WO2016005729A2 - Instruments électroniques à percussion et déclencheurs - Google Patents

Instruments électroniques à percussion et déclencheurs Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016005729A2
WO2016005729A2 PCT/GB2015/051926 GB2015051926W WO2016005729A2 WO 2016005729 A2 WO2016005729 A2 WO 2016005729A2 GB 2015051926 W GB2015051926 W GB 2015051926W WO 2016005729 A2 WO2016005729 A2 WO 2016005729A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electronic
drum
membrane
drumhead
pad
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Application number
PCT/GB2015/051926
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2016005729A3 (fr
Inventor
Simon William John EDGOOSE
Simon Anthony FERGUSON
Original Assignee
Book Case Music Limited
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Publication date
Application filed by Book Case Music Limited filed Critical Book Case Music Limited
Publication of WO2016005729A2 publication Critical patent/WO2016005729A2/fr
Publication of WO2016005729A3 publication Critical patent/WO2016005729A3/fr

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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
    • G10H3/00—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means
    • G10H3/12—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument
    • G10H3/14—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means
    • G10H3/146—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means using a membrane, e.g. a drum; Pick-up means for vibrating surfaces, e.g. housing of an instrument
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10D—STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACCORDIONS OR CONCERTINAS; PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; AEOLIAN HARPS; SINGING-FLAME MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10D13/00—Percussion musical instruments; Details or accessories therefor
    • G10D13/01—General design of percussion musical instruments
    • G10D13/02—Drums; Tambourines with drumheads
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10D—STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACCORDIONS OR CONCERTINAS; PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; AEOLIAN HARPS; SINGING-FLAME MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10D13/00—Percussion musical instruments; Details or accessories therefor
    • G10D13/10—Details of, or accessories for, percussion musical instruments
    • G10D13/20—Drumheads
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10D—STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACCORDIONS OR CONCERTINAS; PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; AEOLIAN HARPS; SINGING-FLAME MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10D13/00—Percussion musical instruments; Details or accessories therefor
    • G10D13/10—Details of, or accessories for, percussion musical instruments
    • G10D13/26—Mechanical details of electronic drums
    • 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
    • G10H3/00—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means
    • G10H3/12—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument
    • G10H3/14—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means
    • G10H3/143—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means characterised by the use of a piezoelectric or magneto-strictive transducer
    • 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
    • G10H2220/00—Input/output interfacing specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2220/461—Transducers, i.e. details, positioning or use of assemblies to detect and convert mechanical vibrations or mechanical strains into an electrical signal, e.g. audio, trigger or control signal
    • G10H2220/525—Piezoelectric transducers for vibration sensing or vibration excitation in the audio range; Piezoelectric strain sensing, e.g. as key velocity sensor; Piezoelectric actuators, e.g. key actuation in response to a control voltage
    • 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
    • G10H2230/00—General physical, ergonomic or hardware implementation of electrophonic musical tools or instruments, e.g. shape or architecture
    • G10H2230/045—Special instrument [spint], i.e. mimicking the ergonomy, shape, sound or other characteristic of a specific acoustic musical instrument category
    • G10H2230/251—Spint percussion, i.e. mimicking percussion instruments; Electrophonic musical instruments with percussion instrument features; Electrophonic aspects of acoustic percussion instruments, MIDI-like control therefor
    • G10H2230/275—Spint drum
    • G10H2230/285—Spint drum tomtom, i.e. mimicking side-mounted drums without snares, e.g. in a drumkit
    • 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
    • G10H2230/00—General physical, ergonomic or hardware implementation of electrophonic musical tools or instruments, e.g. shape or architecture
    • G10H2230/045—Special instrument [spint], i.e. mimicking the ergonomy, shape, sound or other characteristic of a specific acoustic musical instrument category
    • G10H2230/251—Spint percussion, i.e. mimicking percussion instruments; Electrophonic musical instruments with percussion instrument features; Electrophonic aspects of acoustic percussion instruments, MIDI-like control therefor
    • G10H2230/275—Spint drum
    • G10H2230/301—Spint drum rim, i.e. mimicking using or striking the rim of a drum or percussion instrument, rimshot; Interfacing aspects of the generation of different drumsound harmonic contents when a drum sensor is struck closer to the rim

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to electronic percussion instruments and triggers and methods of using the same.
  • acoustic percussion instruments that produce sound when hit or scraped were amongst the earliest musical instruments developed. There are a wide range of acoustic percussion instruments including: drums, cymbals, wood blocks, cowbells and the like.
  • a drum consists of membrane, usually referred to as a drumhead or drum skin, stretched over one end of a hollow drum shell.
  • a drumhead When the drumhead is struck it vibrates causing a column of air in the shell to vibrate creating pressure or sound waves. The shell also vibrates in resonance, amplifying the sound and adding to the overall tone.
  • Many drums have a hollow cylindrical shell and may have a second drumhead mounted to the other end of the shell which also vibrates in resonance when the drum is played.
  • the drumhead which is struck is referred to as the "batter head” whilst the second head is referred to as the "resonant head”.
  • each drumhead is mounted to the shell by means of a mechanism that allows the tension of the head to be adjusted in order that the drum can be tuned.
  • the drumhead comprises a membrane attached to a peripheral hoop made of a rigid or semi rigid material such as aluminium which locates about the outside of the cylindrical side wall the shell.
  • the drumhead is held on the shell by means of a cylindrical rim which engages over the hoop and is adjustably secured to the shell by means of a number of tension rods that engage in corresponding lug boxes equi- spaced about the exterior of the shell.
  • a conventional acoustic drum can be played in a variety of ways to create different sounds.
  • the player can strike the rim or the rim and head in combination.
  • the player can strike the rim on its own to create a clicking sound or the player can strike the drumhead and the rim simultaneously to produce a so-called "rim shot", which is an accented sound compared with just playing the drumhead.
  • the player can also play a cross-stick rim- click in which part of the stick is held in contact with the drumhead whilst another part is brought into contact with the rim. This produces a fuller sound than just hitting the rim alone as the vibrations travel through the head.
  • the shell encloses a column of air below the batter head.
  • the column of air may be fully enclosed, for example in a double-headed drum having resonant drumhead. In other cases the column of air is only partially enclosed, for example where the drum has only a single head on the batter side and an enclosed shell with an open end opposite the batter drumhead.
  • the pressure of the volume of air below it is increased and the release of this pressure couples the energy of the drumhead into the resonant system of the drum so that the acoustic volume of the drumhead is amplified and reinforced.
  • the more enclosed the volume of air below the batter head is the more the pressure of the volume of air under the batter is increased when the batter head is struck and the longer time it takes to decay to equilibrium after the strike, producing greater system resonance with longer sustain across a greater portion of the audible frequency range.
  • the depth of the drum shell determines the length of the column of air which is enclosed under the structure of the drumhead.
  • the length of the column of air determines the longest wavelength of oscillation that the column of air will support, hence determining the lowest frequency at which the column of air will resonate.
  • a struck drumhead produces a range of frequencies across the audible spectrum - however, the column of air will only harmonically resonate with the drumhead down to the lowest frequency that it will support.
  • the shallower the shell the shorter the longest-supported-wavelength becomes, the higher that frequency becomes, therefore the less harmonic resonance occurs.
  • the shallower the shell the less the harmonic reinforcement that is provided by the column of air under the structure of the drumhead.
  • a further commonly used percussion instrument is the cymbal.
  • a cymbal is a disc of material, usually a metal or metal alloy, which produces a sound when struck. Cymbals can be played in pairs where the two cymbals are struck or rubbed together to produce a sound. Alternatively a cymbal can be struck with a stick or beater to produce a sound. Cymbals are often classified into different types depending on the type of sound or effect produced. Common types of cymbal include ride cymbals, crash cymbals and hi -hat cymbals. This list though is not exclusive and there are many other types of cymbal and various hybrids. Different sounds can be produced from any one cymbal by striking the cymbal in different ways and on different areas of the cymbal.
  • Any given acoustic percussion instrument tends to produce a limited range of sounds dependant, at least in part, on the physical characteristics of the instrument. Whilst many drums can be tuned to produce a range of different sounds, the ability to vary the sound produced by any given drum is limited by its physical characteristics including the size, material and thickness of the shell. For example, generally speaking, a larger drum will tend to produce a lower sound than a smaller drum made of the same material. Furthermore, once a drum has been set up and tuned, it cannot easily be retuned during a performance. As a result, a number of different drums are often required in order that a percussionist can produce a sufficiently large range of sounds for any given musical composition.
  • drums and cymbals will be arranged together in a kit so that they can be played conveniently by a single percussionist, often from a seated position on a stool.
  • a typical drum kit might include a bass drum, a snare drum and one or more tom-toms together with a hi-hat, ride cymbal and one or more crashes, though the makeup of drum kits can vary widely.
  • drum kit Whilst the use of a drum kit allows a percussionist to produce a range of drum and cymbal sounds, the arrangement is still limited. Often a percussionist will want to produce different drum and cymbal sounds depending on the type of music to be performed and/or the nature of the venue. Where a performance encompasses different musical styles, the choice of drums and cymbals used in a kit may be a compromise that is satisfactory for all the styles being played but which may not be ideal for any of them. The alternative would be to have a very large kit or to have multiple drum kits, which is usually not a practical option.
  • a further limitation with acoustic percussion instruments is that they tend to be quite loud, even when played relatively quietly. This can cause problems in limiting a percussionist's ability to practice without disturbing neighbours and/or family members.
  • the volume produced by acoustic percussion instruments can also be a problem when performing in venues that are not suited to louder music and can have an adverse affect on the percussionist's hearing and/or the hearing of other musicians who regularly perform or rehearse with percussionists.
  • Electronic percussion instruments have been developed more recently, both in an attempt to address some of the limitations inherent with acoustic percussion instruments and as a means of broadening the range of percussive instruments generally available.
  • Known electronic percussion instruments typically include one or more pads, each pad having a sensor that generates an electric signal when the pad is struck. The electric signal is transmitted through cables into an electronic device, commonly referred to as a drum module, to trigger the production of a musical tone, sound or voice associated with the respective pad.
  • Drum modules typically contain a CPU, signal processing circuitry and a sound module together with suitable ROM and RAM.
  • the CPU is a central processing unit that controls the drum module and executes various logic programs.
  • the sound module will typically contain sound wave data for a variety of tones which may be derived from samples or be entirely synthesized.
  • the signal received from a pad is interpreted to determine which pad has been struck and the type of strike made by the player and this information is used to trigger an appropriate output from the sound module.
  • the output from the sound module may be converted from a digital signal to an analogue signal and amplified.
  • the output from the sound module can be output in digital form, say by means of a MIDI interface, for use by another instrument or device.
  • drum module is commonly used and will be adopted herein for convenience, it should be understood that use of this term is not intended to be limited to a device that produces tones representative of the sounds of acoustic drums.
  • drum modules will produce tones representative of a range of percussion instruments including without limitation: drums, cymbals, wood blocks, cow-bells, tambourines, and the like. Indeed, drum modules are not limited to the generation of musical tones which represent percussion instruments but can generate a wide range of musical and other tones that might not usually be associated with percussion instruments.
  • Electronic drum kits may comprise a number of pads which are physically arranged to replicate the placement of drums and cymbals in an acoustic drum kit, with each pad being assigned to one or more sounds or voices.
  • the pads may be designated as "drum pads” and "cymbal pads”.
  • Drum pads are typically designed to replicate the feel and general arrangement of a drum, having a principal playing surface which replicates the look and feel of a drumhead and a peripheral rim.
  • cymbal pads are often designed to replicate the look and feel of a cymbal.
  • any pad can be used to trigger any of the available tones regardless of whether it is designated as a drum pad or a cymbal pad.
  • electro-acoustic transducers such as loudspeaker diaphragms located in the body of the pad
  • electro-mechanical transducers such as piezoelectric crystals
  • the electro-mechanical transducer could be directly fastened to the playing surface (as was common with reflection plate pads), or could be coupled via a compressed elastic cushion (as was common with real-head and mesh-head pads).
  • Early commercial piezo pads include the "Space Drum” reflection plate design by the Electro Harmonix in 1979, and "Ddrum” real-head design by the Clavia Digital Musical Instruments in 1984.
  • Known electronic drum trigger pads typically comprise a playing surface mounted to or in an open upper end of a hollow housing in which the sensor arrangement for detecting strikes to the playing surface and other components, such as electronic circuitry, are mounted.
  • the housing will typically have a cylindrical side wall region open at an upper end which forms a bearing surface across which the drumhead is stretched.
  • the arrangement is similar to that of a conventional acoustic drum and the hollow housing acts in the manner of a drum shell to contain a column of air below the drumhead so that the acoustic sound generated when the drumhead is struck is amplified due to the pressurisation of air within the housing and the resonance of the housing.
  • the housing is constructed in a substantially identical manner to a drum shell.
  • the drumhead is made from a mesh or net like material that allows air to pass through the head and so does not move a significant volume of air below the drumhead when struck. Whilst the use of a perforated mesh drumhead reduces pressurisation of the air below the drumhead, it does not eliminate it altogether and so such pads still produce significant acoustic noise when played. Furthermore, the use of a mesh drumhead does not entirely replicate the feel of playing a convention acoustic drumhead. With reflection plate type pads, the cavity below the playing surface is damped, say by being stuffed with foam, to reduce the volume of any acoustic sound produced. This adds to the cost of manufacture and the weight of the pads.
  • drum pads In an attempt to emulate the subtleties of acoustic instruments, electronic drum kits have become more complex in the way signals are generated by the pads and the way in which the signals produced are interpreted by the drum module. Many systems now allow for dynamic impact detection so that the volume and timbre of the sound triggered is varied in dependence on the velocity of the impact on the pad. This allows the percussionist a level of dynamic control. Some systems also allow for positional sensing in which the module can detect which area of the pad is impacted and trigger a sound representative of a strike in that area on an acoustic instrument. Some drum pads include a main sensor for detecting strikes to the principal playing surface which replicates the drumhead and a secondary sensor for detecting strikes to the rim, this is often called a rim sensor.
  • the secondary sensor is in the form of a piezoelectric disc physically connected with the shell in order to generate an electrical output in response to vibrations transmitted to it through the shell. These vibrations may arise as a result of a player striking the principal playing surface, particularly when it is hit quite hard, and/or from the player striking a rim portion of the drum pad or possibly even the shell itself.
  • the signal from the secondary sensor is processed and analysed by the drum module in combination with signals from the main sensor to trigger the generation of an appropriate musical tone.
  • the signals from the main and secondary sensors can be analysed to determine whether the player has hit the principal playing surface only, the rim only, or both the rim and the principal playing at the same time and so generate an appropriate musical tone replicating the sounds produced by an acoustic drum when played in the same manner.
  • the signal from the secondary sensor can be used in combination with that of the main sensor to determine if the player has struck the principal playing surface close to the centre of the pad or closer to the perimeter. This positional information can be used to generate a tone indicative of an acoustic drum being played at that position.
  • drum modules it is possible to pre-define a "drum kit" in which each pad is assigned to a particular sound or sounds and to save a number of different pre-defined kits in memory.
  • a user can easily switch between the pre-defined kits during a performance and so can chose the kit most suited for any particular song.
  • a percussionist may pre-define a number of different kits suitable for playing rock, jazz or pop.
  • Electronic percussion instruments then are very versatile in terms of the range of tones or sounds that can be produced and even open up the possibility of a percussionist producing sounds not usually associated with percussion instruments.
  • Electronic percussion instruments have the advantage that, whilst not silent, the acoustic sound produced from physically striking the pads is much lower than for acoustic percussion instruments and since the sounds produced by the drum module are amplified, the overall volume can be more easily controlled.
  • the output from the module can be played exclusively through headphones for example.
  • a further advantage is that the sounds produced are not constrained by the physical characteristics of the pad. This means that the pads can be made much smaller than acoustic drums, giving rise to a much more compact arrangement of pads than is possible with an acoustic drum kit. Furthermore, each pad can be used to trigger a very wide variety of sounds and can be switched between different sounds very easily.
  • the piezoelectric sensor is contained under pressure of the head tension and foam coupler, resulting in an equal and opposite force being applied to the underside of the mesh-head playing surface by the coupler.
  • the mesh-head does not move like an acoustic drumhead as the strike is resisted by the force of the sensor and the natural (drumhead-like) vibration is damped by the foam coupler. This results in a dead-spot at the area where the coupler is in contact with the head and an unnatural rebound response elsewhere.
  • an electromagnetic transducer pickup to produce sounds in a musical instrument, particularly steel stringed instruments such as a guitar where the electromagnetic pickup converts the vibrations of the strings into an electric signal which is processed and amplified.
  • An electromagnetic pickup typically consists of a permanent magnet with a core of material, wrapped with a coil of several thousand turns of an electrically conductive material such as fine enamelled copper wire. The permanent magnet magnetizes the steel strings above it so that the steel strings become moving magnets when they vibrate thereby inducing an alternating current through the coil of wire. This electric signal is then carried to amplification or recording equipment via a cable. Because it is the signal from the pickup itself which is amplified or recorded, albeit subject to further processing, the sounds produced are dependent, to at least some extent, on the physical characteristics of the instrument and the stings or other playing medium.
  • an electronic percussion instrument comprising: at least one electronic drum trigger pad including a tensioned, magnetic membrane forming a principal playing surface and an electromagnetic transducer pickup positioned adjacent but spaced from a surface of the membrane such that vibration of the membrane relative to the pickup causes the pickup to produce an electronic signal in use; the instrument further comprising a drum module electronically coupled with the pickup and including an electronic circuit configured to generate tones in response to signals output by the pickup.
  • the membrane may be non-perforated or perforated and may comprise a mesh material.
  • the drum module comprises circuitry for processing signals output from the electromagnetic transducer pickup, a sound module including sound wave data for a plurality of tones, a CPU for controlling the drum module and executing various logic programs, the drum module being configured to interpret signals from the electromagnetic transducer pickup and to trigger appropriate tone outputs from the sound module responsive to the signals.
  • the instrument may comprises an analogue to digital converter for converting the signal generated by the electromagnetic transducer pick up from analogue to digital for by the drum module in triggering the generation of tone.
  • the analogue to digital converter may be part of the drum module.
  • the instrument may electronic processing circuitry for isolating from an initial signal generated by the electromagnetic transducer pickup at least one trigger signal for interpretation by the drum module in triggering appropriate tone outputs, the trigger signal having a narrower frequency band than the initial signal.
  • the instrument may comprise a filter for isolating the at least one trigger signal.
  • the filter may be a band pass filter or a high pass filter.
  • the electronic processing circuitry may be configured to isolate a trigger signal containing information indicative of the timing and velocity 6
  • the electronic processing circuitry may be configured to produce a trigger signal in which does not contain frequencies below 600Hz, or more preferably below 700Hz.
  • the electronic processing circuitry may be configured to produce a trigger signal containing only frequencies in the range of 600hz to 1.5kHz or, more preferably in the range 700Hz to 1.4kHz.
  • the electronic processing circuitry may be configured to separate out from the initial signal generated by the electromagnetic transducer pickup a number of discrete trigger signals each containing a limited band of frequencies and the drum module may be configured to analyse each of the trigger signals separately for use in triggering the generation of tones.
  • the instrument may comprise a plurality of said electronic drum trigger pads electronically coupled with the drum module, the drum module being configured to interpret signals from the electromagnetic transducer pickups of each of the electronic drum trigger pads in order to trigger appropriate tone outputs from the sound module.
  • the drum module is provided as a separate unit from the at least one electronic drum trigger pad, the electronic drum trigger pad being electrically coupled to the drum module by means of at least one cable.
  • the electronic drum trigger pad may comprise a supporting structure for the membrane.
  • the supporting structure is open so as to allow air under the membrane to pass freely through it and/or is configured so that it does not encumber the natural dispersion of air contained within it when the playing surface is struck.
  • The, or each, electronic drum trigger pad may be an electronic drum trigger pad in accordance with any of the fourth, fifth or sixth aspects of the invention as set out below.
  • the membrane comprises or has mounted to it a material selected from the group comprising: a permanently magnetised material and a magnetisable material.
  • the membrane may comprise or have mounted to it a material which is magnetisable, and the electronic drum trigger pad may further comprise a magnetic source for magnetising the magnetisable material.
  • a magnetic applique may be mounted to a surface of the membrane, the magnetic applique comprising a material that is selected from the group comprising: a permanently magnetised material and a magnetisable material.
  • the magnetic applique may be in the form of a ring of material attached to a surface of the membrane. In this case the electromagnetic transducer pickup is positioned so as to be located below but spaced from the magnetic applique.
  • the at least one electronic drum trigger pad comprises a piezoelectric transducer cable mounted about a periphery of the principal playing surface, the cable configured to output an electronic signal when compressed, the piezoelectric transducer cable being electronically coupled to the drum module, the drum module being configured to interpret signals from the electromagnetic transducer pickup and the piezoelectric transducer cable and to trigger appropriate tone outputs responsive to the signals.
  • the piezoelectric transducer cable may include at least two separate runs of piezoelectric transducer cable extending about different peripheral regions, the output signal from each cable run being electronically distinguished from those of the other cable runs and the drum module may be configured so as to be able to specifically identify signals from each cable run.
  • a method of percussively triggering electronic generation of tones in a sound module comprising: i. using an electromagnetic transducer pickup to detect vibration of a tensioned, magnetic membrane and to output an electronic signal in response to vibration of the membrane; and, ii. using the signal output by the electromagnetic transducer pickup to trigger the generation of a tone in the sound module.
  • the signal output by the electromagnetic transducer pickup may be converted from analogue to digital and the digital signal analysed to trigger the generation of a tone in the sound module.
  • the signal output by the electromagnetic transducer pickup may be processed to define at least one trigger signal which is analysed to trigger the generation of a tone in the sound module.
  • the processing may comprise isolating from the initial signal generated by the electromagnetic transducer pickup a trigger signal containing information indicative of the timing and velocity of a strike on the membrane.
  • the signal output by the electromagnetic transducer pickup may be processed to generate a trigger signal which does not contain frequencies below 600Hz, or more preferably below 700Hz.
  • the signal output by the electromagnetic transducer pickup may be processed to generate a trigger signal containing only frequencies in the range of 600hz to 1.5kHz or, more preferably in the range 700Hz to 1.4kHz.
  • the initial signal generated by the electromagnetic transducer pickup may be processed to separate out a number of discrete trigger signals each containing a limited band of frequencies, each of the trigger signals being analysed separately for use in triggering the generation of tones.
  • an electronic percussion trigger pad for percussively producing electronic signals for use in triggering electronic generation of tones, the pad having a principal playing surface and a piezoelectric transducer cable mounted about a periphery of the principal playing surface, the cable configured to output an electronic trigger signal when compressed.
  • the piezoelectric transducer cable may include at least two separate runs of piezoelectric transducer cable extending about different peripheral regions, each cable run being configured to output an electronic trigger signal when compressed, the pad including electronic circuitry for rendering the output signal from each cable run electronically distinguishable from those of the other cable runs.
  • the cable may be held in position by means of a sleeve which locates over the cable and engages with a peripheral part of the pad.
  • the pad may be an electronic drum trigger pad having a rim surrounding the principal playing surface and the piezoelectric transducer cable mounted to the rim.
  • the principal playing surface may be a tensioned membrane mounted to a supporting structure by means of the rim.
  • the pad may be a cymbal pad and the piezoelectric transducer cable is mounted to an edge region of the pad.
  • the electronic percussion trigger pad electronic in accordance with the third aspect of the invention may be an electronic drum trigger pad in accordance with any of the fourth, fifth or sixth aspects of the invention as set out below,
  • an electronic drum trigger pad for percussively producing electronic signals for use in triggering electronic generation of tones
  • the electronic drum trigger pad comprising a supporting structure and a drumhead mounted to the supporting structure, the supporting structure including a cylindrical rim having an open upper end with a bearing edge, the drumhead comprising tensionable membrane attached to a circular hoop about its periphery, the hoop locating about the cylindrical rim with the membrane in contact with the bearing edge and tensioned across the cylindrical rim to define a playing region, a collar region of the membrane extending downwardly from the bearing edge to the hoop, the drumhead having a depth Y measured perpendicularly from the playing region of the membrane to a lower surface of the hoop, characterised in that the supporting structure has a ventilated region located immediately below the cylindrical rim through which pressurised air (pressure waves) can dissipate to the ambient atmosphere when the drumhead is struck, the cylindrical rim having a maximum depth X which
  • the depth X of the cylindrical rim may be less than the depth Y of the drumhead such that the ventilated region of the supporting structure extends inside the collar region of the drumhead membrane.
  • the supporting structure comprises a housing having a side wall region open at an upper end, at least an upper portion of the side wall being cylindrical and comprising the rim, wherein the ventilated region comprises a circumferentially extending region of the side wall in which are provided through openings, the ventilated region beginning at a depth X from the bearing edge which is equal to or less than the depth Y of the drumhead, the ventilated region extending at least to a depth Z from the bearing edge which is greater than the depth Y of the head.
  • the ventilated region of the side wall may be perforated.
  • the depth (Z-X) of the ventilated region of the wall may be at least 1 Omm, 20mm, or 30mm, or 40mm, or 50mm. Indeed, substantially the whole of the side wall below the rim may be perforated.
  • the depth X at which the ventilated region begins may be at least 1mm, or 2mm, or 3mm, or 4mm, or 5mm, or 6mm, or 7mm, or 8mm, or 9mm or 10mm, or 11mm, or 12mm, or 13mm, or 14mm, or 15mm, less than the depth Y of the head.
  • the supporting structure may comprise a housing having a cylindrical wall open at an upper end, a portion of the cylindrical wall at the open upper end comprising the cylindrical rim, substantially the whole of the cylindrical wall being perforated with the exception the cylindrical rim portion.
  • the un-perforated cylindrical rim portion may extend to a depth of 1mm, or 2mm, or 3mm, or 4mm, or 5mm, or 6mm, or 7mm, or 8mm, or 9mm or 10mm, or 1 1mm, or 12mm, or 13mm, or 14mm, or 15mm, from the bearing edge surface.
  • the housing may have an end closure at an end of the cylindrical wall opposite from the bearing edge, the end closure of the housing also being perforated.
  • the open area comprised by the through openings or perforations may be at least 30%, or 35%, or 40%, or 45%, or 50%, or 55%, or 60%, or 65%, or 70%, or 75%, or 80%, or 85%, or 95% of the total surface area within the ventilated region.
  • the openings or perforations may be polygonal and more preferably hexagonal in shape.
  • the supporting structure comprises a framework including a cylindrical rim and plurality of spaced rigid members supporting the rim, the rim having an upper edge which defines the bearing edge and a lower edge, the cylindrical rim having a depth X which is equal to or less than the depth Y of the drumhead.
  • the rim may have a depth X which is less than the depth Y of the drumhead.
  • the depth of the cylindrical rim may be at least 1mm, or 2mm, or 3mm, or 4mm, or 5mm, or 6mm, or 7mm, or 8mm, or 9mm or 10mm, or 11mm, or 12mm, or 13 mm, or 14mm, or 15mm, less than the depth Y of the head.
  • the cylindrical rim may have a depth X of 1mm, or 2mm, or 3mm, or 4mm, or 5mm, or 6mm, or 7mm, or 8mm, or 9mm or 10mm, or 11mm, or 12mm, or 13mm, or 14mm, or 15mm.
  • the framework may be covered internally or externally by a material having openings through which air can flow such as a fabric or mesh.
  • the housing/framework may define an internal volume below the drumhead within which at least one sensor for detecting strikes to the drumhead is located.
  • the tensioned membrane may be non-perforated or perforated/mesh.
  • an electronic drum trigger pad for percussively producing electronic signals for use in triggering electronic generation of tones
  • the electronic drum trigger pad comprising a principal playing surface, a supporting structure for the principal playing surface and at least one sensor for detecting strikes to the principal playing surface and for outputting electronic signals in response the principal playing surface being struck; characterised in that the supporting structure is open so as to allow air under the principal playing surface to pass freely through it.
  • an electronic drum trigger pad for percussively producing electronic signals for use in triggering electronic generation of tones
  • the electronic drum trigger pad comprising a principal playing surface, a supporting structure for the principal playing surface and at least one sensor for detecting strikes to the principal playing surface and for outputting electronic signals in response the principal playing surface being struck; characterised in that the supporting structure is configured such that it does not encumber the natural dispersion of air contained within it when the playing surface is struck.
  • an electronic drum trigger pad for percussively producing electronic signals for use in triggering electronic generation of tones
  • the electronic drum trigger pad comprising a principal playing surface, a supporting structure for the principal playing surface and at least one sensor for detecting strikes to the principal playing surface and for outputting electronic signals in response the principal playing surface being struck; characterised in that the sensor is located below and spaced from the principal playing surface, the sensor and the principal playing surface being configured such that the sensor outputs a signal in response to movement of the principal playing surface without any direct mechanical connection between the two and in that the support structure comprises a ventilated shell having a plurality of openings or perforations through which air within the shell can pass when the playing surface is struck.
  • the sensor may be an electromagnetic transducer pickup and the principal playing surface may be magnetic.
  • the supporting structure in the electronic drum trigger pads according to the fourth to seventh aspects of the invention minimises enclosure of air below the playing surface and as a consequence, the air pressure activation by the membrane when it is struck is minimised and harmonic reinforcement of the acoustic sound produced by striking the playing surface is eliminated as there is no column of air of any length to resonate in harmony. The result is a supporting structure for the principal playing surface which is substantially acoustically invisible.
  • Figure 1 is a cross sectional view through part of an electronic drum trigger pad for an electronic percussion instrument in accordance with a first and second aspect of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a drumhead and electromagnetic transducer pickup forming part of the electronic drum trigger pad of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a schematic, partial side view of the drumhead and electromagnetic transducer pickup of Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is a schematic view of an electronic percussion instrument in accordance with the first and second aspects of the invention illustrating an electronic drum trigger pad connected with a drum module;
  • Figure 5 is a cross sectional view through part of an electronic drum trigger pad in accordance with a third aspect of the invention.
  • Figure 6 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale though a piezoelectric transducer cable forming part of the electronic drum trigger pad of Figure 5;
  • Figure 7 is a cross sectional view though part of a cymbal trigger pad also in accordance with the third aspect of the invention;
  • Figure 8 is a plan view of the cymbal trigger pad of Figure 7;
  • Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 but illustrating a modification to the cymbal trigger pad
  • Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a drumhead for use in an electronic drum trigger pad in accordance with aspects of the invention
  • Figure 11 is a side elevation of an electronic drum trigger pad in accordance with fourth, fifth and sixth aspects of the invention.
  • Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view through part of the electronic drum trigger pad of Figure 11 ;
  • Figure 13 is a view similar to that of figure 12 but showing a modification
  • Figures 14a is a plan view of a perforated material for forming a housing of an electronic drum trigger pad in accordance with any of the fourth, fifth, and sixth aspects of the invention; and Figure 14b is a cross sectional view through the material of Figure 14a taken on line X-X.
  • FIGS 1 to 3 illustrate an electronic drum trigger pad 10 forming part of an electronic percussion instrument 1 1 in accordance with a first aspect of the invention and which can be used in the method according to the second aspect of the invention.
  • the pad 10 comprises a housing 12 having at least a cylindrical side wall portion 12a with a bearing surface 14 on its upper end.
  • a tensioned, flexible membrane 16 is mounted across the housing in contact with the bearing surface 14 so that it vibrates when struck.
  • the membrane 16 is attached to a peripheral hoop 18 to form a drumhead 20.
  • the hoop 18 may be made of a rigid or semi rigid material such as aluminium and locates about the outside of the cylindrical side wall 12a of the housing.
  • the drumhead 20 is held on the housing by means of a cylindrical rim 22 which engages over the hoop 18 and is adjustably secured to the housing by means of a number of tension rods 24 that engage in corresponding lug boxes 26 equi-spaced about the exterior of the housing in a known manner.
  • Each lug box 26 is secured to the housing in a fixed position by any suitable means, which in this embodiment comprises a pair of lug screws 28, and contains a captive nut (not shown).
  • Each tension rod 24 comprises a threaded shank 30 and a head portion 32. The shank 30 passes through an opening in the rim 22 and engages with the captive nut in a respective one of the lug boxes 26.
  • the head portion 32 engages with an upwardly directed surface of the rim 22 and has a formation which can be engaged with a suitable tool, such as a drum key, to enable the tension rod to be turned relative to the captive nut so that the position of the rim 22 relative to the housing can be adjusted in order to vary the tension of the membrane 16.
  • tension rods 24 and lug boxes 26 are used to adjustably hold the drumhead 20 in position, other arrangements for mounting the drumhead 20 to the housing can be adopted. Indeed, it is not essential that the membrane 16 is part of a drumhead 20 and the invention should be understood as encompassing any suitable arrangements for mounting a flexible membrane 16 in tension on the housing.
  • the membrane 16 has a playing surface area 34 that is struck when the electronic drum trigger pad is played in a conventional manner and which comprises that part of the head located inside the bearing surface 14.
  • An electromagnetic pickup or transducer 36 (hereafter referred to simply as "pickup") is mounted proximal to but spaced from the flexible membrane 16 in the playing area 34.
  • the pickup 36 is mounted internally of the electronic drum trigger pad proximal to an inner surface of the membrane.
  • the pickup 36 is mounted to a bracket 38 secured to the housing 12 using the same lug screws 28 that are used to secure one of the lug boxes 26.
  • this arrangement is not limiting and any suitable method of fixing the pickup 36 in position can be used.
  • the pickup 36 can be mounted so that its position relative to the membrane 16 is adjustable.
  • the position of the pickup may be adjustable externally of the pad.
  • the pickup 36 does not have to be located internally but could be positioned externally of the membrane 16 so as to be proximal to but spaced from the outer surface of the membrane 16 in the playing area 34.
  • the pickup 36 could be mounted by means of a clip which releasably engages with the rim 22 or some other part of the pad 10.
  • the pickup 36 includes a sensing coil 40 of an electrically conducting material such as copper wire and the membrane 16 is magnetic, at least in a region proximal to the pickup 36, such that when the membrane 16 is struck it vibrates causing an electric current to be produced in the sensing coil 40.
  • the pickup may have more than one sensing coil 40.
  • references to the membrane 16 being "magnetic" should be understood as encompassing arrangements in which the membrane produces a magnetic field and arrangements in which the membrane is magnetically attractive and hence able to vary a magnetic field in which it is located when it oscillates.
  • the membrane 16 may be rendered magnetic by incorporating or having attached to it a permanently magnetised material.
  • the membrane 16 may incorporate or have attached to it a magnetisable material, such as a ferromagnetic material, which is magnetised by proximity to a magnetic source, which may be permanent magnet.
  • the permanent magnet may be provided as a combined unit with the pickup 36 or it could be separate.
  • the membrane 16 may incorporate or have attached to it a magnetisable material, such as a ferromagnetic material
  • the pickup 36 may include an arrangement for generating a magnetic field which encompasses both the sensing coil 40 and the membrane 16 so that oscillations of the membrane 16 attract and vary the magnetic field to produce a current in the coil.
  • the pickup 36 has a central magnetic pole piece 42, a top bobbin piece 44 and a bottom bobbin piece 46.
  • the sensing coil 40 is located about the pole piece 42 between the top and bottom bobbin pieces 44, 46.
  • the pickup 36 can comprise two sensing coils 40 with windings going in opposite directions.
  • the membrane 16 has a magnetic applique 48 attached to its inner surface which is made of or incorporates a ferromagnetic material.
  • the magnetic applique 48 is provided in the form of a ring which is attached to the inner surface of drumhead 20 at a position which passes directly above the pickup 36.
  • the advantage of this arrangement being that the drumhead can be mounted in any rotational position. However, it will be appreciated that this is not essential.
  • the magnetic applique 48 is preferably relatively thin and light so as not to significantly affect the way the membrane 16 vibrates when it is struck or the feel experienced by a player when striking the membrane 16.
  • the membrane 16 When the membrane 16 is struck or scraped, say by means of a drum stick, beater, brush, or by hand, this results in the membrane vibrating in a composite frequency range across the audible spectrum. Oscillation of the membrane 16 causes the magnetic field to oscillate varying the magnetic flux and so generates a corresponding electrical current in the coil 40. Whereas in conventional musical instruments incorporating electromagnetic pickups the signal produced by the pickup is itself amplified to produce a sound, in accordance with the first and second aspects of the invention, the signal produced by the pickup 36 is used to trigger the generation of a musical tone or sound in an electronic drum module 50, illustrated schematically in Figure 4.
  • drum modules 50 which contain electrical circuitry for generating a musical tone in response to a trigger signal are well known in the art and so will not be described in detail. However, briefly, the drum module 50 may comprise at least a 2015/051926
  • the CPU 52 is a central processing unit or other processing electronics that controls the drum module and executes various control logic programs.
  • the signal from the pickup 36 may be processed by the processing module.
  • the signal, processed or otherwise, is analysed to determine when a strike has been made and to assess various parameters of the strike, such as the timing, stick velocity and position of the strike on the membrane playing surface. This information is used to trigger generation of an appropriate musical tone by the sound module 56 under control of the CPU 52.
  • the sound module contains waveform data relating to a variety of musical tones which may be stored in ROM (not shown).
  • the output from the sound module 56 is typically digital and may be converted to analogue for amplification and broadcasting through a loudspeaker or headphones.
  • the drum module may output the tone data in digital form, say through a MIDI interface.
  • a plurality of electronic drum trigger pads 10 in accordance with the invention may be connected to the drum module 50, with each electronic drum trigger pad being assignable to one or more instruments to replicate a drum kit.
  • additional electronic percussion trigger pads which are not in accordance with the first and second aspects of the invention can also be connected to the drum module 50 and used in combination with one or more electronic drum trigger pads 10 in accordance with the first and/or second aspects of the invention to replicate a drum kit.
  • the drum module 50 will be provided as a separate unit having its own housing to which one or more electronic drum trigger pads 10 and other triggering devices can be selectively connected by means of suitable cables 51 and connectors.
  • the drum module 50 could be incorporated into a combined housing with one or more of the electronic drum trigger pads 10 in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.
  • the electronic drum trigger pads 10 could be permanently connected with the drum module 50 by means of suitable electrical connections.
  • the drum module 50 may be constructed in accordance with any of the known drum module technologies but is configured to process and analyse the signals produced by the pickup 36.
  • the signal from the pickup 36 may be converted from analogue to digital, typically by means of an analogue to digital converter forming part of the signal processing module 54.
  • Further processing of the signal from the pickup 36 may include varying the strength of the signal; damping the signal to reduce the duration of the signal decay; filtering to remove some frequencies; it may undergo more complex frequency analysis where the full-spectrum is split into a plurality of frequency bands, with the individual analysis of said frequency bands being used to control different aspects of the sound to be triggered.
  • the signal processing may achieved using analogue circuit components prior to analogue to digital conversion and/or by digital processing of the converted signal.
  • the full-spectrum signal produced by the pickup 36 has the sonic character and hence frequency range of the membrane when struck. Typically, it will output a broad frequency signal within the human hearing range ( ⁇ 20Hz - 20kHz). In known electronic drums which use an electromagnetic pickup as an audio transducer to produce a signal which is amplified to provide an audible output, this wide-band signal is desirable. Whilst the signal may be processed, for example it may be subject to frequency equalisation, known as "EQ", where different parts of the frequency range are subjectively boosted or reduced depending on the resulting sonic character required, essentially the full-spectrum of the signal is used to provide an audible output which is reflective of the physical characteristics of the drum.
  • EQ frequency equalisation
  • the full-spectrum signal contains much more data than is required to determine the stick impact timing and velocity and in the case where a fully un-damped acoustic drumhead is used as the membrane 16, the full-spectrum signal may be disadvantageous as frequencies outwith the stick impact range can be convoluted by resonance in the electronic drum trigger pad, and airborne and surface born vibrations from other sound sources and adversely affect triggering.
  • the full-spectrum signal produced by the pickup 36 may be processed to remove information not required for accurate triggering.
  • frequency filtering can be used to remove the unnecessary information in the signal. It has been found that in a typical electronic drum trigger pad, information regarding stick impact and velocity characteristics lie in the 600Hz to 1.5kHz range and more particularly in the 700Hz to 1.4kHz octave. Using only those parts of the signal generated by pickup 36 within this band, the stick impact is reduced to a simple dominant 'click' with only occasional minor harmonic content present in the same range dependent on the tension of the head and the size of the drum. This simplifies analysis of the signal for triggering the generation of appropriate tones
  • BPF band-pass filter
  • a BPF then can used to isolate the 600hZ to 1.5 kHz frequency band, or the narrower 700Hz to 1.4kHz frequency band, from the full- spectrum signal to form a trigger signal which is analysed for triggering purposes in the drum module
  • an acceptable triggering signal can be produced by using a simpler "high-pass" filter (HPF), which only 'dumps' the information below a predetermined frequency. This is because in a typical electronic drum trigger pad in accordance with the invention, there is little information in the higher frequency range which would adversely affect triggering.
  • HPF filter could be used to remove anything below the fundamental frequency of the stick impact from the full-spectrum signal and the clipped trigger signal analysed for trigging purposes. In a typical drum trigger pad, this fundamental frequency is in the region of 600Hz to 700Hz.
  • Filtering of the signal to remove unwanted information can be done in one of two ways (or a combination thereof):
  • Analogue A simple analogue component circuit used to filter the signal before it is sent into the drum module as a trigger instruction. This can be carried out in the electronic drum trigger pad or in the drum module. 6
  • time/velocity information can be drawn from the stick impact range of the signal as described above, it is also possible to use data contained in other frequency bands in the full-spectrum signal for other purposes. These other frequency bands can be separated from the stick impact band and processed independently. Possible examples include without limitation:
  • the fundamental frequency of the membrane can be used to ascertain the relative tension of the membrane- this pitch detection could be used to match the tuning of playback samples to the actual membrane tuning of the trigger pad.
  • - harmonic analysis may be used to determine the location of the stick strike on the membrane, from the centre to the edge - this location detection could be used to match location-specific sample playback (where the tone of the drum varies across the head) .
  • the low frequency content of the signal could be analysed to determine what other vibrations the trigger system is picking up to further improve triggering.
  • the trigger signal from a drumhead tuned to ⁇ 100Hz would containing simultaneous 100Hz and 1kHz signals when struck with a drumstick, but would only contain the 100Hz data without the 1kHz stick hit if it is subject to resonance from other instruments in the same environment.
  • pickup 36 to generate a signal for triggering sounds in a drum module 50 has a number of advantages over the prior art arrangements in which the triggering signal is produced by a piezoelectric transducer. These include: • Much higher resolution trigger signal incorporating full-audio-frequency spectrum
  • Non-physical coupling to the drumhead means the tactile characteristics (feel and rebound) of the head are not affected.
  • Trigger signal is generated directly from impact to the playing surface 34, and is not convoluted by vibrations in the resonant system of the electronic drum trigger pad. Because conventional piezoelectric transducers are coupled to the electronic drum trigger pad structure they are subject to all vibrations of the electronic drum trigger pad structure including: head impact, electronic drum trigger pad structure impact, mechanical vibrations from other electronic drum trigger pads via mounting hardware, airborne vibrations from other sound sources.
  • the membrane 16 can be made of a range of different materials and may be comprised of a single layer, or a plurality of layers.
  • the membrane 16 may be designed to minimise, or at least reduce, the acoustic noise made when the electronic drum trigger pad 10 is played.
  • the membrane 16 may be perforated having a plurality of openings so that the volume of air moved when the membrane is struck is reduced, thus reducing the acoustic noise generated by the pad.
  • the membrane could be partially perforated; it can be a woven material or can be a combination of sheet and woven material.
  • the membrane could be constructed along the lines of known mesh drumheads for example. A perforated membrane 16 will typically be adopted where it is intended to use the pad exclusively to trigger sounds electronically.
  • the electronic drum trigger pad housing 12 may be closed at the end opposite from the membrane 16.
  • the membrane 16 is not perforated.
  • the membrane 16 could be constructed like a conventional acoustic drumhead so that sound is generated acoustically when the membrane is struck.
  • the electronic drum trigger pad 10 may in fact be an acoustic drum in which the housing 12 is in the form of a drum shell and which is adapted by the addition of a pickup 36 so that the drum can be used to trigger sounds electronically as well as being played acoustically.
  • the pickup 36 will be mounted externally and may, for example, be mounted to the rim 22 or some other part of the drum structure by means of a clip.
  • the membrane 16 in this embodiment may be a conventional acoustic drumhead to which a magnetic applique is attached. Suitable magnetic appliques could be supplied for attachment to commercially available drumheads for example. Alternatively, the membrane 16 may be provided as part of a specially produced drumhead to which a magnetic applique is pre-attached or which otherwise incorporates a magnetised or ferromagnetic material for co-operation with the pickup 36 but is also configured to produce a suitable tone acoustically. In addition to the pickup 36 which acts as a main sensor for the electronic drum trigger pad 10, the electronic drum trigger pad 10 can also be provided with a secondary or rim sensor 60.
  • secondary sensor 60 is in the form of a conventional piezoelectric disc which is attached to the housing 12 in order to generate an electrical output in response to vibrations transmitted to it through the housing 12.
  • the piezoelectric disc 60 is mounted to the bracket 38 which also mounts the main sensor pickup 36 but this is not essential and it could be mounted to the housing independently of the pickup 36.
  • the secondary sensor 60 is operative to generate an output in response to vibrations received by it through the housing. These vibrations may arise as a result of a player striking the membrane 16, particularly when the membrane is hit quite hard, and/or from the player striking the rim 22 or possibly even the housing 12 itself.
  • the signal from the secondary sensor 60 is processed and analysed by the drum module 50 in combination with main sensor pickup 36 to trigger the generation of an appropriate musical tone.
  • the signals from the main and secondary sensors 36, 60 can both be analysed to determine whether the player has hit the membrane 16 only, the rim 22 only, or both the rim and the membrane at the same time and so generate an appropriate musical tone.
  • the signal from the secondary sensor 60 can be used in combination with that of the main sensor to determine if the player has struck the membrane 16 close to the centre of the pad or closer to the perimeter. This positional information can be used to generate a tone indicative of an acoustic drum being played at that position.
  • the signal from the secondary sensor 60 can be subject to the same types of processing as the signal from the pickup 36 and so may included varying the strength of the signal; damping the signal to reduce the duration of the signal decay; filtering to remove some frequencies; it may undergo more complex frequency analysis where the full-spectrum is split into a plurality of frequency bands, with the individual analysis of said frequency bands being used to control different aspects of the sound to be triggered.
  • the signal processing may achieved using analogue circuit components and/or by digital processing.
  • the second aspect of the invention can be adopted in electronic drum trigger pads having other types of main sensor, including any of the prior art sensor arrangements, and it can also be adapted for use in cymbal pads and indeed any other type of percussively actuated trigger pad arrangements.
  • an electronic percussive trigger pad such as electronic drum trigger pad or a cymbal pad
  • a transducer cable 70 This exerts more pressure over a larger contact surface area with less rebound and so is it has been found that this type of strike can be used to reliably produce a trigger signal via a transducer cable 70.
  • FIG. 5 shows an electronic drum trigger pad 110 which is substantially identical to the electronic drum trigger pad 10 described above, except that instead of using a piezoelectric disc as the secondary sensor, at least one length of a transducer cable 70 is mounted to an upwardly directed playing surface 22a of the rim 22 where it can be struck relatively easily by a player.
  • the cable 70 is held onto the playing surface 22a by a flexible, formed sleeve 72 which engages over the rim 22.
  • the sleeve 72 may be designed not just to hold the cable 70 in position but also to alter the tactility of the playing surface ('feel' and rebound). This can be achieved though appropriate selection of the material and thickness of the sleeve 72.
  • the sleeve 72 can be designed to reduce the acoustic percussive volume of a strike.
  • the sleeve 72 could be made of a rubber, synthetic rubber, or a resilient polymeric material which may be reinforced, for example.
  • the transducer cable 70 is typically a co-axial cable having a first conducting element in the form of a conducting metal core 74 surrounded by a co-axial layer of piezoelectric polymer 76, A second conducting element in the form of a co-axial layer of conducting metal braid or 'sleeve' 78 surrounds the piezoelectric polymer 76 and is itself surrounded by a non-piezoelectric polymer outer layer insulating 'sleeve' 80. In its inactive state, the piezoelectric polymer layer 76 insulates the two conducting elements 74, 78 from one another.
  • the piezoelectric polymer is 'activated' by pressure, so that when it undergoes compression or expansion, it creates a potential difference between its inside and outside co-axial surfaces, producing an AC voltage current between the two conducting elements 74, 78.
  • a 'slow' pressure change results in a lower, slow-rise potential difference.
  • a 'fast' pressure change results in a higher, fast-rise potential difference.
  • the signal produced by the transducer cable 70 can be processed and used to trigger the electrical generation of musical tones generally in the same way as the signal from the secondary sensor 60 as described above, particularly in combination with a main sensor for detecting hits on the membrane 16. Accordingly, if the main sensor detects a strike and produces a signal but there is no signal from the transducer cable 70, that is indicative of a strike to the membrane 16 only. Conversely, an output signal from the transducer cable 70 only is indicative that the player has only hit the rim and intends to play the rim alone. Simultaneous output signals from the transducer cable 70 and the main sensor may be indicative that the player intends to play a rim shot.
  • the main sensor may be an electromagnetic pickup 36 in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.
  • this is not essential to the third aspect of the invention, in which the use of a transducer cable 70 on the perimeter of the electronic drum trigger pad 70 can be used in combination with any suitable type of main sensor or indeed without a main sensor if desired.
  • transducer cable 70 over a conventional piezoelectric disc mounted to detect vibrations through the housing, is that the transducer cable 70 is immune to crosstalk (vibrations received when other pads are struck) as it can only be activated by direct pressure contact. Thus intentional strikes to the rim 22 are much more reliably detected.
  • FIGS 7 and 8 illustrate schematically an embodiment of a cymbal trigger pad 120 having a piezoelectric transducer cable 70 mounted about its periphery using a suitable sleeve 72'.
  • the transducer cable can be used to detect a strike on the edge of the cymbal pad 120.
  • the cymbal trigger pad may have one or more other sensors to detect strikes to the cymbal elsewhere on the pad 120 such as on the bell 122 or bow 124 of the cymbal, where the bow forms the principal playing surface of the pad.
  • the transducer cable 70 produces its own voltage signal and so can be used to trigger a sound independently of any other transducers in the pad.
  • One method of playing a cymbal involves gripping the edge of the cymbal to dampen the sound produced after the main body of the cymbal has been struck. This is known as choking the cymbal and can be done slowly or quickly to produced different musical effects.
  • This method of playing can be replicated using the transducer cable 70. In this case, a signal from the cable 70 produced after a strike is detected from the principal playing surface can be taken as an indication that the player wishes to choke the cymbal and the drum module will stop the production of the previously triggered cymbal tone.
  • two or more cable components can be used about the perimeter to allow for discrete analysis of strikes to different regions of the perimeter.
  • Figure 9 illustrates a cymbal pad 120' having three runs of cable 70a, 70b, 70c so as to provide three independently playable strike regions on the perimeter.
  • the cable runs 70a, 70b, 70c can be made to produce signals having different electronic characteristics so that the drum module is able to identify which section has been played in order to generate an appropriate musical tone assigned to that section/cable run.
  • the drum module 50 is configured so that the player can assign different instruments, sounds or other effects to each of the cable runs so that they can selectively trigger any one of three different outputs by playing the various perimeter strike regions. This significantly increases the versatility of the cymbal pad. For example, one perimeter section 70a could be used to trigger an edge sound of a cymbal, another 70b to trigger a cow-bell sound, and another 70c could be used to the trigger the playing of a sample.
  • each cable may be connected to its own circuit, where each circuit has a different resistance and the drum module is configured to detect the resistance component of the signal as a means to discretely identify which transducer cable run has been struck.
  • the drum module 50 is configured to detect the polarity component of the signal as a means to discretely identify which transducer cable run has been struck.
  • a sleeve 72 Whilst it is convenient to use a sleeve 72 to hold the transducer cable 70 (including multiple cable runs) in place on the periphery of a percussive trigger pad, other arrangements can be used.
  • the cable 70 is held in a recess or channel in the playing surface 22a.
  • the cable 70 is bonded directly onto the playing surface.
  • the fourth, fifth and sixth aspects of the invention are directed primarily at arrangements for reducing the acoustic sound generated when an electronic drum trigger pad is played, particularly electronic drum trigger pads where the playing surface is provided by a tensioned membrane in the form of a drumhead.
  • This objective is achieved by maximising the dispersion of air enclosed by the drumhead when the drum head is struck and/or dispersion of pressure waves produced in the air enclosed by the drumhead when the drumhead is struck.
  • Figure 10 is a cross-section though a drumhead 220, which is similar in construction to known drumheads used on many modern drums and some electronic drum trigger pads.
  • the drumhead 220 is circular in plan includes a flexible membrane 216 attached about its periphery to a hoop 218.
  • the hoop 218 may be made of a rigid or semi rigid material such as aluminium.
  • the membrane has a substantially planar region 215 which in use is stretched across a bearing surface formed at the open upper end of a cylindrical rim portion of a housing or other supporting structure to form the playing surface 234.
  • the hoop 218 is off-set from the planar region 215 and the membrane has an angled collar region 284 that extends radially outwardly and downwardly from the periphery of the planar playing surface region 234 to the hoop 218. This allows the hoop to be located outside of the cylindrical rim portion of the housing with the bearing surface in contact with the membrane at the periphery of the planar playing surface region 234.
  • the membrane is shaped to have distinct playing surface and collar regions as illustrated in Figure 10 even prior to fitting.
  • the drumhead 220 has a depth Y which can be measured from the inside of the playing surface 234 to the outer (lower) edge of the hoop 218, the measurement being taken perpendicularly to the plane of the playing surface region 234.
  • the depth Y of the drumhead will vary in use by a small amount depending on the level of tension applied and references to the depth Y of the drumhead herein refer to the drumhead when tensioned.
  • a drumhead 220 might have a depth Y in the region of 10-20 mm. This represents the minimum depth of any column of air that is enclosed beneath the drumhead. The minimum volume of air contained within the drumhead and which is subject to pressurisation when the drumhead is struck then is given by the equation:
  • the housing to which the drumhead is mounted extends below the hoop 218 so that the depth of the column of air enclosed below the drumhead is increased above the minimum provided by the drumhead alone.
  • the volume of air below the drumhead which is subject to pressurisation is greater than the minimum volume enclosed by the drumhead. This, along with the resonance of the housing, serves to amplify the acoustic sound generated when the drumhead is struck.
  • the housing or other supporting structure is provided with openings that form a ventilated region at the interface between the drumhead and the housing/structure through which air can flow freely out of the pad into the surrounding air.
  • This allows pressure waves generated in the air under the drumhead when it is struck to dissipate into the ambient atmosphere and so reduces or eliminates the effect of the housing/structure in amplifying the acoustic sound when the drumhead is struck.
  • the ventilated region is configured to maximise dispersion air/pressure waves to such an extent that the housing/structure becomes acoustically invisible as it does not restrictively contain a column of air below the drumhead.
  • FIG 11 illustrates schematically a first embodiment of an electronic trigger pad 210 in accordance with the fourth, fifth and sixth aspects of the invention.
  • the pad has a housing 212 having a cylindrical side wall portion 212a with an open upper end, the upper edge of which is shaped to provide a bearing edge 214.
  • a drumhead 220 is mounted across the housing with the membrane 216 in contact with the bearing edge 214 to provide a tensioned playing surface 234 which vibrates when struck.
  • the drumhead 220 is held on the housing by means of a cylindrical rim 222 which engages over the hoop 218 and is adjustably secured to the housing by means of a number of tension rods 224 that engage in corresponding retainers (not shown) equi- spaced about the circumference of the side wall 212a.
  • the retainers in this embodiment comprise a captive nut for engagement with the tension rods 224 and perform the same function as lug boxes in a conventional drum and are integrated into a peripheral strengthening bead 225 which extends about the side wall portion 212a.
  • the housing could be provided with lug boxes as described above in relation to the electronic drum trigger pad 10.
  • Each tension rod 224 comprises a threaded shank 230 and a head portion 232.
  • the shank 230 passes through an opening in the rim 222 and engages with the captive nut in a respective one of the retainers or lug boxes.
  • the head portion 232 engages with an upwardly directed surface of the rim 222 and has a formation which can be engaged with a suitable tool, such as a drum key, to enable the tension rod to be turned relative to the captive nut so that the vertical position of the rim 222 relative to the housing can be adjusted in order to vary the tension of the membrane 216.
  • tension rods 224 and retainers or lug boxes are used to adjustably hold the drumhead 220 in position in the present embodiment, other arrangements for mounting the drumhead 220 to the housing can be adopted.
  • the side wall 212a of the housing 212 has an un-perforated cylindrical rim portion 286 at its open upper end on which the bearing surface 214 is formed to support the head 220.
  • the un-perforated rim 286 substantially the whole of the side wall 212a is perforated, which is to say the material of the wall comprises a plurality of perforations or through openings 280 (as indicated by the cross-hatching in Figure 11) generally equi-spaced throughout the side wall so that the air below the membrane 216 can pass freely though the side wall.
  • the perforations 280 define a ventilated region 288 of the housing and are arranged such that the housing 212 does not encumber the natural dispersion of pressurised air or pressure waves through the housing into the ambient atmosphere surrounding the housing 212 when the playing surface 234 is struck.
  • the end 282 of the housing 212 opposite the drumhead 220 may be open as illustrated or the housing 212 could have a closed lower end opposite drumhead 220. If the lower end of the housing is closed, the closed end may also be made of a perforated material or provided with through openings. Where the end of the wall 212a is open, the side wall may have a further narrow depth un-perforated rim potion 290 at the lower end. In a further alternative, a second drumhead could be mounted to the lower end of the cylindrical side wall 212a.
  • the un-perforated rim portion 286 to which the drumhead 220 is mounted has a depth X (measured longitudinally inwardly from the bearing surface 214 perpendicular to from the playing surface region 234) which is less than the depth Y of the drumhead so that the ventilated region 288 of the side wall 212a begins inside the collar region 284 of the drumhead and extends substantially to the lower edge 282 of the sidewalk Consequently, the housing 212a does not itself enclose a column of air below the drumhead, since any air inside the housing below the hoop 218 can pass freely through the perforated side wall region 288.
  • the volume of air which is pressurised when the drum head is struck is not increased by the housing above the minimum enclosed by the drumhead and so the housing 212 does act to amplify the acoustic sound produced when the drumhead 220 is struck.
  • the ventilated region in the cylindrical side wall 212a begins at a depth substantially equal to the depth Y of the drumhead.
  • the un-perforated rim portion 286 has a depth X which is equal to the depth Y of the drumhead 220.
  • a housing 212 in the electronic drum trigger pad 210 with a ventilated region 288 at the intersection of the drumhead and housing reduces the system resonance, thereby reducing the potential of the electronic drum trigger pad 210 to produce sound acoustically when played.
  • the ventilated housing will have a lower mass than an equivalent non-ventilated housing, therefore there is less mass to resonate. These factors combine to reduce the volume of any acoustic sound made by striking the drumhead 220.
  • the perforated/ventilated region 288 extends from the rim portion 286 substantially over the full depth of the cylindrical side wall 212a. This may be advantageous, particularly in terms of keeping the mass of the housing to a minimum and for manufacturing purposes. Nevertheless, it is not essential and many advantages of the fourth to sixth embodiments of the invention can be obtained if the ventilated region 288 extends only over part of the depth of the cylindrical side wall.
  • Such an embodiment 210' is illustrated schematically in Figure 13, in which only an upper end part of the side wall 212a is perforated to form a ventilated region 288.
  • the perforated/ventilated region 288 begins inside the collar region 284 of the drumhead 220 and extends for a sufficient depth below the hoop 218 to ensure that the side wall does not restrict the dissipation of the pressurised air/ pressure waves from below the drumhead when it is struck.
  • the perforated region 288 of the housing is shown as being thinner than the remainder of the side wall but this need not be the case.
  • the drumhead/housing intersection is the critical area in which to eliminate air pressurisation under the drumhead 220 and in which to maximise air/pressure dispersion for the acoustic volume of the system to be reduced.
  • a ventilated region 288 immediately below, or beginning above and extending below, the hoop 218, the acoustic volume of the pad 210, 210' is minimised by allowing any pressurised air enclosed by the drumhead to disperse into the surrounding (non-active) airspace.
  • the ventilated region 288 should be configured to maximise dispersion of the pressurised under the drumhead and to this end will typically extend about the whole of the circumferential extent of the cylindrical side wall 212a and for a sufficient depth below the hoop 218, which may be in the region of at least 2 to 5 cm.
  • the required depth of the ventilated region 288 may be established through trial and error.
  • perforations 286 will typically be dispersed about the whole of the circumferential extent of the cylindrical side wall 212a in the ventilated region, it should be understood that the perforations need not be uniformly spaced in a continuous pattern or band but could be provided in discreet sections spaced apart about the circumference with un-perforated regions between each section. What is important is that housing 212 does not limit to any significant extent the dispersion of air/pressure waves from under the drumhead when it is struck and this might be achieved in various ways.
  • the term "perforated” as used herein in is intend to cover a structure in which there are provided a large number of relatively small through openings which are usually, though not necessarily, arranged in a regular pattern and equi-spaced throughout the perforated region.
  • the housing may be constructed from a material which is produced with perforations 280 or the perforations 280 could be formed after the material has been formed into the housing.
  • the housing 212 can be manufactured from a range of materials, which will typically be rigid or semi-rigid, at least when formed into the housing.
  • the housing 212 is manufactured from a sheet of perforated metal, such as but not limited to: aluminium (including alloys), stainless steel and the like.
  • An example is illustrated in Figures 14a and 14b, which show a section of flat steel sheet 292 having perforations in the form of hexagonal through holes 280.
  • the use of polygonal and especially hexagonally shaped through holes is advantageous as it maximises the percentage of the area in the ventilated region which is comprised by the perforations 280, which is referred to as the "open area".
  • a length of this material can be bent to form a cylindrical housing 212 for an electronic drum trigger pad 212.
  • a safety edging 294 is applied to the upper and lower edges of the material to form un- perforated cylindrical rims.
  • the safety edging 294 may be made from an extruded polymeric or rubber material with a U shape for engaging over and gripping the edges of the metallic sheet.
  • a strengthening bead 225 may be rolled into the housing as illustrated in Figure 11 and retainers held in the bead into which the tension lugs 224 are screwed.
  • the housing 212 can be made from wood, one or more plastics materials, resin materials, composite materials or the like and may be moulded with a lattice like-structure having perforations or openings through which air can pass.
  • the housing 212 Whilst use of a perforated material to form the housing is a convenient way to provide the required ventilation whilst still enabling the housing 212b to perform its required function of housing and protecting the internal components of the pad 210, other arrangements could be adopted.
  • the housing 212 could be provided with a smaller number of relatively large openings dispersed throughout the ventilated region.
  • the housing could be provided with a series of circumferentially extending slots in the ventilated region 288 of the side wall 212a, for example.
  • the open area comprised by the perforations 280 or openings will comprise least at least 30%, or 35%, or 40%, or 45%, or 50%, or 55%, or 60%, or 65%, or 70%, or 75%, or 80%, or 85%>, or 95% of the total surface area of the housing 212 within the ventilated region.
  • a housing having a ventilated region 288 enables the trigger pad 210 to be used with an un-perforated drumhead 220 without creating unacceptable levels of acoustic sound as any air displaced under the drumhead when it is struck is able to dissipate into the surrounding atmosphere through the ventilation openings. Nevertheless, this arrangement can also be adopted for use with perforated or mesh type drumheads to further reduce the levels of acoustic sound.
  • the housing 212 may be provided with a screen over the openings in the ventilated region which allows air to pass through whilst preventing larger particles from entering the housing.
  • the screen may be made of a woven fabric or net like material and could be located inside or outside the housing.
  • the principle playing surface is mounted to a supporting structure in the form of an exo-skeleton.
  • the supporting structure includes a cylindrical rim member having an upper surface defining a fixed bearing edge on which the membrane is tensioned so that it can vibrate when played.
  • the cylindrical rim has a lower surface and the depth between the upper and lower surfaces X is equal to or less than the depth Y of the drumhead.
  • the cylindrical rim is mounted to a plurality of spaced supporting members making up a rigid frame.
  • the frame forms an open structure which supports the drumhead and within which other components of the pad, such as the trigger sensor are mounted.
  • the frame may form a cage like housing for the internal components of the pad.
  • the open spaces between the frame members and rim form a ventilated region and may be left completely open, or they may be covered with a fabric or mesh through which air can flow.
  • the frame may have a mounting arrangement to enable the pad to be mounted to a further support, such as a rack or stand.
  • the cylindrical rim member has a depth X less than the depth Y of the drumhead, the open spaces which define the ventilated region are present immediately below (and may begin above) the hoop so that air under the drumhead is able to dissipate into the ambient atmosphere and the frame does not enclose a column of air below the drumhead .
  • any of the fourth to sixth aspects and first aspect of the invention together in a single electronic drum trigger pad can be particularly advantageous as it provides an electronic percussion instrument that is very quite acoustically whilst offering a more realistic feel.
  • an electronic drum trigger pad 210 having a perforated housing 212 or other open supporting structure can be used with a non-perforated membrane 216 as the principal playing surface without producing an unacceptable volume of noise acoustically.
  • Incorporating a contactless a pickup 36 as the main sensor in accordance with the first aspect of the invention ensures that the sensor does not adversely affect response of the membrane.
  • the membrane 216 can be constructed and tensioned in a similar manner to a conventional acoustic drumhead, and may in fact be a standard acoustic drumhead to which a suitable magnetic applique is attached, and so will play and respond in a substantially identical manner to an acoustic drum of equivalent dimensions and tuning.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un instrument électronique à percussion doté d'une caisse de batterie électronique à déclencheur (10) reliée à un module de batterie (11, Fig. 4) afin de générer des sons. La caisse comporte une membrane magnétique tendue (16) formant une surface à taper, et un phonocapteur à transducteur électromagnétique (36) positionné à proximité d'une surface de la membrane sans la toucher. La vibration de la membrane par rapport au phonocapteur amène ce dernier à produire un signal électronique. Le module de batterie interprète le signal émis par le phonocapteur (36) afin de générer électroniquement un son. Le signal en provenance du phonocapteur peut être converti en un signal numérique que le module de batterie peut utiliser pour déclencher la génération d'un son, et être traité. L'invention concerne également une caisse de batterie électronique à déclencheur (210, Fig. 11) ayant un boîtier qui possède une région ventilée située près de la peau et permettant la dissipation de l'air sous pression lorsque l'on tape sur la peau.
PCT/GB2015/051926 2014-07-11 2015-07-01 Instruments électroniques à percussion et déclencheurs WO2016005729A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB1412378.0A GB201412378D0 (en) 2014-07-11 2014-07-11 Electronic percussion instruments and triggers
GB1412378.0 2014-07-11

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WO2016005729A2 true WO2016005729A2 (fr) 2016-01-14
WO2016005729A3 WO2016005729A3 (fr) 2016-03-03

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9536509B2 (en) 2014-09-25 2017-01-03 Sunhouse Technologies, Inc. Systems and methods for capturing and interpreting audio
CN106531139A (zh) * 2016-08-23 2017-03-22 宁波音王电声股份有限公司 一种网状电子鼓
US11308928B2 (en) 2014-09-25 2022-04-19 Sunhouse Technologies, Inc. Systems and methods for capturing and interpreting audio
US20220328024A1 (en) * 2021-04-13 2022-10-13 D'addario & Company, Inc. Drumhead With Printed Layer for Initiating Ferrous Response and Method of Making

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4939471A (en) * 1989-05-05 1990-07-03 Aphex Systems Ltd. Impulse detection circuit
US6982376B2 (en) * 2003-07-28 2006-01-03 Wise Johnathan R Real drum trigger monitor and amplified tone module
EP2509066A1 (fr) * 2011-04-06 2012-10-10 Goodbuy Corporation S.A. Instrument à percussion électromécanique

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9536509B2 (en) 2014-09-25 2017-01-03 Sunhouse Technologies, Inc. Systems and methods for capturing and interpreting audio
US10283101B2 (en) 2014-09-25 2019-05-07 Sunhouse Technologies, Inc. Systems and methods for capturing and interpreting audio
US11308928B2 (en) 2014-09-25 2022-04-19 Sunhouse Technologies, Inc. Systems and methods for capturing and interpreting audio
CN106531139A (zh) * 2016-08-23 2017-03-22 宁波音王电声股份有限公司 一种网状电子鼓
WO2018036081A1 (fr) * 2016-08-23 2018-03-01 宁波音王电声股份有限公司 Tambour électronique de type filet
US10388262B2 (en) 2016-08-23 2019-08-20 Soundking Electronics & Sound Co., Ltd. Mesh-head electronic drum
CN106531139B (zh) * 2016-08-23 2023-07-28 音王电声股份有限公司 一种网状电子鼓
US20220328024A1 (en) * 2021-04-13 2022-10-13 D'addario & Company, Inc. Drumhead With Printed Layer for Initiating Ferrous Response and Method of Making
US11961496B2 (en) 2021-04-13 2024-04-16 D'addario & Company, Inc. Drumhead with printed layer for initiating ferrous response and method of making

Also Published As

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GB201412378D0 (en) 2014-08-27
WO2016005729A3 (fr) 2016-03-03

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