Apparatus for generating audio and/or performance synchronized optical output, and musical instrument and systems therefor

A musical instrument for generating audio and/or performance synchronized optical output, the musical instrument comprising:

• an optical source integrated in a housing of the musical instrument, wherein the optical source is disposed on at least one surface of the musical instrument;
• an input channel communicatively connected to at least one of a plurality of data capturing sensors for capturing data corresponding to a performance of a user, wherein the input channel is configured to receive an input signal from an audio source and the data capturing sensors, wherein the input signal comprises aural data, visual data and peripheral data, wherein the input channel is integrated within the musical instrument;
• a user interface configured to receive one or more messages, a voice input, and designated keywords from the user, wherein the designated keywords comprise words sung during a performance;
• and
• a controller integrated in the housing of the musical instrument, the controller configured to:
• receive the input signal from the input channel;
• analyze the input signal to determine one or more characteristics of the input signal;
• associate the determined one or more characteristics of the input signal to one or more parameters of an optical output from an optical source;
• receive the one or more messages or the designated keywords from the user interface;
• modulate, vary or transform the one or more parameters of the optical output in reaction to the one or more characteristics of the input signal;
• further modulate, vary or transform the one or more parameters of the optical output based on the one or more of messages, the voice input, and designated keywords received indicating changes in parameters of the optical source;
• generate lighting control data based on the modulated, varied or transformed one or more parameters of the optical output;
• and transmit the lighting control data to the optical source such that the optical source illuminates with randomness in reaction to the input signal including the performance of the user in real-time.

A method of providing a musical instrument for generating audio and/or performance synchronized optical output, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an optical source integrated in a housing of the musical instrument, wherein the optical source is disposed on at least one surface of the musical instrument;
• providing an input channel communicatively connected to one of a plurality of data capturing sensors for capturing data corresponding to a performance of a user, the input channel configured to receive an input signal from an audio source and the data capturing sensors, the input signal comprising aural data, visual data and peripheral data, the input channel being integrated within the musical instrument;
• providing a user interface for receiving one or more messages, a voice input, and designated keywords from the user, the designated keywords comprising words sung during a performance, and providing a controller integrated in the housing of the musical instrument for:
• receiving the input signal from the input channel;
• analyzing the input signal to determine one or more characteristics of the input signal;
• associating the determined one or more characteristics of the input signal to one or more parameters of an optical output from an optical source;
• receiving the one or more messages or the relevant keywords from the user interface;
• modulating, varying or transforming the one or more parameters of the optical output in reaction to the one or more characteristics of the input signal;
• further modulating, varying or transforming the one or more parameters of the optical output based on the one or more of messages, the voice input, and designated keywords received indicating changes in parameters of the optical source;
• generating lighting control data based on the modulated, varied or transforming one or more parameters of the optical output;
• and
• transmitting the lighting control data to the optical source such that the optical source illuminates with randomness in reaction to the input signal including the performance of the user in real-time.