Acoustic and electronic music installation

Abstract

Computer-assisted music system, comprising transducers (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4, 22-5, 22-6) configured to project electronic sounds through the soundboard (8) of a piano. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 5

Description

Title of the invention: Acoustic and electronic music installation. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the fields of acoustic music and computer-assisted music, also referred to by its acronym "MAO".

[0002] The invention is of particular, but not limiting, interest for soundboard instruments such as pianos. State of the art

[0003] In the context of mixed acoustic and electronic music, it is known to connect acoustic instruments to electronic devices to transform the sounds produced by these instruments and to broadcast the sounds thus transformed on loudspeakers.

[0004] There is a need to improve the mixed music installations known in the prior art, in particular to reduce the disadvantages resulting from the difference between sounds emitted by an acoustic instrument and those emitted by conventional loudspeakers. Description of the invention

[0005] The invention relates to a computer-assisted music system intended to equip an acoustic musical instrument such as a piano, comprising: - a computer tool configured to produce so-called output data, - a mechanical energy generation device configured to generate mechanical energy from said output data in order to transmit it to one or more elements such as a soundboard of the acoustic musical instrument.

[0006] Preferably but not exclusively, the acoustic instrument is a piano and one or more of said elements of the acoustic instrument include a soundboard of this instrument.

[0007] The mechanical energy generation device thus forms an excitation system for the acoustic instrument, which is added to the main excitation system of the acoustic instrument, namely the hammers in the case of the piano.

[0008] The invention thus makes it possible to diffuse electronic sounds via the acoustic instrument itself, in particular via the soundboard of the acoustic instrument, taking advantage of the intrinsic qualities of the resonator formed by the acoustic instrument.

[0009] In addition, the invention makes it possible to make electronic sounds interact with the natural resonances of the acoustic instrument by taking advantage of the phenomenon of sympathetic resonance and to transmit corresponding synesthetic information to the instrumentalist.

[0010] In one embodiment, the mechanical energy generation device comprises one or more transducers.

[0011] Without limitation, the transducer(s) may be vibrators and / or audio exciters.

[0012] In one embodiment, the computer tool is configured to produce said output data as a function of said input data.

[0013] For this purpose, the system may include a control device configured to generate said input data or a part of said input data.

[0014] The control device may include any means of controlling or interacting with the computer tool.

[0015] In one embodiment, the control device includes one or more numeric keypad and / or mouse-type components.

[0016] In one embodiment, the control device includes a touch interface.

[0017] In one embodiment, the control device includes at least one electronic keyboard.

[0018] In one embodiment, the control device includes at least one controller provided with one or more control elements such as sliders and / or buttons.

[0019] At least one controller may be multidirectional and / or sensitive.

[0020] In one embodiment, the control device comprises one or more electronic pedals.

[0021] Preferably, one or more of said electronic pedals are each configured to be able to be placed in a number of positions greater than or equal to two.

[0022] Typically, said positions of the electronic pedal(s) each allowing the generation of respective input data, enabling gradual control.

[0023] By way of non-limitation, it is preferred that one or more of the aforementioned control means listed above, for example the electronic keyboard, the controller and the electronic pedals, use the MIDI communication standard (from “Musical Instrument Digital Interface” in English).

[0024] Of course, the control device may include any combination of the control means listed above.

[0025] In one embodiment, the system includes a reinjection device configured to generate said input data or a part of said input data from sound waves.

[0026] The reinjection device may include one or more sensors, for example one or more electroacoustic transducers, configured to capture said sound waves.

[0027] In one embodiment, the computer tool includes a sequencer and / or one or more sound synthesis modules.

[0028] The invention also relates to an installation comprising an acoustic musical instrument and a computer-assisted music system as defined above.

[0029] The acoustic musical instrument may be a piano.

[0030] Said mechanical energy generation device of the system is preferably configured to generate and transmit mechanical energy to one or more elements of the acoustic musical instrument.

[0031] In one embodiment, one or more of said elements of the acoustic musical instrument may include a soundboard of that instrument.

[0032] Alternatively or complementarily, one or more of said elements of the acoustic musical instrument may comprise one or more strings of that instrument.

[0033] In one embodiment, the mechanical energy generation device comprises two first transducers designed to respond to frequencies within a first frequency band and two second transducers configured to respond to frequencies within a second frequency band.

[0034] Preferably, said second frequency band has a different center frequency, for example lower, than the center frequency of the first frequency band.

[0035] In one embodiment, one of said first transducers and one of said second transducers are placed on one first side of a bridge of the acoustic musical instrument, the other of said first transducers and the other of said second transducers being placed on a second side of said bridge.

[0036] In other words, the aforementioned transducers can be arranged according to a phase inversion principle.

[0037] In an embodiment in which the control device includes one or more electronic pedals as defined above, the acoustic musical instrument includes one or more pedals configured to actuate one or more of said electronic pedals of the control device.

[0038] In other words, one or more pedals of the acoustic instrument can be coupled with one or more pedals of the system of the invention, allowing simultaneous actuation.

[0039] The installation thus forms an acoustic musical instrument augmented by the electronic system of the invention.

[0040] When the acoustic instrument is a piano, the installation which thus forms a "meta-piano" makes it possible to increase the possibilities of the instrument and the performer while retaining a very pianistic playability.

[0041] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a method of transmitting mechanical energy to one or more elements such as a soundboard of an acoustic musical instrument of an installation as defined above, using said mechanical energy generation device of this installation.

[0042] The method preferably comprises: - the production of output data using said computer tool, - the generation of mechanical energy using said generation device of mechanical energy, from said output data.

[0043] In one embodiment, the production of said output data is carried out according to said input data.

[0044] Such input data can be generated by a control device as described above.

[0045] When the installation includes such a control device, it can typically be used to control the computer tool, or more generally to interact with it and / or with any other element of the installation.

[0046] In other words, the process may include generating input data to control the computer tool so that the computer tool produces said output data according to the input data thus generated.

[0047] The method can thus be implemented to dynamically modulate, in particular in real time, synthetic sounds forming said output data and / or one or more parameters of such sounds.

[0048] Interestingly, the method may include a modification, using the control device - for example, non-limitingly using said controller - of the frequency range of synthesized sounds associated with keys of the electronic keyboard, for example around a frequency center corresponding to a synthesized sound initially associated with one of the keys of the keyboard.

[0049] Such a modification makes it possible to achieve a frequency zoom function, for example a microtonal zoom.

[0050] The method may also optionally include a modification, using the control device - for example using said controller - of said frequency center.

[0051] For another interesting example of control, the method may include a modification, using the control device, of two distinct parameters of synthesized sounds generated by the control device and / or produced by the computer tool.

[0052] Such a modification, called cross-synthesis, typically allows the timbre of such sounds to be modified.

[0053] For example, a first of said parameters may relate to the nature of a signal - e.g. a sinusoidal signal, white noise, or any other type of signal - and a second of said parameters may be a duration of sound.

[0054] The method may in particular include a simultaneous and / or consecutive modification of such parameters.

[0055] Of course, the method may include a modification, using the control device, of more than two parameters or of a single parameter, for example a modification of the frequency of one or more periodic signals which may for example be sinusoidal signals.

[0056] Alternatively or complementarily, said input data may be generated by a reinjection device as defined above, for example from sounds captured by electroacoustic transducers and / or piezoelectric transducers of this device.

[0057] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed, non-limiting description. Brief description of the figures

[0058] The following detailed description refers to the attached drawings on which: - [Fig.1] is a schematic view of an acoustic musical instrument and a computer-assisted music system forming an installation according to the invention, the installation being configured to transmit mechanical energy to the acoustic instrument from digital data produced by the computer-assisted music system; - [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a baby grand piano that can form an acoustic instrument of an installation according to the invention; - [Fig.3] is a top view of a soundboard and bridges of a piano such as that of [Fig.2]; - [Fig.4] is a schematic view of a computer-assisted music system comprising a computer tool and a mechanical energy generation device; - [Fig.5] is a schematic view of part of an installation according to the invention, comprising transducers arranged on a soundboard such as that of [Fig.3], as well as amplifiers to which the transducers are connected; - [Fig.6] is a schematic view of a computer-assisted music system comprising a computer tool, a mechanical power generation device and a control device; - [Fig.7] is a schematic view of part of an installation according to the invention, comprising an acoustic piano such as that of [Fig.2], the piano being equipped with a control device which includes an electronic keyboard, an electronic controller and electronic pedals; - [Fig.8] is a schematic view of a computer-assisted music system comprising a computer tool, a mechanical energy generation device and a reinjection device; - [Fig.9] is a schematic view of a computer-assisted music system comprising a computer tool, a mechanical energy generation device, a control device and a reinjection device; - [Fig. 10] is a schematic view of a computer-assisted music system comprising a computer tool, a mechanical energy generation device and a sound diffusion device; - [Fig.1 1] is a schematic view of a computer-assisted music system comprising a computer tool, a mechanical energy generation device, a control device and a sound diffusion device; - [Fig. 12] is a schematic view of a computer-assisted music system comprising a computer tool, a mechanical energy generation device, a reinjection device and a sound diffusion device; - [Fig. 13] is a schematic view of a computer-assisted music system comprising a computer tool, a mechanical energy generation device, a control device, a reinjection device and a sound diffusion device. Detailed description of implementation methods

[0059] Fig. 1 schematically shows an installation 1 comprising an acoustic musical instrument 2 and a computer-assisted music (CAM) system 3.

[0060] In the embodiments described below, the acoustic instrument 2 is a piano equipped with a soundboard, for example a baby grand piano as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0061] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, such a piano 2 comprises, in a manner known per se, a structure 5 supporting, in particular, a keyboard 6, a pedalboard 7, a soundboard 8, bridges 9A and 9B, strings (not shown), and a hammer action (not shown). The hammers form an excitation system and are intended to be activated by keys on the keyboard 6 to strike respective strings. The vibrations of the strings propagate through the soundboard 8, which thus forms a resonator. In the example of [Fig. 2], the pedalboard 7 conventionally comprises a "soft" pedal 7A, also called the "una corda" pedal, a "sustain" pedal 7B, and a "loud" pedal 7C.

[0062] Regarding the MAO system 3 which is implemented in the invention, it generally comprises a computer tool and a mechanical energy generation system intended to be connected to the instrument 2 in order to excite one or more elements of this instrument 2, as illustrated by arrow 10 on [Fig.1].

[0063] In the following non-limiting examples, the mechanical power generation system is more specifically arranged to excite the soundboard 8 of the piano 2.

[0064] Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment in which the system 3 of the installation 1 includes a computer tool 15 and a mechanical energy generation device 16.

[0065] By way of non-limitation, the computer tool 15 in this example includes a computer having sequencer software 18 and an analog-to-digital converter 19.

[0066] The computer is of course equipped with components not shown which include a processor, RAM and a hard disk drive capable of operating the sequencer 18, typically a processor with a frequency of at least 1.5 GHz, RAM of at least 4 GB and a hard disk drive of at least 100 GB.

[0067] The sequencer 18, also called a “digital audio station”, can in a way known in itself constitute a virtual platform forming a software interface for creating, producing and playing music.

[0068] In this example, sequencer 18 is configured to process multiple tracks using virtual channels intended to carry information according to the MIDI standard.

[0069] The sequencer of tool 15 may include the software marketed under the name "Ableton Live". This software includes native instruments and allows for real-time operation.

[0070] The converter 19 of tool 15 is in this example a sound card forming an audio interface.

[0071] The converter 19 can be integrated into the computer or be an external module connected to the computer.

[0072] By way of example, the converter 19 may include a sound card of the brand “Focusrite” marketed under the reference “Clarett+ 8Pre”.

[0073] In this example, the converter 19 is configured to convert digital data produced by the tool 15, here referred to as "output data", into analog signals which are here referred to as "output signals".

[0074] With reference to [Fig.4], the device 16 is configured to generate mechanical energy from the output data produced by the tool 15.

[0075] The device 16 of [Fig.4] comprises in this example one or more power amplifiers 21 and one or more transducers 22.

[0076] The system 3 can thus be configured to transmit the output signals from the converter 19 to the device 16, typically by wire, and to provide the signals amplified by the amplifier(s) 21 to the transducer(s) 22.

[0077] Figure 5 shows part of an installation 1 according to the invention comprising a computer music system such as that described above with reference to Figure 4, and an acoustic instrument such as is described above with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0078] In the embodiment of [Fig.5], the mechanical energy generation device comprises two amplifiers 21-1 and 21-2, as well as six transducers 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4, 22-5 and 22-6.

[0079] In this embodiment: - the 22-1 transducer is designed to respond to high frequencies which can typically be in a range from approximately 500 Hz to 20 kHz, the 22-1 transducer being a "Tectonic" brand audio exciter marketed under the reference "TEAX19C01-8" having a nominal power of 2 W and an impedance of 8 Q; - transducers 22-2 and 22-3 are designed to respond to mid-high frequencies which can typically be in a range from 100 Hz or 200 Hz to approximately 15 kHz, these transducers can each be an audio exciter of the brand "Tectonic" marketed under the reference "TEAX32C20-S" or "TEAX25C10-8-SP" having a nominal power of 10 W and an impedance of 8 Q; - transducers 22-4 and 22-5 are designed to respond to mid-low frequencies which can typically be in a range from approximately 35 Hz to 600 Hz, these transducers can each be a "Monacor" brand exciter-vibrator marketed under the reference "AR-50" having a nominal power of 30 W and an impedance of 8 Q; - the 22-6 transducer is designed to respond to low frequencies which can typically be in a range of approximately 28 Hz to 55 Hz, the 22-6 transducer can be a "Rockwood" brand exciter-vibrator with a power of 100 W and an impedance of 4 Q.

[0080] In the embodiment of [Fig.5], the amplifier 21-1 is connected to the transducers 22-1, 22-2 and 22-3, while the amplifier 21-2 is connected to the transducers 22-4, 22-5 and 22-6, these connections being indicated by dashed lines on [Fig.5].

[0081] By way of example, amplifier 21-1 could be a Philips brand amplifier marketed under the reference "DAP 100" with a power output of 2 x 30 W and a frequency response typically within the range of 15 Hz to 70 kHz. Amplifier 21-2 could be a Thomann brand amplifier marketed under the reference "T AMP D4-500" with a power output of 4 x 500 W and a frequency response typically within the range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. As an alternative example, each of amplifiers 21-1 and 21-2 could be an SMSL brand amplifier marketed under the reference "SA-50" with a power output of 2 x 50 W.

[0082] In this embodiment, the transducers 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4, 22-5 and 22-6 are connected to the soundboard 8 in order to be able to transmit to the soundboard 8 the mechanical energy which they generate.

[0083] The transducers can thus operate according to a principle analogous to that of loudspeakers in which the function of the diaphragm would be fulfilled by the soundboard 8.

[0084] [Fig.5] shows a non-limiting positioning of the transducers 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4, 22-5 and 22-6 on the soundboard 8. In this example, the transducers 22-1, 22-3 and 22-4 are arranged on one side of the bridge 9A, on the right in [Fig.5], while the transducers 22-2, 22-5 and 22-6 are arranged on a second side of the bridge 9A, on the left in [Fig.5].

[0085] Transducers 22-2 and 22-3 on the one hand, and transducers 22-4 and 22-5 on the other, are thus arranged in phase inversion. It has been observed that such an arrangement increases the radiation of corresponding frequency bands during the operation of the installation.

[0086] Of course, the assembly illustrated in [Fig. 5] is by no means limiting and many transducer arrangements can be considered to put the invention in action. For example, in an alternative embodiment, not shown, the transducers 22-1, 22-2, and 22-3 may be arranged on one side of the bridge 9A and the transducers 22-4, 22-5, and 22-6 may be arranged on the opposite side of the bridge 9A, so that the relatively high-frequency transducers are located under relatively high-pitched strings and the relatively low-frequency transducers are located under relatively low-pitched strings. Or, the transducers 22-1 and 22-2 may be arranged on one side of the bridge 9A and the transducers 22-3, 22-4, 22-5, and 22-6 may be arranged on the opposite side of the bridge 9A.

[0087] Fig. 6 schematically illustrates an embodiment in which the system 3 differs from that of Fig. 4 in that it additionally includes a control device 30. The preceding description applies by analogy to this embodiment, which is described solely in terms of its differences from the embodiment of Fig. 4.

[0088] Generally, the control device 30 is configured to generate so-called input data which are transmitted to the computer tool 15, so that the tool 15 can produce said output data according to such input data.

[0089] The control device 30 may include one or more components or tools such as those described below.

[0090] In one embodiment, the control device 30 includes an electronic keyboard, for example a frameless “Doepfer PKBB” keyboard marketed by “Thomann”.

[0091] Such a control keyboard, also called a "master keyboard", typically allows sound modules and the sequencer 18 of tool 15 to be controlled using digital messages in the MIDI standard.

[0092] In another embodiment, the control device 30 includes a controller with one or more control elements such as sliders and / or buttons, preferably enabling multidirectional control.

[0093] The controller can, for example, be the one marketed by the company "Expressive E" under the name "Touché".

[0094] Such a controller enables multifunctional, multidirectional, and intuitive performance control that integrates seamlessly with musical gestures. The "Touch" controller, in particular, allows for control along several directions—such as right, left, up, down, and depth of pressure—and is sensitive to finger movement, making it intuitive. This controller also allows for associating such directions and sensitivity levels with real-time sound parameters. The "Touch" controller further features a sensitivity control wheel and two buttons that can be assigned to changing modes, instruments, or performing real-time analysis actions.

[0095] In another embodiment, the control device 30 includes one or more electronic pedals, for example a sustain pedal and a volume control pedal.

[0096] One or more of these pedals can be connected to another control device. For example, when the control device 30 includes a "Doepfer PKBB" keyboard, this keyboard typically incorporates the sustain and volume control pedals.

[0097] Alternatively or complementarily, the control device 30 may include one or more electronic pedals which are independent of the other control organ(s) of the device 30.

[0098] Advantageously, one or more of said electronic pedals may be non-binary, that is to say configured to be able to be placed in more than two positions, in order to allow gradual control of parameters controlled by these pedals.

[0099] In alternative embodiments, the control device 30 includes a touch interface and / or any other means of control, as well as any combination of the elements listed above by way of example.

[0100] Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment in which the control device comprises both an electronic keyboard 31, electronic pedals 32 and 33, and a controller 34 as described above.

[0101] In this example, the electronic keyboard 31 is positioned vertically under the apron 5A and therefore under the keyboard 6 of the acoustic piano. The keyboard 31 is, of course, offset forward relative to the keyboard 6 so that its keys are accessible.

[0102] The keyboard 31 can optionally be arranged to have a slight inclination in order to further improve the ergonomics of the installation 1.

[0103] The aforementioned keyboard model 31 is frameless, allowing for better integration into the instrument making.

[0104] In this example, the electronic keyboard 31 is supported on the one hand by support elements 40, such as metal tabs fixed to the structure 5 of the piano, and on the other hand held in position by removable connecting elements (not shown), such as thumb screws, which cooperate with the support elements 40.

[0105] In this example, the controller 34 is positioned on one side of the keyboard 31, on the left in [Fig.7], so that the buttons of the controller 34 are arranged substantially at the same height as the keys of the keyboard 31, in order to facilitate their control.

[0106] The support of the controller 34 is here ensured by a support element 41 connected to the structure 5 of the piano.

[0107] The support elements 40 and 41 thus form a support structure for the keyboard 31 and the controller 34 which allows these control tools to be received in a removable manner.

[0108] Such a support structure can of course be made in any other way and can for example form a structure independent of, or not fixed to, the structure 5 of the acoustic instrument, for example by being designed to be placed on the ground.

[0109] In one embodiment, the construction of the acoustic instrument 2 can be designed to integrate all or part of the control device 30 of the installation 1, for example so as to form a receiving module for the electronic keyboard 31.

[0110] In the example of [Fig.7], the electronic pedals 32 and 33 correspond respectively to said sustain and volume control pedals of the electronic keyboard 31.

[0111] The electronic pedal 32 is here coupled to the sustain pedal 7C of the acoustic piano.

[0112] More specifically, the pedal 32 is arranged under the pedal 7C so that an action Pressing pedal 7C simultaneously activates pedals 7C and 32.

[0113] The positioning of the pedal 32 can be ensured by any means, for example by fixing the pedal 32 to the pedal 7C and / or to the ground.

[0114] Of course, the acoustic piano can be raised to facilitate or allow the coupling of pedals 32 and 7C, for example by placing a raising structure of the wedge type under the feet of the piano.

[0115] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates an embodiment in which system 3 differs from that of [Fig.4] in that it additionally includes a reinjection device 50. The preceding description applies by analogy to this embodiment, which is described solely in terms of its differences from the embodiment of [Fig.4].

[0116] The reinjection device 50 includes in this example a capture system (not shown) configured to capture information and transmit it to the computer tool 15.

[0117] The capture system of device 50 can typically include one or more electroacoustic transducers configured to capture sound waves and convert them into analog signals forming all or part of said input data.

[0118] Figure 9 schematically illustrates an embodiment in which system 3 differs from that of Figure 6 in that it additionally includes a reinjection device 50, thus combining the embodiments of Figures 6 and 8. The preceding description applies by analogy to this embodiment.

[0119] Figures 10 to 13 schematically illustrate embodiments in which system 3 differs from those of Figures 4, 6, 8 and 9, respectively, in that it additionally includes a sound diffusion device 60. The preceding description applies by analogy to these embodiments, which are described solely according to these differences from the embodiments of Figures 4, 6, 8 and 9.

[0120] In this example, the device 60 comprises one or more electroacoustic transducers configured to broadcast sounds from output data produced by the computer tool 15.

[0121] Non-limiting examples of implementation of installation 1 of the invention will now be described.

[0122] In these different examples, the installation 1 is configured to transmit mechanical energy to the acoustic instrument 2, more specifically to the soundboard 8 of the piano forming this instrument 2, from data provided by the computer tool 15 of the MAO system 3.

[0123] In variants in which the installation 1 includes a system 3 as illustrated in [Fig.4], or a system 3 according to any of the variants described above with reference to Figures 6 and 8 to 13, the installation 1 can be used to transmit to the mechanical energy generation device 16 signals corresponding to one or more sound extracts (“samples”) stored in the computer tool 15.

[0124] Such sound extracts may typically include sound recordings and / or synthesis samples previously processed in the studio in the form of audio files.

[0125] In these examples, the device 16 makes it possible to excite the soundboard 8 of the piano 2 which thus diffuses the electronic sounds, it being understood that the soundboard 8 can be simultaneously excited by vibrations of the strings of the piano 2.

[0126] In variants in which the installation 1 includes a system 3 provided with a reinjection device 50, for example a system 3 according to any of the variants described above with reference to figures 8, 9, 12 and 13, the installation 1 can be used to transmit to the mechanical energy generation device 16 signals corresponding to sounds reinjected by the device 50.

[0127] For example, sounds emitted by the piano 2 and / or by one or more other acoustic instruments (e.g. violins and / or cellos) can be captured by the device 50 and transmitted to the computer tool 15 which generates output signals produced from these sounds in order to excite the soundboard 8.

[0128] Of course, the soundboard 8 can also be excited by vibrations of the piano strings 2 and the output signals transmitted to the device 16 can also include information relating to electronic sounds produced for example by the sequencer 18.

[0129] The sounds reinjected by the reinjection device 50 can undergo any processing within the computer tool 15 before transmission to the device 16, for example frequency filtering.

[0130] In variants in which the installation 1 includes a system 3 equipped with a control device 30, for example a system 3 according to any of the variants described above with reference to Figures 6, 9, 11 and 13, the control device 30 can be used to control the computer tool 15.

[0131] The command may be limited to triggering sound files, for example by one or more actions produced by the instrumentalist himself and / or by another person.

[0132] Alternatively or complementarily, the control may consist of controlling, in particular in real time, sound parameters or more generally data contained in, or produced by, the computer tool 15, and / or applying processing to such data, and / or controlling software modules, in particular sound synthesis modules.

[0133] For example, in an operating mode of an installation 1 in which the control device 30 includes an electronic keyboard, sounds synthesized by physical model or in any other way may be assigned to respective keys of this keyboard. By way of non-limitation, such synthesized sounds may, for example, be produced so that the pitch of the sound assigned to each of said keys of the electronic keyboard is offset from the pitch of the note produced by a corresponding key of the keyboard 6 of the acoustic piano 2, for example by an offset of a quarter tone.

[0134] Furthermore, the tool 15, in particular the sequencer 18, may include one or more software modules, or virtual instruments, for example one or more of the modules described below.

[0135] In one embodiment, the tool 15 includes a module, called "microtonal zoom," for modifying the frequency range around a predefined frequency center of synthesized sounds associated with keys on the electronic keyboard. For example, it allows the frequency range around a center corresponding to a synthesized sound initially associated with one of the keyboard keys to be modified. By thus modifying the frequency range around such a center, the pitch of the synthesized sounds associated with the other keyboard keys is modified accordingly. For example, by selecting quarter-tone division around a center associated with a key corresponding to the note F#3, pressing the key initially associated with the note C3 would generate a sound corresponding to the note Eb3, and pressing the key initially associated with the note C4 would generate a sound corresponding to the note A3.For another example, by selecting the division into eighth tones around a center associated with a key corresponding to the note F#3, an actuation of the key initially associated with the note C3 would generate a sound corresponding to the note E3+1 / 4 tone and an actuation of the key initially associated with the note C4 would generate a sound corresponding to the note G3+1 / 4 tone, etc. Installation 1 can be configured more specifically so that said controller (e.g., controller 34 of embodiment [Fig. 7]), and / or one of the electronic pedals (e.g., pedal 33 of embodiment [Fig. 7]), can control such a modification of the frequency range and / or set or modify a corresponding frequency center. The modification of the frequency range and / or the center can alternatively follow a pre-programmed sequence.

[0136] In one embodiment, the tool 15 includes a module, called "cross-synthesis," designed to allow simultaneous control of two parameters. In this example, the first of these parameters relates to the nature of the signal, which can gradually transition from a sinusoidal signal to white noise, while the second of said parameters relates to the duration of the sound, which can range from a relatively short duration (e.g., a pulse) to a relatively long duration (e.g., several seconds, minutes, or hours). These parameters can be modulated by said controller (e.g., the controller 34 of the embodiment in [Fig. 7]), for example, by assigning the up and down directions to the control of the first parameter (timbre modulation) and the left and right directions to the second parameter (duration modulation).

[0137] In one embodiment, the tool 15 includes a module, called a "frequency modulator," designed to modulate the frequency of one or more signals, for example, a sinusoidal signal. Without limitation, the frequency can be modulated by said controller (e.g., the controller 34 in the embodiment of [Fig. 7]), for example, by moving the cursor in the right and left directions.

[0138] In variants in which the installation 1 includes a sound diffusion device 60, for example according to any of the variants described above with reference to Figures 10 to 13, the device 60 can be used to diffuse sounds formed from a part of said output data, for example concomitantly with an excitation of the soundboard 8 according to the principles just described.

[0139] The invention is of course not limited to the examples described above. In particular, the acoustic instrument may be a piano other than that described above with reference to Figures 2 and 3, for example an upright piano, or an instrument other than a piano, for example a cello.

[0140] In the preceding description, the mechanical energy generated by the system of the invention is transmitted to the soundboard of a piano or, more generally, of a stringed instrument. Alternatively or complementarily, the system of the invention can be configured to transmit mechanical energy to one or more elements different from a soundboard of the acoustic instrument, for example to one or more strings of the instrument.

[0141] The mechanical energy generation device of the installation of the invention may include mechanical energy generation means different from those described above, for example transducers not requiring an amplifier upstream of the transducers, or transducers incorporating amplification technology.

[0142] Similarly, the computer tool of the installation of the invention may include an analog-to-digital converter different from that described above or be devoid of such a converter, for example in an embodiment not shown in which the mechanical energy generation device is capable of processing digital data.

[0143] Of course, the installation may include several acoustic instruments and a computer music system configured to interact with these different acoustic instruments. For example, the installation may include two acoustic pianos and a device configured to feed the sounds of one of the pianos back into the soundboard of the other piano, and possibly vice versa.

Claims

Demands

1. A computer-assisted music system (3) for equipping an acoustic musical instrument (2) such as a piano, comprising: - a computer tool (15) configured to produce output data, - a mechanical energy generation device (16) configured to generate mechanical energy from said output data in order to transmit it to one or more elements such as a soundboard (8) of the acoustic musical instrument (2).

2. System (3) according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical energy generation device (16) comprises one or more transducers (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4, 22-5, 22-6) such as vibrators and / or audio exciters.

3. System (3) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the computer tool (15) is configured to produce said output data as a function of said input data.

4. System (3) according to claim 3, comprising a control device (30) configured to generate said input data or a part of said input data, the control device (30) comprising: - an electronic keyboard (31), and / or - at least one controller (34) provided with one or more control elements such as sliders and / or buttons, the at least one controller (34) preferably being multidirectional and / or sensitive, and / or - one or more electronic pedals (32, 33) which are preferably each configured to be placed in a number of positions greater than or equal to two, said positions of the electronic pedal(s) (32, 33) each allowing the generation of respective input data, and / or - a touch interface.

5. System (3) according to claim 3 or 4, comprising a reinjection device (50) configured to generate said input data or a part of said input data from sound waves.

6. System (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the computer tool (15) comprises a sequencer and / or one or more sound synthesis modules.

7. Installation (1) comprising an acoustic musical instrument (2) such as a piano and a computer-assisted music system (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, said mechanical power generation device (16) of the system (3) being configured to generate and transmit mechanical power to one or more elements such as a soundboard (8) of the acoustic musical instrument (2).

8. Installation (1) according to claim 7, wherein: - the mechanical power generation device (16) comprises two first transducers (22-2, 22-3) configured to respond to frequencies within a first frequency band and two second transducers (22-4, 22-5) configured to respond to frequencies within a second frequency band having a center frequency lower than the center frequency of the first frequency band, one of said first transducers (22-3) and one of said second transducers (22-4) being placed on one side of a bridge (9A) of the acoustic musical instrument (2), the other of said first transducers (22-2) and the other of said second transducers (22-5) being placed on a second side of said bridge (9A), and / or - the installation (1) comprises one or more electronic pedals (32,33) of the control device (30) of a system (3) according to claim 4, the acoustic musical instrument (2) comprising one or more pedals (7C) configured to actuate one or more of said electronic pedals (32) of the control device (30).

9. A method for transmitting mechanical energy to one or more elements such as a soundboard (8) of an acoustic musical instrument (2) of an installation (1) according to claim 7 or 8 using said mechanical energy generation device (16) of this installation (1), the method comprising: - production of output data using said computer tool (15), - generation of mechanical energy using said mechanical energy generation device (16), from said output data.

10. A method according to claim 9 implemented with an installation (1) comprising a control device (30) of a system (3) according to claim 4, the method comprising a generation of input data to control the computer tool (15) so that the computer tool (15) produces said output data as a function of said input data, preferably to achieve real-time dynamic modulation of synthesized sounds and / or of one or more parameters of such sounds.

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