JP2953937B2 - Electronic musical instrument volume control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a volume control device for an electronic musical instrument, which can easily control the volume.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, the volume of an electronic musical instrument is adjusted while a musician generates a musical tone and listens to it. Therefore, it is necessary to generate some sound to adjust the volume. Therefore, in the related art, for example, in an electronic musical instrument having a keyboard, a method of adjusting a volume by operating a volume control while generating a continuous sound by pressing a key has been adopted.

[0003] In an electronic musical instrument having an automatic performance function, a method of adjusting a volume by operating a volume control while a plurality of electronic musical instruments perform an automatic performance such as a rhythm performance is also employed.

[0004]

However, in the above-described method of adjusting the volume by operating the volume control while generating a continuous sound by pressing the key, the volume balance among a plurality of electronic musical instruments is adjusted. In such a case, it is necessary to operate the volume control while pressing the keys of a plurality of electronic musical instruments by one person, and thus there is a problem that it is very difficult and time-consuming.

A method of adjusting the volume by operating a volume control while causing a plurality of electronic musical instruments to perform an automatic performance is performed by synchronizing the automatic performances of the electronic musical instruments depending on the contents of the automatic performance. There was a problem that it was difficult to adjust the volume unless it was in the state of being.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a volume control device for an electronic musical instrument capable of adjusting the volume by a simple operation.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a volume control device for an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention comprises a volume control for instructing an increase or decrease of the volume, and the volume control is operated. At this time, if the continuous tone for volume adjustment is not being produced, the continuous tone generating means for producing the continuous tone for volume adjustment at the volume designated by the volume control at that time, and the volume control is When operated, if a continuous tone for volume adjustment is sounding, volume changing means for changing the volume of the continuous tone for volume adjustment in accordance with the operation of the volume control, and the continuous sound generating means Stop instructing means for instructing sound stop by the
Control means for stopping the sounding of the continuous sound for volume adjustment in accordance with the instruction of the stop instruction means.

Further, for the same purpose, the electronic musical instrument volume control apparatus of the present invention generates an automatic performance sound based on automatic performance data prepared in advance and increases or decreases the volume of the electronic musical instrument which performs the automatic performance. When the volume control is operated and the volume control is not being played and the continuous sound for volume adjustment is not being generated when the volume control is operated, the volume control is instructed by the volume control at that time. A continuous sound generating means for generating a continuous sound for volume adjustment at the volume being turned on, and when the volume control is operated, if the automatic sound is not being performed and the continuous sound for volume adjustment is being generated, Volume change means for changing the volume of the continuous sound for volume adjustment, if automatic performance is being performed, the volume of the automatic performance sound in accordance with the operation of the volume control, and instructing the continuous sound generating means to stop sounding. Stop instructing means; Control means allowed to stop the sound of a sustained sound for volume adjustment according to the instruction indicating means, characterized by comprising and.

For the same purpose, the volume control of the volume control device for an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention comprises a volume up switch for instructing an increase in volume and a volume down switch for instructing a decrease in volume. It is characterized by having.

[0010] For the same purpose, the stop instructing means of the electronic musical instrument volume control device of the present invention is characterized in that when both of the volume up switch and the volume down switch are operated, the sound is generated by the continuous sound generating means. The stop is instructed.

For the same purpose, the electronic musical instrument volume control apparatus of the present invention further comprises a suppression means for suppressing the generation of a continuous tone for volume adjustment. It is characterized in that a continuous tone for adjustment is not emitted.

[0012]

According to the volume control device of the present electronic musical instrument, if a continuous tone for volume control is not being generated when the volume control is operated, the continuous tone is set at the volume set by the volume control at that time. Is started, and if the continuous sound for volume adjustment is already being generated, the volume of the continuous sound being generated is changed according to the operation of the volume control. In addition, the generated sound for adjusting the volume is stopped when an instruction is given by the stop instruction means.

Thus, when the performer attempts to adjust the volume, a sound for adjusting the volume is generated by slightly operating the volume control, and when the volume is to be changed, the continuous sound is further increased. A desired sound volume can be set by operating the operation element. Therefore, for example, when adjusting the volume balance of a plurality of electronic musical instruments, the volume control of each electronic musical instrument is operated to generate a continuous sound, and in this state, the volume control of each electronic musical instrument is adjusted. It can be operated to adjust the sound volume to a desired one. Further, the continuous sound for volume adjustment during sounding can be stopped by giving an instruction with the stop instruction means.

Further, in the electronic musical instrument of the present invention, when the volume control is operated, the electronic musical instrument performs an automatic performance by generating an automatic performance sound based on the automatic performance data prepared in advance. , Not playing automatically
If the continuous tone for volume adjustment is not being generated, the continuous tone is started to be generated at the volume set by the volume operator at that time. Also, when the volume control is operated, if the continuous tone for volume adjustment is not being played but the continuous tone for volume adjustment is already sounding, the volume of the sound being emitted is changed according to the operation of the volume control. I do. On the other hand, when the volume control is operated,
During the automatic performance, no sound for adjusting the volume is generated.
In addition, the generated sound for adjusting the volume is stopped when an instruction is given by the stop instruction means.

Thus, when trying to adjust the volume during an automatic performance, the player can adjust the volume while listening to the musical sound being automatically performed. In this case, since a continuous sound for volume adjustment is not generated, there is no disturbing sound at the time of volume adjustment, and the adjustment is easy. In addition,
When the automatic performance is not being performed, a continuous sound for adjusting the volume is generated by operating the volume control a little, as described above.If you want to change the volume, operate the volume control further. Can be set to a desired volume.

Also, the volume control device of the electronic musical instrument has a volume up switch for instructing an increase in volume and a volume down switch for instructing a decrease in volume. Down is adopted. Thus, the operator itself can be configured at low cost, and it can be easily used also as a switch for exerting other functions, and the size, weight, and cost of the electronic musical instrument can be reduced.

In the volume control device of the electronic musical instrument, a volume up switch and a volume down switch used as volume controls are also used as instructing means for instructing the continuous sound generating means to stop sounding. That is, when the volume up switch and the volume down switch are simultaneously operated, it is recognized that there is an instruction to stop sounding by the continuous sound generating means. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a special operation element for stopping the continuous sound for volume adjustment, and the number of operation elements of the volume adjustment device can be reduced.

Further, in the volume control device of the present electronic musical instrument, when it is specified that the generation of the continuous sound for volume control is to be suppressed by the suppression means, the volume control for the volume control is performed even during the automatic performance. It does not generate a continuous sound. As a result, when the volume is changed during a normal performance, even if the volume control is operated, the generation of a continuous sound for volume adjustment can be suppressed. If it is not desired to generate the continuous sound for the sound, it is sufficient to instruct in advance that the generation of the continuous sound for the volume adjustment should be suppressed by the suppression means.

[0019]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic musical instrument volume control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a configuration and an operation for adjusting the volume by using a keyboard-type electronic musical instrument will be mainly described.
The present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to guitar-type and other various types of electronic musical instruments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an electronic musical instrument to which a volume control device according to the present invention is applied. The electronic musical instrument has a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a “CPU”).
That. 10, a program memory 11, a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as "RAM") 12, a panel interface circuit 13, and a keyboard interface circuit 1.
5, an automatic performance data memory 17, a waveform memory 18, and a tone generator (tone generator) 19 are connected to each other via a system bus 30.

The CPU 10 corresponds to a part of the continuous sound generating means, the volume changing means and the control means, and controls the entire electronic musical instrument according to a control program stored in the program memory 11. This CPU 10
Includes a time counter (not shown). This time counter starts a counting operation when it is set to an automatic performance mode (an operation mode corresponding to a normal performance mode and a mode in which an automatic performance such as a rhythm performance is performed). While it is continued, it is counted up at a constant cycle. This time counter is used for detecting the timing of sound generation or mute in the automatic performance processing described later.

The CPU 10 is connected to a MIDI interface circuit 24. The MIDI interface circuit 24 provides a MIDI interface between the electronic musical instrument and an external device.
It controls the transfer of data. Examples of the external device include a personal computer and a sequencer that process MIDI data, and other electronic musical instruments.

The program memory 11 is constituted by, for example, a ROM. The program memory 11 stores a control program for operating the CPU 10 described above, and also stores various fixed data used by the CPU 10 for various processes. This program memory 1
1 is read by the CPU 10. That is, CP
The U10 reads out a control program (instruction) from the program memory 11, interprets and executes it, and reads out predetermined fixed data and uses it for various processes.

The RAM 12 is used to temporarily store various data when the CPU 10 executes a control program. In the RAM 12, areas such as a data buffer, a register, a counter, and a flag are defined.

An operation panel 14 is connected to the panel interface circuit 13. The operation panel 14 is used to instruct the electronic musical instrument to perform various operations. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, an automatic performance start switch 140, a rhythm selection switch 141, a volume down switch 142A, and a volume up switch Switch 1
42B, a volume control switch 142, a display 143, and the like. Although various switches and indicators other than those described above are provided on the operation panel 14, switches and indicators not directly related to the present invention are omitted in FIG. 2.

The automatic performance start switch 140 is used to instruct the start or stop of the automatic performance. In the operation mode of the electronic musical instrument, the automatic performance mode and the normal performance mode are alternately reversed each time the automatic performance start switch 140 is pressed.

The rhythm selection switch 141 is used to select one of various rhythms such as eight beats, waltz, and mambo.
Used to select one rhythm. Each time the rhythm selection switch 141 is pressed, the type of the rhythm is changed, and the changed rhythm is selected as the rhythm to be automatically played.

The volume control switch 142 corresponds to a volume control, and includes the volume down switch 142A and the volume up switch 142B as described above. The volume adjustment switch 142 functions as a stop instruction unit by simultaneously depressing the volume down switch 142A and the volume up switch 142B, and is used to stop generation of a continuous sound for volume adjustment.

The volume down switch 14
2A and the volume up switch 142B are used not only for adjusting the volume but also for giving various instructions in the system setting mode. The system setting mode is an operation mode generally provided for setting various parameters in the electronic musical instrument. For example, when the automatic performance start switch 140 and the rhythm selection switch 141 are simultaneously pressed, the system setting mode is set. It is configured to transition to. In this system setting mode,
For example, the user can operate the volume down switch 142A and the volume up switch 142B to set a tempo value, select a timbre, select a sound effect, set a degree of the sound effect, and set various other parameters. According to this configuration, there is an advantage that the number of switches provided in the electronic musical instrument can be reduced.

In this embodiment, when the volume down switch 142A and the volume up switch 142B are simultaneously pressed, the function as stop instruction means is provided.
Although the continuous sound being produced is stopped, the stop instructing means may be provided with, for example, a dedicated switch for stopping the continuous sound, or another switch (for example, an automatic performance start switch). 140, the rhythm selection switch 141, etc.) may be configured to function as stop instruction means for stopping the continuous sound when the user simultaneously presses some of them.

The display 143 has, for example, an L of 7 segments.
An ED display is provided for two digits. The display 143 displays numbers, English characters, and the like according to the data sent from the CPU 10. For example, when the volume adjustment switch 142 is operated, a volume value to be set according to the operation is displayed. When the rhythm selection switch 141 is operated, the rhythm number of the rhythm selected according to the operation is displayed. The display 143
Is not limited to 7-segment LED, for example, LC
A D display or another display can be used.

The panel interface circuit 13 controls transmission and reception of data between the operation panel 14 and the CPU 10. That is, the panel interface circuit 13
Sends a scan signal to the operation panel 14 and inputs a signal indicating ON / OFF of each switch returned from the operation panel 14 in response to the scan signal. Then, from this signal, panel data in which on / off of each switch corresponds to 1 bit is generated and sent to the CPU 10.
This panel data is stored in the RAM 1 under the control of the CPU 10.
2 is used to determine the presence or absence of a panel event (details will be described later).

Further, the panel interface circuit 13 comprises:
The display data sent from the CPU 10 is sent to the display 143 of the operation panel 14. As a result, the display 143
Is displayed with a predetermined number or English character.

A keyboard device 16 is connected to the keyboard interface circuit 15. The keyboard device 16 has a plurality of keys for designating a pitch. Each key of the keyboard device 16 is provided with a key switch that opens and closes in response to key depression or key release. A signal indicating ON / OFF of the key switch is sent to the keyboard interface circuit 15.

The keyboard interface circuit 15 controls transmission and reception of data between the keyboard device 16 and the CPU 10. That is, the keyboard interface circuit 15 sends a scan signal to the keyboard device 16 and inputs a signal indicating ON / OFF of each key switch returned from the keyboard device 16 in response to the scan signal. Then, from this signal, key data in which each key switch is turned on / off corresponding to one bit is generated and sent to the CPU 10. The key data is stored in the RAM 12 under the control of the CPU 10, and is used for determining the presence or absence of a keyboard event (details will be described later).

The automatic performance data memory 17 stores, for example, RO
M. The automatic performance data memory 17 stores automatic performance data corresponding to a plurality of rhythms. In addition, the automatic performance data memory 17 stores a start address table.

The automatic performance data is composed of three kinds of data for generating three part sounds, for example, a chord, a bass and a drum. The automatic performance data of each part is created, for example, in the same format as the MIDI data, and includes step time data for instructing sounding timing. This automatic performance data memory 1
The automatic performance data stored in the memory 7 is converted into a format that can be processed by the sound source 19 in an automatic performance process described later and sent to the sound source 19.

The start address table is a table that stores the start address of the automatic performance data corresponding to each rhythm. When the rhythm is changed, the start address (start address) of the automatic performance data corresponding to the newly selected rhythm is extracted from the start address table, and the reading of the automatic performance data is started from that address. .

The automatic performance data and the start address table may be stored in a part of the RAM 12 instead of the automatic performance data memory 17. In this case, for example, a floppy disk device (or ROM card control device) is connected to the system bus 30 and automatic performance data and a start address table are stored in the floppy disk (or ROM card). Floppy disk (or ROM) attached to the floppy disk device at the time of loading
The automatic performance data and the start address table are stored in a RAM 1 from a ROM card inserted in the card controller.
2 may be configured to be loaded.

The waveform memory 18 stores pulse code modulated (PCM) waveform data. The waveform memory 18 stores a plurality of types of waveform data corresponding to each tone, each key range, a key pressing speed, and the like in order to realize a plurality of types of tone colors. The waveform data is selected and read according to the tone color specified at the time of the sounding instruction, the pitch (key range) at which the sounding instruction is issued, the velocity of the sound related to the sounding instruction, and the like. The waveform memory 18 stores special waveform data for generating a continuous sound for volume adjustment. The waveform data for generating the continuous sound is read when the volume adjustment switch 142 is operated, as described later.

The sound source 19 includes, for example, a plurality of oscillators. One to several sounding channels are defined for generating a tone corresponding to the key depression of the keyboard device 16, a tone corresponding to each part of the automatic performance, or a tone for volume adjustment. Oscillator is assigned. The oscillator to which the sound is assigned reads out the waveform data stored in the waveform memory 18 in a time-division manner, adds an envelope thereto, and generates a digital tone signal. The digital tone signal generated by the sound source 19 is converted by a D / A converter 20
Sent to

The D / A converter 20 converts an input digital tone signal into an analog tone signal and outputs it. The analog tone signal output from the D / A converter 20 is sent to the amplifier 21.

The amplifier 21 amplifies the input analog tone signal at a predetermined amplification rate and outputs the amplified signal. The analog musical tone signal output from the amplifier 21 is
Sent to

The speaker 22 is of a well-known type for converting an analog musical tone signal as an electric signal into an acoustic signal. The speaker 22 emits a tone corresponding to the operation of the keyboard device 16 or a tone corresponding to the automatic performance data read from the automatic performance data memory 17.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the electronic musical instrument according to the present invention having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the electronic musical instrument, which is started when the power is turned on.
That is, when the power is turned on, first, an initialization process is performed (step S10).

This initialization process is a process of setting the internal state of the CPU 10 to the initial state and setting an initial value to a register, a counter, a flag, or the like defined in the RAM 12. In this initialization process, the sound source 19
A predetermined process is also performed to prevent unnecessary sound from being generated when the power is turned on. When the initialization process ends, a switch event process is performed (step S11). For details of this switch event processing,
This is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In the switch event process, first, a panel scan is performed (step S20). This is performed as follows. That is, first, the panel interface circuit 13 operates the operation panel 14 according to the instruction of the CPU 10.
, And a signal indicating ON / OFF of each switch returned from the operation panel 14 in response to the scan signal is input. Then, panel data (hereinafter, referred to as “new panel data”) in which on / off of each switch corresponds to 1 bit is generated from this signal. Next, a panel event map in which different bits are turned on is created by comparing panel data previously read and stored in the RAM 12 (hereinafter referred to as “old panel data”) with the new panel data.

When the panel scan processing, that is, the creation of the panel event map is completed in step S20, it is then checked whether there is a switch event (step S21). The presence or absence of this switch event
It is determined by referring to the panel event map. That is, if there is at least one ON bit in the panel event map, it is determined that a switch event has occurred.

Here, if it is determined that there is no switch event, the switch processing in step S22 is skipped, and the flow branches to step S23. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a switch event, switch processing is performed on the switch having the event (step S2).
2). Details of this switch processing are shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In this switch processing, first, it is checked whether or not there is an ON event of the volume up switch 142B (step S30). This is performed by checking whether the bit corresponding to the volume up switch 142B in the event map is on and the bit corresponding to the volume up switch 142B in the new panel data is on. .

Here, the volume up switch 142B
Is determined, then a volume up switch process is performed (step S3).
1). Details of the volume up switch processing are shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In the volume up switch processing routine, it is first checked whether or not an automatic performance is being performed (step S40). This is the "other processing" described later.
This is performed by checking the automatic performance flag turned on or off by the processing for the event of the automatic performance start switch 140 performed in (Step S34 in FIG. 5).

Here, when it is determined that the automatic performance is being performed, that is, the automatic performance flag is ON, a volume up process is performed (step S43). This volume up process is a process for incrementing the current volume value stored in the volume buffer provided in the RAM 12. Thus, regardless of whether or not the volume down switch 142A is already pressed, the volume of the musical tone is changed according to the contents of the incremented volume buffer. In this case, the volume of the automatic performance sound is increased by the unit volume (the volume corresponding to the “1” volume value).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S40 that the automatic performance is not being performed, that is, the automatic performance flag is off, then it is checked whether the volume down switch 142A is on (step S4).
1). This is performed by checking whether the bit corresponding to the volume down switch 142A in the old panel data is on. Here, when it is determined that the volume down switch 142A is not on, it is recognized that only the volume up switch 142B has been pressed in a state where the automatic performance is not being performed.

Next, it is checked whether or not the continuous sound is being generated (step S45). This is performed by checking whether or not the continuous sound generation flag provided in the RAM 12 is turned on. Here, when it is determined that the continuous sound is not being sounded, a sound generation start process of the continuous sound is performed (step S46). In the continuous sound generation start process, the waveform address (fixed data) of the waveform memory 18 storing the waveform data for the continuous sound, the frequency data (fixed data) indicating the pitch of the continuous sound, and the volume of the continuous sound Is transmitted to the sound source 19 and the like (data corresponding to the contents of the volume buffer).

As a result, the sound source 19 activates the oscillator corresponding to the sound channel assigned for continuous sound generation. The activated oscillator reads out the waveform data from the position indicated by the waveform address in the waveform memory 18 at the speed indicated by the frequency data, and adds a digital tone signal having an envelope having the amplitude indicated by the envelope data. Generate This digital musical tone signal is converted into an analog musical tone signal by a D / A converter 20, and a predetermined amplification is performed by an amplifier 21.
Sent to 2. As a result, a continuous sound for adjusting the volume is generated from the speaker 22. Further, in the continuous sound generation start processing, the continuous sound generation flag is set to ON.

As described above, automatic performance is not performed,
When the volume up switch 142B is operated in a state where the continuous sound is not being generated, a function of starting generation of the continuous sound is realized. That is, the performer can generate a sound of the volume set at that time simply by touching the volume up switch 142B.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S45 that the continuous sound is being generated, a volume up process is performed (step S43). The contents of the volume up processing are as described above. By this volume-up processing, the volume of the continuous sound is increased by the unit volume. As described above, when the volume up switch 142B is operated in a state where the automatic performance is not performed and the continuous sound is being generated, a function of changing (increase) the volume of the continuous sound is realized. .

If it is determined in step S41 that the volume down switch 142A is in the ON state, the volume up switch 142B is newly pressed while the volume down switch 142A is being pressed in a state where the automatic performance is not being performed. Then, it is recognized that both switches are simultaneously pressed.

Next, it is checked whether or not the continuous sound is being generated (step S42). Here, when it is determined that the continuous sound is being generated, the process of stopping the generation of the continuous sound is performed (step S44). In this sustained sound generation stop processing, predetermined data is sent to the sound source 19. As a result, the sound source 19 stops the generation of the digital musical tone signal by the oscillator corresponding to the sound channel assigned for the continuous sound generation. As a result, the continuous sound for volume adjustment generated from the speaker 22 is muted. In this continuous sound generation stop processing, the continuous sound generation flag is cleared to off.

As described above, automatic performance is not performed,
When the continuous sound is being generated, the volume down switch 142A and the volume up switch 1
When 42B is pressed at the same time, a function of stopping generation of a continuous sound is realized.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S42 that the continuous sound is not being generated, a volume up process is performed (step S43). The contents of the volume up processing are as described above. In this case, the automatic performance is not performed and the continuous sound is not generated, and the volume down switch 142A
Is operated, the volume up switch 142B is operated, and only the process of incrementing the content of the volume buffer is performed. Thereafter, the process returns from the volume up switch processing routine and returns to the switch processing routine.

In the switch processing routine, if it is determined in step S30 that the event is not the ON event of the volume up switch 152B, then it is checked whether there is an ON event of the volume down switch 142A (step S32). This is performed by checking whether the bit corresponding to the volume down switch 142A in the event map is ON and the bit corresponding to the volume down switch 142A in the new panel data is ON. .

Here, the volume down switch 142A
If it is determined that the event is an ON event, a volume down switch process is performed (step S3).
3). The details of the volume down switch processing are shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In the volume down switch processing routine, it is first checked whether or not an automatic performance is being performed (step S50). This is the "other processing" described later.
This is performed by checking the automatic performance flag turned on or off by the processing for the event of the automatic performance start switch 140 performed in (Step S34 in FIG. 5).

Here, when it is determined that the automatic performance is being performed, that is, the automatic performance flag is ON, a volume down process is performed (step S53). This volume down process is a process of decrementing the current volume value stored in the volume buffer provided in the RAM 12. Accordingly, the volume of the musical tone is changed according to the contents of the decremented volume buffer, regardless of whether the volume up switch 142B is already pressed. In this case, the volume of the automatic performance sound is reduced by the unit volume (the volume corresponding to the “1” volume value).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S50 that the automatic performance is not being performed, that is, the automatic performance flag is off, then it is checked whether or not the volume up switch 142B is on (step S5).
1). This is performed by checking whether the bit corresponding to the volume up switch 142B in the old panel data is on. Here, when it is determined that the volume up switch 142B is not turned on, it is recognized that only the volume down switch 142A has been pressed in a state where the automatic performance is not being performed.

Next, it is checked whether or not the continuous sound is being generated (step S55). This is performed by checking whether or not the continuous sound generation flag provided in the RAM 12 is turned on. Here, when it is determined that the continuous sound is not being generated, the process of starting the generation of the continuous sound is performed (step S56). In the continuous sound generation start process, the waveform address (fixed data) of the waveform memory 18 storing the waveform data for the continuous sound, the frequency data (fixed data) indicating the pitch of the continuous sound, and the volume of the continuous sound Is transmitted to the sound source 19 and the like (data corresponding to the contents of the volume buffer).

As a result, the sound source 19 activates an oscillator corresponding to a sound channel assigned for sound generation. The activated oscillator reads out the waveform data from the position indicated by the waveform address in the waveform memory 18 at the speed indicated by the frequency data, and adds a digital tone signal having an envelope having the amplitude indicated by the envelope data. Generate This digital musical tone signal is converted into an analog musical tone signal by a D / A converter 20, and a predetermined amplification is performed by an amplifier 21.
Sent to 2. As a result, a continuous sound for adjusting the volume is generated from the speaker 22. Further, in the continuous sound generation start processing, the continuous sound generation flag is set to ON.

As described above, automatic performance is not performed.
Further, when the volume down switch 142A is operated in a state where the continuous sound is not being generated, a function of starting generation of the continuous sound is realized. That is, the player can generate the sound of the volume set at that time simply by touching the volume down switch 142A.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S55 that the continuous sound is being generated, a volume down process is performed (step S53). The contents of the volume down processing are as described above. By this volume down processing, the volume of the continuous sound is reduced by the unit volume. As described above, a function of changing (decreasing) the volume of the continuous sound when the volume down switch 142A is operated in a state where the automatic performance is not performed and the continuous sound is being generated. .

When it is determined in step S51 that the volume up switch 142B is in the ON state, the volume down switch 142A is newly pressed while the volume up switch 142B is being pressed in a state where the automatic performance is not being performed. Then, it is recognized that both switches are simultaneously pressed.

Next, it is checked whether or not the continuous sound is being generated (step S52). Here, when it is determined that the continuous sound is being generated, the process of stopping the generation of the continuous sound is performed (step S54). In this sustained sound generation stop processing, predetermined data is sent to the sound source 19. As a result, the sound source 19 stops the generation of the digital musical tone signal by the oscillator corresponding to the sound channel assigned for the continuous sound generation. As a result, the continuous sound for volume adjustment generated from the speaker 22 is muted. In this continuous sound generation stop processing, the continuous sound generation flag is cleared to off.

As described above, automatic performance is not performed, and
When the continuous sound is being generated, the volume down switch 142A and the volume up switch 1
When 42B is pressed at the same time, a function of stopping generation of a continuous sound is realized.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S52 that the continuous sound is not being generated, a volume down process is performed (step S53). The contents of the volume down processing are as described above. In this case, the automatic performance is not performed and the continuous tone is not generated, and the volume up switch 142B
Is already pressed, the volume down switch 142A is operated, and only the process of incrementing the contents of the volume buffer is performed. Thereafter, the process returns from the volume up switch processing routine and returns to the switch processing routine.

In the switch processing routine, if it is determined in step S32 that the event is not the ON event of the volume down switch 142A, then "other processing" is performed (step S34). In this “other processing”, processing for events of various switches provided on the operation panel 14 is performed.

In this "other processing", for example, the automatic performance start switch 140 in the panel event map
When it is determined that the event of the automatic performance start switch 140 has occurred by checking whether or not the bit corresponding to is turned on, the automatic performance flag is inverted. The automatic performance flag is a flag provided in the RAM 12 and stores whether the electronic musical instrument is in the automatic performance mode or the normal performance mode. Thus, each time the automatic performance start switch 140 is pressed, the automatic performance mode and the normal performance mode are alternately repeated.

In the "other processing", for example, the rhythm selection switch 14 in the panel event map is used.
When it is determined that the rhythm selection switch 141 has been turned on by checking whether or not the bit corresponding to 1 is on, rhythm change processing is performed. In this rhythm change processing, the rhythm selection switch 14
The number of the new rhythm selected by pressing 1 is set in the rhythm number register provided in the RAM 12. In this state, the automatic performance start switch 140
Is pressed, an automatic performance is performed by the rhythm corresponding to the rhythm number register.

In this “other processing”,
Processing for other various switches provided on the operation panel 14 is also performed, but the description is omitted because it is not directly related to the present invention. When this "other processing" ends,
The process returns from the switch processing routine and returns to the switch event processing routine.

Next, in the switch event processing routine, LED processing is performed (step S23). This L
The ED process is a process of displaying predetermined data on the display 143 of the operation panel 14. In this LED process, for example, a process of displaying a volume value set by operating the volume adjustment switch 142 is performed. This display is realized by sending data corresponding to the volume value set in the volume buffer to the operation panel 14 via the panel interface circuit 13. This allows the player to know what volume is currently set. When a new rhythm is selected using the rhythm selection switch 141, processing for displaying the rhythm number is performed. This display is realized by sending data corresponding to the rhythm number set in the rhythm number register to the operation panel 14 via the panel interface circuit 13. This allows the player to know which rhythm is currently selected.

When the LED process is completed, a bender wheel process is performed (step S24). The bender wheel process is a process of changing, for example, the pitch of a musical tone being sounded according to the operation of a bender wheel (not shown) provided on the operation panel 14. Since the bender wheel processing is not directly related to the present invention, the description is omitted. When the bender wheel process ends, the process returns from the switch event process routine and returns to the main routine.

Next, in the main routine, keyboard event processing is performed. This is performed as follows.
That is, first, the keyboard interface circuit 15 is connected to the keyboard device 16.
And sends a signal indicating on / off of each key switch returned from the keyboard device 16 in response to the scan signal. Then, key data (hereinafter, referred to as “new key data”) in which on / off of each key switch corresponds to one bit is generated from this signal. Next, the key data previously read and already stored in the RAM 12 (hereinafter referred to as “old key data”).
Is compared with the new key data to create a key event map in which different bits are turned on.

When the creation of the key event map is completed, it is checked whether or not there is a key event by referring to the key event map. This is done by checking whether there is any bit that is on in the key event map.

Here, if there is no ON bit in the key event map, it recognizes that there is no key event, and ends this keyboard processing. On the other hand, if there is one or more ON bits in the key event map, it is recognized that a key event has occurred, and it is checked whether the key event is an ON event or an OFF event. This is performed by checking whether or not the bit in the new key data corresponding to the bit being turned on in the event map is turned on.

Here, when it is determined that the event is a key-on event, a sound generation process is performed. That is, the key number of the key related to the key press, the tone number selected at that time, the data indicating the keying strength, and the like are converted into data in a format that can be interpreted by the sound source 19, for example, waveform address, frequency data, envelope data, filter coefficient, and the like. Converted and sent to sound source 19. As a result, the sound source 19 activates an oscillator corresponding to the sound channel assigned to the keyboard device 16. As a result, the oscillator reads the waveform data from the waveform memory 18 and generates a digital tone signal with an envelope added thereto. This digital tone signal is converted into an analog tone signal by a D / A converter 20 and is sent to a speaker 22 after being subjected to a predetermined amplification by an amplifier 21. As a result, a musical sound corresponding to the key depression is generated from the speaker 22.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the event is a key-off event, a mute process is performed. That is, the sounding oscillator corresponding to the key related to the key release is searched, and the sound is muted by transmitting predetermined data.

When the keyboard event process is completed, a MIDI process is performed (step S13). In the MIDI processing, MIDI data is transmitted / received to / from an external device such as another electronic musical instrument, a sequencer, or a computer via the MIDI interface circuit 23. It should be noted that the change of the volume is performed by the MI which indicates the volume.
This is also performed by a DI message. That is, when receiving the MIDI message instructing the volume change, the CPU 10
Stores the volume data contained in the MIDI message in RAM
12 is set in the volume buffer. Thus, the volume is changed in the same manner as when the volume is set by operating the operation panel 14. The processing for other MIDI messages is not directly related to the present invention, and a description thereof will be omitted.

When the MIDI processing is completed,
Automatic performance processing is performed (step S14). The automatic performance processing is performed when the automatic performance flag is turned on and the timing for reading out the automatic performance data comes. Whether or not the timing for reading the automatic performance data is determined by referring to the contents of a counter (not shown) that is counted according to the tempo value. When it is determined that the timing is the read timing, one piece of automatic performance data is read from the automatic performance data memory 17. Then, when the step time value included in the automatic performance data matches the time value counted up by the time counter (not shown), it is recognized that sounding or silencing should be performed, and sounding or silencing processing is performed. Will be

That is, if the automatic performance data is note-on data, sound generation processing is performed. In the sound generation process, for example, a waveform address, frequency data, envelope data, a filter coefficient, and the like are generated based on the automatic performance data read from the automatic performance data memory 17 and sent to the sound source 19. Then, a digital tone signal is generated by the sound source 19,
The signal is converted into an analog tone signal by the D / A converter 20, amplified by the amplifier 21, and sent to the speaker 22. As a result, a rhythm sound is emitted from the speaker 22.

On the other hand, if the data is note-off data, mute processing is performed. In this silencing process, predetermined data is transmitted to the sound source 1
By sending the sound to the tone generator 9, the generation of the digital tone signal in the sound source 19 is stopped, and the sound being generated is muted. It should be noted that the automatic performance data includes, for example, data for instructing a tone color change, a volume change, etc., in addition to the data for instructing note-on or note-off.

When the automatic performance processing is completed,
"Other processing" is performed (step S15). The “other processing” includes a tone color changing processing associated with depression of a foot pedal (not shown). Then step S1
1 and the same process is repeated thereafter. Step S above
When an event based on a panel operation or a keyboard operation occurs in the process of repeatedly executing steps S11 to S14, various functions as an electronic musical instrument are exhibited by performing processing corresponding to the event.

As described above, according to the volume control device of this embodiment, in an electronic musical instrument having an automatic performance function,
Volume down switch 142 to volume down switch 1
42A and a volume up switch 142B. When the volume adjustment switch 142 is operated, if the automatic performance is not being performed and a continuous tone for volume adjustment is not being generated, the volume adjustment switch 142 is set at that time. Starts producing a continuous tone at the set volume. Also, when the volume adjustment switch 142 is operated, if the continuous tone for volume adjustment is not being generated but the continuous tone for volume adjustment is already being produced, the volume of the sustained tone being produced is changed according to the operation of the volume adjustment switch 142. Change. On the other hand, when the volume adjustment switch 142 is operated, the continuous sound for volume adjustment is not generated during automatic performance. Further, the sustained sound for volume control generated as described above is transmitted to a volume down switch 142A and a volume up switch 14A constituting the volume control switch 142.
It stops when 2B is pushed simultaneously.

Thus, when the performer wants to adjust the volume, the volume adjusting switch 142A or the volume up switch 142B constituting the volume adjusting switch 142 can be operated only by slightly operating the volume adjusting switch 142B. Is generated and the volume is to be changed, the volume can be set to a desired volume by further operating the volume down switch 142A or the volume up switch 142B. Therefore, for example, when adjusting the volume balance of a plurality of electronic musical instruments, the volume down switch 142A of each electronic musical instrument is adjusted.
Alternatively, by operating the volume up switch 142B to generate a continuous sound, in this state, the volume down switch 142A or the volume up switch 142B of each electronic musical instrument can be operated to adjust the volume to a desired level. . Also, when trying to adjust the volume during an automatic performance, the player can adjust the volume while listening to the automatically played musical tone. In this case, since a continuous sound for volume adjustment is not generated, there is no disturbing sound at the time of volume adjustment, and the adjustment is easy.

Further, as the volume adjustment switch 142, a so-called up / down switch having a volume up switch for instructing an increase in volume and a volume down switch for instructing a decrease in volume is employed. The electronic musical instrument itself can be configured at low cost, and can also be easily used as a switch for exerting other functions, so that the electronic musical instrument can be reduced in size, weight, and cost.

In the volume control device of the electronic musical instrument, the volume up switch and the volume down switch used as the volume control switch 142 are also used to stop the continuous sound for volume control. That is,
When the volume up switch 142B and the volume down switch 142A are pressed at the same time, the generation of the continuous sound is stopped. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a special switch for stopping the continuous sound for volume adjustment, and the number of switches of the volume adjustment device can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to an electronic musical instrument with an automatic performance function. The volume is adjusted by the automatic performance sound during the automatic performance, and the volume is adjusted by the continuous sound for adjusting the volume when the automatic performance is not performed. Although the case of adjustment has been described, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to an electronic musical instrument without an automatic performance function.

Further, in addition to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, a switch is provided as suppression means for suppressing the continuous sound for adjusting the volume. Only when this switch is turned on, the switch for adjusting the volume is set. It can be configured to control the generation and stop of the continuous sound. In this case, it is possible to suppress the generation of the continuous sound for adjusting the volume during the normal performance, so that the usability is further improved.

In the above embodiment, the continuous tone for adjusting the volume is generated based on the waveform data stored in the waveform memory 18. However, in an electronic musical instrument with an automatic performance function, the continuous tone is used. May be stored in the automatic performance data memory 17 so that the automatic performance data is generated by the automatic performance processing. In this case, a varied tone can be generated as a continuous tone for volume adjustment.

[0100]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a volume control device of an electronic musical instrument that can control the volume by a simple operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic musical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart (main routine) showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart (switch event processing routine) illustrating the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart (switch processing routine) showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart (volume up switch processing routine) illustrating an operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart (volume down switch processing routine) illustrating the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 CPU 11 Program memory 12 RAM 13 Panel interface circuit 14 Operation panel 15 Keyboard interface circuit 16 Keyboard device 17 Automatic performance data memory 18 Waveform memory 19 Sound source 20 D / A converter 21 Amplifier 22 Speaker 23 MIDI interface circuit 30 System bus 140 Automatic Performance start switch 141 Rhythm selection switch 142 Volume adjustment switch 142A Volume down switch 142B Volume up switch 143 Display

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A volume control for instructing an increase or decrease of a volume, and, when the volume control is operated, if a continuous tone for volume adjustment is not sounding, the volume control is used at that time. A continuous sound generating means for generating a continuous sound for volume adjustment at a designated volume, and when the continuous sound for volume adjustment is sounding when the volume control is operated, Volume changing means for changing the volume of the continuous sound in accordance with the operation of the volume control, stop instructing means for instructing stop of sound generation by the continuous sound generating means, and volume adjusting means in response to an instruction of the stop instructing means Control means for stopping the generation of a continuous sound. 2. An electronic musical instrument for performing automatic performance by generating an automatic performance sound based on automatic performance data prepared in advance, comprising: a volume controller for instructing an increase or decrease in volume; If the sound is not being played automatically and the continuous tone for adjusting the volume is not being sounded, the continuous tone for emitting the continuous tone for adjusting the volume at the volume designated by the volume operator at that time. Means for controlling the volume of the continuous sound for volume adjustment, if the volume is not being automatically played and the continuous sound for volume adjustment is sounding when the volume operator is operated, Volume changing means for changing the volume of the automatic performance sound in accordance with the operation of the volume control, stop instructing means for instructing the continuous sound generating means to stop sounding, and volume adjusting in response to the instruction of the stop instructing means For a sustained sound for Stop allowed to control means, volume control apparatus of an electronic musical instrument characterized by comprising the city. 3. The volume control device according to claim 1, wherein the volume control includes a volume up switch for instructing an increase in volume and a volume down switch for instructing a decrease in volume. 3. The volume control device for an electronic musical instrument according to 2. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the stop instructing unit instructs the continuous sound generating unit to stop sound generation when both the volume up switch and the volume down switch are operated. Volume control device for electronic musical instruments. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a suppression unit for suppressing the generation of a continuous tone for volume adjustment, wherein the generation of the continuous tone for volume adjustment is not performed when there is an instruction from the suppression unit. The volume control device for an electronic musical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 4.