US3544699A - Electronic piano with percussive effects employing zener operation - Google Patents
Electronic piano with percussive effects employing zener operation Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3544699A US3544699A US763654A US3544699DA US3544699A US 3544699 A US3544699 A US 3544699A US 763654 A US763654 A US 763654A US 3544699D A US3544699D A US 3544699DA US 3544699 A US3544699 A US 3544699A
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- United States
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- capacitor
- voltage
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- transistor
- base
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- 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
Definitions
- a timing capacitor is connected from the emitter of the transistor to ground as an emitter load, and gate control voltage is derived therefrom for a tone controlling gate.
- a diode is connected across the timing capacitor, having its cathode connected to the emitter of the transistor, to provide a shunt path across the emitter load when the base-emitter junction operates in the Zener mode.
- a system for generating tone envelopes having any of a wide variety of characteristics in response to simple adjustments is of value in the art pertaining to electronic organs. Organs conventionally require a percussive tone, i.e., a tone which has a sharp rise which endures while a key is actuated, but which decays slowly on release of the key. In such systems availability of both long and short sustain is desired.
- pianos have pedal operated damper controls. These dampers are normally in contact with the strings when a key is not actuated and serve to provide a short sustain when in contact. Actuation of a pedal raises the dampers and permits a long sustain despite key release which however can be cut short any time by releasing the pedal.
- a tone envelope control system which provides long and short sustain, or damped or undamped piano tone simulation, in response to selective switch operation.
- the circuit requires three diodes and one transistor, to develop gating control voltage having the required shapes, there being three selective switches which apply requisite combinations of control voltages to the diodes and to the base of the transistor.
- the transistor operates both in its normal switching mode and as a base-emitter Zener.
- the system operates in the piano mode, selectively with damped or undamped operation, and in the percussive mode, to provide either long or short sustain.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a system according to the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of an adjunct to the system of FIG. 1, arranged to provide coupling between manuals of an organ;
- FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of an adjunct to the system of FIG. 1, arranged to provide strike tone effects.
- Signal input to the gate is derived from source 22 in the form of square waves 22, and when the gate is conductive, signal output is developed across load resistance R2.
- the wave shape oi the latter depends on the character of the gate 21.
- the gate control voltage (essentially the same as the voltage at the emitter of T), reaches +6.v. the base-emitter diode of T becomes back-biased, due to the relative decay times of the voltages applied to base and emitter, respectively, and its base thereafter continues negative, to be caught just below 0.v. by the circuit through D1 and D2 from ground and flowing through R1.
- C2 now commences to decay through R5 into gate 21, with a time constant of 500 ms.
- a crucial point is that the voltage at the base of T decays more rapidly than the voltage at the emitter decays, so that T remains nonconductive through out the decay of voltage across C2.
- switch 14 is moved to contact 15 which prevents breakdown of the Zener diode of T, when the key is released, because now when D2 is back-biased, the potential of the transistor base remains at 0. v. due to the ground connection through R1.
- switch 10 To operate the system in the percussive mode, switch 10 is moved to contact 9, at +8.v., switch 12 to contact 24 at l 5.v. and switch 14 to contact 15 at 20.v. This provides a short sustain, as follows.
- a keying circuit pursuant to FIG. 1 is provided for each key of a manual, only one such key K being illustrated in FIG. 1, but leads 27 being connected to further keys.
- FIG. 2 is illustrated how coupling from one manual to another may be accomplished.
- leads 27 to pertain to a solo header, and leads 27a to an accompaniment header.
- the solo keys are denoted K and the accompaniment keys are denoted K
- Each pair of keys of the same nomenclature proceeds via a diode, as D3 and D4 to a common point B; thereby, actuation of either key K or key K, will call forth the output of signal source 22.
- the point B in FIG. 2 is the keying point B of FIG. 1.
- points 27 will be at +8.v. and points 27a will be disconnected (at off position of switch 10a).
- strike tones i.e., tones which subsist on actuation of a key and a discharge device capable of being rendered conductive in response to discharge current from said capacitor, and connected to one plate of said capacitor;
- said discharge device being arranged and adapted to discharge only when said one plate of said capacitor is above a predetermined voltage, and said control voltage being such that said one plate of said capacitor exceeds the predetermined voltage only when said key is closed.
- a further diode connected in series between said capacitor and said base and poled to isolate said capacitor from said source of bias voltage, said voltage across said capacitor being poled to pass current through said further diode to said base.
- a diode having its cathode connected to said base and its anode connected to one plate of said capacitor;
- said load includes a second capacitor and wherein bias voltage is suffrciently great that said second capacitor when charged to a predetermined voltage can discharge from emitter to base of said transistor in the Zener mode.
- a keying circuit for an electronic organ comprising: a transistor having a base, an emitter and a collector; a capacitive load connected between said emitter and reference point; i I a key;
- a keying circuit foran electronic organ comprising;
- said emitter load for said transistor, said emitter load includ-' ing a capacitor connected between said emitter and a reference point.
- a key responsive means for modifying the value of the voltage with respect to the ground of' one of said electrodes only of said further capacitor while inhibiting modification of said voltage difference.
- a transistor having a base, an emitter and a collector
- a keying circuit for an electronic organ comprising: I
- a transistor having a base, an emitter and a collector
- capacitive-resistive load connected between said emitter and a reference point, said capacitive-resistive load including a capacitor and a resistor in series and resistance in shunt to said capacitor:
- a keying circuit for an electronic organ comprising:
- a said electronic switch including a control electrode responsive to control voltage to render said electronic switch selectively conductive and nonconductive;
- said discharge device being arranged and adapted to discharge only when said one plate of said capacitor is above a predetermined voltage, and said control voltage being such that said one plate of said capacitor exceeds the predetermined voltage only when said key is closed.
- a further diode connected in series between said capacitor and said base and poled to isolate said capacitor from said source of bias voltage, said voltage across said capacitor being poled to pass current through said further diode to said base.
- a diode having its cathode connected to said base and its anode connected to one plate of said capacitor;
- said load includes a second capacitor and wherein bias voltage is sufficiently great that said second capacitor when charged to a predetermined voltage can discharge from emitter to base of said transistor in the Zener mode.
- a keying circuit for an electronic organ comprising:
- a transistor having a base, an emitter and a collector
- a keying circuit for an electronic organ comprising;
- a transistor having a base, an emitter and a collector
- said emitter load including a capacitor connected between said emitter and a reference point.
- a key responsive means for modifying the value of the voltage with respect to the ground of one of said electrodes only of said further capacitor while inhibiting modification of said voltage difference.
- a transistor having a base, an emitter and a collector
- a keying circuit for an electronic organ comprising:
- a transistor having a base, an emitter and a collector
- capacitive-resistive load connected between said emitter and a reference point, said capacitive-resistive load including a capacitor and a resistor in series and resistance in shunt to said capacitor:
- a keying circuit for an electronic organ comprising:
- a said electronic switch including a control electrode responsive to control voltage to render said electronic switch selectively conductive and nonconductive;
- a keying circuit for an electronic organ: a key switch; circuit means responsive to closure of said key switch and maintenance of said closure for generating a-rapidly rising tone signal followed by a slowly decaying tone signal; and
- a source of selective solo control voltages and a source of accompaniment control voltages selectively percussive tone characteristics for solo tones and accompaniment tones, respectively;
- said diodes being poled identically with eachpther and with respect to said control point and so poled as to pass said control voltages to said control point 20.
- said control voltages are respectively zero and a positive value of at least several volts for each of said solo and accompaniment tone signals.
- a strike tone system for an electronic organ comprising:
- tone signal source responsive to an applied voltage for providing a tone signal source
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- Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)
Description
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US76365468A | 1968-09-30 | 1968-09-30 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US3544699A true US3544699A (en) | 1970-12-01 |
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US763654A Expired - Lifetime US3544699A (en) | 1968-09-30 | 1968-09-30 | Electronic piano with percussive effects employing zener operation |
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Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3627895A (en) * | 1970-06-25 | 1971-12-14 | Chicago Musical Instr Co | Musical electronic instrument keying with direct current of plural musical effects |
US3637913A (en) * | 1970-07-27 | 1972-01-25 | Columbia Broadcasting Syst Inc | Tone generator employing asymmetrical wave generator rectangular |
US3715445A (en) * | 1971-04-30 | 1973-02-06 | Chicago Musical Instr Co | Musical instrument having dc-keying circuit |
US3784718A (en) * | 1971-07-20 | 1974-01-08 | Nippon Musical Instruments Mfg | Touch-responsive keying circuit for electronic musical instruments |
US3914475A (en) * | 1973-01-10 | 1975-10-21 | Carl A Napor | Method and means for forming composite plastic and wooden members |
US3999457A (en) * | 1972-03-17 | 1976-12-28 | Adolf Michel | Key system for controlling the rate of attack in electronic musical instruments |
US4070943A (en) * | 1975-09-05 | 1978-01-31 | Faulkner Alfred H | Electronic organ keying system |
US4129056A (en) * | 1976-12-21 | 1978-12-12 | Jensen Richard W | Pedal control circuits for electronic piano |
WO1980000112A1 (en) * | 1978-06-20 | 1980-01-24 | Wurlitzer Co | Envelope control causing damper effect on percussive voices of electronic musical instrument |
US4211141A (en) * | 1978-03-17 | 1980-07-08 | Jensen Richard W | Pedal control circuits for electronic piano |
US4397211A (en) * | 1981-12-30 | 1983-08-09 | Mattel, Inc. | Circuit for producing musical tones |
-
1968
- 1968-09-30 US US763654A patent/US3544699A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3627895A (en) * | 1970-06-25 | 1971-12-14 | Chicago Musical Instr Co | Musical electronic instrument keying with direct current of plural musical effects |
US3637913A (en) * | 1970-07-27 | 1972-01-25 | Columbia Broadcasting Syst Inc | Tone generator employing asymmetrical wave generator rectangular |
US3715445A (en) * | 1971-04-30 | 1973-02-06 | Chicago Musical Instr Co | Musical instrument having dc-keying circuit |
US3784718A (en) * | 1971-07-20 | 1974-01-08 | Nippon Musical Instruments Mfg | Touch-responsive keying circuit for electronic musical instruments |
US3999457A (en) * | 1972-03-17 | 1976-12-28 | Adolf Michel | Key system for controlling the rate of attack in electronic musical instruments |
US3914475A (en) * | 1973-01-10 | 1975-10-21 | Carl A Napor | Method and means for forming composite plastic and wooden members |
US4070943A (en) * | 1975-09-05 | 1978-01-31 | Faulkner Alfred H | Electronic organ keying system |
US4129056A (en) * | 1976-12-21 | 1978-12-12 | Jensen Richard W | Pedal control circuits for electronic piano |
US4211141A (en) * | 1978-03-17 | 1980-07-08 | Jensen Richard W | Pedal control circuits for electronic piano |
WO1980000112A1 (en) * | 1978-06-20 | 1980-01-24 | Wurlitzer Co | Envelope control causing damper effect on percussive voices of electronic musical instrument |
US4200022A (en) * | 1978-06-20 | 1980-04-29 | The Wurlitzer Company | Envelope control causing damper effect on percussive voices of electronic musical instrument |
US4397211A (en) * | 1981-12-30 | 1983-08-09 | Mattel, Inc. | Circuit for producing musical tones |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GENERAL ELECTRIC CREDIT CORPORATION, A NY CORP., C Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BPO ACQUISITION CORP., A DE CORP;REEL/FRAME:004297/0802 Effective date: 19840615 Owner name: SECURITY PACIFIC BUSINESS CREDIT INC., 10089 WILLO Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BPO ACQUISITION CORP. A CORP OF DE;REEL/FRAME:004298/0001 Effective date: 19840615 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BPO ACQUISITION CORP., 180 GILBERT AVE., CINCINNAT Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:D.H. BALDWIN COMPANY AN OH CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004385/0934 Effective date: 19840615 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BALDWIN PIANO & ORGAN COMPANY Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:BPO ACQUISTION CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004473/0501 Effective date: 19840612 |