JP2000267669A - Electric musical instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make automatically changeable settings regarding a pickup according to the vibration state of strings by providing a mixing ratio setting means and a signal mixing means which mixes electric signals outputted from multiple string vibration detecting means according to the mixing ratio set by the mixing ratio setting means, etc. SOLUTION: A CPU 302 detects the operation states of knobs 202 and 205 to 207 and a selector switch 204 and sets a reference value of a mixing ratio according to the operation state of a balance knob 202. Automatic adjustments are made by calculating the values of voltages applied to voltage-controlled amplifiers(VCA) 316 and 317 by reflecting variation quantities found on the basis of the vibration of strings detected by a rear pickup 106 and a front pickup 107 and the operation state of a harmonics knob 205 on respective reference values. Those voltages are applied to the VCAs 316 and 317 and the signals from the pickups 106 and 107 are mixed at a newly set mixing ratio.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for detecting a vibration of a stretched string to generate a signal for generating a musical tone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electric musical instrument generates a signal for generating a musical sound by using mechanical vibration as a sound source. Electric guitar / bass is a representative example of such an electric instrument.

In such an electric guitar, vibration of a stretched string is detected, and a signal for tone generation is generated based on the detected string vibration. The string vibration is detected by the pickup. Some electric musical instruments have a plurality of pickups arranged (mounted) along a direction in which strings are stretched. This is to make it possible to cope with the difference due to the position of the string vibration.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a difference in a vibration state depending on a position of a string. As shown in FIG.
02 (not shown) and bridge (tail piece) 12
The vibration of the string 1201 stretched between the two pickups (Pickup) 120 is arranged on the body.
4, 1205, the pickup 1205 arranged on the bridge 1203 side
Since it is close to the end of 1, the ratio of harmonics in the entire amplitude increases. In the pickup 1204 disposed on the other neck 1202 side, the position is close to the antinode of the vibration of the string 1201, so that the ratio of the fundamental tone to the entire amplitude increases. As compared with the pickup 1205 on the bridge side, the ratio of overtones is smaller. As described above, since the vibration state differs depending on the position, the timbre of the musical tone to be generated can be changed by changing the position where the vibration is detected, that is, by changing the effective pickup.

[0005] On the other hand, guitars have various playing styles, as is well known. For example, picking harmonics, one of the playing styles, produces a musical tone with a very high harmonic component ratio (by generating vibration) by intentionally playing a string while holding down a portion that is a node of harmonic string vibration. It is.

[0006] When this playing technique is performed, there is a case where a fundamental component is almost eliminated and only a harmonic component is generated. In such a state, the pickup 1205 on the bridge 1203 side is selected or the pickup 125 on the bridge 1203 side is selected for the above-described reason.
This means that it is desirable to increase the ratio of 05. However, in the conventional electric musical instrument, a musical tone is simply produced at a pickup selected in advance by the player or a mixing ratio of the pickup preset by the player. For this reason, the player has to change the pickup setting at any time in accordance with the playing style in order to appropriately reflect the playing style on the musical tone to be pronounced. In addition to the actual performance operation, there is a problem that the setting (including selection) of the pickup must be changed in parallel. Due to the problem, the performer plays the playing style (the audible sound)
Could not be easily reflected in the information.

[0007] By the way, the place where the player performs picking (stringing) is usually between the pickup on the bridge side and the pickup on the neck side in an electric musical instrument equipped with two pickups. Bullet)
The picking noise generated when the picking is performed is completely different from the picking point. The portion between the picking point and the bridge, unlike the portion closer to the neck, vibrates irregularly for a short time at the moment when the pick is pressed. The bridge pick-up can detect the vibration, but the pick pick-up cannot pick it up.

[0008] It is known that the irregular vibration generated at the time of picking produces an attack feeling. Therefore, when it is desired to generate a musical tone that gives a strong attack feeling, it is necessary to select a bridge-side pickup or to increase the mixing ratio of the bridge-side pickup. However, a change in the pickup setting according to a change in the vibration state between the time when the string is picked and the time when the vibration is attenuated (the volume of the musical sound to be emitted becomes low), such as to emphasize the attack feeling, This cannot be done easily due to the above problems. For this reason, it has been desired to be able to cope with a change with time of the string vibration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric musical instrument which automatically changes settings relating to a pickup in accordance with a vibration state of a string.

[0010]

The electric musical instrument of the present invention is provided with at least one string which is stretched, and detects vibrations of the strings at different positions and converts them into electric signals. A plurality of string vibration detecting means; and a mixing ratio setting means for setting a mixing ratio of the electric signals output from the plurality of string vibration detecting means based on the levels of the electric signals respectively output from the plurality of string vibration detecting means. And a signal mixing unit that mixes the electric signals output from the plurality of string vibration detection units according to the mixing ratio set by the mixing ratio setting unit,
Is provided.

In the above arrangement, the mixing ratio setting means obtains the amount of change from the reference mixing ratio of the electric signals based on the levels of the electric signals output by the plurality of string vibration detecting means, respectively. It is desirable to change the mixture ratio by reflecting the change amount in the mixture ratio. It is desirable that the mixture ratio be changed stepwise by changing the ratio of reflecting the change amount to the mixture ratio over time. In addition, it is desirable that the speed at which the ratio at which the change amount is reflected in the mixture ratio be changed in accordance with the operation state of a predetermined operation element.

According to the present invention, string vibrations are detected at different positions, and based on the detection results, the mixing ratio of the electric signals obtained by converting the string vibrations is set (changed). String vibrations detected at different positions vary depending on the time elapsed from the string, the playing style, and the like. The ratio of harmonic components, noise, etc., in the vibration changes. Thus, by changing the mixing ratio based on the difference in the string vibration detected at different positions, it becomes possible to automatically adjust the mixing ratio to an appropriate value for the vibration state of the string.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of an electric musical instrument according to the present embodiment.

The electric musical instrument 100 is an electric guitar having a body 101 and a neck 102 as shown in FIG. 6 strings 103 are neck 102
Is stretched between a bobbin 104 provided at the end of the body 101 and a bridge (tail piece) 105 provided at the body 101. In addition to the bridge 105, the body 101
Two pickups 106 for detecting the vibration of the strings 103,
107 and an operation panel 108 on which various controls are arranged
Is provided.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the appearance of the operation panel 108. As shown in FIG. 2, a volume knob 201 for adjusting the volume and a balance knob for adjusting the mixing ratio of the pickups 106 and 107 are used as operators.
A knob 202, a tone knob 203 for adjusting the pitch of a musical tone, a pickup selector switch (hereinafter abbreviated as a selector switch) 204 for selecting a pickup to be made effective, and adjustment contents of a mixing ratio are adjusted. Three knobs 205 to 207 are provided.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the electric musical instrument 100. The electronic control unit (ECU) 301 in FIG.
The CPU 302 controls the entire musical instrument 100, and includes a CPU 302 serving as a main unit of the apparatus 301, a ROM 303 storing programs and various control data, a RAM 304 used by the CPU 302 for work, and two inputs used for capturing signals. Ports 305 and 306, an output port 307 used for signal output, an A / D converter 308 for converting an analog signal to a digital signal, and a signal output from each knob according to an instruction from the CPU 302. An analog multiplexer (hereinafter abbreviated as “multiplexer”) 309 for outputting to the A / D converter 308, two D / A converters 310 and 311 for D / A converting the signal input from the output port 307 and outputting the signal. It is provided with.

In the above configuration, the operation will be described with reference to the explanatory diagrams of FIGS. 4 to 7, focusing on the CPU 302 of the electronic control unit 301. First, an operation of reading various signals including signals from various operators shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

Although not particularly shown, a predetermined voltage is applied to each of the knobs 202, 205 to 207 from a predetermined power supply, so that the level of a signal taken out of the knob varies according to the operation state. It is changing.
From each of the knobs 202, 205 to 207, such a signal is output to the multiplexer 309.

On the other hand, a signal output from the rear pickup 106 (vibration of the string 103 converted into an electric signal)
Is input to the multiplexer 309 after being rectified by the rectifying unit 312 and further removed of high-frequency components by the low-pass filter (LPF) 314. Similarly, the signal output from the front pickup 106 is also supplied to the rectifier 313,
And the multiplexer 3 via the low-pass filter 315
09 is input.

The CPU 302 selects a signal to be read by the multiplexer 309. The selected signal is converted into a digital value according to the signal level by the A / D converter 308 and sent to the CPU 302 via the input port 305. From the digital value, the CPU 302 operates the knobs 202 and 205 to 207 and detects the strings 10 detected by the pickups 106 and 107.
The vibration state of No. 3 is recognized.

As shown in FIG. 3, the selector switch 204 has a contact connected to the ground and three contacts connected to the contact, and a predetermined voltage is applied to each of the three contacts. Have been. The contact connected to the ground contact changes depending on the position of the operation element of the switch 204, and the voltage of the contact connected to the contact becomes lower than the others. For example, the logical value becomes a low level of 0.
The voltage at the other contacts is at a high level with a logical value of one. The CPU 302 receives the voltage of each contact of the selector switch 204 via the input port 306 as a signal, and determines the switch 2 based on the signal (voltage) level of each contact.
The position of the operator 04 is recognized.

The CPU 302 operates the knobs 202, 205 to 207 and the selector switch 204 as described above.
Operation state of each pickup 10
The vibration state of the string 103 detected by 6, 107 is captured,
These are reflected in the control of the musical instrument 100. The information captured in the form of these numerical values is substituted into the variables shown in FIG. 6 or FIG.

The signals output from the pickups 106 and 107 (vibrations of the strings 103 converted into electric signals) are:
The signals are input to voltage controlled amplifiers (VCA) 316 and 317, respectively. The signals (audio signals) output from the amplifiers 316 and 317 are mixed, and the mixed audio signal is output to an output terminal (eg, jack) 318 via the tone knob 203 and the volume knob 201. By inputting an audio signal to an amplifier (tone generator) through the output terminal 318,
A musical tone is emitted from the amplifier in response to a performance on the electric musical instrument 100.

Although not specifically shown, since the signals from the pickups 106 and 107 are output for each string 103, the rectifiers 312 and 313, the low-pass filters 314 and 315, and the voltage control amplifier 316 , 31
7 is actually provided for each string 103. But,
Here, in order to avoid confusion and facilitate understanding, the configuration and operation will be described focusing on one string 103 unless otherwise specified.

The CPU 302 is connected to the input port 30
5 and 306, ie, each knob 2
02, 205 to 207 and the information indicating the operation state of the selector switch 204 and the information indicating the vibration state of the string 103 at different positions are applied to the voltage control amplifiers 316 and 317 as follows. The value of the voltage for controlling the amplification factor to be determined is determined.

The operator of the selector switch 204 is Fr
When the CPU 302 detects that it is at the position of ont,
That is, when the value of the variable SP into which the detection result of the position of the operator is substituted is 0, the VCA 316 (rear pickup 10
6), the lowest value of the value range is substituted for a variable RV for voltage level management applied to the other VCA 317 (front / rear).
For the variable FV for managing the voltage level applied to the pickup 107), the highest value in the value range is substituted. The values of the variables RV and FV are values specifying the voltages to be applied to the VCAs 316 and 317, respectively, and the value of the variable RV is set via the output port 307 to the D / A converter 31.
1 and the value of the other variable FV is output port 3
07 to the D / A converter 310. As a result, the highest level voltage is applied to the D / A converter 310 by VC.
A voltage is applied to the A / A converter 317, and the lowest level voltage is applied to the VCA 316 from the D / A converter 311. In this way, a musical tone is generated only by the vibration of the string 103 detected by the front pickup 107. Hereinafter, the value of the variable RV is also called the rear VCA voltage value, and the value of the variable FV is also called the front VCA voltage value. Since the mixing ratio and the balance are quantities representing the relationship between the rear VCA voltage value and the front VCA voltage value, if one of them changes, the mixing ratio or the balance also changes according to the change. .

When the operator of the selector switch 204 is Re
If the CPU 302 detects that the
Substitutes the highest value of the range into the variable RV and the other variable FV
Substitute the lowest value in the range into output port 3
07 to the D / A converter 311
Then, the value of the other variable FV is sent to the D / A converter 310, respectively. This causes the D / A converter 310 to apply the lowest level voltage to the VCA 317, and causes the D / A converter 311 to apply the highest level voltage to the VCA 316. In this way, a musical tone is generated only by the vibration of the string 103 detected by the rear pickup 106.

When the operator of the selector switch 204 is Mi
If the CPU 302 determines that it is at the position of x, the CPU 302
VC based on the operation state detected by the balance knob 202
A reference value of a voltage to be applied (hereinafter, the former is referred to as a rear level reference value, and the latter is referred to as a front level reference value) is set in A316 and 317. These set reference values are also set as initial values of the rear VCA voltage value or the front VCA voltage value. After that, harmonics
The initial value is changed as follows according to the value indicating the operation state of the knob 205.

When the value indicating the operation state of the harmonics knob 205 is the minimum value of the range (for example, the value when the knob 205 is fully turned to the left, and is 0 in the present embodiment), the CPU 302 The initial values of the rear VCA voltage value and the front VCA voltage value to the balance knob 2
02 or until the selector switch 204 is operated. As a result, the signals output from the rear pickup 106 and the front pickup 107 are always mixed with the balance specified by the player to generate a musical tone.

On the other hand, if the value indicating the operation state of the harmonics knob 205 is not the minimum value in the range, the CPU 30
2 is the string 10 detected by each of the pickups 106 and 107
From the vibration state of No. 3, the basic change amount of the mixing ratio (hereinafter, referred to as
(Referred to as a balance change target value), and the mixture ratio is set using the target value. Thereby, the mixing ratio is automatically changed according to the vibration state of the string 103. The target value is assigned to a variable TBM.

The vibration of the string 102 detected at different positions varies depending on the string, the playing style, and the like. From this, the strings 10 detected by the respective pickups 106 and 107 respectively.
By changing the mixture ratio based on the vibration (difference) of 3,
It is possible to appropriately cope with a change in the vibration state due to a string, a playing style, or the like. The player does not need to perform an operation to change the mixing ratio during the performance because the mixing ratio is automatically changed to an appropriate value even if the player does not set the mixing ratio. As a result, the player can more easily perform the performance in which the performance operation is reflected in the musical tone in a preferable manner. The purpose of the balance change purpose value is determined so that the target mixture ratio can be changed according to a reference value that can be set arbitrarily by the player.

By the way, when the mixture ratio is suddenly changed, it is conceivable that a relatively large change occurs in the timbre of the musical tone to be produced with the change. It is considered that there are situations in which it is not desirable to rapidly change the ratio depending on the purpose of changing the playing style or the mixing ratio. For these reasons, in the present embodiment, the mixing ratio is changed stepwise according to the operation state of the harmonics knob 205.

To change the mixture ratio stepwise, a variable CBM different from the variable TBM to which the balance change target value is substituted is prepared, and the value of the variable CBM (also called the balance change current value) is changed from the initial value to the balance change. This is done by gradually changing to the change target value. The contents of the change are changed according to the respective operation states of the release knob 206 and the attack knob 207. The release knob 206 and the attack knob 207 control the rear VCA voltage value and the front VCA voltage.
This is an operator for designating the speed at which the current balance change value used for updating the CA voltage value is changed from its initial value to the final balance change target value. The harmonics knob 205 specifies the degree to which the balance change target value (balance change current value), which is the amount of change from the reference value, is reflected in the mixture ratio, that is, the change in each of the rear VCA voltage value and the front VCA voltage value. This is a control to perform.

For example, the ratio of a specific vibration component (noise) generated during picking decreases with time. This means that the balance change target value becomes smaller with time, and the magnitude relationship between the balance change target value and the current balance change value is reversed. From this, the attack knob 207 and the release knob 2
The period in which the speed is designated at 06 is divided from the magnitude relationship between the current balance change value and the balance change target value. As in the case immediately after picking, when the current value is smaller than the target value, the designation with the attack knob 207 is validated, and when not, the designation with the release knob 206 is validated.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a method of changing the mixing ratio in accordance with the operation state of the harmonics knob 205.
The relationship between the value indicating the operation state of the knob 205 (harmonics volume value) and the amount of change in the rear VCA voltage value and the front VCA voltage value according to the balance change target value is shown.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, as the harmonic volume value increases, that is, for example, as the harmonic knob 205 is turned clockwise, the amount of change on the rear pickup 106 side is increased.
In other words, the rear VCA voltage value is made larger to increase the ratio of the vibration of the string 103 detected by the rear pickup 106 reflected in the musical sound to be emitted. As a result, the overtone component and the noise generated in the string 103 during picking are included in the musical tone to be generated as the harmonics knob 205 is turned clockwise.

The change amount on the rear pickup 106 side is assumed to be added to the rear level reference value, whereas the change amount on the front pickup 107 side is assumed to be subtracted from the front level reference value. . The change amount on the front pickup 107 side is 0 when the volume value is less than 64, and increases when the volume value is more than 64, according to the value. As a result, as a whole, as the harmonics knob 205 is turned to the right, the proportion of the vibration detected by the front pickup 107 included in the tones to be generated is reduced. Rear pickup 106
Side change amount, as described above, the harmonics knob 2
Turn 05 to the right to increase. From this, when the knob 205 is turned in a direction in which the balance volume value becomes greater than the boundary value of 64, the rear pickup 106 occupies a relatively large proportion of the tones to be generated. Become.

The change amount set by the harmonics knob 205 is used for multiplication with the current balance change value. The result of the multiplication is represented by the rear VCA voltage value and the front V
By using the change in the CA voltage value, the change amount set by the harmonics knob 205 is reflected in the change in the mixture ratio.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the changing speed of the mixing ratio set according to the operation state of the attack knob 207. The relationship between the value indicating the operation state of the knob 207 (attack volume value) and the speed at which the current balance change value approaches the target balance change value (hereinafter referred to as an attack rate) is shown.

The speed indicated by the attack rate is the rear VCA
This is the amount of change (added value) in one update of the current balance change value used for updating the voltage value or the front VCA voltage value. The larger it becomes, the sooner the balance change current value reaches the balance change target value. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, as the player turns the attack knob 207 in a direction in which the attack volume value increases (rightward), the attack rate is increased. Therefore,
As the attack knob 207 is turned to the right, the rear VCA
The difference before and after the update of the voltage value and the front VCA voltage value increases. As a result, the mixing ratio is changed abruptly. The same applies to a change speed (release rate) set according to the operation state of the release knob 206.

By arbitrarily setting the changing speed (attack rate and release rate) of the mixing ratio, the player can
It becomes possible to control the feeling of attack and the lingering sound. For this reason, the convenience in performance is improved, and the player can realize a wider range of music expression.

In order to make it possible to set the attack rate based on the relationship between the attack volume value and the attack rate shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the array variable AT defining the attack rate of the different attack volume value for each element.
Are prepared. Thus, by designating an element by an attack volume value, an attack rate corresponding to the value can be obtained. An array variable RT in which the values of the elements are similarly defined for the release rate is prepared. These array variables are prepared, for example, as array variables defined in the program or as control data in the ROM 303.

In the present embodiment, both the attack rate and the release rate can be set arbitrarily. However, the player may set only one of them.

Next, as described above, the electronic control unit 3
01 will be described in detail with reference to various operation flowcharts shown in FIGS.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of the whole process. First, the overall processing will be described in detail with reference to FIG. This overall processing is performed by the electronic control unit 30.
This is realized by one CPU 302 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 303.

First, at step 801, the electric musical instrument 10
An initialization process for setting 0 to a predetermined initial state is executed. In the following step 802, the state of the controls provided on the operation panel 102 is detected, and a panel volume / selector position detection process for performing various settings in accordance with the detection results is executed. After that, the process moves to step 803.

At step 803, the vibration state of the string 103 detected by the two pickups 106 and 107 is fetched, and a pickup balance detection process for calculating the balance change target value is executed. When this is completed, the process proceeds to step 804, in which the voltage values to be applied to the VCAs 316 and 317 (the rear VCA voltage value and the
A VCA voltage calculation process for calculating the (CA voltage value) is executed. By executing the process, the rear VCA voltage value and the front VCA voltage value are determined.

In step 805 following step 804, a VCA voltage output process for applying a voltage having a determined value to the VCAs 316 and 317 is executed. Those VCA31
The CPU 302 applies a voltage to the D / A converter 31 via the output port 307.
1 and the front VCA voltage value to the D / A converter 310.

As described above, VCA 316, 317
After the voltage value to be applied to is changed, in step 806, the process waits for the elapse of a regular time. After the elapse of the regular time, the process returns to step 802.

Steps 802 to 806 in the overall processing form a processing loop, which is repeatedly executed while the power of the electric musical instrument 100 is on. In step 806, a period obtained by subtracting the total execution time of the processing in steps 802 to 805 from one sampling time is waited as the regular time. Thereby, the processing loop is executed once every sampling time.

Next, various subroutine processes executed in the overall process will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart of the panel volume / selector position detection processing executed as step 802. In the subroutine process, first, the panel volume / selector position detection process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The controls to be detected in this process are the balance knob 202 and the harmonics knob 2
05, a release knob 206, an attack knob 207, and a selector switch 204.

First, in step 901, a voltage value indicating the operation state of each of these operators is read. CPU
Reference numeral 302 denotes various knobs 202 and 205 to 207 while switching signals to be selected by the multiplexer 309.
A / D converter 308 and input port 305
The selector switch 204 reads the voltage value of the signal selected by the multiplexer 309 via the input port 306 via the input port 306. After reading the voltage value in this manner, step 9
Move to 02.

In step 902, the value of the corresponding variable is rewritten (substituted) according to the read voltage value.
Specifically, the voltage value of the balance knob 202 (balance
Volume value) is substituted for the variable BV. Hereinafter, similarly,
The voltage value (harmonics volume value) of the harmonics knob 205 is a variable HV, the voltage value (attack volume value) of the attack knob 207 is a variable AV, and the voltage value (release volume value) of the release knob 206 is a variable RV.
Respectively. The range of those variables is all 0-1
27 (see FIG. 6). In the selector switch 204, the variable SP is set to 0 to 0 depending on the contact at which the voltage value is lower than the other.
Substitute the value of 2. When the position of the operator (selector knob) is Front, that is, when the voltage value of the contact corresponding to the position is lower than the other, 0 is substituted for the variable SP. When the position is Mix, 1 is set.
In the case of r, 2 is substituted. After rewriting the value of the variable in this way, the process proceeds to step 903.

At step 903, the value of the variable SP is determined. Steps 904 to 90 are performed according to the determined value.
5 and the reference value of the front VCA voltage value (front level reference value) is set to the variable FB, and the rear VC
The reference value (rear level reference value) of the A voltage value is set to a variable R
B. Specifically, the value of the variable SP is 0, that is, the position of the operator of the selector switch 204 is Fr
On the other hand, if it is determined that the variable F is
127 is substituted for B, and 0 is substituted for the variable RB. Variable S
If the value of P is 1, that is, if it is determined that the position of the operator of the selector switch 204 is Mix, step 905
Then, the value obtained by subtracting the value of the variable BV from 127 is substituted for the variable FB, and the value of the variable BV is substituted for the variable RB. Variable S
If the value of P is 2, that is, if it is determined that the position of the operator of the selector switch 204 is in the rear position, step 90
In step 6, 0 is assigned to the variable FB and 127 is assigned to the variable RB. The process proceeds to step 907 after such variable substitution.

In step 907, the variable AR is set to the variable A
The element AT (A of the array variable AT specified by the value of V
Substitute the value of V). Substitute the attack rate corresponding to the current attack volume value. Following step 908
Then, the value of the element RT (RV) of the array variable RT specified by the value of the variable RV is substituted for the variable RR. Substitute the release rate corresponding to the current attack volume value. After performing the substitution, a series of processing ends.

FIG. 10 shows step 8 in the overall processing of FIG.
11 is an operation flowchart of a pickup balance detection process executed as 03. Next, referring to FIG.
The pickup balance detection processing will be described in detail.

First, in step 1001, it is determined whether the value of the variable SP is 1 and the value of the variable HV is not 0. The position of the operator of the selector switch 204 is Mix
If the harmonics knob 205 is not in a state where the harmonics volume value corresponds to 0, the determination is YES and the process proceeds to step 1002. If not, that is, if the position of the operator of the switch 204 is not Mix, or if the harmonics knob 205 is in a state in which the volume value corresponds to 0, the determination is NO, and a series of processing ends. I do.

After step 1002, it is assumed that the player has set (designated) the automatic adjustment of the mixing ratio (rear VCA voltage value and front VCA voltage value), and a process for responding to the setting is performed.

In step 1002, signals output from the respective pickups 106 and 107 are read in the form of voltage values. The CPU 302 switches the signal that causes the multiplexer 309 to select the reading,
This is performed by sequentially taking in signals (voltage values) of the respective pickups 106 and 107 via the D converter 308 and the input port 305. The voltage value of each of the pickups 106 and 107 read in this way is
At 03, variables RL and FL are substituted. After the substitution, the process proceeds to step 1004.

In step 1004, it is determined whether each of the variables FL and RL is smaller than a predetermined value α. The predetermined value α is a constant prepared in advance to determine whether the string 103 is vibrating. As a result, if the vibration state of the string 103 is such that it cannot be heard as a musical tone, the determination becomes YES, and the flow shifts to step 1005 to change the string 1
After substituting the value 0 indicating that the string 103 is not vibrating into the variable SOF for setting management corresponding to the vibration state of 03, a series of processing is ended. Otherwise, the determination is no and the process moves to step 1006.

In step 1006, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable SOF is 0. If the player picks the string 103 that has not been vibrated until then, the determination is YES
And the process moves to step 1007. Otherwise, the determination is no and the process moves to step 1009.

In step 1007, the string 1 is set to the variable SOF.
03 is substituted for the value 1 indicating that it is oscillating, and the variable C
0 is substituted into BM as the initial value of the balance change current value. In the following step 1008, the balance change target value is calculated using the values of the variables FL and RL, and the calculation result is substituted for the variable TBM. After performing the substitution, a series of processing ends.

In this embodiment, assuming that the target value of the balance change is TBM and the values of the variables FL and RL are FL and RL, respectively, the TBM is: TBM = ((RL−FL) +127) / 2 (2) 1) Required by

As is apparent from the equation (1),
As the voltage value of the signal of the pickup 106 becomes larger than the voltage value of the signal of the front pickup 107,
The TBM (balance change target value) also increases. The reason that the voltage value of the rear pickup 106 becomes relatively large is that
This is when noise occurs due to picking, or when a player performs picking harmonic playing. In such a case, a relatively large TBM is calculated.

In step 1009, to which the operation proceeds when the determination in step 1006 is NO, it is determined whether each of the variables FL and RL has changed from a decreasing tendency to an increasing tendency. If the player performs picking again before the vibration of the string 103 is sufficiently attenuated, the values of the variables FL and RL become larger than before, so the determination is YE.
In step S10, 0 is substituted for the variable CBM in step 1010, and the flow advances to step 1008 to calculate a balance change target value. Otherwise, the determination is no,
Here, a series of processing ends.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the player has set the automatic adjustment of the mixing ratio, every time the player performs picking, the initial values are substituted into various variables for the automatic adjustment. That is, the automatic adjustment is restarted from the beginning, and the balance change target value is sequentially updated while the string 103 is considered to be vibrating. As a result, the performance of the performer and the strings 10
The automatic adjustment of the mixing ratio according to the vibration state of No. 3 is realized. The reason why the automatic adjustment is restarted from the beginning each time picking is performed is that the vibration state of the string 103 is greatly changed by the picking.

Next, the VCA voltage calculation processing executed as step 804 in the entire processing of FIG. 8 will be described in detail with reference to the operation flowchart shown in FIG. By performing this processing, as described above,
The values of the rear VCA voltage value and the front VCA voltage value, which are the values of the voltages to be applied to the VCAs 316 and 317, respectively, are determined.

First, in step 1101, it is determined whether the value of the variable SP is 1 and the value of the variable HV is not 0. The position of the operator of the selector switch 204 is Mix
If the harmonics knob 205 is not in a state where the harmonics volume value corresponds to 0, that is, if the player has set the automatic adjustment of the mixing ratio, the determination is YES and the process proceeds to step 1103. I do. Otherwise, the determination is no and step 1102
After substituting the value of the variable FB for the variable FV and the value of the variable RB for the variable RV, a series of processing is terminated.

The variables FV and RV are variables prepared for holding the front VCA voltage value and the rear VCA voltage value, respectively. Variables FB and RB include selector switch 2
04, and further, a value corresponding to an operation on the balance knob 202 is substituted. By substituting the values of the variables FB and RB into the variables FV and RV, respectively, if the player has not set the automatic adjustment of the mixing ratio, the value is designated via the selector switch 204 and further through the balance knob 202. The musical tone is generated at the mixed ratio. The operation of the balance knob 202 is reflected in the setting of the mixing ratio only when the position of the operator of the switch 204 is at Mix.

After step 1103, the values of the variables FV and RV are updated by automatically adjusting the mixture ratio. First, in step 1103, it is determined whether the value of the variable TBM is larger than the value of the variable CBM. If the value of the variable TBM is larger than the value of the variable CBM, the determination is YES and the process moves to step 1104. If not,
The determination is no and the process moves to step 1107.

In step 1104, assuming that the vibration of the string 103 is during the attack period, a value obtained by adding the value of the variable AR to the value up to that time is substituted for the variable CBM. In the following step 1105, the value of the updated variable CBM is set to the variable TB
It is determined whether the value is greater than the value of M. Variable C
If the value of BM exceeds the value of variable TBM, the determination is YES
Then, after the value of the variable TBM is substituted for the variable CBM in step 1106, the process proceeds to step 1111. Otherwise, the determination is no and then step 1
Move to 111.

In step 1107, to which the process proceeds when the determination in step 1103 is NO, it is determined whether the value of the variable TBM is equal to the value of the variable CBM. If the values are equal, the determination is YES and step 111
Move to 1. Otherwise, that is, if the value of the variable TBM is smaller than the value of the variable CBM, the determination is NO, and in step 1108, the value obtained by subtracting the value of the variable RR from the previous value is substituted into the variable CBM. , Step 11
Move to 09. The variable CBM changes the variable R
The value obtained by subtracting the value of R is substituted because it is assumed that the vibration of the string 103 is during the release period.

In step 1109, the updated variable TB
It is determined whether the value of M is greater than the value of the variable CBM. If the value of the variable CBM becomes smaller than the value of the variable TBM by the update, the determination is YES, and the value of the variable TBM is substituted for the variable CBM in step 1110, and
Move to 111. Otherwise, the determination is no and the process moves to step 1111 next.

As described above, steps 1103 to
At 1110, it is determined whether the vibration of the string 103 is during the attack period or during the release period from the magnitude relationship between the values of the variables CBM and TBM, and the variable C is determined according to the determination result.
The value of the BM, that is, the current value of the balance change is updated, and the value is determined.

From step 1111 onward, the mixture ratio, the mixture ratio, and the balance change current value (variable CBM value) are determined.
That is, a process for setting the front VCA voltage value and the rear VCA voltage value is performed.

First, in step 1111, the variable C
The rear VCA voltage value is calculated using the value of the BM, and it is determined whether the calculated voltage value is smaller than 127 which is the maximum value of the value range. If the voltage value is smaller than 127, the determination is YES, the voltage value is substituted for the variable RV in step 1112, and the process proceeds to step 1114. Otherwise, the determination is no and step 1113
After substituting 127 for the variable RV, the process proceeds to step 1114.

Assuming that the rear VCA voltage value is RV, in the present embodiment, RV is calculated using the following equation. RV = RB + CBM · (HV / 127) (2) The symbol in the expression (2) indicates the value of a variable having the same name as the variable.
According to the equation (2), when picking is performed, the value of the variable RB is set to an initial value (reference value) by the rear VCA voltage value.
The value obtained by reflecting the amount of change (see FIG. 4) specified by the value of the variable HV on the value of the variable CBM is added to the initial value.

As described above, the balance change target value is
This value is relatively large when noise occurs due to picking or when the player performs picking harmonics. For this reason, in such a case, the mixing ratio (rear VCA
Voltage value) is set large. As a result, a musical tone rich in attack and harmonic components is generated.

From step 1114, the front VC
Processing related to the setting of the A voltage value is performed. First, in step 1114, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable HV is smaller than 64. If the value of the variable HV is smaller than 64, the determination is YES and the process moves to step 1115. Otherwise, the determination is no and the process moves to step 1116.

At step 1115, the variable FV is set to the variable FV.
Substitute the value of B. In this way, the value (reference value) specified by the player via the balance knob 202 is
After setting to the CA voltage value, a series of processing ends.

In the other step 1116, the variable CBM
Is used to calculate the front VCA voltage value, and it is determined whether or not the calculated voltage value is larger than 0 which is the minimum value of the value range. If the voltage value is larger than 0, the determination becomes YES, and in step 1117, the voltage value is substituted for the variable FV, and a series of processing ends. If not,
The determination is NO, and in step 1118, 0 is substituted for the variable FV, and the series of processing ends.

Assuming that the front VCA voltage value is FV, in the present embodiment, FV is calculated using the following equation. FV = FB−CBM · 2 (HV−64) / 127 (3) The symbol in the equation (3) indicates the value of a variable having the same name.
According to the equation (3), the front VCA voltage value is premised on the case where the harmonic volume value is greater than 64. However, when picking is performed, the value of the variable FB is set to an initial value (reference value), and the initial value is set. Then, the value is updated by subtracting the value obtained by reflecting the change amount (see FIG. 4) specified by the value of the variable HV to the value of the variable CBM.

As described above, when noise occurs due to picking or when the player performs picking harmonics, the balance change target value (value of the variable TBM) becomes relatively large. Therefore, in such a case, the mixing ratio (front VCA voltage value) on the front pickup 107 side is set smaller. As a result, the mixing ratio (rear VCA voltage value) on the rear pickup 106 side becomes relatively large, and a tone with a richer sense of attack and harmonic components is generated.

In this embodiment, when the mixture ratio, that is, the front VCA voltage value and the rear VCA voltage value are automatically adjusted, the front VCA voltage value and the rear VCA voltage value determined from the operation state of the balance knob 202 are adjusted. Is a reference value (initial value), but a predetermined value may be used unconditionally as a reference value. The change amount from the reference value can be controlled by the player using the harmonics knob 205 (harmonics volume value). However, the change may not be controlled by the player. Further, instead of the balance change target value, a target front VCA voltage value and a rear VCA voltage value may be obtained, and the values may be immediately changed or approached stepwise.
Only one of the front VCA voltage value and the rear VCA voltage value may be subject to automatic adjustment.

In the present embodiment, the attack knob 2
Although the change speed of the mixing ratio can be designated by using 07 or the release knob 206, the player may be able to designate contents other than the change speed. For example, the period during which the string 103 vibrates is divided into several parts, such as changing the mixing ratio immediately to the target mixing ratio during picking and gradually changing the mixing ratio during the release period. A method for changing the ratio may be specified. In addition, for example, in order to include a greater amount of noise generated by picking in the musical sound, picking may be determined from the detected vibration of the string 103, and the mixing ratio may be changed only during the period until the noise attenuates. As described above, various modifications can be made.

In this embodiment, two pickups 10
Although the present invention is applied to an electric musical instrument (electric guitar) equipped with 6, 107, it can be applied to an electric musical instrument equipped with more pickups. When the present invention is applied to such an electric instrument, in addition to setting whether or not to perform automatic adjustment of the mixing ratio, the player can arbitrarily select a combination of pickups to be subjected to the automatic adjustment. You may do it. The types of musical instruments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to electric guitars / basses, but are limited to electric guitars and basses.
It can also be applied to violins, electric pianos and the like. That is, the present invention can be widely applied to electric musical instruments using strings as sound sources.

[0087]

As described above, according to the present invention, string vibrations are detected at different positions from each other, and based on the detection results, the mixing ratio of the electric signals obtained by converting the string vibrations is set (changed). ). For this reason, it is possible to automatically adjust the mixing ratio to an appropriate value for the vibration state of the string.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an electric musical instrument according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an operation panel.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the electric musical instrument according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of changing a mixing ratio according to an operation state of a harmonics knob.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a change speed of a mixing ratio set according to an operation state of an attack knob (release knob).

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating variables used for setting a mixture ratio (part 1).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating variables used for setting a mixture ratio (part 2).

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of the entire process.

FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart of a panel volume / selector position detection process.

FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart of a pickup balance detection process.

FIG. 11 is an operation flowchart of a VCA voltage calculation process.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a difference in a vibration state depending on a position of a string.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Electric instrument (electric guitar) 101 Body 102 Neck 103 String 104 Pin winding 105 Bridge 106 Rear pickup 107 Front pickup 108 Operation panel 202 Balance knob 204 Pickup selector switch 205 Harmonics knob 206 Release knob 207 Attack Knob 301 Electronic control unit (ECU) 302 CPU 303 ROM 304 RAM 305, 306 Input port 307 Output port 308 A / D converter 309 Analog multiplexer 310, 311 D / A converter 312, 313 Rectifier 314, 315 Low・ Pass filter (LPF) 316,317 Voltage controlled amplifier (VCA)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An electric musical instrument having at least one stretched string, a plurality of string vibration detecting means for detecting vibration of the string at different positions and converting the vibration into an electric signal, and the plurality of strings. A mixing ratio setting unit that sets a mixing ratio of the electric signals output from the plurality of string vibration detecting units based on a level of the electric signal output from each of the vibration detecting units; and a mixing set by the mixing ratio setting unit. An electric musical instrument, comprising: signal mixing means for mixing electric signals output from the plurality of string vibration detection means according to a ratio. 2. The mixing ratio setting means obtains a change amount from a reference mixing ratio of the electric signals based on the level of the electric signal output from each of the plurality of string vibration detecting means. The electric musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the mixing ratio is changed by reflecting the mixing ratio in the mixing ratio. 3. The mixing ratio setting means changes the mixing ratio in a stepwise manner by changing a ratio of reflecting the change amount to the mixing ratio as time elapses. An electric musical instrument according to claim 2. 4. The mixing ratio setting means changes a speed at which a ratio of reflecting the change amount to the mixing ratio is changed according to an operation state of a predetermined operation element. An electric musical instrument according to claim 3.