USRE27983E - Music synthesizer keyboard - Google Patents
Music synthesizer keyboard Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- USRE27983E USRE27983E US27983DE USRE27983E US RE27983 E USRE27983 E US RE27983E US 27983D E US27983D E US 27983DE US RE27983 E USRE27983 E US RE27983E
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- voltage
- switches
- output
- amplifier
- tap
- 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.)
- Expired
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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
- G10H5/00—Instruments in which the tones are generated by means of electronic generators
- G10H5/002—Instruments using voltage controlled oscillators and amplifiers or voltage controlled oscillators and filters, e.g. Synthesisers
Definitions
- the invention concerns a musical keyboard for providing a two-voiced output from a music synthesizer,
- the system includes a voltage divider which provides a plurality of values of potential and a plurality of switches each connected to a divider tap at a unique one of the potential values.
- the simultaneous closure of a plurality of switches applies the selected voltage to a pair of voltage-controlled oscillators so as to provide a two-voiced output determined by the two selected voltages having the greatest and least absolute amplitude values.
- This invention relates to electronic musical instruments and more particularly to music synthesizers.
- the so-called music synthesizers currently available today are monophonic, i.e. only one note at a time may be played.
- the usual keyboard system of these monophonic synthesizers comprises a series string of precision resistors driven by a constant current source. For the normal musical scale, the circuitry is adjusted to produce a 1,42 volt drop across each resistor in the string. Depression of a key connects a busbar to a point along the resistor string, applying the' voltage at that point to the input of a buffer amplifier (Unity gain follower). The latter, in turn, drives a voltage-controlled oscillator to the appropriate frequency for the key depressed. If two keys are depressed simultaneously, only the note corresponding to the lower frequency key will sound.
- a buffer amplifier Unity gain follower
- a primary object of the present invention is to provide a plural-voiced music synthesizer. Another object of the present invention is to provide a synthesizer keyboard system capable of playing two notes simultaneously. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard system capable of simultaneously playing the two selected notes corresponding to the highest and lowest frequency value significance of the keys played.
- a music synthesizer keyboard system for providing a plural-voiced output and comprising means for providing a scaled sequence of signals of differing absolute values each corresponding to a respective key on said keyboard. Means are also provided, responsive to the signals, such that simultaneous selection of more than one of the signals will provide a two-voiced output determined by the two selected signals having the greatest and least absolute values.
- the drawing is essentially of a network in which a manually operable keyboard is shown schematically within block 10 enclosed in broken lines.
- Means are included for providing a plurality of signals of differing absolute amplitudes, scaled preferably according to the frequency relationships of the standard musical half tone scale.
- one of the signals may correspond to A above middle C (or, as will be seen later, has an amplitude which ywill control an appropriate oscillator to produce the requisite audio frequency of 440 cps) and other signals will then correspond to higher octaves or harmonics in which the A tone will be double, triple, etc. the lower frequency, as well-known in the art.
- a voltage divider comprising source 12, preferably of constant current, connected to a string of series connected precision resistors 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 scaled in ohrnic values to provide the desired signal relation by way of the voltage drop across the resistors.
- the other end of the string of' resistors is grounded or held at a fixed level.
- the number of resistors shown is merely exemplary and preferably is one less than the number of signals (or tones) desired.
- the drawing illustrates five resistors and the resistor .string is broken to indicate that six additional resistors can be provided for a full octave.
- tap 19 is disposed between source l2 and resistor 14, and similar taps 20, 2l, 22, 23, and 24 are respectively provided between resistors 14 and 15, resistors 15 and 16 resistors 16 and 17, resistors 17 and 18, and at [ground or] some arbitrary level set by variable rheostat 25.
- each of taps 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 is a. respective key-operated switch shown typically as mechanical single-pole, single throw switches 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31, although any other type of switch can be employed as well. All of the output terminals of these switches are connected to a common bus 32 which in turn is connected to the input of amplifier 33.
- Tap 19 is also connected to the input of inverting amplifier 34.
- Source 36 of reference potential is provided, and its output and the output of amplifier 34 are connected together to inputs of summing circuit 38.
- Th output of summing circuit 38 is connected to an input of another summing circuit 40.
- the output from amplifier 33 is likewise connected to an input of summing circuit 40 through a buffer means such as amplifier 42.
- the output from summing circuit 40 is connected to the control input of voltage-controlled oscillator 44.
- the output of amplifier 33 is connected to the control input of voltagecontrolled oscillator 46.
- Summing circuits 38 and 40, buffer amplifier 42, amplifiers 33 and 34, and voltagecontrolled oscillators 44 and 46 may be selected from any one of a number of standard circuit configurations well-known in the art, and particularly the amplifiers and summing circuits can be appropriate types of wellknown operational amplifiers.
- Source 12 supplies a preferably constant current to junction 19 to which the string of series-connected resistors 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 of keyboard 10 is connected. These resistors provide a number of different voltages at each of taps I9 20, 2l, 22, 23, and 24. Closure of one of switches 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, or 31 connects the corresponding tap to bus 32 and thus applies the voltage at that tap to the input of amplifier 33. For example, closure of switch 27 applies the voltage at tap 20 to the input of amplifier 33.
- Reference source 36 is selected to provide a potential of the same absolute amplitude as the voltage at the head of the divider (i.e. at tap 19) but of the opposite polarity to the output of amplifier 34. Therefore, when only one switch, such as, for example, 27 is closed, the input signals to summing circuit 38 are equal and opposite so the output of circuit 38 is substantially zero.
- the voltage at tap 20, which is less than that at tap 19 by the IR drop across resistor 14, will thus be applied both to the input of oscillator 46 directly from amplifier 33 and to the input of oscillator 44 via amplifier 33, buffer amplifier 42, and summing circuit 40. Assuming that amplifier 42 and summing circuit exhibit a total gain of unity, oscillators 44 and 46 will have identical input signals and, if the oscillators too are identical, these inputs should rprovide the same frequency outputs.
- the output voltage from amplifier 33 is simultaneously applied to oscillator 46 and via buffer amplifier 42 to summing circuit 40 where it is summed together with the difference voltage from summing circuit 38 to provide a voltage corresponding to the voltage from the tap of highest voltage connected to an actuated switch.
- This summed voltage from summing circuit 40 is applied to oscillator 44. The result is that the oscillator 44 will provide a frequency output corresponding to the actuated key for the higher note, and oscillator 46 will provide a lower frequency output corresponding to the actuated key or switch for the lower note.
- the resistors in the voltage divider and the output of the current source are such that the voltage drop across the divider is one volt per octave of frequency of the output of oscillator 46 and thus l/l2 volt across each resistor in the divider.
- the voltages thus switched by switches 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 respectively are capable of generating in oscillator 46 the audio frequencies in half tones from middle C down to G below middle C.
- the normal voltage of current source 12 is +4 volts
- the voltage from reference source 26 is +4 volts, that all amplification and summing is with unity gain. that only amplifier 34 inverts and that oscillators 44 and 36 are identical.
- V1 is the voltage appearing at tap 19 upon the simultaneous closure of the two switches.
- V2 is the voltage appearing at the input of amplifier 33 upon the simultaneous closure of the same two switches.
- V2 is the voltage ap- TABLE I Closed switches Vi V: V44
- A is a direct measure of the number of half-tones (in this example) between the two notes sounded and, referred to the voltage representing the note of lower frequency so as to be summed therewith, provides a summed voltage which then must represent the note of higher frequency.
- Adjustment of potentiometer 25 will result in shifting all of the voltages at the various taps by the same amount, therefore, can be used to tune a number of voltage divider systems to different octaves.
- said means for providing said plurality of voltages comprises a voltage divider
- said means for selecting comprises a plurality of switching means each having an input terminal connected to a respective tap in said divider, the output terminals of all of said switching means being connected to a common bus.
- said difference signal is proportional to the voltage drop along said divider between the taps closest to opposite ends of said divider and connected to at least two corresponding switching means in closed condition.
- Electronic musical apparatus comprising, in combination:
- a voltage divider having a plurality of tags each adapted to have a unique voltage thereon selected in order from a set of voltage levels which progressively increase in said order from a predetermined initial minimum amplitude
- first and second oscillators for providing output signals having frequencies variable in accordance with varations in respective control signals
Abstract
Description
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US27819072A | 1972-08-07 | 1972-08-07 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
USRE27983E true USRE27983E (en) | 1974-04-23 |
Family
ID=23064044
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US27983D Expired USRE27983E (en) | 1972-08-07 | 1972-08-07 | Music synthesizer keyboard |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | USRE27983E (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030197427A1 (en) * | 2002-04-23 | 2003-10-23 | Shimano, Inc. | Power control apparatus for a bicycle |
US20030197600A1 (en) * | 2002-04-23 | 2003-10-23 | Shimano, Inc. | Electrical communication system for a bicycle |
-
1972
- 1972-08-07 US US27983D patent/USRE27983E/en not_active Expired
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030197427A1 (en) * | 2002-04-23 | 2003-10-23 | Shimano, Inc. | Power control apparatus for a bicycle |
US20030197600A1 (en) * | 2002-04-23 | 2003-10-23 | Shimano, Inc. | Electrical communication system for a bicycle |
US20030207731A1 (en) * | 2002-04-23 | 2003-11-06 | Shimano, Inc. | Electrical communication system for a bicycle |
US7015598B2 (en) | 2002-04-23 | 2006-03-21 | Shimano, Inc. | Power control apparatus for a bicycle |
US7116008B2 (en) * | 2002-04-23 | 2006-10-03 | Shimano, Inc. | Electrical communication system for a bicycle |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CBS MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:PARLOW, SYNDEY, TRUSTEE OF ARP INSTRUMENTS INC.;REEL/FRAME:004011/0627 Effective date: 19811021 Owner name: TUCKER, WILLAM H., TRUSTEE Free format text: COURT APPOINTMENT;ASSIGNOR:ARP INSTRUMENTS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:004006/0534 Effective date: 19810514 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPOATION, 1300 EAST V Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:CBS INC., A CORP. OF NEW YORK;REEL/FRAME:004377/0970 Effective date: 19850311 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FOOTHILL CAPITAL CORPORATION, A CORP. OF CA, CALIF Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION A CORP OF DE;REEL/FRAME:004391/0460 Effective date: 19850311 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION Free format text: ASSIGNOR AND ASSIGNEE HEREBY MUTUALLY AGREE SAID AGREEMENT DATED APRIL 29, 1985 REEL 4391 FRAME 460-499 AND REEL 495 FRAME 001-40 IS VOID;ASSIGNOR:FOOTHILL CAPITAL CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004689/0012 Effective date: 19861218 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:FOOTHILL CAPITAL CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:005075/0517 Effective date: 19881215 |