JP4771219B2 - Mixer configuration editing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is a mixer capable of easily displaying the connection relationship between terminals of each component on a configuration screen for creating and editing a mixer configuration of a digital mixer that processes an acoustic signal, and avoiding / correcting an inappropriate connection between terminals. The present invention relates to a configuration editing apparatus.

Conventionally, a digital mixer capable of custom-made mixer configuration is known. This is a mixer configuration (signal processing configuration) in which an acoustic signal processing unit is configured using a processor (for example, a digital signal processing device (DSP)) operable according to a program and edited using an external PC (personal computer). ) Based on the sound signal. Creation and editing of the mixer configuration on the PC is performed by a dedicated mixer control program (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). That is, the mixer control program is executed on the PC to display the mixer edit screen, components that are signal processing components are arranged on the screen, and the input / output relationship is established by connecting the terminals of the arranged components with wires. Specify and create and edit mixer configurations. The created mixer configuration is compiled (converted into information that can be interpreted by the digital mixer), then transferred from the PC to the digital mixer and executed, whereby the digital mixer realizes the operation of the mixer configuration.
"DME Designer Version 1.1 User's Manual", Yamaha Corporation, 2004, Chapter 4

  By the way, the connection drawn on the mixer configuration screen described above is to draw a connection between terminals provided in a component. At this time, it is not always possible to connect between any terminals, for example, (1) prohibiting connection between different types of terminals (for example, audio and logic), (2) prohibiting connection between output terminals, Some have restrictions such as, but there are cases where inappropriate connections are drawn. For example, (1) a connection such as L → R → L can be made, and (2) a connection can be made such that a low frequency signal is input to an input terminal for high frequency. Even if such an improper connection is made, the conventional mixer control program does not display a warning and can be compiled normally. For this reason, the speaker or the like may be damaged without noticing a connection error until the sound actually flows. In addition, there are some cases where several terminals are connected together after selecting a plurality of terminals, but in that case, there is a high possibility that inappropriate connections will be made.

  Further, when the user draws a connection between the terminals of the component as desired, the connection may cross and become difficult to see. 7A, on the mixer configuration screen 700, the three terminals of the component 701 and the three terminals of the component 702 are respectively connected, and the two terminals of the component 703 and the two terminals of the component 704 are respectively connected. This is an example. In this example, since the connection is displayed side by side, the connection relationship is easy to see. On the other hand, FIG. 7B is an example in which similar connections are drawn on the mixer configuration screen 710, but the connections intersect due to the positional relationship of the terminals connected by the connections. In particular, as the number of intersections increases, the connection relationship becomes very difficult to see.

  The present invention checks what kind of characteristic signal actually flows to each terminal of each component, and when an attempt is made to make an improper connection between terminals, informs the user and confirms it. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mixer configuration editing apparatus having a function of rearranging terminals so that the connection relation of connections can be easily seen.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, components representing components for realizing various acoustic signal processing functions are arranged on a screen, and ports between ports representing input / output terminals included in the components are arbitrarily set. In the mixer configuration editing device that creates and edits the mixer configuration of the digital mixer that processes the acoustic signal by connecting to the port, in advance, an attribute is assigned to each port of each component that is called and arranged on the screen , Means for accepting an instruction to draw a connection from a plurality of start point ports of a component arranged on the screen to a plurality of end point ports; and when receiving an instruction to draw the connection, the plurality of start point ports Means for obtaining an attribute column in the display order and an attribute column in the display order of the plurality of end port; Means for comparing a column of port attributes with a column of attributes of a plurality of ports serving as end points, and, as a result of the comparison, attributes of the plurality of start ports and ports of the plurality of end points according to the order Only when all the attributes match, a means for drawing a connection between the designated ports is provided.

  As a result of the comparison, if the attributes or their order do not match, a warning may be issued to the user, and the user may be allowed to select whether to continue the process of drawing the connection or cancel. Also, when the user chooses to continue the process of drawing a connection, (1) draw the connection as instructed without changing the arrangement position and attributes on the port display, and (2) the attribute order is the start point side. Draw a connection by changing the display position of the port on the start or end side so that it matches the end point side, or (3) Match the attributes between individual ports that draw the connection line It is better to change the attribute of the port on the start point side or the end point side to draw a connection.

  According to the present invention, since an attribute is assigned to each port (terminal) of a component and the consistency of the attribute is checked when a connection is instructed, an inappropriate connection between terminals can be avoided. . In addition, even when the attributes and their order do not match, the user is notified and confirmed, and the terminals are automatically rearranged so that the connection relation of the wiring is easy to see, or the attributes are matched. Therefore, it is possible to draw a connection in a form in which the attributes of the audio characteristics match.

  An embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a mixer configuration editing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This mixer configuration editing apparatus includes a CPU (central processing unit) 101, a random access memory (RAM) 102, a read only memory (ROM) 103, an operation element 104, a detection circuit 105, a display unit 106, a display circuit 107, a communication interface ( I / F) 109 and a communication bus 110.

  The CPU 101 is a processing device that controls the operation of the entire apparatus. The RAM 102 is a volatile memory that loads programs executed by the CPU 101 and secures various work areas. The ROM 103 is a nonvolatile memory that stores a startup routine at power-on, a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) that manages low-level I / O processing, and the like. An operation element 104 indicates an operation element such as a keyboard and a mouse included in a normal personal computer. The operation of the operation element 104 is detected by the detection circuit 105, and the detection result is sent to the CPU 101. The display unit 106 is a display that displays various types of information. The display circuit 107 displays the given data on the display unit 106 based on an instruction from the CPU 101. The communication I / F 109 is an interface for connecting to the external device 108. Here, the external device 108 is a digital mixer that includes a DSP and performs a sound signal mixing process, an effect applying process, a volume level control process, and the like by executing a microprogram on the DSP.

  The mixer configuration editing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is realized by executing a predetermined mixer control program on a general-purpose PC (personal computer). Call and place various components, which are parts that perform signal processing, on the CAD screen (mixer configuration editing screen) of this mixer configuration editing device, connect the arranged components to each other, and define the input / output relationship. Create and edit configurations. After the compiled mixer configuration is compiled, it is transferred from the mixer configuration editing apparatus of FIG. 1 to the digital mixer (external device 108).

  In the mixer configuration editing apparatus according to the present embodiment, each port (terminal) of each component arranged on the CAD screen has an attribute. This attribute is an attribute peculiar to the audio device, and is, for example, L, R, and C indicating right, left, and center, and High, Mid, and Low indicating high, middle, and low frequencies. A default attribute is set for each port in advance according to the component, but may be changed by the user.

  FIG. 2 shows a screen example in which the components 201 to 204 are arranged on the CAD screen, and particularly shows an example of attributes for each port set for each component. High, Mid, and Low attributes are assigned to the output ports 211 to 213 of the X-Over 201 in order. Similarly, attributes of High, Mid, and Low are set in order for the input ports 221 to 223 of the Slot Output 202. In addition, LR attributes are set in order on the output ports 233 and 234 of the PEQ 203, and LR attributes are set in order on the input ports 241 and 242 of the compressor 204.

  By setting the attributes for each port in this way, when the user arbitrarily connects the ports, it is possible to check the consistency of the attributes between the ports connected by the connection. If the attributes match, the connected port is normally connected as an audio signal transmission / reception port and there is no problem. On the other hand, when connections are made between ports having different attributes, processing such as asking the user for confirmation is performed.

  FIG. 3A shows an example in which ports having matching attributes are connected on the CAD screen 300. The attributes High, Mid, and Low are set in order for the three output ports 311 to 313 of the X-Over 301. Attributes Low, Mid, and High are set to the input ports 321 to 323 of the Slot Output 302 in order. Here, it is assumed that the user connects ports 311 and 323, ports 312 and 322, and ports 313 and 321, respectively. At this time, since each connection is a connection between ports having the same attribute, there is no problem in audio. However, since the display position of the port is not appropriate, the connection is displayed twisted.

  In the mixer configuration editing apparatus of the present embodiment, in the case as shown in FIG. 3A, the display position of the port can be rearranged upon confirmation from the user to improve the twisting of the connection. In FIG. 3 (b), it is easy to see the connection by rearranging the display position of the port without changing the attribute in order to improve that the connection is twisted and difficult to see as in FIG. 3 (a). This is an example. The order of the input ports 321 to 323 of the Slot Output 302 is changed and rearranged for display. As a result, the connection lines connecting the ports are displayed in a straight line without intersecting, so that the user can easily see the connection relationship.

  Further, in the mixer configuration editing apparatus of the present embodiment, in the case as shown in FIG. 3A, the twist of the connection can be improved by receiving the confirmation of the user and exchanging the port attributes. FIG. 4 is an example in which the port attributes themselves are replaced in order to improve that the connection is twisted and difficult to see as shown in FIG. The original attributes of the ports 321 to 323 of the slot output 302 are Low, Mid, and High in this order. However, when the ports are connected to the ports 311 to 313 of the X-Over 301, the attribute order of the ports 311 to 313 is high. , Mid, and Low, the order of the attributes of the ports 321 to 323 is also switched to High, Mid, and Low.

  FIG. 5 shows a processing procedure when performing connection in the mixer configuration editing apparatus of the present embodiment. In step 501, the attribute information of the start point and end point ports for which connection is instructed is acquired. In step 502, it is determined whether the start point and end point attributes match. Since there may be an instruction to connect a plurality of start points and a plurality of end points at once, in that case, the attribute column in the display order of the plurality of start points and the display order of the plurality of end points It is determined whether or not all the attribute columns in FIG. If all the attributes and the order are the same, there is no problem with the connection, so the connection is drawn in step 518. If they are different in step 502, a warning is displayed in step 503 that the attributes are different between the ports to be connected. If the user instructs not to connect the connection, the process ends.

  If the user instructs to connect even if the attributes are different in step 504, it is confirmed in step 505 whether the port order / attributes are to be changed. If the user instructs to connect without changing, the process proceeds to step 518. When it is instructed to change in step 505, it is determined in step 506 whether the only difference is the order of attributes. If so, in step 507, the port arrangement itself is switched or the user's instruction is confirmed so that the order of the attributes is matched between the start point side and the end point side. When it is instructed to replace the port arrangement, it is determined in step 508 which one of the start side and the end point is to be corrected. When correcting the start point side, in step 509, the arrangement position on the display of the start point side port is changed so that the attribute order of the port of the start point side matches the order of the attribute of the port on the end point side. Is modified in step 510 so that the order of the attributes of the port on the end point matches the order of the attributes of the port on the start point side, and then the display position of the port on the end point side is changed. Now swap the port number and attributes. In step 517, the port number is redrawn, and the process proceeds to step 518.

  If it is not only the attribute order that is different in step 506, or only the attribute order is different but the user instructs not to replace the port arrangement in step 507, only the port attributes are replaced in step 512. To determine. If not, the process proceeds to step 518. When only the attribute is replaced, it is determined in step 513 whether to correct the start point or the end point. When correcting the start point side, the attribute of the port on the start point side is changed in accordance with the end point side in step 514, and when correcting the end point side, the attribute of the port on the end point side is adjusted to the start point side in step 515. To change. After steps 514 and 515, only the attributes are replaced with the port numbers as they are in step 516, and the process proceeds to step 517.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a dialog box 600 displayed simultaneously with the warning display in step 503. When the user sets a radio button in this dialog box 600 and turns on the OK button 603, the processing from step 503 is performed according to the instruction. When the cancel button 604 is turned on, the process is canceled and the process ends from step 504.

  The radio button 601 is used to selectively select one of “not connect”, “connect as it is”, and “connect after changing port settings”. If “not connect” is selected, the process ends from step 504 as it is. When “connect as it is” is selected, the process proceeds from step 504 to step 505 to step 518, and the connection as instructed by the user is performed without changing the port order and attributes. When “Connect by changing port settings” is selected, the process proceeds from step 504 to step 505 to step 506. Further, in this case, subsequent processing differs depending on the setting of the radio button 602.

  The radio button 602 selectively selects either “replace the order for each port” or “replace only the attributes”, and selects either “start point” or “end point” as a reference, regardless of which is selected. This is for alternative selection. When “change order for each port” is selected, the process proceeds from step 506 to step 507 to step 508. When “Replace only attributes” is selected, the process proceeds in steps 506, 507 → 512 → 513. In step 508 or 513, the process branches based on whether “start point” or “end point” is turned on as a reference.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which one port has one attribute has been described. However, one port may have a plurality of attributes. What kind of audio characteristic is used as an attribute is arbitrary. A default attribute is assigned in advance to each port of the component, but the attribute may be set / changed by the user.

  In the above embodiment, the user's intention is confirmed by displaying the dialog box of FIG. 6 when instructed to draw a specific connection. However, (1) the attributes and order of the start point and end point are determined in advance. No connection when different, (2) Connect as instructed even if the start point and end point attributes / orders are different, (3) If the start point and end point attributes / orders are different, the attribute settings remain unchanged Change the port placement position according to the attribute order. (4) When the start point and end point attributes and order are different, change the attribute settings according to the attribute order without changing the port placement position. A processing method such as (in (3) and (4), the user specifies whether to change the start point or the end point) may be specified by the user, and processing may be performed according to the setting.

Schematic configuration diagram of a mixer configuration editing apparatus according to an embodiment The figure which shows the example of the screen which has arranged the component on the CAD screen The figure which shows the connection example (the 1) on a CAD screen Diagram showing connection example (2) on CAD screen Flowchart showing the processing procedure when connecting Figure showing an example of a dialog box A diagram showing a conventional connection example

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... CPU, 102 ... RAM, 103 ... ROM, 104 ... Operator, 105 ... Detection circuit, 106 ... Display part, 107 ... Display circuit, 108 ... External device, 109 ... Communication I / F, 110 ... Communication bus.

Claims (3)

A mixer of a digital mixer that processes acoustic signals by arranging components representing components that realize various acoustic signal processing functions on the screen and arbitrarily connecting ports representing input / output terminals of the components. A mixer configuration editing device for creating and editing configurations,
In addition to assigning attributes to each port of each component to be called and placed on the screen in advance,
Means for receiving an instruction to draw a connection from a plurality of start point ports of a component arranged on the screen to a plurality of end point ports;
Means for obtaining an attribute column in the display order of the plurality of start point ports and an attribute column in the display order of the plurality of end point ports when receiving an instruction to draw the connection; ,
It means for comparing the columns of attributes of the plurality of ports to be the column and the end point of the attributes of a plurality of ports serving as the start point,
As a result of the comparison, only when the attributes of the plurality of start ports and the attributes of the plurality of end ports coincide with each other in the order, means for drawing a connection between the designated ports A mixer configuration editing apparatus comprising: The mixer configuration editing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
As a result of the comparison, when the attributes or their order do not match, there is further provided means for issuing a warning to the user and allowing the user to select whether to continue or cancel the process of drawing a connection. A mixer configuration editing device. In the mixer configuration editing apparatus according to claim 2 ,
When the user chooses to continue the process of drawing the connection, (1) the connection is drawn as instructed without changing the layout position and attributes of the port display, and (2) the order of the attributes is the start side and the end point. Change the placement position of the start point or end point port on the display so that they match with each other, and draw connections, or (3) Start points so that the attributes match between the individual ports that draw connections A mixer configuration editing apparatus, wherein a connection is drawn by changing an attribute of a port on a side or an end side.

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