Keytar Ribbon Controller Tone-Specific Sound Effect Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic musical instruments using ribbon controllers apply the same degree of sound effects to all tones, leading to monotonous changes in musical sound when the detection position is changed, lacking expressive control.

Innovation Solution

An electronic musical instrument with a ribbon controller and modulation bar that detects position and pressure changes, allowing for distinct sound effect adjustments for each tone, using a combination of position sensors and pressure-sensitive sensors to vary sound effects based on input values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the same degree of sound effect is applied to all tones based on detection position, then the control is simple, but the musical expression becomes monotonous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of controlVSAvoidmusical expression capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the sound effect control into individual tone-specific parameters, allowing each tone to have its own effect degree independently adjusted via detection position, rather than applying a uniform effect to all tones

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables different detection positions to correspond to different sound effect degrees for different tones, creating localized control where specific regions of the detection surface control specific aspects of the polyphonic sound

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors and control parameters are added to enable individual tone control, then musical expression is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemusical expression capabilityVSAvoidsensor and control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the detection unit serve multiple functions by using its detection position information to control sound effect degrees for multiple different tones simultaneously, rather than requiring separate control mechanisms for each tone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines position detection and pressure detection into a unified control system where both inputs contribute to determining sound effect degrees, merging multiple control dimensions into a cohesive control architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3624108B1Electronic musical instrument and musical sound generation processing method of electronic musical instrument
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 ROLAND CORP
  • EP3624108B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3624108B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP3624108B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

An keytar (1) includes a keyboard (2) on which a plurality of keys (2a) are arranged, a ribbon (5) in which a front surface panel (81) is arranged, and the degree of the same type of musical sound effect applied to each of tones (A-D) produced by the key (2a) is changed corresponding to detection positions in an X-direction in the front surface panel (81). Accordingly, because the degrees of the musical sound effects can be respectively changed for each of the tones (A-D) corresponding to the detection positions in the X-direction of the front surface panel (81), for the change of the same type of musical sound effect toward the tones (A-D), the monotony of this change can be suppressed and an expressive performance can be achieved.