Modulated electromagnetic musical system and associated methods
AssigneeTrustees of Dartmouth College
InventorsSpencer Topel, Herbert H. C. Chang
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Abstract
A modulated electromagnetic musical instrument and sound reproduction system includes an acoustic carrier signal source, a modulation signal source, a linkage element, and an acoustic output. The acoustic carrier signal source is produced electromagnetically or mechanically via human instrument playing. An electromagnetic modulation source mixes with the acoustic carrier signal within a linkage element to produce a nonlinear behavior. This nonlinear behavior's coupled interaction with a physical medium or acoustic body produces sideband frequency components to form unique musical sound outputs and audio effects.
Claims18
A modulated electromagnetic (EM) musical system, comprising:
- an acoustic carrier signal source for generating an acoustic carrier signal;
- an EM actuator configured to generate an acoustic modulator signal;
- a linkage element, driven by the EM actuator, that exhibits nonlinear behavior when physically mixing the acoustic carrier signal and the acoustic modulator signal;
- and
- an acoustic output coupled with the linkage element to generate acoustic modulation with the non-linear behavior.
A method for modulating an acoustic carrier signal using a tipped-cantilever linkage element physically coupled to a source of the acoustic carrier signal, the method comprising:
- controlling an EM actuator to physically impart an acoustic modulator signal to the tipped-cantilever linkage element;
- wherein a tip of the tipped-cantilever linkage element causes a nonlinear interaction with an acoustic output to modulate the acoustic carrier signal.
An electromagnetic (EM) musical instrument having acoustic signal modulation, comprising:
- an EM driven harmonic oscillator for generating an acoustic carrier signal at an approximate harmonic frequency;
- a dampener positioned a first distance from the EM driven harmonic oscillator;
- an EM driven transducer for generating a modulation signal to control the dampener to modulate the acoustic carrier signal;
- and
- a linkage element coupling the EM driven harmonic oscillator to an acoustic output wherein the time varying contact of the dampener to the EM driven harmonic oscillator physically modulates the acoustic carrier signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.