JP2006340276A - Acoustic regulation facility and acoustic regulation method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To acquire an economical howling suppression effect by a simple method. <P>SOLUTION: In an acoustic regulation facility provided with a howling suppression mechanism Y for suppressing howling resulting from sound reinforcement of an input sound, in a space being its object provided with a microphone and a public-address system for amplifying input sounds to the microphone, the suppression mechanism Y is constituted by splitting the space into a plurality of virtual spaces, and providing a howling database B3 capable of freely individually recording a howling frequency f measured at each position of those individual split virtual spaces, a position input means 22 for inputting a position where the microphone is used in the space making it to correspond to a split virtual space, and a filter control means 23 which reads a howling frequency f in the corresponding split virtual space out of the howling database B3, from positional information inputted with the input means 22, and controls the public-address system so as to filter a sound component of a corresponding frequency. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an acoustic adjustment technique that suppresses howling associated with loudness of an input sound for a space including a microphone and a loudspeaker that amplifies the input sound to the microphone.

Howling is mainly caused by acoustic coupling between the microphone and the speaker. Conventionally, one way to deal with howling occurs is to lower the corresponding microphone volume in the mixer to lower the output from the speaker. There was a way. Although this method can suppress howling caused by intuitive operation, it has the advantage that it can be easily operated by non-experts, but it reduces the output of the loud sound over its entire frequency, so it is output from the speaker. As a solution to such a problem, there has been considered a technique for automatically detecting howling and performing suppression processing in order to solve such a problem.
As this type of acoustic adjustment technology, howling detection means for detecting howling by separating the target sound for each frequency, and sound of frequency components corresponding to the howling frequency detected by the howling detection means are suppressed. Have a control mechanism for controlling the loudspeaker (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-32780 (FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-146484 (FIG. 2) JP 2001-285986 A (FIG. 1)

  According to the above-described conventional acoustic adjustment technology, in addition to having to perform howling detection at all times, it is necessary to perform sound suppression frequency sound suppression processing at an early stage in which howling progresses. In addition to requiring a control mechanism with a very high processing speed, the same is required for the howling detection means, and there is a problem that the whole apparatus tends to be expensive.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an acoustic adjustment technique that solves the above-described problems and can achieve a howling suppression effect economically by a simple method.

  A first characteristic configuration of the present invention includes a howling suppression mechanism that suppresses howling associated with loudness of an input sound for a space including a microphone and a loudspeaker that amplifies the input sound to the microphone. In the acoustic adjustment equipment, in order to constitute a howling suppression mechanism, the space is divided into a plurality of virtual spaces, and a howling database capable of recording each howling frequency measured for each position of each divided virtual space is provided, Position input means for inputting a position where the microphone is used in space corresponding to the divided virtual space is provided, and the howling frequency of the corresponding divided virtual space is calculated from the position information input by the position input means. Read from the howling database and filter the sound components of the corresponding frequency for the loudspeaker Gosuru filter control means is in place is provided.

According to the first characteristic configuration of the present invention, the howling frequency measured for each divided virtual space in the space can be recorded in advance in the howling database, and the position input can be performed. The microphone setting position in the space can be input in correspondence with the divided virtual space, and the filter control means can set the microphone setting position in the microphone setting position based on the data recorded in the divided virtual space. Can be controlled so that the sound component of the corresponding frequency is filtered.
That is, as in the past, data that requires complex and high-speed operations, such as performing howling detection at all times, setting the frequency to be filtered based on the result, and transmitting filter processing information to a loudspeaker It is not necessary to carry out the processing, and it is possible to take measures for suppressing howling of the corresponding microphone with only a very simple data processing mechanism.
And in the usage mode in which the position of the microphone setting does not change, the above filtering process can be carried out in advance, so that the howling suppression state can be already maintained when the loudspeaking starts. Thus, it is possible to more reliably suppress howling as compared with the conventional method of detecting howling is occurring and performing filter processing on the corresponding frequency. In addition, since these functions and effects can be realized by a simple mechanism, it is possible to improve economy.
In addition, since the howling is suppressed by the filtering process focused on the corresponding howling frequency, it is possible to solve the problem that the entire volume is lowered and it becomes difficult to hear, as in the past, to prevent howling, and to maintain an appropriate loud sound volume. Is possible. Therefore, even if the person who performs the mixing operation is not an expert, it is possible to adjust the sound by securing the desired sound volume by the volume operation without worrying about howling. That is, the operability of a loudspeaker such as a mixer can be improved.

  According to a second characteristic configuration of the present invention, the position input unit includes a position detection unit capable of detecting the position of the microphone in the space.

  According to the second characteristic configuration of the present invention, in addition to achieving the above-described operation and effect of the first characteristic configuration of the present invention, the position detecting means detects the position of the microphone in the space. This makes it possible to more accurately manpower the microphone setting position. That is, for example, in the preparation work in which the microphone is installed at the intended place (corresponding to one of the divided virtual spaces) of the stage (an example of the space), the microphone is set at a position different from the previously set microphone setting position. When there is an incorrect setting error or when there is an input error when inputting data, the filter control means refers to the howling frequency in a divided virtual space different from the divided virtual space where the microphone is actually located. Therefore, there is a risk that accurate howling suppression cannot be achieved. However, according to the characteristic configuration of the present invention, since the position of the microphone can be detected by the position detecting means, there is a mistake as described above. In addition, it is possible to accurately read the howling frequency at the corresponding position and suppress the howling.

  According to a third characteristic configuration of the present invention, there is provided a repetitive control means for operating the position detecting means and the filter control means at predetermined time intervals.

  According to the third characteristic configuration of the present invention, in addition to being able to achieve the above-described operation effect according to the second characteristic configuration of the present invention, for example, a position on the stage while using the microphone as a hand microphone. Even when the usage pattern is changed, the microphone position can be updated every predetermined time by the control of the repetitive control means, and accurate tracking corresponding to the microphone position change is possible. Suppression of howling corresponding to various usage forms can be realized.

  According to a fourth characteristic configuration of the present invention, in the acoustic adjustment method for suppressing the howling associated with the loudness of the input sound, targeting a space including a microphone and a loudspeaker that amplifies the input sound to the microphone. Dividing the space into a plurality of virtual spaces, measuring and recording the howling frequency for each divided virtual space, and using the microphone in the space, the howling frequency of the divided virtual space corresponding to the use position , And the loudspeaker is controlled to filter the sound component of the corresponding frequency.

According to the fourth characteristic configuration of the present invention, as in the prior art, the howling detection is always performed, the frequency to be filtered is set based on the result, and the filter processing information is transmitted to the loudspeaker. It is not necessary to perform complicated and high-speed data processing such as the above, and it is possible to take measures for suppressing howling of the corresponding microphone only by extremely simple data processing.
And in the usage mode in which the position of the microphone setting does not change, the above-described acoustic adjustment processing can be performed in advance, so that when the loudspeaking starts, the howling suppression state can be already maintained. In addition, it is possible to more reliably suppress howling as compared with the conventional method in which howling is detected and filter processing for the corresponding frequency is performed. In addition, since these functions and effects can be realized by a simple mechanism, it is possible to improve economy.
In addition, since the howling is suppressed by the filtering process focused on the corresponding howling frequency, it is possible to solve the problem that the entire volume is lowered and it becomes difficult to hear, as in the past, to prevent howling, and to maintain an appropriate loud sound volume. Is possible. Therefore, even if the person who performs the mixing operation is not an expert, it is possible to adjust the sound by securing the desired sound volume by the volume operation without worrying about howling. That is, the operability of a loudspeaker such as a mixer can be improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a hall (an example of a “space” according to the present invention) H in which a product (hereinafter simply referred to as an “adjustment facility”) S of an embodiment of the acoustic adjustment facility of the present invention is installed.
The hall H includes a stage 1, a passenger seat 2, a lobby 3, an acoustic adjustment room 4, and the like. The adjustment equipment S is installed in the acoustic adjustment chamber 4.

  In the stage 1, various events are performed, and with each event, a microphone K1, a direct box K2 for connecting an input cable such as an electric musical instrument, and the like are arranged at predetermined positions as needed. The stage 1 is provided with a plurality of connection terminals 5 for connecting sound signal generating devices (hereinafter simply referred to as generating devices) K such as the microphone K1 and the direct box K2, respectively. 5 is individually connected to the patch bay 7 of the acoustic adjustment chamber 4 via a cable 6 wired between the stage 1 and the acoustic adjustment chamber 4.

  Further, a speaker 8 for reproducing the sound adjusted in the acoustic adjustment chamber 4 is provided on the side of the stage 1, the passenger seat 2, the lobby 3, and the acoustic adjustment chamber 4.

In the acoustic adjustment chamber 4, as shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the patch bay 7, a digital mixer module 9, a computer 10 and the like are installed. Although not shown in the figure, a power amplifier is installed between the digital mixer module 9 and each speaker 8. In addition to the digital mixer module 9, the computer 10, and the power amplifier, the loudspeaker W includes the speaker 8.
The adjustment equipment S includes the digital mixer module 9 and a computer 10, both of which are connected to each other so as to be able to transmit and receive data (for example, USB connection). Thus, each control of the digital mixer module 9 can be performed.

The digital mixer module 9 adjusts a plurality of input units 11 connected so as to correspond to the respective channels of the patch bay 7 and sound signals input from the respective input units 11 using channels corresponding to the respective input units 11. A sound adjusting unit 12 capable of outputting the sound adjusted by the sound adjusting unit 12 to the speaker 8 via a power amplifier, the input unit 11, the sound adjusting unit 12, and the output unit 13. And a digital control unit 14 for comprehensively controlling the above. Note that the generation device K operated in the acoustic adjustment chamber 4 includes, for example, a reproduction device K3 such as a CD player, an MD player, and a cassette player, and a microphone K1 for contacting the stage 1, which are respectively The input unit 11 can be connected.
The sound adjustment unit 12 includes a trim unit that can adjust the input level for each channel, a sound quality adjustment unit 12a that can adjust the sound quality of the input sound separately for each of multiple bands, and a send amount to the effector. A send adjustment unit capable of adjusting the volume, a volume adjustment unit capable of adjusting the volume, a switching unit capable of switching on / off of the channel, and the like. These operations are controlled by the digital control from the operation screen of the computer 10. Each unit 14 can be implemented.
Of the computer 10, in particular, a software part configured to be able to perform volume adjustment of the volume adjustment unit by icon operation on the operation screen of the computer 10 is referred to as volume adjustment operation means 20 (see FIG. 3).

  Further, in the present embodiment, the sound quality adjustment unit 12a is configured by a 4-band parametric equalizer, and for each band, as shown in FIG. 4, a center frequency (F value) and a frequency bandwidth (Q Value) and gain (G value) parameters can be set. Therefore, when a howling (a phenomenon in which the sound from the speaker 8 is amplified by being picked up by the microphone K1) occurs (see FIG. 5 (a)), as a suppression measure, it is shown in FIG. 5 (b). Thus, by setting the center frequency (F value) of the parametric equalizer to the howling frequency f, the frequency bandwidth (Q value) is narrowed, and the gain (G value) is set to be negative, It is possible to suppress the howling by filtering the sound at the howling frequency, and to prevent the howling in a state where the overall change in the sound quality is small.

Then, the computer 10 performs a howling test at each position on the stage 1 in advance as part of the above-described howling suppression, and determines each howling frequency f measured at that time as a parameter of the center frequency (F value). Are respectively recorded as howling databases B3 (see FIG. 3). In the howling database B3, in addition to the F value, the Q value (set narrowly) and the G value (set negative) are recorded in association with each other.
That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the stage 1 is divided into a plurality of virtual spaces, and the howling frequency f (corresponding to the F value) measured for each position of each divided virtual space V is set as the Q value or G The values are recorded in the howling database B3 together with the values, and when the microphone K1 is installed on the stage 1 and used, the use position thereof is input to the computer 10 corresponding to the divided virtual space V, From the position information, the howling frequency f (corresponding to the F value), the Q value, and the G value of the corresponding divided virtual space V are read from the howling database B3, and each control data of the parametric equalizer of the sound quality adjusting unit 12a is read. And can be controlled so that the sound component of the corresponding frequency is filtered. Note that software is provided in the computer 10 so that the virtual space division setting is automatically performed, for example, by inputting a numerical value such as a division width.
Software and hardware for inputting the use position of the microphone K1 to the computer 10 are referred to as position input means 22 (see FIG. 3). A software part for performing a series of controls for performing filter processing corresponding to the microphone position information is referred to as a filter control unit 23. The position input means 22 and the filter control means 23 are collectively referred to as a howling suppression mechanism Y.

  Further, the computer 10 can record the adjustment data (parameters) D1 of the sound adjustment unit 12 for each of the generation devices K connected to the input unit 11 for each generation device K. And a target person database in which the adjustment data (parameters) D2 of the sound adjusting unit 12 for each target person M who uses the microphone K1 which is one of the generating devices K can be recorded for each target person M. B2 is provided.

The databases B1 and B2 can be input with the adjustment data D1 and D2 from the computer 10, which is preferable in consideration of the acoustic characteristics of the hall H and the characteristics of the generating devices K, for example. The adjustment data D1 is determined for each generating device K and stored in the device database B1 in correspondence with the generating device K, and the acoustic characteristics of the hall H and the voice characteristics of each subject M are taken into consideration. In addition, preferable adjustment data D2 can be determined for each subject M and stored in the subject database B2 in association with the subject M. In the present embodiment, the databases B1 and B2 are formed in advance by a person who has specialized acoustic knowledge, determining the adjustment data D1 and D2 that are acoustically preferable in the hall H.
Incidentally, an example of the adjustment data D1 is composed of parameters of the trim unit and the sound quality adjustment unit. For example, when the generation device K is a microphone, the input level is another generation device K (CD / MD). The content that the input level in the trim section is increased because it is smaller than the player or the like is set as a parameter.
On the other hand, an example of the adjustment data D2 includes parameters of the sound quality adjustment unit and the volume adjustment unit. For example, when the target person M is a low-speaking and loud man, The content of lowering the bass range a little and lowering the level of the volume control unit a little is set as a parameter.
In addition, as the name of the subject M, for example, when the equipment is used in a school, for example, "Principal teacher", "Principal teacher", "Yamada XX teacher" As described above, it is preferable to input data that is specific and easy to understand.

Next, the computer 10 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the computer 10 controls the data section 10A, the software section 10B, the interface 10C for transmitting and receiving data to the digital mixer module 9, and the data section 10A, the software section 10B, and the interface 10C. And a control unit 10D.
The data section 10A includes the above-described databases B1, B2, and B3.
Various software is provided in the soft section 10B, and the first assigning means 15 is configured to select the generating device K to be connected to each input unit 11 and perform assignment operation to an arbitrary channel of the sound adjusting unit 12. When the generating device K connected to the input unit 11 is the microphone K1, the second assignment that allows the user M who uses the microphone K1 to select and assign to the corresponding channel of the sound adjustment unit 12 The adjustment data D1 corresponding to the software of the means 16 or the like and the generation device K assigned to each channel by the first assignment means 15 is read from the device database B1 and the corresponding channel of the sound adjustment unit 12 is read. The target person M assigned to the corresponding channel by the first control means 17 and the second assignment means 16 to be reflected in the sound adjustment of Software such as the second control means 18 that reads the adjustment data D2 corresponding to this from the target person database B2 and reflects it in the sound adjustment of the corresponding channel of the sound adjustment unit 12, and the howling suppression mechanism Y is provided. It has been.
Further, the volume adjustment operation means 20 is provided, and the designation operation of the generating device K and the designation operation of the target person M by the second allocation means 16 can be performed by icon operation on the operation screen. An object designation operation means 21 is provided as software configured in the above.

Therefore, the adjustment data D1 for the generating device K can be obtained from the device database B1 by the icon operation on the operation screen of the computer 10 only by specifying the generating device K connected to each input unit 11, respectively. 9 and the sound adjustment unit 12 of each channel is automatically set to the parameter of the adjustment data D1, so that even if the operator does not have specialized acoustic knowledge, the preset for the generating device K is set. The settings can be reproduced.
Similarly, just by specifying the target person M who uses the microphone K1 by icon operation on the operation screen, the adjustment data D2 for the target person M is transferred from the target person database B2 to the digital mixer module 9, respectively. Since the sound adjustment unit 12 of each channel is automatically set to the parameter of the adjustment data D2, the preset setting for the target person M can be performed even if the operator has no specialized acoustic knowledge. In addition to the previous setting, it can be reproduced.
Furthermore, just by inputting the set position of the microphone K1 on the stage 1 by an icon operation, the howling suppression mechanism Y makes an equalizing setting that hardly causes howling. Even if there is no noise, howling can be suppressed, making it possible to improve the efficiency of preparation work of the audio equipment and to use the audio equipment in the best condition.
And while the event is being carried out, the volume adjustment operation means 20 performs a more detailed acoustic adjustment simply by moving the volume icon displayed on the operation screen up and down according to the situation. (See FIG. 7). At this time, the name of the person designated by the second assigning means 16 (for example, “Principal Sensei”, “Principal Sensei”, “Yamada Sensei”, etc.) is displayed together with the volume icon. If the sound volume adjusting operation means 20 is configured, it is possible to make it easier to prevent erroneous operation by the operator and to make the sound adjusting equipment easier to use.

An example of the operation screen by the volume adjustment operation means 20 and the target designation operation means 21 is as shown in FIG.
According to this example, a schematic plan view p1 of the stage 1, a list p2 of the generating device K, a volume fader p3 of each channel, and the like are displayed, and the generating device K is moved to an arbitrary position on the stage 1 by operating the mouse. Can be placed and assigned to a channel. Further, howling is automatically suppressed based on the arrangement information of the microphone K1. The volume of the channel can be adjusted by operating the volume fader p3 up and down.
Further, with respect to the microphone K1 in the property of the generating device K, the target person M can be selected from the pull-down menu.
In addition, although not shown in the figure, various edit screens as GUIs are also prepared. From the computer display screen, the operation of the digital mixer module 9, the storage and reading of data, It is configured so that the recorded contents of the database can be edited. Further, similarly to the function provided in the conventional sound adjustment equipment, the setting state of the digital mixer module can be recorded and saved as a scene memory and can be used again.

  According to the adjustment equipment S of the present embodiment, as described above, the sound adjustment unit can be automatically set to a state well matched with the situation of the corresponding hole by a simple input operation, and the preparation work related to the sound can be performed. It is possible to achieve efficiency and simplification of the entire mixing operation. And regarding suppression of howling, the power can be demonstrated especially by a simple control mechanism, and it becomes possible to implement | achieve favorable mixing at low cost.

[Another embodiment]
Other embodiments will be described below.

<1> The acoustic adjustment equipment S is not limited to the one configured by the computer 10 and the digital mixer module 9 described in the previous embodiment. It may be configured by a digital mixer formed as a table and a computer connected to the digital mixer in a freely interlocking manner. Further, the adjustment console itself may have a configuration in which a digital mixer unit and a computer unit are integrally provided.
These are collectively referred to as acoustic adjustment equipment.
<2> As described in the previous embodiment, the contents recorded in the howling database B3 are recorded by associating the data group composed of the howling frequency f (corresponding to the F value), the Q value, and the G value with each divided virtual space. For example, when processing the Q value and the G value as constant values for any divided virtual space, the Q value and the G value are excluded from the data group, and the howling frequency f (the F value) is determined. May be recorded in association with each divided virtual space. Further, the number of howling frequencies is not limited to one for each divided virtual space V. For example, a plurality of howling frequencies may be set in the order of occurrence. In this case, howling is further suppressed. The effect is improved.
<3> In dividing the space H as a plurality of virtual spaces, as described in the previous embodiment, the present invention is not limited to dividing the stage 1 plane as a plurality of virtual spaces. You may perform the three-dimensional division | segmentation divided | segmented as virtual space. In this case, a more detailed howling suppression effect can be expected. The space H is not limited to a hole.
<4> As described in the previous embodiment, the position input unit 22 is not limited to the one that inputs the position of the microphone K1 to the stage plane image on the display by a mouse operation. It may be configured to allow input. In addition, position detection means (for example, a position detection sensor using a magnetostriction effect or a position detection sensor using radio waves or light) that detects the position of the microphone K1 actually installed in the space H is provided. The microphone position detection information by the position detection means may be configured as input data. In this case, in addition to saving labor for input, it is possible to prevent an input error due to human power and to exhibit a more reliable howling suppression effect.
Further, there may be provided a repetitive control means for performing the detection of the microphone position by the position detecting means and the filter processing by the filter control means based on the detected position information every predetermined time (for example, in seconds). In this case, the howling suppression effect can be exhibited even when the microphone K1 moves in the space H. As a specific example of the repetitive control means, it is possible to provide the soft section 10B with software configured to transmit an operation command to the position detection means and the filter control means at every predetermined clock.

  In addition, as mentioned above, although the code | symbol was written in order to make contrast with drawing convenient, this invention is not limited to the structure of an accompanying drawing by this entry. In addition, it goes without saying that the present invention can be carried out in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Plan view showing the hall The conceptual diagram which shows acoustic adjustment equipment. The block diagram which shows the principal part of the acoustic adjustment equipment Illustration of parametric equalizer Explanatory drawing showing howling suppression Plan view showing divided virtual space on stage Explanatory drawing showing the operation screen

Explanation of symbols

22 Position input means 23 Filter control means B3 Howling database f Howling frequency H Hall (an example of “space” according to the present invention)
K1 Microphone V Divided virtual space W Loudspeaker Y Howling suppression mechanism

Claims (4)

Targeting a space including a microphone and a loudspeaker that amplifies the input sound to the microphone, an acoustic adjustment facility including a howling suppression mechanism that suppresses howling associated with the loudness of the input sound,
In order to constitute a howling suppression mechanism, the space is divided into a plurality of virtual spaces, and a howling database is provided in which the howling frequency measured for each position of each divided virtual space can be recorded separately. Position input means is provided for inputting the position to use in correspondence with the divided virtual space, and the howling frequency of the corresponding divided virtual space is read from the howling database from the position information input by the position input means. Acoustic adjustment equipment provided with filter control means for controlling the sound component having a frequency corresponding to the loudspeaker to be filtered.   The acoustic adjustment equipment according to claim 1, wherein the position input means includes position detection means capable of detecting the position of the microphone in the space.   The acoustic adjustment equipment according to claim 2, further comprising: a repetitive control unit that operates the position detection unit and the filter control unit at predetermined time intervals. For a space including a microphone and a loudspeaker that amplifies input sound to the microphone, an acoustic adjustment method that suppresses howling associated with loudness of the input sound,
Dividing the space into a plurality of virtual spaces, measuring and recording howling frequencies for each of the divided virtual spaces, and using the microphone in the space, howling the divided virtual space corresponding to the use position An acoustic adjustment method for reading out a frequency and controlling the sound loudspeaker so that the sound component of the corresponding frequency is filtered.

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