A method including: receiving a music input; determining values of musical parameters based on the input; generating a spatial representation of the music input based on the values; and at a plurality of haptic actuators defining a spatial distribution, cooperatively producing a haptic output based on the spatial representation. A method including: mechanically coupling haptic actuators defining a multidimensional array to a user; receiving a music input; generating a spatial representation of the music input defined on a multidimensional space, wherein the multidimensional space and the multidimensional array have equal dimensionality; and, for each haptic actuator: based on the haptic actuator location within the multidimensional array, determining a corresponding location within the multidimensional space; based on a value of the spatial representation associated with the corresponding location, determining an actuation intensity; and controlling the haptic actuator to actuate based on the actuation intensity.

A method including: receiving a music input; determining values of musical parameters based on the input; generating a spatial representation of the music input based on the values; and at a plurality of haptic actuators defining a spatial distribution, cooperatively producing a haptic output based on the spatial representation. A method including: mechanically coupling haptic actuators defining a multidimensional array to a user; receiving a music input; generating a spatial representation of the music input defined on a multidimensional space, wherein the multidimensional space and the multidimensional array have equal dimensionality; and, for each haptic actuator: based on the haptic actuator location within the multidimensional array, determining a corresponding location within the multidimensional space; based on a value of the spatial representation associated with the corresponding location, determining an actuation intensity; and controlling the haptic actuator to actuate based on the actuation intensity.

Processing implemented by computer means of sound data output by at least one sensor and activation of at least one actuator of an acoustically radiating structure. The sensor senses an acoustic signal output by the vibration of the radiating structure. The radiating structure bears at least one actuator controlled by the computer means and is thus involved in the vibration of the radiating structure. In particular, the method comprises the steps of: a) measuring a transfer function of the actuator, radiating structure and sensor assembly, b) controlling activation of the actuator so as to make the radiating structure vibrate, according to a selected setpoint: taking account of the transfer function measured, and taking account of the acoustic signal sensed by the sensor in feedback mode.

Processing implemented by computer means of sound data output by at least one sensor and activation of at least one actuator of an acoustically radiating structure. The sensor senses an acoustic signal output by the vibration of the radiating structure. The radiating structure bears at least one actuator controlled by the computer means and is thus involved in the vibration of the radiating structure. In particular, the method comprises the steps of: a) measuring a transfer function of the actuator, radiating structure and sensor assembly, b) controlling activation of the actuator so as to make the radiating structure vibrate, according to a selected setpoint: taking account of the transfer function measured, and taking account of the acoustic signal sensed by the sensor in feedback mode.

A microphone unit includes: a case having an interior space; a unidirectional microphone held in the interior space of the case; a first opening provided in the case; and a second opening provided in the case, wherein the first opening and the second opening are arranged opposite to each other across the microphone and are arranged in a straight line parallel to an axis of sensitivity of the microphone.

With reference to FIG. 7a the present invention relates to transducer apparatus (200) for use with a reed instrument (201) having an air chamber (15) forming a resonant cavity whose resonance characteristics are controlled by opening and closing of tone holes (17A, 17B) connecting the air chamber to the exterior of the reed instrument. The transducer apparatus comprises attachment means (202) for releasably securing the transducer apparatus to a mouthpiece (201) of the reed instrument in place of a reed. A reed replacement section (203) has a housing with an abutment surface for abutting a surface part of the mouthpiece which would be abutted by a reed secured to the mouthpiece. An air passage extends through the housing of the reed replacement section (203) from an air inlet (211) through which a player of the instrument can blow to an air outlet (213) through which air blown by the player is delivered to atmosphere, without passing through the air chamber (15) within the reed instrument. A speaker (208) is supported by the housing and delivers sound to the air chamber (15). An air chamber microphone (209) is supported by the housing and receives sound in the air chamber (15). An electronic processing unit (204) has: an excitation unit (101) which produces an excitation signal for driving the speaker (208); a processor (102) for receiving a measurement signal produced by the microphone and for detecting from the measurement signal a musical note played by the instrument; a synthesizer (220) for generating an electronic signal embodying a musical note which corresponds to the detected musical note; and output means (103) for transmitting the musical note generated by the synthesizer to a receiver external of the transducer apparatus. The invention also relates to a system for representing the sounds of a reed instrument having the components of the transducer apparatus, to an electronic system for determining a musical note played by a reed instrument having the components of the transducer apparatus and to a method of practising playing of a reed instrument comprising use of the components of the transducer apparatus.

With reference to FIG. 7a the present invention relates to transducer apparatus (200) for use with a reed instrument (201) having an air chamber (15) forming a resonant cavity whose resonance characteristics are controlled by opening and closing of tone holes (17A, 17B) connecting the air chamber to the exterior of the reed instrument. The transducer apparatus comprises attachment means (202) for releasably securing the transducer apparatus to a mouthpiece (201) of the reed instrument in place of a reed. A reed replacement section (203) has a housing with an abutment surface for abutting a surface part of the mouthpiece which would be abutted by a reed secured to the mouthpiece. An air passage extends through the housing of the reed replacement section (203) from an air inlet (211) through which a player of the instrument can blow to an air outlet (213) through which air blown by the player is delivered to atmosphere, without passing through the air chamber (15) within the reed instrument. A speaker (208) is supported by the housing and delivers sound to the air chamber (15). An air chamber microphone (209) is supported by the housing and receives sound in the air chamber (15). An electronic processing unit (204) has: an excitation unit (101) which produces an excitation signal for driving the speaker (208); a processor (102) for receiving a measurement signal produced by the microphone and for detecting from the measurement signal a musical note played by the instrument; a synthesizer (220) for generating an electronic signal embodying a musical note which corresponds to the detected musical note; and output means (103) for transmitting the musical note generated by the synthesizer to a receiver external of the transducer apparatus. The invention also relates to a system for representing the sounds of a reed instrument having the components of the transducer apparatus, to an electronic system for determining a musical note played by a reed instrument having the components of the transducer apparatus and to a method of practising playing of a reed instrument comprising use of the components of the transducer apparatus.

With reference to FIG. 7a the present invention relates to transducer apparatus (200) for use with a reed instrument (201) having an air chamber (15) forming a resonant cavity whose resonance characteristics are controlled by opening and closing of tone holes (17A, 17B) connecting the air chamber to the exterior of the reed instrument. The transducer apparatus comprises attachment means (202) for releasably securing the transducer apparatus to a mouthpiece (201) of the reed instrument in place of a reed. A reed replacement section (203) has a housing with an abutment surface for abutting a surface part of the mouthpiece which would be abutted by a reed secured to the mouthpiece. An air passage extends through the housing of the reed replacement section (203) from an air inlet (211) through which a player of the instrument can blow to an air outlet (213) through which air blown by the player is delivered to atmosphere, without passing through the air chamber (15) within the reed instrument. A speaker (208) is supported by the housing and delivers sound to the air chamber (15). An air chamber microphone (209) is supported by the housing and receives sound in the air chamber (15). An electronic processing unit (204) has: an excitation unit (101) which produces an excitation signal for driving the speaker (208); a processor (102) for receiving a measurement signal produced by the microphone and for detecting from the measurement signal a musical note played by the instrument; a synthesizer (220) for generating an electronic signal embodying a musical note which corresponds to the detected musical note; and output means (103) for transmitting the musical note generated by the synthesizer to a receiver external of the transducer apparatus. The invention also relates to a system for representing the sounds of a reed instrument having the components of the transducer apparatus, to an electronic system for determining a musical note played by a reed instrument having the components of the transducer apparatus and to a method of practising playing of a reed instrument comprising use of the components of the transducer apparatus.

With reference to FIG. 7a the present invention relates to transducer apparatus (200) for use with a reed instrument (201) having an air chamber (15) forming a resonant cavity whose resonance characteristics are controlled by opening and closing of tone holes (17A, 17B) connecting the air chamber to the exterior of the reed instrument. The transducer apparatus comprises attachment means (202) for releasably securing the transducer apparatus to a mouthpiece (201) of the reed instrument in place of a reed. A reed replacement section (203) has a housing with an abutment surface for abutting a surface part of the mouthpiece which would be abutted by a reed secured to the mouthpiece. An air passage extends through the housing of the reed replacement section (203) from an air inlet (211) through which a player of the instrument can blow to an air outlet (213) through which air blown by the player is delivered to atmosphere, without passing through the air chamber (15) within the reed instrument. A speaker (208) is supported by the housing and delivers sound to the air chamber (15). An air chamber microphone (209) is supported by the housing and receives sound in the air chamber (15). An electronic processing unit (204) has: an excitation unit (101) which produces an excitation signal for driving the speaker (208); a processor (102) for receiving a measurement signal produced by the microphone and for detecting from the measurement signal a musical note played by the instrument; a synthesizer (220) for generating an electronic signal embodying a musical note which corresponds to the detected musical note; and output means (103) for transmitting the musical note generated by the synthesizer to a receiver external of the transducer apparatus. The invention also relates to a system for representing the sounds of a reed instrument having the components of the transducer apparatus, to an electronic system for determining a musical note played by a reed instrument having the components of the transducer apparatus and to a method of practising playing of a reed instrument comprising use of the components of the transducer apparatus.

A modulated electromagnetic musical instrument and sound reproduction system includes an acoustic carrier signal source, a modulation signal source, a linkage element, and an acoustic output. The acoustic carrier signal source is produced electromagnetically or mechanically via human instrument playing. An electromagnetic modulation source mixes with the acoustic carrier signal within a linkage element to produce a nonlinear behavior. This nonlinear behavior's coupled interaction with a physical medium or acoustic body produces sideband frequency components to form unique musical sound outputs and audio effects.