Systems and methods for capturing and interpreting audio - Patents.com

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for capturing vibrations produced by an object, such as a musical instrument, such as a cymbal in a drum kit. The apparatus includes a detectable element, such as a ferromagnetic element such as a metal shim, and a sensor spaced apart from and positioned relative to the instrument. The detectable element is positioned between the sensor and the instrument. When the instrument vibrates, the sensor remains stationary and the detectable element is caused to vibrate relative to the sensor by the instrument.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 704,258, filed December 5, 2019, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to hardware components for a system for capturing and synthesizing percussion instruments, such as cymbals. [Background technology]

[0003] Many traditional acoustic instruments, such as percussion instruments, cannot be easily emulated or synthesized by electronic systems. Although attempts have been made to build electronic drums, such electronic drums do not currently replicate the sound of an acoustic drum kit, and the subtleties of acoustic playing may be lost by using electronic equivalents of existing drums.

[0004] Modern electronic drum kits are typically activated using a set of binary triggers so that hitting the triggers of the electronic drum pad produces a specific sound. However, acoustic drum kits can produce a much wider variety of sounds by using the main drum pad as a continuum rather than a series of separate triggers, by using the drum rim as part of the instrument, by hitting the drum with different materials, or by utilizing different techniques that each activate the acoustics of a physical object in different ways to produce different sounds. For example, a drummer can produce a unique sound by hitting the rim of the drum or the side of the drum, or other places where the electronic device may not have triggers. Some electronic drum pads can distinguish between harder and softer hits, but they are still limited in which triggers are activated and with what force.

[0005] Traditionally, acoustic drum sounds have been captured by standard acoustic microphones, which tend to detect ambient sounds other than the sound emanating from the drums. Such ambient sounds may include unwanted sounds that are difficult to separate during processing. Furthermore, while such microphones can produce signals from the captured performance that can be used to recreate a particular sound, such signals are difficult or impossible for a computerized system to interpret, and therefore such microphones cannot be used to modify or refine the playback of the performance. Furthermore, such signals cannot be easily used to control a computer to produce customized playback of sounds other than an amplified version of the captured sound.

[0006] Similarly, in the case of cymbal pickups, acoustic cymbal pickups typically consist of a standard microphone positioned close to the cymbal, or a vibration-sensing element fixed to the cymbal itself. In the case of a microphone, the device does not adequately isolate the sound of the cymbal from external sounds, nor does the device generate an electronic signal that can be easily manipulated. In the case of a vibration-sensing element, these devices typically require a wired element to be fixed to the cymbal itself, but such fixation is problematic because cymbals vibrate and rock and rotate vigorously on their stands.

[0007] Additionally, existing electronic drum kits require musicians to become familiar with a new set of equipment that looks and feels different than what the musician is accustomed to: drummers are typically familiar with their kits, and they are adept at performing special drumming techniques on equipment they have used for years.

[0008] A key issue is one of human-computer interaction. Currently, computer interfaces for musicians typically require the use of binary buttons, knobs, and controls with limited dimensionality. Using a computer for music production requires learning the system's interface. Because those interfaces typically consist of low-dimensional input devices, the range of musical expressiveness necessarily does not extend to that possible with acoustic instruments. Unlike computer interfaces, acoustic instruments have highly complex analog interfaces. Take drums as an example: an electronic drum pad may be capable of playing a single note with variable volume when struck by a performer, but an acoustic drum produces infinitely variable sounds depending on how the drum is struck, where on the drum it is struck, and with what it is struck.

[0009] Furthermore, current digital instruments and environments are not capable of responding in a musically meaningful way according to their user. For example, a sequencer can be programmed to play melodies, harmonies, and shifting tonalities in time, but the sequencer may not be able to respond in real time to the intentions of another musician playing along with it to change tempo, chords, or tunes. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] What is needed is a system that can emulate and synthesize percussion instruments without losing the benefit of the acoustic and analog nature of the original instruments. What is also needed is a system that can interpret signals captured from such percussion instruments and use them to control the output of a computer system. What is also needed is a system that can accommodate the instruments currently used and familiar to percussionists without the limitations of traditional microphones.

[0011] Additionally, there is a need for a platform on which the described system can be trained to better recognize captured signals, and on which music information can be extracted from audio data streams obtained elsewhere.

[0012] Finally, there is a need for a system that has the ability to interpret its input as musically relevant information in order to follow, play with, and support other musicians. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for capturing and interpreting audio, and for outputting selected sounds based on the interpretation by the systems and methods. Devices for use with the systems are also disclosed.

[0014] An apparatus is provided for capturing vibrations produced by an object, such as a musical instrument, such as a cymbal in a drum kit. The apparatus comprises a detectable element, such as a ferromagnetic element, such as a metal shim, and a sensor spaced apart from and positioned relative to the instrument. The detectable element is positioned between the sensor and the instrument. When the instrument vibrates, the sensor remains stationary and the detectable element is caused to vibrate relative to the sensor by the instrument.

[0015] The device may be a cymbal clamp for use with a cymbal. The sensor may be an inductive pickup, such as an inductive coil, and the device may further include a magnet fixed adjacent to the inductive coil such that the inductive coil and magnet remain stationary when the cymbal vibrates.

[0016] The shim may be spaced from the cymbal by a first pad or portion of a pad, and the shim may be spaced from the sensor by a second pad or portion of a pad such that vibration of the ferromagnetic shim is proportional to vibration of the cymbal. Such vibration may be at the same frequency as vibration of the cymbal. The pad may be felt and the shim may be steel.

[0017] Vibrations of the metal shim can create electromagnetic disturbances that can be detected by an induction coil.

[0018] The device may be a cymbal clamp with a cymbal clamp location disposed between an upper pad and a lower pad. The sensor module may be spaced from the cymbal clamp location by one of the upper pad or the lower pad, and the detectable element is disposed between the cymbal clamp location and the sensor module. Upon the occurrence of an audio event on the cymbal at the cymbal mounting location, such as by a strike from a drumstick, the sensor module may remain stationary or relatively stationary with respect to the cymbal mounting location, and the detectable element may move with respect to the sensor module.

[0019] The detectable element may be embedded in the upper or lower pad, or one of the pads may be divided into a first pad portion and a second pad portion, and the detectable element may be disposed between the pad portions.

[0020] The device may further be part of a cymbal stand such that the device itself is a cymbal stand having a cymbal clamp position between an upper pad and a lower pad, a sensor module spaced from the cymbal clamp position by the upper pad or the lower pad, and a detectable element disposed between the cymbal clamp position and the sensor module. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system for capturing and synthesizing sound from a musical instrument.

[0022] [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an apparatus for capturing and synthesizing sound from a musical instrument.

[0023] [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the device of FIG. 2.

[0024] [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 2 including a cymbal secured in a cymbal clamp position.

[0025] [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 including a cymbal secured in a cymbal clamp position.

[0026] [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the device of FIG. 2 including a cymbal.

[0027] [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the device of FIG. 2.

[0028] [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 2 including a cymbal secured in a cymbal clamp position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The description of exemplary embodiments according to the principles of the present invention is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered as part of the entire specification. In the description of the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely for convenience of description and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Relative terms such as "lower", "upper", "horizontal", "vertical", "upper", "lower", "up", "below", "top", and "bottom", as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally", "down", "upwardly", etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation being described at the time or as shown in the figures being discussed. These relative terms are merely for convenience of description and do not require that the device be constructed or operated in a particular orientation, unless expressly indicated as such. Terms such as "mounted", "fixed", "connected", "coupled", "interconnected", and similar terms refer to both relationships in which structures are affixed or attached directly to one another or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as movable or immovable attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and advantages of the present invention are illustrated by reference to the illustrated embodiments. Thus, the present invention should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments, which obviously depict some possible non-limiting combinations of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0030] This disclosure describes the best mode of carrying out the invention as currently contemplated. This description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but provides an example of the invention presented merely for illustrative purposes with reference to the accompanying drawings to inform those skilled in the art of the advantages and structure of the invention. In the various views of the drawings, like reference characters indicate like or similar parts.

[0031] Hardware systems are combined with software methods to capture sounds from an instrument, interpret those sounds, and use the generated signals to control a computer, such as controlling the audio output of the computer. Such systems may emulate or synthesize the captured sounds, or they may instead output audio samples that are mapped to the sounds produced by the instrument. The mapped audio samples may be new sounds that are not sonically related to the actual sounds of the instrument, but rather are sounds that are structurally related to the acoustics of the instrument and the way the musician interacts with the instrument.

[0032] The hardware components described may include devices with multiple sensors, also referred to herein as devices and microphones, that may be used to capture sounds from musical instruments. The captured sounds are converted into electrical signals that may be processed in a computer system using various software methods. Similarly, the software methods disclosed herein and in the related disclosures may be utilized to interpret signals extracted from hardware components other than those described to identify and emulate or synthesize sounds for musical instruments. It is further understood that while the disclosed embodiments relate to percussion instruments, particularly drums, similar hardware and software may be used to capture and emulate sounds from other musical instruments and acoustic objects as well.

[0033] The software routines discussed are designed to extract musically relevant information from the signal, such as event onset (drum hit, melody onset), timbre (tonal content), steady-state tonal pitch (melody), concurrent and evolving tonal structure (harmony and melody), rhythmic structure (tempo, time signature, phrasing), musical structure (song form, dynamic shifts, compositional shifts), and style of musical composition specific to a particular performer, group, or musical genre. Such software methods can extract these multiple layers of musical information and convert them into a symbolic data format that allows these levels of musical information to be used as a general control source for other purposes. The system is designed to operate both in real time in response to immediate sensory input and in response to pre-recorded sensory input.

[0034] In some embodiments, any input signal may be interpreted as having musically relevant information. Although the description contained herein is primarily directed to systems and devices for capturing and synthesizing sounds from drums, inputs may include signals from any acoustic instrument picked up through a microphone, signals from other sensor types designed to track the acoustic sounds and physical movements resulting from a person playing an instrument, signals from electro-acoustic instruments such as electric guitars via built-in pickups, and / or signals from a series of symbolic data carrying musically relevant information as a time series, such as from any kind of MIDI keyboard instrument or MIDI controller.

[0035] Input signals containing musically relevant information can be classified in various ways. Analog and / or acoustic instruments can be classified into the following categories: a. Unpitched instruments, including drums, cymbals, and other unpitched percussion instruments; b. Pitched monophonic instruments, including wind instruments, woodwinds, synthesized monophonic sounds, etc., as well as c. Pitched polyphonic instruments, including guitars, violins, pianos, and synthetic polyphonic sounds. can be classified as follows.

[0036] Symbolic instruments are divided into the following categories: a. Unpitched musical instruments, including electric drum pads and finger pad drums that output MIDI; and b. Pitched instruments, including keyboards that output MIDI can be classified as follows.

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system for capturing and synthesizing sound from drums. As shown, the system includes several devices 100 for capturing sound from drums. The same or similar devices 100 may capture sound from a variety of drum types, including a snare drum 110, a tom drum 120, or a kick drum 130. Although the system and devices are illustrated with respect to a drum-based embodiment, the system may be adapted to any instrument by modifying the components of the system. Similarly, the method may be modified to accommodate any of a number of instruments by modifying the features extracted from the sound signal. For example, the system may incorporate any number of devices for capturing sound from additional instruments, such as the devices of FIGS. 2-8 for capturing sound or vibrations from cymbals, discussed in detail below.

[0038] The captured audio is sent as an analog signal to a preamplifier or audio interface 140 with analog-to-digital conversion, which processes the audio signal, then processes the audio further, selects audio samples to output, and generates an output signal to send to an audio output such as a PA system 145 or a headphone monitor 147. In some embodiments, the audio interface sends the resulting digital signal to an external computer 150 or a different external unit for further processing and to select audio samples or apply an audio synthesis process to generate an output signal. In such an embodiment, the computer 150 may be connected to an audio amplifier or speaker for outputting the audio signal in real time, or the computer 150 may be configured to store the results of the analysis or a record of the audio output. In some embodiments, the computer 150 or audio interface 140 may be connected to other hardware devices such as a lighting system or hardware synthesizers that can be controlled by the system through the interface to allow user-designed output profiles. For example, control messages may be output as general MIDI messages that can be delivered outside the system.

[0039] The system may be used for real-time performance, where audio is captured from each drum 110, 120, 130 of the drum kit using the device 100, sent to the audio interface 140 for processing, processed by an on-board processor or sent to the computer 150 for further analysis and classification, and sent to an amplifier for instant playback of emulated or synthesized sounds. The instant playback may be of samples designed to sound as similar as possible to an acoustic playback of the drum kit, but the instant playback may also be of alternative samples or synthetic sounds designed to give the drum kit a different sound profile, such as a different drum kit sound profile, a different type of drum sound profile, or a unique sample sound profile not related to traditional percussion performance. Additionally, the signals may be interpreted and used as control signals for non-audio functions such as hardware synthesizers, lighting, or other devices.

[0040] In some embodiments, the system may be provided as a device that includes the sensor 100 but no processing circuitry, and a separate audio interface 140 that functions as a stand-alone processing device. During performance, the output of the sensor in the device 100 may be provided to the audio interface 140 for processing and interpretation of the signals, and the audio interface can output a final audio signal for amplification.

[0041] The software methods discussed may utilize the output of the apparatus 100 shown in Figure 1, or the outputs of the apparatus discussed below with respect to Figures 2-8, but in the alternative may be applied to any physical object whose vibrations can be captured by a sensor or set of sensors. Acoustic musical instruments are an ideal example of this type of object.

[0042] 2 is one embodiment of an apparatus 3200 for capturing sound from a musical instrument, in this case a cymbal 3210 for a drum kit. Thus, in discussing this embodiment, reference is made to a cymbal 3210, but it will be understood that a similar apparatus may work for other musical instruments as well. In some embodiments, the apparatus 3200 may further synthesize and / or output sound using any of the methods generally discussed above.

[0043] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the device 3200 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a side view and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 2 including a cymbal 3210 secured in a cymbal clamp location. Figure 6 is an exploded view of the device 3200 of Figure 2 including a cymbal 3210.

[0044] As shown, the device 3200 may generally be a cymbal clamp, and the device 3200 may be incorporated into a cymbal stand 3220. The cymbal stand may thus include a hinge 3230 for adjusting the position of the attached cymbal 3210. The cymbal clamp 3200 may then provide a cymbal clamp position 3240 for positioning the cymbal 3210 between an upper pad 3250 and a lower pad 3260. The assembly further includes a fastening element 3270 such that the fastening element may lock all components in place when the lower pad 3260, the upper pad 3250, and the cymbal 3210 are fully assembled. This may be a thumbscrew 3270 as shown for mating with a threaded shaft 3280 of the cymbal clamp 3200. Alternatively, the fastening element may be any of a number of devices for securing the cymbal in a clamp position within the cymbal stand.

[0045] The arrangement of the upper pad 3250 and lower pad 3260 of the cymbal clamp is typical of a conventional clamp. In the embodiment shown, the pads may be made of felt, but the pads may also be made of any material similar to those used in conventional cymbal clamps. Thus, the material selection and pad construction will not affect the feel or sound of the cymbal within the cymbal clamp 3200.

[0046] Additionally, while the cymbal clamp 3200 is shown in the context of a cymbal stand 3220, it will be understood that the device 3200 may be a cymbal clamp alone designed to be retrofitted to an existing cymbal stand, or the device may be a sensor module 3300 and one or more pad components designed to replace components of an existing cymbal clamp. Thus, the device 3200 described herein modifies elements of a standard cymbal stand 3210 by replacing all or a portion of the "sleeve" portion of the cymbal stand with mechanically similar or identical components incorporating the electronic components described herein.

[0047] The cymbal clamp 3200 comprises a detectable element 3290, typically a ferromagnetic object such as a metal shim, placed against the cymbal 3210, and a sensor module 3300 spaced from the cymbal. The shim 3290 is placed between the sensor module 3300 and the cymbal 3210. The shim is typically small, for example a 6 mm steel disk.

[0048] Typically, the cymbal 3210 and the sensor module 3300 are spaced apart from each other by an upper pad 3250 or a lower pad 3260. As shown, in a standard cymbal stand 3220, this would usually be the lower pad 3260. Thus, the shim 3290 may be recessed into the lower pad 3260, or the lower pad may include a first pad portion 3263 and a second pad portion 3266, with the shim 3290 located therebetween. In either case, the shim 3290 is located between and spaced apart from both the sensor module 3300 and the cymbal 3210.

[0049] A conventional cymbal stand 3220, such as the one shown, rests on a surface and positions the cymbal 3210 at or near the top of the stand, although various cymbal stand configurations exist. For example, some cymbal stands may extend partially horizontally and may suspend the cymbal below a support arm. Thus, while in a conventional cymbal stand 3220 the sensor module 3300 is positioned below the cymbal 3210 when assembled and spaced therefrom by a lower pad 3260, a hanging cymbal stand may instead position the sensor module 3300 above the cymbal 3210 such that the sensor module 3300 is more directly secured to the support arm and thus can remain stationary relative to such support arm. It will be appreciated that in such an embodiment the sensor module 3300 is spaced from the cymbal 3210 by an upper pad 3250, and thus the shim 3290 may be embedded in the upper pad or the upper pad may include a pad portion. Alternatively, the sensor module 3300 may always be positioned below the cymbal 3210 such that the weight of the cymbal rests on the lower pad 3260 between the cymbal and the sensor module, thereby always transmitting vibrations to the shim 3290.

[0050] When the cymbal 3210 vibrates, such as when struck by a drumstick, the sensor module 3300 of the cymbal clamp 3200 remains substantially stationary as it remains fixed to the cymbal stand 3220, and the shim 3290 is caused to vibrate relative to the sensor by the cymbal 3210. Typically, the shim 3290 vibrates at a frequency based on the vibration of the cymbal 3210, and the sensor module 3300 detects the vibration of the shim 3290. The vibration frequency of the shim 3290 will be related to the vibration of the cymbal 3210 itself. For example, the vibration frequency of the shim 3290 may be proportional to or otherwise serve as a surrogate or approximation of the vibration frequency of the cymbal 3210. Thus, the vibration frequency of the shim 3290 is directly related to the vibration frequency of the cymbal 3210 at the occurrence of an audio event. Thus, the methods discussed above can derive the vibration of the cymbal 3210 from the vibrations detected in the shim 3290.

[0051] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the device 3200 of Figure 2. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device 3200 including a cymbal 3210 secured in a cymbal clamp position 3240. As shown, the sensor module 3300 may include a housing 3400, an inductive coil 3410, and a magnet 3420 secured within the housing adjacent to the inductive coil. Both the inductive coil 3410 and the magnet 3420 are mounted on an electronic circuit board 3430.

[0052] Thus, the sensor may be an induction coil 3410, with a magnet 3420 positioned adjacent to the coil to energize the coil. Vibration of the shim 3290 creates an electromagnetic disturbance that is detectable by the induction coil 3410. The magnet 3420 may be a neodymium magnet spaced from the induction coil 3410 by, for example, 3 mm.

[0053] When the cymbal 3210 is placed on the stand 3220, the cymbal 3210 presses against the lower pad 3260, which contains the shim. Vibrations from the cymbal 3210 then pass through a first portion 3270 of the lower pad, causing the shim 3290 to vibrate, which disrupts the magnetic field of the induction coil 3410 and magnet 3420 pair, thus creating a measurable voltage in the inductor.

[0054] The device 3200 may further include a processor 3440 on the circuit board 3430 for identifying an audio event based on vibrations detected in the sensor module 3300. In such an embodiment, the device may further provide an audio output 3450 for outputting a sound based on an audio event identified by the processor 3440. This identification may be by any of the methods discussed elsewhere in this disclosure, for example.

[0055] Alternatively, the device 3200 may output raw data obtained from the sensor module 3300, and processing may occur outside of the cymbal clamp. In such an embodiment, the voltage-based signal generated by the induction coil 3410 and magnet 3420 pair acting as a coil pickup is then conditioned and amplified via circuitry such as an operational amplifier-based circuit on the electronics board 3430, and passed through a cable extending outside of the sensor module 3300 to be recorded or otherwise used in a downstream system.

[0056] The subject matter and embodiments of the operations described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed herein and their structural equivalents, or in any combination or combinations thereof. The subject matter described herein may be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions, encoded on a computer storage medium for execution by or to control the operation of a data processing device. Alternatively, or in addition, the program instructions may be encoded on a human-generated propagable signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal generated to encode information for transmission to an appropriate receiver device for execution by the data processing device. The computer storage medium may be, or may be included in, a computer-readable storage device, a computer-readable storage substrate, a random access memory or serial access memory array or device, or any combination or combinations thereof. Furthermore, the computer storage medium is not a propagable signal, but the computer storage medium may be the source or destination of computer program instructions encoded in the human-generated propagable signal. A computer storage medium may also be, or be included in, one or more separate physical components or media (eg, multiple CDs, disks, or other storage devices).

[0057] Although the present invention has been described at some length and in some detail with respect to certain embodiments described, it is not intended that the present invention should be limited to any such details or embodiments or to any particular embodiment, but rather the present invention should be interpreted with reference to the appended claims in order to provide the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims in view of the prior art, and therefore in order to substantially encompass the intended scope of the present invention. Moreover, the foregoing describes the present invention in terms of the embodiments envisaged by the inventors for which authoritative descriptions were available, notwithstanding that insubstantial modifications of the present invention not currently foreseen may nevertheless represent equivalents of the present invention.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for capturing vibrations generated by an object, comprising: a detectable element positioned relative to the object; a sensor spaced apart from and positioned relative to the object; the detectable element is disposed between the sensor and the object; When the object vibrates, the sensor remains stationary and the detectable element is vibrated relative to the sensor by the object; the object is a cymbal, the detectable element is a ferromagnetic shim; The apparatus, wherein the ferromagnetic shim is spaced from the cymbal by a first pad or a first portion of a pad, and the ferromagnetic shim is spaced from the sensor by a second pad or a second portion of a pad, whereby the vibration of the ferromagnetic shim is proportional to the vibration of the cymbal.

2. The device described in claim 1, wherein the device is a cymbal clamp.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sensor is an induction coil, and the apparatus further comprises a magnet fixed adjacent to the induction coil such that the induction coil and magnet remain stationary when the object vibrates.

4. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first pad or first portion of a pad and the second pad or second portion of a pad comprise felt and the ferromagnetic shim is a metal shim.

5. A cymbal clamp, a cymbal clamp position between the upper and lower pads; a sensor module spaced from the cymbal clamp location by one of the upper pad and the lower pad; a detectable element disposed between the cymbal clamp position and the sensor module; Upon the occurrence of a sound event on the cymbal at the cymbal clamp position, the sensor module is stationary relative to a cymbal mounting position and the detectable element moves relative to the sensor module; A cymbal clamp, wherein the detectable element is embedded in the upper pad or the lower pad.

6. A cymbal clamp, a cymbal clamp position between the upper and lower pads; a sensor module spaced from the cymbal clamp location by one of the upper pad and the lower pad; a detectable element disposed between the cymbal clamp position and the sensor module; Upon the occurrence of a sound event on the cymbal at the cymbal clamp position, the sensor module is stationary relative to a cymbal mounting position and the detectable element moves relative to the sensor module; A cymbal clamp, wherein the one of the upper pad and the lower pad between the cymbal clamp position and the sensor module comprises a first pad portion and a second pad portion, and the detectable element is disposed between the first pad portion and the second pad portion.

7. The cymbal clamp of claim 5 , wherein the detectable element is ferromagnetic.

8. The cymbal clamp of claim 7 , wherein the detectable element is a metal shim.

9. The sensor module includes: Housing and An induction coil; and a magnet secured adjacent to the induction coil so as to energize the induction coil; 9. The cymbal clamp of claim 8, wherein vibration of the metal shim produces electromagnetic disturbances detectable by the induction coil.

10. 10. The cymbal clamp of claim 9, wherein upon the occurrence of an audio event, the metal shim vibrates at a frequency directly related to the vibration frequency of the cymbal.

11. The cymbal clamp of claim 5 , further comprising a processor that identifies an audio event based on vibrations detected in the sensor module.

12. 12. The cymbal clamp of claim 11, further comprising an audio output for outputting a sound based on the audio event identified by the processor.

13. 6. The cymbal clamp of claim 5, wherein each of the upper and lower pads is a felt pad.

14. A cymbal stand, a cymbal clamp position between the upper and lower pads; a sensor module spaced from the cymbal clamp location by one of the upper pad and the lower pad; a detectable element disposed between the cymbal clamp position and the sensor module; Upon the occurrence of a sound event on a cymbal in the cymbal clamp position, the sensor module is stationary relative to the cymbal stand and the detectable element moves relative to the sensor module; A cymbal stand, wherein the one of the upper pad and the lower pad between the cymbal clamp position and the sensor module comprises a first pad portion and a second pad portion, and the detectable element is a ferromagnetic shim disposed between the first pad portion and the second pad portion.

15. The sensor module includes: Housing and An induction coil; and a magnet disposed adjacent to the induction coil to energize the induction coil; 15. The cymbal stand of claim 14, wherein vibration of the ferromagnetic shim produces electromagnetic disturbances detectable by the induction coil.

16. 16. The cymbal stand of claim 15, wherein upon the occurrence of the sound event, the ferromagnetic shim vibrates at a frequency directly related to the vibration frequency of the cymbal.

17. 15. The cymbal stand of claim 14, further comprising a processor that identifies an audio event based on vibrations detected in the sensor module.

18. 20. The cymbal stand of claim 17, further comprising an audio output for outputting a sound based on the sound event identified by the processor.

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