Stringed instrument and sound effect device

Abstract

To easily control an effect imparting part even during playing of a stringed instrument.SOLUTION: The stringed instrument 10 includes a musical instrument body 11, strings attached to the musical instrument body 11, a pickup 13 that detects vibration of the strings and outputs a string vibration signal corresponding to the vibration, a detection sensor 14 that is attached to the musical instrument body 11 and outputs a detection signal corresponding to a force applied to the musical instrument body 11, and a controller 15 that is attached to the musical instrument body 11 and outputs a control signal for controlling an operation of an effect imparter 16 that switches between start and stop of recording of a sound signal based on an input string vibration signal and repeatedly reproduces a recorded sound signal on the basis of the detection signal output from the detection sensor 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to stringed musical instruments and sound effects devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which various controls are provided on the side panels of an acoustic guitar (stringed instrument) to control the operation of an effector that applies musical or acoustic effects to string vibration signals generated in response to the vibration of the strings. The controls in Patent Document 1 are configured to be operated by rotating them with the fingers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2018 / 201100 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the controls for controlling the effect imparting section are provided on a side panel that is away from the strings. Therefore, in order for a performer to control the effect imparting section while playing the acoustic guitar (specifically, while plucking the strings with their fingers), they must move their fingers away from the strings and to the side panel. In other words, there is a problem in that it is difficult for a performer to control the operation of the effect imparting section while playing the acoustic guitar.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a stringed instrument and a sound effect device that allows a performer to easily control an effect imparting section even while playing the stringed instrument. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention is a stringed instrument comprising: a musical instrument body; strings attached to the musical instrument body; a pickup that detects vibrations of the strings and outputs a string vibration signal corresponding to the vibrations; a detection sensor attached to the musical instrument body and outputs a detection signal corresponding to a force applied to the musical instrument body; and a control unit attached to the musical instrument body and outputs a control signal that controls the operation of an effect imparting unit that, based on the detection signal, switches between starting and stopping recording of a sound signal based on the input string vibration signal and repeatedly plays back the recorded sound signal.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is a stringed instrument comprising an instrument body and an effect imparting section, wherein the instrument body is fitted with strings, a pickup that detects vibrations of the strings and outputs a string vibration signal corresponding to the vibrations, a detection sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to a force applied to the instrument body, a control section that outputs a control signal that controls the operation of the effect imparting section based on the detection signal, and an external output unit that outputs the control signal output from the control section to the effect imparting section provided outside the instrument body, and the effect imparting section imparts a signal to the string vibration signal.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is a sound effects device for use with a stringed instrument, comprising: a pickup that detects vibrations of strings of the stringed instrument and outputs a string vibration signal corresponding to the vibrations; a detection sensor that is attached to a body of the stringed instrument and outputs a detection signal corresponding to a force applied to the body of the instrument; and a control unit that outputs a control signal that controls the operation of an effect imparting unit that switches between starting and stopping recording of a sound signal based on the input string vibration signal and repeatedly playing back the recorded sound signal, based on the detection signal.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is a stringed instrument comprising: an instrument body; strings attached to the instrument body; a pickup that detects vibrations of the strings and outputs a string vibration signal corresponding to the vibrations; a detection sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to an operation by a player on the top plate or back plate of the body of the instrument body; and a control unit that is attached to the instrument body and outputs a control signal that controls the operation of an effect imparting unit that, based on the detection signal, switches between starting and stopping the recording of a sound signal based on the input string vibration signal and repeatedly plays back the recorded sound signal.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention is a stringed instrument comprising a musical instrument body and an effect imparting section, wherein the musical instrument body is fitted with: strings; a pickup that detects vibrations of the strings and outputs a string vibration signal corresponding to the vibrations; a detection sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the player's operation on the top plate or back plate of the body of the musical instrument body; a control section that outputs a control signal that controls the operation of the effect imparting section that imparts an effect to the string vibration signal based on the detection signal; and an external output unit that outputs the control signal output from the control section to the effect imparting section provided outside the musical instrument body, and the effect imparting section imparts a signal to the string vibration signal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, a performer can easily control the effect imparting section even while playing a stringed instrument. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a stringed instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a stringed instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram of a stringed instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of an effect imparting unit in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a stringed instrument according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the stringed instrument 10 of this embodiment is an acoustic guitar. The stringed instrument 10 includes an instrument body 11, strings 12, a pickup 13, a detection sensor 14, and a control unit 15. The stringed instrument 10 of this embodiment also includes an effect imparting unit 16 and a vibrator 17.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the instrument body 11 includes a body 21 and a neck 22. Body 21 is formed in a box shape with an internal cavity S. Body 21 has a top plate 23, a back plate 24, and side plates 25. Top plate 23 and back plate 24 are each formed in a flat plate shape. Top plate 23 and back plate 24 are disposed with a gap between them in the thickness direction. Side plates 25 extend from the periphery of back plate 24 to the periphery of top plate 23. Top plate 23, back plate 24, and side plates 25 form body 21 with an internal cavity S. A sound hole 26 is formed in the top plate 23 of the body 21, penetrating through the thickness of the plate. The sound hole 26 connects the cavity S of the body 21 to the space outside the body 21. A tailpiece 27 is provided on the outer surface 23a of the top plate 23, and fastens first ends of the strings 12 in the longitudinal direction.

[0015] The neck 22 extends in a direction away from the body 21. A head 28 for winding the second end of the string 12 in the longitudinal direction is provided at the tip of the neck 22. The string 12 is stretched across the body 21 and the neck 22. Specifically, a first end of the string 12 is fastened to a tailpiece 27 of the body 21, and a second end of the string 12 is wound around the head 28. In this way, the string 12 is stretched between the tailpiece 27 and the head 28.

[0016] A vibration transmission part 29 (bridge) is provided between the strings 12 stretched on the outer surface 23a of the top plate 23 and the outer surface 23a of the top plate 23. As a result, in the stringed instrument 10, the vibrations of the strings 12 are transmitted to the top plate 23 via the vibration transmission part 29, causing the top plate 23 to vibrate. This causes the air inside the body 21 (cavity S) to resonate, and sound is radiated outside the body 21.

[0017] The pickup 13 detects the vibration of the string 12 and outputs a string vibration signal corresponding to the vibration of the string 12. In Figures 1 and 2, the pickup 13 is placed at the position where the sound hole 26 of the top plate 23 is formed so as not to interfere with the vibration of the top plate 23 that accompanies the vibration of the string 12, but this is not limitative.

[0018] The effector 16 shown in Figures 3 and 4 generates a sound signal (so-called wet sound) by adding musical or acoustic effects to the string vibration signal output from the pickup 13 (or the equalizer 18 described later), and outputs the sound signal.

[0019] The effect imparting section 16 includes effect imparting elements 31 that impart predetermined musical or acoustic effects such as a looper, distortion, wah-wah, reverb, flanger, etc. The effect imparting section 16 may include only one effect imparting element 31, but in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, it includes multiple effect imparting elements 31 (31a to 31e) that impart different effects. The effect of the looper (effect imparting element 31a), which is one of the effect imparting elements 31, is to record a sound signal based on the input string vibration signal and repeatedly play back the recorded sound signal by switching between starting and stopping recording.

[0020] The effect imparting section 16 also includes a mixing circuit 32. The mixing circuit 32 mixes or selects, in any ratio, the output signals (wet sounds) output from the effect elements in accordance with the string vibration signals input to the effect imparting section 16 and the string vibration signals (dry sounds) that do not pass through the effect elements, and outputs the mixed or selected signal as a sound signal to the outside of the effect imparting section 16 (to the vibrator 17 and amplifier 19, which will be described later). The effect imparting section 16 is attached to the instrument body 11. The effect imparting section 16 may be stored in a storage section 41 attached to the body section 21, for example, as shown in FIG.

[0021] 1 to 3, the vibrator 17 is attached to the body 21 of the instrument body 11. The vibrator 17 vibrates the body 21 based on a sound signal output from the effect imparting section 16 in response to a string vibration signal. When the vibrator 17 vibrates the body 21, the sound to which effects have been imparted by the effect imparting section 16 is radiated outside the body 21. The vibrator 17 may be a known voice coil type or any other type of electric / vibration transducer.

[0022] The vibrator 17 may be attached to the back panel 24 or the side panel 25, for example, but in this embodiment it is attached to the top panel 23. Specifically, the vibrator 17 is attached to the inner surface 23b of the top panel 23. The vibrator 17 is located in an area of ​​the top panel 23 away from the area surrounding the sound hole 26 (the area where the detection sensor 14 is located). In FIG. 1 , when the stringed instrument 10 is viewed from the front, the vibrator 17 is located in an area of ​​the body 21 that sandwiches the sound hole 26 and the tailpiece 27 between the body 21 and the neck 22.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the stringed instrument 10 of this embodiment further includes an equalizer 18 and an amplifier 19. The equalizer 18 adjusts the frequency characteristics of the string vibration signal output from the pickup 13. The equalizer 18 adjusts the frequency characteristics of the string vibration signal so as to emphasize a frequency range (e.g., harmonic components) higher than the fundamental frequency range of the string 12, for example. The equalizer 18 outputs the string vibration signal with the adjusted frequency characteristics to the effect imparting unit 16. The amplifier 19 amplifies the sound signal output from the effect imparting unit 16 and outputs it to the vibrator 17. In this embodiment, the equalizer 18 and the amplifier 19 are attached to the instrument body 11. Similar to the effect imparting section 16, the equalizer 18 and the amplifier 19 may be stored in the storage section 41 shown in FIG.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the detection sensor 14 is attached to the instrument body 11. The detection sensor 14 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the force applied to the instrument body 11. The detection sensor 14 may be, for example, a deflection detection sensor 14 (e.g., a strain gauge) that detects deflection caused in the instrument body 11 when a force is applied to the instrument body 11. The detection sensor 14 may also be, for example, a pressure sensor that detects pressure applied to the instrument body 11. The detection sensor 14 may also be, for example, an electrostatic contact sensor that detects when a player touches the instrument body 11.

[0025] In this embodiment, the detection sensor 14 is attached to a part of the body 21. The detection sensor 14 may be attached to, for example, the back panel 24 or the side panel 25, but in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the detection sensor 14 is attached to the top panel 23. Specifically, the detection sensor 14 is attached to the inner surface 23b of the top panel 23. The detection sensor 14 is also located in the area of ​​the top panel 23 surrounding the sound hole 26. In Figure 1, the detection sensor 14 is located to the right of the strings 12 and the sound hole 26 when viewed from the front of the stringed instrument 10, but it may also be located on the left side, for example. The area of ​​the top panel 23 surrounding the sound hole 26 (particularly the areas to the right and left of the strings 12 and sound hole 26 in Figure 1) is the area where the player's fingers (hands and fingers) are primarily positioned when playing the stringed instrument 10, which is a guitar, by plucking the strings 12, etc. The detection sensor 14 is not limited to being attached to the inner surface 23b of the top plate 23, but may also be attached to the inner surface of the back plate 24 or side plate 25, for example. The detection sensor 14 may also be attached to the outer surface (surface) of the top plate 23, back plate 24, or side plate 25 of the body 21. The detection sensor 14 may also be embedded inside the top plate 23, back plate 24, or side plate 25. In other words, it is sufficient that the detection sensor 14 is attached to the body 21 and is capable of detecting deflection occurring in the instrument body 11.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1 , the stringed instrument 10 of this embodiment further includes a recognized portion 50. The recognized portion 50 is provided on the outer surface of the body 21. In this embodiment, the recognized portion 50 is provided on the outer surface 23a of the top plate 23 of the body 21. The recognized portion 50 indicates the position of the detection sensor 14 attached to the inner surface of the body 21. The recognized portion 50 serves to allow the player to recognize the position of the detection sensor 14 visually or tactilely.

[0027] The recognized part 50 only needs to be provided in at least a region of the outer surface of the trunk 21 where, when a force is applied to the trunk 21, a detection signal corresponding to the force is output from the detection sensor 14. Therefore, the recognized part 50 may be arranged, for example, near the detection sensor 14 but within a range that does not overlap with the detection sensor 14 when viewed from the outside of the trunk 21. The recognized part 50 may also be arranged, for example, in a position that overlaps with a part of the detection sensor 14 when viewed from the outside of the trunk 21. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the recognized part 50 is arranged in a position that overlaps with the entire detection sensor 14 when viewed from the outside of the trunk 21.

[0028] In Fig. 1, the size of the recognized part 50 as viewed from the outside of the body part 21 is larger than the size of the detection sensor 14, but it may be smaller than the size of the detection sensor 14. Also, in Fig. 1, the shape of the recognized part 50 as viewed from the outside of the body part 21 in a plan view is formed into a rectangular shape similar to the detection sensor 14, but this is not limited to this and it may be formed into any shape.

[0029] The recognized portion 50 may be, for example, a sticker attached to the outer surface of the body 21. When the recognized portion 50 is a sticker, a step is created between the outer surface of the body 21 and the recognized portion 50. This allows the player of the stringed instrument 10 to tactilely recognize the position of the detection sensor 14 by the step. The sticker serving as the recognized portion 50 may be opaque, translucent, or transparent. For example, letters, symbols, patterns, pictures, etc. may be printed on the sticker. The sticker may also be surface-treated so that its surface roughness differs from that of the outer surface of the body 21. The sticker may also be a textured sticker in which letters, symbols, patterns, pictures, etc. are engraved. By forming the sticker in this manner, the player of the stringed instrument 10 can visually or tactilely recognize the position of the detection sensor 14 by the step.

[0030] When the recognized part 50 is a sticker, it is possible to provide the recognized part 50 on the outer surface of the body part 21 more cheaply and easily than when the recognized part 50 is a decal, inlay, or branding iron, which will be described later. In addition, the recognized part 50 can be easily removed (peeled off) from the body part 21.

[0031] The recognized portion 50 may also be, for example, a decal or inlay provided on the outer surface of the body 21. The recognized portion 50 may also be, for example, a brand formed on the outer surface of the body 21. If the recognized portion is a decal, the decal needs to be protected by a transparent paint film (coating layer). An inlay is a structure in which an indentation is formed on the outer surface of the body 21 and another material (for example, wood or a shell) is fitted into the indentation. If the recognized portion 50 is a decal, inlay, or brand, the player of the stringed instrument 10 can recognize the position of the detection sensor 14 mainly visually. If the recognized portion 50 is a decal, inlay, or brand, the appearance design of the stringed instrument 10 can be improved compared to a sticker.

[0032] Furthermore, the recognized portion 50 may be formed by various printing methods, such as stamp printing or sticker printing, directly applied to the outer surface of the body 21. When the recognized portion 50 is formed by printing, the player of the stringed instrument 10 can primarily visually recognize the position of the detection sensor 14. When the recognized portion 50 is formed by printing, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in designing letters, symbols, patterns, pictures, etc.

[0033] The control unit 15 shown in Figures 3 and 4 is attached to the musical instrument body 11. The control unit 15 may be stored in the storage unit 41 shown in Figure 1, for example, similar to the effect imparting unit 16. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the control unit 15 outputs a control signal to the effect imparting unit 16, which controls the operation of the effect imparting unit 16, based on the detection signal output from the detection sensor 14. The control unit 15 may output different types of control signals from the control unit 15, for example, depending on the number of times force is applied to the musical instrument body 11 or the length of time for which force is applied to the musical instrument body 11.

[0034] The control unit 15 outputs a control signal according to the magnitude of the amplitude (strength) or the frequency of the detection signal output from the detection sensor 14. Specifically, the control unit 15 outputs a control signal when the amplitude of the detection signal is greater than the maximum amplitude of the top plate 23 (musical instrument body 11) when sound is emitted from the stringed instrument 10. Furthermore, the control unit 15 outputs a control signal when the frequency of the detection signal is lower than the minimum frequency of the top plate 23 (musical instrument body 11) when sound is emitted from the stringed instrument 10. This makes it possible to suppress or prevent the control signal from being output from the control unit 15 simply because sound is emitted from the stringed instrument 10.

[0035] The control signal output from the control unit 15 may be, for example, a signal that switches ON / OFF the effect imparting unit 16 (effect imparting element 31). In this case, the control signal output from the control unit 15 may be, for example, a signal that switches between starting and stopping recording by a looper (effect imparting element 31a), which is one of the effect imparting elements 31. Furthermore, the control signal output from the control unit 15 may be a signal that adjusts the strength or magnitude of the effect imparted to the string vibration signal according to the magnitude of the force applied to the top plate 23 (musical instrument body 11). For example, the magnitude of the distortion, wah-wah, reverb, flanger effect, or the magnitude of the arming (arm down / arm up) effect may be adjusted according to the magnitude of the force applied to the top plate 23 (musical instrument body 11).

[0036] As described above, the effect imparting section 16 of this embodiment includes a plurality of effect imparting elements 31 shown in Fig. 4. Therefore, the effect imparting section 16 further includes a selector 33 that selects to which effect imparting element 31 a control signal output from the control section 15 is to be input. The selector 33 may operate, for example, in response to a control signal output from the control section 15, or may operate in response to an operation input from a separately provided operator (not shown).

[0037] In this embodiment, the storage section 41 shown in FIG. 1 may store not only the control section 15, the effect imparting section 16, the equalizer 18, and the amplifier 19 described above, but also a power supply for supplying power to these electrical components, and various other controls such as a control for the selector 33 and a power switch.

[0038] As described above, in the stringed instrument 10 of this embodiment, the detection sensor 14 attached to the instrument body 11 functions as an operator for controlling the operation of the effect imparting unit 16. That is, the player of the stringed instrument 10 can control the operation of the effect imparting unit 16 by applying force to the instrument body 11 (for example, by bending the surface of the body 21, or by striking or touching the surface of the body 21). This makes it possible to control the operation of the effect imparting unit 16 without having to move the player's fingers far away from the strings 12. Therefore, the player can easily control the effect imparting unit 16 while playing the stringed instrument 10.

[0039] Furthermore, in the stringed instrument 10 of this embodiment, the detection sensor 14 is attached to a portion of the body 21 of the instrument body 11. Therefore, the player can easily control the operation of the effect imparting unit 16 by, for example, pressing a portion of the body 21 with his or her arm or fingers to apply pressure to a portion of the surface of the body 21, bending that portion, or by striking or touching that portion of the surface of the body 21. Furthermore, when the player plays the stringed instrument 10 by plucking the strings 12, the player's arms and fingers are generally resting on the body 21. In this state, by applying force to the top plate 23 of the body 21 with the player's arms and fingers, the player can easily control the operation of the effect imparting unit 16 while playing the stringed instrument 10, without having to change the position of his or her arms or fingers.

[0040] Furthermore, in the stringed instrument 10 of this embodiment, the detection sensor 14 is attached to the top plate 23 of the body 21. Therefore, the performer can control the operation of the effect imparting unit 16 by simply pressing the top plate 23 with his or her fingers, thereby bending the top plate 23. Here, when the performer plays the stringed instrument 10 by plucking the strings 12, the performer's fingers are generally positioned on the top plate 23. Therefore, while playing the stringed instrument 10, the performer can easily control the operation of the effect imparting unit 16 without changing the position of his or her fingers. Furthermore, in the stringed instrument 10 of this embodiment, the detection sensor 14 is attached to the inner surface of the body 21. This prevents the attachment of the detection sensor 14 to the body 21 from impairing the appearance design of the stringed instrument 10.

[0041] Furthermore, in the stringed instrument 10 of this embodiment, the vibrator 17 attached to the body 21 vibrates the body 21 based on the sound signal output from the effect imparting section 16 in response to the string vibration signal from the pickup 13. This allows the stringed instrument 10 (body 21) to produce a sound to which musical or acoustic effects have been imparted.

[0042] Furthermore, in the stringed instrument 10 of this embodiment, the effect imparting unit 16 is attached to the instrument body 11. This makes it possible for the stringed instrument 10 alone to produce sounds to which effects have been imparted by the effect imparting unit 16. This effect is particularly useful when the stringed instrument 10 has an appearance similar to that of an acoustic guitar. This point will be explained below. For example, if the effect imparting unit 16 is provided separately from the acoustic guitar, it is necessary to electrically connect the control unit 15 of the stringed instrument 10 and the effect imparting unit 16 by a connecting cord or the like. However, because a connecting cord is not connected to a normal acoustic guitar, the appearance of the stringed instrument 10 with a connecting cord extending from it is different from the appearance of a normal acoustic guitar and looks unnatural. In contrast, if the effect imparting unit 16 is attached to the instrument body 11, there is no need to connect a connecting cord to the stringed instrument 10, and the stringed instrument 10 can have the same appearance as a normal acoustic guitar.

[0043] In addition, in the stringed instrument 10 of this embodiment, the effect imparting unit 16 includes a looper. Furthermore, the control signal output from the control unit 15 includes a signal for switching between starting and stopping recording by the looper. This allows the performer to easily switch between starting and stopping recording by the looper without having to move their fingers far away from the strings 12 (i.e., without interfering with the performance of the stringed instrument 10). In other words, the performer can more easily make use of the looper's functions.

[0044] Furthermore, the stringed instrument 10 of this embodiment includes a recognized portion 50 that is provided on the outer surface of the body 21 and indicates the position of the detection sensor 14 that is provided on the inner surface of the body 21. Therefore, even if the player of the stringed instrument 10 cannot see the detection sensor 14 from outside the body 21, the recognized portion 50 allows the player to ascertain the position of the detection sensor 14. This makes it possible to suppress or prevent the player from failing to operate the detection sensor 14. A failure to operate the detection sensor 14 by the player means, for example, that even if the player presses the body 21, this force is not transmitted to the detection sensor 14 and a detection signal is not output from the detection sensor 14.

[0045] Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0046] In the present invention, the effect imparting section 16 does not have to be attached to the instrument body 11, that is, it does not have to be provided in the stringed instrument. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the stringed instrument 10A may be provided with an external output unit 51. The external output unit 51 outputs a control signal output from the control section 15 to the effect imparting section 16 provided outside the instrument body 11. The external output unit 51 may be an external connection terminal for wired connection to the effect imparting section 16, or may be a wireless communication unit for wireless connection to the effect imparting section 16. In the stringed instrument 10A equipped with the external output unit 51, the effect imparting section 16 can be provided separately from the stringed instrument 10A, so that any type of effect imparting section 16 can be selected and used.

[0047] In the present invention, the detection sensor 14 may be attached to, for example, the neck 22. In this case, while playing the stringed instrument 10, the performer can apply force to the neck 22 by bending the neck 22 or by pressing the part of the neck 22 where the detection sensor 14 is attached, thereby causing the detection sensor 14 to output a detection signal. In other words, even if the detection sensor 14 is attached to the neck 22, the performer can easily control the effect imparting section 16 while playing the stringed instrument 10.

[0048] The present invention may be a sound effect device 100 (see FIGS. 3 and 5) for use with a stringed instrument 10, which includes at least a pickup 13, a detection sensor 14, and a control unit 15. The sound effect device 100 may further include one or both of a vibrator 17 and an effect imparting unit 16. The sound effect device 100 may also include an equalizer 18 and an amplifier 19. By attaching the sound effect device 100 to an existing string instrument, the existing string instrument can be endowed with the same functions as the string instruments 10 and 10A of the above-described embodiments. For example, by attaching the detection sensor 14 of the sound effect device to the instrument body 11 of the existing string instrument, the detection sensor 14 functions as an operator for controlling the operation of the effect imparting unit 16. This allows the player of the string instrument 10 to control the operation of the effect imparting unit 16 by applying force to the instrument body 11 (for example, by bending, striking, or touching the body 21 or neck 22).

[0049] In the present invention, the part of the player that applies force to a part of the stringed instrument to cause detection sensor 14 to output a detection signal may be other than the hand (for example, the arm, elbow, abdomen, waist, thigh, etc.). In the above-described embodiment, detection sensor 14 is attached to the top plate 23 of body 21, assuming that it is operated by the player's hand. However, detection sensor 14 may also be provided on a part of the stringed instrument that is likely to be hit by the player's elbow (for example, a predetermined position on the top plate 23). Furthermore, for example, if detection sensor 14 is attached to the back plate 24 or side plate 25 of body 21, force may be applied to the back plate 24 or side plate 25, which are parts of the stringed instrument, by the player's abdomen, waist, thigh, etc. Furthermore, although detection sensor 14 is provided inside (inner surface) of body 21, it may also be provided on the surface (outer surface) of body 21.

[0050] The present invention can also be understood as a detection sensor that outputs a detection signal in response to a player's manipulation of the top plate 23 or back plate 24 of the body 21 of the instrument body. In this invention, "a player's manipulation of the top plate 23 or back plate 24" refers to the actions described in the above embodiment, i.e., the player bending the top plate 23 or back plate 24 of the body 21, striking the top plate 23 or back plate 24 of the body 21, touching the top plate 23 or back plate 24, or moving closer to or away from the top plate 23 or back plate 24. Furthermore, in the stringed instrument of the present invention, instead of or in addition to the above-described sensor for detecting the player's operation, an electrostatic sensor can be used as a detection sensor for detecting the player's hand or other body part approaching or moving away from the top plate 23 or back plate 24. Also, an electrostatic contact sensor or membrane switch can be used as a sensor for detecting the player's hand or other body part contacting the top plate 23 or back plate 24. If an electrostatic sensor is attached to the top plate 23 or back plate 24 of the body 21, the aforementioned "player's operation of the top plate 23 or back plate 24" can include the player's hand or other body part approaching or moving away from the top plate 23 or back plate 24. If an electrostatic contact sensor or membrane switch is attached to the top plate 23 or back plate 24 of the body 21, the aforementioned "player's operation of the top plate 23 or back plate 24" can include the player's hand or other body part contacting the top plate 23 or back plate 24. The electrostatic sensor may detect the player's movement of moving a part of their body, such as their hand or arm, toward or away from the side panel 25 instead of the top panel 23 or the back panel 24, or in addition to the top panel 23 or the back panel 24. The electrostatic contact sensor or membrane switch may detect the player's movement of moving a part of their body, such as their hand or arm, toward or away from the side panel 25 instead of the top panel 23 or the back panel 24, or in addition to the top panel 23 or the back panel 24. Even in these cases, if the detection sensor is attached inside the body 21, the recognized part 50 may be provided on the surface (external surface) of the body 21. Even in these cases, the detection sensor may be provided inside (inner surface) the body 21, on the surface (external surface) of the body 21, or embedded inside the top panel 23, the back panel 24, or the side panel 25. That is, the detection sensor may be attached to the body 21 in a manner that can detect the player's operation. If the detection sensor is attached to the surface of the body 21, the detection sensor itself also serves as the recognized part.

[0051] The present invention is not limited to acoustic guitars with a body 21 having a hollow S inside, but may also be applied to guitars that do not generate resonance sounds due to the vibration of the strings in the body (for example, electric guitars and electric basses that do not have a hollow inside the body, or Silent Guitars (registered trademark) that have a body made of a frame). In this case, if it is an electric guitar, the detection sensor may be provided, for example, near the pickup. Also, if it is a guitar with a body made of a frame, the detection sensor may be provided, for example, on the frame. The present invention is not limited to guitars having a body and a neck, but can also be applied to stringed instruments that have at least a body and strings attached to the body, such as violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10, 10A... stringed instrument, 11... instrument body, 12... string, 13... pickup, 14... detection sensor, 15... control unit, 16... effect imparting unit, 17... vibrator, 21... body, 22... neck, 23... top plate, 31... effect imparting element, 50... recognized unit, 51... external output unit, 100... sound effect device

Claims

1. The instrument itself, a string attached to the instrument body; a pickup that detects the vibration of the string and outputs a string vibration signal corresponding to the vibration; a detection sensor attached to the instrument body and configured to output a detection signal corresponding to a force applied to the instrument body; a control unit attached to the instrument body, which outputs a control signal to control the operation of an effect imparting unit that switches between starting and stopping recording of a sound signal based on the input string vibration signal and repeatedly plays back the recorded sound signal based on the detection signal; and A stringed instrument comprising:

2. The stringed instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the effect imparting section is attached to the instrument body.

3. 2. The stringed instrument according to claim 1, further comprising an external output unit for outputting the control signal to the effect imparting section provided outside the instrument body.

4. The instrument itself, an effect imparting unit; The instrument body includes: Strings and a pickup that detects the vibration of the string and outputs a string vibration signal corresponding to the vibration; a detection sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to a force applied to the instrument body; a control unit that outputs a control signal for controlling an operation of the effect imparting unit based on the detection signal; an external output unit that outputs the control signal output from the control unit to the effect imparting unit provided outside the instrument body; is attached, the effect imparting unit imparts a signal to the string vibration signal; String instrument.

5. the effect applying section includes a looper, The stringed instrument according to claim 4 , wherein the control signal output from the control unit includes a signal for switching between starting and stopping recording by the looper.

6. The stringed instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the detection sensor is attached to a part of a body of the instrument body.

7. a vibrator attached to a body of the musical instrument body to vibrate the body, 7. The stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein the vibrator vibrates the body based on a sound signal output from the effect imparting section in response to the string vibration signal.

8. A sound effects device for use with a stringed instrument, comprising: a pickup that detects vibration of a string of the stringed instrument and outputs a string vibration signal corresponding to the vibration; a detection sensor that is attached to a body of the stringed instrument and outputs a detection signal corresponding to a force applied to the body of the stringed instrument; a control unit that outputs a control signal to control the operation of an effect imparting unit that switches between starting and stopping the recording of a sound signal based on the input string vibration signal and repeatedly playing back the recorded sound signal, based on the detection signal; and A sound effects device comprising:

9. The instrument itself, a string attached to the instrument body; a pickup that detects the vibration of the string and outputs a string vibration signal corresponding to the vibration; a detection sensor that outputs a detection signal in response to a player's operation on the top plate or the back plate of the body of the musical instrument body; a control unit attached to the instrument body, which outputs a control signal to control the operation of an effect imparting unit that switches between starting and stopping recording of a sound signal based on the input string vibration signal and repeatedly plays back the recorded sound signal based on the detection signal; and A stringed instrument comprising:

10. The instrument itself, an effect imparting unit; The instrument body includes: Strings and a pickup that detects the vibration of the string and outputs a string vibration signal corresponding to the vibration; a detection sensor that outputs a detection signal in response to a player's operation on the top plate or the back plate of the body of the musical instrument body; a control unit that outputs a control signal to control an operation of an effect imparting unit that imparts an effect to the string vibration signal based on the detection signal; an external output unit that outputs the control signal output from the control unit to the effect imparting unit provided outside the instrument body; is attached, the effect imparting unit imparts a signal to the string vibration signal; String instrument.

11. the detection sensor is attached to the inner surface of the body of the musical instrument; 11. The stringed instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a recognized portion provided on an outer surface of the body portion and indicating a position of the detection sensor.

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