JP2006184628A - Access controller, musical sound signal generation method, generation system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate lists formed of channel numbers at which the transfer of waveform data from a hard disk is made possible as elements, to sort the lists in order of shorter transfer time limits, and to transfer the waveform data in the order of the lists. <P>SOLUTION: The musical sound signal generation system has a rate memory means (RAM) storing the reproducing rates of respective sound production channels. A first recording medium (hard disk) is a recording medium to store the wavelength data in a block (cluster) unit of a prescribed size and a second recording medium (waveform memory 22) has a plurality of memory regions (BiF, BiR) for each channel, and partial data is alternately written in these memory regions. In the detection process, the lists of the sound producing channels are generated in the order of faster timing when the reproduction by the partial data stored in the second memory recording medium ends, and the sound producing channels of the highest rank in the lists is detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an access control device, a tone signal generation method, a tone signal generation device, and a program suitable for use in generating a tone signal by a personal computer.

  In recent years, a system is known in which a memory sound source is configured using a personal computer and a musical sound signal is generated based on performance information. In such a system, the waveform data stored in the hard disk is read into the waveform memory for each partial data (for example, one cluster), an envelope is given to the read portion, and effect processing is performed. Generates a musical sound signal. However, in a hard disk, since the time lag until data is actually read after receiving a read instruction from the CPU is large, the CPU outputs a read instruction to the hard disk before the time when the partial data is actually needed. It is necessary to keep it.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 discloses a technique for providing two memory areas, “first half” and “second half”, for each sound generation channel in a waveform memory, and continuously reproducing waveform data by alternately reading these areas. Yes. In this technique, a continuous address space is assigned to the “first half” and “second half” areas, and the “first half” and “second half” areas are alternately read out by the tone generator circuit. Therefore, the read address changes in a sawtooth waveform. When the reading of the “first half” area is completed by the tone generator circuit, an interrupt occurs to the CPU, and new partial data is read from the hard disk into the “first half” area under the control of the CPU. In parallel with this, the “second half” area is read out by the tone generator circuit, and a musical sound signal is synthesized based on the partial data in the “second half” area.

  Similarly, when reading of the “second half” area is completed by the tone generator circuit, an interrupt is generated for the CPU, and new partial data is transferred from the hard disk to the “second half” area under the control of the CPU. Is read. In parallel with this, the “first half” area is read by the tone generator circuit, and a musical sound signal is synthesized. In this way, partial data transfer to one area and data reproduction using the other area are repeatedly executed. Here, the reading speed of each area is determined based on the pitch (f number) of the corresponding sound generation channel. Thereby, one type of waveform data can be applied to various pitches.

JP-A-6-51776

Here, the progress of read addresses of a plurality of channels will be described with reference to FIG. Since the reading speed of the buffer for each tone generation channel is determined based on the pitch (f number) of the tone generation channel, the period of the sawtooth wave formed by the read address varies as shown in the figure. In any of the sound generation channels, an interrupt is generated every half cycle of the sawtooth wave, that is, at the timing indicated by a white circle, and the update of the “first half” or “second half” memory area is started. Thus, if the period of the sawtooth wave is different for each channel, interruptions of a number of sound generation channels may occur almost simultaneously near a certain timing (time tp in the illustrated example). As described above, when interrupts occur in a concentrated manner, there is a problem that the timing for reading partial data from the hard disk is delayed, and in particular, supplementation of partial data for a channel with a short read address period is not in time.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an access control apparatus and musical tone signal generation method capable of transferring each partial data with an optimal schedule according to the timing at which the partial data of each tone generation channel is required. It is an object of the present invention to provide a musical sound signal generating device and a program.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration. The parentheses are examples.
The access control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first recording medium (36) for storing at least one waveform data and the second recording having a higher access speed than the first recording medium (36). A medium (22), transfer means (26, 32) for reading a plurality of waveform data for each partial data constituting a part of each waveform data, and transferring them to the second recording medium (22); Access applied to a musical tone signal generating system having a musical tone signal generating means (20) for reading out the second recording medium (22) at a speed corresponding to a channel reproduction rate and generating a musical tone signal of each tone generation channel. Of the sound generation channels that can read the next partial data into the second recording medium (22), the control device uses the partial data stored in the second recording medium (22). Detection means (24, SP60 to SP70, SP46) for detecting a sounding channel that finishes reproduction at the earliest timing, and a sounding channel detected by the detection means are used as the partial data in the transfer means (26, 32). It is characterized by having sound generation channel specifying means (24, SP48) for specifying as a sound generation channel to be transferred.
Furthermore, in the configuration according to claim 2, in the access control device according to claim 1, the musical tone signal generation system includes rate storage means (12) for storing a reproduction rate of each sound generation channel. The first recording medium (36) is a recording medium for storing waveform data in units of blocks (clusters) of a predetermined size, and a plurality of second recording media (22) are provided for each sound generation channel. Storage areas (BiF, BiR), and the partial data are alternately written in these storage areas.
Furthermore, in the configuration according to claim 3, in the access control device according to claim 1, the detection means is a timing at which reproduction by partial data stored in the second recording medium (22) ends. A list of sounding channels is created in the order from the earliest, and the sounding channel with the highest rank in the list is detected.
In the musical sound signal generating method according to claim 4, the first recording medium (36) for storing at least one waveform data and the first recording medium (36) having a higher access speed than the first recording medium (36). 2 recording medium (22), and transfer means (26, 32) for reading out a plurality of waveform data for each partial data constituting a part of each waveform data and transferring it to the second recording medium (22) This is executed in a musical tone signal generation system having a musical tone signal generating means (20) for reading out the second recording medium (22) at a speed corresponding to the reproduction rate of each musical tone channel and generating a musical tone signal of each of the tone generation channels. Of the sound generation channels that can read the next partial data into the second recording medium (22), a portion stored in the second recording medium (22). A detection process (SP60 to SP70, SP46) for detecting a sounding channel in which reproduction by data ends at the earliest timing, and a sounding channel detected in the detection process are used as the partial data in the transfer means (26, 32). It is characterized by causing the processing device (6) to execute a sound channel designating process (SP48) for designating a sound channel to be transferred.
Further, in the configuration according to claim 5, in the music signal generation method according to claim 4, the music signal generation system includes rate storage means (12) for storing the reproduction rate of each sound generation channel. The first recording medium (36) is a recording medium for storing waveform data in units of blocks (clusters) of a predetermined size, and the second recording medium (22) is provided for each sound generation channel. It has a plurality of storage areas (BiF, BiR), and the partial data is alternately written into these storage areas, and the detection process is stored in the second recording medium (22). A list of tone generation channels is created in the order of the timing at which the reproduction by the partial data is completed (SP68), and the highest-ranked tone generation channel in the list is detected. And characterized in that.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a musical tone signal generating apparatus that executes the musical tone signal generating method according to the fourth or fifth aspect.
The program according to claim 7 causes the processing device to execute the musical sound signal generation method according to claim 4 or 5.

  As described above, according to the present invention, among the sound generation channels that can read the next partial data into the second recording medium, the earliest timing at which the partial data stored in the second recording medium is reproduced. Is detected as a sound channel to which partial data should be transferred in the transfer means. Each partial data can be transferred according to a schedule.

1． First embodiment
1.1. Hardware Configuration of the First Embodiment Next, the configuration of the tone signal generation system of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The musical tone signal generation system according to the present embodiment includes a general-purpose personal computer, a sound board mounted on the personal computer, and an application program that operates on an operating system (OS) of the personal computer. In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes a display that displays various types of information to the user. Reference numeral 4 denotes an operator, which includes a keyboard and a mouse. A CPU 6 controls other components via the bus 16 based on a program described later. A flash memory 10 stores an initial program loader and the like. A RAM 12 is used as a work memory for the CPU 10. A communication interface 14 exchanges MIDI signals and the like with other devices.

  A DMA control circuit 8 executes various controls for inputting / outputting data to / from the RAM 12 without going through the CPU 6. A hard disk 36 stores an operating system of a personal computer, an application program of a tone signal generation system, waveform data, and the like. Reference numeral 38 denotes a CD-RW drive, which inputs and outputs data to and from disks such as CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW. Reference numeral 34 denotes an IDE / I / O unit, which executes input / output processing for the hard disk 36 and the CD-RW drive 38. The hard disk 36 reads and writes various data in units of “cluster” (for example, 16 bits × 32 k words) under the control of the IDE / I / O unit 34.

  Reference numeral 40 denotes a sound card, and a sound source circuit 20 for synthesizing musical tone signals having a maximum number m of sound generation channels (m is 64, for example) is provided therein. Reference numeral 22 denotes a waveform memory (semiconductor memory), in which partial data corresponding to the first several clusters of each waveform data stored in the hard disk 36 is stored. When a note-on signal is supplied from the CPU 6 to the sound card 40, the sound card 40 needs to immediately start synthesizing a musical sound signal. However, when the hard disk 36 is accessed to obtain the waveform data, the waveform data is actually There is a time lag before the is read. Therefore, the time lag is eliminated by reading only the head portion of each waveform data into the waveform memory 22 in advance.

  Reference numerals 28 and 30 denote buffer memories (semiconductor memories) for transferring waveform data from the hard disk 36 to the waveform memory 22, each having a capacity equivalent to "1 cluster" and connected to mutually independent buses 27 and 29, respectively. ing. Reference numerals 26 and 32 denote transfer processing units. The transfer processing unit 26 accesses the waveform memory 22 from the sound source circuit 20 for waveform data of “1 cluster” already read from the hard disk 36 to the buffer memories 28 and 30. The data is transferred to the waveform memory 22 during a period when it is not. Further, the transfer processing unit 32 reads the waveform data for “1 cluster” from the hard disk 36 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 6, and the transfer processing unit 26 of the buffer memories 28 and 30 has completed the transfer. Transfer to the buffer memory.

  The above-described tone generator circuit 20 includes a plurality of tone generation channels, generates a read address for each nuclear tone generation channel, reads waveform data from the waveform memory 22, adds an envelope to the read waveform data, The tone signal for each tone generation channel is synthesized. Furthermore, the tone generator circuit 20 mixes a plurality of synthesized tone signals, and gives an effect such as reverb to the mixed tone signals. Reference numeral 18 denotes a sound system composed of an amplifier, a speaker, etc., which produces a tone signal with this effect. Note that, among the components in FIG. 1, the transfer management unit 24 indicated by a broken line is not included in this embodiment.

1.2. Operation of the first embodiment
1.2.1. Initialization processing When an application program of the musical tone signal generation system is started on the OS of the personal computer, the waveform data stored in a predetermined directory in the hard disk 36 is searched, and according to the number n of these waveform data. Waveform data corresponding areas A1 to An shown in FIG. Then, partial data at the head of these waveform data is stored in the waveform data corresponding areas A1 to An, respectively. It is preferable to secure the waveform data corresponding areas A1 to An corresponding to several clusters, but it is not necessarily an integral multiple of “1 cluster”. If the areas of “1 cluster” or more can be secured respectively. Good. Further, the cluster length of the hard disk 36 is detected, and the waveform memory 22 stores two channel corresponding areas B1F, B1R, B2F, B2R, corresponding to “one cluster” for each sounding channel having the maximum number of sounding channels m. ..., BmF and BmR are secured. The channel corresponding areas BiF and BiR of the arbitrary tone generation channel i are continuously arranged in the address space of the waveform memory 22.

  Next, an area for management data 50 shown in FIG. 6 is secured in the RAM 12 of the personal computer. In FIG. 6, the management data 50 includes header data 52 and channel data 54-1 to 54-m respectively corresponding to the first to m-th sound generation channels. In the management data 50, a list called “request list” is formed in the bidirectional linked list format. This request list is formed by arranging channel data 54-1 to 54-m in the order in which partial data should be transferred from the hard disk 36 to the channel corresponding area.

  In the management data 50, the number of elements (transfer request number) EN of the request list, the first channel number SC of the request list, and the last channel number MC of the request list are stored. The channel data 54-i associated with each tone generation channel i includes the next channel number NC (i) indicating the next channel number in the request list and the previous channel number PC () indicating the previous channel number in the request list. i) is stored. That is, the request list is composed of all EN elements in which the element of the channel number indicated by the next channel number NC (i) is sequentially connected to the element of the first channel number indicated by the SC. In various processes described later, operations such as adding a new element to the request list, deleting any element from the request list, or changing the order of the elements are executed. All of these operations are executed by rewriting the number of elements EN, the first channel number SC, the last channel number MC, the next channel number NC (i) and the previous channel number PC (i) of each sound generation channel i. The actual addresses of the channel data 54-1 to 54-m are not changed.

The channel data 54-i also stores the following information regarding the sound generation channel i.
Change flag CF (i): This flag is set to “1” when it is necessary to review the order of the channel data 54-i in the request list, and is set to “0” when it is not necessary to review the order. Is done.
Transfer enable flag TE (i): This flag is set to “1” when transfer of partial data from the hard disk 36 to the channel corresponding area BiF or BiR is allowed, and is set otherwise. Set to 0 ”.
Transfer time limit TL (i): This data indicates the time when the transfer of the partial data from the hard disk 36 to the channel corresponding area BiF or BiR should be completed. In FIG. 2C, when the reading period of each partial data by the sound source circuit 20 is Ts1, Ts2, Ts3,..., The times t2, t3,. Timed TL (i). Note that the leading portion (attack portion) of the waveform data is stored in the waveform memory 22 in advance, so that the corresponding transfer time limit TL (i) is not defined.

Next waveform block number NW (i): A block number which is an ascending number is assigned to partial data constituting each waveform data. That is, the block number of the head portion read into the waveform data corresponding area Ai is “1”, and the block numbers “2”, “3”,... Is granted. The next waveform block number NW (i) indicates the block number of the partial data to be transferred next from the hard disk 36 to the channel corresponding area BiF or BiR.
Reproduction rate DR (i): This data indicates an address interval when the waveform memory 22 and the buffer memories 28 and 30 are read out, and is determined corresponding to the pitch (f number) of the tone generation channel i. .
Interrupt time IT (i): This data indicates the time when the block reproduction completion interrupt last occurred for the sound channel i. The block reproduction completion interrupt occurs at the timing when the reproduction of the partial data stored in the waveform data corresponding area Ap, the channel corresponding area BiF or BiR is completed.

1.2.2. The occurrence of a note-on event.
When a note-on event occurs in a sequencer program in the personal computer or a MIDI signal input from the communication interface 14, the CPU 6 starts a note-on event processing routine shown in FIG.
In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP2, an empty channel is searched from the first to 64th sound generation channels in the tone generator circuit 20, and the searched sound generation channel is assigned to the note-on event. The number of the sound channel assigned here is “i”. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP4, one waveform data is determined based on the tone color, velocity, and pitch for this note-on event. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP6, various parameters based on the tone color, velocity, and pitch are set for the tone generation channel i of the tone generator circuit 20. Here, the waveform data corresponding area Ap (1 ≦ p ≦ n) in the waveform memory 22 is uniquely determined based on the determined waveform data, and the channel corresponding areas BiF and BiR are uniquely determined based on the channel number i. It is determined.

  Next, when the process proceeds to step SP8, a sound generation command is transmitted to the sound card 40 so as to start sound generation of the sound generation channel i. Thereby, in the tone generator circuit 20, reading of the waveform data corresponding area Ap is started. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP10, the next waveform block number NW (i) relating to the sound generation channel i is set to “2”, and the transfer enable flag TE (i) is set to “1”. That is, for the tone generation channel i, since only the waveform data corresponding area Ap of the block number “1” is currently read from the hard disk 36, the next waveform block number NW (i) is read next. “2”, which is the number of the power block, is set.

  In addition, since the channel corresponding area BiF, which is the area where the partial data related to the next waveform block number NW (i) is to be read, can be read immediately, the transfer enable flag TE (i) is set. It is set to “1”. Further, in step SP10, the change flag CF (i) is set to “1”, and the transfer time limit TL (i) is set to the scheduled time when the reproduction of the partial data in the waveform data corresponding area Ai is completed. Also, the playback rate DR (i) is set corresponding to the pitch (f number) of the sound channel i, the interrupt time IT (i) is “0” (“0” is still a block playback completion interrupt) Is set to).

  Next, when the process proceeds to step SP12, channel data 54-i is added to the end of the request list. This is to request the transfer of partial data of the block number “2” of the sound generation channel i. Specifically, if the sound channel at the end of the request list is “j” at present, the next channel number NC (j) of the sound channel j is set to “i”, and the previous channel number PC (i) of the sound channel i is set. ) Is set to “j”. The next channel number NC (i) of the tone generation channel i is set to “0” indicating the end of the list. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP14, it is determined whether or not any partial data is being transferred from the hard disk 36 to the buffer memory 28 or 30. If “YES” is determined here, the processing of this routine is immediately terminated. On the other hand, if “NO” is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP16, and a transfer control subroutine (FIG. 4C) described later is called. Although details will be described later, one transfer request is selected from the request list, and partial data transfer processing is executed based on the transfer request.

1.2.3. Overview of Interrupt Processing Next, an overview of various interrupt processing in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
In these drawings, it is assumed that a musical tone signal is synthesized with waveform data in the first and third sound generation channels. Therefore, in the tone generator circuit 20, the channel corresponding regions B1F and B1R are alternately read out in a cycle corresponding to the reproduction rate DR (1) of the first sound channel, and according to the reproduction rate DR (3) of the third sound channel. The channel corresponding regions B3F and B3R are also alternately read at the same period. In these figures, the hatched area in the waveform memory 22 is an area in which partial data that has not yet been read out by the tone generator circuit 20 is stored.

  FIG. 8A shows a state immediately after the reading of the channel corresponding area B3F is finished and the read address is moved to the channel corresponding area B3R for the third tone generation channel. When the reading of the channel corresponding area B3F is completed, the tone generator circuit 20 generates a block reproduction completion interrupt for notifying the CPU 6 that the reading of the channel corresponding area B3F is completed. Thereby, the CPU 6 adds the third tone generation channel to the end of the request list. Here, if the request list is an empty list, the third sounding channel is the first sounding channel in the request list.

  Next, in FIG. 8B, in response to this block reproduction completion interrupt, the CPU 6 instructs the transfer processing unit 32 to read the next partial data for the third tone generation channel. Thereby, the transfer processing unit 32 starts reading the partial data. The read partial data is sequentially transferred to one of the buffer memories 28 and 30 (buffer memory 30 in the illustrated example). Here, when the transfer of the partial data to the buffer memory 30 from the CPU 6 to the transfer processing unit 26 is completely completed, the channel corresponding area (here, B3F) to which the partial data is to be transferred is Instructed at.

  Next, in FIG. 8C, when the transfer of the partial data from the hard disk 36 to the buffer memory 30 is completed, the transfer processing unit 32 notifies the transfer processing unit 26 of the fact and notifies the CPU 6 to that effect. Transfer end interrupt occurs. In the transfer processing unit 26, in response to the notification, transfer of partial data from the buffer memory 30 to the previously notified channel corresponding area (B3F) is automatically started. That is, the transfer processing unit 26 detects the timing at which the tone generator circuit 20 does not read the waveform memory 22, and the partial data is transferred at that timing. Therefore, in a state where the tone generator circuit 20 is accessing the waveform memory 22, this transfer process is on standby. Further, in response to the transfer end interrupt, the CPU 6 determines whether or not partial data of another channel can be transferred. If it is possible, processing for transferring the partial data is executed. . Of the above processing, the data transfer executed in the transfer processing unit 26 is independently executed by the transfer processing unit 26 without the CPU 6 being involved, and therefore there is no particularly urgent processing in the CPU 6. This is because the channel corresponding area to which partial data is to be transferred is designated in advance from the CPU 6 to the transfer processing unit 26 in the previous stage of FIG. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the frequency corresponding to the urgent processing is reduced for the CPU 6 by specifying the channel corresponding area to which the partial data is to be transferred to the transfer processing unit 26 in advance. Can be made.

  Incidentally, in FIG. 8C, it is assumed that the reading of the channel corresponding region B1R has been completed in the first sound generation channel. As a result, the tone generator circuit 20 generates a block reproduction completion interrupt for notifying the CPU 6 that the reading of the channel corresponding area B1R has been completed. Accordingly, the CPU 6 adds the first tone generation channel to the end of the request list. Here, if the request list is an empty list, the first sound channel is the first sound channel in the request list.

  Next, in FIG. 8D, in response to the block reproduction completion interrupt, the CPU 6 instructs the transfer processing unit 32 to read the next partial data for the third tone generation channel. Thereby, the transfer processing unit 32 starts reading the partial data. The read partial data is sequentially transferred to the buffer memories 28 and 30 that have not been used for the previous transfer process (the buffer memory 28 in the illustrated example). As described above, the transfer of the partial data from the buffer memories 28 and 30 to the waveform memory 22 is executed at a timing when the tone generator circuit 20 does not read the waveform memory 22, so at this point in time as in the example shown in the figure. There is a possibility that partial data that has not yet been transferred to the waveform memory 22 remains in the buffer memory 30. However, since the buffer memories 28 and 30 are alternately used in the present embodiment, the transfer processing by the transfer processing unit 32 can be continued while the waveform data remaining in the buffer memory 30 is left.

  As described above, the transfer processing from the buffer memories 28 and 30 to the channel corresponding areas BiF and BiR executed by the transfer processing unit 26 is not executed until the timing when the tone generator circuit 20 does not read the waveform memory 22 occurs. However, such timing occurs frequently. Moreover, since the transfer process is a transfer from the semiconductor memory to the semiconductor memory, the process is completed immediately when the process is actually started. On the other hand, the transfer processing from the hard disk 36 to the buffer memories 28 and 30 by the transfer processing unit 32 involves mechanical operations such as head movement and disk rotation, and therefore is compared with the transfer processing by the transfer processing unit 26. Then it will be very slow. In other words, when the transfer processing unit 32 starts the transfer process for one of the buffer memories 28 and 30, the other buffer memory is always in an empty state until the transfer process is completed. Therefore, for example, it is understood that even though the hard disk 36 is in a state where data transfer is possible, a situation in which the transfer processing units 26 and 32 are not ready and data transfer is waited for hardly occurs. After all, in the present embodiment, the maximum transfer speed of the partial data from the hard disk 36 to the waveform memory 22 is almost determined by the performance of the hard disk 36, and the performance of the hard disk 36 can be fully exhibited. Further, from the viewpoint of the CPU 6, this feature is that "when a transfer end interrupt occurs (when transfer to one buffer memory is completed), transfer to the other buffer memory may be started immediately". become. As a result, the CPU 6 does not need to check whether or not the other buffer memory is empty, and does not wait for the reason that “the other buffer memory is not empty”. Thereby, the burden on the CPU 6 can be further reduced.

1.2.4. Operation of Sound Card 40 The operation in the sound card 40 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). As described above, when a note-on event related to the sound generation channel i occurs, reading of partial data in the waveform data corresponding area Ap related to the sound generation channel is started. The reading process is executed every predetermined sampling period, and the reproduction rate DR (i) is added to the reading address every sampling period. Here, since the reproduction rate DR (i) can be defined to the decimal place, the calculated value of the read address, which is the cumulative result of the reproduction rate DR (i), generally has a decimal place. become. In such a case, sample values at addresses before and after the calculation result are read out, and an interpolation operation is performed based on the decimal value. Thereby, even if the calculated value of the read address has a decimal value, a sampling value with less aliasing noise can be obtained.

  Here, when the reading of the waveform data corresponding area Ap is completed, the partial data in the channel corresponding areas BiF and BiR corresponding to the sound generation channel i are read alternately. In the tone generator circuit 20, an envelope is added to the read partial data and effect processing is executed as necessary. The resulting musical sound signal is released via the sound system 18. It will be sounded. Further, in the tone generator circuit 20, when reading of any one of the waveform data corresponding area Ap and the channel corresponding areas BiF and BiR is completed, a block reproduction completion interrupt to the CPU 6 occurs. Further, when the transfer of the partial data from the hard disk 36 to the buffer memories 28 and 30 is completed for any sound generation channel, a transfer end interrupt is generated.

1.2.5. Processing of Transfer Control Subroutine (FIG. 4C) When the transfer control subroutine shown in FIG. 4C is called, the process proceeds to step SP40, and whether or not the next transfer request (element) exists in the request list. Is determined. If “NO” is determined here, the processing of this routine is immediately terminated. On the other hand, if “YES” is determined in step SP40, the process proceeds to step SP42, and the next transfer request in the request list is referred to. That is, when this routine is called and step SP40 is executed for the first time, it is determined whether or not the top element of the request list exists. When step SP40 is executed thereafter, the next element is sequentially added. It is determined whether or not it exists. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP44, the tone generation channel number related to the transfer request determined to be “present” is substituted into the variable j.

  Next, when the process proceeds to step SP46, it is determined whether or not the transfer enable flag TE (j) related to the sound generation channel j is “1”. If "NO" is determined here, the process returns to step SP40, and the processes of steps SP40 to SP44 are executed for the next transfer request for the sound channel j in the request list. This is because even if a sound generation channel is located at the top of the request list, transfer cannot be started for that channel unless the transfer enable flag for the sound generation channel is “1”. This is because the transfer of a high tone channel is executed.

  As described above, when the tone generation channel j having the highest priority in the request list among the tone generation channels that can be transferred is detected, the process proceeds to step SP48. Here, the CPU 6 instructs the transfer processing unit 32 to perform a transfer process involving the sound generation channel j and the next waveform block number NW (j). Thus, under the control of the transfer processing unit 32, the partial data of one cluster specified by the next waveform block number NW (j) is read out from the waveform data stored in the hard disk 36 and assigned to the sound generation channel j. Then, transfer to the buffer memory 28 or 30 is started. In step SP48, the CPU 6 instructs the transfer processing unit 26 to specify a channel corresponding area (BjF or BjR) to which the transferred partial data is to be transferred. Then, the CPU 6 deletes the transfer request related to the sound generation channel j from the request list.

  Next, when the process proceeds to step SP50, the next waveform block number NW (j) related to the sound generation channel j is incremented by “1”, and the transfer enable flag TE (j) is set to “0”. Here, the reason why the transfer enable flag TE (j) is set to “0” will be described. As described above, in the tone generator circuit 20, when the reading of the waveform data corresponding area Ap is completed, the channel corresponding areas BjF and BjR of the sound generation channel j are alternately read. When step SP48 is executed in this state, the partial data is transferred to the buffer memory 28 or 30, and then the partial data is transferred to the "region not currently being read" in the channel corresponding region BjF or BjR. Will be.

  When the next waveform block number NW (j) is incremented by “1” in step SP50, the transfer destination area related to the next waveform block number NW (j) is “current” in the channel corresponding area BjF or BjR. “Reading area”. Therefore, the transfer process cannot be executed immediately, and it is necessary to limit the transfer process so that the transfer process is not executed until the reading of the “currently reading area” is completed. Therefore, the transfer enable flag TE (j) is set to “0” in step SP50.

  Next, when the process proceeds to step SP52, it is determined whether or not the partial data (block number = NW (j) -1) that was previously started to be transferred in step SP48 is the last partial data of the waveform data. . If "YES" is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP54 to instruct the sound source circuit 20 to mute the sound generation channel j. That is, when the sound source circuit 20 receives the instruction, the tone signal of the sound generation channel j is gradually faded out, and then the sound generation channel j is released. On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in step SP50, the process proceeds to step SP56. Here, the transfer request of the next waveform block number NW (j) is added to the end of the request list. As described above, since the contents of the request list are read from the head, transfer requests are processed in the order of arrival even in the worst case. Further, when the background processing routine (FIG. 5) described later is executed, the request list is sorted in the order of the transfer time limit TL (j), so that the request list becomes more desirable. It can be seen that even if not executed, the request list is configured so that the failure is unlikely to occur.

  Further, in step SP56, the change flag CF (j) is set to “1” and the transfer time limit TL (j) is updated. First, the transfer request of the next waveform block number NW (j) is added to the end of the request list. However, this transfer request does not necessarily have the lowest priority among the transfer requests included in the request list. Therefore, the change flag CF (j) needs to be set to “1” in order to review the priority in the background processing described later. Further, the transfer time limit TL (j) is set to a scheduled time at which the reproduction of all partial data that have already been transferred to the channel corresponding regions BjF and BjR (or started transfer in step SP48) is completed. Thus, the processing of this subroutine is completed.

1.2.6. Block playback completion event processing (Figure 4 (a))
When a block reproduction completion interrupt occurs in any sound generation channel i, the block reproduction completion event process shown in FIG. 4A is executed. In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP20, the channel number in which the interrupt has occurred is substituted into the variable i. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP22, the transfer enable flag TE (i) is set to “1”. This is because the area of the transfer destination of the next waveform block number NW (i) is the area on the side where the reproduction has been completed at this point in the channel corresponding areas BiF and BiR. This is because partial data can be transferred at any time. In step SP22, the current time is substituted for the interrupt time IT (i).

  When the interrupt time IT (i) is updated, the transfer time limit TL (i) is recalculated and updated based on the interrupt time IT (i) and the playback rate DR (i) of the tone generation channel i. The Since the value before update of the transfer time period TL (i) should be the same as the interrupt time IT (i) unless the pitch of the sound generation channel i is changed, it is based on the transfer time period TL (i) before update. It is also conceivable to calculate a new transfer time limit TL (i). However, actually, if the pitch is slightly changed by an operation such as pitch bend, the transfer time limit TL (i) before the update does not coincide with the interrupt time IT (i). Therefore, it is desirable to recalculate the transfer time limit TL (i) based on the latest interrupt time IT (i) and the reproduction rate DR (i). Next, when the process proceeds to step SP24, it is determined whether or not any partial data is being transferred from the hard disk 36 to the buffer memory 28 or 30. If “YES” is determined here, the processing of this routine is immediately terminated. On the other hand, if “NO” is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP26, and the above-described “transfer control subroutine (FIG. 4C)” is called.

1.2.7. Transfer end event processing (Figure 4 (b))
When transfer to one of the areas in the buffer memories 28 and 30 is completed in the sound card 40, a transfer end interrupt is generated and a transfer end event processing routine shown in FIG. 4B is started. In this routine, the transfer control subroutine (FIG. 4C) is simply called. In other words, as long as the partial data can be transferred, the transfer control subroutine is repeatedly called every time the transfer is completed, and the transfer process is continuously executed.

1.2.8. Background processing (Figure 5)
The CPU 6 can process a plurality of tasks simultaneously, and the usage rate of the CPU 6 is constantly monitored. When the usage rate becomes lower than the predetermined value, the background processing routine shown in FIG. 5 is started. In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP60, a channel whose change flag CF (i) is "1" among the sound generation channels belonging to the request list is searched. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP62, it is determined whether or not such a channel has been found. If “NO” is determined here, the processing of this routine is immediately terminated.

  On the other hand, if “YES” is determined in step SP62, the process proceeds to step SP64, and the found channel number is substituted into the variable i. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP68, the position where the transfer request with the transfer time limit TL (i) should be moved is detected from the top of the request list. That is, the transfer time TL (j) of the sound generation channel j other than the sound generation channel i is sequentially searched from the top of the request list, and if a transfer time TL (j) slower than the transfer time TL (i) is found. The transfer request for the sound channel i is moved to the position immediately before the sound channel j in the request list.

  Next, when the process proceeds to step SP70, the change flag CF (i) is set to “0”. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP72, it is determined whether a process other than the background process is being executed. If “NO” is determined here, the processing of steps SP60 to SP70 is repeated. On the other hand, if “YES” is determined in step SP72, this routine is immediately terminated to prioritize the other processing.

  As described above, according to this routine, the transfer requests of the sound generation channels are sorted in the order of the transfer time limit TL, so in the transfer control subroutine (FIG. 4C), transfer is performed in the order of the transfer time limit TL. It is determined whether or not it is possible (whether or not the transfer enable flag TE is “1”). Therefore, in this routine, since the sound generation channel having the earliest transfer time limit TL is selected from the sound generation channels having the transfer enable flag TE of “1”, it is possible to prevent a situation in which partial data transfer cannot be performed in time. be able to.

2． Second embodiment
2.1. Hardware Configuration of Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The hardware configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but a transfer management unit 24 indicated by a broken line is added to the sound card 40. The transfer management unit 24 manages the order of sound generation channels to which partial data should be transferred from the hard disk 36.

2.2. Operation of the second embodiment
2.2.1. Initialization processing When an application program for a musical tone signal generation system is started up in a personal computer, the waveform data stored in a predetermined directory in the hard disk 36 is searched for, as in the case of the first embodiment. Corresponding areas A1 to An are secured in the waveform memory 22, and partial data of the head portion of these waveform data are stored in the waveform data corresponding areas A1 to An, respectively. Also, in the buffer memories 28 and 30, channel corresponding regions B1F, B2F,..., BmF and B1R, B2R,.

  Next, although a management data area is secured in the RAM 12 of the personal computer, the management data in this embodiment is different from that in the first embodiment and does not include data related to the “request list”. That is, the management data does not include data corresponding to the header data 52, and the channel data 54-1 to 54-m do not include the start channel number SC and the end channel number MC. This is because in the present embodiment, information corresponding to these is managed by the transfer management unit 24.

2.2.2. The occurrence of a note-on event.
When a note-on event occurs in the MIDI signal or the like input from the communication interface 14, the CPU 6 starts a note-on event processing routine shown in FIG.
In steps SP82 to SP88 of this routine, the same processing as SP2 to SP8 of the first embodiment is executed. That is, a sound generation channel i is assigned to the note-on event, waveform data is determined, various parameters are set for the sound generation channel i of the tone generator circuit 20, and a sound generation command is transmitted to the sound card 40. The

  Next, when the process proceeds to step SP90, the next waveform block number NW (i) in the channel data 54-i in the RAM 12 is set to “2”. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP94, it is determined whether or not any partial data is being transferred from the hard disk 36 to the buffer memory 28 or 30. If “YES” is determined here, the processing of this routine is immediately terminated. On the other hand, if "NO" is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP96, and a transfer control subroutine (FIG. 7D) described later is called.

2.2.3. Operation of Sound Card 40 The operation of the sound card 40 other than the transfer management unit 24 is the same as that of the first embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the transfer management unit 24 executes the following processing.
First, the transfer management unit 24 generates a “channel number list” that is a list in which all the following channels satisfying all of the following conditions are listed among all the sound generation channels that are currently sounding.
(1) Partial data can be transferred to any one of the channel corresponding areas BiF and BiR related to the sound generation channel i.
(2) No mute command is received from the CPU 6 for the sound generation channel i.

  Also, a numerical value (for example, “0”) that is a channel number that does not actually exist is added to the end of the list. Then, the transfer management unit 24 calculates the transfer time limit TL (i) at which the waveform data can be reproduced based on the partial data already written in the waveform memory 22 for all sound generation channels i belonging to the channel number list. Then, a “channel number list” that is a list in which the channel numbers are sorted in the order of the transfer time limit TL (i) is generated. However, since the transfer manager 24 itself does not know whether or not the next waveform block number NW (i) exists, the channel number list may include a sound generation channel that does not actually have the next waveform block. .

  The channel number list generated in the transfer management unit 24 can be freely read from the CPU 6. In the transfer management unit 24, the channel corresponding regions BjF and BjR of each tone generation channel j are sequentially monitored, and the tone generation channel j is added to the channel number list depending on whether partial data can be transferred, or the tone generation channel j is the channel number. Removed from the list. At the same time, as described above, the list is sequentially sorted according to the transfer time limit TL (i). Therefore, for example, when the CPU 6 reads the head of the channel number list, the sound channel i having the highest rank after sorting is read out in any of the channel corresponding areas BiF and BiR.

2.2.4. Transfer Control Subroutine When the transfer control subroutine shown in FIG. 7 (d) is called, the process proceeds to step SP120, and the CPU 6 reads the channel number that is the first element of the channel number list in the transfer management unit 24. The result is assigned to variable i. As described above, when there is no channel number to be transferred, a predetermined numerical value (for example, “0”) is read. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP122, it is determined whether or not there is a channel number to be transferred (whether or not it is a value other than “0”).

  If “NO” is determined here, the processing of this routine is immediately terminated. On the other hand, if “YES” is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP124 to determine whether or not partial data corresponding to the next waveform block number NW (i) exists. For example, when the transfer of all the blocks of the corresponding waveform data is completed, it is determined as “NO” here, the process proceeds to step SP125, and the CPU 6 issues a mute command for the sound generation channel i to the tone generator circuit 20. Supplied. As a result, the tone signal of the sound channel i is gradually faded out, and then the sound channel i is released. When the mute command is detected by the transfer management unit 24, the element related to the sound generation channel i is deleted from the channel number list. When the process returns to step SP120, the next channel number is read from the transfer management unit 24, and the determinations at steps SP122 and SP124 are repeated.

  If “YES” is determined in step SP124, the process proceeds to step SP126. Here, the CPU 6 instructs the transfer processing unit 32 to perform a transfer process involving the sound generation channel j and the next waveform block number NW (j). Thus, under the control of the transfer processing unit 32, the partial data of one cluster specified by the next waveform block number NW (j) is read out from the waveform data stored in the hard disk 36 and assigned to the sound generation channel j. Then, transfer to the buffer memory 28 or 30 is started. Further, in step SP126, the CPU 6 instructs the transfer processing unit 26 to specify a channel corresponding area (BjF or BjR) to which the transferred partial data is to be transferred. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP128, the next waveform block number NW (i) is incremented by “1”, and the process of this routine ends.

2.2.5. Block playback completion event processing (Figure 7 (b))
When a block reproduction completion interrupt occurs in any sound generation channel, a block reproduction completion event processing routine shown in FIG. 7B is executed. In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP100, it is determined whether or not any partial data is being transferred from the hard disk 36 to the buffer memory 28 or 30. If “YES” is determined here, the processing of this routine is immediately terminated. On the other hand, if “NO” is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP102, and the above-described transfer control subroutine (FIG. 7D) is called.

2.2.6. Transfer end event processing (Figure 7 (c))
When transfer to one of the areas in the buffer memories 28 and 30 is completed in the sound card 40, a transfer end interrupt is generated and a transfer end event processing routine shown in FIG. 7C is started. In this routine, the transfer control subroutine (FIG. 7 (d)) is simply called. That is, as long as partial data can be transferred, the transfer process continues to be executed in the transfer control subroutine.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, except for management of the next waveform block number NW, etc., the transfer management unit 24, in which most of the management of the channel number list corresponding to the request list of the first embodiment is hardware. It is entrusted to. Thereby, this embodiment can reduce the processing load of the CPU 6 as compared with the first embodiment.

3． Modifications The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made as follows, for example.
(1) In each of the above embodiments, various processes are executed by an application program that runs on a personal computer. However, only this application program is stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a flexible disk and distributed or transmitted. It can also be distributed through the road.

(2) In each of the above embodiments, the buffer memories 28 and 30 and the waveform memory 22 are mounted in the sound card 40. However, by mounting these memory areas in the RAM 12, mounting of these memories is omitted. Also good.

(3) In each of the above embodiments, the “reproduction rate DR (i)” is determined corresponding to the pitch (f number) of the sound generation channel i, but the “reproduction rate” of the present invention is the pitch (f number). Need not be uniquely determined. For example, the waveform data stored in the hard disk 36 may be waveform data obtained by compressing the data. In this case, when compared with uncompressed waveform data, the same f number is stored in the buffer memories 28 and 30. The partial data is consumed at a slower speed. The resolution of the waveform data may be different for each waveform data, such as “8 bits”, “16 bits”, “24 bits”, etc. Therefore, as the resolution of the waveform data is increased, the partial data in the buffer memories 28 and 30 is increased. Will be consumed faster.

(4) In each of the above embodiments, the request list is created based on the transfer time limit TL of one block of partial data to be transferred next. However, a transfer time limit TL of a plurality of n blocks to be transferred thereafter. And a request list may be created so as to include all of them.

(5) In the above embodiment, the request list includes all sound generation channels that are sounding. However, only the sound generation channel i in which one of the channel corresponding areas BiF and BiR is writable can be used. It may be included in the request list.
(6) As another configuration method of the request list, the request list may be configured only by the sound generation channel in which the subsequent unread partial data exists in the hard disk 36.

(7) For waveform data having a small overall size, the entire waveform data may be placed in the waveform memory 22 as an attack portion so that the waveform data can be reproduced without being transferred from the hard disk 36.
In such a case, before executing step SP10 in FIG. 3 and step SP90 in FIG. 7A, it is determined whether or not the entire waveform data is stored in the waveform memory 22 as an attack unit. If the result is negative, steps SP10 and SP90 of the above-described embodiment are executed. If the determination result is positive, the following steps SP10 ′ and SP90 ′ may be executed instead.
Step SP10 ′: The next waveform block number NW (i) is set to “None” (for example, “0”), and the transfer enable flag TE (i) is set to “0”.
Step SP90 ′: The next waveform block number NW (i) is set to a “none” state (eg, “0”).

(8) In the above embodiment, channel corresponding regions B1F, B1R, B2F, B2R,..., BmF, BmR are secured for all sound generation channels corresponding to the maximum number m of sound generation channels. However, such “corresponding area” is not necessary for “waveform data stored in the waveform memory 22 as an entire attack section” as in the above-described modification. Therefore, a part of sound generation channels 20 of the sound source circuit 20 may be dedicated sound generation channels for such waveform data, and the number of channel corresponding regions may be reduced by the number corresponding to the number of dedicated sound generation channels.

(9) In the above embodiment, when the application program is started, partial data at the beginning of each waveform data is read into the waveform data corresponding areas A1 to An, but the timing for reading the waveform data is not limited to this. . For example, these waveform data may be read when the OS is started. Further, if a part of the waveform memory 22 is constituted by a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or a battery backup type RAM, once the head portion data is read, it is not necessary to read it every time the OS or application program is started. . Further, if a part of the waveform memory 22 is constituted by a ROM and the partial data of the head part is stored here, the reading itself can be made unnecessary.

(10) In the above embodiment, the background processing routine (FIG. 5) is executed on condition that the usage rate of the CPU 6 is lower than a predetermined value. However, the timing for executing the routine is limited to this. In short, it is better to execute with lower priority than other processes. For example, when the CPU 6 supports multitasking, the routine may always be executed in the background processing process, and the priority of the process may be set lower than that of other processes. . Alternatively, the CPU 6 may monitor the length of the idle period during which no substantial processing is performed, and start the background processing routine when the idle period exceeds a predetermined time. However, if the management data 50 is updated by other processing while steps SP64 to SP70 are being executed in the background processing routine, the background processing routine malfunctions, so that during the period in which steps SP64 to SP70 are executed, The management data 50 may be locked for other processes.

(11) In step SP68 of the above embodiment, the position where the transfer request with the transfer time limit TL (i) should be inserted may be detected from the end of the request list. However, in this case, it is necessary to ignore the sound channel whose change flag CF (j) is “1”. That is, the transfer time TL (j) of the sound generation channel j other than the sound generation channel i is sequentially searched from the end of the request list, and “the transfer time limit TL (j) is earlier than the transfer time limit TL (i) If a sound channel j whose flag CF (j) is “0” is found, a transfer request for the sound channel i may be inserted at a position immediately after the sound channel j.

(12) In the above embodiment, the data amount of “1 block”, which is a unit in which the hard disk 36 stores waveform data, is the same as “1 cluster”. . That is, “1 block” may be composed of “multiple clusters”.

(13) In the above embodiment, the hard disk 36 is applied as the first recording medium. However, MO, CD, DVD, etc. may be applied as the first recording medium.
(14) In the above embodiment, the waveform memory 22 is provided with two channel corresponding areas BiF and BiR for each tone generation channel i. However, a channel corresponding area of “3” or more is provided for each tone generation channel i. Also good.

(15) Further, the channel corresponding area of each sound generation channel does not need to be divided by an amount equivalent to “one cluster”. That is, one area having a size of “2 clusters” or more (not limited to an integral multiple of “1 cluster”) for one sound generation channel may be set as a channel corresponding area. In such a case, for each sound generation channel, a write pointer indicating to which address writing has been completed and a read pointer indicating to which address reading has been completed are secured in the RAM 12, and the difference between both pointers is 1. A block regeneration completion interrupt may be generated when the number of clusters is exceeded.

(16) Also, in this example, if the sum of the channel corresponding areas of one sounding channel exceeds the amount equivalent to “2 clusters”, a block playback completion interrupt is issued every time the difference between both pointers exceeds 2 clusters. It may be generated. For example, when the channel corresponding area is equivalent to “3 clusters”, a block reproduction completion interrupt is generated every time the difference between both pointers becomes 2 clusters, and the waveform from the hard disk 36 via the buffer memories 28 and 30 is generated. Partial data transfer to the memory 22 may be performed twice, and partial data corresponding to “2 clusters” may be supplemented in one block reproduction completion interrupt.

It is a block diagram of a tone signal generation system of the first and second embodiments of the present invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of 1st Example. It is a flowchart of the note-on event processing routine of 1st Example. It is a flowchart of the various processing routine of 1st Example. It is a flowchart of the background process routine of 1st Example. It is a data structure figure of 1st Example. It is a flowchart of the various processing routine of 2nd Example. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of 1st and 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

  2: Display, 4: Controller, 6: CPU, 8: DMA control circuit, 10: Flash memory, 12: RAM, 14: Communication interface, 18: Sound system, 20: Sound source circuit (musical sound signal generating means), 22: Waveform memory (second recording medium), 24: Transfer management section, 26, 32: Transfer processing section, 27, 29: Bus (first and second buses), 28, 30: Buffer memory (third 34: IDE / I / O section, 36: hard disk (first recording medium), 38: CD-RW drive, 40: sound card, 50: management data, 52: header data, 54-1 ~ 54-m: channel data.

Claims (7)

A first recording medium that stores at least one waveform data; a second recording medium that has a higher access speed than the first recording medium; and a plurality of waveform data, a part of each of the waveform data A tone signal for reading out each data and transferring it to the second recording medium, and reading out the second recording medium at a speed corresponding to the reproduction rate of each tone generation channel and generating a tone signal for each tone generation channel An access control device applied to a musical sound signal generation system having a generation means,
Detection for detecting a sounding channel in which reproduction by the partial data stored in the second recording medium ends at the earliest timing among sounding channels capable of reading the next partial data into the second recording medium Means,
An access control apparatus, comprising: a sound channel designation unit that designates a sound channel detected by the detection unit as a sound channel on which the partial data is to be transferred in the transfer unit.   The musical sound signal generation system includes rate storage means for storing the reproduction rate of each sound generation channel, and the first recording medium is a recording medium for storing waveform data in units of a predetermined size block, 2. The second recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the second recording medium has a plurality of storage areas for each of the sound generation channels, and the partial data is alternately written in these storage areas. Access control device. The detecting means creates a list of tone generation channels in order of the timing of completion of reproduction based on the partial data stored in the second recording medium, and detects the tone channel having the highest rank in the list. The access control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A first recording medium that stores at least one waveform data; a second recording medium that has a higher access speed than the first recording medium; and a plurality of waveform data, a part of each of the waveform data A tone signal for reading out each data and transferring it to the second recording medium, and reading out the second recording medium at a speed corresponding to the reproduction rate of each tone generation channel and generating a tone signal for each tone generation channel A musical sound signal generation method executed in a musical sound signal generation system having a generation means,
Detection for detecting a sounding channel in which reproduction by the partial data stored in the second recording medium ends at the earliest timing among sounding channels capable of reading the next partial data into the second recording medium Process,
A musical tone signal generation method, comprising: causing a processing device to execute a sound channel specification process in which the sound generation channel detected in the detection process is specified as a sound generation channel in which the partial data is to be transferred in the transfer unit. The musical sound signal generation system includes rate storage means for storing the reproduction rate of each sound generation channel, and the first recording medium is a recording medium for storing waveform data in units of a predetermined size block, The second recording medium has a plurality of storage areas for each sound generation channel, and the partial data is alternately written in these storage areas.
The detection process includes:
A process of creating a list of sound generation channels in order of the timing of completion of reproduction based on partial data stored in the second recording medium, and detecting a sound channel having the highest rank in the list. The method for generating a musical sound signal according to claim 4.   6. A musical tone signal generating apparatus, wherein the musical tone signal generating method according to claim 4 is executed.   A program for causing a processing device to execute the musical sound signal generation method according to claim 4 or 5.

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