A modular approach to large string array electronic musical instruments such as specialized harps, zithers, sympathetic string arrays, the Harry Partch Kithara, the Harry Partch Harmonic Cannon, and other large string array electronic musical instruments is presented. A mounting frame is used to interchangeably secure a plurality of a plurality of musical instrument modules, each comprising a plurality of strings configured to vibrate and create electronic signals. An electronic interface is configured to transmit electrical signals from the plurality of musical instrument modules to an external system. The electronic interface can be configured to provide a multichannel output. The arrangement can further comprise either or both of at least one audio mixer and at least one signal processor.

A purely electronic musical instrument controller (without audio-frequency vibrating elements) for generating music control signals, such as MIDI-format control signals, and comprising arrays of strumpads is disclosed. The electronic musical instrument controller can include one or more of a (push)-button, touchpad, pressure sensor, ribbon controller, impact sensor, slider control, knob control, expression wheel, joystick, chord button array, switch, multiple-position selector, and internal sound-synthesis elements for internal audio signal generation. The electronic musical instrument controller can transmit control signals to an external system and receive control signals from an external system. Control signals can be of MIDI format. The electronic musical instrument controller can be secured on a stand or arrangement for attaching a strap, the strap enabling the electronic musical instrument controller to be worn by a user.

The present disclosure relates to double-ended keyboard devices and methods. In one embodiment, a device includes a first housing having a first keyboard section and control surface, with input keys arranged in a first direction and a second housing having a second keyboard section and control surface, with input keys arranged in a second direction. The device includes a joint securing the first housing and the second housing to provide rotation of the housings along an axis. The device also includes a control unit configured to detect input to housing and to generate output. The device includes an output interface coupled to the control unit. Processes are described including generating output based on detected input to the first and second keyboard sections and controlling output. Operations and devices configurations allow for a wearable control device that may be operated or played like an instrument.

A customizable electronic musical instrument includes a mounting frame for securing a plurality of user-installable electronic musical modules of various types including a type for generating at least one control signal responsive to user operation, a type for generating audio signals, responsive to a control signal. The instrument can transmit outgoing audio electrical signals to an external system and can include internal sound amplification. The instrument includes one or more types of controller elements such as a keyboard, touchpad, strumpad, impact sensor, slider control, expression wheel, joystick, ribbon controller, button, switch, pressure sensor, multiple-position selector, knob potentiometer, and further comprises at least one music synthesizer element. Control and audio signals may be routed among modules by a switch or bus. Audio signals can be mixed by a multichannel audio mixer and/or processed responsive to at least one control signal. Outgoing control signals responsive to controller electronic musical modules.

The present disclosure relates to double-ended keyboard devices and methods. In one embodiment, a device includes a first housing having a first keyboard section and control surface, with input keys arranged in a first direction and a second housing having a second keyboard section and control surface, with input keys arranged in a second direction. The device includes a joint securing the first housing and the second housing to provide rotation of the housings along an axis. The device also includes a control unit configured to detect input to housing and to generate output. The device includes an output interface coupled to the control unit. Processes are described including generating output based on detected input to the first and second keyboard sections and controlling output. Operations and devices configurations allow for a wearable control device that may be operated or played like an instrument.

This invention provides a signal processing and signal synthesis technique from a family of signal processing and signal synthesis techniques designed to readily interwork or be used individually in creating new forms of rich musical timbres. A real-time controllable mix of a plurality of multiple output frequency-reduced signals and the cross-products of these signals provides rich animated harmonically partitioned spectra. Mixing parameters may be recalled from stored program control or modulated in real-time by arbitrary control signals, including envelope generators, low-frequency oscillators, and those derived from an original input signal, and specifically including the amplitude of an original input signal. The real-time controllable mix may have multiple outputs and be subjected to further signal processing and multiple-channel amplification. The invention may be used individually or in conjunction with other signal processing and signal synthesis techniques in creating new forms of rich musical timbres.

A customizable electronic musical instrument includes a mounting frame for securing a plurality of user-installable electronic musical modules of various types including a type for generating at least one control signal responsive to user operation, a type for generating audio signals, responsive to a control signal. The instrument can transmit outgoing audio electrical signals to an external system and can include internal sound amplification. The instrument includes one or more types of controller elements such as a keyboard, touchpad, strumpad, impact sensor, slider control, expression wheel, joystick, ribbon controller, button, switch, pressure sensor, multiple-position selector, knob potentiometer, and further comprises at least one music synthesizer element. Control and audio signals may be routed among modules by a switch or bus. Audio signals can be mixed by a multichannel audio mixer and/or processed responsive to at least one control signal. Outgoing control signals responsive to controller electronic musical modules.

An acoustic musical instrument is provided, in which a sounding board is excited by at least three actuators instead of strings to produce a musical sound of interest. The actuators are attached to the sounding board at least three user-defined attachment points and configured to cause the sounding board to perform oscillations that reproduce the musical sound of interest. The actuators are controlled by using control signals which are generated based on input information about the musical sound of interest. More specifically, the control signal for each actuator causes the actuator to exert an excitation force on the sounding board that corresponds to a required oscillation amplitude and phase at the user-defined attachment point of the actuator.

A stringless guitar includes a guitar body, a guitar neck connected to the guitar body, a keyboard, a chord board, a tuning device disposed on the guitar neck, a light indication system, a speaker, and a rotating folding support structure. The keyboard and the speaker are respectively disposed in a first mounting space and a second mounting space of the guitar body. The tuning device includes a rocker and a sensor. One end of the rocker is connected to the sensor. The other end of the rocker extends out of the guitar neck. The light indication system includes a first indicator light configured to indicate playing positions on the keyboard and a second indicator light configured to indicate playing positions on the chord board. The rotating folding support structure is mounted on the guitar body to prevent the guitar body from sliding off legs of a player.