A system and method for automatic drumming. A MIDI decoder (1) receives MIDI serial data in real-time, decodes said MIDI serial data to obtain playing instructions, and signals at least one actuator (2) to strike at least one drum according to said decoded playing instructions. User inputs for selecting the MIDI channel and assigning MIDI notes to drums may be provided. The intensity of percussion may be controlled by the MIDI velocity and may be overridden by the user at the MIDI decoder. The at least one actuator may employ a solenoid and comprises features to mitigate latency between the MIDI serial data received and the drum hit. The at least one actuator may comprise a clamping or securement means enabling fast and convenient repositioning thereof. The at least one actuator may comprise means for substitution of a percussion implement, such as a drumstick, brush, or mallet.

This electronic musical instrument main body device comprises an information acquisition unit and a port assignment unit. The information acquisition unit acquires, from a playing operation device connected to one connection terminal, information related to the playing operation device. The port assignment unit assigns, to the playing operation device, a virtual input port of a type corresponding to the information related to the playing operation device and acquired by the information acquisition unit.

This electronic musical instrument main body device comprises an information acquisition unit and a port assignment unit. The information acquisition unit acquires, from a playing operation device connected to one connection terminal, information related to the playing operation device. The port assignment unit assigns, to the playing operation device, a virtual input port of a type corresponding to the information related to the playing operation device and acquired by the information acquisition unit.

A device is provided for capturing vibrations produced by an object such as a musical instrument such as a cymbal of a drum kit. The device comprises a detectable element, such as a ferromagnetic element, such as a metal shim and a sensor spaced apart from and located relative to the musical instrument. The detectable element is located between the sensor and the musical instrument. When the musical instrument vibrates, the sensor remains stationary and the detectable element is vibrated relative to the sensor by the musical instrument.

An electronic drum-module for connection to electronic-drum pads is provided. The module includes an electronic display, a memory storing audio files for playback when the playback is triggered by a signal received from the pads, and one or more processors coupled to the electronic display and the memory. The processors are configured to play a portion of the one or more audio files when the playback is triggered by the signal received from the pads and to display, on the electronic display, a user interface for an application. The user interface includes a waveform associated with recorded audio. The user interface includes a sample-start marker and a sample-end marker. A portion of the waveform between the sample-start marker and sample-end marker is displayed brighter than a portion not between the sample-start marker and the sample-end marker. Playback of the portion may be initiated by striking a drum-pad zone.

A musical sound generating apparatus capable of improving the sensitivity of pressing against a percussion surface is provided. The musical sound generating apparatus includes a percussion surface, a pressure sensor disposed on the percussion surface on a side of a back surface and configured to detect a pressure change, an elastic body compressed between the percussion surface and the pressure sensor, and a control device configured to output an instruction according to an output value of the pressure sensor, and the control device includes a pressing detection unit configured to detect pressing against the percussion surface on the basis of a difference between the output value of the pressure sensor and a reference value, and an updating unit configured to update the reference value at every updating time according to the output value of the pressure sensor.

An electronic percussion device has a plurality of touch sensitive pad, an array of lighting elements disposed adjacent each pad, and a virtual display of the currently selected kit. The light array provides the user with immediate visual cue about the status and capabilities of the sound selections, without having to interrupt the user's performance. The user can color code and animate the illumination pattern of each light array so that, from a distance, the user is visually reminded what sounds are assigned to each pad, when sound associated with particular pad is currently playing, when playback of a sound associated with a pad is about to end.

An electronic-drum module for connection to one or more electronic-drum pads is provided. The module includes an electronic display; a first memory storing audio files for playback when the playback is triggered by a signal received from a pad; and one or more processors coupled to the display and the memory. The processors are configured receive an instruction to transfer a set of samples. The set of samples is associated with a priority-instruction and includes a first subset of samples and a second subset of samples. The processors are also configures to transfer the first subset of samples from a second memory to the first memory based on the priority-instruction before transferring the second subset of samples and to transfer the second subset of samples from the second memory to the first memory.

An electronic-drum module for connection to one or more electronic-drum pads is provided. The module includes an electronic display; a first memory storing audio files for playback when the playback is triggered by a signal received from a pad; and one or more processors coupled to the display and the memory. The processors are configured receive an instruction to transfer a set of samples. The set of samples is associated with a priority-instruction and includes a first subset of samples and a second subset of samples. The processors are also configures to transfer the first subset of samples from a second memory to the first memory based on the priority-instruction before transferring the second subset of samples and to transfer the second subset of samples from the second memory to the first memory.

An electronic-drum module for connection to one or more electronic-drum pads is provided. The module includes an electronic display, a memory storing audio files for playback when the playback is triggered by a signal received from a pad, and one or more processors coupled to the electronic display and the memory. The processors are configured to play the audio files when the playback is triggered and display, on the display, a user interface for an application. The user interface for the application includes a list of available trigger sources. The processors are also configured to receive an instruction to select an available trigger source and display, on the display, a list of available drum kits to associate with the available trigger source. The processors are also configured to display images of the available drum kits in response to receiving an instruction to select an available drum kit.