KEYBOARD INSTRUMENT PLAYER SYSTEM WITH TIME DIVISION MULTIPLEXING TECHNIQUES AND SYNCHRONIZED RHYTHM DEVICE
United States Patent 3829597
A player type electrically operated musical instrument includes a rhythm device for producing timed repetitive rhythm patterns of unpitched or semi-pitched percussive sounds. Information as to the playing of the keys of the instrument is encoded in digital form on one track of a magnetic tape using time division multiplexing techniques. The sounds produced by the rhythm device are simultaneously recorded on a second "audio" channel on the same magnetic tape. On "playback", the digital channel is decoded and used to "play" the same or a similar musical instrument, and the audio channel is reproduced to provide a rhythm accompaniment synchronized to the performance of the instrument. Information encoded on the digital track automatically disconnects the rhythm instrument during playback and connects the audio channel of the tape player to the reproducing system.
US Patent References:
Electronic musical instrument
Illsley - December 1950 - 2533461
Musical instrument with record type tone generator
Chamberlain - May 1960 - 3250847
Electrical musical instrument having pre-recorded tape for tone generation
Chamberlain - September 1966 - 3272907
AUTOMATIC SYNCHRONIZATION OF PITCHES IN ELECTRONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MAGNETIC RECORDING-REPRODUCING APPARATUS
Uchiyama - December 1970 - 3546354
PLAYER PIANO SIMULATOR WITH BUILT-IN TAPE RECORDER
Benjamin - February 1971 - 3562398
Electronic musical instrument
Illsley - December 1950 - 2533461
Musical instrument with record type tone generator
Chamberlain - May 1960 - 3250847
Electrical musical instrument having pre-recorded tape for tone generation
Chamberlain - September 1966 - 3272907
AUTOMATIC SYNCHRONIZATION OF PITCHES IN ELECTRONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MAGNETIC RECORDING-REPRODUCING APPARATUS
Uchiyama - December 1970 - 3546354
PLAYER PIANO SIMULATOR WITH BUILT-IN TAPE RECORDER
Benjamin - February 1971 - 3562398
Inventors:
Peterson, Richard H. (Palos Park, IL)
Finch, Robert A. (Palos Park, IL)
Finch, Robert A. (Palos Park, IL)
Application Number:
05/354844
Publication Date:
08/13/1974
Filing Date:
04/26/1973
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
984/351, 84/642, 84/DIG.012, 84/462
International Classes:
G10H1/00; G10H1/40; G10H1/00
Field of Search:
84/1.02,1.03,1.28,DIG.29,1.01,461,462,DIG.12
US Patent References:
| 3604299 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECREATING A MUSICAL PERFORMANCE | September 1971 | Englund | |
| 3610799 | MULTIPLEXING SYSTEM FOR SELECTION OF NOTES AND VOICES IN AN ELECTRONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT | October 1971 | Watson | |
| 3647929 | APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING MUSICAL NOTES FROM AN ENCODED RECORD | March 1972 | Milde, Jr. | |
| 3683096 | ELECTRONIC PLAYER SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS | August 1972 | Peterson et al. | |
| 3697661 | MULTIPLEXED PITCH GENERATOR SYSTEM FOR USE IN A KEYBOARD MUSICAL INSTRUMENT | October 1972 | Deutsch | |
| 3781452 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING RECORDINGS OF MUSICAL SCORES | December 1973 | Vauclain | |
| 3789719 | TAPE ACTIVATED PIANO AND ORGAN PLAYER | February 1974 | Maillet |
Primary Examiner:
Wilkinson, Richard B.
Assistant Examiner:
Witkowski, Stanley J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Jones, And Lockwood
Claims:
We claim
1. A keyboard instrument player system for recording and later recreating a musical performance, comprising:
2. The player system of claim 1, further including:
3. The player system of claim 2, further including an amplifier and a loudspeaker connected to the output thereof and means connecting said rhythm device to the input of said amplifier to produce sound patterns; said means for reproducing said recorder rhythm sound patterns including means for selectively disconnecting said rhythm device from said amplifier input and connecting the output of said second track of said tape recorder to the input of said amplifier.
4. The player system of claim 3, including further means connected to said encoder to encode information as to the on or off condition of said rhythm device, said last-named encoded information being recorded in digital form on said first track.
5. The player system of claim 4, wherein said means for selectively disconnecting said rhythm device comprises switching means responsive to said keying decoder.
6. In a keyboard instrument player system for recording and later recreating a musical performance, an electrically operated musical instrument including playing key-operated keyswitches; an electrically operated tone generating system responsive to said keyswitches to produce selected pitched musical tones; a rhythm device for producing, independently of said tone generating system, selected rhythm patterns; a tape recorder having a first magnetic track; means for operating said recorder in a record or playback mode; means for recording on said first track digital information as to the condition of said keyswitches during a musical performance while said recorder is in said record mode; decoder means connected between said tape recorder and said tone generator, said tone generator responding to said digital information during said playback mode to recreate said musical performance, the improvement comprising:
7. The player system of claim 6, further including output means connected to said rhythm device for producing rhythm sound patterns; said means for reproducing said recorded rhythm patterns including switch means disconnecting said rhythm device from said output means and connecting the output of said second magnetic track to said output means, whereby said recorded rhythm patterns are reproduced as rhythm sound patterns.
8. The player system of claim 7, wherein said switch means comprises relay means operable in the playback mode of said recorder.
9. The player system of claim 7, wherein said means for recording digital information as to the condition of said keyswitches further includes means for recording digital information as to the operation or nonoperation of said rhythm device, and wherein said switch means is responsive during said playback mode to recorded digital information as to the operation of said rhythm device.
10. A keyboard instrument player system for recording and later recreating a musical performance comprising:
11. The instrument described in claim 10 wherein said means for disabling said rhythm device and for connecting the output of said second track to the input of said amplifier comprises means controlled by digital information encoded by the encoder and decoded by the decoder.
1. A keyboard instrument player system for recording and later recreating a musical performance, comprising:
2. The player system of claim 1, further including:
3. The player system of claim 2, further including an amplifier and a loudspeaker connected to the output thereof and means connecting said rhythm device to the input of said amplifier to produce sound patterns; said means for reproducing said recorder rhythm sound patterns including means for selectively disconnecting said rhythm device from said amplifier input and connecting the output of said second track of said tape recorder to the input of said amplifier.
4. The player system of claim 3, including further means connected to said encoder to encode information as to the on or off condition of said rhythm device, said last-named encoded information being recorded in digital form on said first track.
5. The player system of claim 4, wherein said means for selectively disconnecting said rhythm device comprises switching means responsive to said keying decoder.
6. In a keyboard instrument player system for recording and later recreating a musical performance, an electrically operated musical instrument including playing key-operated keyswitches; an electrically operated tone generating system responsive to said keyswitches to produce selected pitched musical tones; a rhythm device for producing, independently of said tone generating system, selected rhythm patterns; a tape recorder having a first magnetic track; means for operating said recorder in a record or playback mode; means for recording on said first track digital information as to the condition of said keyswitches during a musical performance while said recorder is in said record mode; decoder means connected between said tape recorder and said tone generator, said tone generator responding to said digital information during said playback mode to recreate said musical performance, the improvement comprising:
7. The player system of claim 6, further including output means connected to said rhythm device for producing rhythm sound patterns; said means for reproducing said recorded rhythm patterns including switch means disconnecting said rhythm device from said output means and connecting the output of said second magnetic track to said output means, whereby said recorded rhythm patterns are reproduced as rhythm sound patterns.
8. The player system of claim 7, wherein said switch means comprises relay means operable in the playback mode of said recorder.
9. The player system of claim 7, wherein said means for recording digital information as to the condition of said keyswitches further includes means for recording digital information as to the operation or nonoperation of said rhythm device, and wherein said switch means is responsive during said playback mode to recorded digital information as to the operation of said rhythm device.
10. A keyboard instrument player system for recording and later recreating a musical performance comprising:
11. The instrument described in claim 10 wherein said means for disabling said rhythm device and for connecting the output of said second track to the input of said amplifier comprises means controlled by digital information encoded by the encoder and decoded by the decoder.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the subject matter disclosed in prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,096 dated Aug. 8, 1972, and titled Electronic Player System for Electrically Operated Musical Instrument. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the problem of maintaining synchronism between the playing of a musical instrument by an automatic player device and the sounds produced by an automatic rhythm device, which may have been used during the original performance, to produce patterns of unpitched or semi-pitched musical sounds. Such rhythm devices are well known and are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,105,106; 3,146,290; 3,247,307; 3,255,292 (Re, 26,521); 3,358,068; 3,383,542; and 3,478,633.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Our prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,096 discloses a Player System for Electrically Operated Musical Instruments. In the system disclosed, information representing the manipulation of the playing keys of a musical instrument, such as an organ, is converted to electrical signals and recorded digitally on magnetic tape using a conventional cassette recorder. A system known as time division multiplexing is used to encode the "keying" information on the magnetic tape. On playback the recorded signal is "decoded" and used to operate a series of semiconductor "switches" to "play" a similar or the same musical instrument.
Many keyboard instruments now include an automatic rhythm playing device, one type of which is sold commercially under the name Select-A-Rhythm, and marketed by Gulbransen Industries of Chicago, Illinois. The incorporation of such a rhythm device complicates the operation of the "player" instrument in that it is not economically practical to use the digital system to operate the automatic rhythm instrument. In the present invention two types of magnetic recording, on two separate tracks, are utilitized. One track is used for encoding, digitally, information for "keying" the instrument, and for controlling the second "audio" track, upon which the sounds of the automatic rhythm instrument are "linearly" recorded.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic organ with a rhythm device.
FIG. 2 is a combination block, schematic drawing of a player system according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, 100 is an electronic organ having conventional keyboards 101 and 102 and pedal clavier 103. The usual stop controls 105 determine the character of the tone that will be heard when the keys and pedals are played. 108 is the control panel for an automatic rhythm instrument for producing rhythmic combinations of various unpitched or semi-pitched sounds, such as cymbols, drums, claves, brushes, and the like. The pushbuttons 110 permit the selection of one or a combination of desired rhythm patterns such as, ballad, rock, tango, waltz, and so on. The tempo control 112 adjusts the tempo of the rhythm pattern, and the start - stop control 113 starts and stops the production of the rhythm sounds. In ordinary use, the performer, having preset the tempo control to a suitable tempo for the music to be played, turns on the rhythm unit by pushing the "on" button 113, and then proceeds to play the keys and pedals of the instrument in time with the automatically produced rhythm pattern. With some rhythm devices the tempo can be controlled to a considerable degree by an automatic mechanism which senses the rate of pedal key depression and adjusts the tempo automatically. For example if he wants to speed-up his rhythm he may do so by gradually speeding up his playing, and the rhythm device will automatically sense the speed-up and speed-up the tempo accordingly. 115 is a magnetic tape recorder having at least two separate magnetic "tracks". The controls 116 are conventional and serve to turn the tape recording device on and off and to perform the usual rewind and fast forward functions.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the automatic rhythm device 108 is connected to the audio input terminal 120 of the tape recorder 115. Whenever one of the buttons 110 of FIG. 1 is depressed, an automatic rhythm pattern is produced by the automatic rhythm device 108 and the audio signals produced by the rhythm device will be applied to the input of amplifier 132 by way of relay contacts 133 and 134, and will be heard through the loudspeaker 152. In addition, the signals from the rhythm device 108 are connected to the input terminal 120 of the tape recorder 115, and will be recorded in linear form on the audio track, providing the the "record" button 118 is depressed.
Conventional organ keyswitches 122 are understood to be physically connected to be operated by the keys 101, 102, and the pedals 103 (FIG. 1) and are connected to a conventional organ tone generating system 125. The particular tone generating system employed is not a part of the present invention, it being understood that any of the many known systems would be appropriate. The output of the tone generating system is connected to the amplifier 126, and thence to loudspeaker 127, which reproduces the sound of the organ portion of the instrument. Also connected to the organ keyswitches is the digital keying encoder 130 which is preferably of the type shown in FIG. 1 of our prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,096, previously referred to. The output of the digital keying encoder is connected to the input terminal 131 of the digital track of the magnetic recorder 115, and again assuming the record button 118 is depressed, information as to the instantaneous open or closed condition of the organ keyswitches will be recorded in the form of digital data on the digital magnetic tape track. Also connected to the digital keying encoder 130 is the rhythm on/off switch 114 which is also connected to the source of potential 128. The rhythm on/off switch 144 is physically attached to and is operated by, the on/off knob 113 in FIG. 1. Whenever switch 113 is closed and the rhythm device is operating this information is digitally encoded on the digital track.
To recreate the complete musical performance, the magnetic tape is rewound, and the "play" button 119 (FIG. 1) is depressed, which puts the magnetic tape recorder in its playback mode. Under these conditions, the output of the digital magnetic track will appear at terminal 140 and will be connected to the input of the digital keying decoder terminal 141. The decoder also includes a series of semiconductor switches which are operated by the decoder. The operation of this decode system is explained in connection with FIG. 7 of the prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,096 previously referred to. The electronic switches which are a part of the decoder are connected in parallel with the organ keyswitches by means of cable 144. In this manner The original organ performance is duplicated and once again the sound of the original performance is heard through loudspeaker 127.
In addition, because the condition (open or closed) of switch 113 was digitally encoded an output voltage will now appear at decoder output terminal 145 for such periods of time during the original performance when switch 113 was closed. Whenever such a voltage is present, relay 147 is energized, thus pulling switchblade 134 away from contact 133 and into contact with terminal 149 as indicated in FIG. 2 by the dotted line position of the contact 134. Terminal 149 is connected to the output of the audio track of the magnetic tape recorder, and thus the audio signals that were recorded during the original performance will be connected to the amplifier 132 and will be reproduced by loudspeaker 152. Thus the complete performance, including rhythm and organ, will be reproduced, and with the original rhythm accompaniment heard in perfect synchronism with the "player" performance of the organ.
Generally only one of the many available rhythm patterns capable of being produced by the automatic rhythm device, is appropriate to a particular musical selection. For example if a waltz is played, only the waltz rhythm would be appropriate and it would be very undesirable if the automatic rhythm device was to produce a tango or a bossa nova accompaniment during playback while the organ was recreating a waltz melody. This problem is solved by the apparatus of the invention because if a rhythm effect was used during encoding of the organ performance, upon playback the automatic rhythm device is automatically locked out and only the recorded rhythm sound is heard.
Others may readily adapt the invention to various uses by employing one or more of the novel elements disclosed. As at present advised, we desire to claim the following subject matter:
This invention relates generally to the subject matter disclosed in prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,096 dated Aug. 8, 1972, and titled Electronic Player System for Electrically Operated Musical Instrument. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the problem of maintaining synchronism between the playing of a musical instrument by an automatic player device and the sounds produced by an automatic rhythm device, which may have been used during the original performance, to produce patterns of unpitched or semi-pitched musical sounds. Such rhythm devices are well known and are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,105,106; 3,146,290; 3,247,307; 3,255,292 (Re, 26,521); 3,358,068; 3,383,542; and 3,478,633.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Our prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,096 discloses a Player System for Electrically Operated Musical Instruments. In the system disclosed, information representing the manipulation of the playing keys of a musical instrument, such as an organ, is converted to electrical signals and recorded digitally on magnetic tape using a conventional cassette recorder. A system known as time division multiplexing is used to encode the "keying" information on the magnetic tape. On playback the recorded signal is "decoded" and used to operate a series of semiconductor "switches" to "play" a similar or the same musical instrument.
Many keyboard instruments now include an automatic rhythm playing device, one type of which is sold commercially under the name Select-A-Rhythm, and marketed by Gulbransen Industries of Chicago, Illinois. The incorporation of such a rhythm device complicates the operation of the "player" instrument in that it is not economically practical to use the digital system to operate the automatic rhythm instrument. In the present invention two types of magnetic recording, on two separate tracks, are utilitized. One track is used for encoding, digitally, information for "keying" the instrument, and for controlling the second "audio" track, upon which the sounds of the automatic rhythm instrument are "linearly" recorded.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic organ with a rhythm device.
FIG. 2 is a combination block, schematic drawing of a player system according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, 100 is an electronic organ having conventional keyboards 101 and 102 and pedal clavier 103. The usual stop controls 105 determine the character of the tone that will be heard when the keys and pedals are played. 108 is the control panel for an automatic rhythm instrument for producing rhythmic combinations of various unpitched or semi-pitched sounds, such as cymbols, drums, claves, brushes, and the like. The pushbuttons 110 permit the selection of one or a combination of desired rhythm patterns such as, ballad, rock, tango, waltz, and so on. The tempo control 112 adjusts the tempo of the rhythm pattern, and the start - stop control 113 starts and stops the production of the rhythm sounds. In ordinary use, the performer, having preset the tempo control to a suitable tempo for the music to be played, turns on the rhythm unit by pushing the "on" button 113, and then proceeds to play the keys and pedals of the instrument in time with the automatically produced rhythm pattern. With some rhythm devices the tempo can be controlled to a considerable degree by an automatic mechanism which senses the rate of pedal key depression and adjusts the tempo automatically. For example if he wants to speed-up his rhythm he may do so by gradually speeding up his playing, and the rhythm device will automatically sense the speed-up and speed-up the tempo accordingly. 115 is a magnetic tape recorder having at least two separate magnetic "tracks". The controls 116 are conventional and serve to turn the tape recording device on and off and to perform the usual rewind and fast forward functions.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the automatic rhythm device 108 is connected to the audio input terminal 120 of the tape recorder 115. Whenever one of the buttons 110 of FIG. 1 is depressed, an automatic rhythm pattern is produced by the automatic rhythm device 108 and the audio signals produced by the rhythm device will be applied to the input of amplifier 132 by way of relay contacts 133 and 134, and will be heard through the loudspeaker 152. In addition, the signals from the rhythm device 108 are connected to the input terminal 120 of the tape recorder 115, and will be recorded in linear form on the audio track, providing the the "record" button 118 is depressed.
Conventional organ keyswitches 122 are understood to be physically connected to be operated by the keys 101, 102, and the pedals 103 (FIG. 1) and are connected to a conventional organ tone generating system 125. The particular tone generating system employed is not a part of the present invention, it being understood that any of the many known systems would be appropriate. The output of the tone generating system is connected to the amplifier 126, and thence to loudspeaker 127, which reproduces the sound of the organ portion of the instrument. Also connected to the organ keyswitches is the digital keying encoder 130 which is preferably of the type shown in FIG. 1 of our prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,096, previously referred to. The output of the digital keying encoder is connected to the input terminal 131 of the digital track of the magnetic recorder 115, and again assuming the record button 118 is depressed, information as to the instantaneous open or closed condition of the organ keyswitches will be recorded in the form of digital data on the digital magnetic tape track. Also connected to the digital keying encoder 130 is the rhythm on/off switch 114 which is also connected to the source of potential 128. The rhythm on/off switch 144 is physically attached to and is operated by, the on/off knob 113 in FIG. 1. Whenever switch 113 is closed and the rhythm device is operating this information is digitally encoded on the digital track.
To recreate the complete musical performance, the magnetic tape is rewound, and the "play" button 119 (FIG. 1) is depressed, which puts the magnetic tape recorder in its playback mode. Under these conditions, the output of the digital magnetic track will appear at terminal 140 and will be connected to the input of the digital keying decoder terminal 141. The decoder also includes a series of semiconductor switches which are operated by the decoder. The operation of this decode system is explained in connection with FIG. 7 of the prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,096 previously referred to. The electronic switches which are a part of the decoder are connected in parallel with the organ keyswitches by means of cable 144. In this manner The original organ performance is duplicated and once again the sound of the original performance is heard through loudspeaker 127.
In addition, because the condition (open or closed) of switch 113 was digitally encoded an output voltage will now appear at decoder output terminal 145 for such periods of time during the original performance when switch 113 was closed. Whenever such a voltage is present, relay 147 is energized, thus pulling switchblade 134 away from contact 133 and into contact with terminal 149 as indicated in FIG. 2 by the dotted line position of the contact 134. Terminal 149 is connected to the output of the audio track of the magnetic tape recorder, and thus the audio signals that were recorded during the original performance will be connected to the amplifier 132 and will be reproduced by loudspeaker 152. Thus the complete performance, including rhythm and organ, will be reproduced, and with the original rhythm accompaniment heard in perfect synchronism with the "player" performance of the organ.
Generally only one of the many available rhythm patterns capable of being produced by the automatic rhythm device, is appropriate to a particular musical selection. For example if a waltz is played, only the waltz rhythm would be appropriate and it would be very undesirable if the automatic rhythm device was to produce a tango or a bossa nova accompaniment during playback while the organ was recreating a waltz melody. This problem is solved by the apparatus of the invention because if a rhythm effect was used during encoding of the organ performance, upon playback the automatic rhythm device is automatically locked out and only the recorded rhythm sound is heard.
Others may readily adapt the invention to various uses by employing one or more of the novel elements disclosed. As at present advised, we desire to claim the following subject matter: