Forward Reverse Delay Effects Pedal Seamless Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio effects pedals face challenges in seamlessly switching between forward and reverse delay effects, often resulting in audible discontinuities due to the need for manual operation or complex cross-fading mechanisms that can disrupt musical performance.
Innovation Solution
A footswitch-activated mechanism that instantly transitions between forward and reverse delay effects using a circular buffer with overlapping sub-buffers, allowing for seamless switching and minimizing audio disruptions by cross-fading between sub-buffers within a 2 to 25 millisecond timeframe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual switching between forward and reverse delay effects is used, then the pedal can change effects, but audible discontinuities occur disrupting musical performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-loads multiple sub-buffers (forward sub-buffer and reverse sub-buffers) with audio data before switching is needed. When effect switching is required, the system already has the necessary audio segments ready in overlapping sub-buffers, enabling immediate transition without audible discontinuities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sub-buffers as intermediary components between the main audio buffer and the output. These sub-buffers act as mediators that hold overlapping audio segments, allowing smooth transition between forward and reverse delay effects by cross-fading between sub-buffer contents rather than directly switching between effects.
2Reliability
If complex cross-fading mechanisms are used to switch effects, then audio continuity can be maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the main audio buffer into multiple smaller sub-buffers (forward sub-buffer and reverse sub-buffers). Each sub-buffer handles a specific portion of the audio data, and by managing these segmented buffers independently with simple switching logic, the system achieves smooth cross-fading without requiring complex overall control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses overlapping sub-buffers where the forward sub-buffer and reverse sub-buffers both contain audio data for overlapping time periods. This excessive action of storing redundant audio data in multiple sub-buffers enables simple cross-fading logic to achieve smooth transitions, avoiding the need for complex real-time audio processing during switching.
3Reliability
If multiple sub-buffers with overlapping durations are used, then seamless switching is achieved, but memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the forward delay buffer and reverse delay buffer into a single main circular buffer that is divided into overlapping sub-buffers. This combining approach allows the system to achieve seamless switching between effects while using the same physical memory space for both forward and reverse audio data, reducing overall memory requirements compared to separate buffers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested buffer structure where forward and reverse sub-buffers are nested within the same main circular buffer. The sub-buffers overlap in time and space, with the forward sub-buffer containing audio from time t to t+duration and the reverse sub-buffer containing audio from time t to t+duration, allowing both effects to coexist in the same memory resource.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention pertains generally to an effects pedal employing multiple sub-buffers implementing a switching mechanism between forward and reverse delay effects, particularly useful in the music industry.