JP2001075570A - Audio waveform recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately obtain audio waveforms having a musical length without requiring skill by controlling the completion of audio waveforms equivalent to one phrase to be recorded as musical timing close to the completion timing. SOLUTION: In this example, it is assumed that a stop switch is pressed with the timing that is slightly delayed from the timing of normal rhythm. Having pressed the switch, a laspe of time T and start and completion time Ts, which is the time between a recording start switch is pressed and the stop switch is pressed, are set. Moreover, counting of a tempo counter value TC is stopped. In this case, the rhythm timing close to the timing, at which the stop switch is pressed, becomes the rhythm timing next to the value TC, i.e., the timing at which the stop switch is pressed. Note that a sampling time ST at that time becomes the value which is time converted to the value of the tempo counter value TC+1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an audio waveform recording apparatus such as a sampler having a so-called quantize function.

[0002] In the field of electronic musical instruments, a sampler is well known as a device for recording an audio waveform. In such a sampler, the start and end of the sampling recording are instructed by operation buttons or the like. Usually, the user manually designates the start timing and the end timing of the sampling recording, so that the start timing and the end timing are designated. The audio waveform between them is recorded as an audio waveform for one phrase. Such a sampler is usually provided with a loop playback function, and the loop playback function allows a sampled and recorded audio waveform of one phrase to be repeatedly played back in a loop and treated as a song.

[0003]

In such a sampler, the start timing and the end timing of sampling recording are instructed by the user manually operating the operation buttons. For example, as shown in FIG.
In the case of recording an audio waveform in which the length of a bar is one phrase, the recording end timing at the end of the fourth bar is instructed by a user's manual operation. However, ending the recording exactly at the end of the fourth measure requires considerable skill, is actually difficult, and inevitably causes a slight error e with respect to the correct end timing.

However, the length of one phrase sampled and recorded as described above is musically accurate (for example, 4 hours).
Otherwise, if the phrase is loop-reproduced, the time lag due to the error e increases with respect to the exact musical time as the number of times of loop reproduction increases, and the overall rhythm is reduced. It will collapse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to obtain an audio waveform having an accurate musical length without requiring skill in recording an audio waveform. The purpose is to:

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an audio waveform recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises a recording means for recording an input audio waveform, and a start and end of recording by the recording means. Instructor means for instructing, input means for inputting musical time information (for example, tempo information, beat information, etc.), and musical timing (for example, beat timing or bar measure) as time elapses based on the input musical time information. And an end timing of the audio waveform for one phrase recorded by the recording means is set to be the musical timing closest to the end timing designated by the operation means. Control means.

[0007]

The operator inputs musical time information for determining the musical length of the audio waveform to be recorded, for example, tempo information, beat information, etc., by using the input means. Thereafter, when the start of recording is instructed by the operation means, the recording means sequentially records the input audio waveform. During this time, the generating means sequentially generates musical timing as time passes, based on the input musical time information. To finish recording the audio waveform,
The end of recording is instructed by the operation means. Then, the control means obtains a musical timing (for example, a beat timing or a bar ending timing) closest to the end timing instructed by the operation means, and determines the musical timing as an audio for one phrase to be recorded. Control to end the waveform. As a result, the length of the recorded audio waveform becomes a time length that is not musically odd,
Even when such an audio waveform is repeatedly played back in a loop, it is possible to prevent a deviation from an accurate musical length from being accumulated one by one due to loop playback or the like.

[0008] The above-mentioned method of finding the nearest musical timing will be described with a more specific example. Now, it is assumed that a beat timing is generated based on the input musical time information (for example, a tempo value). In one beat section composed of the timings of the beats before and after the timing at which the recording end is instructed by the operation means, the timing at which the recording end is instructed is determined by the quantizing reference value of this one beat section (for example, 1/1 of one beat). When the recording time is before the recording start timing, the time from the recording start timing to the timing of the beat immediately before the recording end instruction timing is a unit for handling the audio waveform sampling time (an audio waveform such as one phrase). Time). On the other hand, when the recording end instruction timing is later than the quantization reference value of this one beat section, recording is performed from the recording start timing to the beat timing immediately after the recording end instruction timing, and the recording time is sampled. Time. Therefore, when sampling and recording of the audio waveform are completed, an audio waveform having an accurate musical length can be obtained.

As described above, the nearest musical timing may be not only the musical timing that has already elapsed at the timing of the recording end instruction, but also the musical timing coming from now on. The recording time of the audio waveform is extended until the target timing. As described above, according to the present invention, the nearest musical timing is determined at the timing of the recording end instruction, and the time until the musical timing is determined as the audio waveform sampling time.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an audio waveform recording apparatus according to the present invention in the form of a functional block configuration. In this embodiment, the present invention is implemented by a sampler having a quantize function. In the figure, 1
Is a sampler. The sampler 1 samples and records an input audio waveform. Upon receiving a write start instruction from the control means 2 described later, the sampler 1 sequentially records audio waveform data in time series, and performs this recording operation. The process is continued until a write end instruction is received from the control means 2. When a loop reproduction start instruction is received from the control means 2, the recorded audio waveform data for one phrase is reproduced in a loop at the tempo set by the user.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a tempo setting knob. The tempo setting knob 3 is an operator for setting a tempo information such as a tempo value of audio waveform data input to the sampler by a user or the like. Reference numeral 4 denotes a tempo display device, which is a display device for displaying tempo information set by operation of the tempo setting knob 3. As a form of this tempo display, a form in which the set tempo value is displayed as a number and, for example, the light emitting diode blinks in synchronization with a beat can be used.

5 is a recording start switch (REC STAR)
T SW), and the recording start switch 5 is a switch for instructing the sampler 1 to start recording the input audio waveform data. Reference numeral 7 denotes a loop playback start switch (LOOP PLAYSTART SW). The loop playback start switch 7 starts the loop playback of a predetermined section of the audio waveform recorded on the sampler 1 (for example, a recorded audio waveform for one frame). This is a switch for instructing. 6 is a stop switch (ST
OP SW), and the stop switch 6 is a switch for giving an instruction to end recording of the audio waveform by the sampler 1 and an instruction to end loop reproduction.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a metronome. The metronome 8 is used for recording the audio waveform between the time when the recording start switch 5 instructs the start of recording and the stop switch 6 to instruct the end of recording.
Periodic rhythm sound according to the tempo value set in (for example,
A signal such as a beep, beep, beep, etc. is generated.
This rhythm sound signal is superimposed on the reproduced sound signal from the sampler 1 by the adder 9 and emitted.

The control means 2 comprises a microcomputer or the like, and includes a tempo setting knob 3, a recording start switch 5, a stop switch 6, and a loop reproduction start switch 7.
Display of the tempo on the tempo display device 4,
It instructs generation of a tempo sound signal of the metronome 8, start / end of recording for the sampler 1, and start / end of loop reproduction.

The operation of this embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, the parameters used in each processing of these flowcharts include an elapsed time T, a beat time TP, a tempo count value TC, a quantize reference value Q, a start / end operation time Ts, a sampling time ST, and the like. .

The elapsed time T is the elapsed time from the start of recording the audio waveform (start of sampling). One beat time TP is a time length per beat with respect to the tempo set by the tempo setting knob 3. Tempo count value TC
Is a count value that increases by one each time one beat time TC elapses after the start of recording of the audio waveform. The quantize reference value Q is a value that is a reference for quantization performed at the end of recording in the present invention, and is set to a value that is half of one beat time TP (Q = TP / 2). The start / end operation time Ts is the length of time from when the recording start switch 5 is pressed to when the stop switch 6 is pressed. The sampling time ST is a time length obtained by quantizing the above-mentioned start / end time Ts and giving it to the sampler as a time length of one sampled and recorded audio waveform of a phrase.

First, the procedure of the main processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the apparatus power is turned on, the sampler 1 and the control means 2 are initialized, and various initial values are set (step S1). Next, the operation state of the tempo setting knob 3 is checked (step S2). If the operation has not been performed, monitoring of the operation state of the tempo setting knob 3 is continued (NO route of step S2).

On the other hand, when it is detected that the tempo setting knob 3 has been operated, the value of one beat time TP and the quantizing reference value Q are calculated (step S2). Here, one beat time TP can be obtained by calculating a time corresponding to one beat based on a newly set tempo value according to the operation amount of the tempo setting knob 3. The quantizing reference value Q is a half value of the calculated one beat time TP (Q =
TP / 2). Thereafter, the tempo information such as the newly set tempo value is displayed on the tempo display device 4 (step S4), and the operation state of the tempo setting knob 3 is monitored again (step S2).

Next, a processing procedure for recording an audio waveform will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.
Now, it is assumed that an audio waveform signal is input to the sampler 1. Here, when the recording start switch 5 is pressed, the waveform recording processing shown in FIG. 3 is performed. First, the metronome 8 is instructed to start sounding at the tempo value set by the tempo setting knob 3 (step S1).
1). Next, a recording start instruction is given to the sampler 1 (step S12). Thereby, the sampler 1 records the input audio waveform. Using the recording start time as a reference (point 0), the timer (not shown) starts measuring the elapsed time T after the recording start time and starts counting the tempo count value TC representing the number of beats (step). S13).

Thereafter, the input audio waveform is recorded in chronological order by the sampler 1, and at the same time, the timer counts the elapsed time T. The tempo count value TC is incremented by one each time the elapsed time T elapses one beat time TP. Then, in parallel with these processes, it is monitored whether or not the stop switch 6 has been pressed (step S14).

FIG. 5 shows an example of the relationship between the timing at which the stop switch 6 is pressed and the beat timing. In the illustrated example, it is assumed that the stop switch 6 is pressed at a timing slightly delayed from the timing of the normal beat. When the stop switch 6 is pressed (step S1)
4) The elapsed time T (measured value of the timer) at that time is set as a start / end operation time Ts from when the recording start switch 5 is pressed to when the stop switch 6 is pressed.
Further, the counting of the tempo count value TC ends (step S15).

Next, it is determined whether or not the following equation is satisfied: Ts ≦ (TC × TP + Q) (step S16). This equation is for checking the beat timing closest to the timing when the stop switch 6 is pressed.
Is determined as to whether the elapsed time from the tempo count value TC at the time when the stop switch 6 is pressed is within the quantization reference value Q, and
That is, if Ts ≦ (TC × TP + Q), the beat timing closest to the timing when the stop switch 6 is pressed is the value of the tempo count value TC, and the sampling time ST at this time is the time of the tempo count value TC. The converted value, that is, ST = TC × TP is determined (step S17). This is to quantize the start / end operation time Ts so that the time length up to the beat timing immediately before the timing when the stop switch 6 is actually pressed is set as the sampling time ST. The time length coincides with the exact beat timing.

On the other hand, NO, that is, Ts> (TC × TP
+ Q), the beat timing closest to the timing when the stop switch 6 is pressed is the tempo count value TC.
, Ie, the timing of the beat that arrives immediately after the timing when the stop switch 6 is pressed, and the sampling time ST at this time is a value obtained by converting the value of the tempo count value TC + 1 into time, ie, ST = ( (TC + 1) × TP (step S18). In this case, it waits until the elapsed time T reaches the sampling time ST, during which the recording by the sampler 1 is continued (step S
19). This is to quantize the start / end operation time Ts so that the time length up to the beat timing immediately after the timing when the stop switch 6 is actually pressed is set as the sampling time ST. The time length coincides with the exact beat timing.

When the timing time ST is determined as described above, the control means 2 instructs the sampler 1 to stop recording the input audio waveform (step S20). At the same time, a sounding end instruction is issued to the metronome 8 (step S21), and the counting of the measurement time T by the timer is ended (step S2).
2). Next, the control means 2 sets the sampling time ST obtained by the above calculation in the sampler 1 as the time length (recording time length) of one phrase of the input audio waveform (step S23).

Next, with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 4, a processing procedure when the audio waveform is reproduced by the sampler 1 will be described. When the loop playback start switch 7 is pressed and a loop playback start instruction is issued, a routine of a processing procedure shown in FIG. 4 is executed, and the control means 2 instructs the sampler 1 to start loop playback of the recorded audio waveform. Be instructed. Thus, the sampler 1 reproduces the recorded audio waveform in a loop with the length of the sampling time ST as one phrase. Since the sampling time ST has a time length corresponding to a musically accurate beat timing, even if the loop reproduction is repeated, a temporal deviation does not accumulate. While the loop reproduction is being performed, it is continuously monitored whether the stop switch 6 is pressed and a loop reproduction end instruction is issued (step S32). When the loop reproduction end instruction is issued, the loop reproduction is ended.

In implementing the present invention, various modifications are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, tempo information is input as musical time information serving as a reference for quantizing the sampling time. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, beat information may be input as musical time information. (Time signature information) may be input, and the sampling time may be quantized by adjusting the time when the stop switch 6 is pressed to the end timing of the nearest bar.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the audio waveform recording apparatus according to the present invention is realized by a dedicated apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Function can be realized by causing a personal computer to execute the functions. In this case, a program for causing the personal computer to realize the above functions is stored in a recording medium,
What is necessary is just to install the said program from this recording medium to a personal computer.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an audio waveform having an accurate musical length without needing any skill in recording an audio waveform.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment in which an audio waveform recording apparatus according to the present invention is realized by a sampler equipped with a quantization function.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a main process in the embodiment device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of recording a waveform in the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of waveform reproduction in the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a timing relationship with various times at the time of a recording end instruction in the apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a conventional problem.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sampler 2 Control means 3 Tempo setting knob 4 Tempo display device 5 Recording start switch 6 Stop switch 7 Loop playback start switch 8 Metronome 9 Adder

Claims (1)

[Claims] Recording means for recording an input audio waveform; operating means for instructing start and end of recording by the recording means; input means for inputting musical time information; Generating means for sequentially generating musical timing over time based on the information; and setting the end of the audio waveform recorded by the recording means to be the musical timing closest to the end timing specified by the operation means. An audio waveform recording device, comprising: a control unit for performing such control.