Partymaker: Accordion Synthesizer
Categories: Hardware Prototypes/Non-Commercial products
Submitted By: Sergey Antonovich
Elevator Pitch
Partymaker: Accordion Synthesizer
Product Description
Partymaker: Accordion Synthesizer
Introducing Partymaker: Accordion Synthesizer system, the latest advancement in musical innovation. It seamlessly blends the timeless charm of acoustic accordions with the limitless possibilities of modern synthesizers. Experience retaining the soulful resonance of traditional instruments while unlocking a universe of electronic versatility.
With my system, musicians experience a transition from acoustic to electronic without sacrificing the familiar touch and feet they have grown to love. With a latency of just 2 milliseconds, the system’s responsiveness far exceeds industry standards, ensuring a natural and immersive playing experience. An instrument’s wooden case remains unchanged, preserving its authentic essence while integrating cutting-edge electronics. The system is self-contained, requiring no external modules or cumbersome add-ons, granting musicians the freedom to roam the stage untethered. Moreover, the system ensures that the behavior of accordion’s bellows remains true to its acoustic counterpart, thanks to integrated bellows pressure sensing feature.
As for the system’s operation, it’s simple: a sensor is installed on each button’s mechanism of the instrument, indicating whether it’s pressed or not. Thus, the system continuously monitors the state of the buttons, interprets which buttons are being pressed and translates them into musical output.
The system includes a built-in mixer for launching backing tracks effortlessly and customizable effects like echo, chorus, and distortion. Pitch bend and vibrato are controlled intuitively with a joystick. Moreover, drum sounds can be automatically added to the bass or chord when the bass or chord keys are pressed, or the built-in drum machine can be used.
The most remarkable feature is the auto-accompaniment, which generates a backing track in real time with harmony determined by pressing of a chord on the left-hand keyboard, transforming the instrument into a full ensemble. A musician controls the accompaniment with the left hand and plays solos with the right.
Yet another feature of my system is an optional microphone set with digital signal processing that is seamlessly integrated into the instrument. Its output can be mixed with the synthesizer sound to a single analog output. This means musicians can blend the acoustic and electronic properties of the instrument to suit their creative vision.
In a world where boundaries between acoustic origin and digital exploration are blurring, my system invites musicians to embark on a journey where tradition and innovation harmonize in perfect accord. Welcome to the future of musical expression.
How It’s Innovative
Partymaker: Accordion Synthesizer seamlessly integrates an advanced electronic synthesizer into the traditional accordion design. Unlike conventional digital accordions, it preserves the authentic acoustic feel and sound, ensuring that musicians can effortlessly transition between classic and contemporary tones.
Free from cables and external boxes, this system ensures that nothing will impede a musician’s performance excellence while maintaining the instrument’s original appearance and allowing for unrestricted movement on stage. Additionally, the system features built-in auto-accompaniment with support for various styles, enhancing the depth and versatility of any performance.
The system requires no external modules or cumbersome add-ons. It operates autonomously for up to 8 hours on a single charge, with the option of wireless audio transmission.
An optional digital microphone system further enhances versatility, allowing for precise control over sound capture and blending acoustic richness with electronic innovation.
See MIDI Innovation In Action
Most Inspiring Use Cases
This innovation allows musicians to easily access a wide range of sounds and effects without extensive training or expensive external equipment. Additionally, the ability to blend acoustic and electronic elements offers possibilities for musical expression, encouraging experimentation and innovation in both composition and performance.
One of the most inspiring uses of Partymaker: Accordion Synthesizer lies in its ability to ignite a newfound interest among children in learning accordion. By adding a multitude of voices and auto-accompaniment features to the educational instrument, my system offers capabilities previously unavailable on traditional accordions. Consequently, accordionists gain access to a synthesizer with no less potential than that of a keyboardist. While the market offers numerous devices for keyboardists, generating significant interest in learning the keyboard, such options were previously not as readily accessible for accordionists.
Ultimately, this invention has the power to inspire a new generation of musicians to push the boundaries of what is possible in music, fostering a more inclusive and diverse musical landscape.
Expansion Plans
One potential avenue for expansion is the development of additional features and enhancements based on feedback from musicians and the evolving needs of the market. This could involve refining the existing functionality, adding new sound presets and effects. Furthermore, expanding the range of compatible instruments beyond accordions could broaden the product’s appeal to a wider audience of musicians, such as guitarists or wind musicians looking for innovative ways to enhance their performances.
Collaborating with music education institutions to incorporate Partymaker: Accordion Synthesizer into their curricula could also open up new opportunities for growth and adoption among students and educators alike.
Currently, my main technical focus is on researching new types of sound synthesizers and improving microphone effects and audio processing.
Commercialization
A comprehensive set of documentation for both system installers and end users has been developed and is ready to use.
The installation of the system on various models of accordions requires specialized expertise typically found in accordion workshops, along with some electronics knowledge. Establishing partnerships with these workshops could facilitate the commercialization process, ensuring that the system is integrated into different accordion types while maintaining the highest engineering standards.
Several installation kits have been sent to an accordion workshop for further testing and feedback collection from both installers and musicians. Additional devices, such as button sensor testers, have also been developed and included as part of the installation kit to aid the installation process.
I’m looking forward to the feedback and discussing a commercialization model.