Importance

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Abstract

An electronic instrument which generates sound using a sound generator upon receipt of a trigger signal. Each pad actuator for generating a trigger signal includes first and second actuators for respectively triggering first and second switches which, upon actuation, generate the trigger signal for the sound generator. The pad actuator is mounted so as to rotate in a first direction about a pivot point upon depression by a user. The first actuator is placed closer to the pivot point than the second actuator and is mounted on a floating cantilever beam such that continued depression of the pad actuator in the first direction after actuation of the first switch by the first actuator causes the first actuator to displace in a second direction opposite the first direction while the second actuator continues to rotate in the first direction about the pivot point until the second switch is actuated by the second actuator. By using conventional circuitry to scan the first and second switches to determine the times of actuation of each, and a processor for processing the times to determine a velocity of depression of the pad actuator by the user, improved velocity profiles may be generated. The action of the cantilever beam also improves the 'feel' of the interface to the user.

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First Claim