JP3904012B2 - Waveform generating apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming a waveform of a musical tone or a voice or any other sound based on reading out waveform data stored in a memory, and more particularly to one using a loop waveform that is repeatedly read out. The present invention is not limited to electronic musical instruments, but in general performance devices, computers, electronic game devices, other multimedia devices, etc., in a wide range of devices, devices or methods having a function of generating musical sounds or sounds or other arbitrary sounds. It can be applied in a wide range. In this specification, the term “musical sound waveform” is not limited to a musical sound waveform, but is used in a sense that may include a sound waveform or any other sound waveform.

In the waveform memory, waveform data (that is, waveform sample data) encoded by an arbitrary encoding method such as PCM (pulse code modulation), DPCM (differential PCM), or ADPCM (adaptive differential PCM) is stored. A so-called “waveform memory read” technique for forming a musical sound waveform by reading in accordance with a desired musical tone pitch is already known, and various types of “waveform memory read” techniques are known. ing. Most of the conventionally known “waveform memory reading” techniques are for generating one sound waveform from the start to the end of sound generation. As an example, there is a method of storing waveform data of all waveforms of one sound from the start to the end of sound generation. As another example, there is a method of storing waveform data of all waveforms for an attack portion having a complicated change, and storing a predetermined loop waveform for a sustain portion having little change (for example, Patent Document 1). In the latter method, since the loop waveform is stored, the waveform data storage amount can be simplified, and the sound duration can be arbitrarily adjusted by repeatedly reading the loop waveform. In this specification, “loop waveform” is used to mean a waveform that is repeatedly read (loop read), and “loop playback waveform” is used to repeatedly read (loop read) a “loop waveform”. It is used in the meaning of the waveform obtained (reproduced).
JP 59-1888697

In addition, for the generation of one sound, a plurality of loop waveforms are used, and each loop waveform is sequentially switched and read out according to a specific sequence, and loop read output data of successive loop waveforms (that is, “loop reproduction waveform”) A technique is also known in which each loop reproduction waveform is smoothly connected by cross-fade synthesis (for example, Patent Document 2). In this case, the cross-fade synthesis is performed in a predetermined cross-fade interval, and the time length of each cross-fade interval is arbitrarily variable, unlike the simple one-loop waveform repetitive reading technique described above. No adjustment is shown. Further, this type of loop waveform is used only in the specific sequence corresponding to one sound.
JP-A-62-14696

On the other hand, as a time base compression technique of an audio signal, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 3, for example. It is shown that the speech waveform is divided into a vowel section and a consonant section, the time axis compression ratio of the consonant section is relatively reduced, and the time axis compression ratio of the vowel section is relatively increased. Patent Document 4 discloses that time axis compression control is performed only in a vowel section without performing time axis compression control in a consonant section. However, these techniques are for data compression of audio signals, and are completely unrelated to taking into account or enabling control of sound articulation.
JP-A-1-93795 JP-A-5-274599

  In conventional musical tone waveform forming technology using loop waveforms, it was suitable for simplifying the amount of waveform data to be stored, but in exchange, it was not suitable for forming expressive musical sound waveforms. Also, it was unrelated to the formation of musical sound waveform considering the articulation of sound. On the other hand, in a method in which a waveform that is not repeatedly read (referred to as a non-loop waveform) is stored over a plurality of cycles and a musical sound waveform is formed by reading out the waveform, the stored multi-cycle waveform itself is the quality. It can be said that it is a musical sound waveform that takes into account the articulation of sound, but it can only be played back according to the stored waveform data, so it has poor controllability and editability It was scarce.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and when a musical tone waveform is formed using a loop waveform, it is possible to perform waveform formation with high quality in consideration of sound articulation (performance method). An object of the present invention is to provide a waveform generation apparatus and method, and particularly to provide a waveform generation apparatus and method that can generate a musical sound waveform corresponding to a performance phrase with high quality. It is another object of the present invention to provide a waveform generating apparatus and method which are rich in controllability and rich in editability.

The waveform generation device according to the present invention includes a storage unit configured to store a plurality of unit waveform data including a non-loop waveform that is not repeatedly read and at least one loop waveform that is repeatedly read connected to at least one of the non-loop waveform, The unit waveform data is read from the storage means according to a waveform sequence defined by the timing data indicating the time for reproducing the unit waveform in order for sequentially reading the arbitrary unit waveform data, and the unit waveform data is read into the plurality of arbitrary unit waveform data . And waveform forming means for generating a musical sound waveform by connecting the waveforms based on the unit waveform data before and after the loop waveform of the unit waveform data preceding and succeeding and repeatedly reading and synthesizing the loop waveforms .

According to the present invention, a plurality of unit waveform data consisting of a non-loop waveform that is not repeatedly read and at least one loop waveform that is repeatedly read connected to at least one of the non-loop waveforms is stored in the storage means, and a desired musical sound waveform is obtained. A plurality of unit waveform data used for generation is specified by a waveform sequence defined by timing data indicating a time for reproducing the unit waveform, and the unit waveform data is stored from the storage means according to the waveform sequence. the by said sequentially read out at the time according the timing data, and read out repeatedly the loop waveform of the unit waveform data preceding and succeeding to crossfade synthesis, the connecting waveform based on these unit waveform data tone waveform Generate. As a result, an arbitrary musical sound waveform formed by arbitrarily combining unit waveform data composed of a non-loop waveform that is not repeatedly read and at least one loop waveform that is repeatedly read connected to at least one of the non-loop waveforms is converted into a waveform sequence corresponding thereto. The waveform sequence can be easily generated , and the waveform sequence defines the order of sequentially reading a plurality of unit waveform data with timing data indicating the time to reproduce each unit waveform. Each unit waveform can be connected with a simple temporal variation. Further , since the non-loop waveform included in each unit waveform data is a high-quality waveform having characteristics such as articulation (performance method), a high-quality performance phrase musical sound waveform can be generated.

A non-loop waveform is a high-quality waveform that has characteristics such as articulation (playing style), but because it has complex characteristics, it is suitable for connecting smoothly to any other waveform. However, according to the present invention, since unit waveform data having a loop waveform is used at least before and after the non-loop waveform, the unit waveform data can be connected easily and smoothly. Therefore, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to perform a musical sound waveform formation of a free performance phrase by simply combining non-loop waveforms, which are high-quality waveforms having characteristics such as articulation (performance method), It has an excellent effect that it is possible to perform waveform formation with good quality in consideration of sound articulation (performance method) in a form rich in controllability and rich in editability.

Further, since the playback time length of a non-loop waveform is generally fixed, the only way to change the playback time length is to change the playback pitch. Therefore, it is difficult to variably control the reproduction time length of the non-loop waveform without affecting the reproduction pitch. In contrast, the loop waveform, by variably controlling the number of loops, without affecting the playback pitch, since the reproduction time length can be variably controlled, it is easy to time control of the waveform data. Therefore, according to the present invention, focusing on the point that the time control of the loop waveform is easy, by performing the time control on the loop waveform portion, the entire musical sound waveform including the high quality non-loop waveform and the loop waveform can be obtained. It has an excellent feature that the reproduction time length can be variably controlled.

Thereby, for example, various special controls can be realized by time- controlling the waveform of a phrase performance corresponding to a plurality of notes. For example, the main part of each note of the first, second, and third is made up of a non-loop waveform, the part that connects each note with a special performance such as slur is also made up of a non-loop waveform, and the part that connects each non-loop waveform Each consists of a loop waveform. In this case, if the loop playback section of each non-loop waveform is controlled with an appropriate time axis expansion / contraction ratio, the length of each note can be expanded and contracted uniformly at a predetermined ratio (for example, an eighth note is changed to a quarter note). Change). Alternatively, the apparent performance tempo can be varied. Alternatively, by controlling the loop waveform of a specific note with a time axis expansion / contraction ratio different from the others, the note length can be changed by the specific note. For example, it is possible to control such that a phrase composed of triplet of eighth notes is changed to a phrase composed of one eighth note and two sixteenth notes.

  The present invention can be configured and implemented not only as a device invention but also as a method invention. In addition, the present invention can be implemented in the form of a computer program, and can also be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing such a computer program. Furthermore, the present invention can also be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing waveform data having a novel waveform data structure.

Hereinafter, embodiments 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 example of a waveform generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hardware configuration example shown here is configured using a computer, in which the waveform forming processing is performed by executing a predetermined program (software) for realizing the waveform forming processing according to the present invention by the computer. To be implemented. Of course, this waveform forming process is not limited to the form of computer software, but can be implemented in the form of a microprogram processed by a DSP (digital signal processor), and is not limited to this form of program. You may implement in the form of the dedicated hardware apparatus comprised including the discrete circuit or the integrated circuit or the large scale integrated circuit. The waveform generation device may take any product application form such as an electronic musical instrument, a karaoke device, an electronic game device, another multimedia device, or a personal computer.

  In the hardware configuration example shown in FIG. 1, a CPU (central processing unit) 100 as a main control unit of a computer includes a ROM (read only memory) 101, a RAM (random access memory) 102, a hard disk device 103, and a removable device. A disk device (for example, a CD-ROM drive or an MO drive) 104, a display 105, an input operation device 106 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a waveform interface 107, a timer 108, a communication interface 109, a MIDI interface 110, and the like are connected via a bus 111. Connected. The waveform interface 107 inputs an analog waveform signal (audio signal) from the outside, converts it into a digital signal and sends it to the bus 111, and the digital waveform data formed by the waveform forming process executed by this computer via the bus 111. And the like, and the like having a function of outputting to a speaker system or the like after analog conversion. Of course, it is also possible to transfer and output the formed digital waveform data to the outside as it is.

  In the case where the waveform generation device is in the form of a musical instrument product, a keyboard for the input operation device 106 includes a performance keyboard for selecting and specifying a desired musical tone pitch. On the other hand, when the waveform forming apparatus takes a product application form other than a musical instrument, a MIDI keyboard module can be connected to the MIDI interface 110, thereby selecting and specifying a desired musical tone pitch. Further, selection and designation of a desired musical tone pitch may be given in the form of automatic performance data. The automatic performance data may be given by reading out data stored in any storage device such as the ROM 101, RAM 102, hard disk device 103, removable disk device 104, or via the MIDI interface 110. It may be given from outside. Although not described in detail, as is generally known in the field of electronic musical instruments, the input operation device 106 has switches and operations for selecting and setting various musical tone elements such as various timbres, musical tone effects, and volume. Children are provided as appropriate. In addition, selection and setting of these various musical tone elements may be important in the form of automatic performance data as described above.

  The function of the waveform memory WM for storing the waveform data may be handled by any type of data storage device. That is, any of the ROM 101, the RAM 102, the hard disk device 103, and the removable disk device 104 may function as the waveform memory WM. In general, an appropriate storage area in the hard disk device 103, which is a large-capacity storage device, or a removable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or MO that is removable from the removable disk device 104 is used as a waveform database, that is, as a waveform memory WM. Just make it work. Alternatively, a waveform database provided in an external host or server computer may be accessed via the communication interface 109 and a communication line, and necessary waveform data may be downloaded to the hard disk device 103 or RAM 102 or the like. .

  The software program for executing the waveform forming process according to the present invention under the control of the CPU 100 may be stored in either the ROM 101, the RAM 102, or the hard disk device 103. The program may be recorded on a removable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or MO that can be attached to and detached from the removable disk device 104, or from an external host or server computer via a communication line and a communication interface 109. The program may be received and downloaded to the hard disk device 103 or the RAM 102 or the like.

  In the waveform memory WM, waveform data of a large number of unit waveforms is stored. The unit waveform refers to one unit of a waveform that can be selected as one unit. There are a plurality of types of unit waveforms, and the types may be classified from both a musical or emotional meaning and a technical meaning based on how to read data. Classification based on technical meaning is classification depending on whether or not the waveform data is repeatedly read. For convenience, a waveform data that is repeatedly read is called a “loop waveform”, and a waveform data that is not repeatedly read is “ It is called a “non-loop waveform”. On the other hand, the classification based on musical or emotional meaning is a classification based on what part or section of the sound is appropriate for the waveform. For example, the unit waveform suitable for use in the rising part (attack part) of the sound is “attack part waveform”, and the unit waveform suitable for use in the sound falling part (release part) is “release part waveform”. The unit waveform suitable for use in the sustained part of the sound (sustain part) is the “sustain part waveform”, and the unit waveform suitable for use in the connected part of the sound according to a specific performance such as slur is connected Appropriately classify unit waveforms that are suitable for use in the sound sustaining part according to a specific rendition technique such as vibrato or tremolo, such as "intermediate rendition waveform", and name them appropriately it can.

In a normal performance, it is rare that a non-stationary waveform continues, and a portion that requires a “non-loop waveform” is a steady waveform before and after. Therefore, even a waveform that expresses a performance style in a deep color can be expressed by a unit waveform that includes “loop waveforms” at both ends of a “non-loop waveform” in most cases. In general, unit waveforms suitable for use in areas where subtle articulations are required include “non-loop waveforms” that can express the characteristics of the articulations It is good to use. The “non-loop waveform” usually consists of waveforms for a plurality of periods necessary and sufficient to express the characteristics of the articulation (performance method). On the other hand, in a relatively monotonous sound portion, it is convenient to use a “loop waveform” in terms of saving waveform data storage capacity. The “loop waveform” usually consists of a waveform for one period or an appropriate plurality of periods. The “loop waveform” alone can be used as a unit waveform of a relatively monotonous sound portion, for example, as a unit waveform of a “sustain portion waveform”. In that case, the waveform of the continuous part of a series of sounds may be formed by appropriately combining multiple “loop waveforms”, that is, by sequentially combining multiple unit waveforms. This is advantageous in that it can be increased. It is also advantageous to use a “loop waveform” at the connecting portion in order to smoothly connect unit waveforms by cross-fade synthesis. Thus, even in a unit waveform including a “non-loop waveform”, it is conceivable as a preferred embodiment that a “loop waveform” is included in advance at the start or end of a connection point with another unit waveform. Therefore, a unit waveform that includes a “loop waveform” at both ends of a “non-loop waveform” can be connected to other unit waveforms at the preceding and subsequent “loop waveforms”. It can be used as the unit waveform of the “performance waveform”. On the other hand, there may be a unit waveform composed only of “non-loop waveforms”. However, in the case of such a unit waveform, it is difficult to smoothly connect to other unit waveforms even if appropriate phase matching processing or the like is performed at the connection point.
In the following description, all of the “sustain section waveform”, “continuous performance waveform”, “intermediate performance waveform” and the like are collectively referred to as “intermediate waveform”.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing typical examples of several unit waveforms stored in the waveform memory WM. For simplification of illustration, the actual waveform figure is shown schematically, and the outline of the location of the waveform is shown surrounded by a square frame. In the illustrated example, the amplitude peak level of the waveform data to be stored is not normalized, but is stored in a state where an arbitrary amplitude envelope is applied. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the amplitude peak level of the waveform data may be normalized and stored at a constant value, and a required amplitude envelope may be given at the time of reading / reproducing. In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the memory address. It is assumed that the waveform data of each unit waveform stored in the waveform memory WM is typically waveform sample data converted to PCM. However, the encoded form of waveform data is not limited to PCM, and may be DPCM or ADPCM.

  FIG. 2A shows an example of an attack part waveform. This attack part waveform AUW is composed of a preceding non-loop waveform NLW and a succeeding loop waveform LW. The start point of the non-loop waveform of the attack waveform AUW in the waveform memory WM is specified by a specific start address NLS, and the end point is specified by a specific end address NLE. The start point of the loop waveform LW is specified by a specific loop start address L2S (= NLE), and the end point is specified by a specific loop end address L2E.

  FIG. 2B shows an example of a unit waveform corresponding to the intermediate waveform IUW including the sustain portion waveform. The intermediate waveform IUW is a unit waveform in which the loop waveform LW is arranged before and after the predetermined non-loop waveform NLW. Is configured. The start point of the loop waveform LW of the intermediate waveform IUW in the waveform memory WM is specified by a specific loop start address L1S, and the end point is specified by a specific loop end address L1E. The start point of the non-loop waveform NLW is specified by a specific start address NLS (= L1E), and the end point is specified by a specific end address NLE. The start point of the loop waveform LW following the non-loop waveform NLW is specified by a specific loop start address L2S (= NLE), and the end point is specified by a specific loop end address L2E. The form of the unit waveform corresponding to the intermediate waveform IUW is not limited to this, and it may be composed of only one loop waveform LW as shown in FIG. In this case, the start point of the loop waveform LW is specified by a specific loop start address L1S, and the end point is specified by a specific loop end address L1E.

  FIG. 2C shows an example of the release part waveform RUW. The release part waveform RUW is composed of a preceding loop waveform LW and a subsequent non-loop waveform NLW. The start point of the loop waveform LW of the release part waveform RUW in the waveform memory WM is specified by a specific loop start address L1S, and the end point is specified by a specific loop end address L1E. The start point of the non-loop waveform NLW is specified by a specific start address NLS (= L1E), and the end point is specified by a specific end address NLE. As described above, the attack part waveform AUW or the release part waveform RUW may include only the non-loop waveform NLW without including the loop waveform LW.

  The loop start address L1S (or L2S) is the address of the start point of the loop waveform LW as described above, and indicates the start address of repeated reading, that is, loop reading. The loop end address L1E (or L2E) is an end address of loop reading. However, for specifying the loop end address, without specifying the loop end address directly, for example, the loop waveform LW is provided with data indicating the length of the loop waveform LW by the number of addresses (that is, the loop length LL). The end address may be specified. In this case, the loop waveform LW is repeatedly read, that is, the loop read is performed by repeatedly reading the waveform data from the loop start address L1S (or L2S) to the loop end address “L1S (or L2S) + LL”.

  In the following description, for convenience, unit waveforms having a structure in which a loop waveform LW and a non-loop waveform portion NLW are appropriately combined are collectively referred to as a “unit waveform”, and a unit waveform including only the loop waveform LW is simply referred to as a “loop waveform”. I will call it.

  FIG. 3 shows some specific examples of storage of unit waveforms (that is, attack part waveform AUW, intermediate waveform IUW, release part waveform RUW). An example of unit waveforms representing the attack part waveform AUW, the intermediate waveform IUW, and the release part waveform RUW in order from the left side of FIG. 3 is shown. However, the outline of the location of the waveform is shown in a square frame not by the waveform itself but by the envelope.

  As can be understood from FIG. 3, in the waveform memory WM, a large number of waveform data is stored for each intermediate waveform IUW including the attack part waveform AUW, the release part waveform RUW, the connection method waveform, etc. for various sounds. Yes. In this case, waveform data corresponding to a plurality of timbres and musical tone characteristics (characteristics according to pitch or range, modulation characteristics such as vibrato, slur, etc.) can be stored. That is, instead of storing only one type of unit waveform consisting of a plurality of periodic waveforms corresponding to each timbre, for each timbre, corresponding to the pitch or range, or the strength of touch (velocity). A plurality of types are stored correspondingly or corresponding to various performance methods (vibrato, tremolo, pitch bend, slur, etc.) or performance modes (fast slur, slow slur, etc.). For example, the attack waveform AUW has a “sharp rise” or “slow rise with glide” waveform, the release waveform RUW has a “rapid fall with vibrato” waveform, etc., and the intermediate waveform IUW Each of the waveforms and the like of “tenuto with a small attack of the next sound” is stored. Further, it is not always necessary to use different stored waveform data for each tone color, and it is also possible to use waveform data common to different tone colors. Furthermore, the multiple period waveform to be stored may have the volume envelope of the original waveform as it is, or the volume envelope may be standardized to a certain level. Further, the plurality of periodic waveforms to be stored are not limited to waveforms sampled from the outside, but may be those subjected to appropriate waveform processing (cross-fade synthesis, filter processing, etc.).

FIG. 4A schematically shows a storage format in the waveform memory WM. The waveform memory WM includes a management data area and a waveform data area. The waveform data area is an area for individually storing waveform data (specific waveform sample data) of various types of unit waveforms as described above. The management data area is an area in which various management information necessary for individual waveform data stored in the waveform data area is stored.
FIGS. 4B to 4E illustrate specific formats of management data for each waveform data stored in the management data area for several types of unit waveforms. (B) is an example of management data for an intermediate waveform IUW (ie, “sustain portion waveform”) consisting only of the loop waveform LW, and (c) is an attack portion waveform AUW consisting of the non-loop waveform NLW and the second loop waveform. (D) shows the management of the intermediate waveform IUW (that is, “connecting method waveform” or “intermediate method waveform”) composed of the first loop waveform LW, the non-loop waveform NLW, and the second loop waveform. An example of data, (e) shows an example of management data of the release part waveform RUW composed of the first loop waveform LW and the non-loop waveform NLW. In FIG. 4, different formats are used for each of the attack part waveform AUW, the intermediate waveform IUW, and the release part waveform RUW, but the format of all these waveforms may be a format as shown in FIG. . However, in this case, each waveform is distinguished by identification data ID described later.

  In the management data format shown in the figure, type data TYPE is data indicating what type the unit waveform is. For example, in the case of (b), the “intermediate waveform IUW consisting only of the loop waveform LW” is indicated by the type data TYPE, and in the case of (c), the “attack portion consisting of the non-loop waveform NLW and the second loop waveform LW”. The waveform “AUW” is indicated by the type data TYPE, and in the case of (d), “the intermediate waveform IUW including the first loop waveform LW, the non-loop waveform NLW, and the second loop waveform LW” is indicated by the type data TYPE. In the case of (e), the type data TYPE indicates that “the release portion waveform RUW is composed of the first loop waveform LW and the non-loop waveform NLW”. In addition, the type data TYPE includes information that can indicate the type according to the various types described above. The identification data ID is data for identifying individual waveform data (for example, a file name of individual waveform data).

As described above, a plurality of types of unit waveforms are stored for each of the attack part waveform AUW, the intermediate waveform IUW, the release part waveform RUW, and the loop waveform LW. Therefore, by adding the identification data ID, the unit waveforms can be distinguished within each waveform type. The start address (L1S, NLS, L2S, etc.) and the end address (L1E, NLE, L2E, etc.) indicate the start address and end address of each of the loop waveform LW or the non-loop waveform NLW (see FIG. 2). The phase information (L1P, L2P, etc.) is initial phase data at the start of the loop waveform LW. The other information includes data such as pitch, volume, and amplitude. Note that the data format is not limited to the one described above, and may not include phase information, for example.
The various unit waveforms described here are managed by a database. The user can find a desired unit waveform by referring to the database using one or more of attributes, playing styles and modes, pitches, touches, volume, and the like as keys.

  In the waveform forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, the waveform is formed by a computer executing a predetermined program (software) for realizing the waveform forming process according to the present invention. At this time, a plurality of unit waveforms are selectively read sequentially from the waveform memory WM in a predetermined sequence, and a series of sounds (one or a plurality of sounds or sounds) are combined by combining the read output waveform data of each unit waveform. Waveform formation is performed (hereinafter, this sequence is referred to as a waveform sequence WS). FIG. 5 shows an example of partial sequence data in one waveform sequence WS, which is stored in a waveform sequence memory unit set in an appropriate data storage device such as the RAM 10 or the hard disk device 103. FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a flowchart of a predetermined program (software) for realizing the waveform forming process.

The waveform sequence WS shown in FIG. 5 is an example of a waveform sequence WS that can reproduce the waveform shown in FIG.
The waveform sequence WS includes data for selecting a unit waveform (AUW (5), LW (12),...) And a time for starting reproduction of the unit waveform (that is, a sound generation start time of the sound indicated by the unit waveform). ) Indicating timing data (Dt0, Dt2,...). The waveform selection data corresponds to the identification data ID in the management data area shown in FIG. 4, and the timing data starts reproduction of each unit waveform in the reproduction waveform diagram shown in FIG. It corresponds to time (ie t0 for Dt0, t2 for Dt2,...).
Reproduction and reading of the corresponding unit waveform is started at the timing corresponding to each waveform event, and waveform formation is performed. In the example of FIG. 5, timing data Dt0 and waveform selection data AUW (5) (having the attribute of the attack part waveform AUW) are stored corresponding to the first waveform event, and timing data Dt2 corresponding to the next waveform event. And waveform selection data LW (12) (having attributes of loop waveform LW) are stored, and timing data Dt3 and waveform selection data IUW (8) (having attributes of intermediate waveform IUW) corresponding to the next waveform event. Is stored in the waveform sequence WS.
The timing data indicates the absolute time in the above description, but is not limited to this. For example, the timing data may indicate a relative time or a difference time between events. However, when the loop reproduction waveform is subjected to cross-fade synthesis, the cross-fade time, that is, the cross-fade synthesis section length is indicated.

The waveform reproduction processing flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is started when a waveform reproduction start instruction (for example, song selection) is received based on automatic performance sequence data having a MIDI format, for example.
In the first step S1, song data to be reproduced and a reproduction range designation command in the song data are received. In step S2, it is determined whether the waveform sequence WS necessary for reproduction of the designated reproduction range is stored in advance in the waveform sequence memory unit. If it has been stored (YES), the process goes to step S4. A process of generating and reproducing a waveform based on the waveform sequence WS in the specified range (waveform forming process) is performed. If there is no corresponding waveform sequence WS in the waveform sequence memory unit (NO in step S2), after creating the necessary waveform sequence WS (step S3), a waveform is formed according to the created waveform sequence WS. Playback is performed (step S4).

In this way, for example, a necessary waveform sequence WS is specified based on music data having a MIDI format, and a waveform is formed based on the specified waveform sequence WS. At this time, if the waveform sequence WS corresponding to the reproduction range of the music data does not exist in advance, the waveform sequence WS is automatically created according to the characteristics of the music data in step S3. For example, if there is an overlap in note data (ie, if a slur is detected), a slur performance waveform is selected as the unit waveform, or a crescendo performance waveform or decrescendo performance if the volume data is gradually increasing or decreasing. Select a waveform, or if the pitch bend has changed over time, select a pitch bend performance waveform according to the time change curve of the pitch bend, etc. Create That is, step S3 can be said to be a conversion step for converting music data expressed in a MIDI format or the like into a waveform sequence WS.
In the present embodiment, waveform generation according to the waveform sequence WS and reproduction sound generation based on the formed waveform data are performed by a series of processes, but the waveform data formed based on the waveform sequence WS is stored in a buffer memory. Alternatively, the waveform data may be read out from the buffer memory in accordance with a subsequent playback sound generation instruction and played back.

FIG. 7 shows in detail an example of a flowchart of the waveform forming process executed in step S4 described above.
In the first step S10, the first waveform event of the waveform sequence WS is set (read out). In the example of FIG. 5, if the event of the timing data Dt0 is the first waveform event, for example, the timing data Dt0 and the waveform selection data AUW (5) are read and set in the register. In the next step S11, a stop instruction STOP is accepted. If NO, the process goes to step S12 to determine whether the set event timing, that is, the sound generation start timing has come. The process waits until a stop command STOP is generated or a sounding start timing comes in a loop of step S11 and step S12. When the sound generation start timing comes, it is determined in step S14 whether the waveform selection data in the waveform event is a unit waveform or a loop waveform (step S14).

If the waveform selection data is a unit waveform (usually the attack waveform AUW is the first and the top is a non-loop waveform NLW, but this is not limited to this), go to step S15 and the management data of the unit waveform The waveform data of the non-loop waveform NLW is sequentially read based on the above. When the reading of the waveform data of the non-loop waveform NLW is completed, the process proceeds to step S16, and the loop waveform LW following the non-loop waveform NLW in the unit waveform is read. That is, various management data related to the loop waveform is read from the management data area of the waveform memory WM, and based on this, loop reading of the waveform data of the loop waveform is started from the waveform data area. Then, the next waveform event is read from the waveform sequence memory unit (step S17).
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the loop waveform LW is a single one, the loop waveform LW is read (step S19), the process goes to step S17, and the next waveform event is read.

For example, when the waveform sequence WS is as shown in FIG. 5 in the waveform forming process described above, the waveform selection data of the first waveform event is the attack portion waveform AUW (5). Accordingly, the non-loop waveform NLW of the attack portion waveform AUW (5) is read in step S15 (a waveform starting from time t0 in FIG. 8A described later). When reading of the waveform data of the non-loop waveform NLW is finished (time t1 in FIG. 8A), the loop waveform LW following the non-loop waveform NLW is read (step S16).
In step S18, whether the waveform selection data in the waveform event read in step S17 described above is a unit waveform or a single loop waveform LW (that is, does not include the first loop waveform LW of the unit waveform), or in the first place. Determine if there is a waveform event. In the example of FIG. 5, since the waveform selection data of the second waveform event is a single loop waveform LW (12), the process goes to step S23 to read out the loop waveform LW (12). In the next step S24 (loop reading and cross-fade synthesizing process), two loop waveforms that have already been read (the loop waveform at the rear end of the attack portion waveform AUW (5) read in step S16, that is, the preceding loop waveform), The loop waveform read out in step S23 (that is, the subsequent loop waveform) is cross-fade synthesized while continuing to read the loop waveform. This cross-fade synthesis is performed for the time specified by the timing data (Dt2 in the case of the second waveform event) included in the event data read in step S17. When the crossfade time elapses, the waveform reproduction / reading of the preceding loop waveform is stopped (step S25). Then, returning to step S17, the next waveform event is read.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the unit waveform selection data of the third waveform event is the intermediate waveform IUW (8). In step S18, it is determined as “unit waveform”, and the process goes to step S20. In step S20, as in step S23, the top loop waveform in the unit waveform is read. In the next step S21, similarly to step 24, loop reading and cross-fade synthesis processing are performed. In this example, the loop waveform LW (12) that was the subsequent loop waveform in the previous cross-fade synthesis is switched to the preceding loop waveform, and the unit waveform (intermediate waveform IUW (8)) at the beginning of the unit waveform newly read in step S20. Loop waveform) becomes the subsequent loop waveform, and cross-fade synthesis is performed while reading both loop waveforms. This cross-fade synthesis is also performed only for the time specified by the timing data (Dt3 in the case of the third waveform event) included in the event data read in step S17. When the crossfade time elapses, the waveform reproduction readout of both loop waveforms is stopped (step S22), and the process returns to step S15 to read out the non-loop waveform NLW in the unit waveform (in this example, the intermediate waveform IUW (8)). Do. When the reading of the waveform data of the non-loop waveform NLW is completed, the process proceeds to step S16 as described above, and the loop waveform LW following the non-loop waveform NLW in the unit waveform is read. Thereafter, the process goes to step S17, and thereafter, similarly, the loop waveform LW (3), the intermediate waveform IUW (7), and the release portion waveform RUW (1) are sequentially read and connected by cross-fade.

  In response to the last waveform event, after the non-loop waveform of the release part waveform RUW (1) is read in step S15, since there is no subsequent loop waveform, the process passes through step S16 and goes to step S17. In this case, since a new waveform event does not exist in the waveform sequence WS, the process goes to step S26 to stop the reproduction and reading of the waveform in step S27 while executing the fade-out process on the currently reproduced waveform. Ends pronunciation. Thereafter, the process returns to step S11 and waits until the stop command STOP is generated or the next sounding start timing arrives in the loop of step S11 and step S12. When the next sounding start timing of the waveform sequence WS has arrived, the process branches to “YES” in step S12, and a corresponding waveform reproduction process is performed by the same process as described above. In this way, when the waveform sequence WS is sequentially reproduced and the reproduction of the reproduction range designated in step S1 is completed, or when the user performs a stop operation on the input operation device 1, "step S11" It is determined as “YES”, and the waveform forming process is terminated (step S13).

Here, an example of cross-fade synthesis while loop reproduction (repetitive readout) of the preceding loop waveform and the subsequent loop waveform will be described with reference to the loop waveforms A, B, and C shown in FIG. FIG. 8A is an example of a musical sound waveform generated by six waveform events shown in the waveform sequence WS of FIG.
In this case, in the crossfade period from the time point t1 to the time t2, the preceding loop waveform A (that is, the loop waveform in the attack part waveform AUW (5) of the waveform sequence WS) is read out simultaneously with the subsequent loop waveform B ( That is, the loop waveform LW (12)) is also read out, the amplitude of the loop reproduction waveform of the preceding loop waveform A is controlled by the envelope of the fade-out (falling) characteristic, and the loop reproduction waveform of the subsequent loop waveform B is faded in ( The amplitude is controlled by the envelope of the rising) characteristic, and both are added and synthesized to synthesize one loop reproduction waveform. The loop reproduction waveform subjected to the cross-fade synthesis smoothly changes from the loop waveform A to the loop waveform B. This process is performed in step S24 of FIG. In this case, the crossfade time, that is, the crossfade interval length is specified by the timing data Dt2 included in the event data for the subsequent loop waveform B as described above. That is, the cross-fade coefficient of the fade-out (falling) characteristic for the preceding loop waveform A is minimum from the maximum value “1” during the cross-fade period from the start time t1 to the end time t2 specified by the timing data Dt2. It is made to fall linearly to the value “0”, and the crossfade coefficient of the subsequent fade-in (rise) characteristic for the loop waveform B is made to rise linearly from the minimum value “0” to the maximum value “1”. . By variably controlling the timing data Dt2 according to the time axis expansion / contraction control information, the crossfade end time t2 can be expanded (or compressed) to t2 ′ as illustrated in FIG. 8B, It is possible to freely control the time axis of the crossfade interval length by the loop waveform. Note that the timing data for designating the crossfade section length may be expressed as coefficient data indicating the slope of the crossfade curve.
That is, in the loop reading performed in steps S16 and S19 of FIG. 7 described above, reading of the loop waveform (that is, the preceding loop waveform) is started with the aforementioned crossfade coefficient as the maximum value “1”. Further, in the loop reading performed in steps S20 and S23 in FIG. 7, reading of the loop waveform (that is, the subsequent loop waveform) is started with the crossfade coefficient as the minimum value “0”. In steps S21 and S24, as described above, cross-fade synthesis is performed while continuing to read out both the preceding loop waveform and the subsequent loop waveform.

  In FIG. 8A, in the next crossfade period from the time t2 to the time t3, the loop waveform B that has been the subsequent loop waveform is switched to the preceding loop waveform, and the loop reading is continued and fadeout (falling) is performed. ) The amplitude is controlled by the characteristic envelope, and at the same time, the subsequent loop waveform is switched to the loop waveform C (that is, the loop waveform of the intermediate waveform IUW (8)) to start reading the loop, and the envelope of the fade-in (rising) characteristic Amplitude control is performed, and both are added and synthesized to synthesize one loop reproduction waveform. This process is performed in step S21 of FIG. In this case, the crossfade time, that is, the crossfade section length is specified by the timing data Dt3 included in the event data for the subsequent loop waveform C as described above. Also in this case, the timing data Dt3 is variably controlled in accordance with the time axis expansion / contraction control information, so that the crossfade end time t3 is expanded (or compressed) to t3 ′ as illustrated in FIG. 8B. Can do.

In the present invention, independently of the pitch control of the musical sound to be played back, the length of the waveform data on the time axis is read out in an expanded or compressed state in an arbitrary range (this is referred to as Time Stretch & Compress control, (Abbreviated as “TSC control”), and the characteristics of the musical sound generated thereby are freely and variously controlled. Some specific examples of control of various performance methods or musical tone effects using TSC control are as follows.
(1) Control the period of periodic modulation effects such as vibrato and tremolo.
(2) Control the time of the transitional pitch modulation effect such as pitch bend.
(3) Control the rise and fall times of sounds such as attack and decay.
(4) Providing “fluctuation” actively and freely to musical sounds.
(5) Eliminate monotonicity of loop control (including loop readout control for forming a continuous sound or vibrato loop-like control).
(6) Control the time (connection time) of the control (slur etc.) to connect the sound.
(7) Control the length of the decoration sound.
(8) Compensate for a change in sound generation time length when the stored original waveform is read out at a different pitch.
(9) Various stored sounds are generated from the original waveform by reading out the stored original waveform with local or partial time axis control.
(10) By arbitrarily varying and reading out the entire sounding time length of the stored original waveform, the sounding time length at the time of reproducing the sound based on the original waveform is arbitrarily controlled (for example, in automatic performance information) To match the note length of the given score).
etc.

  The above TSC control will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 8A is a diagram conceptually showing an original waveform before TSC control, and FIG. 8B is a diagram conceptually showing a waveform after TSC control. Indicates. In addition, note data on the musical score indicated by the waveform are shown below each waveform diagram. As can be understood from the fact that slur symbols are attached to all the note data, the waveform data indicated by the note data is a continuous series of sound waveforms.

FIG. 8A is an example of a musical sound waveform generated by six waveform events shown in the waveform sequence WS of FIG. The waveform includes one attack waveform (AUW (5)), two intermediate waveforms (IUW (8), IUW (7)), one release waveform (RUW (1)), and two loop waveforms (LW). (12) and LW (3)), all of which are held as waveform events in one waveform sequence WS.
As shown in FIG. 5, the waveform sequence WS holds a predetermined reproduction start time as data for each unit waveform, and the time is shown below each unit waveform in FIG. That is, the reproduction of the attack waveform AUW (5) of the quarter note “do” is started at time t0. At time t2, the reproduction of the loop waveform LW (12), which is the sustain waveform of “DO”, is started. At time t3, the reproduction of the intermediate waveform ILW (8), which is a waveform in which the release waveform of “do” and the attack waveform of the next quarter note “re” are connected by the slur technique, is started. At time t5, the loop waveform LW (3), which is the sustain waveform of the “re”, is a waveform in which the release waveform of the “re” and the attack waveform of the next quarter note “mi” are connected by the slur technique at time t6. A certain intermediate waveform ILW (7) is reproduced at each time point. Finally, at time point t8, the release portion waveform RLW (1), which is the release waveform of the “mi”, is reproduced. In this way, the waveform is sequentially reproduced. At this time, in order to smoothly connect the waveforms (that is, combine the waveforms), cross-fade combining is performed between the loop ranges.

  Various methods can be considered as a specific method of cross-fade synthesis. In this embodiment, as described above, two series of loop waveforms are respectively read out from the waveform memory and subjected to cross-fade synthesis. The method of cross-fade synthesis (for example, the relationship between fade-in and out and the characteristics of the cross-fade function) is not limited to this, and can be variously changed. Although it is highly preferable to perform such cross-fade synthesis, it is not always necessary. That is, the TSC control can be performed by simply variably controlling the loop reproduction time of one loop waveform.

  The waveform sequence WS has timing data for each waveform event, and the waveform reproduction start time and the reproduction time length are determined by the timing data. Therefore, TSC control can be performed by changing the timing data. it can. When performing time expansion / contraction control for expanding / contracting the reproduction time, a time expansion / contraction ratio CRate indicating the expansion / contraction ratio with respect to the standard reproduction time is used as a parameter. The “standard playback time” is the time length of the original waveform (that is, the playback time length when the pitch does not increase or decrease without time axis expansion / contraction).

  Here, the time expansion / contraction ratio CRate will be described. The time expansion / contraction ratio CRate is “the reproduction time (time length) of the output waveform is the reproduction time (time length) of the original waveform (pitch controlled)”. It is a parameter meaning “to be 1 / CRate of”. Of course, CRate is not limited to a constant value, and can be changed in real time even during waveform reading (in the middle of sound generation). The output waveform is equal if CRate = 1.0, compressed if CRate> 1.0, and expanded if CRate <1.0.

  Returning to FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 8B, TSC control is performed on the loop read section. That is, the playback time between t1 and t2 and between t2 and t3 is extended with respect to the waveform of FIG. 8A (compared with between t1 ′ and t2 ′ and between t2 ′ and t3 ′), and further between t7 and t8. Is shown as an example in which the playback time is compressed (compared with t7 ′ to t8 ′). That is, between t1 and t2 and between t2 and t3, the time compression ratio CRate is CRate> 1.0, between t7 and t8 is CRate <1.0, and at other times, CRate = 1.0. Waveform synthesis / reproduction processing is performed. By doing so, the above-described TSC control can be easily performed.

  For example, the original waveform sequence WS shown in FIG. 8A has three quarter notes “do”, “re”, “mi” and a quarter rest as shown with notes added below. As shown in (b), the performance phrase is assumed to correspond to the performance phrase of the song data composed of notes, and as shown in (b), the half note “do”, the quarter note “re”, and the eighth note “mi”. If you change to a performance phrase consisting of an octave rest, time axis expansion / contraction control is applied to the desired loop playback section in response to changes in each note length, and the playback of that loop is not changed. Only the time length of the section can be expanded and contracted. In addition, by performing time axis expansion / contraction control in various modes, the performance phrase of the original waveform sequence WS can be variably controlled in real time or non-real time during playback performance. For example, changing three quarter notes “do”, “le”, and “mi” to be the length of an eighth note, or vice versa. Since the time axis expansion control is performed in response to the above, it is possible to substantially control the performance tempo to be faster or slower. In the present invention, the pitch control of the musical sound to be reproduced by controlling the waveform reading speed independently of the time axis expansion / contraction control (TSC control) of the waveform based on the time expansion / contraction ratio CRate as described above. Therefore, it is possible to control the musical sound generated thereby more variously.

  As described above, in the case of a loop waveform, basically, the time length of the entire loop reproduction waveform can be varied relatively easily by independently varying the number of loops or the loop duration, independently of the musical sound reproduction pitch. Can be controlled. That is, when the crossfade section length is specified by the timing data Dt, the slope of the crossfade curve is determined accordingly, and therefore the slope of the crossfade curve (or the value of the timing data Dt) is set as the time axis expansion / contraction ratio. By variably controlling the data CRate, the crossfade speed is variably controlled, and eventually the time length of the crossfade interval can be variably controlled. In the meantime, since the musical tone reproduction pitch is not affected, the time length of the crossfade section (that is, the loop reproduction section) is variably controlled by variably controlling the number of loops.

  On the other hand, in the case of a non-loop waveform, it is not so easy to variably control the existence time length on the time axis independently of the tone reproduction pitch. Therefore, as described above, in a series of sound waveforms composed of a non-loop waveform and a loop waveform, it is possible to devise to variably control the overall sound generation time length by performing variable control of the time length of the loop reading section. It is extremely preferable because it facilitates time axis expansion / contraction control. In addition, in a non-loop waveform corresponding to a special performance method, it may be unpreferable if the length of the time axis of the portion is varied. However, even in a musical sound waveform including such a non-loop waveform, there is a request to perform time-axis expansion / contraction control, so in order to meet that requirement, the time-axis expansion / contraction control is not performed in the portion of the non-loop waveform. In particular, it is extremely effective to perform the time axis expansion / contraction control only in the loop waveform portion.

  On the other hand, using the “time-axis expansion / contraction control of waveform data” technology, which is a new technology already filed by the present applicant (Japanese Patent Application No. 9-130394), non-loop waveform time-axis expansion / contraction control is also possible. That is, to summarize briefly, in order to expand and contract the waveform data existing time length on the time axis of a non-loop waveform consisting of a certain amount of waveform data while maintaining a constant reproduction sampling frequency and a predetermined reproduction pitch, When compressing, read out by skipping an appropriate part of the waveform data, and when expanding, read out the appropriate part of the waveform data repeatedly, and discontinuity of the waveform data by skipping or partial repeated reading Cross-fade synthesis is performed to eliminate the property. Although this technique can be applied to the non-loop waveform reading process (step S15 in FIG. 7) in the present embodiment and TSC control can be performed on the non-loop waveform portion, it will not be described in detail in this specification. .

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the data of the waveform sequence WS can be arbitrarily edited. FIG. 9 shows an example of a flowchart of the waveform editing process for that purpose.
In the first step S30, a position for arbitrarily changing and adding unit waveform data in the waveform sequence WS is designated. By replacing the unit waveform data arbitrarily specified in the waveform sequence WS with another unit waveform data, deleting the specified unit waveform data, or newly adding unit waveform data at the specified position The sequence WS is changed (step S31).
For example, even if a certain intermediate waveform in the generated waveform sequence WS includes a non-loop waveform, it has a loop waveform before and after that (for example, an intermediate waveform as shown in the middle of FIG. 4). It is easy to change to another intermediate waveform (for example, an intermediate waveform as shown at the bottom of FIG. 4). Further, as shown in FIG. 8D, the release part waveform RUW can be replaced. Further, as shown in FIG. 8C, a loop waveform can be newly added at an arbitrary designated position. As described above, the unit waveform can be arbitrarily and easily changed by adopting the waveform data format of the present invention.

Each waveform sequence WS is designated by a note sequence (automatic performance sequence) corresponding to music data. For example, one waveform sequence WS may be designated corresponding to one note event, or one waveform sequence WS (for example, FIG. 8) corresponding to a plurality of consecutive note events accompanied by a special performance technique such as slur. (As in (a)) may be designated, and a plurality of waveform sequences WS may be designated corresponding to one note event. Such a note sequence may be appropriately edited by the user. FIG. 10 shows an example of a note sequence edit process for that purpose. In the first step S40, a position for arbitrarily changing and adding a note event in the note sequence is designated. Change the note sequence by replacing an arbitrarily specified note event in the note sequence with another note event, deleting the specified note event, or adding a new note event at the specified position ( Step S41). When reproduction of the song data edited in the note sequence is instructed, the waveform sequence WS corresponding to the edited portion has not been prepared yet, so “NO” is determined in step S2 of FIG. 6, and the subsequent step S3. A waveform sequence WS corresponding to the music data edited in step S1 is generated. When only a part of the music data is edited, in step S3, a waveform sequence WS corresponding to only the edited part is newly created, and the remaining part is created by using a waveform sequence WS created in the past. Good.
For example, the waveform sequence WS corresponding to FIG. 8B includes three quarter notes “do”, “le”, “mi” and one quarter rest corresponding to FIG. The note sequence is edited into the half note “do”, the quarter note “re”, the eighth note “mi”, and the eighth rest (that is, the note event is changed) by the above-described note sequence editing process. Since the waveform sequence WS specified by the subsequent note sequence does not yet exist, a waveform sequence WS corresponding to the note sequence is newly created in step S3 of FIG.

  In the waveform forming processing program of FIG. 7, an arbitrary method may be used for the specific procedure of the waveform sample data reading processing performed in steps S15, S21, S24 and the like. For example, a method of reading and forming waveform sample data for one sample in the sampling period as an interrupt process for each period of a predetermined reproduction sampling frequency may be used. Alternatively, as known in the software sound source technology already proposed by the present applicant, waveform sample data corresponding to the number of samples corresponding to one frame section is formed in a short period of time and this is output as an output buffer. The waveform sample data from the output buffer may be read out every cycle of the reproduction sampling frequency fs. In addition to the waveform forming process based on the software program, the waveform forming process according to the present invention may be performed by a DSP device configured to operate with a waveform forming process microprogram similar to the above embodiment. Alternatively, the dedicated hardware circuit may be configured so that the waveform forming process similar to that in the above embodiment is performed by an LSI circuit or a discrete circuit.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the waveform data structure includes the waveform including the first and second loop waveforms before and after the non-loop waveform as one unit of waveform data. By connecting one unit of waveform data and another waveform preceding or following it through the loop waveform portion, waveform formation can be performed by sequentially combining them. In other words, the non-loop waveform, which is a high-quality waveform having characteristics such as articulation (playing method), can be easily combined with any other waveform to form a free waveform, so the sound art There is an excellent effect that it is possible to perform waveform formation with good quality in consideration of curation.
Therefore, as a non-loop waveform, a waveform to which modulation such as vibrato or tremolo is applied, a waveform to which pitch modulation such as bend is applied, a waveform to which slur is applied, or a gradual pitch fluctuation such as elapsed sound or decoration sound If you use a high-quality waveform that has features such as arbitrary articulations (effects) and effects, such as a waveform that has been added, you can freely combine such high-quality waveforms with other arbitrary waveforms. By shaping the waveform, the use efficiency of high-quality waveforms can be increased, and the quality that takes into account the articulation (effects) and effects of sound in a form that is rich in controllability and rich in editability This provides an excellent effect that it is possible to form a good waveform.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the unit waveform data including the non-loop waveform and the loop waveform stored in the storage unit is combined with the other unit waveform data including the loop waveform via the respective loop waveform portions. As with, non-loop waveforms, which are high-quality waveforms with characteristics such as articulation (playing style), can be easily combined with other arbitrary waveforms to create free waveforms, and controllability In addition, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to form a high-quality waveform in consideration of sound articulation (performance method) in a form rich in editability. In addition, when cross-fading the loop playback waveform at the connection point between the two, the cross-fade synthesizing time length can be freely controlled according to the time control information. The time length on the time axis can be freely variable and expanded independently of the pitch of the tone waveform, and waveform formation with good quality taking into account the articulation of the sound Thus, the time axis expansion / contraction control can be introduced, and the excellent controllability can be achieved.

  Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the waveform data readout position is expanded or contracted on the time axis in any part of the pronunciation (whole or part of the section) independent of the readout speed control (pitch control of the generated musical sound). By controlling the generation time length of the desired part as desired, various changes in the generated musical sound can be realized, and musical sound generation and control can be performed in a form rich in expressive power and controllability, which has never existed before There is an excellent effect of being able to. For example, it is possible to freely variably control the generation time length of the rising portion or falling portion of the sound while maintaining the pitch of the generated musical sound at a desired pitch. Alternatively, it is possible to freely control the generation time length according to the note length or the like by variably controlling the time length of the entire generated music sound while maintaining the pitch of the generated music sound at a desired pitch.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a waveform generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Schematic which shows the typical example of some unit waveforms memorize | stored in a waveform memory. The conceptual diagram which showed the specific example of memory | storage of a unit waveform. The conceptual diagram which simplified and showed one Example of the storage format in a waveform memory. The conceptual diagram which showed an example of the sequence data in one waveform sequence. The flowchart which showed an example of the waveform reproduction process. The flowchart which showed an example of the waveform formation process. The wave form conceptual diagram for demonstrating one Example of TSC control. The flowchart which showed an example of the waveform edit process in a waveform sequence. The flowchart which showed an example of the waveform edit process in a note sequence.

Explanation of symbols

100 CPU
101 ROM
102 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 103 Hard disk 104 Removable disk 105 Display 106 Input operation apparatus 107 Waveform interface 108 Timer 109 Communication interface 110 MIDI interface 111 Bus WM Waveform memory AUW Attack part waveform IUW Intermediate waveform RUW Release part waveform NLW Non-loop waveform LW Loop waveform WS Waveform sequence

Claims (9)

Storage means for storing a plurality of unit waveform data composed of a non-loop waveform that is not repeatedly read and at least one loop waveform that is repeatedly read connected to at least one of the non-loop waveform;
The unit waveform data is read from the storage means according to a waveform sequence that defines the order of sequentially reading a plurality of arbitrary unit waveform data by timing data indicating the time for reproducing the unit waveform, and the plurality of arbitrary unit waveform data in that cross-fade synthesis is read by repeating the loop waveform of the unit waveform data before and after Oite phase, and a waveform forming unit for generating a tone waveform by connecting the waveform based on the unit waveform data before and after said phase Waveform generator. The waveform generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waveform sequence includes information for selecting each unit waveform to be sequentially reproduced. The waveform generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timing data in the waveform sequence includes data indicating a time of cross-fade synthesis of the loop waveform. Waveform generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a means for editing the waveform sequence. Means for storing a plurality of waveform sequences; and means for selecting a waveform sequence corresponding to a performance phrase to be generated from the stored waveform sequences, wherein the waveform forming means includes the selected waveform sequence. waveform generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that reading the unit waveform data from said memory means in accordance with. 6. The waveform generation apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the means for selecting the waveform sequence selects the waveform sequence based on performance data defining a performance order of a plurality of notes. Further comprising means for creating a waveform sequence corresponding to an appropriate performance range based on performance data defining a performance order of a plurality of notes, wherein the waveform forming means is configured to store the unit from the storage means according to the created waveform sequence. waveform generator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that reading the waveform data. A method of generating a waveform by using a storage unit that stores a plurality of unit waveform data composed of a non-loop waveform that is not repeatedly read and at least one loop waveform that is repeatedly read and connected to at least one of the non-loop waveform.
Identifying a waveform sequence defining sequentially reading the order of any of the unit waveform data of multiple timing data indicating a time of reproducing the unit waveform,
Wherein according to the specific waveform sequence, reading the unit waveform data from said memory means, to cross-fade synthesis is read by repeating the loop waveform of the unit waveform data before and after Oite phase to said plurality of arbitrary unit waveform data A waveform generating method comprising: connecting a waveform based on the unit waveform data before and after each other to generate a musical sound waveform. The computer executes a procedure for generating a waveform by using a storage unit that stores a plurality of unit waveform data including a non-loop waveform that is not repeatedly read and at least one loop waveform that is repeatedly read and connected to at least one of the non-loop waveforms. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed, wherein the procedure includes:
Identifying a waveform sequence defining sequentially reading the order of any of the unit waveform data of multiple timing data indicating a time of reproducing the unit waveform,
Wherein according to the specific waveform sequence, reading the unit waveform data from said memory means, to cross-fade synthesis is read by repeating the loop waveform of the unit waveform data before and after Oite phase to said plurality of arbitrary unit waveform data And generating a musical sound waveform by connecting waveforms based on the unit waveform data before and after the phase .

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