Importance

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Abstract

A MIDI-compatible musical instrument controller includes a keyboard having a plurality of keys and circuitry for electronically scanning the keyboard and for producing individual key-depression signals for each key being depressed. Each of the individual key depression signals identifies the key with which it is associated, commences when the key is depressed, and terminates when the key with which it is associated is released. A plurality of note tables is provided for converting each of the individual key depression signals to MIDI note-identifying information. Each note table defines each key as one or more preselected musical notes such that no two of such tables define the plurality of keys with the same MIDI note-identifying information. One of the note tables is selected in response to a user command. Note-start circuitry, responsive to the commencement of an individual key depression signal, is provided for generating MIDI note-on signals corresponding to the one or more musical notes defined for the individual depressed key in the note table selected at the time the individual key depression signal commences. Note-stop circuitry, responsive to the termination of an individual key depression signal, is provided for generating MIDI note-off signals corresponding to the one or more musical notes defined for the individual released key in the note table which was selected during the time when the individual released key was depressed.

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First Claim