PREAMPLIFICATION DEVICE FOR STRINGED ELECTRIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

• US 20200135157A1
• Filed: 10/24/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2018
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Ik Multimedia Production Srl
• Original Assignee: Ik Multimedia Production Srl
• Inventors: IORI, Enrico, BARBI, Davide
• Application Number:
  US16/662,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20200135157A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G10D 1/085 Mechanical design of electric guitars
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/00 Details of electrophonic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0558 using variable resistors
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/525 Piezoelectric transducers for vibration sensing or vibration excitation in the audio range; Piezoelectric strain sensing, e.g. as key velocity sensor; Piezoelectric actuators, e.g. key actuation in response to a control voltage
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 3/143 characterised by the use of a piezoelectric or magneto-strictive transducer
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 3/18 using a string, e.g. electric guitar mechanical features G10D1/085
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 3/186 Means for processing the signal picked up from the strings filtering G10H1/12
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/56 Modifications of input or output impedances, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/181 Low-frequency amplifiers, e.g. audio preamplifiers

Abstract

A preamplification device for stringed electric musical instruments, which comprises acquisition means which are configured to receive in input and acquire an analog electrical signal originating from a stringed electric musical instrument, the acquisition means and the stringed electric musical instrument being electrically connected. The preamplification device further comprises a potentiometer which is configured to regulate a resistive input electrical impedance value R_L encountered by the analog electrical signal, and a variable-gain amplifier which is configured to automatically regulate a level of the analog electrical signal, applying a gain value G that depends on the resistive input electrical impedance value R_L.

Claims

1. A preamplification device for stringed electric musical instruments, which comprises acquisition means which are configured to receive in input and acquire an analog electrical signal originating from a stringed electric musical instrument, said acquisition means and said stringed electric musical instrument being electrically connected, further comprising a potentiometer which is configured to regulate a resistive input electrical impedance value R_L encountered by said analog electrical signal, and a variable-gain amplifier which is configured to automatically regulate a level of said analog electrical signal, applying a gain value G that depends on said resistive input electrical impedance value R_L.

2. The preamplification device for stringed electric musical instruments according to claim 1, wherein said gain value G is such as to keep said level of said analog electrical signal substantially constant.

3. The preamplification device for stringed electric musical instruments according to claim 1, wherein said gain value G is calculated according to the formula:

4. The preamplification device for stringed electric musical instruments according to claim 1, wherein said potentiometer comprises a control knob which can be operated by a user in order to manually set said resistive input electrical impedance value R_L.

5. The preamplification device for stringed electric musical instruments according to claim 1, wherein said potentiometer is configured to set said resistive input electrical impedance value R_L within an interval comprised between 1 megaohm and 10 kiloohm.

6. The preamplification device for stringed electric musical instruments according to claim 1, wherein said gain value G applied to said level of said analog electrical signal by said variable-gain amplifier is calculated assuming a resistive output electrical impedance value R_S of said stringed electric musical instrument (50) equal to 6.8 kiloohm, said gain value G being calculated according to the formula:

7. The preamplification device for stringed electric musical instruments according to claim 1, further comprising an impedance measurement device which is configured to measure a real resistive output electrical impedance value R_S of said stringed electric musical instrument, and is configured to set said real resistive output electrical impedance value R_S in said variable-gain amplifier, in order to calculate said gain value G to be applied to said level of said analog electrical signal.

8. The preamplification device for stringed electric musical instruments according to claim 1, wherein said variable-gain amplifier is of the analog type.

9. The preamplification device for stringed electric musical instruments according to claim 1, wherein said variable-gain amplifier is of the digital type, said preamplification device further comprising an analog/digital converter which is configured to convert said analog electrical signal to a corresponding digital electrical signal.

10. The preamplification device for stringed electric musical instruments according to claim 1, further comprising a box-like body that is adapted to contain and protect other elements of said preamplification device from impacts of various kinds.

11. The preamplification device for stringed electric musical instruments according to claim 1, wherein said preamplification device is in the form of an audio interface device associated with a processor that can be operated by said user.

12. The preamplification device for stringed electric musical instruments according to claim 1, wherein said preamplification device is in the form of an electronic apparatus that is or can be installed on said stringed electric musical instrument.