Electric Guitar Signal Processing Circuit for Extended Audio Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stringed instruments, such as guitars, have a limited audio range, making it necessary for bands to have separate musicians for lead and bass roles, and existing solutions either fail to extend the range effectively or complicate the instrument's playability.
Innovation Solution
A signal processing circuit that allows an electric stringed instrument to produce audio in an extended range by employing a pair of transducers and a digital signal processor to modify the frequencies of the lowest strings, enabling the same instrument to produce both lead and bass ranges simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional low end strings are added to extend the audio range into bass territory, then the audio range is extended, but the instrument becomes extremely difficult to play and construct
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the same six strings to serve dual purposes: producing lead guitar sounds in the conventional range and producing bass sounds in the extended low range. The signal processing circuit allows each string to function as both a lead string and a bass string, eliminating the need for additional strings while maintaining full audio range coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of adding physical strings with an electronic signal processing solution. Instead of mechanically extending the instrument's range by adding strings, the system uses digital signal processing to synthetically generate bass frequencies from the existing string vibrations, substituting mechanical extension with electronic transformation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If frequency suppression is used to lower the range of strings, then the audio range is extended downward, but true bass sound is not produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by capturing the vibration characteristics of the strings through pickups and then synthesizing new bass frequency copies from those vibrations. The signal processing circuit creates artificial bass tones that replicate the feel and quality of true bass strings, generating new audio content rather than merely suppressing existing frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the frequency parameters of the string vibrations through digital signal processing. The system modifies the temporal and spectral parameters of the input signals to generate bass frequencies that are octaves or more below the original string frequencies, creating authentic-sounding bass tones through mathematical transformation rather than physical frequency suppression.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more than six independent strings are used to extend the range, then the audio range is extended, but the instrument construction becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing six strings universal by programming them to perform both lead and bass functions. Through the signal processing circuit, each string's vibration signal is processed to generate multiple frequency ranges, allowing the same physical string to replace what would traditionally require multiple strings across different functional ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical addition of strings with an electronic signal processing system. Instead of physically adding more strings to the instrument, the system uses digital signal processing to create the additional audio ranges, replacing mechanical complexity with electronic processing that achieves the same extended range with fewer physical components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables a single musician to produce audio in both lead and bass ranges using the same strings, simplifying the instrument's construction and playability while maintaining the conventional sound quality of both ranges.
Implementation Method 1
The transducers can be conventional electromagnetic pickups commonly employed with electric guitars and other electric stringed instruments. These pickups produce an analog electrical signal related to the frequency of vibration of the strings proximate the pickup.
Data Source
AI summary
A signal processing circuit allows a stringed instrument, like a guitar, to produce audio in an extended range. In the case of an electric guitar, the guitar can produce audio in an extended range including conventional lead and bass. An electric pickup for a stringed instrument includes an onboard rechargeable battery that modifies and boosts the signal produced by the pickup.