An keytar (1) includes a keyboard (2) on which a plurality of keys (2a) are arranged, a ribbon (5) in which a front surface panel (81) is arranged, and the degree of the same type of musical sound effect applied to each of tones (A-D) produced by the key (2a) is changed corresponding to detection positions in an X-direction in the front surface panel (81). Accordingly, because the degrees of the musical sound effects can be respectively changed for each of the tones (A-D) corresponding to the detection positions in the X-direction of the front surface panel (81), for the change of the same type of musical sound effect toward the tones (A-D), the monotony of this change can be suppressed and an expressive performance can be achieved.

A sound generating analog synthesizer that is comprised of potentiometers, a switch or switches and a set of patch jacks has a control system that can be operated in three modes, a manual mode, an automatic mode, and a guided mode; wherein manual mode allows potentiometer and switch positions as well as patch cable connections to be set by hand; wherein automatic mode, automatically sets patch connections as on or off, as well as set potentiometer positions and switch states with electromechanical or electrical devices; and wherein the guided mode provides at least one visual information on how to change the potentiometer positions, switch states, and patch jack connections such that a previously obtained sound can be reproduced.

A sound generating analog synthesizer comprising a controller electronically connected to rotate at least one knob, actuate at least one switch, and make at least one patch connection; said knob comprising a drive system, a shaft position sensor, and a potentiometer; wherein said controller rotates at least one knob by generating instructions to said drive system; said at least one switch comprising an electronic connection to said controller to turn on or off said switch upon receiving instructions from said controller; and at least one patch connection, comprising at least one patch switch, wherein said at least one patch switch controls connection between at least one input of said patch and at least one output of said patch; and a control system to interpolate the potentiometer, switch and patch connections between at least two predetermined settings.

A controller, method, system, and computer-readable medium, for producing control signals. The controller comprises a pressure sensor, a hinged input mechanism configured to receive input forces and direct them towards the sensor, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a signal from the pressure sensor indicating that the hinged input mechanism is being depressed or released and, based on the received signal, to determine, during a time interval, a rate of change of pressure detected at the sensor. The processor also generates a control signal associated with the hinged input mechanism, wherein the control signal comprises a velocity characteristic representing a speed at which the hinged input mechanism is depressed or released, and the velocity characteristic is based at least partly on the determined rate of change of pressure. In one example embodiment, the control signal is an audio control.

An adjustment knob comprising a marker disk and a knob body is disclosed. The marker disk, comprised of a disk material, has a slot shaped opening and the knob body, comprised of a resilient material, has a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to reversibly secure the knob body to an adjustment shaft. The second end has a receptacle configured to securely receive the marker disk such that the marker disk can be rotated relative to the knob body.

A preamplification device for stringed electric musical instruments, which comprises acquisition means which are configured to receive in input and acquire an analog electrical signal originating from a stringed electric musical instrument, the acquisition means and the stringed electric musical instrument being electrically connected. The preamplification device further comprises a potentiometer which is configured to regulate a resistive input electrical impedance value R.sub.L encountered by the analog electrical signal, and a variable-gain amplifier which is configured to automatically regulate a level of the analog electrical signal, applying a gain value G that depends on the resistive input electrical impedance value R.sub.L.

An keytar (1) includes a keyboard (2) on which a plurality of keys (2a) are arranged, a ribbon (5) in which a front surface panel (81) is arranged, and the degree of the same type of musical sound effect applied to each of tones (A-D) produced by the key (2a) is changed corresponding to detection positions in an X-direction in the front surface panel (81). Accordingly, because the degrees of the musical sound effects can be respectively changed for each of the tones (A-D) corresponding to the detection positions in the X-direction of the front surface panel (81), for the change of the same type of musical sound effect toward the tones (A-D), the monotony of this change can be suppressed and an expressive performance can be achieved.

A sensor includes: an upper electrode; a lower electrode provided facing the upper electrode; an upper electrode support portion provided in an upper portion of the upper electrode; a deforming portion provided at both ends of the upper electrode support portion and enabling a distance between the upper electrode and the lower electrode to be changed; a rotatable actuator arranged facing the upper electrode support portion; and a member arranged between the upper electrode support portion and the actuator, and capable of moving relative to at least one of the actuator and the upper electrode support portion when the actuator presses the upper electrode support portion.

Provided is a switching device for an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a plurality of first electrodes that are adjacently arranged; a second electrode arranged between a pair of the plurality of first electrodes, and insulated from the plurality of first electrodes by a plurality of spaces; a rotatable actuator; and a conductive member configured to electrically connect the first electrodes and the second electrode according to rotation of the actuator. The plurality of spaces extend longitudinally in a first direction. The first direction is a direction between a rotational shaft direction of the actuator and a direction orthogonal to the rotational shaft direction.

Embodiments are directed to a musical instrument having buttons, where the buttons determine the magnitude of the interval by which the melody will jump from the last note played. With a small number of interval buttons and an up/down strum bar, embodiments can play almost any melody and more notes than a piano. One embodiment is directed to an interval-based guitar including fret buttons whose input signals are used to calculate the interval by which to change the pitch of the prior note. Providing input via a strum bar or a sensor, a new note is generated by adding or subtracting the interval to/from the prior note to generate a new note.