JP2001043665A - Sound recording and reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the operation to determine tracks where the sounds to be recorded are recorded while listening thereto by outputting inputted audio signals regardless of the assignment of the sound recording tracks without subjecting the audio signals under sound recording from the assigned sound recording tracks to mixing processing. SOLUTION: The input sounds are selected from the eight tracks of a recorder section in the state of sound recording buttons 22 A(1) to 22 (8) on a control panel. The reproducing sounds from the respective tracks are connected to the eight channels of a mixer section. A status is inputted from the reproducing tracks to the mixer section but are not inputted from the sound recording tracks. The mixer section mixes the inputted reproducing sounds and the input sounds and outputs the mixed sounds to a monitor section. A path through which the signals are transmitted from an input terminal to the mixer section without passing the recorder section is set and the input sounds are introduced to the mixer section and are mixed with the other reproducing sounds. The input sounds may be monitored simply by regulating the sound volume level of an input channel IN by a fader 20 (IN).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a so-called multi-track recording / reproducing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A multi-track recording / reproducing apparatus (multi-track recorder) stores a plurality of sounds (herein referred to as take sounds) serving as materials for mixing sounds, such as performances and singing voices. Is used to mix and regenerate. In such a multi-track recorder, a randomly accessible storage device, such as a hard disk storage device or a DVD storage device, has been used as the storage device, and such a randomly accessible storage device is used. Then, as long as the storage capacity of the storage device allows, it is possible to record take sounds independently for each music part, and to appropriately mix and reproduce the take sounds later.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of an operation panel of such a multi-track recorder. Faders 20 corresponding to the eight tracks (1) to (8) are provided on the panel.
(1) to 20 (8), recording track display 21 (1) to
21 (8), recording buttons 22 (1) to 22 (8), an input level adjusting knob 23, a liquid crystal display 26, a recorder operator group 25 (play PLAY, recording REC, stop STOP, fast forward) FF, rewind RE
W), a group of parameter operators 24 for performing various parameter setting operations using the screen of the display 26, and the like.

The parameter operator group 24 includes a liquid crystal display 2
It is used to adjust various parameters while looking at the screen displayed in 6. For example, FIG.
The PAN adjustment knobs of the tracks (1) to (8) are displayed on the screen 6. By operating these PAN adjustment knobs with the parameter operator group 24, the tracks (1) to (8) are displayed. 8) The panning of the reproduced sound can be adjusted.

[0005] The recorder operator group 25 is for performing recording / reproducing operations of the recorder. When the PLAY operator is turned ON, all of the tracks (1) to (8) are simultaneously operated in a reproducing state. When the REC operator is turned on, the track of which the recording button 22 is turned on among the tracks (1) to (8) is in the “recording” state, and the other track (the track whose recording button 22 is off) is “play”. Operation at the same time. At this time, the fact that the track is in the “recording” state is indicated by turning on the recording track indicator 21 of the track. The STOP operator is an operator for stopping recording / playback, the FF is an operator for fast forward,
EW is an operator for rewinding.

Faders 20 (1) to 20 (8) are controls for adjusting the volume level of the reproduced sound from each of the tracks (1) to (8), and an input level adjusting knob 23 is a take sound input from the outside. Is an operator for adjusting the sound volume level (therefore, the sound volume level of recording).

A method for performing multiple recording using a multi-track by the recording / reproducing apparatus will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 are functional block diagrams showing the configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus.
Take sound (input sound) input to the recorder is recorded in the recorder unit 1
2 shows a signal connection when recording is performed on a required track and the reproduced sound is mixed by the mixer unit 13. In the recorder section 12 in the figure, “black circles” represent recorded tracks, and “white circles” represent newly recorded tracks. The "white triangle" indicates that the status of the track is "play" and the playback sound is output,
The “black triangle” indicates a state in which the status of the track is “recording” and the input sound being recorded is output to the mixer unit 13 as it is (a state usually called “through”).

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the track (5) is selected as a recording track by the recording button 22 (5) of the recorder operator 25, and the REC operator is turned on. As a result, the input sound is connected to the track (5) of the recorder section by the recording track selecting section 11, and the apparatus enters a recording standby state. Then, the take sound passed through the track (5) is sent to the mixer section 13, where it is mixed and input to the monitor system. When the PLAY operator in the recorder operator group 25 is turned on in this state, recording of the input sound (input take sound) on the track (5) is started. Also, the take sound has already been recorded on the tracks (1) to (4) and the status has been switched to the "play" status, and the recorded take sound has been reproduced. The reproduced sound from these tracks (1) to (4) and the take sound passed through from the track (5) being recorded are sent to the mixer section 13, where they are mixed and output to the monitor system. The mixer section 13 has eight channels corresponding to eight tracks (1) to (8). In each channel, the volume level of the input sound is adjusted by faders 20 (1) to 20 (8) and panned. LCD
Individual adjustments can be made with the PAN adjustment knob on the screen.

As described above, the user can record a new take sound on the track (5) while listening to the input sound together with the reproduced sounds of the already recorded tracks (1) to (4).

[0010] Thereafter, when a new recording is to be performed on the track (6) while listening to the reproduced sounds of the tracks (1) to (5) including the track (5) for which recording has been completed,
Switching of signal connection is performed as shown in FIG. That is,
The record button 22 (5) of the track (5) is turned off, the record button 22 (6) is turned on, the track (5) is set to "play", and the track (6) is set to "record". The sound (input sound) is connected to the track (6) by the recording track selection unit 12 and recorded.

Recording / recording is performed by operating the STOP operator.
In the state where the reproduction is stopped, the input take sound is passed through the track selected by turning on the recording button 22 and sent to the mixer unit 13.

[0012]

As can be seen from the above operation, when recording an input sound (the sound to be recorded at that time), the input sound is recorded while listening to the other previously recorded sounds. It is also desirable from a musical point of view and a recording operation point of view. Therefore, in the conventional device, the status of the track for recording the input sound is “recording”.
In the case of, the take sound being recorded is sent to the mixer section 13 as a reproduction sound, and the mixer section 13 mixes it with another already-recorded sound and emits it through the audio system. Accordingly, the volume of the take sound during recording is adjusted in the channel of the mixer section 13 corresponding to the number of the recording track.

In other words, the input sound is not emitted as a reproduced sound until the recording track on which the input sound is recorded is determined and the status of the track is designated as "recording". Can not do. This is contrary to the ergonomically natural operation procedure of starting the recording operation after listening to the sound you want to record while deciding on which track to record the sound. It was hard to say that the operability was good.

Even when the input sound is normally recorded on the recording track, if the fader is lowered and the volume is muted in the channel of the mixer section corresponding to the recording track, for example, The recorded take sound is not output to the monitor system,
For this reason, the user cannot confirm whether or not the recording is being performed, which sometimes hinders the recording operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and enables an ergonomic operation such as deciding on which track to record a sound while listening to the sound to be recorded. The purpose is to.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention is a recording / reproducing apparatus having a plurality of tracks for recording and reproducing audio signals. An input unit for inputting a signal, a designation unit for designating a recording track or a reproduction track for the plurality of tracks, and an audio input from the input unit to a recording track designated by the designation unit among the plurality of tracks A recording / reproducing means for recording a signal and reproducing an audio signal recorded on the reproduction track from the reproduction track designated by the designation means among the plurality of tracks; and an audio signal inputted from the input means. Transmitting means for transmitting to the mixing means, and the mixing means, wherein each of the recording and reproducing means It has a plurality of channels corresponding to the rack, and mixes and outputs the audio signal input to each corresponding channel from each of the reproduction tracks designated by the designation means of the recording / playback means and the audio signal from the transmission means. The audio signal being recorded from the recording track designated by the designation means of the recording / playback means is not mixed by the mixing means,
The audio signal input to the input means is output irrespective of the designation of the recording track. With this configuration, the input audio signal is input to the mixing unit via the transmission path, mixed with the already-recorded audio signal, and emitted from the audio system. In other words, the user can determine the track on which the audio signal is to be recorded by operating the designating unit while listening to the input audio signal, thereby performing an ergonomically natural operation. In addition, since the input audio signal from the recording track side on which the input audio signal is recorded is not mixed by the mixing means, it is possible to prevent the audio signal from sounding twice in the audio system.

The recording / reproducing means is adapted to output an audio signal being recorded on the recording track, and further comprises a recording track of the recording / reproducing means in accordance with the designation of the recording track by the designation means. Prohibiting means for prohibiting the mixing processing of the audio signal being recorded from the mixing means by the mixing means. Thereby, even if the reproduced sound of the recording track being recorded by the recording / reproducing means is input to the mixing means, the reproduced sound can be prevented from being used for the mixing processing.

Further, the recording / reproducing means can be configured not to output an audio signal being recorded on the recording track. Thus, it is possible to prevent the reproduction sound of the track being recorded reproduced by the recording / reproduction means from being input to the mixing means and subjected to the mixing processing.

Further, the mixing means includes level designating means capable of arbitrarily designating the level of an audio signal input to each channel corresponding to each track, and the mixing means is transmitted from the input means to the mixing means via the transmitting means. The input audio signal can be configured to be mixed by the mixing means irrespective of the level specified for the channel corresponding to any track by the level specifying means.

In the above-mentioned recording / reproducing apparatus, there is provided a localization specifying means for specifying a localization parameter for adjusting a sound image localization parameter for the audio signal transmitted through the transmission means, and the mixing means converts the audio signal transmitted through the transmission means. The sound image localization is adjusted and output based on the localization parameters specified at that time by the localization specifying means, and the audio signal reproduced by the recording / reproducing means is specified by the localization specifying means at the time of recording the audio signal. The sound image localization can be adjusted and output based on the localization parameters that have been set. As a result, the state of panning (sound image localization) at the time of recording can be reflected also at the time of reproduction of the audio signal, that is, the state as heard at the time of recording can be reproduced.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows the overall configuration of a recording / reproducing apparatus as one embodiment of the present invention. This recording / reproducing apparatus has a so-called multi-track configuration, and has eight tracks (1) to (8). In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU (central processing unit) that controls the entire apparatus, 2 denotes an operation panel for instructing various operations, 3
Is the RAM used for the work area (random access
Memory) 4 is a ROM (read only memory) for storing programs, various tables and the like. 5 is DS
P (Digital Signal Processor) 7 is a storage device, and a random access device such as a hard disk storage device or a DVD storage device is used as the storage device 7. Reference numeral 8 denotes a D / A converter, 9 denotes a stereo (left / right channel) audio system,
Also used as a monitor system.

The DSP 5 receives an A /
The take sound converted to a digital signal by the D converter 6 is recorded in the storage device 7 as a required track (the function of the recording track selection unit 11 described above), and is read from the storage device 7 as a required track. Take sound data to D
The sound is output from the audio system 9 via the / A converter 8 and the reproduced sound and the input sound are converted into the parameters (volume, P
It has a function of mixing and outputting while adjusting (eg, AN) (the function of the mixer unit 13 described above).

FIG. 3 shows a detailed configuration example of the operation panel 2. As described in the section of the related art, the faders 20 (1) to 20 (8) corresponding to the eight tracks (1) to (8) and the recording track display 21 are provided on the panel.
(1) to 21 (8), recording button 22 (1) to 22
(8) An input level adjusting knob 23 is provided,
Further, a liquid crystal display 26, a recorder operator group 25 (reproduction P
LAY, recording REC, stop STOP, fast-forward FF, rewind REW), a parameter operator group 24 for performing various parameter setting operations using the screen of the display 26, and the like. For these circuit elements, their functions and
Since the operation is the same as that described above, a detailed description will be omitted.

In this embodiment, a new input channel (referred to as an input channel IN) is newly added to the mixer section 13, and the fader 20 (IN) and the PAN adjustment are used for parameter adjustment in the input channel IN. A knob 27 has been added. This PAN adjustment knob 2
Numeral 7 is for adjusting the panning when the input take sound is output from the audio system 9, and fader 20 (IN) is for adjusting the volume level when the input take sound is output from the audio system 9. belongs to.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the state of signal connection in the apparatus of this embodiment, and is represented by functional blocks. Here, the recording track selection unit 11 is a functional block realized by the recording buttons 22 (1) to 22 (8) on the operation panel, the DSP 5, and the like, and selects a track for recording an input take sound (input sound). Record button 22
Based on the states of (1) to (8), the recorder unit 13 operates to select one of the eight tracks and connect the input sound. This input sound can be adjusted in volume level by an input level adjustment knob 23.
Therefore, the input level adjustment knob 23 adjusts the volume level during recording.

The recorder unit 12 is a functional block realized by the storage device 7 and the DSP 5 and the like.
It has tracks that can be played, and these tracks can be set separately to "record" or "play" status. The reproduced sound from each of the tracks (1) to (3) of the recorder unit 12 is supplied to the mixer unit 13 respectively.
Are connected to each of the channels. At this time, the playback sound of the track whose status is “playback” is input to the mixer unit 13, while the track of the track whose status is “recording” is muted and the taken-through sound is muted,
Is not entered. As a method of muting, there is a method of not performing a through operation on a recording track, a method of performing a playback operation, and cutting off a path until the taken take sound is input to the mixer unit 13 on the way. It is possible.

The mixer section 13 has eight channels to 8 tracks corresponding to the eight tracks of the recorder section 12, and is provided with new input channels IN. The output sounds from these channels can be mixed and output to the monitor system. . In the input channel IN, the volume of the input take sound is adjusted by the fader 20 (IN),
Panning can be performed with the N adjustment knob 27. The channel of the mixer unit 13 can adjust its volume level by the faders 20 (1) to 20 (8), and its panning by the PAN adjustment knob on the LCD display screen. Thereby, the mixer unit 13
Can mix input signals (playback sound and input sound) with each other while controlling their parameters, and output them to a monitor system.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a description will be given of a processing procedure at the time of recording start / stop of the apparatus of this embodiment. Here, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the start of recording,
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when recording is stopped.

It is now assumed that the track (5) is selected as a recording track by the recording button 22 (5) of the recorder operator group 25, and the REC operator is turned ON to start a recording standby state. As a result, the process of the flowchart of FIG. 4 is started, the status of the track (5) selected as a recording target is set to “recording”, the output from the track (5) is muted in the recorder unit 12, and the Not to be output to
The statuses of the other tracks (1) to (4) and (6) to (8) are set to "play" (step S1). When the PLAY operator of the recorder operator group 25 is turned on in this state,
Recording of the input sound (the input take sound) on the track (5) is started (step S2).

To stop recording, the STOP operator of the recorder operator group 25 is turned ON. Thereby, the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 5 is started, and the recording / reproduction of each of the tracks (1) to (8) is stopped (step S).
11). Then, the PAN value set in the input channel IN is copied to the PAN parameter of the recorded track (5) (step S12).

As described above, in the above-described embodiment, a path through which a signal is directly transmitted from the input terminal to the mixer section 13 without passing through the recorder section 12 is set, and the input sound is transmitted via this path. There is provided a portion for guiding to the mixer section and mixing it with another reproduced sound, so that when performing the recording work of the input sound, the fader of the mixer section 13 can be performed without performing the work of determining a recording track in advance. By simply adjusting the volume level at 20 (IN), the input sound can be monitored immediately, and then it is only necessary to decide on which track the input sound is to be recorded. Can be used for recording work.

In this case, the status of each track of the recorder unit 12 is automatically set to "play" except for the status whose "record" is designated by the record button 22.
And the reproduced sound is input to the mixer unit 13,
As for the track being recorded (track (5) in FIG. 1), the path from the recorder section 12 to the mixer section 13 is automatically muted, so that the direct input sound via the input channel IN and the recording The same sound from the two systems is mixed with the playback sound of the same input sound via the track,
It is possible to prevent the same sound from being sounded twice.

Further, at the time of recording, the PAN (sound image localization) parameter set by the input channel IN of the mixer section 13 is, after recording, the channel in the mixer section corresponding to the recording track (in this case, the fifth channel). ), The state at the time of recording is reflected on the corresponding channel of the mixer section. In other words, the state as heard during recording is reproduced.

In carrying out the present invention, various modifications are possible. For example, in the embodiment described above, a new input channel IN is provided in the mixer section, and this input channel I
N, a fader 20 (IN) and a PAN control knob 27 are added, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, without providing such a new input channel IN, the input take sound ( A signal path for guiding the input sound) to the mixer section 13 without passing through the recorder section 12 is provided, and this signal path is connected to a channel of the mixer section corresponding to the recording track selected as a recording target,
The volume of the channel may be adjusted by the fader 20 (IN) irrespective of the operation position of the fader 20 of the channel, and the signal path connecting the recording track and the mixer section 13 may be cut off. In this case, the mixer unit 13 needs to have only the number of channels required conventionally.

Incidentally, without providing the fader 20 (IN),
Mixing may be performed at the mixer 13 at a fixed volume. Also, the PL of the recorder operator group 25
While the AY button is being pressed, the input take sound may not be sent to the mixer unit 13.

In the above-described embodiment, in order to prevent double sound of the input sound, the recorder 12 does not pass through the track being recorded, or cuts off the signal even if it passes through the mixer, 13, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example,
Although the take sound passed through the recording track is sent to the mixer section 13, the take channel may be deleted from the corresponding channel on the mixer section 13 side.

In the above embodiment, the input channel I
The N-side PAN parameter is copied to the channel corresponding to the recording track at the end of recording. However, the present invention is not limited to this. At any time in between, that is, all that is required is that those parameters be transcribed when reproducing the sound recorded on the recording track. When the input take sound is a stereo signal, the path transmitted to the mixer 13 may be able to handle the stereo signal.

In the above-described embodiment, the parameter adjustment means such as the PAN adjustment circuit for the input sound to be recorded and the fader circuit for adjusting the reproduction volume are described as being provided in the input channel IN of the mixer section. The present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that these parameter adjusting means may be provided on a path that directly leads the input sound to the mixer section (that is, a path that does not pass through the recorder section).

Each track may be capable of selecting a state other than either recording or reproduction. For example, the recording button 22 may be used to switch between three states: recording, playback, and mute.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform an ergonomic operation such as deciding on which track to record a sound while listening to the sound to be recorded. Will be able to do it.

Further, according to the present invention, the sound to be recorded can always be output to the monitor system, so that the recording is performed because the fader corresponding to the recording target track has been muted as in the prior art. It is not possible to confirm whether or not the recording is in progress, thereby preventing the recording work from being hindered.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a signal connection state of a recording / reproducing apparatus as one embodiment of the present invention by a function block.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a recording / reproducing apparatus as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of an operation panel in the apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when recording is started in the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when recording is stopped in the embodiment device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration example of an operation panel of a conventional device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a signal connection state of the conventional device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a state of signal connection of the conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2 Operation Panel 3 RAM (Random Access Memory) 4 ROM (Read Only Memory) 5 DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 6 A / D Converter 7 Random Accessible Storage Device 8 D / A converter 9R, 9L Audio system 11 Recording track selection unit 12 Recorder unit 13 Mixer unit 20 (1) to 20 (8), 20 (IN) Fader 21 (1) to 21 (8) Recording track display 22 (1) to 22 (8) Record button 23 Input level adjustment knob 24 Parameter operator group 25 Recorder operator group 26 Liquid crystal display 27 PAN adjustment knob for input

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G11B 27/02 K

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A recording / reproducing apparatus having a plurality of tracks for recording / reproducing an audio signal, comprising: input means for inputting an audio signal; and designation means for designating a recording track or a reproduction track for the plurality of tracks. Recording an audio signal input from the input means on a recording track designated by the designating means of the plurality of tracks, and recording the audio signal input from the reproduction track designated by the designating means of the plurality of tracks; Recording / reproducing means for reproducing an audio signal recorded on a reproduction track; transmitting means for transmitting the audio signal input from the input means to the mixing means; and the mixing means, each track of the recording / reproducing means. Each of which has a plurality of channels corresponding to the An audio signal input to each corresponding channel from the track and an audio signal from the transmission means, and outputting the mixed audio signal. A recording / reproducing apparatus in which an audio signal input to an input means is output irrespective of the designation of a recording track without the audio signal being mixed by the mixing means. 2. The recording / reproducing means according to claim 1, wherein said recording / reproducing means outputs an audio signal during recording on said recording track. 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a prohibition unit for prohibiting the audio signal being recorded from the recording track from being mixed by the mixing unit. 3. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording / reproducing means does not output an audio signal being recorded on said recording track. 4. The mixing means comprises level designating means capable of arbitrarily designating the level of an audio signal input to each channel corresponding to each track, and from the input means to the mixing means via the transmitting means. 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input audio signal is mixed by said mixing means irrespective of the level specified for the channel corresponding to any track by said level specifying means. . 5. A localization designating means for designating a localization parameter for adjusting a sound image localization parameter with respect to an audio signal transmitted through the transmission means, wherein the mixing means converts the audio signal transmitted through the transmission means by the localization specification means at that time. In addition to adjusting and outputting the sound image localization based on the localization parameters specified in the above, the audio signal reproduced by the recording / reproducing means is output based on the localization parameters specified by the localization specifying means at the time of recording the audio signal. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sound image localization is adjusted and output.