US2922329A - Electrical musical instrument with multiple utilization of tone signal sources - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 26, 1960 J. M. HANERT 2,922,329

ELECTUNYIICLATLZ MTusIcL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE A I N F ToNE SIGNAL soURcEs Filed Feb. 2, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 26, `1960 J. M. HANERT 2,922

NSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL MUSICAL I UTILIZATION 0F TONE SIGNAL SOURCES Filed Feb. 2, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 |No @wy #nu mu UTILIZATION OF T ONE SIGNAL SOURCES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 2. 195e voui movi cui mou Nomi cui N N oumzmU llllllllllllll llLlillLlwllllllllllllll NoN lllllllllllll ...IL

ELECTRICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUL- TllLE UTILIZATION OF TONE SIGNAL SOURCES John M. Hanert, Des Plaines, Ill., assignor to Hammond Organ Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Dela-v ware Applicahon February 2, 1956, Serial No. '563,048

4 Claims. (Cl. 84-1.12)

United 4,SwffatffSA Another object is to provide an electronic musical inmanuals.

Another object is to provide an electrical musical instrument in which the range or gamut of the instrument is extended beyond the range of the tone signal generators by the use of frequency dividers.

A further object is to provide an electrical musical instrument in which the lowermost octave of keys of the manual are effective to operate control switches connected in rparallel with the control switches operated by the keys ofthe second lowermost octave of keys.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrical musical instrument employing electro-mechanical tone signal generators in which keys of the manual determine the pitch of bass tones in addition to controlling the production of accompaniment tones.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrical musical instrument in which improved means are provided to accent the melody tones ofa composition being rendered.

A further object is to provide an improved electrical musical instrument of the organ type in which a'single complete musical instrument,lwith the exception of the? keys and switches operated thereby;

Fig. 3 is a schematic wiring diagram of the pedal decay control means and control tube;

Fig. 4 is a schematic'wiring diagram of the key operated switches and circuits associated therewith;

Fig. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of a modified form of the invention, wherein an octave of pedal controlled switches are employed;

Figf diagrammatically illustrates a modified form of tone signal generating means; and

FigT is a schematic circuit Ydiagram 'of a modied i ice . 2 form of the invention employing the tone signal generating means of Fig. 6.

The instrument comprises a pluralityof tone signal generating koscillators #1 to #22 herein illustrated as extending from the range F2 to C6, each oscillator being capable of operating at either of two adjacent semitone frequencies, and, as willhereinafter more fully appear, iscapable of playing pedal notes in the range F1 to GM, as well as in the octave below this octave.

The oscillators are of similar construction except for variations in values of components to cause their operation at the required frequencies. Each of the oscillators, of which respresentative oscillators are shown by blocks in Fig, 2, is of thev construction shown in Fig. 1, and comprises a triode 30 having its grid connected through a capacitor C32 to a terminal 34 at one end of a parallel resonant circuit comprising capacitor C36 and inductance L38. The other terminal 40 of the resonant circuit is connected to an output terminal ST1 from which string-like tone signals are derived. Flute-like tone signals are similarly derived from terminal FLl, which is connected to terminal 34 through a decoupling resistor R42. A vibrato frequency (approximately 7 c.p.s.) is applied to the control grid from a terminal V1 through a resistor R44. The cathode 46 is connected to a tap on inductance L38 and is also connected to a terminal T1 through a tuning capacitor C48. When the terminal T-1 is connected substantially to ground by a key operated switch, as will be described hereinafter, the pitch of the oscillator is lowered by one semitone.

Plate current is supplied from a terminal K1 through a load resistor R50, which has in parallel with it a relatively lower value series resistor R51 and capacitor C52. The plate current llows through resistor R50 and through a transformer primary L54 to the plate or anode 56. The plate is also connected to ground through the primary winding L54 and a capacitor C58. The secondary L60 of the transformer has one terminal connected to ground and its other end connected to a terminal M1 which forms an output terminal for controlling one or the other Aof two frequency dividers, as will appear from the circuit diagram, Fig. 2.

In Fig. 4 are shown representative keysthe customary manual extending through the range of F1 to C6. Keys F1 to A2 each operate Vthree switches 6'2, 63, and 64, except that alternate `keys are not provided with a switch 63. Switches y62 for the'keys F1 and F1# are connected in parallel to the terminal K1 of the F2-F2ii oscillator #1, and similarly, successive pairs of switches are connected to the K terminals of successiveoscillators, the

number ofthe oscillator being indicated by the numeral' following the letter K (keying). These switches thus are capable Aof connecting the K terminals to a conductor 66, which is connected to a terminal B+ of the power supply, so that upon closureof a switch 62 the selected oscillator is supplied with plate current. Switches 63, 'associated with alternate keys, are connected to the terminals T1, T2, T3, etc., of oscillators 1, 2, and 3, etc.,V and thus are operative to lower the frequency of oscillation by one semitone. Switches 64 are adapted to be operated by each of the keys F1 to E3, inclusive.

It will be noted that the switches 64 are break-make switches, and that adjacent pairs of their make contacts are connected to the terminals M1, M2, M3, etc., of the be clear that only the lowest of a plurality ofi clepr'es'sed',i keysV will be effective to supply a signal from its 4oscil-N lator terminal .M `to the' input terminalv 70 of the frequency divider. Themake contacts of switches 64 for lowest octave of keys F1 to Gli are connected in pairs to the terminals Ml to M6, respectively, and the make contacts of switches F2 to E3 arelikewise connected respec' and 63 (and lswitches- 64-from A21 to E3) operate y switches 65, which like the switches 64 are break-make switches and are connected in series when inunoperated condition. Switch 65 forkey AZitoperates only to make contact with the terminal M3 of the No. 3 oscillator. Switches 65 for the keys B2 and C3, upon operation, engage contactors connected to the.M4 terminal of the No. 4 oscillator. Similarly, in pairs the switches 65, upon operation, make ycontact with the terminals M5 to M22 of oscillators Nos. 5 to 22, respectively. Switch 65 for the key C6 is connected-to a terminal 72 which, as hereinafter will appear, is the inputterminal of a frequency divider for obtaining octave coupleretfects.

A conception of the overall construction and functioning of the instrumenty may best be obtained by reference to Fig. 2, whichshows oscillators 1, 2, 3, and 22,

as representative of the complete set of 22 oscillators.v

employed as` the tone signal generating system of the instrument. 1t will vbe noted that all of the V terminals of the oscillators are connected by a conductor 76 with a vibrato oscillator 78 which may be of any well known .type operating at a frequency 'of approximately seven cycles per second, and which is preferably coupled to the oscillators 1 to 22 in the manner shown in 'my prior Patent No. 2,645,968. The'terminals 40 of all of the oscillators 1 to 22 are connected to a common conductor 67 (representatively indicated in Fig. 4) which is connected to ground by load resistor R82 and the ST (string) terminals of all the oscillators are connected to collector conductor 80, and are adapted to be connected to a collecting conductor'84 `through a decoupling resistor R86 upon closure of a switch 88, manually operated by a tablet 90. l Similarly, all the FL (ute)'termi nals of the oscillators 1 to 22 are connected to a corn- .45 mon conductor 92 which may be connected to the col-vk 2,`645,796\8. Sonie of the signal impressed upon the terminal is amplified by the amplifying stage of the fre.-

quency divider, and is impressed upon a conductor through a decouplingy resistor R122. The output of the divider, which has a frequency one-half that of the input frequency, is also impressed uponv the conductor 120 through a decoupling resistor' R124. vThe halved frequency in the outputfof the divider 118 is also suppliedk to ak'second pedalfrequency divider stage 126, andthel output' of this divider stage, which has aV frequency onefourth that of the signal input on terminal 70, is suppliedl to the conductor 120 through a decoupling resistorR128. The conductor 120 thus is effective to couple the outputs of the twov frequency divider stages to a pedalcontrol tube circuit which is provided with the decay Acontrol circuitmeans 132 and a control pedal 134. This pedal control tube and associated circuitry 130 (shown in detail in Fig. 3) has its output coupled to van adjustable pedal volume control 136, and the output of the latter is connected to collector conductor 84 through a decoupling resistor R138. It will be apparent that, if desired, switches may be provided to connect the resistors R122, R124, and R128 to the conductor 120, to vary the quality of the bass tones, but ordinarily this addition will not be of much value.

The signals impressed upon conductor 84 are supplied to an amplifier 140, the signal appearing across a load resistor R142, which is connected in series with a grounded resistor RI144. An expression control means 146 of any suitablev `construction is coupled to the amplifier' "146 to vary the degree of amplification, and the output of the amplifier y is supplied to a speaker 148.

The pedalcontrol tube 130 and associated circuitry ymay be of the form shown in Fig. 3, which illustrates how the signals appearing onconductor 120 are transmitted to the input terminals of a triode 150 through a low pass filteringV mesh 152 and capacitor C154. The control grid ofthis-triode is normally connected to a terminal 156 of the power supply upon which the potentiai is maintained ata negative, value, substantially as to-cut off the tube 150, its connection-being through a voltage divider comprising a vgrid resistor R158 and a resistor R160 connected inV series between the grid of the triode and the terminal 156.

When the control pedal 134 is depressed, it switch 162 which connects the junction '164 of resistors R158 and R160 to ground, thereby removing the cutoff bias on the grid of triode '150, enabling this) tuberto conduct at the desired maximum amplitude. Depression of the key also causes charging of capacitors C166 and C167 so that upon opening of the switch 162 these capacitors may be recharged through the resistor R160 which is ofz relatively high. value, thereby to cause a rather gradual decrease in the potential on the control grid of on closure switch 106, which is connected to the terminal 72 through a decoupling resistor R108. The output of the frequency divider 100 which is at a frequnecy onehalf that of the input frequency may be coupled to the tonecontrols upon operation of'either orboth switches' L10, which are connected to the output of the frequency divider by decouplingresistors R112. If but onepof the switches 110 is closed, the amplitude of the suboctave output of the divider 100"will be relatively low, whereas I if both switches 110 are closed the amplitude of the suboctave signal will be substantially higher than the unison signals transmitted through switch' 106. Of course,

switches 106 and |110 may be operated in vany desired 70 upon depression of any of the keys F1 to E3, are impressed upon a pedal frequency divider 118 which may be of the construction shown Vin my aforesaid Patent triode '150, resulting in a gradual reduction in amplitude, or decay, ofthe signal. The rate of decay may be slowed by closing a switch 168 by a decay control 132, thereby connecting the junction between capacitors C166 and C167 to ground through a relatively low'value resistor Assuming that the instrument is in the form of a'one manual organ, the player has at his disposal the possi! bility of a great variety of kmusical and tonal effects; The accompaniment tones are automatically produced upon depression of all the keys and the player may select whether he wishes a string quality or a ute quality tone, or both, by the operation of tablets 90 and 98. In addition to this known meansjfor producing musical tones, the playervhas available, by depressing a single pedal 134 to energize the control tube 150, and thereby cause transmission of the signals produced by the pedal dividers 118 and 12.6 to the output system. The tone signals thus transmitted to the output system will be suboctavely related to the frequency generated by` the oscillator corresponding to the lowest of the rdepressed closes a Depression of the keys in the ,range A2# to C6 will l cause a signal corresponding to that of the highest key of the group depressed to be impressed upon the input terminals 72 of the divider 100. Depending upon which of the switches 106 and 110 are closed, a signal corresponding to the pitch of the highest depressed key or a signal one octave lower (or both) will be supplied to the tone controls 102, and hence to the output of the instrument, there to be translated into sound. By this means the melody of the selection rendered may be readily accented (by prior adjustment of volume balancer 114) because in most musical selections the melody is carried by the highest of a number of keys in the treble register which are depressed at the same time.

' The player may therefore, with the little finger of his right hand, carry the melody and at the same time play accompaniment effects with the remaining fingers of the right hand. At the same time, the left hand may be employed to play counterpoint or other accompaniment, and by the little finger, or the lowest key depressed, preselect the pitch of the bass tone to be sounded whenever the bass pedal 134 is depressed. The player thus has at his command essentially the resources of a two manual organ with pedals.v

In fact, the musical resources are greater than that of a two manual organ, because of the provision of the means whereby the solo tone selected by the operation of the switches 65, and appearing upon the input terminal 72 of the divider 100, is, or well may be, of' an entirely different quality than either the string or ute signals derived directly from the oscillators. The quality may be readily made of a woodwind type so as clearly to stand out from the string and utelike accompaniment tones. However, it should ybe noted that the highest key depressed within the range of keys A2# to C6, in addition to controlling the production of the solo tone, also controls the sounding string or flute tones, or both, depending upon the operation of tablets 90 and 98.

Organists versed in pedal technique may prefer not to have the pedal tones selected by the keys of the manual, but instead would rather have the instrument provided with a pedal clavier of at least one octave of pedals for controlling the bass tones. The instrument may have a pedal clavier, shown in Fig. of the drawings, in which event the switches 64 and associated circuits shown in Fig. 4, and the pedal tone amplitude control 130 and control tube 150 shown in Figs. 2 and 3, would not be required. In Fig. 5, such of the parts as have previously been described, bear the same reference characters as the corresponding parts of the prior figures.

'The pedal board comprises twelve pedals 180, each of the pedals operating a switch 182, which may respectively connect the K terminals of the oscillators 1 to 6 to the B+ terminal so as to supply plate current to the oscillators. It will be noted that the switches 182 for the C and B oscillators are connected to terminal K4; the C# and D pedal operated switches 182 are connected to the terminal K5; the Di and E pedal operated switches 182 are connected to terminal K6; the F and Fil switches 182 are connected to terminal K1; the G and Gli pedal operated switches 182 are connected to terminal K2; and that the A and A# pedal operated switches are connected to the terminal K3. By doubling back in this manner the number of oscillators required is reduced by at least three, without any noticeable sacrifice in performance.

In addition, alternate pedals Cit, Dit, etc., are connected to operate switches 184 to connect terminals T5, T6, T1, T2, T3, and T4, which tune the correspondingly numbered oscillators to a pitch one semitone lower than that to whichy they are normally tuned, by connecting their"` ffT; terminals to a conductor 67 which cori'- Y' nected to ground through a load resistor R182. Each of the pedals 180` also operates a switch 186 to'connect the M terminals of the oscillators to an output con ductor 188. It will be noted that switches 186 for the pedals C and B are connected to the M4 terminal through a resistor R190. The Ci and D pedals operate switches 184 and are similarly connected to the terminal M5; the switches 186 operated by the pedals D# and E are similarly connected to terminal M6; the switches 186 operated by pedals F and Fl? are similarly connected to terminal M1; the switches 186 operated by pedals G and Git are connected to terminal M2; and the switches 184 operated by pedals A and A# are similarly connected to the terminal M3. The output conductor 188 is connected to the first stage pedal frequency divider 118, which is in turn coupled to the second stage frequency divider 126. Output lsignals from the first stage 118 at octavely and sub-octavely related pitches, are supplied lto conductor through resistors R122 and R124, and

be adjusted so as to have the intensity of the bass tones in balance with the intensity of the tones derived from the' other sections of the instrument. It will be noted that no pedal control tube (shown in Fig. 3 and indicated by the block 130, Fig. 2) is required.

This modified instrument is played in the same manner as that described with reference to Figs. l-4, except that the player plays the bass notes predominantly on the pedals and the instrument thus may be played in the usual manner by the trained organist. The cost of the latter instrument is, however, somewhat greater than that shown in Figs. 1 4, because of the addition of the pedal clavier.

In the further modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 6 and 7, individual tone signal generators capable of producing highly complex tone signals are employed. These generators may be of the rotating or vibratory type with capacitative or electromagnetic pickup, but are herein shown as rotary generators providing signals of substantial amplitude at frequencies which are reliably constant. Generators 201, 205, and 244, are illustrated in Fig. 6 as representative of the forty-four, more or less, generators which may be employed, depending upon the desired gamut of the instrument.

Each of the generators comprises a tone wheel 260 having a plurality of sharply pointed projections 262 on its periphery. These projections pass by closely adjacent the wedge-shaped end of a pickup core 264 which is preferably permanently magnetized and is surrounded by a pickup coil 266 one end of which is grounded, and the other end of which is connected directly to an output terminal M201 and to another output terminal K201, the latter through a decoupling resistor R268. The construction of the generators and the drive therefore is preferably the type shown in the patent to Laurens Harnmond No. 1,956,350, except for the fact that the generators in said patent were designed for producing sine wave outputs, whereas the present generators are designed to produce complex tone quality output signals. The number of projections 262 on the tone wheels 260 of successive octaves may be progressively doubled for successive octave groups.

Each of the playing keys F1 to C6 upon depression operates a switch 270 to connect the respective terminals K201-K244 to a signal collector conductor 272. The resistors R268 are of sufficiently high value to prevent excessive robbing The conductor 272 is connected through a relatively low value resistor R274 to an input terminal 276 of an amplifier 278 which, in turn, is coupled to a speaker 280 and has the degree of its amplification controlled .by an expression control '282. The

input terminal 276 is connected tothe other input terminal and to ground through a load resistor R284. Thus, when any one or group of keys F1 to C6 is played,

a tonesignal, or signals, will be supplied from the se#v lected generators 201 to 244 to the output system of the instrument. l

In addition to operating the switches 270, the keys F1 to E3, for'exam'ple, operate break-make switches 290 which, when no key is depressed, are connected in series. Upon operation of any of -the keys or group of keys the switch 29), associated with the lowermost key depressed, completes a circuit from'the M terminal of its associated generator to a conductor 294, which is coupled, through a relatively low value resistor R296, to the first stage 118 of a frequency divider, the output of which is coupled through resistors R2l2 and R214 to a pedal signal amplitude control 13d. The latter is constructed and operated in the manner previously described in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Other portions of the pedal signal output circuit are similar to those previouslydescribed. Corresponding reference characters have been applied to corresponding parts and the description thereof will not be repeated. v

Keys A21? to C6 operate additional switches 300 respectively which are break-make switches connected in series and which are adapted to complete circuits fromA the M terminals of generators2tl6 to A244 respectively,

to a collector conductor 362. Due to the series connec-v tion of these switches only the switcht) associated with the highest of a number of keys depressed at one time will be effective to supply a signal from its associated generator to the collector conductor 302. The collector conductor 302 is connected through a relatively low value resistor R304 to the input of a frequency divider 100 which is connected to the output system of the instrument in the same manner as previously described with respect to Fig. 2, and the corresponding parts have had corresponding reference characters applied thereto and a description thereof will not be repeated.

In playing the instrument shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the

results are substantially equivalent to those` obtainable n in playing the instrument in Figs. l to 4. It will be noted that although the forty-four electromagnetic generators are required as compared with the twenty-two oscillators required for the instrument of Figs. l to 4, thekey operated switches 63 are not required, and that the electromagnetic generators of Fig. 6 are not subject to drifting in frequency and are much more durable than the vacuum tube oscillators. f

All forms of the invention have the advantage that the tone signal generators perform a multiple function in supplying signals not only for the tone corresponding to a depressed key but also supply signals for the opera- -tion fo the frequency dividers whereby it is possible to play a score of music automatically emphasizing the highest note being played, and in the form of the invention shown in Figs. l to 4, also automatically emphasizing the lowest note played whenever such emphasis is desired. In this way the musician has at his command an instrument in which the melody, treble embellishments, and bass tone-may be played, lthus effectively performing the function of at least two players using instruments of the prior art whether electrical or mechanical. vBy selective operation of the switches m6 and Il@ sub-octave couplerV effects may be obtained which are very useful in enhancing the interest of music when the instrument is used for the rendition of certain types of selections. f

VWhile I have shown and described a particular embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations may be made in the form and construction thereof, without departing from the more fundamental principles of the invention. I therefore desire, by the following claims, to include within the scope of my. invention rall such similar and'modifed forms of the apparatus disclosed,

Cil

by which substantially the results of the invention may be obtained by substantially the same or equivalent means. Y

I claim: Y

' l. In an electrical musical instrument having an outfput system including an electro-acoustic translating means, the combination of a plurality of electrical generators providing complex musical tone signals of pitch corresponding to the semitone intervals of the tempered musical `scale throughout a range of at least three octaves, a plurality of playing keys, a iirst switch operable by each of said keys to cause 'transmission to the output system of a signal from an associated generator, a iirst frequency divider apparatus, second switches operable respectively oy each of at least the lowermost octave of keys to cause transmission to the frequency divider apparatus of a signal from the generator associated with the lowest of a plurality of operated keys within said lowermost octave range, a second frequency divider apparatus, -third switches operable respectively by the keys of at least the highermost octave of keys to cause transmission to the secondV frequency divider apparatus of a signal from the generator associated with the highest of' a plurality of operated keys within said highermost octave range, means to couple the output of the first frequency divider-apparatus to the output system, and means to couple the output of the second frequency divider ap` paratus to the output system.

2. In an electrical musical instrument having an out-r of keys to cause transmission to the frequency divider apparatusof a signal from the generator associated with the lowest of a plurality of operated keys Vwithin said lowermost two octave range, a signal collector, third switches operable respectively by the keys of at least theV two highermost octave of keys to cause transmission to the signal collector of a signal from the one of said generators associa-ted with the highest of a plurality of operated keys within said two highermost two octave range, means to couple the output of the frequency divider apparatus to the output sys-tem, Vand manually variable impedance quality and amplitude control means coupling the signal collector to the output system, whereby one generator may supply two tone signals to the output system, the tone signals being of diiferent quality or amplitude or both.

3. In an electrical musical instrument having an output system including an electroacoustic translating means, the combination of a plurality of electrical generators providing complex musical tone signals of pitch corresponding to the semitone intervals of the tempered musical scale throughout a range of at least three octaves, a plurality of playing keys, a first switch operable by each of said keys to cause' transmission to the output system of a signal from an associa-ted generator, a signal collector, second switches operable respectively by the l keys of at least the highermost octave of keysrtoV cause transmission to the signal collector of a signal from the one of said generators associated with the highest of a pluralityof operated keys within said highermost octave range, and means coupling the signal collector'rto the output system whereby the generator of the highest of a pluralityof concurrently depressed keys within said high octave range will supply an additional tone signal to the output system, thereby to cause the acoustic energy or tone quality of the tone produced under the control of said highest key to exceed the acoustic energy or differ in tone quality from the individual tones controlled by other concurrently depressed keys.

4. In an electrical musical instrument having an output system including an electro-acoustic translating means, fthe combination of a plurality of electrical generators providing complex musical tone signals of pitch corresponding to the semitone intervals of the tempered musical scale throughout a range of at least three octaves, a plurality of playing keys, a rst switch operable by each of said keys to cause transmission to the output system of a signal from an associated generator, a signal collector, second switches operable respectively -by the keys of at least the lowermost octave of keys `to cause transmission to the signal collector of a signal from the one of said generators associated with the lowest of a plurality of operated keys within said lowermost octave range, and means coupling the signal collector to the output system whereby the generator of the lowest of a plurality of concurrently depressed keys within said low octave range will supply an additional tone signal to the output system, thereby to cause the acoustic energy or tone quality of the tone produced under 'the control of said lowest key to exceed the acoustic energy or diier in tone quality from the individual tones controlled by other concurrently depressed keys.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,048,610 Koch July 2'1, 1936 2,241,363 Hammond May 6, 1941 2,274,199 Hammond Feb. 24, 1942 2,672,068 Hanert Mar. '16, 1954 2,687,665 Hanert Aug. 3l, 1954

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