Musical instrument pickup, as well as correspondingly configured system and use of an automotive audio bus (A2B) for the same

Abstract

The invention relates to a pickup for musical instruments (1), particularly for plucked and / or bowed string instruments. The pickup (1) comprises at least one sensor designed to convert detected sound waves into electrical signals. According to the invention, the pickup (1) has a digital audio bus interface designed to transmit electrical signals and supply electrical current to at least a portion of the pickup (1) by means of a connecting cable (K) that can be detachably or permanently connected to the digital audio bus interface and that consists of two or at least two wires (D1, D2). The invention also relates to a pickup system for musical instruments (10) equipped with said pickup and to the use of an automotive audio bus (A2B) as the audio bus interface for the pickup (1).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a musical instrument pickup, in particular for a plucked and / or bowed instrument. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a musical instrument pickup system. Finally, the present invention relates to the use of a physical automotive audio bus (A 2< B) for an audio bus interface or as an audio bus interface of a musical instrument pickup or a musical instrument pickup system. State of the art

[0002] Pickups of the type discussed here serve to capture the sound waves produced by a musical instrument and convert them into electrical signals. These signals can then be amplified, for example, by a suitable means and emitted again as sound waves via a loudspeaker. For this purpose, the pickup includes at least one sensor, the type of which depends on the operating principle of the respective musical instrument. For example, a pickup used for electric guitars usually has a sensor with at least one coil located directly below the strings, so that the vibrations of the metal strings, which are made of a ferromagnetic material, generate electromagnetic induction within the coil. In contrast, the pickup of acoustic musical instruments is based on capturing the vibrations present as airborne and / or structure-borne sound.Since such musical instruments typically have their own soundboard, a microphone placed nearby is sufficient. However, this only leads to acceptable sound capture under optimal conditions, such as those found in a dedicated recording studio. To minimize fluctuations caused by movement, unwanted airborne noise, and feedback, a pickup, which includes a microphone sensor, can be positioned directly on the instrument. In this direct contact with the instrument, the pickup can incorporate at least one additional sensor, for example, to capture structure-borne sound. The goal in every case is to achieve the most natural and authentic reproduction possible.

[0003] Patent US 2017 / 076705 describes a connecting cable between a guitar pickup and a smartphone, equipped with an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a power supply. The cable features an audio interface and two sensor types: a microphone (internal or as a micro-cartridge microphone) and—as a contrasting example—a piezoelectric pickup contact sensor for detecting structure-borne sound or string vibrations. The smartphone receives the electrical signals in digital format.

[0004] US patent 2008 / 047416 discloses an interface for converting acoustic signals generated by the body and strings of a guitar. These signals originate from piezoelectric and magnetic sensors and are converted into digital transmission formats such as IEEE 802.11 or USB. An older USB Type B connector has two contact points. The disclosure includes both string-specific piezoelectric sensors and structure-borne sound piezoelectric and magnetic sensors, enabling more precise sound recording.

[0005] US Patent 4,989,491 A discloses a stringed musical instrument with a pickup that includes at least one sensor. The sensor is designed to detect sound waves emanating from the instrument and convert them into electrical signals. The signals generated by the pickup when the instrument is played are transmitted via a cable to an audio system, for example, to be amplified and played back through at least one loudspeaker. The pickup, which is usually equipped with a preamplifier, is typically powered by a suitable energy storage device, such as a battery, which is carried on or inside the instrument. Furthermore, the use of two-core instrument cables (inner conductor and shielding) has become standard practice for connecting instruments to an audio system; these cables are typically connected via a jack plug.However, with an increasing number of sensors, the architecture of the necessary connections also becomes larger, so that the pickups known so far still offer room for improvement. Object of the invention

[0006] Against this background, the present invention aims to further develop a musical instrument pickup and a musical instrument pickup system equipped with it in such a way that they enable a generally simple design and the least possible amount of cabling, even with a large number of sensors. Description of the invention

[0007] Within the present description, the musical instrument pickup can also be referred to simply as a pickup or as a pickup for musical instruments, which, however, always basically means a musical instrument pickup.

[0008] The invention proposes, with regard to the musical instrument pickup, that it now has an audio bus interface configured to transmit electrical signals via a connecting cable and to supply at least parts of the musical instrument pickup with electrical current (phantom power). The connection between the audio bus interface and the connecting cable can preferably be detachable or permanent. Particularly preferably, the audio bus interface can be configured to allow a connection with a two-wire cable, either unshielded or shielded, and especially twisted.

[0009] The audio bus interface is designed so that multiple sensors can be connected in a "daisy chain" configuration, thus minimizing redundant cabling. Simultaneously, the audio bus interface allows for the power supply of at least some pickup components via a single, preferably two-wire, connection cable. This external power supply eliminates the need for a local power source that would otherwise be required in or on the musical instrument or pickup. Such a local power source is typically at least one replaceable or permanently installed power source, such as a battery or rechargeable battery.Besides eliminating the associated weight and mass that could potentially affect the sound of the musical instrument, this also effectively prevents interference or even a sudden failure in the transmission, such as can occur when the energy level of such a power source is too low. The latter can also originate from contact problems that arise when changing the power source or due to movement and vibrations.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the basic inventive concept, the pickup can include at least one analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to encode the electrical signals present as analog signals into digital signals. This is particularly relevant if the sensor(s) cannot inherently provide digital signals. If the sensor, or at least one of the sensors, can already supply a digital signal, the ADC can be omitted.

[0011] The invention provides that at least one sensor can be directly connected to the audio bus interface. Alternatively, the sensor, or at least one of the sensors, can be connected to the audio bus interface via an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC can be the aforementioned ADC. For the purposes of this invention, a direct connection also includes one that does not require an additional ADC. Therefore, any indirect connection between the sensor(s) and the audio bus interface also falls under the category of a direct connection, provided it does not include an additional ADC.

[0012] Preferably, the audio bus interface can be a clocked digital bus. Advantageously, this can be designed with two wires.

[0013] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the musical instrument pickup according to the invention, its audio bus interface can include an audio bus transceiver. This transceiver is capable of both transmitting and receiving electrical signals. The audio bus transceiver can therefore also be referred to as a transceiver.

[0014] For a preferably detachable connection of a connecting cable to the audio bus interface, the interface can have a connector with only two contact poles. Advantageously, said connector can be connected to the audio bus transceiver.

[0015] In one particularly preferred configuration, this connection can be a jack socket. Alternatively, the connection can be a jack socket. Especially when using a two-conductor cable, the jack socket can be a mono jack socket. This allows the use of a standard cable for musicians, which connects to the instrument's pickup, specifically its input, via a jack plug. Typically, 6-meter-long cables are used, as is common on stage and in recording studios.

[0016] With regard to the audio bus transceiver of the audio bus interface, it can be advantageously configured to establish a data connection via the connecting cable. The data connection thus established is multi-channel and preferably bidirectional. The invention provides that the audio bus transceiver can establish a data connection with another audio bus transceiver in this way. In contrast to conventional pickups, the data transmission between the audio bus transceivers connected via the connecting cable can be based on a proprietary standard.In other words, the signal emanating from the audio bus transceiver of the musical instrument pickup cannot be directly fed into a standard end device, such as an amplifier and / or mixing console. Instead, the audio bus transceiver positioned upstream of such an end device first converts the proprietary signals into an audio signal, which can then be processed by the respective end device. The audio bus transceiver, located at the end of the connecting cable opposite the musical instrument pickup, can therefore also be referred to as the end transceiver. Compared to a classic transceiver-receiver system, data can be communicated bidirectionally.

[0017] Although the transmission of signals from two sensors via a two-wire line is fundamentally also possible using analog technology, the invention aims to provide a multi-channel digital data connection for transmitting signals from more than two sensors. In particular, with more than two sensors, the digital data connection offers advantages over analog signal transmission with regard to the necessary infrastructure and / or makes such transmission possible using a two-wire line.

[0018] It is also conceivable to connect several audio bus transceivers in series, with the at least one audio bus transceiver located between the musical instrument's pickup and the output transceiver being referred to as an intermediate transceiver. This can function as a "slave" and feed signal packets into the bus, while, for example, the output transceiver operates as the "master." It can form the necessary part of a preamplifier, essentially the input stage. A microcontroller or DSP can then typically be connected to this, serving for digital signal processing with controls such as tone and volume. All audio bus transceivers form nodes within this network, and their clocks are synchronized.

[0019] The invention provides that the musical instrument pickup can comprise at least one sensor designed to detect airborne sound (airborne sound sensor) and at least one sensor designed to detect structure-borne sound (structure-borne sound sensor). An airborne sound sensor can also be referred to as a microphone, while a structure-borne sound sensor is also known as a contact pickup. In addition, at least one further sensor is provided which is designed to convert pressure and / or mechanical stress into electrical signals. Such a sensor can also be referred to as a piezoelectric sensor. Depending on the design, the respective sensor itself can be connected to the audio bus transceiver and / or—if at least one analog-to-digital converter is present—to the audio bus transceiver via a two-wire cable or a multi-wire cable with more than two wires.

[0020] The sound of a played note is a complex and intricate process. Its origin is not solely located at the point on or within the musical instrument where the instrument's pickup sensor is situated. In fact, numerous sources combine within the acoustic field to generate the instrument's true sound as perceived by the human ear. By employing two or more sensors, particularly those positioned at different locations on the instrument and possessing distinct characteristics (airborne sound / structure-borne sound sensors), sound capture can be optimized. Digital processing of the signals provided directly by the sensors or via an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) ultimately results in a significant improvement in sound reproduction.This works best when the different source signals in the frequency domain and time domain can be processed independently of each other.

[0021] The musical instrument pickup according to the invention, as presented here, enables a simple overall design and minimal cabling, even with a large number of sensors. At the same time, it allows the use of the plug connection and connecting cable familiar to musicians, for example, to an amplifier.

[0022] The invention further relates to a musical instrument pickup system comprising at least one musical instrument pickup according to the invention as described above, and a connecting cable that is preferably detachably connectable to the connection of this pickup. The advantages arising therefrom have already been explained in more detail in connection with the musical instrument pickup according to the invention, so that, to avoid repetition, reference is made here to the corresponding explanations.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the musical instrument pickup system according to the invention, this system can comprise a counterpart which in turn has an audio bus transceiver. This transceiver is then connected, or connectable, to the audio bus transceiver of the musical instrument pickup via the connecting cable. Preferably, the counterpart can have a connection, in particular one connected to its audio bus transceiver, to which the connecting cable is, preferably detachably, connected. In a particularly advantageous manner, the connection of the counterpart can be designed as, in particular, a jack socket corresponding to a jack plug of the connecting cable, or comprise such a socket.

[0024] The connecting cable can be either shielded or unshielded. However, according to the design of the musical instrument pickup system according to the invention, such shielding is advantageously unnecessary. The connecting cable can have only two conductors, which are preferably twisted together. Alternatively, the connecting cable can have more than two conductors, but in that case, only two conductors are conductively connected or connectable to the digital audio bus interface of the musical instrument pickup.

[0025] Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a physical automotive audio bus (A 2< B) for an audio bus interface or as an audio bus interface of a musical instrument pickup. Preferably, the physical automotive audio bus (A 2< B) can be used in conjunction with the musical instrument pickup according to the invention. Alternatively or additionally, the invention relates to the use of a physical automotive audio bus (A 2< B) for a musical instrument pickup system with a connecting cable, which can preferably be the musical instrument pickup system according to the invention.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, the invention provides for the use of a 10BASE-T1L transceiver for an audio bus interface (ABS) or as an audio bus interface of a musical instrument pickup. Alternatively, a 10BASE-T1L-capable device can be used in this context instead of the 10BASE-T1L transceiver. Preferably, the physical 10BASE-T1L transceiver or the 10BASE-T1L-capable device can be used in conjunction with the musical instrument pickup according to the invention. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, the invention relates to the use of a physical 10BASE-T1L transceiver or a 10BASE-T1L-capable device for a musical instrument pickup system with a connecting cable, which can preferably be the musical instrument pickup system according to the invention.

[0027] In the context of the invention, a 10BASE-T1L capable device is understood to be an electronic component or an arrangement of such components which enables the transmission of signals resulting from the sensors or the A / D converter by means of 10BASE-T1L.

[0028] Both the 10BASE-T1L transceiver and the 10BASE-T1L-compatible equipment are designed to transmit signals at a rate of 10 Mbit / s. These signals are Ethernet signals and therefore digital signals. They can be transmitted via a two-wire cable with only two conductors, preferably twisted together, with segment lengths of up to 1,000 m possible. Furthermore, such a connection can also supply power to components. Thus, the use of 10BASE-T1L could deliver up to 60 W of power, with up to 50 W of usable power available.

[0029] Instead of the media type used, 10BASE-T1L, it is conceivable to replace it with another network technology, such as 10BASE-2, 10BASE-5, 10BASE-F or 10BASE-36, depending on the design and requirements. Character description

[0030] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment schematically illustrated in the single figure, from which further advantageous details and effects can be seen. The figure shows: Fig. 1 shows a musical instrument pickup according to the invention in a purely schematic representation, and Fig. 2 shows a musical instrument pickup system according to the invention with the musical instrument pickup made of Fig. 1 in a purely schematic representation.

[0031] Fig. 1Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a musical instrument pickup 1 according to the invention. In the embodiment shown here, the musical instrument pickup 1 comprises, purely by way of example, a total of five sensors S1-S5, of which, also purely by way of example, a total of three sensors S1-S3 are designed to detect sound waves in the form of airborne sound. Each of these sensors S1-S3 can also be referred to as a microphone. These sensors S1-S3 are combined into an array SA to enable the best possible recording of the sound of a musical instrument (not shown in detail here) equipped with the musical instrument pickup 1. A fourth sensor S4 is designed to detect sound waves in the form of structure-borne sound. Particularly when used in or on a plucked or bowed string instrument, the fourth sensor S4 can be attached directly to the soundboard, especially to the soundboard, of this musical instrument.A fifth and, in the example shown here, final sensor S5 is designed as a piezoelectric sensor, which serves to convert pressure and / or mechanical stress into electrical signals. When used in a plucked or bowed instrument, the fifth sensor S5 can, for example, be arranged in its bridge below the strings to detect the vibrations generated by the strings and convert them into electrical signals.

[0032] In the example shown here, all sensors S1-S5 deliver electrical signals in analog form. To encode these into digital signals, sensors S1-S5 are first connected to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) W. Each sensor S1-S5 is connected to the ADC W via its own dedicated cable K1-K5. After encoding the analog signals from sensors S1-S5, they are transmitted as digital signals to an audio bus interface (ABS). The corresponding digital audio bus interface (ABS) is connected to the ADC W via a suitable cable K6.

[0033] In contrast to the illustrated embodiment, in which each sensor S1-S5 is coupled to the ABS audio bus interface via the A / D converter W, at least one of the sensors S1-S5 can of course also be directly connected to the ABS audio bus interface. This requires that this sensor S1-S5 is then inherently capable of delivering digital signals.

[0034] The ABS digital audio bus interface is a clocked, two-wire digital bus. The ABS audio bus interface has an audio bus transceiver ABT1, which is designed to transmit I²S audio and I²C control data along with clock and power. Furthermore, the ABS audio bus interface has a connector A1, which has only two contact points, P1 and P2. Both contact points P1 and P2 of connector A1 are connected to the audio bus transceiver ABT1 via a single wire for signal transmission. To illustrate this, the two contact points P1 and P2 are shown in Fig. 1 Each is connected via cable K7, K8 to a contact of the audio bus transceiver ABT1. Of course, a two-wire cable can also be used, with each of its two wires connecting one of the contact poles P1, P2 of connector A1 to one of the two contacts of the audio bus transceiver ABT1.

[0035] Ultimately, connector A1 includes a jack socket or is designed as such, which serves to receive the signal of a jack plug which is not shown in more detail here.

[0036] Fig. 2A musical instrument pickup system 10 according to the invention can be seen, which in the embodiment shown here comprises a single musical instrument pickup, namely the musical instrument pickup 1 described above. A further component of the musical instrument pickup system 10 is a connecting cable K, which is preferably detachably connectable to the terminal A1 of the musical instrument pickup 1. For clarity, the length of the connecting cable K is variable, as indicated by two parallel, angled, and interrupted lines spaced apart. A jack plug C1, C2 is arranged at each end of the connecting cable K. The connecting cable K of the example shown here is a two-wire cable with two twisted conductors D1, D2.For clarity, one of the conductors D1 is shown with a continuous wavy line, while the other conductor D2 is shown as a broken wavy line. The connecting cable K can preferably be unshielded, although a shielded version can also be used. Of course, the connecting cable K can also have more than two conductors D1, D2, but in that case, only two conductors D1, D2 are conductive and therefore signal-transmitting, connected to the two jack plugs C1, C2. In any case, the connecting cable K can be connected to the audio bus interface ABS of the musical instrument pickup 1 by connecting one of its two jack plugs C1 to the connection A1 of the musical instrument pickup 1 (only indicated here).

[0037] To process the signals transmitted in this way, the embodiment shown here includes a counterpart G, which also has an audio bus transceiver ABT2 with a jack socket connector A2. Alternatively, connector A2 can also be a jack socket. The same applies to the design of connector A2 and its connection to the audio bus transceiver ABT2 of counterpart G as described for the musical instrument pickup 1. Thus, the connecting cable K can also be connected to the audio bus transceiver ABT2 of counterpart G by connecting the other jack plug C2 of the connecting cable K to its connector A2 (shown here only as an indication).

[0038] Advantageously, both terminals A1, A2 can be configured for coupling a 1 / 4" (equivalent to 6.35 mm) jack plug C1, C2, as is commonly used in music production equipment and on musical instruments equipped with a pickup. Since terminals A1, A2 each have only two contact points P1, P2, the respective jack socket can preferably be a mono jack socket. Of course, at least one of the jack sockets can also be configured as a stereo jack socket with more than two contact points P1, P2 (not shown here), in which case only two of the three contact surfaces of the stereo jack socket, separated from each other by insulators, are connected to one of the two contact points P1, P2 for signal transmission.

[0039] In any case, the audio bus transceiver ABT1 is configured to establish a data connection to the counterpart G via the connecting cable K. This data connection is preferably multi-channel and / or bidirectional. The digital audio bus interface ABS of the musical instrument pickup 1 is configured to transmit electrical signals to the counterpart G and also to supply at least part of the musical instrument pickup 1 with electrical current via the counterpart G.

[0040] The audio bus transceiver ABT2 of the counterpart G is designed to translate the signals arriving from the audio bus transceiver ABT1 of the musical instrument pickup 1 into a different protocol, which can then be further processed by devices commonly used in this field. This protocol can be a classic protocol such as I2<C, I2<S, TDM, or PDM.

[0041] In the simplest case, the receiving station G can be connected via another cable K9 to, for example, an amplifier V, which in turn is connected via cables K10 and K11 to a loudspeaker L1 and L2. In this way, the sound picked up by a musical instrument (not shown here) can be transmitted via the connecting cable K to the receiving station G by the musical instrument pickup 1, from where the signals generated for this purpose can be amplified by the amplifier V and then emitted by the loudspeakers L1 and L2 almost in real time.

[0042] A physical automotive audio bus (A 2< B) is particularly preferred as the audio bus interface ABS for both the musical instrument pickup 1 and the musical instrument pickup system 10. Reference symbol list

[0043] 1 - Musical instrument pickup 10 - Musical instrument pickup system A1 - Connection of 1 A2 - Connection of G ABT1 - Audio bus transceiver of 1 ABT2 - Audio bus transceiver of G C1 - Jack plug of K C2 - Jack plug of K D1 - Wire of K D2 - Wire of KG - Counterpoint K - Connection cable of 10 K1 - Cable between S1 and W K2 - Cable between S2 and W K3 - Cable between S3 and W K4 - Cable between S4 and W K5 - Cable between S5 and W K6 - Cable between W and ABT1 K7 - Cable between ABT1 and P1 of A1 K8 - Cable between ABT1 and P2 of A1 K9 - Cable between ABT2 and V K10 - Cable between V and L1 K11 - Cable between V and L2 L1 - Speaker L2 - Speaker P1 - Contact pole of A1 P2 - Contact pole of A1 SA - Array of S1-S3 S1 - Sensor of 1 S2 - Sensor of 1 S3 - Sensor of 1 S4 - Sensor of 1 S5 - Sensor of 1 W - A / D converter of 1

Claims

1. Musical instrument pickup (1), in particular for a plucked instrument and / or stringed instrument, comprising sensors (S1-S5) that can be arranged on or in a musical instrument, wherein at least one of the sensors (S1-S5) is designed as an airborne sound sensor (S1-S3) in order to convert the airborne sound detected by it into electrical signals, and at least one other of the sensors (S1-S5) is designed as a piezoelectric sensor (S5) in order to convert pressure and / or mechanical stress into electrical signals, characterised by at least one structure-borne sound sensor (S4) designed to detect and convert structure-borne sound into electrical signals, in particular a contact pickup, and a digital audio bus interface (ABS) which has a connection (A1) featuring only two contact poles (P1, P2) and is designed to establish, via a connection cable (K) that can be connected to its connection (A1) either detachably or non-detachably, in the form of an unshielded or shielded, preferably twisted, two-wire cable, a multi-channel digital data connection for transmitting the electrical signals of the sensors (S1-S5) and to supply at least parts of the musical instrument pickup (1) with electrical current, wherein the connection (A1), which is connected in particular to an audio bus transceiver (ABT1), is or comprises a jack socket, in particular a mono jack socket.

2. Musical instrument pickup (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one A / D converter (W), which is designed to encode the electrical signals present as analogue signals into digital signals.

3. Musical instrument pickup (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the sensor (S1-S5) is connected to the audio bus interface (ABS) either directly or with the interposition of an A / D converter (W), in particular the A / D converter (W).

4. Musical instrument pickup (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the audio bus interface (ABS) is a clock-controlled two-wire digital bus.

5. Musical instrument pickup (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the audio bus interface (ABS) has an audio bus transceiver (ABT1).

6. Musical instrument pickup (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the audio bus transceiver (ABT1) is designed to establish a multi-channel, bidirectional data connection via the connection cable (K), in particular with another audio bus transceiver (ABT2).

7. Musical instrument pickup system (10) comprising at least one musical instrument pickup (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a connection cable (K) which can be connected, in particular detachably, to the connection (A1) of the musical instrument pickup (1).

8. Musical instrument pickup system (10) according to claim 7, characterised in that a remote station (G) with an audio bus transceiver (ABT2), which is connected or can be connected to the audio bus transceiver (ABT1) of the musical instrument pickup (1) via the connection cable (K), which is detachably connected or can be connected to the remote station (G), in particular to a connection (A2) of the remote station (G).

9. Musical instrument pickup system (10) according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the connection cable (K) is shielded or unshielded.

10. Musical instrument pickup system (10) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the connection cable (K) has only two wires (D1, D2), in particular wires twisted together, or has more than two wires (D1, D2), of which only two wires (D1, D2) are conductively connected or can be connected to the digital audio bus interface (ABS) of the musical instrument pickup (1).

11. Use of a physical automotive audio bus (A2B) as an audio bus interface (ABS) of a musical instrument pickup (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 or a musical instrument pickup system (10) comprising a connection cable (K) according to one of claims 7 to 10.

12. Use of a physical 10BASE -T1L transceiver or a 10BASE-T1L-capable device as an audio bus interface (ABS) of a musical instrument pickup (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 or a musical instrument pickup system (10) comprising a connection cable (K) according to one of claims 7 to 10.

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