Virtual instrument

An apparatus comprising:

• a first emitter to emit radiation from a first perspective substantially parallel to a head of a drum;
• a second emitter to emit radiation from a second perspective substantially parallel to the head of the drum;
• detectors to detect interruptions in the radiation from the first perspective as caused by an object;
• and
• detectors to detect interruptions in the radiation from the second perspective as caused by an object, wherein detected interruptions allow for determination of at least one member selected from a group consisting of sounds, sound effects and control actions.

A method comprising:

• emitting radiation from a first perspective substantially parallel to a head of a drum;
• emitting radiation from a second perspective substantially parallel to the head of the drum;
• acquiring information from an first arcuate array of detectors wherein the information indicates whether an object interrupted the radiation from the first perspective and acquiring information from a second arcuate array of detectors wherein the information indicates whether an object interrupted the radiation from the second perspective;
• and
• based at least in part on the information, determining at least one member selected from a group consisting of sounds, sound effects and control actions.