Guitar Amplifier Mode Switching Without Sound Interruption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional guitar amplifiers interrupt musical sound during mode changes, leading to potential abnormal noise and inconvenience in switching between different performance settings.

Innovation Solution

A guitar amplifier with a storage device for multiple information sets and a control device that seamlessly changes musical sound processing settings without interrupting the sound, using a foot controller for mode switching and fade processing to prevent noise, allowing for easy transition between performance modes like solo and accompaniment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the guitar amplifier switches performance modes using conventional methods, then the setting can be changed, but the musical sound is interrupted and abnormal noise may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance mode switching capabilityVSAvoidsound continuity and noise prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by preparing the next performance mode settings in advance before the current mode is fully active. The control device pre-loads parameter values and processes audio signals for the upcoming mode transition, so that when switching occurs, the new settings are already ready and the audio output remains continuous without interruption or noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the guitar amplifier uses foot switch for channel switching, then the operation is convenient, but the sound is interrupted during switching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoot switch operationVSAvoidsound output continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that the audio signal processing never completely stops during mode switching. The control device manages the transition between channels and performance modes in a way that keeps the audio output flowing continuously, preventing silence or interruption while the foot switch initiates the mode change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the guitar amplifier changes parameters during performance mode, then the sound processing is optimized, but abnormal noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter adjustment capabilityVSAvoidabnormal noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device acts as an intermediary between the performance mode switching and the parameter changes. It manages the transition by gradually adjusting parameters and coordinating the changes across different audio processing components, preventing sudden parameter shifts that would generate abnormal noise while still achieving the desired sound processing optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3843085B1Guitar amplifier and control method of guitar amplifier
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 ROLAND CORP
  • EP3843085B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3843085B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3843085B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A guitar amplifier and a control method of a guitar amplifier in which a setting of a performance mode can be easily changed without an interruption to a sound is provided. The guitar amplifier, which performs musical sound processing on an input musical sound and outputs it, includes a storage device which stores a plurality of information sets including a set value for each of one or two or more types of musical sound processing used in a performance mode, and a control device which changes the setting of the one or two or more types of musical sound processing to a setting according to a set value of a selected information set when information indicating ON of the performance mode, to which the selected information set from the plurality of information sets has been applied, is input.