EP0121064A1 - Clavier avec commande de dynamique pour instruments de musique électroniques - Google Patents

Clavier avec commande de dynamique pour instruments de musique électroniques Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0121064A1
EP0121064A1 EP84101556A EP84101556A EP0121064A1 EP 0121064 A1 EP0121064 A1 EP 0121064A1 EP 84101556 A EP84101556 A EP 84101556A EP 84101556 A EP84101556 A EP 84101556A EP 0121064 A1 EP0121064 A1 EP 0121064A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mass
key
fact
keyboard
improved keyboard
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP84101556A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Umberto Pradella
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FARFISA SpA
Original Assignee
FARFISA SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by FARFISA SpA filed Critical FARFISA SpA
Publication of EP0121064A1 publication Critical patent/EP0121064A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H1/00—Details of electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H1/02—Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decay; Means for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos
    • G10H1/04—Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decay; Means for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos by additional modulation
    • G10H1/053—Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decay; Means for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos by additional modulation during execution only
    • G10H1/057—Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decay; Means for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos by additional modulation during execution only by envelope-forming circuits
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H1/00—Details of electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H1/32—Constructional details
    • G10H1/34—Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H1/344—Structural association with individual keys
    • G10H1/346—Keys with an arrangement for simulating the feeling of a piano key, e.g. using counterweights, springs, cams

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a process for providing the keyboard of electronic musical instruments with dynamics control and a keyboard which is improved according to the provided process.
  • a sound intensity control is provided, which is proportional, within determined limits, to the key actuating force. This is usually referred to as "dynamics control".
  • dynamics control The most typical example for this second type of instrument is a piano.
  • the patent DE-OS-3000646 discloses a key, movable between two extreme positions, at the end of which a mass is firmly attached.
  • the kinematic system of this device is quite different from the one of the known key of a mechanical piano.
  • the mass and key, as well as the player's finger, hand and arm are simultaneously moving and integrally joined together.
  • these types of instruments besides being costly, do not exactly reproduce the physiological and mechanical sensations provided by a mechanical piano. Therefore, also the technique of performance used is quite different.
  • the object is achieved by providing, in a keybord having each key movable between two extreme positions defining two possible states, that the speed at which a mass provided for each key moving between two predetermined sights is measured, then said speed is transduced into an electric signal which, as suitably processed, is supplied to the sound and envelope generating device, to control a voltage output determining the desired sound intensity, characterized in that said mass is initially displaced by the key actuation, is separated therefrom and freely moves along a predetermined path, while the key, after having struck the mass, will go back again to the initial position, independently of the mass position at that time.
  • An improved keyboard provides a number of keys, each of which pivoted at a determined location, transducer means for transducing the key displacement speed into an electric quantity, information processor means, and a sound and envelope generating device, in which said transducer means have a whole mass as that of the mechanical elements provided for each key in a normal piano, said mass being movable between two extreme positions along a predetermined path, a switch means being arranged at each of said extreme positions to supply to the processor means electric signals relating to the instants at which said mass contacts said switches.
  • said processor means further comprise a device effecting a periodical scanning on the state of the switches arranged at the extreme ends of the mass stroke
  • An improvement to the key unit contemplates the provision for each key of a retainer element for holding the key in place at its rest or inoperative condition.
  • a particular approach or embodiment further contemplates that for the two extreme positions of the mass a first set of normally open contacts and a second set of normally closed contacts are provided.
  • a particular embodiment provides that said mass is made of conductive metal material to make up the movable contact for the switches provided at the extreme positions.
  • said retainer element is made of magnetic rubber.
  • the mass guide means may provide either a straight path or comprise a pin for rotation through a predetermined angle.
  • the invention herein described is aimed to propose for the mechanical part a series of kinematic motions corresponding to the moving parts in a classical mechanics for a piano and for the electronic part a measuring arrangement providing the information required for the control of the amplitude of a sound generated by a known frequency and envelope generator.
  • Fig. 1 is a view schematically showing the classical mechanics of a piano. It is seen, according to this figure, that, upon actuation of key 10 pivoting about fulcrum 11, a movement is provided for the hammer 12 which, in its rotation about the pivot 13, will strike the string 14. Coupling between the two movements is provided by the escapement 15 which, by rocking or swinging about the center 16, transmits the pulse from the key to the harnner for disengagement just before the latter reaches said string 14. The strain sensed by the pianistis is not constant.
  • Figs. 2 and 3 are views showing an embodiment for the mechanical and electrical parts of a key in a keyboard according to the invention, having the purpose of reproducing this situation.
  • the key 20 By rotating about the fulcrum 21, the key 20 will strike with its extending portion 22 against a small cylinder 23, made of conductive metal, such as iron, and the mass of which is closely equivalent to that of the escapement and hammer of a conventional mechanics.
  • This small cylinder 23 bears against the key at rest or inoperative position (Fig. 2).
  • the small cylinder 23 is retained at said rest or inoperative position by the magnetic action of a bar 24, made of magnetic rubber, performing retainer and shock absorber functions to reproduce the inertial situation of classical mechanics.
  • Said small cylinder 23 also bears on the electrical contact 25, thus providing a switch with normally closed contacts at rest or inoperative condition.
  • said small cylinder 23 Upon pulse reception from the movement of extension 22, said small cylinder 23 freely upward moves along guides 26 to close the electric contact 27 of a switch having normally open contacts.
  • the seat provided in said guides 26 allows a straight or rectilinear path.
  • the key 20 After having pushed the small cylinder, the key 20 separates therefrom, and terminates its stroke arresting against a stop (not shown) to then go back to initial position, where it will be maintained at steady position by said magnetic bar 24 and small cylinder 23.
  • FIG. 4 Another embodiment is shown in Fig. 4. It also provided a mass freely movable along a predetermined path under the pulse given thereto by the key operated by the player. According to this approach, the operated key 120 rotates about the fulcrum 121 and by its extending portion 122 strikes a mass 123 pivoted at 126.
  • the mass 123 may be made of conductive metal, for example iron, and is equivalent to that of the escapement and hammer for a conventional mechanics.
  • the mass 123 is maintained at rest or inoperative position by a magnetic element 124, made of magnetic rubber, also forming a damping and braking element for the mass during transports and displacements.
  • An extension 123a of said mass 123 bears against the electric contact 125, making up a switch with normally closed contacts.
  • said mass 123 rotates about the guide pin 126 to reach the hatched position, thereby closing the contact 127 of a switch having normally open contacts.
  • the key 120 is separated therefrom and at the end of the stroke thereof goes back to the initial position.
  • the second part of the invention relates to way to convert said speed into an electric control signal.
  • Fig. 5 shows a preferred embodiment for the circuit of the simplification above set forth.
  • a microprocessor device 30 having CK and P. OR as inputs. It carries aut a very fast scanning on the matrix of the normally closed contacts (block 31 ) associated with the switch with normally closed contacts comprising the mass 23 or 123 and the contact 25 or 125, and on the matrix of the normally open contacts (block 32) comprising the mass 23 or 123 and the contact 27 or 127 through a decoder 33 for the selection of the common bars and a matrix of diodes 34.
  • the data for the keyboard are then read by the microprocessor element 30 which, after suitable processings, will transfer such data to a number of output gates.
  • a portion of these is connected through a cannon channel ( or bus) 35 to the peripheral sound and envelope generator device 36, which in turn is controlled by a timer 37 and T.O.S. 38.
  • the remaining portion is connected through suitable decoders 39 having as many "n" counters 40a-40n as the keyboard polyphony channels (n).
  • each output of decoders 39 is for conditioning the positioning controls (set and reset) of the respective counter 40a-40n, which will be gated as soon as the normally closed keyboard contact scanned by the microprocessor opens, and the counting operation will be stopped when closing the normally open contact located at the final positioon of the stroke for the corresponding mass.
  • each counter connected to clocks 41a-41n at the time of closing for the end of stroke contact, is the numerical value ( as suitably inverted) corresponding to the transition time for the mass between the two extreme positions and therefore will be directly proportional to the switching time of the contact.
  • Such a value is then stored in registers 42a-42n in order that the information is not lost for all the time the key is actuated or played, and converted through a suitable digital-to-analog converter (D.A.C.) 43a-43n.
  • the output voltage fran said digital-to-analog converter is inputted to the corresponding voltage controlled amplifier (V.C.A) 44a-44n, and to a voltage controlled filter (V.C.F. ) 45a- 45n, which is connected to the sound channel assigned on the frequency and envelope generator peripheral through a mixer 46 and amplifier 47.
  • an economical and dynamic amplitude control can be provided and quite corresponding to the tactile and auditory sensations for a-player as normally provided by a mechanical piano.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)
EP84101556A 1983-02-16 1984-02-15 Clavier avec commande de dynamique pour instruments de musique électroniques Withdrawn EP0121064A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT1961683 1983-02-16
IT19616/83A IT1193674B (it) 1983-02-16 1983-02-16 Procedimento per dotare la tastiera di strumenti musicali elettronici del controllo della dinamica e tastiera perfezionata secondo il procedimento

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0121064A1 true EP0121064A1 (fr) 1984-10-10

Family

ID=11159654

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP84101556A Withdrawn EP0121064A1 (fr) 1983-02-16 1984-02-15 Clavier avec commande de dynamique pour instruments de musique électroniques

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0121064A1 (fr)
JP (1) JPS59218496A (fr)
AU (1) AU2466384A (fr)
IT (1) IT1193674B (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0206284A2 (fr) * 1985-06-20 1986-12-30 Charles Monte Clavier électronique silencieux à mouvement percutant
GB2178216A (en) * 1985-07-20 1987-02-04 Richard Brian Potts Mechanical/electronic synthesiser keyboard mechanism

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2528585Y2 (ja) * 1991-03-22 1997-03-12 株式会社河合楽器製作所 電子ピアノの鍵盤装置

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4154133A (en) * 1976-07-02 1979-05-15 Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho Envelope waveform generating apparatus
WO1980001427A1 (fr) * 1979-01-02 1980-07-10 Arp Instr Clavier a action de piano

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4154133A (en) * 1976-07-02 1979-05-15 Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho Envelope waveform generating apparatus
WO1980001427A1 (fr) * 1979-01-02 1980-07-10 Arp Instr Clavier a action de piano

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0206284A2 (fr) * 1985-06-20 1986-12-30 Charles Monte Clavier électronique silencieux à mouvement percutant
EP0206284A3 (fr) * 1985-06-20 1988-09-21 Charles Monte Clavier électronique silencieux à mouvement percutant
GB2178216A (en) * 1985-07-20 1987-02-04 Richard Brian Potts Mechanical/electronic synthesiser keyboard mechanism

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2466384A (en) 1984-08-23
JPS59218496A (ja) 1984-12-08
IT8319616A0 (it) 1983-02-16
IT1193674B (it) 1988-07-21

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PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

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Effective date: 19850328

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Inventor name: PRADELLA, UMBERTO