JP2010237509A - Arpeggio creation device and program for implementing arpeggio creation method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an arpeggio creation device and a program for implementing an arpeggio creation method which are capable of creating arpeggio by using a part of arpeggio pattern data. <P>SOLUTION: When a user selects arpeggio pattern data, and indicates a head of a second measure as a cutting start position, and a tail of a fifth measure as a cutting finish position, as shown in Fig.(a), and thereafter, creation start of an arpeggio sound output is indicated, a sound output pattern data in the arpeggio pattern data is cut out from "a start position" to "a finish position", and new sound output pattern data is created shown in Fig.(b). A sound output data list is created based on the new sound output pattern data and input key press sound, and arpeggio is created based on the sound output data list. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an arpeggio generating device and an arpeggio generating method for generating an arpeggio based on supplied arpeggio pattern data and input note information.

  An arpeggio generating device that generates an arpeggio based on supplied arpeggio pattern data and input note information is conventionally known.

  Such an arpeggio generator, a so-called arpeggiator, stores arpeggio pattern data consisting of a plurality of key numbers (not a note number corresponding to the pitch, but a simple number) and the sounding timing, and is simultaneously pressed and input. A number is assigned to each pitch of a plurality of notes according to a predetermined rule (for example, in order of increasing pitches), and a pitch assigned a number corresponding to the key number in the arpeggio pattern data is assigned at the sounding timing. The arpeggio is generated based on the keystroke sound. As described above, when a key is pressed by the user, the arpeggiator sequentially generates and outputs sound generation data according to the key press sound and the arpeggio pattern data, and sound generation data corresponding to the last data of the arpeggio pattern data is generated. Are output again, it returns to the first data of the arpeggio pattern data again, and the generation and output of the pronunciation data corresponding to the data is repeated. As a result, as long as the user's key depression continues, generation and output of sound generation data corresponding to the key depression sound and the arpeggio pattern data are continued.

  By the way, when a plurality of sounds, for example, chords are input by pressing a key, the arpeggiator generates an arpeggio based on the chords and generates an arpeggio. Since the arpeggio generation and pronunciation continues as long as the key is pressed as described above, if the chord is continuously generated while the key is pressed, the key continues to be pressed. The arpeggio is always overlaid on the chord. Therefore, in the above arpeggiator, even if the user continues to pronounce a chord and tries to create a sound that adds the arpeggio in a decorative manner (specifically, by limiting the number of times the arpeggio is pronounced), the key to the chord is not pressed. During this time, the arpeggio was always sounded over the chord (that is, the number of arpeggios cannot be limited), so this user's request could not be met.

  In order to respond to the user's request, the present applicant has proposed an arpeggiator that allows the user to specify the number of times the arpeggio pattern data is repeatedly used so that the number of arpeggio pronunciations can be limited (for example, Patent Document 1). reference). In this arpeggiator, when the arpeggio pattern data is repeatedly used for the number of times specified by the user, even if the user continues to press the key, the arpeggio is not generated and only the key pressing sound is generated.

JP 2008-139450 A

  However, in the conventional arpeggiator, since the arpeggio is generated with the data length of the entire arpeggio pattern data as a minimum unit, it is not possible to generate an arpeggio by repeatedly using a part of the arpeggio pattern data, for example. .

  The present invention has been made paying attention to this point, and provides an arpeggio generation device and an arpeggio generation method that can generate an arpeggio using a part of arpeggio pattern data. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, an arpeggio generation device according to claim 1, a supply unit that supplies arpeggio pattern data including a plurality of event data including timing information, and a clipping start of the arpeggio pattern data supplied by the supply unit Setting means for setting the position and cutout end position, input means for inputting one or more note information including pitch information, note information input by the input means, and arpeggio pattern data supplied by the supply means Generating means for generating arpeggio data based on the event data, and when the cutout start position and cutout end position are set by the setting means, the generation means includes the arpeggio pattern data in the supplied arpeggio pattern data. Of the event data, the cut start position When the event data included from the start to the cut end position is sequentially read from the top event data and the last event data is read, the reading is continued after returning to the top event data, and the arpeggio is read based on the read event data. It is characterized by generating data.

  The arpeggio generation device according to claim 2, further comprising a changing unit that changes the cutout start position to a position that is later in time in the arpeggio generation device according to claim 1, wherein the cutout start position is changed by the change unit. If it is, the generation means has event data included between the cut start position and the cut end position among the event data in the supplied arpeggio pattern data at the cut start position after the change. When the event data is read sequentially and the event data at the end is read out, the reading is continued after returning to the event data at the beginning, and arpeggio data is generated based on the read event data.

  In order to achieve the above object, an arpeggio generating device according to claim 3 is provided with supply means for supplying arpeggio pattern data comprising a plurality of event data including timing information, and start of clipping of arpeggio pattern data supplied by the supply means A setting unit that sets a position and a cutout end position; and, when the cutout start position and the cutout end position are set by the setting unit, among the event data in the supplied arpeggio pattern data, Copy means for copying event data included up to the cutout end position, and the value of timing information included in the event data copied by the copy means, for the time from the beginning of the arpeggio pattern data to the cutout start position, Temporal A new arpeggio pattern data composed of event data whose timing information value is shifted by the shift means is generated in response to the detection of the save means and the shift means for shifting in the fast direction, and the storage means stores the new arpeggio pattern data. And a recording means for making it possible.

  The arpeggio generation device according to claim 4, further comprising a changing unit that changes the cutout start position to a later time position in the arpeggio generation device according to claim 3, wherein the cutout start position is changed by the change unit. The copying means copies the event data from the cutout start position after the change to the cutout end position among the event data in the supplied arpeggio pattern data, and further from the cutout start position The event data up to the cut-out start position after the change is copied while adjusting the value of the timing information so as to follow the copy, and the shift means includes the timing information included in the event data copied by the copy means. Change the value from the beginning of the arpeggio pattern data after the change Time period until the cutout start position, characterized by shifting in time early direction.

  In order to achieve the above object, the program according to claim 5 can be realized by the same technical idea as claim 1.

  In order to achieve the above object, the program according to claim 6 can be realized by a technical idea similar to that of claim 3.

  According to the invention described in claim 1 or 5, when the cut start position and the cut end position are set, from the cut start position to the cut end position among the event data in the supplied arpeggio pattern data Event data included in the event data is sequentially read from the first event data, and when the last event data is read, the reading is continued after returning to the first event data, and the read event data and the input Since the arpeggio data is generated based on the note information, it is possible to generate the arpeggio using a part of the arpeggio pattern data.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the cutout start position is changed to a position that is later in time, out of the event data in the supplied arpeggio pattern data, the cutout end is started from the cutout start position. Event data included up to the position is sequentially read from the event data at the cut start position after the change, and when the last event data is read, the reading is continued after returning to the first event data. Since arpeggio data is generated based on the event data and the note information that has been input, we want to start cutting the arpeggio pattern data at a time later than the set cut start position due to the characteristics of the arpeggio pattern data. Sometimes effective. The event data included from the cutout start position to the cutout end position is started from the event data at the cutout start position after the change, but when the last event data is reached, the readout data is changed to the cutout start position after the change. Without returning to a certain event data, it returns to the first event data that is earlier in time, that is, the event data that is in the cutout start position before the change, so the cutout start position is changed to a later time position In addition, a new arpeggio can be generated while maintaining the length of time from the cutout start position before the change to the cutout end position.

  According to the invention described in claim 3 or 6, when the cut start position and the cut end position are set, from the cut start position to the cut end position among the event data in the supplied arpeggio pattern data The event data included in the copied event data is copied, and the value of the timing information included in the copied event data is shifted and saved earlier in time by the time from the beginning of the arpeggio pattern data to the cutout start position. In response to the detection of the instruction, a new arpeggio pattern data composed of event data whose value of the timing information is shifted is generated and stored in the storage means, so a part of the arpeggio pattern data is used. New arpeggio pattern data can be created.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, when the cutout start position is changed to a position that is later in time, among the event data in the supplied arpeggio pattern data, from the changed cutout start position. The event data up to the cutout end position is copied, and the event data from the cutout start position to the changed cutout start position is copied while adjusting the value of timing information so as to follow the copy. The value of the timing information included in the event data is shifted in the earlier direction by the time from the start of the arpeggio pattern data to the cut start position after the change, and the save instruction is detected. In response, a new arpeggio consisting of event data in which the value of the timing information is shifted. Pattern data is generated, since it is stored in the storage means, such as by the characteristics of arpeggio pattern data is effective when you want to start from temporally slower position than cutout start position set to cut the arpeggio pattern data. The event data from the cutout start position to the cutout start position after the change is added after the event data from the cutout start position after the change to the cutout end position. Even if it is changed to, new arpeggio pattern data can be created while maintaining the time length from the cutting start position before the change to the cutting end position.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the arpeggio production apparatus (arpeggiator) which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of the control processing which the arpeggiator of FIG. 1 performs. An example of the format of the new pronunciation pattern data created from the pronunciation pattern data included in the arpeggio pattern data, and the pronunciation generated based on the new pronunciation pattern data and the pitch of the key depression sound input by the user's key depression operation It is a figure which shows a data list. It is a figure for demonstrating the control processing which the arpeggiator of FIG. 1 performs. It is a figure for demonstrating the other control processing which the arpeggiator of FIG. 1 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the arpeggio reproduction mode process which the arpeggiator of FIG. 1, especially CPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed procedure of the new pronunciation pattern data creation process in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed procedure of the pronunciation data list production | generation process in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the arpeggio pattern data recording process which the arpeggiator of FIG. 1, especially CPU performs.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an arpeggiator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the arpeggiator of the present embodiment includes an operator group 1 composed of a performance operator such as a keyboard and setting operators such as various switches, and an operation state of each operator of the operator group 1. A detection circuit 2 for detecting, a CPU 3 for controlling the entire apparatus, a ROM 4 for storing a control program executed by the CPU 3, various table data, etc., performance information (note information) input from the performance operator, arpeggio Displays RAM 5 for temporarily storing pattern data, various input information, calculation results, etc., external storage device 6 for storing various application programs including the control program, various arpeggio pattern data, various data, and various information For example, a display device 7 including a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a light emitting diode (LED), and an external MI An external device 100 such as an I (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) device is connected, a communication interface (I / F) 8 for transmitting / receiving data to / from the external device 100, performance information input from the performance operator, and the RAM 5 A sound source circuit 9 for converting arpeggio sound data generated based on the arpeggio pattern data stored in the sound signal into a musical sound signal, an effect circuit 10 for imparting various effects to the musical sound signal from the sound source circuit 9, and the effect For example, the sound signal from the circuit 10 is converted into sound, and is composed of a sound system 11 such as a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter), an amplifier, and a speaker.

  The above components 2 to 10 are connected to each other via the bus 12, the external device 100 is connected to the communication I / F 8, the effect circuit 10 is connected to the sound source circuit 9, and the sound system is connected to the effect circuit 10. 11 is connected.

  The external storage device 6 is, for example, a storage medium such as a flexible disk (FD), a hard disk (HD), a CD-ROM, a DVD (digital versatile disc), a magneto-optical disk (MO), and a semiconductor memory, and a driving device thereof. The storage medium may be detachable from the drive device, or the external storage device 6 itself may be detachable from the arpeggiator of the present embodiment. Alternatively, neither the storage medium nor the external storage device 6 may be detachable. As described above, the external storage device 6 (the storage medium) can also store a control program executed by the CPU 3. If no control program is stored in the ROM 4, the control program is stored in the external storage device 6. , And reading it into the RAM 5, the CPU 3 can be operated in the same manner as when the control program is stored in the ROM 4. In this way, control programs can be easily added and upgraded.

  In the illustrated example, the external device 100 is connected to the communication I / F 8. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a server computer is connected via a communication network such as a LAN (local area network), the Internet, or a telephone line. You may be made to do. In this case, if the above programs and various parameters are not stored in the external storage device 6, the communication I / F 8 is used for downloading the programs and parameters from the server computer. The arpeggiator as a client transmits a command for requesting downloading of programs and parameters to the server computer via the communication I / F 8 and the communication network. Upon receiving this command, the server computer distributes the requested program and parameters to the arpeggiator via the communication network. The arpeggiator receives these programs and parameters via the communication I / F 8 and receives the external storage device 6. Downloading is completed by accumulating in.

  Note that the arpeggiator of the present embodiment is constructed on an electronic keyboard instrument, as can be seen from the above configuration, but is not limited to this, and is constructed on a general-purpose personal computer to which a keyboard is externally connected. May be. Further, the present invention is not limited to the keyboard instrument embodiment, and other embodiments such as a string instrument type, a wind instrument type, and a percussion instrument type may be used.

  The control process executed by the arpeggiator configured as described above will first be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5 (however, a part is detailed), and then with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. This will be described in detail.

The arpeggiator of this embodiment is mainly composed of (A) a new pronunciation pattern data creation process for creating new pronunciation pattern data based on the pronunciation pattern data in the arpeggio pattern data selected by the user. A pronunciation data list generation process that generates a pronunciation data list based on the new pronunciation pattern data created by the pronunciation pattern data creation process and the performance information (pitch in this embodiment) input by the user's key press operation ( C) A pronunciation data list reproduction process for reproducing the pronunciation data list generated by the pronunciation data list generation process of (B) above. (D) A note on / note off event is generated in response to a user's key pressing / releasing operation. Output to the tone generator circuit 9 to generate a sound / mute process for generating a key-pressing sound and / or a key-released sound. Do.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the control process executed by the arpeggiator of the present embodiment, that is, the processes (A) to (D) described above, and FIG. 3 is the pronunciation pattern data included in the arpeggio pattern data. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a format of new pronunciation pattern data created from the above and a pronunciation data list generated based on the new pronunciation pattern data and the pitch of a key depression sound input by a user's key depression operation.

  Arpeggio pattern data is stored in advance in, for example, a plurality of types (for example, a plurality of types for each tone color) in the external storage device 6, and when the user selects one of them, the selected arpeggio pattern data is stored in the external storage device. 6 and stored in an arpeggio pattern data storage area (not shown) secured at a predetermined position in the RAM 5. FIG. 2 shows how the arpeggio pronunciation data is generated based on the arpeggio pattern data N selected by the user from the arpeggio pattern data group.

  Each arpeggio pattern data includes pronunciation pattern data. As shown in FIG. 3, the sound generation pattern data includes a set of data (hereinafter referred to as “event data”) including a sound generation timing (Timing), a gate time (Gate), a key number (Key), an octave (Oct), and a velocity (Vel). 3) is composed of a plurality of sets of event data (however, FIG. 3 shows the format of the new pronunciation pattern data as described above, and does not show the format of the pronunciation pattern data that is the basis for its creation. Both formats are the same). Here, the sounding timing is the timing at which the keying sound of the corresponding key number (that is, belonging to the same set) is sounded is expressed by “measure: beat: number of clocks”. In this embodiment, 480 clocks are generated. Corresponds to the time for one beat. The gate time represents the duration of sound generation (ie, the sound length) of the key-pressing sound that has been sounded at the sounding timing in terms of the number of clocks. The key number is determined when the user simultaneously presses a plurality of keys (the key press start timing may be simultaneous or may be shifted, in other words, there may be a period during which a plurality of keys are pressed simultaneously. ) Are numbered in ascending order of pitch. The octave indicates how much the keypad sound of the corresponding key number is shifted by an octave. The velocity indicates the value of velocity when the corresponding key number is pressed.

  In FIG. 3, when three pitches “C3”, “E3”, and “G3” are simultaneously input by the user's key depression, new sound generation pattern data, that is, the new sound generation pattern data generation process of the above (A) is shown. A pronunciation data list generated by using the new pronunciation pattern data created by is described. The new pronunciation pattern data in the illustrated example has a four-measure length, but the pronunciation pattern data in the original arpeggio pattern data (here, arpeggio pattern data N) has a four-measure length or more.

The key press sounds “C3”, “E3”, and “G3” are assigned key numbers “1”, “2”, and “3”, respectively, according to the rules described above. 1: 000 ") to the end of the second beat (" 1: 2: 479 ") are generated as follows. That is,
Timing “1: 1: 000”: C4 (the pitch (“C3”) of the key number “1” at the sound generation timing “1: 1: 000” of the sound generation pattern data is shifted by “1” octave)
Timing “1: 1: 240”: G3 (the pitch (“G3”) of the key pressing sound of the key number “3” at the sound generation timing “1: 1: 240” of the sound generation pattern data is shifted by “0” octave)
Timing “1: 2,000”: E3 (the pitch (“E3”) of the key number “2” at the sound generation timing “1: 2,000” of the sound generation pattern data is shifted by “0” octave)
Timing “1: 2: 240”: C3 (the pitch of the key number “1” (“C3”) shifted by “0” octave at the sounding pattern data sounding timing “1: 2: 240”)
Note numbers of other timings of other beats are generated in the same manner.

  In the present embodiment, the new pronunciation pattern data that is cut out from the original pronunciation pattern data by the length of four bars (in the example of FIG. 3, 4/4 time) is used. As will be described later, since it is started by the user's key pressing operation and is not stopped until the key releasing operation is performed, if the time from the user's key pressing operation to the key releasing operation exceeds 4 bars length, The data list is generated with a length exceeding 4 bars. Therefore, when the pronunciation data list is generated exceeding the four-bar length without changing the key-press sound, the note numbers generated in the first to fourth bars are repeatedly generated as the note numbers after the fifth bar. Is done. However, as the timing of the pronunciation data after the fifth measure registered in the pronunciation data list, the corresponding pronunciation timing in the pronunciation pattern data cannot be used as it is, and the number of times the new pronunciation pattern data is used in a loop ( Hereinafter, the sound generation timing needs to be shifted later (backward) by the time length of the new sound generation pattern data. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the timing of the first sounding data with the second loop count is shifted backward by four bars with respect to the corresponding sounding timing “1: 1: 000” in the new sounding pattern data. “5: 1: 000”. Here, since “0” is the initial value for the number of loops, the “second loop” in FIG. 3 means that the number of loops = 1 (this is the same in FIGS. 4 and 5). . Needless to say, the time length cut out as the new sound pattern data is not limited to the above four bars length as long as it is shorter than the time length of the entire original sound pattern data.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the arpeggio playback mode is entered in accordance with the user's instruction, and the user selects the arpeggio pattern data and sets the start position, end position, and start position shift amount (block 1b). After instructing the generation start, when at least one key pressing sound is input by a key pressing operation (block 1a), the input key pressing sound (including at least the key code and velocity) is stored in the RAM 5 It is stored in a key-on buffer (not shown) secured at the position. The CPU 3 always checks the state of the key-on buffer, and when a key-pressing sound is stored in the key-on buffer, generates a note-on event corresponding to the key-pressing sound and outputs it to the tone generator circuit 9. In response to this, the tone generator circuit 9 generates a tone signal corresponding to the inputted note-on event and outputs it to the effect circuit 10. As a result, a key depression sound is generated from the sound system 11.

  Next, the CPU 3 generates new sound generation pattern data, that is, the sound generation pattern data obtained by cutting out the sound generation pattern data in the arpeggio pattern data N from the start position to the end position, and the key press sound stored in the key-on buffer. Based on the pitch (key code), a pronunciation data list is generated as described above (block 3a). The block 1b is configured so that the “start position shift amount” can also be set. Control processing based on this will be described later. Further, the present invention is characterized in that a part of arpeggio pattern data (pronunciation pattern data) is used to generate and reproduce or store new arpeggio pattern data. The form always uses part of the arpeggio pattern data. That is, at least one of “start position” and “end position” is always set. However, this is for convenience of explanation, and neither the “start position” nor the “end position” is set (in this case, the “start position shift amount” may or may not be set). As in the conventional arpeggiator, the pronunciation data list may be generated using the entire arpeggio pattern data.

The sounding data list generated (or being generated) in this way is reproduced by the sounding data list reproduction process (C) embedded in a timer interrupt process (not shown). More specifically, the (C) pronunciation data list reproduction process is realized as follows. That is, the timer interrupt process is started every cycle of the clock, for example,
(I) A free-run counter (not shown) provided at a predetermined position in the RAM 5 is counted up each time the timer interrupt process is activated. (Ii) The count value of the free-run counter and the sound generation timing in the sound data list As a result, if they match, the note number and velocity of the sound generation timing are read from the sound generation data list, a note-on event including the note number and velocity is generated, and output to the tone generator circuit 9 ( iii) When a note-on event is generated in (ii) above, the free-run counter detects a value counted up to the current time from the generation time, and the detected value and the gate time corresponding to the generated note-on event As a result, if both match, the generated note-on event It generates a corresponding note-off event, and outputs to the tone generator 9.

  It goes without saying that the free-run counter needs to be reset at a predetermined timing such as the timing when the key depression is started. The reset is normally performed by setting the value of the free-run counter to “0”, but in this embodiment, it is performed by setting the value of the free-run counter to “−1”. In this embodiment, as described above, since the count value is compared with the sounding timing after the free-run counter is counted up, when the free-run counter is reset to “0”, the sounding timing is This is because the event at the position “0000” cannot be detected. In this embodiment, “measure: beat: number of clocks” is adopted as the expression format of the sound generation timing, while the count of the free-run counter is simple (for example, “1” increments). The “comparison” in the process (ii) needs to be performed after matching one representation format with the other representation format. Either way may be matched, but in this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the count value of the free-run counter is converted to the expression format of “bar: beat: number of clocks” and then compared with the sound generation timing. To.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a control process executed by the arpeggiator of the present embodiment. FIG. 4A shows a state in which a part of the selected 6-bar length arpeggio pattern data is cut out. FIG. 6B shows the sound pattern data newly created based on the sound pattern data in the arpeggio pattern data of FIG. 10A, and FIG. 10C shows the sound pattern data of FIG. It shows a state when playback is performed based on a pronunciation data list generated using.

  As described above, the arpeggio pattern data selected by the user is stored in the arpeggio pattern data storage area. At this time, the temporal position of each event data constituting the pronunciation pattern data in the arpeggio pattern data is For example, it is displayed on the display device 7 as shown in FIG. On the display screen, a cursor (not shown) is displayed together with arrows indicating the cutout start position and the cutout end position. The user designates the cutout start position or the cutout end position by dragging the cursor in accordance with the arrow indicating the cutout start position or the cutout start position. In the illustrated example, the start of the second measure is designated as the cutout start position, and the end of the fifth measure is designated as the cutout end position. Thereby, the start of the second measure is set as the “start position” in the block 1b of FIG. 2, and the end of the fifth measure is set as the “end position”. Note that if the clip start position and clip end position are specified by dragging, the clip start position is specified later in time than the clip end position, or the clip start position is specified beyond the beginning of the arpeggio pattern data. The cutout end position may be specified beyond the end of the arpeggio pattern data. For such error designation, it is sufficient to warn the user or disable the designation itself.

  Next, when the user instructs generation start of the arpeggio pronunciation data, the pronunciation pattern data in the arpeggio pattern data is cut out from the “start position” to the “end position” as shown in FIG. Pronunciation pattern data is created.

  Then, a pronunciation data list is generated based on the new pronunciation pattern data and the inputted key depression sound, and a musical tone, that is, an arpeggio is generated based on the pronunciation data list. FIG. 4C shows a state where the arpeggio is generated using the new pronunciation pattern data twice. However, in the illustrated example, a state in which the key number in the new pronunciation pattern data is read is shown, and a state in which the note number in the pronunciation data list is reproduced is not shown. This is how the arpeggio pattern data (pronunciation pattern data) is cut out in the present invention, and how the arpeggio pattern data (key number in the pronouncing pattern data) is read out to generate the arpeggio Is a problem, and it does not matter how the note numbers in the pronunciation data list are generated from the arpeggio pattern data (the key numbers in the pronunciation pattern data) after extraction (that is, from the key numbers in the pronunciation pattern data). This is because the method for generating the note number in the pronunciation data list is the same as that used by the conventional arpeggiator).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining another control process different from the control process of FIG. The control process of FIG. 5 differs from the control process of FIG. 4 in that the user specifies the timing shift amount. 5A to 5C correspond to FIGS. 4A to 4C, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the user first selects the same arpeggio pattern data as in FIG. 4 (a), specifies the same section as in FIG. When the timing shift amount is designated, the “start position”, “end position”, and “start position shift amount” of the block 1b in FIG. 2 are respectively “the start of the second measure”, “the end of the fifth measure”, and “2 beats” is set.

  Next, when the user instructs generation start of arpeggio pronunciation data, as shown in FIG. 5B, the pronunciation pattern data in the arpeggio pattern data is changed from “start position” + “start position shift amount” to “end position”. Is further cut out from “start position” to “start position” + “start position shift amount”, and the latter sounding pattern data is added after the former sounding pattern data, and new Sound generation pattern data is generated.

  Then, a pronunciation data list is generated based on the new pronunciation pattern data and the inputted key depression sound, and a musical tone, that is, an arpeggio is generated based on the pronunciation data list. FIG. 5C shows a state where the arpeggio is generated using the new pronunciation pattern data twice.

  The new pronunciation pattern data shown in FIGS. 4B and 5B are configured to be recorded on a predetermined storage medium as new arpeggio pattern data in accordance with a user's save instruction.

  As described above, the arpeggiator of the present embodiment can generate an arpeggio using a part of the arpeggio pattern data. Since a part of the used arpeggio pattern data (the pronunciation pattern data) is stored as new arpeggio pattern data, a plurality of arpeggio pattern data can be created from one arpeggio pattern data. Specifically, for example, an arpeggio pattern for drums may be configured such that a fill-in pattern enters the eighth bar after a normal pattern of seven bars. At this time, if the user wants to insert a fill-in pattern earlier than the eighth measure, the normal pattern part before the fill-in pattern is cut out and used, and finally the fill-in pattern is used. In this way, the cut out pattern and the original pattern can be used in a simple combination.

  In addition, pattern cutting basically starts at the beginning of a measure, but depending on the characteristics of the pattern, it may be desired to start from the middle of the measure. In this case, since the arpeggiator of the present embodiment can specify the timing shift amount, the user can appropriately specify the pattern start position by specifying the timing shift amount in consideration of the characteristics of the pattern. It can be shifted backward (for example, every 16th note unit). Thereby, for example, when there is a rest at the beginning of the extracted pronunciation pattern data, arpeggio generation can be started by skipping the rest. Further, when the arpeggio pattern in which the cutout start position is shifted as described above is loop-reproduced in this way, in the arpeggiator of the present embodiment, when the reproduction proceeds and reaches the cutout end position, the cutout start position before shifting, that is, FIG. In this example, since the timing is returned to the start timing of the bars, arpeggios can be generated without shifting the bars when viewed as a whole.

  Next, this control process will be described in detail.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the arpeggio playback mode process executed by the arpeggiator of the present embodiment, particularly the CPU 3, which is activated when the user selects the arpeggio playback mode. .

The arpeggio playback mode processing is mainly performed by (1) initial setting processing (steps S1 to S3).
(2) New pronunciation pattern data creation process (step S4)
(3) Sound generation / silence processing of (D) (steps S5, S6, S11, S12)
(4) Arpeggio playback start / stop processing (steps S7 to S10, S13, S14)
It is constituted by.

  In the initialization process (1), first, the CPU 3 presents a list of arpeggio pattern data groups stored in the external storage device 6 to the user by displaying the list on the display device 7, for example. When any one of the arpeggio pattern data is selected, the selected arpeggio pattern data is read from the external storage device 6 into the arpeggio pattern data storage area (step S1).

  Next, the CPU 3 displays the arpeggio pattern data in the arpeggio pattern data storage area on the display device 7 as described above, and waits for the user to specify the cutout start position and cutout end position. When the user designates a cutout start position and a cutout end position, the CPU 3 sets the cutout start position and the cutout end position, respectively, in a cutout start position storage area and a cutout end position storage area (both shown in FIG. (Not shown) (step S3).

  As described above with reference to FIG. 4A, the clip start position and clip end position are designated, for example, a screen on which arpeggio pattern data (temporal position of each event data constituting the pronunciation pattern data therein) is displayed. This is done using the top arrow and cursor. The designation of the position may be any unit such as a measure unit, a beat unit, or a clock unit, but in this embodiment, it can be designated in units of clock. Of course, the user may be allowed to set the unit. When the cutout start position and the cutout end position are designated, at least one of the positions may be in the middle of the sound generation duration of any event data in the sound generation pattern data. In this case, the event data may be divided at the cutout position, may be excluded from the cutout target, or may be cut out after performing the quantization process. Also, some such rules may be prepared so that the user or manufacturer can select and set any one of them.

  In this embodiment, as described above, either one of the cutout start position and the cutout end position may not be set, but the storage area that is not set has a default position (for example, the cutout end position). If is not set, the end position of the original arpeggio pattern data) may be set.

  Further, the CPU 3 waits for the timing shift amount (corresponding to the “start position shift amount” in FIG. 2) specified by the user. When the user designates the timing shift amount, the CPU 3 stores the timing shift amount in a timing shift amount storage area (not shown) secured at a predetermined position in the RAM 5 (step S3). The timing shift amount is also specified using an arrow and a cursor on the display screen, similarly to the specification of the cutout start position and cutout end position. However, the designation unit is finer than the designation unit of the cutout start position and cutout end position, and for example, any one of a sixteenth note unit, an eighth note unit, a quarter note unit, or a clock unit may be adopted. In this embodiment, it can be specified in units of clocks, but the user may be allowed to set which unit. As described with reference to FIG. 4, the timing shift amount may not be specified. In this case, “FF” (when expressed by 1 byte) may be set in the timing shift amount storage area. That's fine.

  Next, the CPU 3 advances the process to the new pronunciation pattern data creation process (2).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the (2) new pronunciation pattern data creation process. As shown in the figure, first, the CPU 3 secures a new pronunciation pattern data storage area (not shown) at a predetermined position in the RAM 5 in order to create new pronunciation pattern data (step S21). Next, the CPU 3 checks the timing shift amount storage area to determine whether or not the timing shift amount is set (step S22). When the timing shift amount is not set, that is, the timing shift amount storage area. When “FF” is stored, the processing of steps S23 to S25 is executed, while when the timing shift amount is set, that is, a value other than “FF” is stored in the timing shift amount storage area. At times, the processes of steps S26 to S28 and S25 are executed.

  When the timing shift amount is not set, the CPU 3 determines that the sound generation timing of the event data in the sound pattern data in the arpeggio pattern data stored in the arpeggio pattern data storage area is the cut end from the cut start position. The event data within the time until the position is copied and written from the beginning of the new pronunciation pattern data storage area (step S23). The CPU 3 then extracts the sound generation timing of each event data written in this way for the cut start position, that is, the time from the beginning of the sound pattern data in the arpeggio pattern data to the cut start position (corresponding to the number of clocks). Shift forward (step S24). Further, the CPU 3 adjusts the end time of the last event data in the new pronunciation pattern data storage area as necessary (step S25). The event data at the end is written in the new pronunciation pattern data storage area because the sound generation timing is earlier than the cut-out end position, but it is sounded at the gate time, that is, the sound generation duration. Sometimes the cut end position may be exceeded. The “adjustment” in step S25 means that the gate time is adjusted so as not to exceed the cut-out end position when the last event data is sounded at the gate time. Such “adjustment” may need to be performed not only on the event data at the end, but also on some event data close to the end. In this case, the same “adjustment” is also applied to the event data. Needless to say. In this way, new pronunciation pattern data is created as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the timing shift amount is set, the CPU 3 sets the sounding timing at the cutout start position among the event data in the sounding pattern data in the arpeggio pattern data stored in the arpeggio pattern data storage area. The event data within the time from the position (cutout start position + timing shift amount) obtained by adding the shift amount to the cutout end position is copied and written from the beginning of the new pronunciation pattern data storage area (step S26). . Then, the CPU 3 of the event data in the sound generation pattern data in the arpeggio pattern data from the sound generation timing to the position (cutout start position + timing shift amount) obtained by adding the timing shift amount from the cutout start position to the cutout start position. It is a copy of event data within the time, and the sound generation timing of each event data is shifted later in time by the result of subtracting the cutout start position from the cutout end position (cutout end position−cutout start position). A copy is added to the new pronunciation pattern data storage area (step S27). Further, the CPU 3 calculates the sounding timing of each event data written in this way by the result of adding the timing shift amount to the cutout start position (cutout start position + timing shift amount), that is, the sounding pattern data in the arpeggio pattern data. Is shifted forward by the time (corresponding to the number of clocks) from the beginning of the clip to the cutout start position + timing shift amount (step S28). Then, the CPU 3 advances the process to step S25. Since the processing in step S25 has been described above, it will not be repeated here.

  Next, the CPU 3 advances the processing to the sound production / mute processing of (3). In this (3) sound generation / silence processing, first, the CPU 3 acquires performance information (key press sound) output from the detection circuit 2 in response to a user's key press operation, and stores it in the key-on buffer (FIG. 6). Step S5). Next, the CPU 3 generates a note-on event based on the key depression information stored in the key-on buffer, and outputs it to the tone generator circuit 9 (step S6). The user's key pressing operation need not be for only a plurality of keys, but may be for one key. When the CPU 3 acquires the key release information (key release sound) output from the detection circuit 2 in response to the user's key release operation, the CPU 3 generates a note-off event based on the acquired key release information, and generates a sound source circuit. (Step S11 → S12). As a result, the key pressing sound is continuously generated from the key pressing of the user to the key release.

  In the arpeggio generation start / stop process (4), the CPU 3 determines whether or not the key depression detected in step S5 is a new key on (step S7). If the result of this determination is that the new key is on, the CPU 3 resets ("0") a loop counter (not shown) provided at a predetermined position in the RAM 5 in order to count the number of loops, and the new tone generation pattern. A read pointer (not shown) provided at a predetermined position in the RAM 5 is reset (“0”) to indicate the position of a set of event data to be read from the sound generation pattern data in the data storage area (step S8). Further, the pronunciation data list is initialized (cleared) (step S9). The pronunciation data list is also formed on an area secured in a predetermined position of the RAM 5. Then, the CPU 3 starts arpeggio playback and puts the arpeggio playback into an operating state (step S10), and then executes a pronunciation data list generation process (corresponding to the pronunciation data list generation process of (B)).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of the pronunciation data list generation process. When the present pronunciation data list generation process is started once during the arpeggio playback operation, the new pronunciation pattern data in the new pronunciation pattern data storage area is used once to generate a pronunciation data list.

  In FIG. 8, first, the CPU 3 determines whether or not the arpeggio playback is in operation (step S31). If it is not in operation, the CPU 3 immediately ends the pronunciation data list generation process. A set of event data at the position indicated by the read pointer is read from the new sound pattern data in the data storage area (step S32).

  Next, the CPU 3 generates sound generation data by the above-described method based on the read set of event data and the pitch of the key depression sound, and writes it into the sound generation data list in consideration of the value of the loop counter (step S33). . As described above with reference to FIG. 3, in the first loop (when the loop counter = 0), the timing (Timing) of the sound data registered in the sound data list is the sound of the corresponding event data in the new sound pattern data. You can use the timing as it is. However, in the second and subsequent loops (in the case of loop counter ≧ 1), the sound generation timing of the event data is set to the time of loop counter value × total time of new sound generation pattern data (= cutting end position−cutting start position). It is necessary to register in the pronunciation data list after shifting to a later time. The step S33 “considering the value of the loop counter” means that the timing of the sounding data needs to be converted depending on the value of the loop counter when the sounding data is registered in the sounding data list (when the loop counter ≠ 0). Means there is.

  Next, the CPU 3 advances the value of the read pointer by “1” (step S34). Then, the CPU 3 repeats the processes of steps S32 to S34 until the read set of event data becomes the last data of the pronunciation pattern data (steps S35 → S32). On the other hand, when the read set of event data becomes the last data of the sound generation pattern data, the CPU 3 counts up the loop counter by “1” and resets the read pointer (steps S35 → S36). The data list generation process is terminated.

  The process of reproducing the pronunciation data list generated in this way and generating arpeggios has already been described and will not be repeated. However, when the last sounding data registered in the sounding data list (or before and near the sounding data) is read, it is necessary for the CPU 3 to execute the sounding data list generation process once. is there. Thereby, the arpeggio can be correctly pronounced even in the second and subsequent loops using the new pronunciation pattern data.

  Returning to FIG. 6, during the arpeggio operation, if the key release detected in step S11 is all-key-off (all keys are released from the pressed state), arpeggio generation is performed. Stop and put the arpeggio in a non-operating state (steps S13 → S14). At this time, the CPU 3 adjusts the silencing timing of the tone generation data to be muted after the user's key release timing in the tone generation data list, if necessary. Here, the case where the mute timing needs to be adjusted is, for example, a case where the key release operation is performed without using the new pronunciation pattern data to the end. In this case, it is desirable to continue the arpeggio generation until the first arriving good position (measure end position, beat end position, pattern end, etc.) after the key release operation is detected. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the arpeggio generation may be stopped immediately when a key release operation is detected without adjusting the mute timing.

  Thus, when arpeggio playback is performed using the new sound pattern data, the user may want to record the new sound pattern data in the external storage device 6 as new arpeggio pattern data.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the arpeggio pattern data recording process. This arpeggio pattern data recording process is activated when the user operates, for example, a storage switch (not shown) included in the operator group 1. Is done.

  In the arpeggio pattern data recording process, the CPU 3 first creates a new arpeggio pattern data framework (for example, a file) (step S41). The newly created place is, for example, the work area of the RAM 5.

  Next, the CPU 3 determines identification information (name and number) for identifying the arpeggio pattern data being created and assigns it to the arpeggio pattern data (step S42). Here, information input by the user may be used as the identification information, or information automatically attached by the CPU 3 may be used.

  Next, the CPU 3 extracts the length of the new pronunciation pattern data from the cutout start position and cutout end position, and assigns it to the arpeggio pattern data being created (step S43). Here, as the cutout start position and the cutout end position, those stored in the cutout start position storage area and the cutout end position storage area may be read and used.

  Next, the CPU 3 refers to the original arpeggio pattern data, that is, the arpeggio pattern data stored in the arpeggio pattern data storage area, extracts other necessary information (tone, time signature, etc.), and creates the arpeggio being created. It is given to the pattern data (step S44). The processing in steps S42 to S44 is processing for matching the format of the arpeggio pattern data being created to the format of the arpeggio pattern data adopted in the present embodiment. Therefore, the information given by the processing of steps S42 to S44 is given to the arpeggio pattern data mentioned in the present embodiment.

  Next, the CPU 3 reads out the new pronunciation pattern data stored in the new pronunciation pattern data storage area and takes it into the arpeggio pattern data being created (step S45).

  Next, the CPU 3 records the arpeggio pattern data being created on a predetermined storage medium (step S46). Here, the predetermined storage medium is the external storage device 6, but since there are various storage media in the external storage device 6 as described above, the user is allowed to specify one of the storage media. Arpeggio pattern data being created is recorded on a storage medium.

  As described above, in this embodiment, recording of arpeggio pattern data is performed according to a user operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is automatically performed when another arpeggio pattern data is selected. Alternatively, it may be automatically performed when no user operation is detected for a certain period of time (for example, 5 minutes). When recording automatically, as a new arpeggio pattern data identification information (number), a vacant number may be added.

  In this embodiment, the arpeggio pattern data recording process is one process in the arpeggio playback mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an arpeggio pattern data recording mode independent from the arpeggio playback mode is provided. The pattern data may be recorded alone. In this case, the processes in steps S1 to S4 in FIG. 6 may be added to the head of the arpeggio pattern data recording process in FIG.

In the present embodiment, when arpeggio playback is performed, new pronunciation pattern data is always created, but new pronunciation pattern data is not created, and arpeggio pattern data stored in the arpeggio pattern data storage area is not created. Arpeggio playback may be performed by reading the event data included in the pronunciation pattern data from the cut start position to the cut end position. Specifically, the pronunciation data list generation process of FIG. 8 is changed as follows. That means
a. Change "new phonetic pattern data" to "phonetic pattern data in arpeggio pattern data stored in arpeggio pattern data storage area" b. Change the initial value of the read pointer from “0” (step S8 in FIG. 6 and step S36 in FIG. 8) to “position of event data at the cutout start position” c. “Considering the value of the loop counter” (step S33) when writing the generated sound generation data to the sound generation data list “Extracting the sound generation timing included in the read set of event data in the direction earlier in time by the start position And shift to “in consideration of the value of the loop counter” d. In step S35, “is the read one set of event data the last set of event data of the new pronunciation pattern data?” “Is the read one set of event data the last set of event data up to the cut end position? "change to.

  However, when the timing shift amount is designated, b. Is further changed from “the position of the event data at the start position of cutout” to “the position of the event data of the cutout start position + timing shift amount”. Event data included from the position to the cut start position + timing shift amount is read one by one, and the same processing as the processing in step S33 is performed (however, when the generated pronunciation data is written in the pronunciation data list, Is added in consideration of the loop counter value).

  In this case, since new pronunciation pattern data is not created, it is necessary to provide the arpeggio pattern data recording mode and to record the arpeggio pattern data independently in that mode.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a plurality of types of arpeggio pattern data are stored in advance in the external storage device 6, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of types of arpeggio pattern data may be stored in advance in the ROM 4. Some data may be acquired via the communication I / F 8.

  Further, in the present embodiment, although a loop counter is provided, it is not configured to set the number of loops and to limit the number of times that the arpeggio pattern data that is cut out is repeatedly used with the set number of loops. Similarly to the conventional arpeggiator, the number of times of repeatedly using the extracted arpeggio pattern data may be limited.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as the note information referred to by the arpeggio pattern data, the information inputted by the user by performing in real time (that is, the key pressing sound) is used. You may use what was obtained by reproducing the created performance information file or a ready-made performance information file.

  In this embodiment, the designation of “cutout start position”, “cutout end position”, and “timing shift amount” of the pronunciation pattern data in the arpeggio pattern data is performed using an arrow and a cursor on the screen. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and numerical values such as the number of bars, the number of beats, and the note length may be directly input using, for example, a numeric keypad (not shown) included in the operator group 1. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the pronunciation pattern data in the selected arpeggio pattern data (temporal position of each event data constituting the selected arpeggio pattern data) is displayed on the display device 7, but may not be displayed. . However, in this case, it is preferable that the length of the pronunciation pattern data in the arpeggio pattern data can be displayed numerically for the sake of convenience for designating the “cutout position” and the like.

  A program in which a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is stored in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic A tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used. Further, the program code may be supplied from a server computer via a communication network.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code performs the actual processing. It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the above and the processing thereof is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Operator group (setting means, input means, change means), 3 ... CPU (supply means, setting means, generation means, change means, copy means, shift means, recording means), 4 ... ROM (supply means), 6 ... external storage device (supply means, storage means), 8 ... communication I / F (supply means)

Claims (6)

Supply means for supplying arpeggio pattern data comprising a plurality of event data including timing information;
Setting means for setting a cutout start position and a cutout end position of the arpeggio pattern data supplied by the supply means;
Input means for inputting one or more note information including pitch information;
Generating means for generating arpeggio data based on the note information input by the input means and the event data in the arpeggio pattern data supplied by the supplying means;
When the cutout start position and the cutout end position are set by the setting unit, the generation unit includes the event data in the supplied arpeggio pattern data from the cutout start position to the cutout end position. The event data is sequentially read from the first event data, and when the last event data is read, the reading is continued after returning to the first event data, and arpeggio data is generated based on the read event data. Arpeggio generator. A change means for changing the cutout start position to a position that is later in time;
When the cutout start position is changed by the changing unit, the generation unit includes event data included from the cutout start position to the cutout end position among event data in the supplied arpeggio pattern data. , Sequentially reading from the event data at the cut start position after the change, and reading the event data at the end, returning to the event data at the beginning, continuing to read, and generating arpeggio data based on the read event data The arpeggio generator according to claim 1, wherein Supply means for supplying arpeggio pattern data comprising a plurality of event data including timing information;
Setting means for setting a cutout start position and a cutout end position of the arpeggio pattern data supplied by the supply means;
When the cutout start position and cutout end position are set by the setting means, event data included from the cutout start position to the cutout end position is copied from among the event data in the supplied arpeggio pattern data. Copy means;
Shift means for shifting the value of the timing information included in the event data copied by the copy means in a time earlier direction from the beginning of the arpeggio pattern data to the cut start position;
Recording means for generating new arpeggio pattern data composed of event data whose timing information value has been shifted by the shift means in response to detection of a storage instruction and storing the new arpeggio pattern data in the storage means. Arpeggio generator. A change means for changing the cutout start position to a position that is later in time;
When the cutout start position is changed by the changing unit, the copy unit is configured to select event data from the cutout start position after the change to the cutout end position among event data in the supplied arpeggio pattern data. And further copying the event data from the cutout start position to the changed cutout start position while adjusting the value of the timing information so as to follow the copy,
The shift means shifts the value of the timing information included in the event data copied by the copy means in the direction earlier in time by the time from the beginning of the arpeggio pattern data to the cut start position after the change. The arpeggio generator according to claim 3. Supply procedure for supplying arpeggio pattern data consisting of multiple event data including timing information;
A setting procedure for setting the cutout start position and cutout end position of the arpeggio pattern data supplied by the supply procedure;
A generation procedure for generating arpeggio data based on the note information input by input means for inputting one or more note information including pitch information and the event data in the arpeggio pattern data supplied by the supply procedure; A program for executing the program,
When the cutout start position and the cutout end position are set by the setting procedure, the generation procedure includes the event data in the supplied arpeggio pattern data from the cutout start position to the cutout end position. The event data is sequentially read from the first event data, and when the last event data is read, the reading is continued after returning to the first event data, and arpeggio data is generated based on the read event data. program. Supply procedure for supplying arpeggio pattern data consisting of multiple event data including timing information;
A setting procedure for setting the cutout start position and cutout end position of the arpeggio pattern data supplied by the supply procedure;
When the cutout start position and cutout end position are set by the setting procedure, event data included from the cutout start position to the cutout end position is copied from among the event data in the supplied arpeggio pattern data. Copy procedure and
A shift procedure for shifting the value of the timing information included in the event data copied by the copy procedure in a time earlier direction from the beginning of the arpeggio pattern data to the cut start position;
In response to detection of a save instruction, the computer generates new arpeggio pattern data composed of event data whose timing information value has been shifted by the shift procedure, and causes the computer to execute a recording procedure to be stored in the storage means Program for.