JPH04505984A - Multichannel device for digitally recording and reproducing audio signals - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Multichannel device for digitally recording and reproducing audio signals The present invention has a plurality of digital or analog input/output terminals and one or more digital has digital memory and records and plays back audio signals digitally The present invention relates to a multi-channel device.

In multichannel recording technology for audio signals, recording audio signals and reproduction analog and digital techniques, multiple digital or Band machine (B andn+) with analog input/output terminals and a certain number of channels asch 1nen) exists.

In addition to a limited and pre-fixed number of channels, this device cycle time. Moreover, to access a specific band position, Requires a time-consuming search process, in which the exact band position is not always certain. It doesn't necessarily mean it will actually hit. Re-record to the band position that has already been recorded (over (dubbing), the valuable original record must not be destroyed even in part, so it is important to After recording, fade in (E1nblend) and fade out (Au sblende) There must be no time lag or change in re-recording time. Individual When editing musical passages, mechanical cutting that destroys the original recording is appropriate. used.

The invention provides instant access to any location of a recording, overdubbing and editing. The risk-free possibility of recording and the free selection of the fade-in period Unlimited recording and playback with unlimited number of channels and playback. It is based on the task of creating possibilities for regeneration.

According to the invention, the above-mentioned device is constructed as follows. In other words, it is a twin with input and output terminals. A direction interface circuit connects a set of system buses that transmit parallel data. connected to one or more parallel-connected storage modules through the service A main control circuit operable by the unit connects the system bus and storage module. connected to the Additionally, each storage module has a small at least one digital memory and at least one digital buffer memory an audio signal that has an internal memory and is to be stored for processing or during storage medium replacement. is given preferential treatment to the buffer memory mentioned above.

The audio data is stored on a replaceable storage medium at the output end of the buffer memory. The buffer memory When the storage medium is almost full, recording will not be interrupted. replaced with an empty storage medium. Therefore, the available recording time and reverse data The time of appropriate regeneration in the flow direction is not limited by the characteristics of this device. .

The main control circuit described above can expediently connect the storage module via a communication ring conducting the control signals. connected to the tool. Roughly, add a unique controller to each storage module It is recommended that this controller It independently transmits the operation of the module and monitors the progress of the storage module.

The number of channels required for recording is determined in a practical embodiment of the invention as follows: It can be expanded arbitrarily. In other words, the number of storage modules corresponding to the device is and parallel this storage module to the system bus for audio signals. It is connected to the main control circuit and controlled by the communication loop of the main control circuit. In this case, each The storage module is shaped as a pull-out plate that plugs into a contact bar inside the device. can be achieved. It is self-evident that the above contact bar is connected to the system bus. That is.

It is recommended that the service unit be equipped with a remote control, and the key to this remote control is It has mechanical strokes and is associated with, among other things, recording, playback and stop operations.

Furthermore, the service unit is provided with a display and the display elements of this display. It is recommended that a device be added to display the above information on the service unit. The operation of the main control circuit is indicated by the location or transition on the display or by the remote control. can be chained to the key order.

Achieve (Achieve) memory as magneto-optical, optical or magnetic Exchangeable data carriers such as standard disk memory or cassette tape memory are considered. available.

Multiple parallel-connected bidirectional 7-ohm converters interface Purposefully provided, this format converter can be Reads various serial data formats at a pre-given cycle rate from on the other hand, parallel data can be routed to a unified internal output to the system bus in one set in data format and/or It can be read from the stem bus. The above formats are used for each purpose. It is also formed on a board and can be plugged into a contact bar connected to the system bus. .

A further advantage of importance for studio technology is that the device with the features according to claim 1 In this case, all channels of the device can be updated without destroying the original records. Allows to carry out multi-track cutting (Mehrspurschnitte) It is caused by doing. In addition, stable time intervals can be repeated without interruption There is a possibility of playing back or recording it. The storage module has the required It has an independent controller that can execute the calculation process in parallel, so the recorded - Replay the audio sound by shortening or extending the time while keeping the original height (pinch). This makes it possible to generate data without consuming too much calculation time.

Controller configuration groups and interface circuit configuration groups can be Configured as a heavily programmable logic array, the main control circuitry By programming the above logic array each time the device is turned on, Access can be carried out particularly easily.

When the controller and main control circuit are configured with a network of subcontrollers, The network connections between the individual subcontrollers provide a unified signal and data It has 7 ohms, and data exchange between subcontrollers is done serially. particularly high flexibility in the management, processing and transmission of data within the device. can be achieved.

Next, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to illustrated embodiments. In addition, preferred embodiments of the present invention For embodiments, reference is made to the subclaims.

The device according to the invention essentially comprises one or more interface units l. Consists of a number storage module 3.30, a main control circuit 4, and a service unit 6. . The system bus 2 connects the interface unit l with multiple signal lines 32, 34 . 36 to the storage module 3.30.

The main control circuit 4 controls the data flow of the system bus 2 through various operation processes. It is connected to the system bus 2 via a multiplex signal line 38 for this purpose. main The control circuit also controls the operating sequence of the storage module 3.30 and for this purpose Connected in series to the storage module 3.30 via a communication ring 5 transmitting control signals has been done.

The main control circuit 4 includes a system subcontroller 27 and a mask subcontroller. 28, both sub-controllers are connected to the communication ring 5 and also to the system sub-controller. The controllers are each connected to the system bus 2 via multiple signal lines 38.

The above storage module 3.30 is configured such that the storage module 3 is sufficient for writing to storage module 3. Formed homogeneously.

The storage module 3 consists of a controller 7 and one or more storage units. , 42, 44, . It is connected to the controller 7 via 46. In the example described here, the storage unit 8 is two magnetic disk drivers 24, 25 and an ejector as a data carrier 9. The magneto-optical driver 26 has a disc that can be used. Memory module 3 30 is formed as a drawer plate, and each drawer plate connects the system bus 2 and the communication It is housed so that it can be aligned with the contact bar 29 of the ring 5.

The controller 7 is connected to a symmetrical network of subcontrollers 18 to 23. Become. Network connections between individual subcontrollers correspond to communication ring 5 It has a unified signal and data format, in which data exchange is serial It will be held in

The I10 subcontroller 18 is connected to the system bus 2 via a multiplex signal line 52. be done. Additionally, there are two RAM subcontrollers 19.20 and a communication ring. There is a network connection to 5. Each RAM subcontroller 19.20 It has a local buffer memory.

The RAM sub-controller 20 is connected to the 5cst sub-controller 23. The scsr subcontroller itself is connected to the magnetic disk memory 25. Ru. The RAM subcontroller 19 is connected to the 5C5I subcontroller 21. , this 5C5I subcontroller itself is connected to the magnetic disk memory 24. There is. The 5C3I subcontroller 22 has two RAM subcontrollers 19° 20 and magneto-optical disk memory 26. All 5C5I subcos Controllers 21, 22, 23 are included in the communication ring 5.

The Inter 7 Ace Unit is a bi-directional 7-ohm converter connected in parallel. 15, 16, and 17, and each of these converters can be and is connected to the system bus 2 by multiplex signal lines 32, 34, and 36. 7 oh each The matsto comper 915.16°17 has an input and/or output socket 14. This socket allows the user to connect the device to a remote signal source and/or receiver. allow you to connect.

The service unit 6 is included within the communication ring 5 and is a graphic display unit. It is equipped with a personal computer 10 having a spray I2 and a remote control 11, and the above-mentioned Both are connected to the communication ring 5 by a controller 13. remote control 11 keys - is equipped with mechanical movement and, among other things, recording, playing and stopping operations. are united.

A personal computer with the graphic display described above may operate this device. In addition to graphically displaying the status, operation progress, and calls, the display requirements on the display 12 are also displayed. It has a device for performing simple display.

This device is configured as a track pole 13 in this embodiment.

Next, the operation of this device in the operating state will be described in detail.

The inter 7 ace unit 1 has a 7 ohm converter 15 which can be combined arbitrarily. This 7-ohm converter converts this device into a device commonly used in studio technology ( mixing desk, band machine, audio processor, etc.) make it possible.

Thus, the selectable data arriving at the input of the format converter 15.16.17 A serial data stream with a bit rate of A human who is in charge of and is supplied to the system bus 2 as parallel data words.

In the opposite data flow direction, parallel data words are transferred via system bus 2. and received by formant converters 15, 16, and 17. And ode A series of focus and additional control bits carrying video information are generated and formatted. The data flow sent out from the output end of the cut converter 15.16°17 is are read and aligned so that they can be evaluated by a device connected to the

The system bus 2 supports the permanent expansion of further input and output terminals of the device with a drawer plate. The format converters 15, 16° 17 formed by made possible by The above 7-automatic converter has multiple signal lines 32, 34 . 36 and contact bar 29 to the system bus 2 .

In addition, system bus 2 includes available audio channels and available audio channels. Continuous expansion of further recording and playback capacity of this device for both recording periods. By aligning and scaling the memory modules 3 formed as drawer plates, enable. The storage module is connected by multiple signal lines 52 and contact bars 29. Connected to system bus 2.

System bus 2 carries audio data words, format converter 15.16 ．． Between the i7 itself, the 7-auto converter 15, 16° 17 and the storage module 3 and within the storage module 3 itself.

The course of data transmission on system bus 2 is regulated by main control circuit 4 . the In a series of periodically repeated data words, a position within said series is audio channels. By determining the position within the above series, formatting is performed. Each input/output terminal of the converter 15, 16, 17 and each channel of the storage module 3 A channel number is assigned to each channel. The main control circuit 4 changes the above series. can affect the arrangement of channels within the device. Thus, a simple program RAM changes allow for otherwise very time-consuming rewiring of connected equipment becomes unnecessary.

The main control circuit 4 controls the operation of the device as determined by the operator in the service unit 6. , into a corresponding series of data flows within the device.

Therefore, the storage module 3 and the service unit 6 are controlled by the communication ring 5. It is connected to the control circuit 4. The user's commands entered into the service unit 6 are The command is sent to the main control circuit 4 via the ring 5, and the main control circuit sends this command to the control circuit 4. The converted instructions are sent back to the storage module via the communication ring 5. given to 3.

The storage module 3 includes an independently operating controller 7 and one or more It consists of a storage unit 8. The controller 7 controls everything belonging to the storage module 3. storage units 8 can be accessed simultaneously. At that time, each controller 7 receives parallel data from system bus 2 via I10 subcontroller ■8. There are two The data word is sent to the RAM subcontroller 19.20, and the above data word is sent to the RAM subcontroller 19. Stored in storage unit 8 by SC3I subcontroller 21.22.23 .

In the opposite data flow direction, the controller 7 stores the data stored in the storage unit 8. RAM subcontroller 1 by 5C3I subcontrollers 21 to 23 9. Take it back to the local buffer memory at 20 and use it at a later time to Upon request, the above data words are sent to the system bus by the I10 subcontroller 18. Send to 2. RAM subcontroller 19.20 local buffer memory data flows into and out of storage unit 8 at the same time and into storage unit 8. configured to always run at a defined maximum data flow rate. .

The storage module 3 is electrically connected to the system bus 2.

Operationally 9 Mechanically formed as follows. i.e. cycle time and state For the purpose of expansion both in terms of the number of channels in this device, It is designed in such a way that it is always possible to arrange the storage modules 3.

Each storage module 3 has eight audio channels respectively for recording.

For this purpose, the I10 subcontroller 18 receives the RAM subcontroller The audio information intermediately stored in 19.20 is first stored in the magnetic disk memory 24. 25 is temporarily stored. Thus, the above audio information is immediately useful for playback. Can be used.

If the user wants to listen to a particular part of the recording that has been made, the corresponding audio information The information is brought back from the magnetic disk memory to the RAM subcontrollers 19 and 20. , I10 subcontroller 18. System bus 2 and format converter Made audible by 15, 16, and 17. At that time, magnetic disk memory The access time of 24.25 is so short that the user cannot recognize it. In other words, use A person can instantly achieve direct access to any location of the recording made.

Temporarily stored in magnetic disk memory during parallel processes that proceed independently of the background The newly recorded audio information is read out again and stored in the RAM subcontroller. controller 19, 20, and finally data is stored in the magneto-optical disk memory 26. data carrier 9. Records can then be retrieved from the device and stored. can be done. However, because of this, all audio information is The optical disc memory 24, 25 and the optical disc memory 26 are recorded twice. be remembered.

Overdubbing, an attempt to correct a particular part of a recording with a new recording of this part. When recording, new recorded data is first stored only in the magnetic disk memory 24.25. Therefore, the part to be corrected is not touched in the optical disc memory 26. This is the current state. The data in the new record is the same as the data in the record to be corrected. , the new record will not be changed until it is confirmed by the user that the new record was successful.

Fade in the corrected part to determine whether the new recording was successful or not. (Uebsrblendung) is simulated exclusively in the return direction. that time , the user changes the fade-in time and duration with a delay. When a user writes a new entry If you reject the recording, the data to be corrected will be returned from the optical disc memory. is copied to the magnetic disk memory, thereby canceling the new recording.

Conversely, if the user confirms a new record with the selected fade-in as successful. For example, newly recorded data has a corresponding fade-in by magnetic disk memory. and is copied to an optical disc memory. This is confirmed by the disclosed device. This results in overdubbing being completely risk-free.

When editing, i.e. combining executed records into a new order desired by the user, The recorded data remains untouched as well. in any order, and Only the fade-in time at which the individual recording is played is stored. user can be used to constantly change the order and fade-in time, or to change the text that has not yet been changed. You can go back to strike.

In order to enable continuous recording for any desired period, the data carrier 9 can be exchanged even during recording. can be exchanged. For this purpose, the magnetic disk memory 24.25 is first-in/first-out. It behaves as an intermediate buffer with properties. The audio data is transmitted by the data carrier 9. It is written directly to the optical disc memory 26 until it is full. become full , the data carrier is replaced by an empty one. Ode arriving during exchange The video data is intermediately stored in the magnetic disk memory 24.25, and then temporally The new data carrier 9 is written in the correct order.

The intermediate buffer formed in the magnetic disk memory 24.25 is The input end of the file contains the audio that is written to the magneto-optical disk memory at the output end. Less audio data arrives than audio data. Therefore, the above intermediate buffer will be emptied again in sufficient time after the data carrier 9 has been replaced and the audio data will be The data carrier 9 is then loaded directly onto the optical disc media until the next time the new data carrier 9 is full. can be written to the memory 26.

This means that replacing a full data carrier 9 with an empty data carrier is optional. Frequency means repeated scales. The data recorded on the data carrier 9 is arbitrary. Seamlessly combined into any time record.

abstract Multiple digital or analog input/output terminals and one or more digital A multi-channel system for digitally recording and reproducing audio signals. Nell's device. Unlimited number of channels for recording and playback, limited in time instantaneous recording to any position while making the possibility of recording and playback without Access.

Overdubbing and editing can be done without risk, and fade-in periods can be Allow freedom of choice. For this purpose, a bidirectional interface with input and output terminals is required. one or more system bus circuits that transmit parallel data through a set of system buses. is connected to multiple parallel-connected storage modules and operated by a service unit. A main control circuit capable of operating the system is connected to the system bus and the storage module.

Additionally, each storage module has at least one digital storage module with a replaceable storage medium. a digital buffer memory and at least one digital buffer memory for processing. In case the audio signal to be stored during storage medium exchange is held in memory.

international search report

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Multiple digital or analog input/output terminals and one or more digital It has a multi-purpose memory for recording and playing back audio signals digitally. In a heavy channel device, an interface unit having an input/output terminal (14) (1) via a set of system buses (2) that conduct parallel data to one or The service unit (6) is connected to a plurality of parallel-connected storage modules (3). ) The main control circuit (4) that can be operated by the system bus (2) and the are connected to storage modules (3), and each storage module (3) is at least one digital memory (26) with a replaceable storage medium (9); At least one digital buffer memory (24, 25) is provided for processing. The audio signal to be stored for this purpose or during the replacement of the storage medium (9) is It is characterized by being held in the buffer memory (24, 25). Multichannel equipment. 2. The main control circuit (4) is connected to the main control circuit (4) via a communication ring (5) for guiding control signals. 2. A multiplex channel according to claim 1, characterized in that the multiplex channel is connected to a storage module (3). channel equipment. 3. Each storage module (3) has its own controller (7) and its own memory. It has a storage unit (8), which storage unit (8) carries a replaceable data carrier. at least one disk driver and/or one driver with at least one at least one digital first-in-first-out memory (24, 25); The controller (7) receives control signals received from the main control circuit (4) via the communication ring (5). The operating sequence is controlled by the numbers, and the storage units (8) are controlled independently of each other. Multi-channel device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: 4. The storage module (3) is housed so as to be aligned with the contact bar (37). The contact bar (37) is formed as a drawer plate which is accommodated in the system bus (2). The storage module (3) and the contact bar (37) are connected to the housing. Claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the housing is accommodated so as to be aligned within (31). A multichannel device according to any one of the above. 5. The main control circuit (4) is connected to the system bus (2) and the communication ring (5). 5. The multiplex channel according to claim 1, wherein the multichannel channel controls data flow. channel equipment. 6. The service unit (6) includes a remote control (1) having a display (12). 1) and a device (13) for displaying on display elements of the display (12). , the keys of the remote control (11) have mechanical strokes, in particular for recording and playback. In conjunction with the stop and stop operations, the display (12) displays the operating status and progress of the device. and calls are displayed graphically, and the operation of the main control circuit (4) is explained by the service unit (6). ) in the location on the display (12) or in the key sequence on the remote control (11). The operation of the main control circuit (4) is linked to the display elements of the display (12). claim characterized in that it can be released by a device (13) for causing an indication on the 6. A multi-channel device according to any one of items 1 to 5. 7. The storage module (3) is a magneto-optical or optical disk memory. or a stream driver. Multichannel device as described. 8. The bidirectional interface unit (1) has a large number of Includes a plug-in sheet for bidirectional format converters (15), The format converter (15) converts a unique cycle given in advance from the outside. read various serial data formats into the input terminal at high speed and/or In addition to outputting to the output terminal, the format converter (15) also outputs a parallel A system bus (2) that stores data in a unified internal data format. and/or read from the system bus (2). 8. A multi-channel device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. The above bidirectional interface with one or more digital inputs and outputs. face unit (1), system bus (2), at least one arrangement module (3), main control circuit (4) and service unit (6) The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the method is housed in a housing (31) with a A multichannel device according to any one of the above. 10. The above format converters (15, 16, 17) can be arranged in The contact bar (29) is formed as a pull-out plate which is accommodated in the contact bar (29). Connected to the system bus (2) and format converters (15, 16, 17) and the berth bar (29) are housed in a housing (31) with a holder. A multi-channel device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. 11. The configuration group of the controller (7) and the interface (1) ) configuration groups are organized as multiple programmable logical arrays and are The control circuit (4) is preferably programmed multiple times each time the device is switched on. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is configured to program a logic array that can be programmed. A multichannel device according to any one of the above. 12. The controller (7) and the main control circuit (4) have a sub-controller ( 18 to 23, 27, 28), which provide unified signals and data. It has a format of Any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the data exchange is performed serially. A multichannel device according to any of the above.