The invention relates to a device for supporting a musical instrument, in particular a percussion instrument such as a marimba, xylophone or vibraphone. The device includes a base and support rails. The base has an adjuster for positioning the musical instrument at a desired height and angle. The rails have pins for the bars to rest upon with no contact of frame. The rails are connected in such a way as to allow additional rails to be joined. The joining of support rails extends the length of rail for additional tone bars. These parts are joined as to create a single unit. The frame can be disassembled and convenient for player to transport.

The invention relates to a device for supporting a musical instrument, in particular a percussion instrument such as a marimba, xylophone or vibraphone. The device includes a base and support rails. The base has an adjuster for positioning the musical instrument at a desired height and angle. The rails have pins for the bars to rest upon with no contact of frame. The rails are connected in such a way as to allow additional rails to be joined. The joining of support rails extends the length of rail for additional tone bars. These parts are joined as to create a single unit. The frame can be disassembled and convenient for player to transport.

A musical instrument stand capable of adjusting its height by operation of at least one linear actuator controlled by a control box element that is directed by a control pad element used by a performer to adjust the height of the musical support stand to a height desired by the performer.

A musical instrument stand capable of adjusting its height by operation of at least one linear actuator controlled by a control box element that is directed by a control pad element used by a performer to adjust the height of the musical support stand to a height desired by the performer.

A motor control system is provided for controlling a speed of a motor system used in a musical instrument. The motor control system includes at least one sensing device attached to the musical instrument, and configured for detecting movement of an object and providing a sensor signal based on the movement of the object. Also included in the motor control system is a control unit having a processor connected to the motor system and the at least one sensing device. The control unit is configured for selectively modulating the speed of the motor system based on the sensor signal.

A motor control system is provided for controlling a speed of a motor system used in a musical instrument. The motor control system includes at least one sensing device attached to the musical instrument, and configured for detecting movement of an object and providing a sensor signal based on the movement of the object. Also included in the motor control system is a control unit having a processor connected to the motor system and the at least one sensing device. The control unit is configured for selectively modulating the speed of the motor system based on the sensor signal.

A vibraphone pickup has a bobbin having two coils, one for outputting an analog signal and one for outputting a digital signal. A plurality of filters and buffers are used to isolate the signals. A rare earth (or neodymium) magnet is used in the center of the bobbin. In one method of use, a vibraphone pickup is used to pick up each note of the vibraphone. The output of each vibraphone pickup is combined and fed into an amplifier.

A vibraphone pickup has a bobbin having two coils, one for outputting an analog signal and one for outputting a digital signal. A plurality of filters and buffers are used to isolate the signals. A rare earth (or neodymium) magnet is used in the center of the bobbin. In one method of use, a vibraphone pickup is used to pick up each note of the vibraphone. The output of each vibraphone pickup is combined and fed into an amplifier.

A keyboard percussion instrument (100) generates sounds when keys (130) or other such members are struck. A movable damper bar (140) is brought into contact with the keys to artistically shorten their ringing duration. When pressed, a pedal (145) removes the damper bar from contact with the keys. When the pedal is released, a spring (1010) urges the damper bar into contact with the keys. The damper bar is supported by a pair of arms (165) that pivot about pivot points (800) at the ends of movable posts (520) that extend from a pair of pivot height adjusting mechanisms (175). Each pivot height adjusting mechanism has two adjusting screws. A first screw (510) urges a post to move up or down and a second screw (565) fixes the post in position when tightened. Adjusting the heights of the pivot points provides control over the damping of key vibrations.

A folding marimba may include a first set of spaced apart rails; a first set of tone bars suspended from the first set of spaced apart rails; a second set of spaced apart rails; and a second set of tone bars suspended from the second set of spaced apart rails; wherein the first and second sets of spaced apart rails are configured for hinged rotation about a hinge line such that the marimba is configurable in an unfolded configuration having a first length and a folded configuration having a second length that is less than the first length. For example, the second length may be about half of the first length.