Patent ID: 8933314
Filing Date: 2015-01-13
Classification: G10H,H03H

Abstract:
1. A musical effect device having an input to receive an input signal from an electric or electronic musical instrument or microphone, an output to provide an output signal comprising modified version of said input signal, and an effect control circuit coupled between said input and said output to apply a controllable effect to said input signal to provide said output signal, wherein said effect control circuit has a control connection to control a level of said controllable effect applied to said input signal; and wherein said musical effect device further comprises a moveable mechanical control and a position sensor having an output coupled to said control connection, to sense a position of said moveable mechanical control, wherein said position sensor comprises: a first tuned resonant circuit; drive electronics coupled to said tuned resonant circuit to drive said first tuned resonant circuit with a drive signal at a resonant frequency; a second, passive tuned resonant circuit associated with said moveable mechanical control, wherein said electrically reactive element provides a variable modification to a response of said first tuned resonant circuit dependent on a relative position of said second, passive tuned resonant circuit with respect to first tuned resonant circuit; and read-out electronics coupled to said first tuned resonant circuit, to provide a variable output signal responsive to said relative position of said second, passive tuned resonant circuit with respect to said first tuned resonant circuit, wherein said variable output signal of said read-out electronics provides said position sensor output coupled to said control connection of said effect control circuit; wherein a first frequency of resonance of said first tuned resonant circuit matches a second frequency of resonance of said second, passive tuned circuit, and wherein said first and second frequency resonance match said resonant frequency of said drive signal; wherein said first tuned resonant circuit comprises an input coupled to said drive electronics, an output coupled to said read-out electronics and a resonant LC circuit coupled in series between said input and said output; and wherein said variable output signal is dependent on an amplitude of a signal at said output of said first tuned resonant circuit.