JP3585647B2 - Effect device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an effect device, and more particularly, to an effect device suitable for use in a stringed instrument or the like.
[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In general, as one of stringed musical instruments, an electric guitar (electric guitar) used for performing rock music, popular music, and the like is known.
[0003]
One of the playing techniques for playing rock music with such an electric guitar is a special playing technique called a feedback playing technique.
[0004]
This feedback playing method is performed by an operation of bringing the electric guitar in the state of the string in close proximity to the speaker of the guitar amplifier that loudspeaks and emits the musical sound stringed by the electric guitar. In this case, a feedback loop is formed by the strings of the electric guitar, the speakers, and the acoustic space connecting the two, and the tone of the musical tone output from the speakers after being amplified by the guitar amplifier based on the bullet strings. The air vibration will cause feedback that the string will be further vibrated at a pitch based on the frequency of the musical tone.
[0005]
By this feedback, the vibration of the string started by the string is not attenuated, and the vibration in the state of the string can be maintained. Therefore, the tone of the musical tone based on the vibration of the string by the string is also attenuated. Instead, a feedback performance in which the tone of the musical tone based on the string is maintained at the pitch.
[0006]
When the player performs such a feedback playing technique, the pitch of the musical tone based on the string is sustained without being attenuated, so that when performing on a stage or the like, an extremely strong impact is given to the audience. become able to.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in order to realize the feedback performance by the feedback playing technique, it is necessary to use a guitar amplifier to louder the musical tone until the feedback by the feedback playing technique occurs, which actually requires a considerable volume. Was. For this reason, unless the performance is performed in a completely soundproofed space, it is difficult to cause feedback by the feedback playing technique, and there is a problem that the performance place is limited.
[0008]
Also, even if feedback occurs due to the feedback playing technique, it is necessary to delicately control the stringing method and the positional relationship between the guitar amplifier and the guitar to maintain this feedback, and the feedback is performed as intended by the player. However, there is a problem that it is extremely difficult to realize the above.
[0009]
That is, as described above, the feedback playing technique is such that the tone of the musical tone having the same pitch as the musical tone that is emitted based on the string and the string is maintained by the feedback based on the sound emission from the speaker. . For this purpose, it was necessary to delicately control the manner of stringing, the timing at which the strings approach the speakers, the distance and direction between the speakers and the strings, and the volume of musical tones generated from the speakers. Therefore, mastering feedback techniques requires good techniques, a great deal of experience, and the intuition and knack behind these techniques and experiences, and even professional guitarists can fail. Often there was.
[0010]
In other words, even if you perform an action for feedback playing that brings the struck string closer to the speaker, the string does not vibrate due to feedback, it immediately attenuates and the musical tone is muted, or it is generated based on the bullet string. Cannot be maintained even if feedback is performed with a tone having a pitch different from the pitch of the musical tone, or when the feedback is performed properly at the pitch of the tone initially generated based on the string. Or something.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to simulate a feedback performance on an attenuated tone signal, such as a tone signal based on a string vibration of an electric guitar. It is an object of the present invention to provide an effect device that adds an effect and can surely realize the same effect as a feedback performance achieved based on a feedback playing technique at any place.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the effect device according to the present invention forms an electric feedback loop simulating a feedback performance therein, and reproduces a tone simulating a tone obtained by the feedback performance realized by the feedback performance method. This enables easy and stable production.
[0013]
That is, the effect device according to the present invention simulates the feedback performance realized by the feedback playing technique by electrically reproducing the feedback loop formed by the actual feedback playing technique. A first input means, a pitch detection means for detecting a pitch of a tone signal input from the first input means, and a frequency characteristic controlled based on a detection result of the pitch detection means, and an input based on the frequency characteristic. Filter means for controlling and outputting the generated tone signal; synthesis output means for synthesizing and outputting the tone signal input from the first input means and the tone signal output from the filter means; Second input means for inputting the tone signal output from the output means to the filter means. That.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the above-described effect device according to the present invention. This effect device 10 detects, for example, vibration of a vibrating body such as a string 14 of an electric guitar 12 by detecting and converting means such as a pickup 16. Input means 18 for inputting the electric signal as a musical tone signal, a pitch detecting means 20 for detecting the pitch of the musical tone signal input from the input means 18, A frequency characteristic is controlled based on the result, a filter means 22 for controlling and outputting a tone signal inputted based on the frequency characteristic, a tone signal inputted from the input means 18 and a tone signal outputted from the filter means 22. Adder 24 as synthesis output means for synthesizing and outputting the tone signal, and inputting the tone signal output from synthesis output means 24 to filter means 22. And a feedback loop 26 as an input means of.
[0015]
That is, in the effect device 10 described above, the tone signal input to the input means 18 is fed back via the filter means 22 by the feedback loop 26, and the tone signal input to the input means 18 and the tone signal fed back are output. Are output by the adder 24 by combining them with each other.
[0016]
Here, if the feedback circuit is configured so that the loop gain is “1”, the feedback circuit oscillates. The pitch at the time of oscillation is to be determined based on the frequency characteristic of the filter means 22, and the frequency characteristic of the filter means 22 is determined by the tone signal detected by the pitch detection means 20 (input from the input means 18). Is controlled based on the pitch of the musical tone signal.) As a result, oscillation occurs at the pitch of the musical tone signal input from the input means 18 and the feedback performance realized by the feedback playing method is performed. Can be simulated.
[0017]
Here, in order to accurately simulate the feedback performance realized by the feedback playing method by the feedback circuit described above, the filter means 22 needs to generate a musical tone having a desired pitch (electricity) generated when the string 14 is struck. In the guitar 12, a predetermined tone with a frequency corresponding to a pitch of a pitch designated by a player by pressing a string 14 to a fret, which frequency is hereinafter referred to as “fundamental”, as a center frequency. It is desirable to pass only the frequency component of.
[0018]
Accordingly, the pitch detecting means 20 is configured to detect the fundamental pitch of the input tone signal, and the filter means 22 passes only frequency components having a predetermined bandwidth centered on a frequency corresponding to the fundamental pitch. It is preferable to include a band-pass filter. By configuring the pitch detecting means 20 and the filter means 22 in this manner, a tone signal in which a fundamental frequency component is emphasized circulates around the feedback loop 26 and oscillates, thereby generating a tone having a fundamental frequency. Thus, the feedback performance realized by the feedback playing technique can be simulated very accurately.
[0019]
Further, in addition to the above-mentioned constituent elements, the effect device according to the present invention further comprises an envelope detecting means for detecting an envelope of the tone signal input from the first input means, and a coefficient based on a detection result of the envelope detecting means. Is multiplied by a coefficient controlled based on the detection result of the envelope detecting means, and multiplied output means for multiplying and outputting the tone signal output from the filter means is provided. The tone signal input from the first input means and the tone signal output from the multiplication output means may be combined and output. Here, the coefficient multiplied by the multiplication output means is a feedback coefficient in a feedback circuit.
[0020]
In the actual feedback playing technique, when the feedback playing technique is not performed, unnecessary strings are prevented by touching the strings of the electric guitar with a finger to stop the vibration of the strings of the electric guitar. Thus, such an actual feedback playing technique can be simulated. That is, by providing multiplication output means for controlling a multiplication coefficient (feedback coefficient) in accordance with the envelope detected by the envelope detection means, the multiplication output means (feedback coefficient) is controlled by the multiplication output means in accordance with the state of vibration of the string 14. ) Is controlled, and unnecessary oscillation of the feedback circuit can be prevented.
[0021]
Further, in the effect device according to the present invention, the level of the tone signal input from the first input means may be controlled based on the detection result of the envelope detection means.
[0022]
As described above, when the level of the tone signal input by the envelope is controlled, the attenuation of the original tone signal (the tone signal input from the first input means) in the feedback circuit and the tone signal fed back is reduced. The timing can be changed according to the envelope.
[0023]
Still further, in the effect device according to the present invention, the filter means may include a comb filter.
[0024]
In this way, when the filter means is configured to include the comb filter, in addition to the frequency corresponding to the pitch detected by the pitch detection means, its harmonic components are also emphasized, and a more natural effect is obtained. .
[0025]
Furthermore, in the effect device according to the present invention, a non-linear processing means may be provided to amplify or distort the tone signal so as to add an overdrive effect or a distortion effect. .
[0026]
Further, in the effect device according to the present invention, an operation element for controlling a coefficient (feedback coefficient) of the multiplication of the multiplication output means is provided, and the coefficient is controlled by the envelope of the tone signal to which the input is applied and the operation amount of the operation element. In this case, the coefficient can be arbitrarily changed in real time during the performance, and the level of the tone signal to be fed back can be changed. Further, in the effect device according to the present invention, an operation element for controlling the frequency characteristic of the filter means is provided, and the frequency characteristic is controlled based on the pitch of the input tone signal and the operation amount of the operation element. In this case, the frequency characteristic can be arbitrarily changed in real time during the performance, and the tone quality of the tone signal to be fed back can be changed.
[0027]
Furthermore, in the effect device according to the present invention, an operation element for controlling the level of the tone signal input from the first input means is provided, and the level of the input tone signal is controlled by the envelope and the operation of the operation element. In this case, the original tone signal (the tone signal input from the first input means) in the feedback circuit and the tone which is fed back in real time during the performance. It becomes possible to arbitrarily change the timing of attenuation with the signal. Further, in the effect device according to the present invention, the first input means is configured so that a plurality of tone signals can be input independently, and each component in the feedback circuit is also input to the first input means. It is configured to include a plurality of feedback circuits for independently processing a plurality of tone signals, for example, when a plurality of strings are simultaneously stringed in an electric guitar, the plurality of strings are simultaneously stringed. Correspondingly, a feedback playing technique may be simulated.
[0028]
Further, in the effect device according to the present invention, when the plurality of tone signals are configured to be independently processed as described above, the non-linear processing means and the like are commonly used in the plurality of feedback circuits. The configuration may be simplified and a feedback circuit close to the actual feedback playing style may be configured.
[0029]
In addition, similar to the present invention, as an invention aiming to simulate a feedback playing technique, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. Hei 5-289664, Hei 6-25896, and Hei 6-25898 have disclosed. There is such an invention.
[0030]
However, the invention disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 5-289664 simulates a feedback playing method by generating a feedback sound by a pitch shifter and gradually adding the feedback sound to an original sound. The present invention does not use the present invention and has a completely different technical idea.
[0031]
The invention disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 6-25896 simulates a feedback playing technique by generating a pseudo feedback sound by storing and repeatedly reproducing a musical tone signal, and gradually adding it to the original sound. Therefore, the technical idea of the present invention is completely different from that of the present invention which does not perform the process of storing the tone signal.
[0032]
Further, the invention disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-25898 performs a filtering process on a tone signal in accordance with the pitch of the tone signal to induce a state in which feedback performance is likely to occur. The present invention, which forms a feedback circuit, has a completely different technical idea.
[0033]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the effect device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0034]
FIG. 2 shows an example of an embodiment of an effect device according to the present invention. In the effect device 100, an input terminal 102 has an output of an input device (not shown) such as an electric guitar equipped with a pickup. The output terminal 104 is connected to an input terminal of an output device (not shown) such as a guitar amplifier, an audio mixer, or headphones, and is used by being set between the input device and the output device. Things. That is, in the effect device 100, for example, a string vibration of a string of an electric guitar is converted into an electric signal by a pickup, and the electric signal is input as a musical sound signal via the input terminal 102, and a predetermined sound signal, which will be described later. After the processing, the sound is output to the guitar amplifier via the output terminal 104, and a musical tone based on the string and string is emitted from the speaker of the guitar amplifier.
[0035]
This effect device is configured to control the entire operation using a microcomputer 106, and an amplifier 108 amplifies a musical tone signal input from an input terminal 102, and an amplifier 108 Pitch detection means 110 which receives a tone signal and detects the pitch of the input tone signal, and envelope detection means 112 which receives the tone signal amplified by the amplifier 108 and detects the envelope of the input tone signal. And an input coefficient adjusting means 114 for receiving the tone signal amplified by the amplifier 108 and multiplying the input tone signal by an input coefficient to adjust the level, and a tone signal adjusted in level by the input coefficient adjusting means 114. And a tone signal output from the feedback coefficient adjusting means 126 described later. An adder 130, and a nonlinear processing means 116 is inputted musical tone signal outputted from the adder 130 performs the nonlinear processing to the input musical tone signal.
[0036]
The tone signal subjected to the nonlinear processing by the nonlinear processing means 116 is input to the amplifier 118 and amplified, and the tone signal amplified by the amplifier 118 is output to the output device via the output terminal 104.
[0037]
Further, the tone signal subjected to the non-linear processing by the non-linear processing means 116 is fed back to the non-linear processing means 116 via the feedback loop 120. The feedback loop 120 includes a band-pass filter 122, a comb filter 124, and a feedback coefficient adjusting unit 126 for adjusting a feedback coefficient.
[0038]
Further, the effect device 100 includes a parameter control unit 128, and the parameter control unit 128 controls each parameter of the input coefficient adjustment unit 114, the band-pass filter 122, the comb filter 124, and the feedback coefficient adjustment unit 126. Will be controlled.
[0039]
By controlling the feedback coefficient of the feedback coefficient adjusting means 126, the feedback circuit constituted by the feedback loop 120 oscillates.
[0040]
Each configuration of the effect device 100 will be described in more detail according to the flow of a tone signal. The tone signal input from the input terminal 102 is amplified by the amplifier 108 and transmitted to the pitch detecting means 110 and the envelope detecting means 112. At the same time, it is sent to the nonlinear processing means 116 via the input coefficient adjusting means 114 and the adder 130.
[0041]
Here, the non-linear processing means 116 performs processing for amplifying the tone signal or adding a distortion component to the tone signal, thereby adding an overdrive effect or a distortion effect to the tone signal. Will be. That is, the non-linear processing means 116 realizes the same operation as that of the guitar amplifier. The tone signal processed by the non-linear processing means 116 is sent to the amplifier 118 and the feedback loop 120.
[0042]
Further, the pitch detecting means to which the tone signal has been transmitted detects the pitch of the tone signal, and the microcomputer 106 receives pitch data indicating the detected pitch. Based on the pitch data, the microcomputer 106 determines parameters such as a center frequency, a pass band width, and a pass level indicating the characteristics of the band-pass filter 122 and the comb filter 124. The parameters are transmitted to the control means 128, and the parameter control means 128 controls the band-pass filter 122 and the comb filter 124 according to the transmitted parameters.
[0043]
At this time, the center frequencies of the band-pass filter 122 and the comb filter 124 are controlled to be musically effective frequencies. That is, when an electric guitar is used as the input device, control is performed so that the frequency of the musical tone generated by the string and the string corresponds to the fundamental pitch or an integral multiple thereof.
[0044]
Accordingly, the band-pass filter 122 and the comb filter 124 have, in the feedback loop 120, a center frequency of a frequency corresponding to a fundamental pitch or an integral multiple thereof in the input tone signal, and Since only the frequency component is passed at the set pass level, the tone signal in which the frequency component corresponding to the fundamental pitch or an integral multiple thereof is emphasized is converted to the nonlinear processing means 116 via the feedback coefficient adjusting means 126 and the adder 130. Will be sent to
[0045]
Since the comb filter 124 is used together with the band-pass filter 122, the harmonic component of the specified frequency is emphasized in addition to the designated frequency, and a smooth sounding effect closer to a natural musical instrument can be obtained.
[0046]
On the other hand, the envelope detecting means 112 to which the tone signal has been sent out detects the envelope of the tone signal, and envelope data indicating the detected envelope is taken into the microcomputer 106. Then, the microcomputer 106 obtains each parameter of the input coefficient of the input coefficient adjusting means 114 and the feedback coefficient of the feedback coefficient adjusting means 126 based on the envelope data, and sends out the obtained parameters to the parameter control means 128. The parameter control means 128 controls the input coefficient of the input coefficient adjustment means 114 and the feedback coefficient of the feedback coefficient adjustment means 126 according to the transmitted parameters.
[0047]
Here, the control of the input coefficient of the input coefficient adjusting means 114 and the feedback coefficient of the feedback coefficient adjusting means 126 may be performed, for example, as shown in FIG. 3 according to the envelope of the input tone signal.
[0048]
That is, when the envelope rises, the feedback coefficient rises later than the envelope, so that immediately after the start of sound generation, unnecessary interference due to the input tone signal (original tone signal) due to the feedback tone signal is relieved. I have. When the envelope is attenuated below a predetermined level, the feedback coefficient is decreased to prevent the oscillation by the feedback circuit from being perpetuated, and unnecessary oscillation is generated when there is no input tone signal. Prevent getting up. That is, by controlling the feedback coefficient of the feedback coefficient adjusting means 126 as shown in FIG. 3, for example, when the vibration of the strings of the electric guitar is attenuated, the tone signal fed back is also attenuated.
[0049]
Also, as shown in FIG. 3, if the level of the envelope at the time of the fall of the input coefficient is set higher than the level of the envelope at the time of the fall of the feedback coefficient, for example, the vibration of the strings of the electric guitar due to the string and the string will be reduced. When attenuated, the input tone signal (original tone signal) is attenuated, and then the tone signal fed back is attenuated, so that a very natural sounding state by the feedback playing technique can be reproduced.
[0050]
In the above-described configuration, although not shown, an operator for controlling the input coefficient of the input coefficient adjustment unit 114 and the feedback coefficient of the feedback coefficient adjustment unit 126 may be separately provided. Such an operator can be configured as, for example, a foot pedal or a foot switch, and further by providing an appropriate changeover switch, the input coefficient and the feedback coefficient are controlled in accordance with only the envelope, or It may be possible to select whether to perform the operation in accordance with only the operation amount of the operated operator or in accordance with both the envelope and the operation amount of the operator.
[0051]
When the control of the input coefficient and the feedback coefficient is performed only in accordance with the operation amount of the operation element, for example, after the input musical tone signal accompanying the string is input to the non-linear processing means 116, the input operation is performed by operating the operation element. When the coefficient is set to “0” and the feedback coefficient is set to a value that causes a predetermined oscillation, and the string of the electric guitar is repeated, only the tone signal fed back oscillates and attenuates. Instead, it is possible to obtain only a continuous sound that can be obtained by an actual feedback playing technique.
[0052]
When the control of the input coefficient and the feedback coefficient is performed according to both the envelope and the operation amount of the operation element, the input coefficient and the feedback coefficient controlled according to the envelope correspond to the operation amount of the operation element. There is a method of generating a new input coefficient and a feedback coefficient by multiplying a predetermined coefficient. In this case, it is effective to partially cancel the control by the envelope according to the operation amount of the operation element.
[0053]
FIG. 4A is a conversion table for converting the operation amount of the operation element into a multiplication coefficient for multiplying the feedback coefficient controlled according to the envelope, and FIG. 9 is a conversion table for converting an input coefficient controlled according to an envelope into a multiplication coefficient. According to the conversion table, a multiplication coefficient corresponding to the operation amount of the operation element is determined, and the multiplication coefficient is multiplied by the feedback coefficient and the input coefficient controlled corresponding to the envelope as shown in FIG. Generate new feedback and input coefficients.
[0054]
At this time, it is also effective to cancel the control of the input coefficient and the feedback coefficient by the envelope according to the operation amount of the operation element. For example, when the operation amount of the operation element is in the range of 0 to 50%, the input coefficient is not decreased even if the envelope is attenuated below a predetermined level, and the operation amount of the operation element is in the range of 50 to 100%. In, the feedback coefficient does not fall even if the envelope attenuates below a predetermined level. With this configuration, the on / off state of the feedback state and the balance between the normal guitar sound and the feedback sound can be adjusted by the natural operation feeling of the operator.
[0055]
Further, in the above-described configuration, although not shown, an operator for controlling the center frequency, the pass bandwidth, and the pass level of the band-pass filter 122 and the comb filter 124 is separately provided, and the operator is provided. The sound quality of the musical tone generated by the above operation may be adjusted. Such an operator can be configured as, for example, a foot pedal or a foot switch. Further, by providing an appropriate changeover switch, the control of the center frequency, the pass band width, and the pass level can be performed on the input musical tone. It is possible to select whether to perform only in accordance with the pitch, to perform only in accordance with the operation amount of the operation element described above, or to perform a synergistic operation between the input tone pitch and the operation amount of the operation element. You may.
[0056]
In the above-described embodiment, the single input terminal 102 and the feedback circuit connected to the input terminal 102 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A feedback circuit connected to 102 may be provided. FIG. 5 is an example of a configuration including two sets of input terminals 102 and a feedback circuit connected to the input terminals 102. Further, by using a string-independent pickup or the like to provide six sets of input terminals 102 and a feedback circuit connected to the input terminals 102 for each string of the guitar, a plurality of strings can be simultaneously struck by an electric guitar. It is possible to cope with the feedback performance accompanying the performed chord performance, which is very effective.
[0057]
When a plurality of input terminals 102 and a feedback circuit connected to the input terminal 102 are provided, as shown in the configuration of FIG. 5, the non-linear processing means 116 is shared by a plurality of feedback circuits. With this configuration, the configuration of the entire apparatus can be simplified, and further, a feedback circuit configuration close to an actual feedback playing style can be obtained, and a natural musical tone can be obtained.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention is configured as described above, an effect of simulating a feedback performance can be added to an attenuated musical tone signal, such as a musical tone signal based on a string vibration of an electric guitar, and the like. An excellent effect that the same effect as the feedback performance achieved based on the above can be reliably realized in any place.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an effect device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an embodiment of an effect device according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of control of an input coefficient of an input coefficient adjustment unit and a feedback coefficient of a feedback coefficient adjustment unit according to an envelope of an input tone signal;
FIG. 4A is a conversion table for converting an operation amount of an operation element to a multiplication coefficient by which a feedback coefficient controlled according to an envelope is multiplied; FIG. 9 is a conversion table for converting an input coefficient controlled according to an envelope into a multiplication coefficient.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a modification of the embodiment of the effect device according to the present invention, showing a case where two sets of input terminals and a feedback circuit connected to the input terminals are provided.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Effect device
12 electric guitar
14 strings
16 Pickup
18 Input means
20 Pitch detection means
22 Filter means
24 Adder
26 Feedback Loop

Claims (3)

First input means for inputting a tone signal;
Pitch detection means for detecting a pitch of a tone signal input from the first input means,
Envelope detection means for detecting an envelope of a tone signal input from the first input means;
A frequency characteristic is controlled based on a detection result of the pitch detection means, and a filter means for controlling and outputting a tone signal input based on the frequency characteristic,
A coefficient is controlled based on a detection result of the envelope detecting means, and a multiplying output means for multiplying and outputting the tone signal output from the filter means by the coefficient,
Synthesis output means for synthesizing and outputting the tone signal input from the first input means and the tone signal output from the multiplication output means,
And a second input unit for inputting a tone signal output from the synthesis output unit to the filter unit. 2. The effect device according to claim 1, wherein when the envelope detected by said envelope detecting means is attenuated below a predetermined level, said coefficient falls. Further comprising an operator for controlling the coefficient,
2. The effect device according to claim 1, wherein the coefficient is controlled based on a detection result of the envelope detection unit and an operation amount of the operation element.

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