Percussion devices are described employing sensor arrays based on piezoresistive materials.

Electronic musical instruments as disclosed, include sensors to digitize and alter the sound using FSR sensors in the mouthpieces and other elements of the instrument to mimic the variations available in analog instruments.

Percussion devices are described employing sensor arrays based on piezoresistive materials.

The present invention relates to control (apparatus 70). The control apparatus (70) comprises a mass of resilient conductive material (56) having an electrical property which changes in dependence on deformation of the conductive material. The control apparatus (70) further comprises at least three electrodes (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84) in contact with the mass of resilient conductive material (56) at spaced apart locations to thereby define at least two electrical paths through the mass of resilient conductive material between different pairs of the electrodes. The control apparatus (70) is configured such that there is a change in a measurable electrical property between each of the at least two different pairs of electrodes in dependence on deformation of the mass of resilient conductive material. More than one of the at least three electrodes (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84) move upon deformation of the mass of resilient conductive material (56).

Electronic musical instruments as disclosed, include sensors to digitize and alter the sound using FSR sensors in the mouthpieces and other elements of the instrument to mimic the variations available in analog instruments.

Provided is a percussion instrument capable of enhancing the expressiveness of performance. A struck surface plate that vibrates to produce a musical sound when struck is disposed on a case, and a sound emission hole is formed to penetrate the struck surface plate. A musical signal is generated by a sound source device according to detection results of percussion sensors that detect the vibration caused by the striking on the struck surface plate. A sounding body produces an electronic musical sound based on the musical signal generated by the sound source device. Because the sounding body is disposed in the case, the musical sound produced by the vibration of the case and the electronic musical sound can be produced from the one case. Accordingly, the expressiveness of the performance using the percussion instrument can be enhanced.

An electronic device capable of synthesizing one or more musical instruments. A plurality of sensors, which may be mounted on the hand of the user, provide signals to a control module indicating that a sensor has made contact with a surface. A control module receives signals and determines whether to play a sound. Exemplary sensors include pressure-sensitive resistors and dedicated motion-sensing integrated circuits, and are in communication with one or more integrated circuits in the control module over a communication link.

An electronic hi-hat system having a movable upper housing separated from a stationary lower housing by a spring, with the upper housing having a simulated cymbal attached thereto. The upper housing and simulated cymbal connect through a central vertical rod to a lower foot pedal, with the entire structure supported by a stand on which the lower housing mounts. The lower housing has a Hall effect sensor mounted thereon, and the upper housing has a permanent magnet aligned with and arranged to reciprocate vertically alongside the Hall effect sensor. The position of the magnet on the movable upper housing, and thus the simulated cymbal, is detected by the Hall effect sensor which combines with signals generated by a sound pickup attached to the simulated cymbal that senses the cymbal being struck by a drumstick, the result being transmitted, processed, and amplified into simulated high-hat cymbal sounds