Integrated sound trigger musical instruments

• US 6,777,608 B1
• Filed: 01/11/2003
• Issued: 08/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Travis Redding
• Original Assignee: Travis Redding
• Inventors: Redding, Travis
• Primary Examiner(s): Donels, Jeffery W
• Application Number:
  US10/340,909
• Time in Patent Office: 584 Days
• Field of Search: 847/22, 847/43, 847/45
• US Class Current: 84/746
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/342 for guitar-like instruments with or without strings and with a neck on which switches or string-fret contacts are used to detect the notes being played electric guitars in which the tones are generated by the vibration of strings G10H3/18
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2230/141 Spint guitar drum, i.e. mimicking a guitar used at least partly as a percussion instrument

Abstract

A stringed musical instrument with integrated sound triggers allowing for the simultaneous production, when played, of acoustic and electric signals and beats within a single time movement. The player operates the instrument of the present invention by pressing one or more strings 90 down unto fret board 60. Pickup 110 converts the vibrating strings 90 of the fretted note to a signal, which is sent via wiring 150 to port 170. Coinciding with the location of the players pressing, one or more trigger pads (fret trigger pad 50, finger trigger pad 70, percussion trigger pad 80) sends a signal via wiring 150 to port 170. During the time movement, the player can combine the above action with further action by the player'"'"'s other hand. Anywhere between the fretted note and bridge 120, strings 90 may be struck, strummed, slapped, popped, picked, or played with a bow. The player will find that each method will create different overall sounds. Depending how and where the strings 90 are played with the other hand, the player can strike a second trigger pad (fret trigger pad 50, finger trigger pad 70, percussion trigger pad 80), typically on the lower portion of fret board 60. This causes a third event within the time movement, which is a second trigger signal. With this ability, the player then can create compositions integrating many movements with a plurality of signals per time movement. Using current outboard technology, the player is able to assign one of thousands of sounds to each of the strings 90 and each of the trigger pads (fret trigger pad 50, finger trigger pad 70, percussion trigger pad 80).

Claims

1. A method for producing a plurality of simultaneous sounds in a single time movement, the method comprising:

(a) depressing a string unto a fret board;

(b) simultaneously actuating a trigger pad attached to said fret board, whereby a trigger pad signal is produced;

(c) actuating said string, thereby producing an acoustic signal;

(d) collecting said acoustic signal, thereby producing a pickup signal;

(e) assigning a sound to said trigger pad signal; and

(f) combining said sound and said pickup signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said string actuation comprises selecting at least one act from a list of acts comprising:

i) striking, ii) strumming, iii) slapping, iv) popping, v) picking, vi) playing with a bow.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

(a) actuating a plurality of said trigger pads, whereby a plurality of events in said time movement is produced.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(a) producing bass sounds using said strings; and

(b) assigning rhythm sounds to said trigger pads.

5. A device for controlling electrical and acoustical signals comprising:

(a) a body;

(b) a neck with a proximate end attached to and extending from the border of said body;

(c) a head stock attached to the opposite end of said neck;

(d) a tuning machine bracket attached to front of said head stock;

(e) a plurality of tuning machines attached to said tuning machine bracket;

(f) a slotted guide attached to front of said head stock;

(g) a fret board attached to front of said neck, wherein said fret board further comprises detachment means whereby said fret board may be changed with an alternate fret board;

(h) a plurality of trigger pads attached to said fret board;

(i) a pickup attached to front of said body;

(j) a bridge attached to front of said body;

(k) one end of a string affixed to each said tuning machine;

(l) the opposite end of said string affixed to said bridge;

(m) a first connection means from said trigger pads, whereby signals may be transferred from said device; and

(n) a second connection means from said pickup, whereby signals may be transferred from said device.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said body, said neck, and said head stock are one integrated piece.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein said tuning bracket is integrated into said head stock.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein said trigger pads comprise fret trigger pads.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said fret trigger pads are located at locations along said fret board corresponding to specific tones produced by said strings.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein said fret trigger pads are located at arbitrary locations along said fret board.

11. The device of claim 5, wherein said trigger pads comprise percussion trigger pads.

12. The device of claim 5, wherein said trigger pads comprise finger trigger pads.

13. The device of claim 5, wherein said pickup is a divided pickup.

14. The device of claim 5, wherein said body is comprised of a plurality of materials of different composition, arranged longitudinally parallel to the axis of said strings, whereby a particular said string vibrates proximately to a particular composition of said material.

15. The device of claim 5, wherein said trigger pads are located at locations along said fret board corresponding to specific tones produced by said strings.

16. The device of claim 5, wherein said trigger pads further comprise trigger pads, which may be actuated without actuating said strings.

17. The device of claim 5, wherein said fret board further comprises fretting means at the location of said trigger pad.

18. The device of claim 5, wherein said first connection means further comprises a computer tone generator.

19. The device of claim 5, wherein said second connection means further comprises a computer tone generator.

20. A device for controlling electrical and acoustical signals comprising:

(a) a body;

(b) a neck with a proximate end attached to and extending from the border of said body;

(c) a head stock attached to the opposite end of said neck;

(d) a tuning machine bracket attached to front of said head stock;

(e) a plurality of tuning machines attached to said tuning machine bracket;

(f) a slotted guide attached to front of said head stock;

(g) a fret board attached to front of said neck;

(h) a plurality of trigger pads attached to said fret board, wherein said trigger pads further comprise detachment means whereby said trigger pads may be changed with alternate trigger pads;

(i) a pickup attached to front of said body;

(j) a bridge attached to front of said body;

(k) one end of a string affixed to each said tuning machine;

(l) the opposite end of said string affixed to said bridge;

(m) a first connection means from said trigger pads, whereby signals may be transferred from said device; and

(n) a second connection means from said pickup, whereby signals may be transferred from said device.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein said body, said neck, and said head stock are one integrated piece.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein said tuning bracket is integrated into said head stock.

23. The device of claim 20, wherein said fret board is integrated into said neck.

24. The device of claim 20, wherein said trigger pads comprise fret trigger pads.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein said fret trigger pads are located at locations along said fret board corresponding to specific tones produced by said strings.

26. The device of claim 24, wherein said fret trigger pads are located at arbitrary locations along said fret board.

27. The device of claim 20, wherein said trigger pads comprise percussion trigger pads.

28. The device of claim 20, wherein said trigger pads comprise finger trigger pads.

29. The device of claim 20, wherein said pickup is a divided pickup.

30. The device of claim 20, wherein said body is comprised of a plurality of materials of different composition, arranged longitudinally parallel to the axis of said strings, whereby a particular said string vibrates proximately to a particular composition of said material.

31. The device of claim 20, wherein said trigger pads are located at locations along said fret board corresponding to specific tones produced by said strings.

32. The device of claim 20, wherein said trigger pads further comprise trigger pads, which may be actuated without actuating said strings.

33. The device of claim 20, wherein said fret board further comprises fretting means at the location of said trigger pad.

34. The device of claim 20, wherein said first connection means further comprises a computer tone generator.

35. The device of claim 20, wherein said second connection means further comprises a computer tone generator.