JP2858574B2 - Electronic musical instrument - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic musical instrument capable of producing musical tones of a plurality of timbres, and to an improvement in a system for retrieving a desired timbre from the plurality of timbres.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art 10 to 10 electronic musical instruments currently in practical use.
There is a type that can generate zero or more tones. Each timbre is formed by timbre data including a plurality of parameters corresponding to the timbre, and is given a name called a voice number and a voice name, respectively. The player can search the list using either the voice number or the voice name, and specify the timbre by inputting the voice number from a numeric keypad or the like.

[0003]

However, if the number of timbres exceeds 100, it is impossible to store voice numbers and voice names for all of them, and it takes time to search the list. There were drawbacks. Furthermore, even if the voice name is known from a list or the like, there is a drawback that the actual tone of the musical tone to be pronounced by the voice name cannot be known unless actually pronounced.

In order to solve this, a plurality of types of timbres are hierarchically classified according to their characteristics, and the hierarchy is referred to as “wind instrument →
A system has been proposed in which a desired timbre can be searched by tracing, for example, "woodwind instrument → saxophone". In the end, there is a disadvantage that there is no other way but to select and select all of the tones of the timbres.

According to the present invention, by searching for tone color data by designating a range of the degree of characteristic of tone color data, or by designating a range of values of parameters included in the tone color data, It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic musical instrument capable of promptly searching for a desired timbre by designating a plurality of value ranges and characteristic range ranges of parameters.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tone signal forming means for forming a tone signal based on a parameter group comprising a plurality of parameters, and a parameter storage means for storing a plurality of types of parameter groups. And specifying means for specifying a range of parameter values included in the parameter group, and searching means for searching for a parameter group having a parameter in the range specified by the specifying means.

[0007] The invention of claim 2 of this application provides a tone signal forming means for forming a tone signal using tone color data, tone color data storage means for storing a plurality of tone color data, and a tone color formed by each tone color data. Characteristic storage means for storing data indicating the degree of the characteristic of each of the tone color data,
A designation unit for designating a range of the degree of the characteristic of the timbre, and a search unit for retrieving timbre data corresponding to the range of the degree of the characteristic of the timbre designated by the designation unit are provided.

The invention according to claim 3 of the present application provides a musical tone signal forming means for forming a musical tone signal based on a parameter group consisting of a plurality of parameters, a parameter storing means for storing a plurality of types of parameter groups, Feature storage means for storing data indicating the degree of the feature in association with each parameter group, designating means for designating a plurality of search conditions for the range of parameter values and / or the range of the degree of feature; And a plurality of search means for searching for a parameter group that satisfies a plurality of search conditions specified by the specifying means.

According to the first aspect of the invention, a plurality of types of parameter groups are stored in the storage means, and a tone signal is formed based on any one of the parameter groups. When one of a plurality of parameter groups is selected, a search can be performed by specifying a value range of a parameter included in the parameter group by a specifying unit. The search means searches for a parameter group having parameters in a specified range of values. The user can select a parameter group based on this, and can form a tone signal with a desired parameter group. Also, by performing this search in edit mode,
You can edit the tone.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of timbre data are stored in the storage means, and a tone signal is formed using any one of the timbre data. Each tone color data is stored with data indicating the degree of the feature of the tone color. The feature may be, for example, a scale that expresses an impression of a tone such as brightness, warmth, and weight. The extent is
For example, if the full scale is 10.0, 0.0 to 1
For example, it is possible to adopt a method of indicating a numerical value including the first decimal place of 0.0. The designating means designates a range of the feature of the tone color data to be searched. For example, if the degree of the feature is represented by a numerical value from 0.0 to 10.0,
What is necessary is just to comprise the means which designates the range of the numerical value, such as "4.8-7.5". By searching for a parameter group corresponding to the range of the degree of the specified feature, target tone color data can be extracted. By sending the timbre data to the sound source, it becomes possible to generate a sound. By performing this search in the edit mode, the timbre can be edited.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of parameter groups are stored in the storage means, and a tone signal is formed based on any one of the parameter groups. For each parameter group, data indicating the degree of the feature of the parameter group is stored in correspondence, and a plurality of parameter value ranges included in the parameter group and a plurality of ranges of the feature level are designated and corresponded. Search for things. In this specification, only a plurality of parameter value ranges may be specified, a plurality of characteristic degree ranges may be specified, or a plurality of parameter value ranges and characteristic degree ranges may be specified. . This allows
The searched group is a parameter group that meets the above-mentioned plurality of search conditions. By sending this to the sound source, pronunciation can be made. By performing this search in edit mode, editing the timbre Can be.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic musical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention. This electronic musical instrument is an electronic keyboard musical instrument controlled by the CPU and played by the keyboard 16. Voice data including tone color data for forming a tone signal is stored in each of the ROM, RAM and external memory. Of these, the voice data stored in the RAM can be edited (updated).

The CPU 10 has a ROM 11 via a bus 11
12, RAM 13, interfaces 14, 18, 20,
The keyboard 16, the panel operator 17, and the sound source 30 are connected. The ROM 12 stores preset voice data and control programs. Various registers are set in the RAM 13 and editable voice data is stored. In the area where the voice data is stored in the RAM 13, the voice data is retained by the backup power supply even when the main power supply of the electronic musical instrument is off. An external memory 15 is connected to the interface 14. The external memory 15 can be composed of, for example, a floppy disk or a memory card. Floppy disk or RA
In the case of using a memory card of M, the voice data stored therein can be edited. Keyboard 16
Is a normal keyboard having a range of about 5 octaves.
As shown in FIG.
4, Function switch 35, Mode switch 32
And a cursor key 33. A mouse 19 is connected to the interface 18. Mouse 19
Is used to move a cursor displayed on the CRT 21 to specify a parameter or the like. A CRT 21 is connected to the interface 20. The CRT 21 displays various parameters of the designated voice. Sound source 3
Reference numeral 0 denotes a waveform memory type sound source, which has about 16 sounding channels, and forms tone signals based on performance data input from the CPU 10. A parameter group for forming a tone signal is given from the CPU 10 in advance. A sound system 31 is connected to the sound source 30. The tone signal formed by the sound source 30 is input to the sound system 31, amplified, and output from a speaker or the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a voice memory set in the RAM 13 or the like. ROM12, RAM
13 and the external memory 15 each store n pieces of voice data in a predetermined area. Each voice data includes a voice name, a classification code and calling data, and tone color data. The classification code is a code in which n voices are classified by rough timbres (similar natural musical instruments) as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the calling data stores the degree of brightness, darkness, cooling / heating data, sharpness data, heavy / light data and user data. These call data are obtained by converting the characteristics of the tones to be generated into data in accordance with the sense of the tones, and can be edited by the user as described later. The timbre data includes waveform data, filter data, EG data, and effect data such as reverb. The sound source 30 forms a tone signal based on these data. A buffer memory is set in the RAM 13 in addition to the voice memory. This buffer memory has exactly the same configuration as one voice memory. Voice data specified at the time of sound production or editing is copied from the voice memory to the buffer memory. That is, voice data used for sound generation is data in the buffer memory, and editing is an operation of rewriting data stored therein.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the panel operator. The numeric keypad 34 also serves as an alphabet key, and is used for designating a voice number and inputting character data. The function switch 35 corresponds to a function displayed below the CRT 21 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, and is used when selecting a displayed function. The mode switch 32 is a switch for designating various modes such as an edit mode, a call data setting mode, and a voice search mode. Cursor key 33 is C
A key for moving a cursor displayed on the RT 21.

FIGS. 4 to 7 show examples of CRT screen display and FIGS.
The operation of the electronic musical instrument will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a main routine. The initial setting operation (n1) is executed simultaneously with turning on the power of the electronic musical instrument. The initial setting operation includes an operation of resetting a register, an operation of reading predetermined voice data, and writing the read voice data into a buffer memory in the RAM 13. Thereafter, a key pressing process (n2) accompanying the key on / off of the keyboard 16 is executed,
A mode switch process is executed in response to the ON of the mode switch 32 of the panel operator 17 (n3). This operation is, for example, an operation of displaying the screen on the CRT 21 in the mode setting and the display of the voice data written in the buffer memory according to the mode. After that, various processes (n5 to n8) are executed corresponding to the mode (n4). That is, processing operations such as an edit mode process (n5), a call data setting process (n6), a voice search process (n7), and other processes (n8) are executed, and the key pressing process (n
Returning to 2), the following processing is repeatedly executed.

FIG. 9 shows an edit mode processing routine (n
It is a flowchart which shows 5). In this operation, various parameters of the designated voice data are updated. This operation is executed when the edit switch in the mode switch 32 is turned on and the mode is the edit mode.
In the edit mode, the contents as shown in FIG.
1 is displayed. In this operation, an ON event (n10) of a function switch (F1, F2 corresponding to the reading function display 41 and the writing function display 42 at the bottom of the screen in FIG. 4), a mouse operation event (n11), or a ten key ON event ( n12) is determined, and
If there is, the corresponding operation is performed. If there is an ON event of the function switch, processing corresponding to the function SW function in the display screen, that is, reading (F1) and writing (F2) processing of voice data between the voice memory and the buffer memory is executed. (N13). Here, the read operation is an operation of reading voice data from the voice memory into the buffer memory. Specifically, when reading of voice data is instructed, a window for reading voice data is opened on the screen as shown in FIG. When the user moves the cursor to the voice number and inputs the voice number using the numeric keypad, the voice data corresponding to the input voice number is read out to the buffer memory. The write operation is an operation of writing the voice data edited in the buffer memory to any area of the voice memory. The mouse event is an operation of moving the mouse to a predetermined position and clicking a mouse button switch as in a normal personal computer or the like. When this operation is performed, move the cursor according to the operation,
An operation such as selecting a parameter displayed at the clicked position or changing its value is executed (n14). For example, in the case of an EG parameter or a filter characteristic parameter, the characteristic can be changed by moving the square displayed on each peak with a mouse. Also,
If there is a numeric key event, the value of the parameter specified at that time is changed. (N15). After the above operation, the display screen is updated with the contents of the performed operation (n16), and the process returns to the main routine.

The call data processing routine executed at n6 in FIG. 8 is also substantially the same as the edit processing routine in FIG. When the call data setting routine is executed, a screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, and the pointer 43 (◆) indicating the degree of each feature can be moved by operating the mouse. Thus, the call data in the buffer memory, that is, the voice name,
The stored contents of the classification code, brightness, sharpness, sharpness, lightness, and user data are arbitrarily changed by the player. The user data at the lower right of FIG. 6 is data to which the performer can arbitrarily name, and in this figure, the degree of tension is set.

The name of the user data is set on the screen in accordance with the turning on of the function key (F4).
A name menu such as “long / short” or “thick” is displayed, and a numeric keypad is selected from the menu.

FIG. 10 shows a voice search processing routine. This operation is for searching for a desired voice based on the set call data. When this operation is performed, the screen of FIG. 7 is displayed. At the bottom of this screen, five types of call data are displayed. Each call data is F1-F5 of the function switch 35, respectively.
And the corresponding function switch is 1
When turned on again, the corresponding call data is selected, and when turned on again, the selection is canceled. The display of the selected call data is reversed (light / dark data, sharp / dark data). When the function switch is turned on (n20), it is determined whether the call data corresponding to the switch is currently specified (n21). If not specified, the call data is specified and used as a key for voice search (n22). This operation includes an operation of inverting the display corresponding to the function switch and an operation of displaying the designated scale on the right side of the screen. If the call data corresponding to the turned on function switch has already been designated, the designation of the corresponding call data is canceled and the display is erased (n23).
Next, operations such as setting of search conditions and selection of a voice in the list are executed in response to the operation of the mouse (n24).
That is, the designated range of the read data displayed on the right side of the screen is expanded and contracted by moving the squares at both ends thereof, and the entire designated range is translated in parallel. Further, on the left side of the screen, the voice name searched by the search operation performed according to the range of the currently specified call data is displayed, and one of the voice names is specified with a mouse, and the specified name in the display is displayed. The timbre data of the voice name can be selected and set as the current timbre data to be pronounced according to the key performance.

When the numeric keypad is operated, it is determined whether or not an initial or a classification is currently being set (n2).
6). In this case, the cursor has moved to the initial or classification column (upper right of the screen). In that case, the initials or classification conditions are set according to the contents of the input key (n27). In other cases, the keypad input event is ignored.

As a result of the above operation, it is determined whether or not the search condition has been changed (n28). If the search condition has been changed, the search execution routine is automatically started (n29). It should be noted that another key such as a search execution key may be provided to execute the search, and the condition may be changed and the search may be executed by another independent operation. After the above operation, the display on the CRT 21 is updated (n30) and the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 11 shows a mouse processing routine executed in n24. This operation is an operation for controlling processing by mouse operation. When the mouse switch is turned on, the condition and the voice at the position where the cursor was located at that time are selected (n41). That is, when the mouse switch is turned on, if the cursor is on the initial character or the classification condition setting area, the initial character or the classification is set to be enterable from the ten keys, and the cursor is on the call data condition area. Allows changing the condition of the call data. Furthermore, if the cursor is at both ends of the condition range, the range of the condition expands and contracts as the cursor moves, and if the cursor is at the center of the range of the condition, the same width as the cursor moves. Moves the range of the condition. When the cursor is located at the voice name in the list, the data of the voice is copied from the voice memory to the buffer. Also, the display body 45 of the scroll 1 on the right side of the list (FIG. 6)
When the cursor is located on the screen, the screen is set to be scrollable as the pointer moves.

On the other hand, when the mouse is moving while the mouse switch is turned on, the operation is executed based on the search condition set at that time (n42, n43). When the range of the condition of the call data is set, the search condition of the call data is changed according to the coordinates of the mouse (n4).
4). If the cursor is in the list on the left side of the screen, the cursor is moved according to the coordinates of the mouse. Further, when the cursor is on the display 45, the screen is scrolled as the pointer moves. (N45). After the above operation, the process returns to the voice search processing routine of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a search execution routine. All voices in the voice memory are searched for a corresponding one according to the initial and classification search conditions and stored in the list buffer (n50). Next, it is determined whether there is any unprocessed one of the call data conditions (n51). If there is any unprocessed data, the voice data in the list buffer is determined based on one of the call data conditions. (N52), and returns to n51 to determine whether there is any unprocessed one again. In this way, all the set calling conditions (displayed on the right side of FIG. 7) are searched for whether or not this condition is satisfied, and only the applicable condition is stored again in the list buffer. When there is no unprocessed call data condition, the process returns to the voice search processing routine of FIG.

For example, assuming that the contents displayed in FIG. 7 are searched, first, voice data whose first letter is alphabet S to V is searched from all the voice data, and the brightness of the voice name is searched from among them. Range (4.8-7.
Items included in 5) are searched, and those included in the range of sharpness (0.0 to 4.5) are searched for and stored in the list buffer.

Here, the graph indicating the range of the condition of the call data displayed on the right side of FIG. 7 and the graph of the call data of each voice shown in FIG. 6 correspond to each other. When the position is in the range of □-□ in FIG. 7, it is determined that the call data is applicable.

In the above embodiment, the voice is searched based on the call data set separately from the tone data. However, the search may be performed based on the actual tone data such as the EG rate. Good.

Although both the tone color data and the call data have been described as editable data in the RAM, both or one of the tone color data and the call data may be stored in a factory-set ROM or ROM card. .

Further, the operation of setting the name of the user call data may be performed by inputting an alphabet, a kana-kanji, or the like instead of selecting from a menu.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, a feature of voice data can be specified and searched for in a range, so that the feature of the voice can be stored in more detail. Since there is a high possibility that one of the musical tones will be searched even if the search is repeated under the condition, it is possible to quickly search for a desired voice.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the search can be performed within the range of the value of the parameter included in the parameter group, the parameter group can be searched by the parameter, and the designation by the range is enabled. Thus, the corresponding parameter group can be extracted without knowing the value of the parameter exactly.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the timbre data can be searched based on the range of the degree of the feature, so that the timbre data can be searched according to the preference for the timbre such as "slightly bright" or "very light". Since the degree of the feature can be specified in a range, it is possible to extract timbre data that is likely to be applicable without omission.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of parameter value ranges and / or feature degree ranges are searched for a parameter group, thereby enabling a highly accurate search. By allowing specification, it is possible to provide a margin in the search range, and it is possible to extract a parameter group that meets the conditions even if the search conditions are increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic musical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a voice memory of the electronic musical instrument.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an operation panel of the electronic musical instrument.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display of the electronic musical instrument.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a screen display of the electronic musical instrument.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a screen display of the electronic musical instrument.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a screen display of the electronic musical instrument.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic musical instrument.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic musical instrument.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic musical instrument.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic musical instrument.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic musical instrument.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 ROM, 13 RAM, 15 external memory, 17
... panel controls, 19 ... mouse, 21 ... CRT, 30 ...
Sound source, 32 ... mode switch, 33 ... cursor keys, 3
4: Numeric keys, 35: Function switch

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A tone signal forming unit for forming a tone signal based on a parameter group including a plurality of parameters; a parameter storage unit for storing a plurality of types of parameter groups; and a parameter value range included in the parameter group. An electronic musical instrument comprising: a designation unit for designating; and a retrieval unit for retrieving a parameter group having a range of parameters designated by the designation unit. 2. A tone signal forming means for forming a tone signal using tone color data, tone color data storage means for storing a plurality of tone color data, and data indicating the degree of the characteristic of the tone color formed by each tone color data. Feature storage means for storing the tone data in association with each tone data; designation means for designating a range of the degree of the feature of the tone color; searching for tone color data corresponding to the range of the degree of the feature of the tone color designated by the designation means An electronic musical instrument, characterized by comprising: 3. A tone signal forming means for forming a tone signal based on a parameter group consisting of a plurality of parameters; a parameter storage means for storing a plurality of types of parameter groups; and data indicating the degree of characteristics of each parameter group. Feature storage means for storing in association with the parameter group; designating means for designating a plurality of search conditions for the range of the parameter value or the range of the degree of the feature; and a plurality of search conditions designated by the designating means. An electronic musical instrument, comprising: a plurality of search means for searching for a parameter group conforming to