Patent Application
20070079315
The invention relates generally to the playback and manipulation of audio. The present invention particularly relates to audio players that can manipulate audio in real time to provide different types of sound effects.
Turntables are well known in the prior art for use in the playback of audio, such as music, which are located on vinyl records. Details of the operation of an analog turntable is so well known, that details of the operation thereof need not be discussed herein. By way of background, these prior art turntables include a rotating platter that is driven by a motor either directly or via belts. A spindle is positioned at the axis of platter. A record, having a center hole, is positioned on the platter with the platter spindle routed through the hole. As a result, the vinyl record remains centered on the platter for rotation therewith.
A tone arm is provided with cartridge on the free end thereof. A needle in the cartridge communicates with grooves located on the vinyl surface of the record. It is well known that passage of the needle through the grooves of the vinyl record creates analog sound waves that are, in turn, electronically communicated through the tone arm for broadcast through a sound system. Typically, the record is played back in a forward direction and at its specified speed, such as 33⅓ rotations per minute. Such “normal” playback results in the recorded audio to played back as originally desired by the creator of the vinyl record.
However, it is possible that the playback of these prior art analog vinyl records can be manipulated to create unique sound effects. For example, the record can be sped up or slowed down or moved back and forth while the needle remains within the grooves of the vinyl record. This technique of manually altering the playback of vinyl records is known as the musical art form of “scratching” and can be done to any vinyl record, such as a recording of currently popular music.
In the industry of vinyl record scratching, special equipment has been designed over the years to accommodate this particular style of interactive playback of vinyl records. For example, specialized needles and turntables, with drive systems that are designed for constant back and forth movement of the platter, have been created. Also, slip mats are typically positioned between the vinyl record and the motor-driven platter to facilitate rotation of the record independently of the turntable platter. Different slip mats can be employed with differing levels of friction to suit the needs of the user of the scratch turntable. In view of the foregoing, the key to effective scratching is the physical interaction of the user with the record and the turntable and needle.
The use of the scratching technique of sound playback using vinyl records has become very popular. However, the sale and popularity of digital media, such as compact discs (CDs) and flash media have significantly increased over the years as the preferred medium for recording audio, such as music. Thus, digital audio has become preferred by many for its sound quality, ease of storage and playback. For example, digital audio is commonly stored as a digital file. It can be stored on any type of digital storage media, such as optical compact audio discs and magnetic discs, such as hard drives or compact flash media. As a result, turntables are not typically used to playback such digital music. Instead, digital compact disc players, computers and digital portable media players are now employed for playback.
While digital music has important advantages over analog vinyl records, there is a significant drawback in that digital audio cannot be scratched because digital audio is not played back on a record turntable like analog music. Thus, there has become a desire to simulate the scratching of digital audio to obtain similar results as scratching analog audio found on vinyl records.
There have been many attempts in the prior art to perform a scratch effect on a digital audio file. In the prior art, a digital audio file is typically loaded into a memory buffer from a compact disc or other storage medium. A rotating disc is typically employed with a sensor connected thereto to measure the speed and direction of the disc. Data concerning the rotation speed and direction of the disc is received by a digital microprocessor for digital signal processing according to a desired algorithm and system software. For example, if data is received by the microprocessor that the disc is being slowed down to half speed, then the microprocessor will cause the output signal to be slowed down accordingly to match the speed of the controller disc. Similarly, if the controller disc is rotated backwards, the microprocessor will process the digital audio and output it as reversed audio. Details of digital signal processing by a controller disc is well known in the art and need not be discussed in further detail herein.
In general, digital signal processing of digital audio to achieve scratching sound effects is quite realistic and suitable for performance by disc jockeys and the like. However, such scratch performers also require a physical interface that is as close as possible, both in look, feel and operation, to an analog turntable to provide as close as possible of a scratching performance. Most importantly, the physical interface for digital scratching will result in a scratch performance that most closely simulates an analog scratch performance.
The physical interface of prior art digital scratching devices do not closely simulate an analog turntable which disc jockeys and other performers are accustomed to. The interface controller discs of the prior art are typically small circular platters that are merely provided to only generally simulate an actual vinyl record found in a real analog turntable. As a result, the general feel and action of these prior art digital scratching devices are not particularly close to a real analog turntable.
However, there have been attempts in the prior to close simulate an analog scratch turntable with a digital device. For example, efforts have been made in the prior art to provide a separate “record” and platter which both have their own detectors connected thereto for monitoring of speed and directional. The “record” in these prior art devices is a custom vinyl or plastic disc that is connected to the spindle of the device. For example, these “records” have a special keyed center hole that engages with a specially configured turntable spindle. Also, the size of the disc is typically smaller than a normal LP disc. This custom disc must be used with the digital scratch turntables of the prior art.
Despite the high quality and ease of use of the digitally stored audio, vinyl records are still often used because disc jockeys commonly have a large archive of such vinyl records which they may not have replaced yet with digital versions thereof. Also, some disc jockeys may still prefer to scratch analog vinyl records to obtain a true, authentic scratch effect. Therefore, there still a need for disc jockeys to be able to playback and scratch vinyl records in analog fashion using a tone arm and cartridge. Thus, if a disc jockey wishes to playback and scratch both digitally stored media as well as vinyl records, they must own both a digital playback and scratch device as well as an analog vinyl turntable. This is not only costly but burdensome for the disc jockey in that they must travel with two turntables to a performance.
In view of the foregoing, there is a demand for a hybrid turntable that can playback and scratch vinyl records as well as closely simulate analog scratching of vinyl records, using digitally stored audio, not only from a sound output standpoint but also from a physical interface standpoint. There is a particular demand for a hybrid turntable that can function either as a digital scratch turntable that is virtually indistinguishable from an analog turntable or an analog vinyl turntable. There is a demand for the interface “record” to be as close as possible to a real vinyl record. There is a demand for such a digital scratch turntable to include a platter that is identical to platters found in analog turntables. There is a further demand for a digital scratch turntable to use a slip mat to more closely simulate analog scratch action. Also, there is a demand for a digital scratch turntable to have the feel of an analog turntable to improve the overall scratch performance and enjoyment of the performer. There is a demand for a hybrid turntable where the platter is used both to carry a control interface disc for digital scratching of digitally stored audio and for supporting an vinyl record disc during communication with a tone arm and cartridge for analog audio playback.
The present invention preserves the advantages of prior art digital and analog scratch turntables. In addition, it provides new advantages not found in currently available turntables and overcomes many disadvantages of such currently available turntables.
The invention is generally directed to the novel and unique hybrid turntable that can play both digital media and analog vinyl records. The turntable of the present invention has particular use in the disc jockey music industry in that the hybrid turntable can be used to simulate a scratch performance using digital audio while also being able to scratch an analog vinyl record while using the same turntable. The digital audio and analog audio can be selectively played back.
The hybrid turntable is capable of playing both digital media and vinyl record discs with the same turntable. The turntable includes a motorized platter and an independently rotating spindle. The rotation of the platter and spindle is independently rotatable. A interface control disc is connectable to the spindle to controllable rotate it. An adapter may be used to facilitate connection of the interface control disc to the spindle. The rotational position of the platter and the spindle is used for processing digital media to provide a digital audio output signal to generate a digitally simulated scratch type musical performance. Alternatively, a vinyl record disc can be positioned on the platter and about the spindle without connecting directly to the spindle. A tone arm is also be provided to communicate with the vinyl record disc to provide an analog phono audio output signal. An analog actual scratch type performance or normal phonographic playback is possible using the tone arm and vinyl record disc. A digital audio output signal and analog phono audio output can be selectively played back using the same turntable.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a hybrid turntable that can playback digital media and analog vinyl records using the same turntable.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hybrid turntable that can digitally scratch digital media and scratch analog vinyl records using the same turntable.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a hybrid turntable that that can be easily modified to play either digital media or analog vinyl records.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hybrid turntable that includes an adapter that facilitates that mounting of an interface control disc to the turntable for digital scratching.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hybrid turntable that enables a disc jockey to play and scratch both digital and analog audio.
The novel features which are characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention's preferred embodiments, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring first to
For digital audio playback, the audio file can be retrieved from any storage medium, such as compact disc (“CD”) or hard drive. For ease of discussion and illustration, the present invention is shown and described in detail in connection with retrieving a digital audio file from a CD, however, it should be understood that the present invention can be used to retrieve a digital audio file for later manipulation from any storage medium, such as a hard drive or removable media, such as flash memory cards. The scope of the present invention is intended to cover any type of the foregoing storage mediums.
The hybrid turntable playback device 10 is an electrical device that is driven by a power source, such as AC power, using a wall outlet, and the like. As will be described below, various electronic components are employed in the device of the present invention. The nature and type of the power supply can be modified to suit the components employed in the playback device.
Still referring to
The playback device 10 also includes a number of user controls positioned about the top surface 12a of the main housing 12 of device 10. The nature and layout of the user controls is preferably provided to best suit the needs of a disc jockey. Since the hybrid turntable 10 of the present invention is used both for digital playback and analog playback of vinyl records, the user controls are provided that provide a playback device that simulates an analog scratch turntable as closely as possible which are very familiar to disc jockeys. As can be seen, the appearance of the hybrid turntable playback device 10 closely resembles a standard analog scratch.
The playback device 10 of the present invention includes a build-in optical reader 19, namely, otherwise known as a compact disc drive. A front loading slot 20 is located in the front of the device for receiving a compact disc 22. Drawer-based loading of the compact disc 22 may be used instead of the slot loading shown in
The hybrid turntable playback device 10 of the present invention also includes a tone arm 23 which is pivotally mounted to a base 25. A cartridge 27 is also connected to the tone arm 23 to carry analog audio signals through the tone arm 23 and the base 25 to the electronics within the main body 12 of the hybrid turntable playback device 10. The cartridge, tone arm 23 and base 25 construction operate in a fashion that is well known in the art and need not be discussed in further detail herein.
For analog playback using the tone arm 23 and cartridge 27, as best seen m
Turning now to
The user control disc 16, as stated above, is typically a standard vinyl disc with a round center hole 58. As can be understood, for digital scratching, the platter 14 and the spindle 18 must independently rotate relative to one another so their rotation can be separately detected for simulated digital scratching and playback. Details of the construction of the motor assembly and digital encoders are discussed in connection with
To accomplish this, as seen in
If a standard vinyl record, with a circular hole therethrough, is desired to be used as a user control disc 16, then its circular hole must be adapted to complementarily key with the non-circular spindle 18. The adapter 31 effectively adapts a standard vinyl record disc to one a user control disc that can effectively rotate spindle 18. Referring to
In the cross-sectional view of
Turning now to
Referring now to
The center 18 spindle is co-axially mounted through the hollow spindle 36 and freely rotates within the hollow spindle 36. The center spindle 18 is preferably made of metal, such as aluminum, or can be other materials, such as plastic. The activation of the coils 38 only rotates the annular magnet 34 (e.g. metallic) and motor housing 32 connected thereto not the center spindle 18.
The motor 30 is preferably high-torque with a power of 4.5 kgf-cm. The motor 30 can operate at 33 RPM or 45 RPM. A direct drive motor 30 is preferred over other types of motors for its reliability and performance. Also, stationary coils 38 are preferred, however, other types of motors, such as ones with a stationary magnet, are also contemplated by the present invention. These motor configurations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
Details of the interconnection of the turntable platter 14 to the motor housing 32 is seen in
As a result of the keying engagement of the platter 14 to the motor housing 32, electrical activation of the coils 38 in the motor 30 will effectively rotate the motor housing 32 and the platter 14 simultaneously. Thus, the platter 14 can be rotated to, in turn rotate a vinyl disc 17 resting thereon and play it using the tone arm construction 23, 2527 in analog playback mode. For digital scratching, the center spindle 18 through the center of the platter 14 rotates independently of the platter 14. When the turntable 10 is used in an analog playback mode, the independent rotation of the spindle 18 is of no consequence because it does not affect the use of the turntable 10 in analog playback mode because the digital encoders are preferably not used.
In accordance with the present invention, the platter 14 and circular disc 16 rotate independently from one another. The platter 14 is connected to the motor 30 which controls the rotation thereof. In the digital scratching mode of use, the rotation of the center spindle 18 is controlled by the user's on-the-fly manipulation in real time. The interface for accomplishing this is a standard sized vinyl record, generally referred to as a circular disc 16, as mentioned above.
Referring back to
Use of digital encoding discs using optical sensors for the determination of speed and direction of rotation are well known in the art and need not be discussed in further detail herein. The encoder discs 82, 84 are preferably made of stamped or perforated metal, such as steel or aluminum but could be made of other materials. In that connection, there are many different methods for measuring the speed and direction of rotation of the hollow spindle 36 and center spindle 18. However, it should be understood that many other techniques for detecting the rotation speed and direction of the spindles 18, 36 are contemplated herein and are within the scope of the present invention.
For operation of the present invention, the turntable playback device 10 is powered up and mode switch 91 is appropriately set to indicate whether the turntable is to operate in a digital mode or analog playback mode. For digital mode, a compact disc 22 is inserted into the slot 20 in the front of the device 10 and is effectively loaded into the compact disc optical reader 19. An audio track is selected using the selector knobs 108 and display 110 for playback from the optical disc 22. Alternatively, as discussed above, the playback device 10 of the present invention may include a hard drive or memory disc from which the audio file may be retrieved. Once the audio file is loaded from the appropriate storage source, two PLAY buttons 112 are provided. Either button 112 can be depressed to start playback of the audio track. At this point, the platter 14 will simultaneously begin to rotate to simulate playback as if it were on a true analog turntable. Thus, the rotation of the platter 14 indicates that playback is in progress. In this condition, the platter 14 is being driven by the motor 30. In this digital mode, the tone arm construction 23, 25, 27 is not used.
During this normal speed playback, the circular disc 16 is in frictional communication with the platter 14 via the slip mat 44. There is enough friction therebetween that the circular disc 16 rotates in synchronization with the platter 14. The speeds and direction of both the circular disc 16 (i.e. vinyl record with adapter 31 installed thereon) and the platter 14 will be detected by their respective optical encoders 82, 84 and sensors 96, 98 as being equal. Thus, the microprocessor 100 simply plays back the audio signal without modification as outputted by the optical reader 19. The playback signal is based on speed and direction of both the circular 16 disk and platter 14.
As illustrated in
Thus, the optical detectors 82, 84 will sense all of the relative movements of the circular disc 16 and the platter 14 to deliver real time signals to the microprocessor 100 to play the audio signal forward and backward according to the actions sensed. This processing can be carried out by software that is in read only memory (ROM), onboard a chip or loaded via removable storage.
It should be noted that real time microprocessor control of a audio signal based on the input of some type of user controller is well known in the art. Therefore, further details thereof need not be addressed herein.
The playback device 10 of the present invention includes many operational features to take advantage of the realistic record control of an audio signal. Referring back to
For use as an analog turntable, the turntable 10 is switched into analog mode by setting switch 91 in
Therefore, the turntable 10 of the present invention can be operate in either a digital playback mode or an analog playback mode where playback can be “scratched” in either mode, if desired. It is also possible, to create unique sound effects, to use the turntable 10 in the digital and analog playback modes simultaneously.
The playback device 10 of the present invention can be easily connected to other audio and video equipment by an audio/video set of connectors, on the back of the device (not shown). Such electrical interconnections to the audio sub-system of the turntable 10 are very well known in the art and need not be further discussed. In general, RCA-type connectors for left and right channel are preferably provided as well as a digital output. A relay connector and a remote start connector can also be provided. Input and output ports for Music Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) can also be provided for digital interconnection to other MIDI devices. A voltage selector and power plug connector can also be provided. Such connectors are well known in the art and are familiar to disc jockeys and audio technicians.
It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the appended claims.
