CA1170484A - Electronic musical instruments - Google Patents
Electronic musical instrumentsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1170484A CA1170484A CA000375858A CA375858A CA1170484A CA 1170484 A CA1170484 A CA 1170484A CA 000375858 A CA000375858 A CA 000375858A CA 375858 A CA375858 A CA 375858A CA 1170484 A CA1170484 A CA 1170484A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- data
- latch
- channel
- selecting
- sound generating
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
- G10H7/00—Instruments in which the tones are synthesised from a data store, e.g. computer organs
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
- G10H1/00—Details of electrophonic musical instruments
- G10H1/18—Selecting circuits
- G10H1/183—Channel-assigning means for polyphonic instruments
- G10H1/185—Channel-assigning means for polyphonic instruments associated with key multiplexing
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)
Abstract
ELECTRONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An electronic musical instrument including: plural keyswitches for playing music, a generator assigner for scanning the plural keyswitches and for sensing the depression thereof and for sending channel selecting data and tone data, plural sound generating channels for generating musical sound signals in accordance with said tone data, and a channel selector for selecting said plural sound generating channels in accordance with said channel selecting data, wherein said generator assigner designates a depressed keyswitch to a vacant one of said plural sound generating channels and sends said channel selecting data representing said vacant channel to said channel selector.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An electronic musical instrument including: plural keyswitches for playing music, a generator assigner for scanning the plural keyswitches and for sensing the depression thereof and for sending channel selecting data and tone data, plural sound generating channels for generating musical sound signals in accordance with said tone data, and a channel selector for selecting said plural sound generating channels in accordance with said channel selecting data, wherein said generator assigner designates a depressed keyswitch to a vacant one of said plural sound generating channels and sends said channel selecting data representing said vacant channel to said channel selector.
Description
7~
Background of the invention This invention relates to electonric musical instru-ments, and more particularly, the present invention is related to expandable arrangements of sound generating systems.
Description of the prior art Electronic musica] instruments utilizing a generator assigning system has been manufactured recently. The generator assigning system has fewer sound generator channels than the number of keys in the keyboard. A generator assigner scans the kèys and detects all newly depressed keyswitches. The generator assigner searches for a vacant sound generator channel that is not in use, has the vacant generator channel generate a muscial sound signal having a pitch corresponding to the newly depressed keyswitch. When the generator assigner detects that the key-switch has been released, then the sound generating channel assigned to that keyswitch is considered to once again be a vacant channel.
In the generator assigner system, the number of sound generating channels can be only ten or so, and each of the sound generating channels can be complicated for generating a wide variety of sound characteristics. On the other hand, the generator assigner must know of a keyswitch operation as soon as possible and must execute complicated generator assignment decisions and must manage tone generation in the sound generating channels.
Objects of invention Therefore, an object of the present invention is -to provide a system in which a generator assigner can manage the ~ 7~
sound generating channels simply and in a short time, and can execute tasks other than the generator assiynment.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generating system which can be used in parallel form for expanding a variety of musical sounds.
The abovenoted object ~ay be effected by providing an electronic musical instrument comprising:
a plurality of keyswitches;
at least one control switch for designa-ting ~one characteristics comprising one or more of envelope and tone quality;
a control block for scanning said plurality of keyswitches and said at least one control switch, and for sending channel selecting data and tone data representing note and octave in accordance with said plurality of key-switches, and for sending latch selecting data and control data representing tone characteristics in accordaDce with the state of said at least one control switch;
a plurality of control data latches for storing said control data;
a latch selector for designating at leas-t one of said plurality of control data latches in accordance with said latch selecting data;
a plurality of sound generating channels for generating musical sound signals in accordance with said -tone data and said control data stored in said plurality of control data latches; and a channel selector for selecting at least one of said plurality of sound generating channels i.n accordance with ~ t7~
said channel selecting data so as to store said tone data ln said plurality of sound generating channels, wherein each of said plurality of sound genera-ting channels produces musical sound signals having its note and octave decided by said tone data and also having its tone characteristics respectively designa-ted by said control data.
Brief description of Figures Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic musical instrumen-t of -the present inven-tion;
Fig. 2 is timing charts of data signals output from a control block;
FigO 3 is a de-tailed block diagram of a sound generating block;
Fig. 4 is an embodiment of an oc-tave selector;
Fig. 5 is an embodiment of an envelope genera-tor circuit;
Fig. 6 is an example of envelope signals;
Fig. 7 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the electronic musical instrument of the present invention;
and Fig. 8 shows timing diagrams of block selec~ing data, channel selecting data and tone data.
Description of the preferred embodimen-ts Referring to Fig. 1, a keyboard 1 has plural key-switches. Envelope selecting switches (ESSW) 2 is composed o switches for selecting envelope characteristics. A con-trol block 3 is composed of a generator assigner and an envelope data generating block. The generator assigner detects -2a-depressed states of the keyboard 1, and assigns the depressed keys to plural sound generating channels. Any newly detected key is assigned to a vacant sound generating channel~ The generator assigner sends key on/off data representing whether the key is depressed or not, and note data and octave data representing the pitch of the note designated by the kéyswitch to a sound generating block 8. The envelope data generator in the control block 3 detects on/off states of the envelope selecting switches 2 and sends envelope data representing these states of the envelope selecting switches 2 to the sound generating block 8. The fundamental function of the generator assigner is described in Japanese patent JP54-41497. JP54-41497 was patented in Japan on December 8, 1979, as Patent No. 1,004,278. The inventors are Ryoichi Wada, Katsumi Fujisaki, Masaya Nakajima, Masahiko Tsunoo, and Takeji Kimura. The Patentee is Mats~shi-ta ~lectric Industrial Co., Ltd. The control block 3 can be achieved by using a micro computer chip such as Intel ~odel No. 8049.
A master clock generator 4 generates a master clock signal. An initial clear pulse generator (ICRG) 5 generates an inltializing signal for the total system when a power supply voltage is applied to this system.
A top octave synthesizer (TOS) 6 divides the master clock signal and generates twelve scale signals of the highest octave of the musical scale. A timing pulse generator (TPG) 7 generates timing pulsesfor phase synchronization. The sound generating block 8 receives the key on/off data, note data, octave data and envelope data from the control block 3 and generates desired musical sound signals according to this data. A latch 9 stores address data for channel selection.
-7~
A decoder 10 decodes the address data to respective decoded lines to select respective sound generating channels TGo, TGl, ....... , TG7, an envelope data latch 11 and a mono-tone generator channel (MTG) 12.
The channel selecting latch 9 and the envelope data latch 11, can be any memory means used to store the channel selecting data and the envelope data. The mono-tone generator 12 can generate different sound signals from the channels TGo, TGl, .. ....., TG7. AND gate 13 receives a decoded signal S8 and writing signal, and generates a clock signal for latching the envelope data in the envelope data latch 11. A musical tone synthesizer 14 is equipped for the mono-tone generator 12.
This musical tone synthesizer 14 amplitude modulates an output signal of the mono-tone generator 12 and synthesizes a tone.
A tone filtering section 15 receives output signals from the sound generating channels TGo, TGl, ..... , TG7 and changes the output signals to musical signals having the desired tone.
An amplifier 16 and a loudspeaker 17 transform the musical signals to sounds.
In the following descriptions, eight sound generating channels are provided. When a power supply voltage is applied to the system, ICRG 5 generates the initial clear pulse and initializes the control block 3, the TOS 6, the TPG 7 and the sound generating block 8.
Fig. 2 shows timing charts of data signals sent from the control block 3 to the sound generating block 8.
Referring to Fig. 2(a), channel selecting data for designating one of the sound generating channels TGo, TGl, ..... , TG7 is transmitted first, and after that tone data is transmitted to the sound generating channel designated by the channel selecting data. The tone data represents a note and octave .
nave of the depressed keyswitch. Fig. 2(b) shows a timing chart of an envelope data transfer. First, channel selecting data designating the latch 11 is transferred, and then the envelope data determining the envelope characteristics of the sound is transmitted to the latch 11. Fig. 2(c) shows a timing chart of the mono-tone data transfer. Channel selecting data which designates the MTG channel 12 is trans-mitted to the latch 9, and then the mono-tone data de~ining the characteristics of the mono-tone is transmitted to the MTG channel 12 through an A/D bus line.
The control block 3 outputs a channel selecting data writing pulse (CSDW signal) through the ALE line and a data writing pulse (DATW signal)-through the WR line. The CSDW signal is synchronized with the channel selecting data for designating the TGo, TGl, ..... , TG7 channels, the latch 11 and the MTG channel 12. The CSDW signal is synchronized with the tone data, the envelope data and the mono-tone data.
After the initialization is done, the control block 3 begins to scan the keyboard 1 and the ESSW 2, and detects on/off states of the keyswitches and the ESSW 2. The control block 3 outputs the channel selecting data through the A/D bus line and outputs the CSDW signal through the ALE line. The channel selecting data is stored in the latch 9 at the transition of the CSDW signal from a "1" level to a "O" level. The channel selecting data in the latch 9 is applied to a decoder 10. The decoder 10 outputs a selecting signal from the S8 terminal only. An output signal from S8 is a "1" and output signals from the remaining output terminals of the decoder 10 become "O". Therefore, an outpu-t from the AND gate 13 is determined by the DATW signal from the WR line of the control block 3. Then, the A/D bus line i outputs envelope data and the WR line outputs ~he DATW signal.
The DATW slgnal is applied to a CK termianl of latch 11 throuyh AND gate 13. The envelope ~ata on the A/D bus line is stored in latch ll when the DATW si~nal changes from a "l" level to a "0" level~ The envelope data stored in latch 11 is distributed to the ECD terminals in the sound generating channels TGo, TGl, ----, TG7-Referring to Fig. 1, a key KCl in the keyboard 1has a note name of C and is in the lowest octave. When a key, for example the key KCl, is depressed, the control block 3 detects it and designates the key KC1 to a vacant sound generating channel TGo, TGl, ..... TG7. After an assigning decision is performed in control block 3, the block outputs channel selecting data and the tone data in accordance with the timing shown in Fig. 2(a). First the control block 3 outputs the channel selecting data designating the vacant channel on the A/D bus line and has latch 9 store the channel selecting dàta at the transition of the CSDW signal from a "1" level to a "0" level. The decoder 10 designates the vacant channel by channel selecting data in latch 9.
Of the vacant channel were TGo, the decoded line S0 hecomes a "l" level and the remainder of the decoded lines are at a "0" level. After that, the control block 3 puts out the tone data through the A/D bus line and has the sound generating channel TGo store the tone data at a transition of DATW
signals on the WR line from a "l" level to a "0" level.
After the sound generating channel TGo receives the tone data, the TGo selects a top octave signal C out of twelve top octave signals from TOS 6 in accordance with note data. The selected top octave signal C is divided by an octave divider. The octave divider generates C signals of the entire . . . ~
7~
musical range. The octave data in the tone data selects the C signal or C signals having preferable octave or octaves.
The key on/off data and the envelope data generate an envelope signal. The envelope signal amplitude modulates the selected C signal or C signals. The modulated C signal or C signals are output from the OUT terminal of the TGo.
When the key KDl is depressed, then another vacant channel, for example the channel TGl, is designated and the TG
generates a D signal or D signals.
The mono-tone generator channel 12 is equipped for generating musical signals of the highest key among the keys depressed simultaneously. The control block 3 detects the name of the highest key depressed and sends out mono-tone data through the A/D bus line to the mono-tone generator channel 12.
First, the control block 3 sends channel selecting data through the A/D bus line to latch 9 and has latch 9 store the channel selecting data at the CSDW signal's negative transition.
The decoder 10 designates the mono-tone generator channel 12 by outputting a "1" level on the Sg line. After that, the control block 3 puts out mono-tone data through the A/D bus line and has the mono-tone generator channel 12 store the mono-tone data at the DATW signal's negative edge. The mono-tone data length is long, so it is divided into three segments.
Each of the segments is transmitted by designating decoded lines Sg, S10 or Sll, respectively. The mono tone data is composed of key on/off data and divisor data. The key on/off data represents the highest key depressed which is in an on state. The divisor data represents the frequency of the name of the key and is an integer which is inversely proportional to the approximate frequency. When the mono-tone data is stored in the mono-tone generator channel 12, a KD terminal in the mono-tone generator channel 12 puts out key on/off data. The master clock siynal MC is divided by the di~isor data and output from the OUT terminal as a scale signal. A programrnable divider can be used for dividing the master clock signal MC by the divisor data.
The following describes the formats of the various data.
[Channel selecting data]
The channel selecting data is composed of 4 bits and are output on the lower 4 bit lines of the A/D bus line.
Table 1 shows the relationship between the data and the channels to be selected. The latch 12 in the Table 1 means that three latches are contained in the mono-tone yenerator channel 12.
[Tone data]
The tone data comprises 8 bits of data and are output on the A/D bus line. Table 2 shows the data format. The upper 4 bits A/D4~ A/D7 represent the note data ND]~ID4.
The 4th bit A/D3 is the key on/off data KD. The lower 3 bits A/Do~ A/D2 is the octave data OD1~ OD3. The relationship between the note data NDlr-ND4 and the note name are tabulated in Table 3. The relationships between the octave data ODl~ OD3 and the octave name are tabulated in Table 4. The key on/off data KD is a "1" level when the key is depressed and is a "0" level when the key is not depressed.
Fig. 3 shows an example of the sound generating channel TGnv Referring to Fig. 3, a latch 18 is an 8 bit latch for storing the tone data sent to data terminals Do~ D7. Do~ D2 are for the octave data, D3 is for the key on/off data and 04~ D7 are for the note data. A latch 19 stores output signals of the latch 18 at a negative edge of an internal clock signal coming through a NAND gate 2~.
The internal clock signal is an output of an AND gate 36 and is produced by timiny pulses from TPG 7.
The note data (output Q4r~Q7 of latch 19) is applied to a note selector 20. The note selector 20 selects one of the twelve top octave signals supplied by TOS 6. The note selector can be embodied by using well-known data selector integrated circuits. One of the decoded lines of the decoder 10 (SEL) and the WR line are coupled to a NAND
gate 21. The NAND gate 21 outputs a latching clock signal through an inverter 22 and an AND gate 23 to latch 18.
Elements 54 are phase synchronizing circuits arranged so that output signals of plural sound generating channels are in phase when the same note name is designated to these channels. This function is not related to the present invention, and accordingly, detailed explanations are omitted.
Presettable counters (PFF) 55r-60 compose an octave divider. When a "1" level is applied to a terminal P, data applied to a terminal D is stored and is output from an output terminal Q. When a "l" level is applied to a terminal R, the output terminal Q outputs a "0" level and stores it.
Every time the clock signal on a CK terminal changes from a "1" level to a "Q" level, terminal Q inverts its (Q's) output level. The frequency f of the output signal of the note selector 20 is divided by the octave divider 55~60.
Frequencies of the output signals of PFF 55--60 become as follows.
A note selector output ...... f PFF 55 ..... f/2 PFF 56 ..... f/4 PFF 57 ..... f/~
PFF 58 ..... f/16 PFF 59 ..... f/32 PFF 60 ..... f/64 An octave selector 61 receives output signals of note selector 20 and the PFF 55 ~60 as input signals and selects input signals in accordance with the octave data applied to the A, B and C terminals. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the octave selector 61. Referring to Fig. 4, each of data selectors 64^~48 can select one input signal from Dlr-D7 and output,from Z in response to a control code (A, B, C~. The relationship betwen the octave data (A, B,- C) and the frequencies of the output signals l~ 5 of the octave selector 61 are tabulated in Table 5.
An envelope signal generator 62 generates the envelope signal in accordance with the envelope data ECD
supplied from latch 11 and the key on/off data supplied ~y the output Q3 of the latch 19. Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the envelope generator 62. Referring to Fig. 5 analog switches 73, 74 and 75 become ON when a "1" level is applied to terminals C and become OFF when a "0" level is applied to the terminals. Elements 69, 70 and 71 are AND gates. Elements Rl~ R4 are resistors. Elements Dl is a diode. Element C is a capacitor, Element Vsus is a voltage source used for determining a sustain time, ;1~17~
The envelope data ECD is stored in the envelope data latch 11 and applied to the respective envelope yenerator 62 in the sound generating channel (one of: TGo, TGl, .....
TG7). The envelope data is composed of 3 bi,ts, that is, ATl, AT2 and SUS. This data is applied to khe AND gates 69, 70 and 71. The envelope generator 62 generates 6 kinds of envelope signals, as shown in Fig. 6, in accordance with the key on/off data signal supplied to an IN terminal.
[A] At a positive transition of the key on/off data (A-l) ATl = "O", AT2 = "1"
The AND gate 70 outputs a "1" level and the analog switch 74 is placed in its ON state. The capacitor C
charges up through the analog switch 74 and resistor R2.
An output si~nal builds up like Fig. 6-(1). -(A-2) ATl = "1", AT2 = ""
The AND gate 69 outputs a "1" level and the analog switch 73 becomes ON. The capacitor charges up through resistors Rl and R2 in series. Because Rl> R2, the output signal build5 up more slowly than in Fig. 6-(1), like Fig.
6-(2)~
~ B] At a negative transition oE the key on/off data (B-l) SUS = "O"
The AND gates 69, 70 and 71 output a "O" level.
The analog switch 73, 74 and 75 become OFF. The charge in the capacitor C is discharged through resistor R3, diode Dl and resistor R4. The output signal is as in Figs. 6-(4), (5), and (6). The discharging time can be controlled by the voltage value of Vsus' (B-2) SUS = "1"
The AND gate 71 outputs a "1" level and the analog switch 75 becomes ON. The charge in the capacitor C is quickly discharged through resistor R2 and the analog switch 75. The output signal becomes as in Fig. 6-(3).
Referring to Fig. 3, keyer gates 63 receive the scale signals 1~ 5 from the octave selector 61. Each of the keyer gates modulates the scale signal by the envelope signal applied to a terminal Vc. The keyer gates can be well-known sustain gates or amplitude modulator circuits.
Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 7, plural sound generating blocks 80, 81 and 82 are provided. Each of the sound generating blocks 80, 81 and 82 is the same as the sound generating block 8 shown in Fig. 1 and can produce several envelope shapes such as those shown in Fig. 6. A latch 76 stores block selecting data which designates one of the sound generating blocks 80, 81 and 82.
When some key in the keyboard 1 is depressed, the control block 3 selects one of the sound generating blocks and searches for a vacant sound generating channel in the sound generating block. When the sound generating block and the vacant channel in the block are chosen in control block 3, it outputs the block selecting data and the channel selecting data through the A/D bus line. The CSDW signal is also output from the ALE terminal as shown in Fig. 8. At a negative edge of the CSDW signal, the block selecting data is latched in latch 76 and the channel selecting da-ta is latched in latch 9 of the sound generating blocks 80, 81 and 82.
The data format of the block selectiny data is shown in Table 6. Referring to Table 6, the block selecting data have 3 bits of A/D4 ~o A/D6. The channel selecting data have 4 bits of A/Do to A/D3, as shown in the Table 1. Therefore, this data can be independently and simultaneously stored in the latch 76 and the latch 9. The block selecting data in latch 76 selects only one of the AND gates 77, 78 and 79.
The relationship between the block selecting data and a block to be selected is shown in the Table 6. For example, A/D4 = "1", A/D5 = "O", A/D6 = "O" will select the AND
gate 77; thexefore, the DATW signal on the WR line can be applied to the sound generating block 80.
After the block selecting data and the channel selecting data are stored, then the tone data is output on the A/D bus line with the DATW signal on the WR line from the control block 3, as shown in Fig. 8. The neyative transition of the DATW signal is transmitted to the sound generating block 80 through the AND gate 77, and the tone data is stored in the sound generating channel of block 80~
The tone data is composed of note data, key on/off data and octave data. The sound yeneratiny channel stores this data and can produce a scale signal appointed by the tone data, as explained with Fiy. 1 and Fiy. 3.
In Table 6, every bit of the block selecting data is distributed to every sound generating block. Thus the three bits can handle three blocks simultaneously. Eight blocks can be handled by representing the blocks by a three ;
bit code.
The envelope data and the mono-tone data, in addition to tone data, can be sent to respective sound generating blocks. Referring to Fig. 8, the channel selecting data should ,~ I
.
~t7~
be data designating -the envelope clata latch 11 or the MTG 12 and the tone data should be chanyed to the envelope data or the mono-tone data.
Referring to Fig. 1 and Table 1, the sound generating channels TGo r TGl, .... I TG and the envelope data latch 11 and the MTG channel 12 are arranged in order and can be designated with a four bit code by a single channel selector, which is latch 9 and decoder 10. The channel selector can be divided into two parts. One is a channel selector for selecting sound generatlng channels and the other is a latch selector for selecting the control data latch (or the envelope data latch 11). The envelope data is one item of the control data defining the tone characteristics. The depth of the phase modulation, the mixing ratio of plural feet or the characteristics of tone filters can be other items comprising the control data.
The latch selector can be embodied with a latch selecting data latch and a control latch decoder connected to the latch selecting data latch. The channel selector also can be achieved by using a channel selecting data latch and a channel decoder connected with the channel selecting data latch.
An electronic musical instrument of the present invention has plural keyswitches, a generator assigner, plural sound generating channels and a channel selector. The generator assigner is contained in the control block 3 and scans the keyswitches, and detects the depressed keyswitch or keyswitches, and then assigns the detected keyswitch or keyswitches to vacant sound generating channels. After that, the generator assigner sends the channel selecting data for designating the assigned channel and tone data representlng the pitch of the keyswitch detected. The channel selecting data is sent to the channel selector and are stored therein.
The channel selector is composed of latch 9 and decoder 10 and designates one of the sound generating channels. The tone data is sent to the designated sound generating channel and is stored therein. The sound generating channel can produce a musical sound signal having pitch defined by the tone data. When the keyswitch is released from depression, the tone data representing that the key is released (the key on/off data having a "O" level) is sent to the sound generating channel. The sound generating channel stops the generation of the musical sound signal.
The control block 3 must send new data when the keyswitches or the envelope selecting switches change their state. When the states do not change, the control block 3 does not have to send new data to latch 9 and the sound generating channels. Therefore, the control block 3 can have ample time to do tasks other than generator assignment and envelope characteristic management.
An electronic musical instrument of the present invention comprises, plural keyswitches, control switches designating tone characteristics such as an envelope, a control block, a latch selector, at least one control data latch, a channel selector and plural sound generating channels.
The control block scans the keyswitches and the control switches, detects the states of the keyswitches and the control switches or alternations of their states. The control block sends channel selecting data and tone data to the channel selector and the sound generating channels and further sends latch selecting data and control data to the latch selector 7~
and the control data latch, respectively. The channel seleckor, the soun~ generating channels, ~he latch selector and the control data latch have means for respectively storing the channel selecting data, the tone data, the latch selecting data and the control data. Therefore, the control block can output any tone or control data so as to have the sound generating channels produce a favorite musical sound signal. After outputting such data, the sound generating channels produce the musical sound signals continuously, so that the control block can execute other tasks such as the generation of an automatic rhythm beat, an automatic accompaniment timing pulse and so forth.
An electronic musical instrument of the present invention comprises a plurality of sound generating blocks and a block selecting means in addition to the above. Each of the sound generating blocks has a channel selector, a latch selector, a control data latch and sound generating channels. The control block outputs block selecting data to the block selecting means and designates one of the sound generating blocks. After that, the control block sends channel selecting data, tone data, and control data to the designated sound generating blocks. The plural sound generating blocks can be identical. That is, the number of sound generating blocks can be changed in accordance with the speci-fications of the musical instrument. The most simple specification installs one sound generating block. Complicated specifications demand many blocks. The system of the presen-t invention meets any specification by one kind of sound generating block.
- . ~
~7~
For example, preset sounds (such as a piano or harpsichord) and tablet sounds (such as a flu-te and oboe) can be generated simultaneously usiny plural sound generati~g blocks respective ones of which have a same structure. The envelope of the preset sounds and the envelope of the tablet sounds can be different.
-- l~ble 1 Channel selec~in~ data , . ~ hannel A / D 3 ¦ A/D2 ¦ A / D1 ¦ A/ D O 'I' selected ~ ._ I .
O O O 1 il T G O
O O 1 O ¦ T G 1 _ I ... _ ... _ . O O 1 1 ¦¦ T G 2 _ _ _ . ... _ o 1 o o Ij T G 3 _ _ ~
:~, o 1 i 1 1, T G 4 . _ .... _ . _ . ................. __ _ . _ _ _ O 1 1 1 llT G 6 . . -. _ 1 ¦ O ¦ O ¦ O ii T G 7 _ .. ---1 - . ~ Latch 11 . 1 O ~, ¦ O l, Latch 12 ___ . .. ,, -- ---- I .
1 O 1 ~ ,I Latch 12 . . ... .. 1 _ . _ 1 1 O o ,, Latch 1-2 _ .. . .
/q a, -'. ' ' Ta b ~ 2 Tone Data M S B L S B
A/D7 `I A~D6 ~ A/D5 l tVD4l A/D3 j ~/D2 ~ _ . ._~
ND4 !!ID 3 ND2 Nll, OD 3 OD 2 1 Note Data F Octave Data . , _ .i~-- ....
., ,., i J~
_ _ _ _ . . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I
` I ~able 3 Note Data Note name .
to be ~) 4 N D 3 1 ~ D 2 N D 1 selected O rO IO ~ C
. O O 1 O ¦¦ ~ ~
_ - ij . Q I O ~ 1'I ¦~ ~ ) l _ . .
O 1' O 11 D ~
,~ 1~ 1 ~ ¦ 1 Dl ~
~ 1 1 ~ 11 _ ~o ~- , ~ ,/ 1~
~_ I O O ¦j G
; ~ ¦ o O ~ G ~
¦ 1 ¦ o ¦ 1 ¦ o il A ~ .
. 1 ¦ o ¦ 1 1 1 ¦ A ~
¦ 1 ¦ 1 ¦ O
Background of the invention This invention relates to electonric musical instru-ments, and more particularly, the present invention is related to expandable arrangements of sound generating systems.
Description of the prior art Electronic musica] instruments utilizing a generator assigning system has been manufactured recently. The generator assigning system has fewer sound generator channels than the number of keys in the keyboard. A generator assigner scans the kèys and detects all newly depressed keyswitches. The generator assigner searches for a vacant sound generator channel that is not in use, has the vacant generator channel generate a muscial sound signal having a pitch corresponding to the newly depressed keyswitch. When the generator assigner detects that the key-switch has been released, then the sound generating channel assigned to that keyswitch is considered to once again be a vacant channel.
In the generator assigner system, the number of sound generating channels can be only ten or so, and each of the sound generating channels can be complicated for generating a wide variety of sound characteristics. On the other hand, the generator assigner must know of a keyswitch operation as soon as possible and must execute complicated generator assignment decisions and must manage tone generation in the sound generating channels.
Objects of invention Therefore, an object of the present invention is -to provide a system in which a generator assigner can manage the ~ 7~
sound generating channels simply and in a short time, and can execute tasks other than the generator assiynment.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sound generating system which can be used in parallel form for expanding a variety of musical sounds.
The abovenoted object ~ay be effected by providing an electronic musical instrument comprising:
a plurality of keyswitches;
at least one control switch for designa-ting ~one characteristics comprising one or more of envelope and tone quality;
a control block for scanning said plurality of keyswitches and said at least one control switch, and for sending channel selecting data and tone data representing note and octave in accordance with said plurality of key-switches, and for sending latch selecting data and control data representing tone characteristics in accordaDce with the state of said at least one control switch;
a plurality of control data latches for storing said control data;
a latch selector for designating at leas-t one of said plurality of control data latches in accordance with said latch selecting data;
a plurality of sound generating channels for generating musical sound signals in accordance with said -tone data and said control data stored in said plurality of control data latches; and a channel selector for selecting at least one of said plurality of sound generating channels i.n accordance with ~ t7~
said channel selecting data so as to store said tone data ln said plurality of sound generating channels, wherein each of said plurality of sound genera-ting channels produces musical sound signals having its note and octave decided by said tone data and also having its tone characteristics respectively designa-ted by said control data.
Brief description of Figures Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an electronic musical instrumen-t of -the present inven-tion;
Fig. 2 is timing charts of data signals output from a control block;
FigO 3 is a de-tailed block diagram of a sound generating block;
Fig. 4 is an embodiment of an oc-tave selector;
Fig. 5 is an embodiment of an envelope genera-tor circuit;
Fig. 6 is an example of envelope signals;
Fig. 7 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the electronic musical instrument of the present invention;
and Fig. 8 shows timing diagrams of block selec~ing data, channel selecting data and tone data.
Description of the preferred embodimen-ts Referring to Fig. 1, a keyboard 1 has plural key-switches. Envelope selecting switches (ESSW) 2 is composed o switches for selecting envelope characteristics. A con-trol block 3 is composed of a generator assigner and an envelope data generating block. The generator assigner detects -2a-depressed states of the keyboard 1, and assigns the depressed keys to plural sound generating channels. Any newly detected key is assigned to a vacant sound generating channel~ The generator assigner sends key on/off data representing whether the key is depressed or not, and note data and octave data representing the pitch of the note designated by the kéyswitch to a sound generating block 8. The envelope data generator in the control block 3 detects on/off states of the envelope selecting switches 2 and sends envelope data representing these states of the envelope selecting switches 2 to the sound generating block 8. The fundamental function of the generator assigner is described in Japanese patent JP54-41497. JP54-41497 was patented in Japan on December 8, 1979, as Patent No. 1,004,278. The inventors are Ryoichi Wada, Katsumi Fujisaki, Masaya Nakajima, Masahiko Tsunoo, and Takeji Kimura. The Patentee is Mats~shi-ta ~lectric Industrial Co., Ltd. The control block 3 can be achieved by using a micro computer chip such as Intel ~odel No. 8049.
A master clock generator 4 generates a master clock signal. An initial clear pulse generator (ICRG) 5 generates an inltializing signal for the total system when a power supply voltage is applied to this system.
A top octave synthesizer (TOS) 6 divides the master clock signal and generates twelve scale signals of the highest octave of the musical scale. A timing pulse generator (TPG) 7 generates timing pulsesfor phase synchronization. The sound generating block 8 receives the key on/off data, note data, octave data and envelope data from the control block 3 and generates desired musical sound signals according to this data. A latch 9 stores address data for channel selection.
-7~
A decoder 10 decodes the address data to respective decoded lines to select respective sound generating channels TGo, TGl, ....... , TG7, an envelope data latch 11 and a mono-tone generator channel (MTG) 12.
The channel selecting latch 9 and the envelope data latch 11, can be any memory means used to store the channel selecting data and the envelope data. The mono-tone generator 12 can generate different sound signals from the channels TGo, TGl, .. ....., TG7. AND gate 13 receives a decoded signal S8 and writing signal, and generates a clock signal for latching the envelope data in the envelope data latch 11. A musical tone synthesizer 14 is equipped for the mono-tone generator 12.
This musical tone synthesizer 14 amplitude modulates an output signal of the mono-tone generator 12 and synthesizes a tone.
A tone filtering section 15 receives output signals from the sound generating channels TGo, TGl, ..... , TG7 and changes the output signals to musical signals having the desired tone.
An amplifier 16 and a loudspeaker 17 transform the musical signals to sounds.
In the following descriptions, eight sound generating channels are provided. When a power supply voltage is applied to the system, ICRG 5 generates the initial clear pulse and initializes the control block 3, the TOS 6, the TPG 7 and the sound generating block 8.
Fig. 2 shows timing charts of data signals sent from the control block 3 to the sound generating block 8.
Referring to Fig. 2(a), channel selecting data for designating one of the sound generating channels TGo, TGl, ..... , TG7 is transmitted first, and after that tone data is transmitted to the sound generating channel designated by the channel selecting data. The tone data represents a note and octave .
nave of the depressed keyswitch. Fig. 2(b) shows a timing chart of an envelope data transfer. First, channel selecting data designating the latch 11 is transferred, and then the envelope data determining the envelope characteristics of the sound is transmitted to the latch 11. Fig. 2(c) shows a timing chart of the mono-tone data transfer. Channel selecting data which designates the MTG channel 12 is trans-mitted to the latch 9, and then the mono-tone data de~ining the characteristics of the mono-tone is transmitted to the MTG channel 12 through an A/D bus line.
The control block 3 outputs a channel selecting data writing pulse (CSDW signal) through the ALE line and a data writing pulse (DATW signal)-through the WR line. The CSDW signal is synchronized with the channel selecting data for designating the TGo, TGl, ..... , TG7 channels, the latch 11 and the MTG channel 12. The CSDW signal is synchronized with the tone data, the envelope data and the mono-tone data.
After the initialization is done, the control block 3 begins to scan the keyboard 1 and the ESSW 2, and detects on/off states of the keyswitches and the ESSW 2. The control block 3 outputs the channel selecting data through the A/D bus line and outputs the CSDW signal through the ALE line. The channel selecting data is stored in the latch 9 at the transition of the CSDW signal from a "1" level to a "O" level. The channel selecting data in the latch 9 is applied to a decoder 10. The decoder 10 outputs a selecting signal from the S8 terminal only. An output signal from S8 is a "1" and output signals from the remaining output terminals of the decoder 10 become "O". Therefore, an outpu-t from the AND gate 13 is determined by the DATW signal from the WR line of the control block 3. Then, the A/D bus line i outputs envelope data and the WR line outputs ~he DATW signal.
The DATW slgnal is applied to a CK termianl of latch 11 throuyh AND gate 13. The envelope ~ata on the A/D bus line is stored in latch ll when the DATW si~nal changes from a "l" level to a "0" level~ The envelope data stored in latch 11 is distributed to the ECD terminals in the sound generating channels TGo, TGl, ----, TG7-Referring to Fig. 1, a key KCl in the keyboard 1has a note name of C and is in the lowest octave. When a key, for example the key KCl, is depressed, the control block 3 detects it and designates the key KC1 to a vacant sound generating channel TGo, TGl, ..... TG7. After an assigning decision is performed in control block 3, the block outputs channel selecting data and the tone data in accordance with the timing shown in Fig. 2(a). First the control block 3 outputs the channel selecting data designating the vacant channel on the A/D bus line and has latch 9 store the channel selecting dàta at the transition of the CSDW signal from a "1" level to a "0" level. The decoder 10 designates the vacant channel by channel selecting data in latch 9.
Of the vacant channel were TGo, the decoded line S0 hecomes a "l" level and the remainder of the decoded lines are at a "0" level. After that, the control block 3 puts out the tone data through the A/D bus line and has the sound generating channel TGo store the tone data at a transition of DATW
signals on the WR line from a "l" level to a "0" level.
After the sound generating channel TGo receives the tone data, the TGo selects a top octave signal C out of twelve top octave signals from TOS 6 in accordance with note data. The selected top octave signal C is divided by an octave divider. The octave divider generates C signals of the entire . . . ~
7~
musical range. The octave data in the tone data selects the C signal or C signals having preferable octave or octaves.
The key on/off data and the envelope data generate an envelope signal. The envelope signal amplitude modulates the selected C signal or C signals. The modulated C signal or C signals are output from the OUT terminal of the TGo.
When the key KDl is depressed, then another vacant channel, for example the channel TGl, is designated and the TG
generates a D signal or D signals.
The mono-tone generator channel 12 is equipped for generating musical signals of the highest key among the keys depressed simultaneously. The control block 3 detects the name of the highest key depressed and sends out mono-tone data through the A/D bus line to the mono-tone generator channel 12.
First, the control block 3 sends channel selecting data through the A/D bus line to latch 9 and has latch 9 store the channel selecting data at the CSDW signal's negative transition.
The decoder 10 designates the mono-tone generator channel 12 by outputting a "1" level on the Sg line. After that, the control block 3 puts out mono-tone data through the A/D bus line and has the mono-tone generator channel 12 store the mono-tone data at the DATW signal's negative edge. The mono-tone data length is long, so it is divided into three segments.
Each of the segments is transmitted by designating decoded lines Sg, S10 or Sll, respectively. The mono tone data is composed of key on/off data and divisor data. The key on/off data represents the highest key depressed which is in an on state. The divisor data represents the frequency of the name of the key and is an integer which is inversely proportional to the approximate frequency. When the mono-tone data is stored in the mono-tone generator channel 12, a KD terminal in the mono-tone generator channel 12 puts out key on/off data. The master clock siynal MC is divided by the di~isor data and output from the OUT terminal as a scale signal. A programrnable divider can be used for dividing the master clock signal MC by the divisor data.
The following describes the formats of the various data.
[Channel selecting data]
The channel selecting data is composed of 4 bits and are output on the lower 4 bit lines of the A/D bus line.
Table 1 shows the relationship between the data and the channels to be selected. The latch 12 in the Table 1 means that three latches are contained in the mono-tone yenerator channel 12.
[Tone data]
The tone data comprises 8 bits of data and are output on the A/D bus line. Table 2 shows the data format. The upper 4 bits A/D4~ A/D7 represent the note data ND]~ID4.
The 4th bit A/D3 is the key on/off data KD. The lower 3 bits A/Do~ A/D2 is the octave data OD1~ OD3. The relationship between the note data NDlr-ND4 and the note name are tabulated in Table 3. The relationships between the octave data ODl~ OD3 and the octave name are tabulated in Table 4. The key on/off data KD is a "1" level when the key is depressed and is a "0" level when the key is not depressed.
Fig. 3 shows an example of the sound generating channel TGnv Referring to Fig. 3, a latch 18 is an 8 bit latch for storing the tone data sent to data terminals Do~ D7. Do~ D2 are for the octave data, D3 is for the key on/off data and 04~ D7 are for the note data. A latch 19 stores output signals of the latch 18 at a negative edge of an internal clock signal coming through a NAND gate 2~.
The internal clock signal is an output of an AND gate 36 and is produced by timiny pulses from TPG 7.
The note data (output Q4r~Q7 of latch 19) is applied to a note selector 20. The note selector 20 selects one of the twelve top octave signals supplied by TOS 6. The note selector can be embodied by using well-known data selector integrated circuits. One of the decoded lines of the decoder 10 (SEL) and the WR line are coupled to a NAND
gate 21. The NAND gate 21 outputs a latching clock signal through an inverter 22 and an AND gate 23 to latch 18.
Elements 54 are phase synchronizing circuits arranged so that output signals of plural sound generating channels are in phase when the same note name is designated to these channels. This function is not related to the present invention, and accordingly, detailed explanations are omitted.
Presettable counters (PFF) 55r-60 compose an octave divider. When a "1" level is applied to a terminal P, data applied to a terminal D is stored and is output from an output terminal Q. When a "l" level is applied to a terminal R, the output terminal Q outputs a "0" level and stores it.
Every time the clock signal on a CK terminal changes from a "1" level to a "Q" level, terminal Q inverts its (Q's) output level. The frequency f of the output signal of the note selector 20 is divided by the octave divider 55~60.
Frequencies of the output signals of PFF 55--60 become as follows.
A note selector output ...... f PFF 55 ..... f/2 PFF 56 ..... f/4 PFF 57 ..... f/~
PFF 58 ..... f/16 PFF 59 ..... f/32 PFF 60 ..... f/64 An octave selector 61 receives output signals of note selector 20 and the PFF 55 ~60 as input signals and selects input signals in accordance with the octave data applied to the A, B and C terminals. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the octave selector 61. Referring to Fig. 4, each of data selectors 64^~48 can select one input signal from Dlr-D7 and output,from Z in response to a control code (A, B, C~. The relationship betwen the octave data (A, B,- C) and the frequencies of the output signals l~ 5 of the octave selector 61 are tabulated in Table 5.
An envelope signal generator 62 generates the envelope signal in accordance with the envelope data ECD
supplied from latch 11 and the key on/off data supplied ~y the output Q3 of the latch 19. Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the envelope generator 62. Referring to Fig. 5 analog switches 73, 74 and 75 become ON when a "1" level is applied to terminals C and become OFF when a "0" level is applied to the terminals. Elements 69, 70 and 71 are AND gates. Elements Rl~ R4 are resistors. Elements Dl is a diode. Element C is a capacitor, Element Vsus is a voltage source used for determining a sustain time, ;1~17~
The envelope data ECD is stored in the envelope data latch 11 and applied to the respective envelope yenerator 62 in the sound generating channel (one of: TGo, TGl, .....
TG7). The envelope data is composed of 3 bi,ts, that is, ATl, AT2 and SUS. This data is applied to khe AND gates 69, 70 and 71. The envelope generator 62 generates 6 kinds of envelope signals, as shown in Fig. 6, in accordance with the key on/off data signal supplied to an IN terminal.
[A] At a positive transition of the key on/off data (A-l) ATl = "O", AT2 = "1"
The AND gate 70 outputs a "1" level and the analog switch 74 is placed in its ON state. The capacitor C
charges up through the analog switch 74 and resistor R2.
An output si~nal builds up like Fig. 6-(1). -(A-2) ATl = "1", AT2 = ""
The AND gate 69 outputs a "1" level and the analog switch 73 becomes ON. The capacitor charges up through resistors Rl and R2 in series. Because Rl> R2, the output signal build5 up more slowly than in Fig. 6-(1), like Fig.
6-(2)~
~ B] At a negative transition oE the key on/off data (B-l) SUS = "O"
The AND gates 69, 70 and 71 output a "O" level.
The analog switch 73, 74 and 75 become OFF. The charge in the capacitor C is discharged through resistor R3, diode Dl and resistor R4. The output signal is as in Figs. 6-(4), (5), and (6). The discharging time can be controlled by the voltage value of Vsus' (B-2) SUS = "1"
The AND gate 71 outputs a "1" level and the analog switch 75 becomes ON. The charge in the capacitor C is quickly discharged through resistor R2 and the analog switch 75. The output signal becomes as in Fig. 6-(3).
Referring to Fig. 3, keyer gates 63 receive the scale signals 1~ 5 from the octave selector 61. Each of the keyer gates modulates the scale signal by the envelope signal applied to a terminal Vc. The keyer gates can be well-known sustain gates or amplitude modulator circuits.
Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 7, plural sound generating blocks 80, 81 and 82 are provided. Each of the sound generating blocks 80, 81 and 82 is the same as the sound generating block 8 shown in Fig. 1 and can produce several envelope shapes such as those shown in Fig. 6. A latch 76 stores block selecting data which designates one of the sound generating blocks 80, 81 and 82.
When some key in the keyboard 1 is depressed, the control block 3 selects one of the sound generating blocks and searches for a vacant sound generating channel in the sound generating block. When the sound generating block and the vacant channel in the block are chosen in control block 3, it outputs the block selecting data and the channel selecting data through the A/D bus line. The CSDW signal is also output from the ALE terminal as shown in Fig. 8. At a negative edge of the CSDW signal, the block selecting data is latched in latch 76 and the channel selecting da-ta is latched in latch 9 of the sound generating blocks 80, 81 and 82.
The data format of the block selectiny data is shown in Table 6. Referring to Table 6, the block selecting data have 3 bits of A/D4 ~o A/D6. The channel selecting data have 4 bits of A/Do to A/D3, as shown in the Table 1. Therefore, this data can be independently and simultaneously stored in the latch 76 and the latch 9. The block selecting data in latch 76 selects only one of the AND gates 77, 78 and 79.
The relationship between the block selecting data and a block to be selected is shown in the Table 6. For example, A/D4 = "1", A/D5 = "O", A/D6 = "O" will select the AND
gate 77; thexefore, the DATW signal on the WR line can be applied to the sound generating block 80.
After the block selecting data and the channel selecting data are stored, then the tone data is output on the A/D bus line with the DATW signal on the WR line from the control block 3, as shown in Fig. 8. The neyative transition of the DATW signal is transmitted to the sound generating block 80 through the AND gate 77, and the tone data is stored in the sound generating channel of block 80~
The tone data is composed of note data, key on/off data and octave data. The sound yeneratiny channel stores this data and can produce a scale signal appointed by the tone data, as explained with Fiy. 1 and Fiy. 3.
In Table 6, every bit of the block selecting data is distributed to every sound generating block. Thus the three bits can handle three blocks simultaneously. Eight blocks can be handled by representing the blocks by a three ;
bit code.
The envelope data and the mono-tone data, in addition to tone data, can be sent to respective sound generating blocks. Referring to Fig. 8, the channel selecting data should ,~ I
.
~t7~
be data designating -the envelope clata latch 11 or the MTG 12 and the tone data should be chanyed to the envelope data or the mono-tone data.
Referring to Fig. 1 and Table 1, the sound generating channels TGo r TGl, .... I TG and the envelope data latch 11 and the MTG channel 12 are arranged in order and can be designated with a four bit code by a single channel selector, which is latch 9 and decoder 10. The channel selector can be divided into two parts. One is a channel selector for selecting sound generatlng channels and the other is a latch selector for selecting the control data latch (or the envelope data latch 11). The envelope data is one item of the control data defining the tone characteristics. The depth of the phase modulation, the mixing ratio of plural feet or the characteristics of tone filters can be other items comprising the control data.
The latch selector can be embodied with a latch selecting data latch and a control latch decoder connected to the latch selecting data latch. The channel selector also can be achieved by using a channel selecting data latch and a channel decoder connected with the channel selecting data latch.
An electronic musical instrument of the present invention has plural keyswitches, a generator assigner, plural sound generating channels and a channel selector. The generator assigner is contained in the control block 3 and scans the keyswitches, and detects the depressed keyswitch or keyswitches, and then assigns the detected keyswitch or keyswitches to vacant sound generating channels. After that, the generator assigner sends the channel selecting data for designating the assigned channel and tone data representlng the pitch of the keyswitch detected. The channel selecting data is sent to the channel selector and are stored therein.
The channel selector is composed of latch 9 and decoder 10 and designates one of the sound generating channels. The tone data is sent to the designated sound generating channel and is stored therein. The sound generating channel can produce a musical sound signal having pitch defined by the tone data. When the keyswitch is released from depression, the tone data representing that the key is released (the key on/off data having a "O" level) is sent to the sound generating channel. The sound generating channel stops the generation of the musical sound signal.
The control block 3 must send new data when the keyswitches or the envelope selecting switches change their state. When the states do not change, the control block 3 does not have to send new data to latch 9 and the sound generating channels. Therefore, the control block 3 can have ample time to do tasks other than generator assignment and envelope characteristic management.
An electronic musical instrument of the present invention comprises, plural keyswitches, control switches designating tone characteristics such as an envelope, a control block, a latch selector, at least one control data latch, a channel selector and plural sound generating channels.
The control block scans the keyswitches and the control switches, detects the states of the keyswitches and the control switches or alternations of their states. The control block sends channel selecting data and tone data to the channel selector and the sound generating channels and further sends latch selecting data and control data to the latch selector 7~
and the control data latch, respectively. The channel seleckor, the soun~ generating channels, ~he latch selector and the control data latch have means for respectively storing the channel selecting data, the tone data, the latch selecting data and the control data. Therefore, the control block can output any tone or control data so as to have the sound generating channels produce a favorite musical sound signal. After outputting such data, the sound generating channels produce the musical sound signals continuously, so that the control block can execute other tasks such as the generation of an automatic rhythm beat, an automatic accompaniment timing pulse and so forth.
An electronic musical instrument of the present invention comprises a plurality of sound generating blocks and a block selecting means in addition to the above. Each of the sound generating blocks has a channel selector, a latch selector, a control data latch and sound generating channels. The control block outputs block selecting data to the block selecting means and designates one of the sound generating blocks. After that, the control block sends channel selecting data, tone data, and control data to the designated sound generating blocks. The plural sound generating blocks can be identical. That is, the number of sound generating blocks can be changed in accordance with the speci-fications of the musical instrument. The most simple specification installs one sound generating block. Complicated specifications demand many blocks. The system of the presen-t invention meets any specification by one kind of sound generating block.
- . ~
~7~
For example, preset sounds (such as a piano or harpsichord) and tablet sounds (such as a flu-te and oboe) can be generated simultaneously usiny plural sound generati~g blocks respective ones of which have a same structure. The envelope of the preset sounds and the envelope of the tablet sounds can be different.
-- l~ble 1 Channel selec~in~ data , . ~ hannel A / D 3 ¦ A/D2 ¦ A / D1 ¦ A/ D O 'I' selected ~ ._ I .
O O O 1 il T G O
O O 1 O ¦ T G 1 _ I ... _ ... _ . O O 1 1 ¦¦ T G 2 _ _ _ . ... _ o 1 o o Ij T G 3 _ _ ~
:~, o 1 i 1 1, T G 4 . _ .... _ . _ . ................. __ _ . _ _ _ O 1 1 1 llT G 6 . . -. _ 1 ¦ O ¦ O ¦ O ii T G 7 _ .. ---1 - . ~ Latch 11 . 1 O ~, ¦ O l, Latch 12 ___ . .. ,, -- ---- I .
1 O 1 ~ ,I Latch 12 . . ... .. 1 _ . _ 1 1 O o ,, Latch 1-2 _ .. . .
/q a, -'. ' ' Ta b ~ 2 Tone Data M S B L S B
A/D7 `I A~D6 ~ A/D5 l tVD4l A/D3 j ~/D2 ~ _ . ._~
ND4 !!ID 3 ND2 Nll, OD 3 OD 2 1 Note Data F Octave Data . , _ .i~-- ....
., ,., i J~
_ _ _ _ . . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I
` I ~able 3 Note Data Note name .
to be ~) 4 N D 3 1 ~ D 2 N D 1 selected O rO IO ~ C
. O O 1 O ¦¦ ~ ~
_ - ij . Q I O ~ 1'I ¦~ ~ ) l _ . .
O 1' O 11 D ~
,~ 1~ 1 ~ ¦ 1 Dl ~
~ 1 1 ~ 11 _ ~o ~- , ~ ,/ 1~
~_ I O O ¦j G
; ~ ¦ o O ~ G ~
¦ 1 ¦ o ¦ 1 ¦ o il A ~ .
. 1 ¦ o ¦ 1 1 1 ¦ A ~
¦ 1 ¦ 1 ¦ O
- 2 If~ c r ~ . ~
h3l~ 3~
, .. . _ _ _ _ _ . ,_ _.. . . . ... . . . .. .. .. ... . .. .. .. . .
-TRble 4 Octave Data 1I Selected , . O D 3 O D 2 O D 1 1 Octave =0 r; -t .... . . . . .. . .. ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ...
Iq ~,. . .
TQ bl ~ 5 Input Code ¦~ Output Frequency C I B l ~ ¦ 1 l Z ¦ 3 ¦ 4 ¦ 6 _ I I _ . _ .
O O ~ f/4f /8f/1 ~3 f/32 ~ 3 4 I ~' ~ ~ 1.
,~ o ¦ 1 ¦o ¦l ~/2 f/4f./a f/l 6 f/32 _ O ~ f f /~2 f/4 f /8 f/1 6 1 ~ O ~O ¦I f f f/~ ~/4 f/8 . . I , 1 O 1 , f f:f /2 ~'/4 _ 1 1 ~ I f ~ f ~ f /2 _ i __ 1 1 '~ ~I f f f f f . - .
_ .. ...... _. _ _ _ ._._ __.__ _ ___ _ . . . , __ _ _, . . ; . . , _ _ ` ' 1~
_ ~ .... . . .
7~ 4 ~able 6 Block selecting Data 'I Sound generating ~ ! block to be A / D 6 A ,/ D 5 ~ j D 4 Il.
- F~ == j--~
O O 1 1ll Sound generating 1I Block 80 . , '~l ~
. O 1 o !I Sound generating , Block 81 l !!l 1 o l I! Sound generating ~ , Block 82 I . i~ , , .
_ . . .. . . . ..... . .. ...... . . ..... _ . . . .. . . . . .. .. .
~t) ~ , , ~ .. ..
, ~ '
h3l~ 3~
, .. . _ _ _ _ _ . ,_ _.. . . . ... . . . .. .. .. ... . .. .. .. . .
-TRble 4 Octave Data 1I Selected , . O D 3 O D 2 O D 1 1 Octave =0 r; -t .... . . . . .. . .. ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ...
Iq ~,. . .
TQ bl ~ 5 Input Code ¦~ Output Frequency C I B l ~ ¦ 1 l Z ¦ 3 ¦ 4 ¦ 6 _ I I _ . _ .
O O ~ f/4f /8f/1 ~3 f/32 ~ 3 4 I ~' ~ ~ 1.
,~ o ¦ 1 ¦o ¦l ~/2 f/4f./a f/l 6 f/32 _ O ~ f f /~2 f/4 f /8 f/1 6 1 ~ O ~O ¦I f f f/~ ~/4 f/8 . . I , 1 O 1 , f f:f /2 ~'/4 _ 1 1 ~ I f ~ f ~ f /2 _ i __ 1 1 '~ ~I f f f f f . - .
_ .. ...... _. _ _ _ ._._ __.__ _ ___ _ . . . , __ _ _, . . ; . . , _ _ ` ' 1~
_ ~ .... . . .
7~ 4 ~able 6 Block selecting Data 'I Sound generating ~ ! block to be A / D 6 A ,/ D 5 ~ j D 4 Il.
- F~ == j--~
O O 1 1ll Sound generating 1I Block 80 . , '~l ~
. O 1 o !I Sound generating , Block 81 l !!l 1 o l I! Sound generating ~ , Block 82 I . i~ , , .
_ . . .. . . . ..... . .. ...... . . ..... _ . . . .. . . . . .. .. .
~t) ~ , , ~ .. ..
, ~ '
Claims (12)
1. An electronic musical instrument comprising:
a plurality of keyswitches;
at least one control switch for designating tone characteristics comprising one or more of envelope and tone quality;
a control block for scanning said plurality of keyswitches and said at least one control switch, and for sending channel selecting data and tone data representing note and octave in accordance with said plurality of key switches, and for sending latch selecting data and control data representing tone characteristics in accordance with the state of said at least one control switch;
a plurality of control data latches for storing said control data;
a latch selector for designating at least one of said plurality of control data latches in accordance with said latch selecting data;
a plurality of sound generating channels for generating musical sound signals in accordance with said tone data and said control data stored in said plurality of control data latches; and a channel selector for selecting at least one of said plurality of sound generating channels in accordance with said channel selecting data so as to store said tone data in said plurality of sound generating channels, wherein each of said plurality of sound generating channels produces musical sound signals having its note and octave decided by said tone data and also having its tone characteristics respectively designated by said control data.
a plurality of keyswitches;
at least one control switch for designating tone characteristics comprising one or more of envelope and tone quality;
a control block for scanning said plurality of keyswitches and said at least one control switch, and for sending channel selecting data and tone data representing note and octave in accordance with said plurality of key switches, and for sending latch selecting data and control data representing tone characteristics in accordance with the state of said at least one control switch;
a plurality of control data latches for storing said control data;
a latch selector for designating at least one of said plurality of control data latches in accordance with said latch selecting data;
a plurality of sound generating channels for generating musical sound signals in accordance with said tone data and said control data stored in said plurality of control data latches; and a channel selector for selecting at least one of said plurality of sound generating channels in accordance with said channel selecting data so as to store said tone data in said plurality of sound generating channels, wherein each of said plurality of sound generating channels produces musical sound signals having its note and octave decided by said tone data and also having its tone characteristics respectively designated by said control data.
2. An electronic musical instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein an output signal responsive to said data stored in said plurality of control data latches is respectively supplied to each of said plurality of sound generating channels.
3. An electronic musical instrument as claimed in claim 2, wherein said channel selector has a channel selecting data latch for storing said channel selecting data therein and a channel decoder which is connected to said channel selecting data latch and which designates at least one of said plurality of sound generating channels in accordance with said channel selecting data stored in said channel selecting data latch; and said latch selector has a latch selecting data latch for storing said latch selecting data therein and a control latch decoder which is connected to said latch selecting data latch and which designates said control data latch in accordance with said latch selecting data stored in said latch selecting data latch, wherein said channel selecting data and latch selecting data are transmitted from said generator assigner in the form of a code.
4. An electronic musical instrument as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of sound generating channels has a tone data latch for storing said tone data therein; and wherein said channel selecting data and said tone data are transmitted in a time-multiplexed form.
5. An electronic musical instrument as claimed in claim 4, wherein said tone data is composed of note data representing a note name of said depressed keyswitch, and octave data representing an octave name of said depressed keyswitch and key on/off data representing whether or not said depressed keyswitch is in depressed state.
6. An electronic musical instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic musical instrument has a plurality of sound generating blocks, each of said blocks respectively composed of said channel selector, said latch selector, said control data latch and said plural sound generating channels and further having a block selecting means, wherein said control block sends block selecting data for selecting at least one of said plurality of sound generating blocks; and wherein said block selecting data and said latch selecting data co-operatively select at least one of said control data latches to store said control data therein; and wherein said block selecting data and said channel selecting data co-operatively select at least one of said plural sound generating channels to produce musical sounds in accordance with said tone data and said control data stored in said control data latch.
7. An electronic musical instrument as claimed in claim 6, wherein said block selecting means has a block data memory means for storing said block selecting data therein and a block selector which is connected to said block data memory means and which designates at least one of said plurality of sound generating blocks in accordance with said block selecting data stored in said block data memory means;
and wherein said channel selector has a channel data memory means for storing said channel selecting data therein and a channel selecting means which is connected to said channel data memory means and which designates at least one sound generating channel from said plurality of sound generating channels in accordance with said channel selecting data stored in said channel data memory means; and wherein said latch selector has a latch selecting data memory means for storing said latch selecting data therein and a latch selecting means which is connected to said latch selecting data memory means and which designates at least one control data latch from said control data latches contained in said plurality of sound generating blocks in accordance with said latch selecting data; and wherein said generator assigner sends said block selecting data, said channel selecting data and said latch selecting data in form of coded signals.
and wherein said channel selector has a channel data memory means for storing said channel selecting data therein and a channel selecting means which is connected to said channel data memory means and which designates at least one sound generating channel from said plurality of sound generating channels in accordance with said channel selecting data stored in said channel data memory means; and wherein said latch selector has a latch selecting data memory means for storing said latch selecting data therein and a latch selecting means which is connected to said latch selecting data memory means and which designates at least one control data latch from said control data latches contained in said plurality of sound generating blocks in accordance with said latch selecting data; and wherein said generator assigner sends said block selecting data, said channel selecting data and said latch selecting data in form of coded signals.
8. An electronic musical instrument as claimed in claim 7, wherein said plurality of sound generating channels respectively have a data latch for storing said tone data therein.
9. An electronic musical instrument as claimed in claim 8, wherein said tone data is composed of note data representing a note name of said depressed keyswitch, octave data representing an octave name of said depressed keyswitch and key on/off data representing whether or not said depressed keyswitch is in a depressed state.
10. An electronic musical instrument as claimed in claim 9, wherein said plural sound generating blocks respectively generate sound signals which are of different tone groups from each other.
11. An electronic musical instrument as claimed in claim 10, wherein said control data latches contained in said plurality of sound generating blocks respectively store different data from each other.
12. An electronic musical instrument as claimed in claim 11, wherein said control data comprises data of envelope characteristics of sound signals generated in said plurality of sound generating blocks.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP55-53066/1980 | 1980-04-21 | ||
| JP5307480A JPS56149094A (en) | 1980-04-21 | 1980-04-21 | Electronic musical instrument |
| JP5306680A JPS56149091A (en) | 1980-04-21 | 1980-04-21 | Electronic musical instrument |
| JP55-53074/1980 | 1980-04-21 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1170484A true CA1170484A (en) | 1984-07-10 |
Family
ID=26393771
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000375858A Expired CA1170484A (en) | 1980-04-21 | 1981-04-21 | Electronic musical instruments |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0038707B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1170484A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3175149D1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS58134692A (en) * | 1982-02-04 | 1983-08-10 | カシオ計算機株式会社 | Tone setter |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4041825A (en) * | 1974-10-15 | 1977-08-16 | Pascetta Armand N | Keyboard assignment system for a polyphonic electronic musical instrument |
| JPS5441497B2 (en) * | 1974-11-14 | 1979-12-08 | ||
| US4046047A (en) * | 1975-08-11 | 1977-09-06 | Warwick Electronics Inc. | Note selector circuit for electronic musical instrument |
| US4192211A (en) * | 1977-08-05 | 1980-03-11 | Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha | Electronic musical instrument |
-
1981
- 1981-04-21 DE DE8181301749T patent/DE3175149D1/en not_active Expired
- 1981-04-21 CA CA000375858A patent/CA1170484A/en not_active Expired
- 1981-04-21 EP EP81301749A patent/EP0038707B1/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0038707A2 (en) | 1981-10-28 |
| DE3175149D1 (en) | 1986-09-25 |
| EP0038707A3 (en) | 1983-01-26 |
| EP0038707B1 (en) | 1986-08-20 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US3763305A (en) | Automatic rhythm playing apparatus | |
| US4499807A (en) | Key data entry system for an electronic musical instrument | |
| USRE31090E (en) | Electronic musical instrument | |
| US4114497A (en) | Electronic musical instrument having a coupler effect | |
| US4176573A (en) | Intrakeyboard coupling and transposition control for a keyboard musical instrument | |
| JPS634195B2 (en) | ||
| JPS59109090A (en) | Electronic musical instrument | |
| GB1604547A (en) | Synthesiser | |
| JPS60156097A (en) | Touch response unit for electronic musical instrument | |
| US4283983A (en) | Electronic musical instrument | |
| GB2091020A (en) | Synchro start device for electronic musical instruments | |
| JPS6337400B2 (en) | ||
| US4160404A (en) | Electronic musical instrument | |
| US4299153A (en) | Touch responsive envelope control for electronic musical instrument | |
| CA1170484A (en) | Electronic musical instruments | |
| JPH0160839B2 (en) | ||
| US4373415A (en) | Electronic musical instrument | |
| US4214500A (en) | Electronic musical instruments | |
| US4100831A (en) | Automatic digital circuit for generating chords in a digital organ | |
| US5340940A (en) | Musical tone generation apparatus capable of writing/reading parameters at high speed | |
| GB2135843A (en) | Waveform information generating system | |
| US5221803A (en) | Tone signal generation from fewer circuits | |
| US4612839A (en) | Waveform data generating system | |
| JPS6230440B2 (en) | ||
| US4466326A (en) | Electronic musical instrument |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |