.

The electrical switching processes can be carried out in a known manner by galvanic Contacts, pressure-sensitive sensors, but also through light barriers are executed.

The switch positions 1, II and III are used in this exemplary embodiment the optional activation and deactivation of three types of reverberation: In switch position I is on zero echo. In switch position II the aftertaste is steep falling envelope switched on. In switching position Ili, the aftertaste is with slowly falling envelope switched on.

Switching position II can be regarded as the normal position. The aftermath The steeply sloping envelope type is for the normally tied game of Tone or chord sequences most suitable. Legato can play technically in this position easily run.

Switching position I with zero reverberation is used for the technically simple Performing staccato.

Switch position III with the aftertaste with a slowly falling envelope enables the player to make notes sound together without being in the process to keep the corresponding strings sounding. This playing technique corresponds to that Pedal playing at the piano. Compositions that require this playing technique are now can also be performed on the electric guitar.

The control lever 1 of this embodiment is only one embodiment the control device according to the invention. He. is in its technical handling on the types of movement of the control elements from laid-open specifications OS 29 08 765 and OS 29 08 766 and enables advantageous control movements in this regard.

For the sake of simplicity and clarity, we refer to the description further embodiments are dispensed with. It goes without saying, however, that others Embodiments for controlling with the forearm, the plucked hand or with the foot, depending on the equipment of the electric guitar other facilities, may be provided. They always correspond to the basic idea the Invention when they have a constant, rapid change of different Enable echo types during the game.

Electric guitars usually have pickups that control the vibrations convert the strings into analog electrical vibrations. These analog electrical oscillations are passed on to an amplifier, often via sound-shaping circuits, which amplifies them in such a way that loudspeakers with sufficient sound output can be operated. The known pickups electromagnetic or piezoelectric Working methods are usually set up in such a way that the string vibrations are not per Strings can be removed individually but together.

The mode of operation of the device according to the invention, on the other hand, provides that the vibrations of the individual strings are converted separately, that is, At least one individual pickup 15 is provided per string. These single pickups 15 can have a similar structure to electromagnetic operation the well-known, collecting pickups.

The individual pickups 15.1 - 15.6 convert the vibrations of them assigned string in analog electrical oscillations. The separated, electrical continuation of the respective sound signals is referred to here as a channel. With a six-string electric guitar there are therefore six channels.

A particular embodiment of the invention can provide that in each Channel after the individual pickup 15 a volume and tone color adjustment stage 16 is provided. By means of these individual adjustment stages 16.1-16.6, which are preferably are designed in active construction, the player can adjust the amplitude and amplitude via control elements Adjust the frequency components of the individual string vibrations so that an optimal Sound image of all strings to each other is achieved.

After the adjustment stages 16, the sound signals are in a mixer stage 17 summarized and in the usual way, about further kiangtbrmende bcircuits are forwarded to the amplifier 18 and loudspeaker 19. This main line is used for the usual signal processing and is always in function. The inventive Signal processing is connected to this main line.

After the adjustment stages 16, the analog sound signals are channel-wise digitally encoded separately by means of an analog-to-digital converter 20.1 - 20.6. the Conditions and requirements of such coding are in the context of the so-called Pulse code modulation has been adequately discussed and is therefore known. The clock for the sampling rate is made available by the clock generator 21.

After the analog-to-digital converter 20, the digital code words arrive Separated by channel on pre-storage 22.1 - 22.6 for short-term intermediate storage.

The pre-memories 22.1-22.6 only then give the code words to the Reverberation memory 24 when the amplitude comparison stages 23.1. to - 23.6 the output of the pre-storage 22.1. - 22.6 to the input of the reverberation memory 24 switch through.

If the amplitude comparison stages 23.1 - 23.6 are blocked, all code words after passing through the pre-storage 22.1. - deleted 22.6.

The lowest sound frequency that can be coded on a guitar is in rule E = 82.4 Hz If the total length of the sound pattern to be coded is measured in such a way that that at least two full oscillations of the lowest audio frequency are coded, so that is the regular time span tc for the complete coding of a given any sound pattern.

In the amplitude comparison stages 23.1-23.6, the mean amplitude is of a complete sound pattern is measured and compared with the mean amplitude of the following, full sound pattern compared. If the amplitude drop is as steep as if it occurs when the strings are attenuated, a complete sound pattern is obtained from the Pre-save 22.1 - 22.6 are transferred to the reverberation memory 24.

Amplitude comparison stages are in various embodiments known. You can set up for both analog and digital signal processing will.

In this embodiment, the amplitude comparison stages intended for digital signal processing.

According to the invention, when the string damping occurs, steep amplitude drop a complete sound pattern from the pre-memories 22.1 - 22.6 are transferred to the reverberation memory 24. This complete sound pattern should however still be completely unaffected by the steaming process. The pre-storage 22.1 - 22.6 must therefore have sound samples ready that immediately preceded it coded at the beginning of the steaming process. According to the invention this is achieved by that the complete sound pattern is coded at regular time intervals will. These time intervals are controlled by the timer stage 25.

The time that determines the length of these intervals is necessary to determine the amplitude drop caused by the damping process and to switch through the complete sound pattern to the reverberation memory 24. By The aim of the circuit structure is to keep this time ta as short as possible. However ta must be greater than tc.

A complete sound pattern is transferred to the echo memory 24 has been, this is read out continuously by the readout stage 26. To preserve the pitch is read out at the frequency of the clock 21. Are pitch shifts if desired, the readout frequency can also be kept variable. A stepless change in the readout frequency can preferably be done with the corresponding OS 29 08 766 movable neck of the instrument can be controlled by playing technique.

After the readout stage 26, the digital code words get into the Envelope shaping stage 27. In this switching stage the amplitude values are adjusted according to a fixed algorithm reduced to zero. The reduction factor can be regulated within wide limits via rule elements 28 by the player, so that different Envelopes can be selected and adjusted. The control range should be from an extremely steeply sloping envelope curve up to a continuous tone envelope curve.

After the envelope curve shaping stage 27, the digital code words arrive in the sense of a feedback to the input of the reverberation memory 24 back to to replace the previous code words there. The digital code words arrive at the same time to the digital-to-analog converter 29, where they are converted into analog voltage or current values to be converted. These analog signal values then reach the amplifier 18 and loudspeaker 19.

In this exemplary embodiment, as already described, preferably two types of echoes can be produced. One echo for normal play relatively steeply sloping envelope curve and on the other hand a relatively slow aftertaste falling envelope. There is a special echo memory for both types of echo 24.1 and 24.2, readout level 26.1 and 26.2, envelope curve shape level 27.1 and 27.2 and Control elements 28.1 and 28.2 are provided. This has the advantage that when switching over from switching position III to switching position II, i.e. from a slow reverberation falling envelope into an aftertaste with a steeply falling envelope, the aftertaste from switch position 111, unaffected by the switchover, continue to sound towards zero can. The termination of the aftertaste from switch position 111 is only switched if when switching position I is assumed. This enables a playing technique which selects 111 tones in switching position to continue unmuffled, in switching position II the continued sounding of these tones while adding or playing them at the same time of tones with only a short aftertaste enabled and in switch position I the deletion which provides undamped tones. The switch 30 is used to switch between the Switching positions II and lil, while the switch 31 of the switchover between the Switch positions I and II / III are used. The mechanical switchover takes place by means of the control lever 1. Blank page

Claims (12)

EQUIPMENT FOR GENERATING AND CONTROLLING ACCORDING TO KLANG patent claims 1. Device for the generation and control of reverberation in musical instruments with mechanical sound generation whose sound signals are electrically picked up and processed , characterized in that an electronic circuit is provided, the analog electrical sound signals in one or more input-side Switching stages digitally coded and then in one or more pre-memories (22) saves a short-term sound pattern in one or more additional switching stages continuously measures the amplitude values of the sound signal forming the envelope curve and in the event of a decrease in these amplitude values, as is caused by damping, the Sound patterns stored in the preliminary memories (22) and not influenced by the damping process advances into one or more reverberation memories (24) in which the sound pattern as long as stored, read out and on the output side to a digital-to-analog converter Switching stage is given until one or more more, the envelope of the output signal shaping switching stages have reduced its mean amplitude to zero, with the entire circuit and / or parts of the circuit by means of an in the action area the player located, mechanical-electrical control device during the Game can be switched on and off or regulated continuously. 2. Device for generating and controlling echoes according to claim 1, characterized in that a timer stage (25) is provided which the Coding of the continuous, original sound signals in time sequences controls. 3. Device for generating and controlling aftertaste after a of the preceding claims, characterized in that a by the steaming process unaffected sound pattern is stored in the preliminary memory (22) until a complete transfer to the reverberation memory (24) by the game-technical The damping process is controlled. 4. Device for generating and controlling aftertaste after a of the preceding claims, characterized in that sound patterns that of the preliminary memory (22) are not passed on to the reverberation memory (24), to be deleted. 5. Device for generating and controlling aftertaste after a of the preceding claims, characterized in that the from the reverberation memory (24) read out and changed by an envelope shaping stage (27) sound pattern in the sense of a feedback back to the input of the reverberation memory (24) are given. 6. Device for generating and controlling Nachkiang after one of the preceding claims, characterized in that control elements (28) the shape of the envelope generated by the envelope shaping stage (27) can be changed can. 7. Device for generating and controlling aftertaste after a of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two different Envelope curve shapes that can be generated by two envelope curve shape stages (27.1 and 27.2) are available for optional switching on and off. 8. Device for generating and controlling aftertaste after a of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the generation of the Reverberation with a relatively steeply sloping envelope and the aftertaste with a relatively slowly falling envelope each has a special reverberation memory (22.1 and 22.2), readout stage (26.1 and 26.2) and amplitude comparison stage (23.1 and 23.2) is provided so that both types of reverberation are generated independently of one another can be. 9. Device for generating and controlling aftertaste after a of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each case from Single pickup (15) up to the entrance of the reverberation memory (24) a separate one Channel is provided. 10. Device for generating and controlling aftertaste after a of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separately converted Sound signals of the individual pickups (15) via separate adjustment stages (16) volume and / or are adjustable in terms of tone color. 11. Device for generating and controlling reverberation after a of the preceding claims, characterized in that by changing The pitch change of the sound pattern caused by the readout frequency by means of of the movable neck of the instrument is controlled by the sliding path of the Neck is converted into corresponding electrical control signals. 12. Device for generating and controlling echoes according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control lever (1) in the action area of the plucked forearm (3 ) of the player, is provided above the body top (2) of the instrument. Device for generating and controlling Nachkiang according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control lever (1) is aligned perpendicular or almost perpendicular to the top of the body (2) and is mounted in such a way that it rests on the plucked forearm (3) of the player and is in a plane can be moved parallel or almost parallel to the plane of the carcass top (2). Device for generating and controlling reverberation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control lever (1) can assume at least three switching positions (I, ll, lil), the first of which switches the entire inventive circuit on and off, the second the echo type with the relatively steeply falling envelope switches on and off, the third one switches on the echo type with the relatively slowly falling envelope curve. Device for generating and controlling reverberation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first switching position (I) is given in that the lower part (7) of the control lever (1) automatically against an upper limit stop (8) by means of a spring (8). 9) is held, the third switching position (III) is given by the fact that the lower part (7) strikes against a lower limit stop (14) via a catch lever (10), and the second switching position (11) is given when the lower part (7) does not strike either the upper or lower limit stop (9 and 10). Device for generating and controlling reverberation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second switching position (II) is marked in terms of path and force in that the lower part (7) holds the catch lever (10) held in the rest position by a spring (13) ) applied. Device for generating and controlling reverberation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aftertaste type with the relatively slowly falling envelope is switched on in the third switch position (III) remains switched on in the second switching position (II), and in the first Switching position (I) is switched off.