System, method, and apparatus for determining the fretted positions and note onsets of a stringed musical instrument

A method of determining fretted positions of a stringed musical instrument having a bridge, a neck comprising a plurality of frets and at least one conductive instrument string, and a nut, the method comprising:

• applying a fret voltage to at least one fret of the plurality of frets;
• providing a string voltage associated with the fret voltage to the at least one conductive instrument string when the at least one conductive instrument string is placed in contact with the at least fret of the plurality of frets;
• obtaining the string voltage of the at least one conductive instrument string;
• obtaining the fret voltage associated with the at least one fret of the plurality of frets;
• comparing the obtained string voltage to the obtained fret voltage to obtain a voltage difference;
• determining that the at least one fret of the plurality of frets is in contact with the at least one conductive instrument string based on the voltage difference;
• and
• outputting a representation corresponding to the determined contact between the at least one fret of the plurality of frets and the at least one conductive instrument string.

A stringed instrument configured to permit determination of fretted positions and note onsets, the stringed instrument comprising:

• a neck comprising a plurality of frets;
• at least one instrument string;
• a voltage applicator configured to apply a voltage to at least one fret of the plurality of frets;
• a fret multiplexer connected to the at least one fret of the plurality of frets;
• a bridge multiplexer connected to the at least one instrument string;
• a voltage analyzer configured to compare a voltage of the at least one instrument string electrically connected to the bridge multiplexer to the voltage of the at least one fret of the plurality of frets electrically connected to the fret multiplexer, the voltage analyzer being further configured to output a voltage analyzer output signal;
• a compressor configured to receive the voltage analyzer output signal and to compress the voltage analyzer output signal to form a compressed output signal;
• and
• a processor configured to receive the compressed output signal, to coordinate string and fret scanning and analysis, and to output at least one of a processed output signal and a multiplex control signal.