String Instrument Sound Processing for MIDI and Audio Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric musical instruments are unable to process musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) signals and provide single sound effects, limiting their playability and practicality.
Innovation Solution
A string instrument with a sound processing component that includes an acquisition module, amplification and filter modules, conversion modules, and a processing module to convert vibration information into MIDI data and audio effects, enabling the instrument to produce various sounds and effects, and communicate with remote servers for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional electric musical instruments are used, then the structure remains simple, but the instrument cannot process MIDI signals or provide diverse sound effects
Solution Approach 1:
The sound processing component is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes vibration information from strings, converts it to MIDI signals, generates audio effects, and enables wireless communication. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate systems, thereby improving versatility while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound processing component acts as an intermediary between the mechanical string vibrations and the digital/MIDI signal domain. It includes vibration information acquisition units, conversion units, and communication units that mediate between the physical instrument and electronic systems, enabling MIDI processing without directly modifying the core instrument structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a sound processing component with multiple modules is added, then MIDI processing and sound effects are enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple processing functions are merged into a single integrated sound processing component. The vibration information acquisition module, conversion module, audio effect generation module, and wireless communication module are combined in one unit, allowing diverse sound effects and MIDI processing while presenting a unified structure rather than multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound processing component is designed as a universal module that handles multiple tasks: acquiring vibration data, converting to MIDI, generating various audio effects (reverb, delay, distortion), and wireless transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
3Productivity
If vibration information is converted to MIDI data and audio effects, then the instrument can communicate and produce diverse sounds, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical sound production and transmission systems with electronic and digital systems. Vibration information is captured electronically and converted to MIDI data and audio effects through digital processing, then transmitted wirelessly. This substitution enables complex performance capabilities while managing processing complexity through standardized digital methods.
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
The solution enhances the playability and practicality of electric string instruments by enabling them to process MIDI signals and produce diverse sound effects, allowing for improved performance capabilities and remote interaction.
Implementation Method 1
The sound processing component is configured to convert vibration information of the plurality of strings into electrical signals
Data Source
AI summary
A sound processing component applied to a string instrument for providing multiple playing forms and a MIDI function. An acquisition module acquires vibration information of multiple strings and outputs analog signals, and a first amplification and filter module amplifies the analog signals and filters the analog signals. A first conversion module converts the analog signals into digital signals, and a processing module identifies playing information of the digital signals, converts the digital signals to MIDI data based on the playing information, converts the MIDI data to audio data, and add audio effects for the audio data. A second conversion module converts the audio data with the audio effects into analog audio signals, and a second amplification and filter module amplifies the analog audio signals, filters the analog audio signals, and transmit the filtered analog audio signals to a loudspeaker. The string instrument is also provided.