US3340344A

US3340344A - Transistorized electronic percussion generator with organ

Info

Publication number: US3340344A
Application number: US448362A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold O Schwartz; Peter E Maher
Original assignee: Wurlitzer Co
Current assignee: Wurlitzer Co
Priority date: 1965-04-15
Filing date: 1965-04-15
Publication date: 1967-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 1984-09-05
Also published as: GB1088781A

Description

Sept' 5, 1967 H. o. SCHWARTZ ETAL 3,340,344

TRANSISTORIZED ELECTRONIC PECUSSION GENERATOR WITH ORGAN 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April l5, 1965 anni 4/ m 5 ww n EW R C R D Mm @JM m Wm LGMl/H M WN Ma me uw M w1 G w v or www D M m w MK E RHMH w .+4K E 5 R 0 P L sww s 6 Pu n @P E 7 n ww MEM/ mm m w y l M C@ R A EE 5m d 6V w/m 5H 5 0 .R v. p E s E El/.H 5 Mm Z w wm m C@ Sept 5, 1957 H. o. SCHWARTZ ETAL 3,340,344

TRANSISTORIZED ELECTRONIC PERCUSSION GENERATOR WITH ORGAN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April l5, 1965 NN www. um@ NN www mh NWN.

United States Patent O 3,340,344 TRANSISTORIZED ELECTRONIC PERCUSSION GENERATOR WITH ORGAN Harold O. Schwartz, North Tonawanda, and Peter E. Maher, Tonawanda, N.Y., assignors to The Wurlitzer Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Ohio Filed Apr. 15, 1965, Ser. No. 448,362 Claims. (Cl. 84-1.24)

This invention relates 'to an electronic musical instrument, and more particularly to an electronic organ having rhythm percussive accompanying effects.

ln various locations, it is common practice to provide small dance bands or musical combinations for producing or playing popular music for dancing or for entertainment. Generally speaking one or more instruments may be used to produce the melody. In addition, there preferably is a rhythm accompaniment, produced by one or more musicians operating with various percussive type sound generators, such as drums, blocks, brushes, cymbals, and the like. Such rhythm accompaniment is of a repetitive nature, differing in accordance with the nature of the music, i.e., fox trot, samba, cha cha, etc.

Often in a small club or public place of entertainment the financial expense of a small orchestra is prohibitive. In order to make dancing possible, or simply to provide background music, a single musician may be hired to play an electronic organ or other melody instrument. Rhythm accompaniment can be produced by an electronic rhythm device sold by the Wurlitzer Cornpany and known as the Sideman This device is disclosed and claimed in application for United States Letters Patent by Joseph H. Hearne, entitled Rhythm Device, S.N. 96,135, filed Mar. 16, 1961, and also in the application of Joseph H. Hearne, Howard E. Holman, and Marvin C. Korinke, entitled Rhythm Device, S.N. 103,001, filed Apr. 14, 1961. Although the Sideman rhythm device does produce excellent results and is eX- tremely versatile, it does entail the use of an additional piece of equipment, which in some instances may be undesirable. It also requires that the organist conform his timing to that of the rhythm device.

It therefore is an object of the present invention to provide a transistorized electronic organ with built-in transistorized rhythm accompaniment.

Furthermore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved, transistorized cymbal tone generator.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic organ constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block wiring diagram illustrating the principles of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic wiringdiagram of the electronic portions of the rhythm accompaniment device.

Referring now in greater particularity to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1, there will be seen an electronic organ 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and including the usual housing or case 12 with a music rack 14 upstanding therefrom. The organ is provided with a lower manual or keyboard 16, and with an upper manual or keyboard 18, and also with a pedal board or clavier 20. There is a plurality of stop tablets 22, and a swell pedal 24 for controlling the over-all volume. A plurality of loudspeakers is provided behind a grill 26.

The electronic aspects of the organ are shown schematically in FIG. 2. There is a plurality of key switches 28 respectively operated by the keys of the manuals 16 "and a capacitor 70 in and 18. The key switches are connected to a pulse producer 30 which can be activated to produce a pulse each time a key is depressed. The pulses are connected as indicated to upper manual brush keying and to lower manual brush keying.

. The key switches also are connected to tone generators 32, and these are connected in turn to filters and stops 34, an amplifier 36, and the loudspeakers 38 disposed behind the grill 26.

In addition, the tone generators 32 in the lower frequency range are connected through a plurality of resistors 40 to pedal switches 42 respectively operated by the pedals of the clavier 20. The fixed contacts of the switches 42 are connected to a pedal amplifier 44, and this in turn is connected to a first divider 46, the latter being connected to a second divider 48. The two

dividers

46 and 48 are connected to the filters and stops 34 for determining the footage at which the pedals will play.

There is also provided a plurality of rhythm generators 50, and these rhythm generators also are connected to the filters and stops 34.

Means is provided associated with the pedal switches 42 to provide keying for certain of the rhythm .generators, specifically the drums and cymbals. `In the illustrative example, there is a bail 52 disposed for depression on closing of any of the pedal switches 42, a spring 53 normally holding the bail 52 in rest or raised position. The bail has a pair of switches connected to it in suitable insulated fashion, such as the bail itself being an insulating material, or by means of insulating pivots. One of the bail switches comprises a movable contact 54 which is grounded, and which is engageable with a fixed contact 56 connected to the cymbal keying. Another bail switch comprises a movable contact 58 which is connected to a resistor 60. This resistor is connected at a junction 62 to a resistor 64 leading to a positive potential, such as 160 volts. The junction 62 is connected to the drum keying, as indicated.

The second bail switch also has a fixed contact 66 which is connected to a load, comprising a resistor 68 parallel therewith, both being grounded.

Turning now to FIG. 3, attention is directed first to the lower center portion of the figure whereat is the switch 58 for pedal drum keying, along with the associated circuit elements. From the junction 62 a wire 77 leads to a resistor 74. The resistor is connected through a capacitor 76 to a normally open switch 78 which comprises a pedal drum on-off switch operated by a suitable stop tablet on the organ.

The other side of the switch 78 is connected through a wire 80 to a junction 82. The junction is directly connected to the base of an n-p-n transistor 84. The junction is connected through a voltage divider resistor 86 to ground, and the emitter also is connected to ground. The junction 82 also is connected to a second voltage divider resistor 88, and this resistor is connected to a positive voltage supply line 90. This line, in turn, is connected to a B-I- bus line 92, and this is connected through a decoupling filter comprising a series resistor 94 vand shunting capacitor 96 to a supply voltage indicated at +34 volts.

The collector of the transistor 84 is connected through a resistor 98 to the positive voltage line 90, and it also is connected through a series capacitor 100 and resistor 102 to supply a positive pulse to a drum generator, indicated generally bythe numeral 104.

The drum generator is a phase shift oscillator biased short of oscillation, and shock excited into decaying oscillation. The generator 104 comprises a transistor 106 of the n-p-n type, having the emitter thereof grounded through a resistor 108 and parallel capacitor 110. The

base is shunted to ground through a resistor 112, and also is connected to a capacitor 114. The capacitor 114 is connected to a grounded, shunting resistor 116, and to a capacitor 118. The capacitor 118 is returned through ya capacitor 120 to the collector, and also is connected to a resistor 122, leading to the line 124 from the resistor 102. The resistor 122 also is connected to ground through a resistor 126.

The collector of the transistor 106 is connected through a resisto-r 128 to a positive voltage supply line 130 which is connected to the positive 34 volts supply source through a decoupling filter comprising a series resistor 132 and shunting capacitor 134. The base of transistor 106 iS connected to line 130 through a resistor.

The collector of the transistor 106 further is connected through a series resistor 135 and capacitor 136 to a shunting capacitor 138, and hence to the moving contact 140 of a normal-full switch. In the lower or normal position the movable contact 140 engages a fixed contact 142 which is connected to the junction between a grounded resistor 144 and a series resistor 146 leading to an output line 14S. The top of the resistor 146 is connected through a wire 150 to a second fixed contact 152 alternatively engageable by the movable contact 40. In addition, the top of the resistor 146 is connected by a wire 154 to a stop switch 156. With the stop switch in the lowered position shown, the output of the drum generator is shortened to ground. When the switch is open, then the output is connected to the output line 148, and through a resistor 158 to the upper stop tablet and filter assembly.

There is an additional output line 160 connected through a resistor 162 to the lower stop tablet and filter assembly. There is an interconnecting resistor 164 from the output line 148 to the lower stop tablet and filter assembly. In addition, from the output line 160 a line 166 leads to a movable switch contact 168 which in the lowered position shown engages a iixed contact connected to the top of a grounded resistor 170. The

movable switch contacts

140 and 168 are ganged together as indicated at 172 for simultaneous movement. The wire 166 also is connected to a movable switch contact 174 ganged at 176 with the movable Contact 156, and engageable with a grounded fixed contact. Movable switch contact 174 when in the closed position shown grounds the output of the output line 160, which carries signals hereinafter to be discussed.

The

switches

140, 168, as heretofore noted, comprise a normal-full switch. With the contacts in the lowered position, as controlled by a suitable stop tablet, the output is in normal position and at normal volume. It will be appreciated that part of the output appearing on the line 160 is shunted to ground by the resistor 170, and that part of the input to the switch 140v is shunted to ground through the resistor 144. On the other hand, when the

movable switch contacts

140 and 168 are in raised position, the line 160 is no longer shunted to ground. At the same time, the input to the switch contact 140 is connected at the top of the resistor 146 so that the shunting resistance to ground is much greater, and less of the signal is shunted.

Turning now to `the left central portion of FIG. 3, the circuit also includes a noise generator generally designated by the numeral 178. The noise generator includes an n- -n transistor 180 connected as a diode with its base being grounded and the emitter connected through a resistor 182 to the B+ supply indicated at -1-34 volts. The diode-operated transistor is biased at its Zener point, and hence produces a noise signal. The noise is of the type known as white noise which comprises a wide band, continuous spectrum output of substantially constant amplitude. Preferably, a silicon transistor is selected for its noise output when biased to the Zener point, it being recognized that some transistors will put out more noise than others.

The output of the diode-connected transistor iS connected to the base of an n-p-n transistor 184 through a capacitor 183, the input being shunted by a capacitor 186 and a grounded resistor 188. The resistor 188 and the base also are connected through a resistor 190 to the positive potential line 92, the -

resistors

190 and 188 acting as a voltage divider properly to bias the base of the transistor 184. The emitter is connected to a resistor 192 paralleled by a capacitor 194, and both are connected to ground by a resistor 196.

The collector of the transistor 184 is connected through a resistor 198 to the positive potential line 92, and it also is connected by means of' a capacitor 200 to the base of a transistor 202, again of the n-p-n type, the input being shunted to ground by a capacitor 204 and a voltage dividing resistor 206. The line 200 also is connected through a second voltage divider resistor 208 to the positive potential line 92. The emitter of the transistor 202 is connected to ground through a resistor 210 and parallel connected capacitor 212. As will be appreciated, the two transistors 184 and 202 comprise portions of amplifier stages to amplify the noise generated by the transistor 180.

The output of the collector of the transistor 202 is connected through a capacitor 214 to a junction 215 of a cymbal keyer 218. The cymbal keyer comprises a transistor 216 connected in a grounded base circuit with the emitter thereof connected through a capacitor 219 and series resistor 220 to the junction 215. The cymbal keyer comprises an amplifying stage which is normally biased 01T. The junction 222 which is connected to the collector of the transistor 216 is between a pair of voltage divider biasing resistors. One of these resistors 224 is connected to ground, While the other 226 is connected to the positive potential line 92.

Also connected to the potential line 92 is a resistor 228 which leads to a junction 230. The junction 230 is connected to a resistor 232, and this in turn is connected to a junction 234 leading through a resistor 236 to the emitter of the n-p-n transistor 216. The junction 230 also is connected to a junction 238 which is grounded through a series connected resistor 240 and capacitor 242. The junction 238 is connected by a wire 244 to a junction 246, and this in turn is connected to a normally open switch 248, comprising an on-off switch for the pedal cymbal keying. The other side of the switch 248 is connected to the

bail switch

54, 56 described heretofore. With the switch 248 closed, closure ot the

switch

54, 56 changes the bias on the transistor 216 so that it conducts, and remains conducting with the cymbal sound continuing as long as the bail switch is held closed. Actually, insofar as the cymbal keyer 218 is concerned, the signal output therefrom is still a noise signal which does not exactly correspond to the cymbal tone.

The output of the cymbal keyer as taken from the junction 222 is coupled through a capacitor 250 and series connected resistor 252 to a junction 254. This junction is connected to the base of another n-p-n transistor 256. The base is biased by voltage divider resistors 258 connected to the positive

potential line

92, and 260 connected to ground. The emitter is grounded through a resistor 262 and a parallel capacitor 264, while the collector is connected to a junction 266, the junction being connected through a resistor 268 to the positive potential supply line 92.

The output of the noise amplier 270, comprising the transistor 256 and related parts, is connected to a tuned lter. Specically the junction 266 is connected through a capacitor 272 and series resistor 274 to a junction 276. A coil or inductance 278 is connected from this junction to ground, as is a capacitor 280 paralleling the inductance and forming a parallel resonant circuit therewith. The junction also is connected through a series resistor 282 and a shunting capacitor 284 to an output line 286. This output line' is connected to the previously mentioned output line 160. A

j In addition, there is a resistor 288 connected from the junction between the resistor 282 and capacitor 284 to 'a junction 290 which is shunted to ground by a resistor 292. A series resistor 294 leads from the junction 290 to an output point leading to the upper stop tablet and iilter assembly independently of the line 160. As will be understood, the three outputs referred to heretofore to the stop tablet and lter assemblies are shown simply by a single line in FIG. 2 as leading from the rhythm generators to thel filters and stops. The particular filter and stop switching to the amplier is not of particular importance at the present time, and hence is not disclosed in detail.

A shimmer generator 296 is shown at the lower left corner of FIG. 3, and comprises a phase shift oscillator including an n-p-n transistor 298. Thev emitter is grounded through a resistor 300 and a parallel capacitor 302, while the base is connected to a junction 304 between a grounded voltage divider resistor 306 and a second voltage divider resistor 308 leading to a positive voltage line 310 which is connected by a decoupling filter, including a s'hunting capacitor 312 and a series resistor 314 to the positive voltage source indicated at +34 Volts. The collector of the transistor 298 is connected to a junction 316, and this junction is supplied with positive potential through a resistor 318 connected to the line 310. The junction 316 also is connected through a feedback capacitor 320 to a phase shifting network comprising a shunting resistor 322, a series capacitor 324, a second shunting resistor 326, and a second series capacitor 328 connected to the junction 304.

The output of the shimmer generator, which oscillates at 17.5 cycles per second plus or minus is taken from the junction 316 through a series capacitor 330, across a shunting capacitor 332, and through a series resistor 334 to the junction 234 of the cymbal keyer 218. The shimmer generator amplitude modulates the noise input to the cymbal keyer. Thus, the output from the noise amplifier 270 as filtered by the parallel

resonant circuit

278, 280 comprises a selected band of audio frequencies which is amplitude modulated at the frequency of the shimmer generator. The resulting output resembles the sound from a struck cymbal to an eX- tremely marked extent. The resonant frequency of the parallel resonant circuit is on the order of 8 kilocycles.

Referring now to the upper left corner of FIG. 3, the pulse producer 30 will be seen. It will be understood that the pulse producer includes means connected with the key switches Ifor producing a negative pulse whenever a percussion tone is played. Such pulses from the upper manual are connected by means of a wire 336 to a diode 338, poled as shown, and paralleled by a resistor 340. The parallel combination of the diode and resistor are connected through la normally open upper manual stop tablet 342 to a junction 344.

Similarly, the pulse producer lower manual is connected by a wire 346 to a lower manual stop tablet 348, which is normally open, and this stop tablet switch is connected to-the junction 344. It will be apparent that the diode 338 isprovided for isolation between the upper and lower manual percussion switches.

The junction 344 is connected by a wire or line 350 and a series capacitor 352 to the junction 246 of the pedal cymbal switch 248, on the right or high side of the switch. This provides for an initial percussive or crash cymbal sound. The subsequent sizzle is produced by the circuitry previously described.

The junction 344 also is connected to a junction 354 of a transistor biasing network comprising a grounded resistor 356 and a resistor 358. The top of the resistor 358 is connected to a positive line 360, and this is `connected by a wire 362 to the B-j-bus line 92. The junction 354 is connected to the base of an n-p-n transistor 364, the

6 emitter of which is grounded. The collector is connected by a resistor 366 to the line 360.

The output of the transistor, which comprises a preamplifier, is connected to the input of a Schmitt trigger circuit identified generally by the numeral 368. In particular, a capacitor 370 is connected to the collector of the transistor 364, and the capacitor is in turn connected to a resistor 372 leading to a line 374.

The Schmitt circuit comprises two

interconnected transistors

376 and 378. The line 374 is connected to the base of the transistor 376 and to the collector of the transistor 378. A capacitor 37'9 is included in the line 374 for feedback of a time constant pulse. The line 374 also is connected through a resistor 380 to the emitter of the transistor 376 and to the emitter of the transistor 378. Both emitters are grounded through a common resistor 382. The collector of the transistor 376 is connected through a resistor 384 to the line 360, While the collector of the transistor 378 is connected through a resistor 386 to the line 360.

In addition, the collector of the transistor 376 is connected by means of a resistor 388 to the lbase of the transistor 378, and this base is grounded through a resistor 390. The biasing is such that the transistor 376 is normally turned off or nonconducting, while the transistor 378 is normally turned on or conducting.

Upon application of a negative pulse from the pulse producer 30 to the input of the pre-amplifier stage at 354, the transistor 376 is momentarily turned on, with concomitant switching 01T of the transistor 378. The circuit practically immediately reverts to its initial condition with the transistor 376 off and the transistor 378 on. This produces a negative pulse in the nature of a half square wave at the collector of the transistor 37 6.

The negative pulse at the collector of the transistor 376 is taken off by means of a line 392 and through a capacitor 394 to the input junction 396 of a time constant circuit.

The junction 396 is shunted to ground by a resistor 398, and is also connected to a diode 400 polarized to conduct negative pulses from left to right, but to block any positive pulses. The diode `400 is connected to a junction 402 which is shunted to ground `by a capacitor 404. It is also connected through a resistor `406 to a junction 408. This junction is connected through a resistor 410 to the positive line 360, and also is connected to the emitter of an n-p-n transistor 412. The base of this transistor is grounded, and the collector is connected to a junction 414 which is connected through a resistor 416 to the positive line 360. The junction also is connected to a grounded resistor `417, and to a capacitor y418 which in turn is connected to a resistor 420 leading to the junction 254 at the input of the noise amplifier 270.

The junction 408 is connected by a series capacitor 422, shunted by a grounded resistor 424, and in series with a resistor 426 leading to the junction 215 at the input to the cymbal keyer.

The transistor 412 and the associated time constant circuit to the left thereof comprise a brush keyer designated as 428. The brush keyer is normally olf (i.e. the transistor 412 is off) and upon application of a negative pulse to the junction 396, the transistor is turned on. It holds on for awhile due to the time constant

circuit comprising resistors

398 and 406, and '

capacitors

404 and 422.

The output from the noise generator 178 is connected through the resistor 426 to the input of the transistor 412, which acts in the nature of a gate. The pulse from the Schmitt trigger circuit turns this gate on for the length of the pulse, plus some decay time as determined by the time constant circuit. It will be appreciated that the pulse from the Schmitt trigger circuit is broader than the output pulse of the pulse producer 30 and of completely controllable quality. The noise, as passed through the brush keyer 428, is applied by means of the capacit-or 418 and resistor 420 to the input of the noiseamplier 270.

When a pulse is produced from the pulse producer 30 lby playing on either the upper or the lower manual with t-he appropriate stop tablet or stop

tablets

342, 348 closed, the Schmitt trigger circuit 368 starts the brush noise envelope by turning `on the brush keyer 428. The time constant of the brush keyer determines the decay characteristics, although it is to be borne in mind that the decay is overcome by any additional pulse or pulses from the pulse producer 30 and consequent re-triggering of the brush keyer.

When the pedal cymbal stop switch 248 is closed, closing of the bail .

switch

54, 56 will render the cymbal keyer 218 effective. This keyer is relatively slow to turn on, and to provide a desirable crash attack, the brush keyer is also turned on. There is a voltage drop upon closing of the switch 54, .56 which is coupled as a negative pulse through capacitor 352 and line 350 to the input of the Schmitt trigger circuit. Thus, the brush sound is keyed each time the cymbal is played, and the brush fills in the attack crash noise. The cymbal keyer 218 then takes over shimmers the noise signal. The cymbal tone continues as long as the

switch

54, 56 is held closed, and decays according to a time constant determined by capacitors 242 :and 2'19 and

resistors

240, 228, 232 and 236. Re-triggering of the cymbal keyer starts a new cymbal sound as with the brush keyer.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that with the proper stop switches closed, a bass drum can be played as accompaniment to the pedal notes of an electronic organ. The stop tablets for the pedal tones themselves can be in off position, whereby only the drum signal will come through without the normal pedal tones. Preferably, the drum generator is set for a frequency of 68 to 75 cycles per second. In addition, a crash or sizzle cymbal can be produced along with or instead ofthe pedal notes, and the brush cymbal sound can be produced along with the tones as played on the upper or lower manuals.

The specific example of the invention as herein shown and described is for illustrative purposes only. Various changes in structure will no doubt .occur to those skilled in the art, and will be understood as forming a part of the present invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. An electronic musical instrument comprising a plurality of tone generators for producing electronic oscillations corresponding to musical tones, a plurality of keys and a plurality of pedals, a plurality of switches respectively selectively operable thereby, ampliier means, a plurality of filters and stops, said switches and said filters and stops respectively selectively interconnecting said tone generators and said amplifier means, electroacoustic transducing means connected to said amplifier means for converting the amplified electronic oscillations into sound, and means for adding a cymbal tone upon operation of certain of said switches and certain of said stops and comprising an electronic noise generator, a first normally closed electronic gate connected to said noise generator, a second normally closed electronic gate connected to said noise generator, means connecting said gates to said amplifier means, means operable as an incident to operation of any of said certain switches to open said first gate for a predetermined short period of time, and means operable as an incident to operation of any of said certain switches to open said second gate for a period of time longer than said predetermined time to produce a crash plus sizzle cymbal tone.

2. An electronic musical instrument comprising a plurality of tone generators for producing electronic oscillations corresponding to musical tones, a plurality of keys and a plurality of pedals, a plurality of switches respectively selectively operable thereby, amplifier means, a plurality of filters and stops, said switches and said filtersand stops respectively selectively interconnecting said tone generators and said amplifier means, electroacoustic transducing means connected to said amplifier means for converting the amplified electrical oscillations into sound, and means for adding a cymbal tone upon operation of certain of said switches and certain of said stops and comprising an electronic noise generator, a first normally closed electronic gate connected to said noise generator, a second normally closed electronic gate connected to said noise generator, a tuned circuit connected to said first and second electronic gates and to said amplifier means for passing a predetermined range of noise frequencies from said gates to said amplifier means, means operable as an incident to operation of any of said certain switches to open said first gate for a predetermined short period of time, and means operable as an incident to operation of any of said certain switches to open said second gate for a period of time longer than said predetermined time to produce a crash plus sizzle cymbal tone.

3. An electronic musical instrument as set forth in claim 2 and further including time delay means for producing a decay on the hold open time of said second electronic gate.

4. An electronic musical instrument as set forth in claim 2 wherein the means to open said second gate comprises a one-shot trigger circuit.

5. An electronic musical instrument comprising a plurality of tone generators for producing electronic oscillations corresponding to musical tones, a plurality of keys and a plurality of pedals, a plurality of switches respectively selectively operable thereby, amplifier means, a plurality of lters and stops, said switches :and said filters and stops respectively selectively interconnecting said tone generators and said amplifier means, electroacoustic transducing means connected to said amplifier means for converting the :amplified electronic oscillations into sound, and means for adding a cymbal tone upon operation of certain of said switches and certain of said stops and comprising an electronic noise generator, a first normally closed electronic gate connected to said noise generator, a second normally closed electronic gate connected to said noise generator, a shimmer generator for producing electronic oscillations not higher than low audio frequency, means connecting said shimmer generator to said first gate for amplitude modulating the electronic noise signal passed by said gate, a tuned circuit connected to said first and second electronic gates and to said amplifier means for passing a predetermined range of noise frequencies from said gates to said amplifier means, means operable as an incident to operation of any of said certain switches to open said second gate for a predetermined short period of time, and means operable as an incident to operation of any of said certain switches to open said first gate for a period of time longer than said predetermined time to produce a crash plus Sizzle cymbal tone.

6. An electronic musical instrument as set forth in claim 5 and further including independent means interconnected with said first gate and operable as an incident to operation of certain others of said switches to open said second gate independent of opening of said first gate to produce a crash cymbal tone.

7. An electronic musical instrument as set forth in claim 6 and further including an electronic drum oscillator normally biased off, and means operable as an incident to selective operation of selected ones of said switches to bias said drum oscillator into decaying oscillation, said drum oscillator being selectively connected to said amplifier means.

8. An electronic musical instrument comprising a plurality of tone generators for producing electronic oscillations corresponding to musical tones, a plurality of keys and a plurality of pedals, a plurality of switches respectively selectively operated thereby, amplifier means, a plurality of filters and stops, said switches and said filters and stops respectively selectively interconnecting said tone generators and said amplifier means, electroacoustic transducing means connected to said amplifier means for con- J verting the amplified electronic oscillations into sound,

and means for adding a cymbal tone upon operation ofcertain of said switches and certain of said stops and comprising an electronic noise generator, said electronic noise generator comprising a transistor biased to its zener point, a normally closed electronic gate connected to said noise generator, means connecting said gate to said amplitier means for passing noise frequencies from said gate to said amplifier means, and means operable as an incident to operation of any of said certain switches to open said gate for a predetermined period of time to produce a cymbal tone.

9. An electronic musical instrument comprising a plurality of tone generators for producing electronic oscillations corresponding to musical tones, a plurality of keys and a plurality of pedals, a plurality of switches respectively selectively operable thereby, amplifier means, a plurality of filters and stops, said lswitches and said filters and stops respectively selectively interconnecting said tone generators and said amplifier means, electroacoustic transducing means connected to said amplifier means for converting the amplified electronic oscillations into sound, and means for adding a cymbal -tone upon operation of certain of said switches and certain of said stops and cornprising an electronic noise generator, a normally closed electronic gate connected to -said noise generator, means connecting said electronic gate to said amplifier means for passing a noise signal from said gate to said amplier means, a one-shot trigger circuit connected to said gate for opening said gate for a predetermined period of time to produce a cymbal tone, and means connected to said one-shot trigger circuit and operable as an incident to operation of any of said certain switches to cause said trigger circuit to operate to produce a pulse to open said gate for said predetermined period of time.

10. In an electronic musical instrument, means for producing a wide spectrum sound comprising an electronic noise source, said noise source including a transistor having base, emitter and collector elements, a source of electric potential, means connecting said source to two of said transistor elements to bias said transistor to its Zener point, amplifier means, means interconnecting said two elements with said amplifier means, electroacoustic transducing means for converting electrical signals into audible sound, and means interconnecting said amplifier means and said transducing means.

No references cited.

ARTHUR GAUSS, Primary Examiner. I. A. JORDAN, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. AN ELECTRONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF TONE GENERATORS FOR PRODUCING ELECTRONIC OSCILLATIONS CORRESPONDING TO MUSICAL TONES, A PLURALITY OF KEYS AND A PLURALITY OF PEDALS, A PLURALITY OF SWITCHES RESPECTIVELY SELECTIVELY OPERABLE THEREBY, AMPLIFIER MEANS, A PLURALITY OF FILTERS AND STOPS, AND SWITCHES AND SAID FILTERS AND STOPS RESPECTIVELY SELECTIVELY INTERCONNECTING SAID TONE GENERATORS AND SAID AMPLIFIER MEANS, ELECTROACOUSTIC TRANSDUCING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID AMPLIFIER MEANS FOR CONVERTING THE AMPLIFIED ELECTRONIC OSCILLATIONS INTO SOUND, AND MEANS FOR ADDING A CYMBAL TONE UPON OPERATION OF CERTAIN OF SAID SWITCHES AND CERTAIN OF SAID STOPS AND COMPRISING AN ELECTRONIC NOISE GENERATOR, A FIRST NORMALLY CLOSED ELECTRONIC GATE CONNECTED TO SAID NOISE GENERATOR, A SECOND NORMALLY CLOSED ELECTRONIC GATE CONNECTED TO SAID NOISE GENERATOR, MEANS CONNECTING SAID GATES TO SAID AMPLIFIER MEANS, MEANS OPERABLE AS AN INCIDENT TO OPERATION OF ANY OF SAID CERTAIN SWITCHES TO OPEN AND FIRST GATE FOR A PREDETERMINED SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, AND MEANS OPERABLE AS AN INCIDENT TO OPERATION OF ANY OF SAID CERTAIN SWITCHES TO OPEN SAID SECOND GATE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME LONGER THAN SAID PREDETERMINED TIME TO PRODUCE A CRASH PLUS SIZZLE CYMBAL TONE.