System for controlling digital effects in live performances with vocal improvisation

• US 8,620,661 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2011
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Momilani Ramstrum
• Original Assignee: Momilani Ramstrum
• Inventors: Ramstrum, Momilani
• Primary Examiner(s): Shah, Paras D
• Assistant Examiner(s): THOMAS-HOMESCU, ANNE L
• Application Number:
  US13/037,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20110218810A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 704/268, 704/278
• US Class Current: 704/258
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0091 Means for obtaining special acoustic effects combined with modulation G10H1/043
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/195 Modulation effects, i.e. smooth non-discontinuous variations over a time interval, e.g. within a note, melody or musical transition, of any sound parameter, e.g. amplitude, pitch, spectral response, playback speed stepwise or discontinuous variations over time, e.g. sequence effects G10H2210/161
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/321 Garment sensors, i.e. musical control means with trigger surfaces or joint angle sensors, worn as a garment by the player, e.g. bracelet, intelligent clothing vital parameter sensing G10H2220/371; wearable interfaces in general G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/211 Wireless transmission, e.g. of music parameters or control data by radio, infrared or ultrasound beam G10H2220/405
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/06 Elementary speech units used in speech synthesisers; Concatenation rules

Abstract

A system for controlling digital effects in live performances with vocal improvisation is described. The system features a controller that utilizes several switches attached to clothing that is worn by an artist during a live performance. The switches activate a digital vocal processor unit that provides a dual mode, multi-channel phrase looping capability wherein individual channels can be selected for recording and replay during the performance. This combination of features allows a sequence of digital audio and video effects to be controlled by the artist during a performance while maintaining the freedom of movement desired to enhance the performance.

Claims

1. A system for controlling digital effects in live performances with vocal improvisation comprising:

a) digital input signals derived from vocal or instrumental sources,

b) a digital effects controller comprising a plurality of switches and related actuators attached to one or more items of apparel,

c) signal transmitting means attached to said items of apparel for wirelessly communicating the state of said switches,

d) signal receiving means for receiving the wirelessly communicated state of said switches,

e) signal processing means operatively connected to said receiving means for applying predetermined signal processing algorithms to said digital input signals according to preprogrammed instructions controlled by the state of the said switches

wherein the predetermined signal processing algorithms perform the function of a dual mode, 12-channel phrase loop system, said dual mode, 12-channel phrase loop system comprising a plurality of memory channels each having a memory length, an input for audio data and an output for audio data, the memory channels separated into two modes, wherein the two mode comprises first mode comprising eight channels and a second mode comprising four channels, and wherein activation of each of the plurality of switches causes a respective action associated with the switch of;

a) selecting the mode,

b) selecting a memory location,

c) storing the audio input as audio data in a memory location,

e) outputting the stored audio data, and

f) clearing the audio data from the memory location.

2. A digital effects control system as in claim 1 wherein the switches are magnetic switches and the related actuators are permanent magnets.

3. A digital effects control system as in claim 1 wherein the items of apparel are gloves.

4. A digital effects control system as in claim 1 further comprising primary signal processing comprised of at least one selected from changing volume when outputting stored audio data, changing pitch when outputting stored audio data, and changing the memory length and further comprising second signal processing comprised of at least one selected from clearing memory, muting of outputting stored audio data, and reset of the digital effects control system, wherein the locations of the actuators and switches that control primary signal processing algorithms allow execution using one of the gloves, and the locations of the actuators and switches that control secondary signal processing algorithms require the coordinated use of both gloves.

5. A digital effects controller as in claim 1 wherein the switches are conventional mechanical switches.

6. A digital effects controller as in claim 1 wherein the switches are activated by capacitance sensors.

7. A digital effects controller as in claim 1 wherein the switches are activated by pressure sensors.

8. A digital effects controller as in claim 1 wherein the switches are capable of presenting multiple electronic states to the signal processing means.

9. A digital effects controller as in claim 1 wherein the switches include means of providing tactile feedback of switch actuation.

10. A digital effects control system as in claim 1 wherein the predetermined signal processing algorithms perform additional functions selected from:

transposition, pitch correction, and harmonizing within the digital vocal processor.

11. A digital effects control system as in claim 1 wherein the predetermined signal processing algorithms perform additional functions selected from:

triggering digital images and video signals.