A stringed instrument tuner that senses the vibration of all the strings of the instrument independently and simultaneously via ultraviolet reflective light sensors that are immune to interference from ambient alternating-current lighting. The pitches of the strings are then measured continuously in real-time and transmitted wirelessly to a receiver that simultaneously graphically displays how far out-of-tune all of the strings are so that the musician can instantly see which strings need tuning and tune them quickly. The receiver may be a smartphone, smartwatch, smart glasses, computer, self-tuning system, or a dedicated wearable receiver-display unit.

A sound generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an identification unit configured to identify one mobile communication terminal from one or more mobile communication terminals capable of communicating, an acquisition unit acquiring setting data regarding generation of a sound or control of generation of a sound from identified one mobile communication terminal, and a sound generation unit configured to detect an operation on an operation unit and outputting a sound on the basis of detected operation and the setting data.

Techniques have been developed to facilitate the livestreaming of group audiovisual performances. Audiovisual performances including vocal music are captured and coordinated with performances of other users in ways that can create compelling user and listener experiences. For example, in some cases or embodiments, duets with a host performer may be supported in a sing-with-the-artist style audiovisual livestream in which aspiring vocalists request or queue particular songs for a live radio show entertainment format. The developed techniques provide a communications latency-tolerant mechanism for synchronizing vocal performances captured at geographically-separated devices (e.g., at globally-distributed, but network-connected mobile phones or tablets or at audiovisual capture devices geographically separated from a live studio).

A specialized audio/instrument cable with built-in digital signal processing capabilities that adds user-defined audio effects (such as reverb, delay, chorus and/or distortion) from within the cable itself to affect the sound generated from an instrument or microphone such that the cable is the only connection needed between the instrument or microphone and an output device (such as an amplifier, PA, powered speaker, music mixer, or a recording device). The audio effects used by the cable can be changed via (i) an app from a smartphone, tablet, computer or other electronic device; (ii) a wireless controller that attaches to the instrument; (iii) a pedal, and/or (iv) any other type of wireless controller that has the ability to communicate with a smartphone/tablet/computer or other electronic device.

A musical instrument special effects device, comprising a special effects unit connected by wire between the musical instrument and an output device, where the unit is operatively arranged to selectively produce at least one of a plurality of preprogrammed special audio effects; and a controller is operatively arranged to wirelessly control the special effects unit.

An attachment for a smart device having a touch screen displaying at least one interactive area thereon includes at least one port defining an air passageway therethrough and at least one actuator element disposed at least partially within the air passageway of each of the at least one ports. Each of the at least one actuator elements is configured to actuate upon a flow of air passing through the corresponding air passageway. Actuation of each of the at least one actuator elements causes an electrical interaction with one of the interactive areas of the touch screen.

A 128-note MIDI-range monophonic musical keyboard instrument (100) includes an octave keypad (106) with eleven keys arranged in an analog clock face format for octave selection with the thumb of one hand, a pitch keypad (108) with twelve pitch keys similarly disposed in a clockface arrangement around a central omnivalent thirteenth key (128), enabling the nondisjointed sounding of nonadjacent notes with the thumb of the other hand. Spatial manipulation of the device, such as tilting and jabbing, can switch octaves and activate other functions, enabling one-handed operation and overcoming small-screen space limitation. Aside from producing typical electronic piano or synthesizer sounds, the device can sing in human voice an extended monosyllabic solfege covering all twelve pitch families of the common chromatic 12-tone even-tempered scale. A pictograph-based music notation (156) mirrors the circular geometry of the pitch and octave keyboards and facilitates the intuitive reading and playing of a melody.

The invention pertains to devices utilized by artists that produce musical sounds and aesthetic lights, including lights that correspond to the sounds. More specifically, the invention pertains to a modular system comprising modules of a play device, such as a smart phone, a fingerboard comprising a keyboard and lights corresponding to the keys and a docking station for mounting and joining the play device and fingerboard together. Using music and light control application software loaded on the play device and the keys of the fingerboard, the play device and fingerboard exchange and communicate sound and light information and instructions with each other. The play device plays sounds and the fingerboard displays lights.

A portable hands-free computer accessory having a housing, a controller, and a first and second button separated by a surface area configured to accommodate a foot of a user. The controller is configured to detect a first set of two or more commands associated with a first set of one or more actuation types of the first button, each command from the first set of commands corresponding to a respective actuation type from the first set of actuation types, detect a second set of two or more commands associated with a second set of one or more actuation types of the second button, each command from the second set of playback commands corresponding to a respective different actuation type from the second set of actuation types, and, based on the first and second sets of commands, control playback of a video displayed on a computing device.

An attachment for a smart device having a touch screen displaying at least one interactive area thereon includes at least one port defining an air passageway therethrough and at least one actuator element disposed at least partially within the air passageway of each of the at least one ports. Each of the at least one actuator elements is configured to actuate upon a flow of air passing through the corresponding air passageway. Actuation of each of the at least one actuator elements causes an electrical interaction with one of the interactive areas of the touch screen.