JP2009239761A - Mixer apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To monitor a signal adjustment condition of each DCA fader simultaneously when two or more common DCA faders, which can be assigned to arbitrary channels, are provided aside from each signal conditioning fader prepared for every channel. <P>SOLUTION: Each dedicated bus (DCA bus DCA-1, 2, ..., m) is prepared corresponding to each DCA fader. One or more channel signals controlled by the DCA fader according to the channel assignment to the DCA fader are mixed at the corresponding DCA bus. A monitor means, which monitors the signal mixed by each DCA bus in a visible or audible way, is provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention assigns a desired fader of one or a plurality of channels to a common fader (signal adjustment operator), and signals in the assigned one or a plurality of channel faders according to the operation of the shared fader More specifically, the mixer apparatus has a function capable of controlling an adjustment amount, and more particularly, a mixer capable of appropriately monitoring a signal adjustment state in a fader of one or a plurality of channels controlled in accordance with an operation of a shared fader. Relates to the device.

  In a mixer apparatus used in a concert or the like, necessary audio signals are finally obtained by mixing audio signals of a plurality of input channels. The gain of each audio signal of these input channels is adjusted in multiple steps before being mixed. For example, the gain of the audio signal immediately after being input to the mixer device is adjusted by the header amplifier. For this gain adjustment, a volume operator is frequently used. Next, frequency characteristics are equalized as necessary, and then gain adjustment by a fader amplifier is performed. The gain of this fader amplifier is set by a fader provided for each input channel. A fader is also provided in the output channel for processing the signal output from the mixing bus, and adjusts the gain of the output signal.

In a large mixing console, the number of faders lined up on the panel becomes enormous, and the distance from end to end of the console is inevitably long. There was a request to perform volume control. In order to solve this problem, a DCA (Digital Controlled Attenuator) fader is provided. The DCA fader temporarily assigns a fader of any input (or output) channel, and controls the volume of the audio signal passing through the fader of any of the input (or output) channels by operating the DCA fader. This is a fader used for the purpose of collectively operating the volume of a plurality of grouped input (or output) channels by operating the DCA fader. For example, a plurality of DCA faders are arranged near the center of the mixing console, and each DCA fader is assigned an arbitrary input (or output) channel to be temporarily operated by the DCA fader, or one DCA fader. The above-mentioned problem is solved by arbitrarily assigning a plurality of input (or output) channels that are grouped to each other. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-40347 (Patent Document 1) shows an example of a digital mixer provided with such a DCA fader.
JP 2004-40347 A

  As described above, one or more channel faders are assigned to the DCA fader, and the level of the audio signal flowing through the assigned channel is controlled by operating the DCA fader. Therefore, an audio signal does not flow through the DCA fader itself. For this reason, conventionally, there has been no concept of monitoring the adjustment state of an audio signal controlled by a DCA fader. However, as the DCA fader is often incorporated and used in various mixer apparatuses, the adjustment state of the audio signal in any one or a plurality of channels assigned to the specific DCA fader is visually confirmed. Or, there has been an increasing demand for users to monitor audibly.

  In response to such a request, the conventional mixer apparatus can only cope with the use of a monitoring CUE bus. That is, by selecting a CUE bus on any one or more channels assigned to a particular DCA fader that is desired to be monitored, the audio signal of these one or more channels is provided to the CUE bus, thereby The adjustment state of the audio signal in any one or a plurality of channels assigned to the specific DCA fader via the bus can be monitored visually (signal level meter display) or audibly (headphone listening). However, since only one CUE bus is provided, the signal level adjustment states in a plurality of DCA faders cannot be monitored simultaneously, which is inconvenient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and in a mixer apparatus having a plurality of common operators (DCA faders) that can be assigned to an arbitrary channel, signals by a plurality of common operators (DCA faders). It is an object to enable adjustment states to be monitored simultaneously.

  The mixer device according to the present invention is configured to process a plurality of input channels for processing a signal to be processed, a mixing bus that mixes signals processed in the input channel, and a signal output from the mixing bus. A first operator for signal adjustment provided for each of the output channels and at least one of the input channel and the output channel, and the corresponding channel corresponding to the operation of the first operator. A signal adjusting unit, a plurality of second operators for signal adjustment that can be assigned to any channel, and at least one of the input channel and the output channel for each of the second operators. The first operation element of any one or a plurality of channels on one side is assigned, and the first operation element is assigned according to the operation of each of the second operation elements. Control means for controlling the signal adjustment amount in the first operator of the one or a plurality of channels assigned to the operator, and a plurality of sub-mixing buses, each sub-mixing bus being said each Each of the submixing buses is provided corresponding to the second operation element, and each of the submixing buses is controlled by the second operation element corresponding to the submixing bus according to the assignment by the control means. And a monitoring means for monitoring the signals mixed in the submixing bus provided corresponding to the submixing bus.

  According to the present invention, a submixing bus (“DCA bus” in the embodiment) is individually provided corresponding to each of the plurality of second operators (“DCA faders” in the embodiment), and each submixing is provided. The bus is provided corresponding to the sub-mixing bus by mixing the signals of the one or more channels that are controlled by the second operator corresponding to the sub-mixing bus according to the assignment by the control means. Since the signal mixed by the sub-mixing bus can be monitored by the monitoring means, the signal adjustment states in the plurality of second operating elements (DCA faders) can be monitored simultaneously.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a digital mixer 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The digital mixer 10 exchanges various data with the CPU 11, the RAM 12, the ROM 13, the detection circuit 15 for detecting the operation of the operator 14, the display circuit 17 for controlling the display of the display 16, and the external device 22. Interface (I / F) 18 for performing audio, audio signal interface (I / F) 19 for inputting / outputting audio signals to / from external devices 23 such as a microphone and a speaker, and a digital signal processor (DSP) 20 are connected via a system bus 21.

  The CPU 11 is a control unit that performs overall control of the operation of the digital mixer 10, and by executing a required program stored in the RAM 12 or the ROM 13, communication in the communication I / F 18 and the audio signal I / F 19 and the display 16 Control is performed on the display, and the operation of the operator 14 is detected, and parameter value setting / changing and operation of each unit are controlled according to the operation.

  The operation element 14 and the display device 16 are arranged in the console section of the digital mixer 10. The operator 14 is for accepting an operation on the digital mixer 10 by an operator, and is provided by various key switches, button switches, dial type operators, fader type operators, etc. provided corresponding to a plurality of channels. Composed. The display 16 is a display means for displaying various information according to control by the CPU 11, and can be constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal panel (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED).

  The communication I / F 18 is an interface for connecting various external devices 22 to perform input / output, and includes, for example, an interface for connecting an external display, a mouse, a character input keyboard, an operation panel, and the like. The audio signal I / F 19 is an interface for inputting an audio signal to be processed by the DSP 20 from an external device 23 such as a microphone, and outputting the audio signal after mixing processing to the external device 23 such as a speaker or headphones. Including an analog / digital converter and a digital / analog converter of the audio signal.

  The DSP 20 is assembled with a microprogram so as to perform main mixing processing in the digital mixer 10, and executes mixing processing according to the microprogram. The mixing process executed by the DSP 20 is, for example, various arithmetic processes related to mixing (for example, level coefficient calculation corresponding to a fader setting value) for a digital audio signal of a plurality of channels input via the audio signal I / F 19. Distribution and addition to mixing channels, and various signal processing such as equalizing processing).

  An example of a fader type operation element for signal level adjustment provided in the operation element 14 relating to the present invention is as shown in FIG. 2 and is a channel fader provided corresponding to each of the n channels. (First operator) ChF1 to ChFn and m shared DCA faders (second operators) DCAF1 to DCAFm. Arbitrary one or a plurality of channels are assigned to one DCA fader DCAF1 to DCAFm, and the signal level in the channel fader (first operator) ChF1 to ChFn of one or more channels assigned to it by the operation of the DCA fader The amount of adjustment can be controlled. The process of assigning any one or a plurality of channels to the DCA faders (second operating elements) DCAF1 to DCAFm is known, for example, an assignment instruction operation by an operator using a predetermined switch or the like in the operating element 14 And processing of the CPU 11 according to the assignment instruction operation. Further, according to this assignment, the channel fader (first operator) ChF1 of one or more channels assigned to the DCA fader according to the operation of each DCA fader (second operator) DCAF1 to DCAFm. Processing for controlling the signal level adjustment amount in .about.ChFn is executed by the CPU 11. The DSP 20 executes the setting and control of the level of the audio signal of the channel according to the signal level adjustment amount of the channel fader (first operator) ChF1 to ChFn controlled in this way. The channel faders (first operation elements) ChF1 to ChFn can be operated manually or electrically. The channel fader (first operation element) is linked to the operation of the DCA fader (second operation element). ) Is moved electrically according to instructions from the CPU 11.

  As an example, the operation mode of the channel fader (first operating element) according to the operation of the DCA fader (second operating element) includes the first and second modes described below. These two modes can be set independently for each of the DCA faders DCAF1 to DCAFm.

  In the first mode, in accordance with the operation of the DCA fader (second operator), the knob of the channel fader (first operator) of the channel to which the DCA fader is assigned is the same position as the knob of the DCA fader. It is actually driven by electric motors. For example, when a channel fader (first controller) of one channel is assigned one-to-one for one DCA fader (second controller), the channel fader (first controller) is assigned in this first mode. 1 operator) is actually moved in conjunction with the DCA fader so that it is in the same position.

  In the second mode, in response to the operation of the DCA fader (second operator), the knob of the channel fader (first operator) of the channel to which the DCA fader is assigned is not actually moved. The signal level adjustment amount in the (first operator) is controlled to increase or decrease in accordance with the operation amount of the DCA fader (second operator). For example, when channel faders (first controller) of two or more channels are assigned to one DCA fader (second controller), signal level adjustment in each channel fader in this second mode The amount is controlled to increase or decrease in accordance with the operation amount of the DCA fader. As a result, each signal level adjustment amount of the channel faders of two or more channels assigned to one DCA fader is increased or decreased according to the operation amount of the DCA fader while maintaining the relative relationship between the channel faders. To be controlled.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram functionally showing the configuration of the mixing processing unit realized by the DSP 20. The mixing processing unit includes a plurality of n input channels CH1 to CHn and a plurality of N mixing buses MIX-1, 2,. . . N, a pair of left and right stereo buses ST, a pair of left and right Cue buses CUE, and each bus MIX-1, 2,. . . And an output channel unit OUT for performing volume control or the like when outputting an audio signal mixed in N, ST and CUE. Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of m DCA buses (submixing buses) DCA-1, 2,. . . m is provided. Each DCA bus (sub-mixing bus) DCA-1, 2,. . . m is provided corresponding to each DCA fader (second operator) DCAF1 to DCAFm. As is well known, a “bus” or “mixing bus” in a mixer has a function of mixing (adding) audio signals sent to the same bus and outputting one mixed audio signal. It is.

  In FIG. 3, for the sake of illustration, only one input channel CH1 is shown in detail, but the other input channels CH2 to CHn are similarly configured. The input channel CH1 will be described. The input digital audio signal is input to a fader amplifier (or attenuator) FDAch corresponding to the fader (first operation element) ChF1 of the input channel CH1. The fader amplifier (or attenuator) FDAch is an amplifier (or attenuator) whose gain is variably set according to the operation amount of the fader (first operation element) ChF1. The DCA amplifier (or attenuator) DCAch provided in series with the fader amplifier FDAch in accordance with the operation of one of the DCA faders (second operating elements) DCAF1 to DCAFm assigned to the channel CH1. An amplifier (or attenuator) whose gain is variably set.

  The gain setting value of the DCA amplifier (or attenuator) DCAch differs depending on which of the above-described two modes assigned to the channel is operating in the DCA fader. First, in the first mode, the DCA amplifier (or attenuator) DCAch outputs the signal as it is without changing the amplification factor 1 (or attenuation 0), that is, the level of the input signal. In this first mode, since the knob of the channel fader ChF1 moves in conjunction with the operation of the DCA fader, the gain set in the fader amplifier (or attenuator) FDAch corresponds to the operation position of the DCA fader. This is because it is not necessary to make the DCA amplifier (or attenuator) DCAch function. Similarly, when no DCA fader is assigned to the channel, the DCA amplifier (or attenuator) DCAch has an amplification factor of 1 (or attenuation of 0).

  Next, in the second mode, the gain setting value of the DCA amplifier (or attenuator) DCAch is increased or decreased according to the operation of the DCA fader assigned to the channel. In the second mode, the knob of the channel fader ChF1 does not move in conjunction with the operation of the DCA fader, and the gain setting value of the corresponding fader amplifier FDAch is not changed, so that the DCA amplifier (or attenuator) is changed according to the operation of the DCA fader. ) By increasing or decreasing the gain setting value of DCAch, the signal level adjustment amount in the channel fader ChF1 is equivalently increased or decreased according to the operation of the DCA fader. That is, the signal level in the channel fader ChF1 controlled by the substantial operation of the DCA fader is obtained by combining the gains of both the fader amplifier (or attenuator) FDAch and the DCA amplifier (or attenuator) DCAch. Adjustment amount.

  The mixing bus selector MIXSEL mixes the audio signals of the input channel CH1 to the mixing buses MIX-1, 2,. . . N is selected, and it is possible to select whether to send the pre-fader signal PRE_F or the post-fader signal POST_F for each mixing bus. The pre-fader signal PRE_F is an audio signal before being input to the channel fader ChF1, and is an audio signal that has been subjected to level adjustment (gain adjustment) processing by the channel fader ChF1 with the post-fader signal POST_F. That is, the mixing bus MIX-1, 2,. . . N can be used not only to mix the signal POST_F after the fader processing but also to mix the signal PRE_F before the fader processing.

  Each mixing bus MIX-1, 2,. . . N mixes the audio signals sent from the input channels CH1 to CHn. In the output channel section OUT, each mixing bus MIX-1, 2,. . . Output channels corresponding to N, and each mixing bus MIX-1, 2,. . . Each of the output channels corresponding to N is provided with a mixing output fader MIX-F. When the operator operates the desired mixing output fader MIX-F, the desired mixing bus MIX-1, 2,. . . The output gain of N can be adjusted. A meter MTR1 is provided on the output side of the mixing output fader MIX-F, and each mixing bus MIX-1, 2,. . . The output signal level of each N mixing output fader MIX-F can be displayed in a meter (visually monitored). The meter display may be displayed in an analog manner by a meter needle swing or a bar graph display, or the signal level may be digitally displayed as a numerical value. The same applies to the other meters MTR2 to MTR4 and MTRd1 to MTRdm.

  The meter MTR2 provided in the input channel CH1 receives either the pre-fader signal PRE_F or the post-fader signal POST_F in the input channel CH1 selected by the selector SEL1 according to the operation of the operator. The signal level of the pre-fader signal PRE_F or the post-fader signal POST_F can be displayed on a meter (visually monitored).

  In the input channel CH1, the post-fader signal POST_F is also input to a balance volume PAN_V for setting sound image localization in stereo pan. The stereo bus selector STSEL is for selecting either the pre-fader signal PRE_F or the output signal (stereo pan-controlled audio signal) of the balance volume PAN_V according to the operation of the operator and sending it to the stereo bus ST. . When it is selected to send the pre-fader signal PRE_F to the stereo bus ST, the same pre-fader signal PRE_F is sent to the left and right buses of the stereo bus ST, so that the audio signal of the input channel CH1 is fixed to the sound image localization (in monaural). is there).

  In the stereo bus ST, the audio signals sent from the input channels CH1 to CHn are mixed in the left and right buses. The output channel section OUT is provided with output channels corresponding to the left and right buses of the stereo bus ST. The stereo left and right bus output channels are provided with stereo output faders ST-F. By operating the output fader ST-F, the output gains of the output audio signals of the stereo left and right buses can be adjusted in common. Further, the selector SEL2 can select either the left or right stereo signal on the input side of the stereo output fader ST-F or the left and right stereo signal on the output side, and can input it to the meter MTR3. The meter MTR3 displays (visually monitors) each signal level of the left and right stereo signals selected and input. By comparing the input and the output by the selection switching by the selector SEL2, it is possible to confirm the degree of the stereo output fader ST-F.

  The cue selector CUESEL is for selecting to send the output signal (stereo pan-controlled audio signal) of the balance volume PAN_V of the input channel CH1 to the Cue bus CUE, and is operated by the operator.

  In the Cue bus CUE, stereo pan-controlled audio signals sent from the input channels CH1 to CHn are mixed in the left and right buses, respectively. The output channel section OUT is provided with output channels corresponding to the left and right buses of the Cue bus CUE, and the stereo left and right bus output channels are provided with Cue output faders CUE-F. By operating the output fader CUE-F, the output gains of the output audio signals of the stereo left and right buses in the Cue bus can be adjusted in common. Also, the left and right stereo signals of the Cue bus output before being input to the Cue output fader CUE-F are input to the meter MTR4, and the meter MTR4 displays the respective signal levels of the input left and right stereo signals of the Cue bus output as meters. (Monitor visually).

  The output audio signal of each mixing bus, the output audio signal of the stereo bus, and the output audio signal of the Cue bus output from the output channel unit OUT are sent from the DSP 20 to the audio signal I / F 19 and connected as an external device 23. Is supplied to a predetermined speaker system and headphones.

  Each meter MTR1 to MTR4 is arranged in a channel strip for each channel in the console section of the digital mixer 10. Further, the console portion of the digital mixer 10 is provided with meters MTRd1 to MTRdm for displaying a signal adjustment state for each DCA fader DCAF1 to DCAFm monitored according to the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, these meters MTRd1 to MTRdm are easy to visually recognize if they are arranged in correspondence with the arrangement of the DCA faders DCAF1 to DCAFm in the console unit.

  In the input channel CH1, each DCA bus (submixing bus) DCA-1, 2,. . . Corresponding to m, DCA assignment switches ASSW1 to ASSWm are respectively provided. The DCA assignment switches ASSW1 to ASSWm correspond to the DCA faders DCAF1 to DCAFm on a one-to-one basis, and are turned on in response to the assignment of the channel CH1 to any one of the DCA faders DCAF1 to DCAFm. is there. Although a plurality of channels can be assigned to one DCA fader, it is virtually impossible to assign one channel CH1 to a plurality of DCA faders. Therefore, the states of the DCA assignment switches ASSW1 to ASSWm in the channel CH1 are all off or only one is on.

  The output signal of the fader amplifier FDAch is input to the DCA assignment switches ASSW1 to ASSWm via the line DCA_L. The output signals of the DCA assignment switches ASSW1 to ASSWm are respectively corresponding to the corresponding DCA buses DCA-1, DC2,. . . sent to m.

  Each DCA bus DCA-1, 2,. . . In m, the audio signals sent from the input channels CH1 to CHn through the respective DCA assignment switches ASSW1 to ASSWm are mixed. Each DCA bus DCA-1, 2,. . . On the output side of m, DCA amplifiers (or attenuators) DCA1 to DCAm are provided, respectively. Each DCA amplifier (or attenuator) DCA1 to DCAm corresponds to the DCA fader DCAF1 to DCAFm, respectively, and simulates the control state of the signal level adjustment amount by the corresponding DCA fader. In short, each DCA amplifier (or attenuator) DCA1 to DCAm performs the same function as the DCA amplifier (or attenuator) DCAch provided in the input channel CH1, and the corresponding DCA fader operates in the first mode. When doing so, the corresponding DCA amplifiers (or attenuators) DCA1 to DCAm output the amplification factor 1 (or attenuation 0), that is, without changing the level of the input signal. In this case, the signal level adjustment linked to the operation of the DCA fader is performed by the fader amplifier FDAch on the input channel side. Therefore, the DCA buses DCA-1, DC2, etc. are connected via the line DCA_L and the switches ASSW1 to ASSWm. . . The output signal of the fader amplifier FDAch input to m is adjusted in level according to the operation of the DCA fader. Therefore, the DCA buses DCA-1, 2,. . . The output signal of m is output as it is from the DCA amplifiers (or attenuators) DCA1 to DCAm without changing the level, so that the audio signal whose level is adjusted according to the operation of the DCA fader is the DCA amplifier (or attenuator). It is output from DCA1 to DCAm.

  On the other hand, when the corresponding DCA fader operates in the second mode, the gain setting values of the corresponding DCA amplifiers DCA1 to DCAm are increased or decreased according to the operation of the corresponding DCA fader. In this case, the signal level adjustment linked to the operation of the DCA fader is not performed by the fader amplifier FDAch on the input channel side, and the previous signal level adjustment state is maintained. As described above, the level adjustment corresponding to the operation of the DCA fader for the audio signal is performed by the DCA amplifier DCAch of each channel. Therefore, in order to simulate the same level adjustment, each DCA bus DCA-1, DC2,. . . Corresponding to m, DCA amplifiers DCA1 to DCAm are provided. That is, the DCA buses DCA-1, DC2, etc. are connected via the line DCA_L and the switches ASSW1 to ASSWm. . . m, the output signal of the fader amplifier FDAch is not level-adjusted according to the operation of the DCA fader, so the DCA buses DCA-1, 2,. . . The output signal level of m is controlled by the DCA amplifiers (or attenuators) DCA1 to DCAm according to the operation of the DCA fader, so that the audio signal whose level is adjusted according to the operation of the DCA fader is the DCA amplifier (or attenuator). It is output from DCA1 to DCAm.

  Thus, in any mode, audio signals whose levels are adjusted according to the operation of the corresponding DCA faders DCAF1 to DCAFm are output from the DCA amplifiers (or attenuators) DCA1 to DCAm.

  Each DCA bus DCA-1, 2,. . . m are respectively provided corresponding to output signals of DCA amplifiers (or attenuators) DCA1 to DCAm and DCA buses DCA-1, DC2,. . . One of m output signals (output signals not passing through DCA1 to DCAm) is selected independently for each DCA bus according to the operation of the operator. DCA bus DCA-1, 2,. . . The output of each selector SEL3 corresponding to m is input to the meters MTRd1 to MTRdm, respectively. As a result, each DCA bus (sub-mixing bus) DCA-1, 2,. . . The level of the audio signal mixed in m can be displayed (metered) visually. The output signal of each selector SEL3 is input to the left and right buses of the Cue bus CUE as a monaural signal, so that each DCA bus (sub-mixing bus) is output by headphones or the like via the output of the Cue bus CUE. ) DCA-1, 2,. . . The audio signal output from m can be audibly monitored.

  When the selector SEL3 selects output signals from the DCA amplifiers (or attenuators) DCA1 to DCAm, the levels of the DCA amplifiers (or attenuators) DCA1 to DCAm are adjusted according to the operation of the corresponding DCA faders DCAF1 to DCAFm. Therefore, the signals corresponding to the operations of the corresponding DCA faders DCAF1 to DCAFm can be visually and audibly monitored.

  On the other hand, in the selector SEL3, the DCA buses DCA-1, 2,. . . When m output signals (output signals not passing through DCA1 to DCAm) are selected, different modes of monitoring can be performed in the first mode and the second mode. In the first mode, as described above, the DCA buses DCA-1, DC2,. . . m output signals (output signals not passing through DCA1 to DCAm) output audio signals whose levels are adjusted in accordance with the operations of the corresponding DCA faders DCAF1 to DCAFm, and therefore the corresponding DCA faders DCAF1 to DCAFm. The signal corresponding to the operation can be monitored visually and audibly. In the second mode, the DCA buses DCA-1, DC2, etc. are connected via the line DCA_L and the switches ASSW1 to ASSWm. . . The output signal of the fader amplifier FDAch inputted to m is not level-adjusted according to the operation of the DCA fader, and holds the signal level adjustment state unique to each channel before that. Therefore, in this case, the signal level adjustment state unique to each channel immediately before the DCA fader is operated in the second mode can be visually monitored by the meters MTRd1 to MTRdm, and the headphones can be used via the Cue bus. It can be monitored audibly.

  In this way, in the second mode, by switching the selection of the selector SEL3, the signal state (DCA amplifier output) whose level has been adjusted according to the operation of the DCA fader and the individual fader for each channel before that adjustment The signal level adjustment state (DCA bus output) can be compared and monitored.

  In the second mode, the mixing bus selector MIXSEL selects the post-fader signal POST_F and generates an audio signal affected by the operation of the DCA fader through the mixing bus, while the selector SEL3 outputs the DCA amplifier DCA1. -How to select the output of the DCA bus that does not pass through the DCAm and monitor the signal level adjustment state that is not affected by the operation of the DCA fader and that has been adjusted independently by the fader of each channel before that. Is also possible. Then, since the signal level adjustment state before and after the DCA fader operation can be easily compared, it is easy to quickly determine whether or not the DCA fader operation is appropriate. In this case, an audio signal having a signal level adjustment state after operation of the DCA fader is sounded via the mixing bus, and at the same time, the signal level adjustment state before operation of the DCA fader can be monitored by the DCA bus. In a modification example to be described later, the reverse configuration may be adopted.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram functionally showing another configuration example of the mixing processing unit realized by the DSP 20. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the example of FIG. 4, the DCA buses (submixing buses) DCA-1R, 1L,... Provided corresponding to the DCA faders (second operating elements) DCAF1 to DCAFm are used. . . mR and mL are each composed of a pair of left and right stereo buses, and the signal adjustment state controlled by each DCA fader (second operation element) DCAF1 to DCAFm of the audio signal sent to the stereo bus ST can be monitored in stereo. I am doing so.

  For example, the illustrated pair of DCA buses DCA-1R, 1L is a pair of left and right stereo buses corresponding to the DCA fader DCAF1. A pair of DCA buses DCA-mR, mL is a pair of left and right stereo buses corresponding to the DCA fader DCAFm.

  As in FIG. 3, the output signal of the fader amplifier FDAch is input to the DCA assignment switches ASSW1 to ASSWm provided corresponding to the DCA faders DCAF1 to DCAFm via the line DCA_L. The output signals of the respective DCA assignment switches ASSW1 to ASSWm are passed through the corresponding stereo pan control balance volumes PAN_D1 to PAN_Dm, and the corresponding DCA buses DCA-1R, 1L,. . . sent to mR, mL. For example, the output of the switch ASSW1 corresponding to the DCA fader DCAF1 is separated into the right channel and the left channel of stereo pan via the corresponding balance volume PAN_D1, and the right channel signal is the DCA bus for the right channel for the fader DCAF1. The signal of the left channel is sent to the DCA-1R and sent to the DCA bus DCA-1L for the left channel for the fader DCAF1. Similarly, the output of the switch ASSWm corresponding to the DCA fader DCAFm is sent to the right channel DCA bus DCA-mR and the left channel DCA bus DCA-mL for the fader DCAFm via the corresponding balance volume PAN_Dm.

  The stereo pan control balance volumes PAN_D1 to PAN_Dm provided corresponding to the DCA faders DCAF1 to DCAFm are adjusted in conjunction with the operation of the stereo pan control balance volume PAN_V. As a result, the DCA buses DCA-1R, 1L,. . . The stereo pan control state of the signal sent to mR, mL is set to the same state as the stereo pan control state of the CH1 audio signal of the channel sent to the stereo bus ST.

  Each DCA bus DCA-1R, 1L,. . . In mR and mL, audio signals sent from the input channels CH1 to CHn are mixed. Each DCA bus DCA-1R, 1L,. . . On the output side of mR, mL, DCA amplifiers (or attenuators) DCA1R, DCA1L,. . . DCAmR and DCAmL are provided. Each DCA amplifier DCA1R, DCA1L,. . . DCAmR and DCAmL simulate the control state of the signal level adjustment amount by the corresponding DCA faders DCAF1 to DCAFm, similarly to the DCA amplifiers DCA1 to DCAm of FIG. Therefore, separate DCA amplifiers are provided in pairs corresponding to the left and right stereo signals. The gains of the paired DCA amplifiers are set so as to be the same gain in conjunction with each other. For example, a pair of DCA amplifiers DCA1R and DCA1L corresponding to fader DCAF1 are set to gain the same gain in conjunction with each other, and the gain setting value is set in the same manner as DCA amplifier DCA1 in FIG. Further, the pair of DCA amplifiers DCAmR and DCAmL corresponding to the fader DCAFm are set to gain the same gain in conjunction with each other, and the gain setting value is set in the same manner as the DCA amplifier DCAm in FIG. That is, as in the case of FIG. 3, each DCA amplifier DCA1R, DCA1L,. . . Also in DCAmR and DCAmL, different gain settings are made according to either the first mode or the second mode.

  Each DCA bus DCA-1R, 1L,. . . The selectors SEL31 to SEL3m provided corresponding to mR and mL are respectively DCA amplifiers DCA1R, DCA1L,. . . DCAmR, DCAmL output signal and DCA bus DCA-1R, 1L,. . . One of mR, mL output signals (DCA1R, DCA1L, ... DCAmR, output signals not passing through DCAmL) is selected independently for each DCA bus pair according to the operation of the operator. is there. For example, the selector SEL31 corresponding to the pair of DCA buses DCA-1R and 1L corresponding to the fader DCAF1 is switched in conjunction, and the left and right stereo signals passing through the DCA amplifiers DCA1R and DCA1L, and the left and right stereo signals not passing through, Select one of the pairs. In addition, the selector SEL3m corresponding to the pair of DCA buses DCA-mR, mL corresponding to the fader DCAFm is switched in conjunction, the left and right stereo signals passing through the DCA amplifiers DCAmR, DCAmL, and the left and right stereo signals not passing through, Select one of the pairs.

  The outputs of the selectors SEL31 to SEL3m are meters MTRd1R, MTRd1L,. . . Input to MTRdmR and MTRdmL, respectively. As a result, each DCA bus (submixing bus) DCA-1R, 1L,. . . The level of the left and right stereo audio signals mixed in mR and mL can be individually metered (visually monitored). The output signals of the selectors SEL31 to SEL3m are inputted as stereo signals to the left and right buses of the Cue bus CUE (the left stereo audio signal is sent to the left bus of the Cue bus CUE and the right stereo audio signal is sent. Is input to the right bus of the Cue bus CUE), so that each DCA bus (submixing bus) DCA-1R, 1L,. . . Stereo audio signals output from mR and mL can be audibly monitored in stereo.

Next, various modifications to the above embodiments will be described.
(1) In FIGS. 3 and 4, the output signal of the fader amplifier FDAch (the signal of the line DCA_L) may be selected by the mixing bus selector MIXSEL. For example, each mixing bus selector MIXSEL is changed to a three-position switching type so that, in addition to the pre-fader signal PRE_F and the post-fader signal POST_F, an output signal (signal on the line DCA_L) of the fader amplifier FDAch can be selected. Alternatively, if each mixing bus selector MIXSEL is a two-position switching type, it is changed so that one of the above-described post-fader signal POST_F and the output signal of the fader amplifier FDAch (the signal on the line DCA_L) can be selected.

  Then, in the second mode, the output signal of the fader amplifier FDAch (the signal on the line DCA_L) is selected by the mixing bus selector MIXSEL, and the previous fader of the corresponding channel not affected by the operation of the DCA fader. While the audio signal that maintains the signal adjustment state that has been independently adjusted is pronounced via the mixing bus, the selector SEL3 (FIG. 3) or the SEL31 to SEL3m (FIG. 4) uses the DCA amplifiers DCA1 to DCAm (FIG. 3) or DCA1R, DCA1L,. . . It is possible to select the output of DCAmR and DCAmL (FIG. 4) and monitor the signal level adjustment state affected by the operation of the DCA fader. In this case, as described above, since the signal level adjustment state before and after the DCA fader operation can be easily compared, it is easy to quickly determine whether or not the DCA fader operation is appropriate. In this case, contrary to the above-described example, an audio signal having a signal level adjustment state before the DCA fader operation is generated via the mixing bus, and at the same time, the signal level adjustment state after the DCA fader operation is DCA. Can be monitored by bus.

(2) In the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4, the Cue bus CUE and its audio output unit are used to audibly monitor the output signal of the DCA bus. An audio output unit (audible output monitoring means) may be provided.

(3) In FIGS. 3 and 4, the selectors SEL3, SEL31 to SEL3m are omitted, and the DCA amplifiers DCA1 to DCAm, DCA1R, DCA1L,. . . Only the outputs of DCAmR and DCAmL may be monitored via the DCA bus.

(4) In FIGS. 3 and 4, the DCA amplifiers DCA1 to DCAm, DCA1R, DCA1L,. . . DCAmR and DCAmL may be omitted, and the output signal of the DCA amplifier DCAch of the input channel may be sent to each DCA bus via the DCA assignment switches ASSW1 to ASSWm. In that case, the selectors SEL3 and SEL31 to SEL3m may be omitted, or may be provided on the input side of each DCA bus without being omitted.

(5) In the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, signal adjustment faders (first operation elements) ChF1 to ChFn on the input channels CH1 to CHn are assigned to the DCA faders (second operation elements) DCAF1 to DCAFm. Although an example has been shown, the signal adjustment fader (first operation element) on the output channel (each channel of the output channel section OUT) side with respect to the DCA fader (second operation element) DCAF1 to DCAFm is not limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied when MIX-F, ST-F, and CUE-F are assigned. In that case, the output channel signals (corresponding faders MIX-F, ST-F, CUE-F) to which the DCA fader is assigned to the DCA assignment switches ASSW1 to ASSWm provided on the input side of each DCA bus. The logical wiring in the DSP 20 may be set so as to be input. Even in such a case, the substantive structures of the faders MIX-F, ST-F, and CUE-F are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 so that the first mode and the second mode can be properly used. You may make it comprise with what consists of a combination of FDAch and DCA amplifier DCAch.

(6) It is not essential for the DCA fader to selectively operate in either the first mode or the second mode described above, and may be operated only in either one of the modes. You may make it operate | move in this mode.

(7) In the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, the DCA bus (submixing bus) is configured in the DSP 20, but the CPU 11 may be configured by a software program. Alternatively, the DCA bus (submixing bus) and related parts may be configured by dedicated electronic circuit hardware.

(8) The mixing processing unit shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be partly or wholly constructed by the software program in the CPU 11. Alternatively, the mixing processing unit shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 including the DCA bus (sub-mixing bus) may be partially or entirely configured by dedicated electronic circuit hardware.

(9) The type of the operation element that functions as a signal adjustment fader is not limited to the slider type that moves the knob linearly, and may be a rotary knob or a dial type, or other types. .
(10) The present invention is applicable not only to audio mixers but also to video mixers. In this case, the signal adjustment state or signal state to be monitored depends not only on the signal level but also on the signal element to be adjusted by the DCA fader.

The block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the digital mixer which concerns on one Example of this invention. The figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the fader type operation element for the signal level adjustment relevant to this invention provided in the Example of FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram functionally showing the configuration of a mixing processing unit realized by the DSP of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram functionally illustrating another configuration example of a mixing processing unit realized by the DSP of FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

10 Digital mixer 11 CPU
12 RAM
13 ROM
14 Controller 20 DSP
ChF1-ChFn channel fader (first operator)
DCAF1 to DCAFm DCA fader (second operator)
MIX-1, 2,. . . N Mixing bus DCA-1, 2,. . . m DCA bus (submixing bus)

Claims (6)

Multiple input channels for processing the signal being processed;
A mixing bus for mixing signals processed in the input channel;
An output channel for processing the signal output from the mixing bus;
A first operator for signal adjustment provided for each channel in at least one of the input channel and the output channel, which adjusts the signal of the corresponding channel according to the operation of the first operator When,
A plurality of second operators for signal adjustment that can be assigned to any channel;
The first operator of any one or a plurality of channels in at least one of the input channel and the output channel is assigned to each of the second operators, and the operation of each second operator is performed In response, control means for controlling a signal adjustment amount in the first operator of the one or a plurality of channels assigned to the second operator,
A plurality of sub-mixing buses, each sub-mixing bus being provided corresponding to each of the second operators, and each sub-mixing bus corresponding to the sub-mixing bus according to the assignment by the control means Mixing the signals of the one or more channels that are controlled by the second operator,
A mixer device comprising monitor means provided corresponding to the sub-mixing bus for monitoring signals mixed by the sub-mixing bus. One of the signal before adjustment or the signal after adjustment is selected by the second operator of the one or more channels assigned to the second operator according to the assignment by the control means. Further comprising a selection means,
The sub-mixing bus mixes and outputs the signal selected by the selection means, and the monitoring means monitors the mixed output of the signal selected by the selection means, before being adjusted by the second operator. 2. The mixer device according to claim 1, wherein either the mixed output of the first signal or the mixed output of the adjusted signal can be selectively monitored.   Each of the sub-mixing buses is configured as a stereo bus, and the signals of the one or a plurality of channels that are controlled by the second operator corresponding to the sub-mixing bus are assigned to the left and right of the stereo bus according to the assignment by the control unit. 3. The mixer device according to claim 1, wherein the mixer device is distributed to buses and mixed for each left and right bus.   4. The mixer device according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit includes a plurality of indicators that visually display states of signals mixed in the sub-mixing buses. 5.   The mixer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit includes a unit that makes it possible to listen to a signal mixed in each of the sub-mixing buses.   6. The mixer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal to be processed is an audio signal, and the first and second operators adjust the level of the audio signal.

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