SOUND PROCESSING COMPONENT AND STRING INSTRUMENT EMPLOYING COMPONENT

A sound processing component applied to a string instrument for providing multiple playing forms and a MIDI function. An acquisition module acquires vibration information of multiple strings and outputs analog signals, and a first amplification and filter module amplifies the analog signals and filters the analog signals. A first conversion module converts the analog signals into digital signals, and a processing module identifies playing information of the digital signals, converts the digital signals to MIDI data based on the playing information, converts the MIDI data to audio data, and add audio effects for the audio data. A second conversion module converts the audio data with the audio effects into analog audio signals, and a second amplification and filter module amplifies the analog audio signals, filters the analog audio signals, and transmit the filtered analog audio signals to a loudspeaker. The string instrument is also provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter herein generally relates to string instruments.

BACKGROUND

Electric musical instruments that combine traditional musical instruments with electronic systems have become popular, such as electric guitars and electric basses. However, current electric musical instruments are still unable to process musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) signals, or provide single sound effect, so that the playability and practicality of the electric musical instruments are greatly reduced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one”.

FIG.1illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a string instrument100. The string instrument100comprises an instrument body10, a plurality of strings20, and a sound processing component30. The instrument body10is connected with the plurality of strings20and the sound processing component30. For example, the plurality of strings20can be arranged on the instrument body10, the sound processing component30can be arranged in the instrument body10.

For example, the instrument body10comprises a cavity, the sound processing component30is arranged in the cavity.

The number of strings20can be set according to an actual requirement, for example, as shown inFIG.1, the string instrument100comprises six strings20. The sound processing component30is configured to convert vibration information of the six string20into electrical signals to drive a loudspeaker for playback.

Referring toFIGS.2A and2B, the sound processing component30can comprise an acquisition module301, a first amplification and filter module302, a first conversion module303, a processing module304, a second conversion module305, and a second amplification and filter module306.

The acquisition module301is configured to acquire the vibration information of the plurality of strings20and output analog signals. For example, the acquisition module301can comprise a plurality of pickups3010. The number of the pickups3010can be equivalent to the number of the strings20. Each of the plurality of pickups3010can acquire vibration information of one string20, and convert the vibration information into electrical signals. The plurality of pickups3010can be divided pickups of magnetic sensing type or divided pickups of pressure sensing type.

The first amplification and filter module302is coupled to the acquisition module301, and configured to amplify the analog signals and filter the analog signals, and output the filtered analog signals. For example, the analog signals may comprise high-frequency noises, the first amplification and filter module302can filter the high-frequency noises comprised in the analog signals. The first conversion module303is coupled to the first amplification and filter module302, and configured to convert the filtered analog signals output by the first amplification and filter module302(the analog signals amplified and filtered by the first amplification and filter module302) into digital signals.

The processing module304is coupled to the first conversion module303, and configured to identify playing information of the digital signals. The processing module304is further configured to convert the digital signals to musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) data based on the playing information of the digital signals. The playing information can comprise strumming position information of the strings20corresponding to the digital signals.

For example, the acquisition module301can acquire a vibration frequency of each of the plurality of strings20, and the processing module304can identify strumming position of a player by comparing the acquired vibration frequency with vibration frequencies of the plurality of strings20to obtain the strumming position information corresponding to the digital signals. The processing module304may also convert the MIDI data into audio data based on a predetermined audio source library, which is convenient for driving the loudspeaker307a. The predetermined audio source library can be stored in the string instrument100or in a remote server40(for example, a cloud server). The string instrument100can communicate with the remote server40.

In one embodiment, the processing module304is further configured to process the audio data to add the audio effects to drive the loudspeaker307ato output a performance sound such as imitating pianos, erhus, violins, or other instruments, or with a series of sound effects such as reverbs, chorus, low octaves, high octaves, etc., so that the string instrument100can achieve a variety of performance forms, a playability of the string instrument100can be improved.

The second conversion module305is coupled to the processing module304, and configured to convert the audio data with the audio effects into analog audio signals. The second amplification and filter module306is coupled to the second conversion module305, and configured to amplify the analog audio signals, filter the analog audio signals, and transmit the filtered analog audio signals to the loudspeaker307afor playback.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIG.2A, the loudspeaker307ais integrated with the sound processing component30, the loudspeaker307ais coupled to the second amplification and filter module306. The loudspeaker307acan also be set independently of the string instrument100. As shown inFIG.2B, the sound processing component30comprises an audio output interface307bfor connecting an external loudspeaker. The audio output interface307bis coupled to the second amplification and filter module306, the audio output interface307bcan transmit the analog audio signals amplified and filtered by the second amplification and filter module306to the external loudspeaker for playback.

In one embodiment, the sound processing component30can further comprise a data storage308and a wireless communication module309. The data storage308can be configured to store an audio effects library, the predetermined audio source library, codes and data required for the processing module304, etc. When the predetermined audio source library is stored in the remote server40, the predetermined audio source library can be accessible via the wireless communication module309. For example, the processing module304can call the predetermined audio source library stored in the remote server40by the wireless communication module309to convert the MIDI data into the audio data.

In one embodiment, the processing module304is further configured to control the wireless communication module309to transmit the MIDI data and information of audio sources corresponding to the MIDI data to the remote server40. Then, users can access the remote server40through computers, mobile phones, and other devices to view, edit, and share the MIDI data and/or the audio sources corresponding to the MIDI data.

In one embodiment, the sound processing component30can further comprise a programmable amplification module310. The programmable amplification module310is coupled to the first conversion module303and the processing module304. The processing module304is further configured to set amplification parameters of the programmable amplification module310, the programmable amplification module310is configured to amplify the analog signals amplified and filtered by the first amplification and filter module302again, to realize a secondary amplification of the analog signals output by the pickups3010. The first conversion module303is configured to convert the analog signals amplified by the programmable amplification module310into the digital signals. Then, the first amplification and filter module302, the programmable amplification module310, and the first conversion module303can adapt to different playing scenes of playing information acquisition and conversion.

In one embodiment, the amplification parameters can comprise a gain of the programmable amplification module310, the processing module304can set the gain of the programmable amplification module310based on a voltage of the analog signals output by the first amplification and filter module302. For example, a current voltage detection circuit can be coupled between the first amplification and filter module302and the processing module304, the processing module304can be a processor integrated an analog digital converter (ADC).

In one embodiment, the sound processing component30further comprises a touch screen311, the touch screen311is coupled to the processing module304. The touch screen311is configured to receive instructions of setting up the audio effects, and the processing module304is further configured to process the audio data according to the instructions. For example, the processing module304can run a musical instrument operating system, the musical instrument operating system comprises setting interfaces of playback effects, supports a variety of playback effect selections or customizations, the touch screen311can set playback effect of the string instrument100based on touch commands of a player, so that the player can play the string instrument100to produce a sound such as imitating pianos, erhus, violins, or other musical instruments, or produce a sound such as reverbs, chorus, low octaves, high octaves, or other sound effects.

In one embodiment, the sound processing component30further comprises a universal serial bus (USB) interface312, the USB interface312is coupled to the processing module304. The processing module304is further configured to control the USB interface312to transmit the MIDI data and the information of audio sources corresponding to the MIDI data to an external electronic device that is coupled with the USB interface312. For example, the external electronic device can be mobile phones, computers, etc.

In one embodiment, the sound processing component30further comprises a power module313, to supply power for electronic elements of the sound processing component30. The power module313may comprise a lithium battery and a power management chip, the power module313is coupled to the USB interface312, and the lithium battery is charged by connecting an external power source through the USB interface312.

In one embodiment, the string instrument100can synchronize pickup data of the pickups3010to internet network through the wireless communication module309, to realize a function of remote interaction of playing. The string instrument100can also call and load audio sources of the remote server40to achieve converting the MIDI data into the audio data, or sharing the MIDI data, or other functions.

In addition to use the touch screen311for human-computer interaction, the string instrument100can also achieve cloud interaction through the network. For example, the MIDI data played by the user and data of the audio effects set by the user can be stored to the cloud (for example remote server40), the string instrument100can also call cloud algorithm of the cloud to process the audio data, to add one or more type of audio effects for the audio data. Timbres, audio effects, or other audio parameters can be created on other devices to synchronize to the cloud, or current timbres, current audio effects, or other audio parameters can be edited on other devices to synchronize to the cloud, and the timbres and the audio effects stored in the cloud can be synchronized to the string instrument100.

FIG.3illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a circuit diagram of the sound processing component30.

The string instrument100comprises six strings20for example, the acquisition module301can comprises a divided pickup U1, a type of the divided pickup U1can be the magnetic sensing type or the pressure sensing type. The divided pickup U1can integrated six pickups correspond to acquire vibration information of the six strings20respectively.

The first amplification and filter module302can comprise a plurality of amplification and filter units3021corresponding to the plurality of pickups3010. The number of the pickups amplification and filter units3021can be equivalent to the number of the strings20. One pickup can correspond to one amplification and filter unit3021, each amplification and filter unit3021may comprise an operational amplifier and a capacitor, to amplify and filter the analog signals output by the corresponding pickup.

The first conversion module303can comprise an ADC U2, the ADC U2may have six analog-digital conversion channels, for corresponding to couple with the six amplification and filter units3021, to realize converting the analog signals amplified and filtered by the six amplification and filter units3021into the digital signals. The processing module304can perform a time-sharing multiplexing control of the six analog-digital conversion channels of the ADC U2. Then, the processing module304can process one channel of digital signals at a time, which is convenient for identifying the playing information of the digital signals, and converting the digital signals into the MIDI data.

The programmable amplification module310can comprise a programmable amplifier U3. The programmable amplifier U3is coupled to the processing module304and the ADC U2. The processing module304can set amplification parameters of the programmable amplifier U3, the programmable amplifier U3can amplify the analog signals amplified and filtered by the first amplification and filter unit3021again, to realize a secondary amplification of the analog signals output by the divided pickup U1. For example, when the programmable amplifier U3is enabled for secondary amplification, the ADC U2receives signals from the amplification and filter unit3021and inputs to the programmable amplifier U3for amplifying, and then enters the ADC U2for analog-digital converting.

The processing module304comprises a digital signal processor (DSP)3041and an advanced reduced instruction set computer machine (ARM)3042. The ARM3042is coupled to the ADC U2and the DSP3041, the ARM3042is configured to identify the playing information of the digital signals based on a predetermined identification algorithm, and convert the digital signals to the MIDI data based on the playing information of the digital signals. For example, the ARM3042can identify the strumming position according to the vibration frequencies of different strings, and realize converting received digital signals into the MIDI data. The ARM3042can also call the predetermined audio source library that is stored locally or in the cloud to convert the MIDI data into the audio data, for subsequently drive the loudspeaker for playback. The ARM3042can also be coupled to a clock circuit, the clock circuit can provide operating timing for the ARM3042.

The wireless communication module309can comprise a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) module and/or a 5th generation mobile network (5G) module. As shown inFIG.3, the wireless communication module309comprises the Wi-Fi module3091for example, the MIDI data and the information of audio sources corresponding to the MIDI data may be synchronized to the cloud by the Wi-Fi module3091. Then, the users can access the cloud through computers, mobile phones, or other electric devices to view, edit, share, synchronize MIDI data and/or the information of audio source.

The DSP3041is coupled to the ARM3042, the DSP3041can process the audio data to add audio effects, a series of playback effects can be added into the audio data. So that the player can play the string instrument100to produce a sound such as imitating pianos, erhus, violins, or other musical instruments, or produce a sound such as reverbs, chorus, low octaves, high octaves, or other sound effects.

The second conversion module305can comprise a coder-decoder (codec) U4, the codec U4can convert the audio data with the audio effects into the analog audio signals. The codec U4can integrate an analog-digital conversion function and a digital-analog conversion function, which is convenient to realize the analog-digital conversion of analog signals of the audio source input interface (for example microphone interface) and transmit it to the DSP3041for processing, or to realize the digital-analog conversion of digital signals of the DSP3041and transmit it to the audio output interface.

The second amplification and filter module306may comprise one amplification and filter unit3021, to realize amplifying the analog audio signals and filtering noise signals comprised in the analog audio signals. The analog audio signal processed by the second amplification and filter module306can be transmitted to an external loudspeaker for playback through the audio output interface307. When the string instrument100integrates the loudspeaker, the analog audio signal processed by the second amplification and filter module306can be directly transmitted to the loudspeaker for playback.

The data storage308can comprise a random access memory (RAM)3081and a read only memory (ROM)3082. The RAM3081and the ROM3082can be configured to store the audio effects library, the predetermined audio source library, codes and data required for the ARM3042, etc. The power module313may comprise the lithium battery3130and the power management chip3131, the power module313is coupled to the USB interface312, and the lithium battery3130is charged by connecting an external power source through the USB interface312. The power management chip3131can manage the lithium battery3130of charging and discharging.

In one embodiment, referring toFIG.4, the DSP3041is coupled to the ARM3042, the ADC U2, and the codec U4. The DSP3041can also be coupled to the ADC U2and the codec U4. The DSP3041is configured to identify the playing information of the digital signals and convert the digital signals to the MIDI data based on the playing information of the digital signals. The ARM3042is coupled to the DSP3041, the ARM3042is configured to convert the MIDI data to the audio data based on the predetermined audio source library stored locally or in the cloud. The DSP3041is further configured to process the audio data to add a specified set of audio effects.

The above string instrument10break through limitations of single performance form of traditional string instruments, the playability and the practicality of the string instrument10are effectively improved, and the function of MIDI of the string instrument10can be realized.