JP4085471B2 - Karaoke device and microphone - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a karaoke apparatus and a microphone suitable for the karaoke apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a karaoke apparatus, a singing voice (hereinafter referred to as vocal sound) captured from a microphone (hereinafter referred to as a microphone) and a reproduction signal of a music source such as a melody or accompaniment are mixed and output from a speaker. This kind of karaoke device adds echo to the vocal sound signal input from the microphone or composes a consonant sound with the vocal sound as a means to enhance the effect of singing and make the singing sound better Generally, a circuit for providing a harmony sound is provided.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, vibrato is one of the singing techniques performed by a singer. Many singers perform singing with a unique vibrato. And this vibrato is one of the important elements that give singing personality. Many people who enjoy karaoke want to sing with a vibrato like an original singer. Now that the amusement of karaoke is increasing, it is necessary to meet the demands of such singers. However, no suitable technology that meets this requirement has been provided so far.
[0004]
The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a karaoke apparatus and a microphone capable of giving a vibrato effect to a voice of a singer.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a modulation signal generating means for outputting a modulation signal when vibration or acceleration is applied to a microphone body, and outputs an input audio signal after being modulated by the modulation signal. And a microphone.
Further, the present invention generates a musical sound signal based on music data, and in a karaoke apparatus that outputs a mixture of a vocal sound signal input from a microphone and the musical sound signal, a microphone that senses vibration or acceleration; There is provided a karaoke apparatus comprising modulation means for modulating the vocal sound signal according to the detected vibration or acceleration when the microphone detects vibration or acceleration.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Such an embodiment shows one embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the present invention.
[0015]
A: First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a microphone that converts a vocal sound produced by a singer into an electrical signal (analog signal) and outputs it, 2 is an analog signal that is supplied from the microphone 1 and is converted into a digital signal (hereinafter referred to as a vocal sound signal) A An / D (analog / digital) converter, 3 is a switching means for switching the supply destination of the vocal sound signal, and 4 is a modulator for modulating the vocal sound signal.
[0016]
Reference numeral 6 denotes a storage device that stores music data. As shown in FIG. 2, the music data is composed of a header, a musical sound track, a melody track, a lyrics track, and the like, and a track (hereinafter referred to as a vibrato track) including information on vibrato effects. Each of these tracks is composed of sequence data composed of a plurality of event data and duration data Δt as shown in FIG. Here, each event data is a MIDI message used for tone generation control or the like. Each duration data is data that specifies a time interval from the use of the event data immediately before it to the control to the use of the event data immediately after that.
[0017]
Next, the vibrato track will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, for example, when music is played as shown in FIG. 4A and a song is sung as shown in FIG. 4B, vocal sound obtained from the A / D converter 2 is used. The signal is frequency-modulated by the modulator 4 to give a vibrato effect to the vocal sound. The frequency modulation of the vocal sound signal is appropriately performed according to the progress of the music. For example, FIG. 4C illustrates the timing of frequency modulation performed when the music is progressing as shown in FIG. 4A, and the frequency modulation is performed where ON is indicated. This is a section, and the section marked OFF is a section where frequency modulation is not performed. Thus, the frequency modulation of the vocal sound signal is performed at a timing determined by the music. Further, the frequency modulation frequency and the modulation depth of the vocal sound signal are controlled so that a vibrato effect specific to the singer can be given to each musical piece. The vibrato track includes modulation data for controlling the timing and manner of frequency modulation of such vocal sound signals.
[0018]
Here, as shown in FIG. 4D, the modulation data includes timing information Δt for designating the timing for performing frequency modulation on the vocal sound signal, the modulation frequency of the frequency modulation to be performed on the vocal sound signal, and the modulation depth. And frequency modulation control information for designating. Further, when it is necessary to stop frequency modulation of the vocal sound signal, predetermined information (for example, frequency modulation control information in which the modulation depth is 0) is used as the frequency modulation control information.
[0019]
The data format of the vibrato track is no different from other tracks. The timing information is included in the vibrato track as duration data, and the frequency modulation control information is expressed in the format of a MIDI exclusive message, and is included in the vibrato track as event data.
[0020]
An exclusive message is a flexible message in which any number of data bytes can be transferred between the status “F0H” indicating the head of the exclusive and the end of exclusive “F7H”, and the format of the data byte is not specified. Message.
[0021]
Next, reference numeral 7 in FIG. 1 denotes a MIDI sound source that generates a musical sound signal such as an accompaniment sound. Reference numeral 8 is a mixer for mixing and outputting a musical sound signal and a vocal sound signal generated by the MIDI sound source 7, and 9 is a D / A (digital / analog) conversion for converting a digital signal output from the mixer 8 into an analog signal. 10 is an amplifier that amplifies the analog signal, and 11 is a speaker that outputs the signal amplified by the amplifier 10.
[0022]
Reference numeral 5 denotes a control unit that controls each unit of the karaoke apparatus, and includes a CPU and its peripheral circuits. At the time of karaoke performance, the control unit 5 controls the modulator 4, the switching means 3 and the MIDI sound source 7 in accordance with the music data stored in the storage device 6. Specifically, it is as follows.
a. At the time of karaoke performance, the control unit 5 sequentially reads the event data in the music data according to the sequence program, and sequentially outputs the event data such as musical tone formation instructions to the MIDI sound source 7. The MIDI sound source 7 generates a musical sound signal such as an accompaniment sound of the music according to the event data.
b. When the frequency modulation control information included in the vibrato track is read, the switching means 3 is switched to the 3a side and the frequency modulation control information is supplied to the modulator 4.
[0023]
Next, operation | movement of the karaoke apparatus which is 1st Embodiment is demonstrated.
First, when an instruction to start karaoke performance is given, the control unit 5 sequentially reads out music data stored in the storage device 6 in accordance with a predetermined sequence program. When event data such as a musical tone formation instruction is read, the control unit 5 supplies this event data to the MIDI sound source 7. Under such control, a musical sound signal such as an accompaniment sound is generated by the MIDI sound source 7 and output from the speaker 11 via the mixer 8, the D / A converter 9 and the amplifier 10. When the intro part of the song ends, the singer starts singing.
[0024]
The vocal sound emitted by the singer is converted into an analog signal by the microphone 1, and this analog signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 2.
[0025]
Here, while the timing information of the vibrato track is not read out by the control unit 5, the switching means 3 is switched to the 3b side, and the vocal sound signal is directly supplied to the mixer 8. Accordingly, during this time, the vocal sound is output as it is from the speaker 11 without being given a vibrato effect.
[0026]
Thereafter, when the frequency modulation control information instructing some frequency modulation is read by the control unit 5, the control unit 5 switches the switching unit 3 to the 3a side. The read frequency modulation control information is given to the modulator 4 by the control unit 5. As a result, the modulator 4 performs frequency modulation of the vocal sound signal according to the modulation frequency and the modulation depth specified by the frequency modulation control information, and sends the result to the mixer 8. Therefore, thereafter, the vocal sound to which the vibrato effect is applied is output from the speaker 11.
[0027]
The above operation is, for example, the operation in the section marked ON in FIG. FIG. 4B illustrates a state in which the vibrato effect is given by performing the following operation while the singer utters “Ahhhh”. In FIG. 4B, “˜˜˜” represents a vibrato vocal sound output from the speaker 11.
[0028]
Next, when the frequency modulation information instructing to stop the modulation is read by the control unit 5, the switching unit 3 is switched to the 3b side by the control unit 5. As a result, the vocal sound signal from the A / D converter 2 is supplied as it is to the mixer 8 without passing through the modulator 4. Accordingly, a vocal sound to which no vibrato effect is applied is output from the speaker 11 thereafter. This operation corresponds to the operation in the section marked OFF in FIG.
[0029]
By the way, in the present embodiment, as in the example shown in FIG. 4D, a plurality of sets of modulation data including timing information (duration data) and frequency modulation control information (event data) are continuously included in the vibrato track. Also good. In this case, until a modulation stop instruction is read, a series of frequency modulation control information is read at a time interval specified by the immediately preceding timing information and supplied to the modulator 4.
[0030]
Therefore, according to this embodiment, the modulation frequency and the modulation depth of the frequency modulation of the vocal sound signal performed by the modulator 4 can be sequentially switched by the above-described series of frequency modulation control information. A vibrato effect can be imparted.
[0031]
The first embodiment may be configured as follows.
(1) In the first embodiment, the modulator 4 that performs frequency modulation is used as the modulation means. However, a modulator that performs amplitude modulation in addition to frequency modulation may be used. In this case, the modulation data includes information for controlling amplitude modulation in addition to timing information and frequency modulation control information.
[0032]
(2) In the first embodiment, switching of whether or not to modulate the vocal sound signal is performed using the independent switching means 3. Instead of providing the switching means 3, the modulator 4 The following control may be performed.
a. When modulation data is not given from the control unit 5, the vocal sound signal from the A / D converter 2 is output to the mixer 8 as it is.
b. When modulation data is given from the control unit 5, the vocal sound signal from the A / D converter 2 is modulated according to the modulation data and output to the mixer 8.
[0033]
(3) The vocal sound signal is modulated only while the switch provided in the operation unit (not shown) or the switch 12 attached to the microphone 1 is switched to a predetermined state as shown in FIG. You may comprise as follows. Thereby, the singer can give a vibrato effect to a vocal sound at an arbitrary timing (claim 5). In this case, the modulation data does not include timing information but includes only frequency modulation control information. Further, for example, a sensor or the like that senses vibration may be incorporated in the microphone 1, and the vocal sound signal may be modulated only while the microphone 1 is swung up and down and left and right. According to this configuration, the singer can give a vibrato effect without moving his line of sight from the display on which the lyrics are displayed to the switch 12.
[0034]
(4) As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of modulators 4-1 to 4-n may be provided. In the karaoke apparatus shown in FIG. 6, frequency modulation control information for performing modulation in a predetermined form on a vocal sound signal is stored in predetermined modulators 4-1 to 4 -n. Modulator selection means 21 and 22 are provided before and after the plurality of modulators 4-1 to 4 -n, so that the modulator that modulates the vocal sound signal can be switched according to the selection of the singer. It has a configuration.
[0035]
The music data read from the storage device 6 includes timing information that specifies a section in which the vocal sound signal is modulated, but does not include information that specifies a modulation mode (modulation frequency and modulation depth).
[0036]
The control unit 5 reads music data and monitors timing information in the data. When the vocal sound signal is modulated, the control unit 5 outputs an instruction to the modulators 4-1 to 4-n to perform modulation.
[0037]
As a result, the modulator selected by the modulator selecting means 21 and 22 modulates the vocal sound signal according to the frequency modulation control information stored in advance.
[0038]
The method for selecting any one of the plurality of modulators 4-1 to 4-n is similar to the above (3), the switch 12 provided on the operation unit or the microphone 1 or the vibration provided on the microphone 1. It is possible to use a sensor or the like that senses. That is, the modulator for applying modulation to the vocal sound signal may be switched from 4-1 to 4-2 to. Further, a plurality of switches corresponding to a plurality of modulators may be provided in the microphone 1, and when the switch is pressed by the user, the modulator may be switched to the modulator corresponding to the switch. Further, when using a sensor or the like that senses vibration, for example, the modulator may be switched from 4-1 to 4-2 to. Good.
[0039]
According to this embodiment, it is not necessary to include frequency modulation control information in music data, which leads to compact music data.
[0040]
In addition, the said embodiment is good also as a structure as shown in FIG. That is, in addition to the plurality of frequency modulators 4-1 to 4 -n, a plurality of amplitude modulators 4 a-1 to 4 a -n are provided, and a plurality of amplitude modulators 4 a-1 to 4 a-are provided in the same manner as in the above embodiment. Modulator selection means 21 and 22 are provided before and after n. Thereby, one of the plurality of amplitude modulators 4a-1 to 4a-n and one of the plurality of frequency modulators 4-1 to 4-n can be switched by the selection of the singer. The configuration. In order to select one amplitude modulator and one frequency modulator, a switch provided on a microphone or a sensor for detecting vibration can be used as in the above embodiment. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which can take any of the selection methods shown to the following ac.
[0041]
a. The user selects one from a plurality of amplitude modulators, and independently selects one from a plurality of frequency modulators.
[0042]
b. When one of the plurality of amplitude modulators is selected, one of the plurality of frequency modulators is selected in conjunction with this. That is, for example, in FIG. 7, amplitude modulators 4a-1 to 4a-n correspond to frequency modulators 4-1 to 4-n, respectively, and amplitude modulator 4a-1 is selected by the user. The frequency modulator 4-1 is selected in conjunction with this.
[0043]
c. A plurality of types of combinations of amplitude modulators and frequency modulators are determined, and the user is allowed to select from these. That is, for example,
Singer A Amplitude modulator 4-1 Frequency modulator 4-2
Singer B Amplitude modulator 4-3 Frequency modulator 4-1
Singer C Amplitude modulator 4-1 Frequency modulator 4-4
………
Information indicating a combination of an amplitude modulator and a frequency modulator capable of giving vibrato similar to various singers is registered in a memory (not shown) in advance. When the user operates a switch provided on the microphone, information indicating a combination of an amplitude modulator and a frequency modulator corresponding to a predetermined singer is sequentially read out such as singer A → singer B → singer C →. The amplitude modulator and the frequency modulator are selected based on the information.
[0044]
According to the present embodiment, more complex and diverse vibrato than the above embodiment can be added to the vocal sound.
[0045]
In the first embodiment, the audio signal (analog signal) captured by the microphone 1 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 2 and then modulated, and converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 9. However, the audio signal captured by the microphone 1 may be modulated without providing the A / D converter 2 and the D / A converter 9. In the first embodiment, the mixer 8 for mixing digital signals is used. However, this may be replaced with an analog mixer. In this case, it is necessary to add a D / A converter between the MIDI sound source 7 and the mixer 8, but the signal processing system that modulates the audio signal from the microphone 1 and supplies it to the mixer 8 is an analog circuit. Can be configured.
[0046]
B. Second Embodiment In the present embodiment, the microphone shown in FIG. 8 is used in the first embodiment.
[0047]
In FIG. 8, 31 is a microphone body, 32 is a microphone unit, 33 is a modulation signal generating means, 34 is an amplifier, and 35 is an amplitude modulator. The microphone unit 32 is the same as that used for a normal microphone, and converts a vocal sound produced by a singer into an audio signal and outputs it. The modulation signal generating means 33 is fixed to the microphone body 31 and outputs a modulation signal when vibration or acceleration is given to the microphone body 31 by a singer. The amplifier 34 amplifies and outputs the modulation signal output from the modulation signal generating means 33. The amplitude modulator 35 is configured by, for example, a variable gain amplifier or the like, and amplitude-modulates the audio signal supplied from the microphone unit 32 with the modulation signal output from the amplifier 34 and outputs the audio signal. Each device described above is built in the microphone body 31.
[0048]
The modulation signal generating means 33 includes a piezoelectric element 41, a spring 42, a damper 43, and a load 44. Here, the piezoelectric element 41 is fixed to the microphone body 31. One end of the spring 42 is fixed to the piezoelectric element 41. A load 44 is attached to the other end of the spring 42. The damper 43 is for attenuating the vibration of the load 44.
[0049]
In such a configuration, when vibration or acceleration is applied to the microphone main body 31 by the singer, the load 44 vibrates, and this vibration is transmitted to the piezoelectric element 41 via the spring 42 and the damper 43. The piezoelectric element 41 outputs a modulation signal when given vibration. The modulated signal is amplified by an amplifier 34 and then supplied to an amplitude modulator 35.
[0050]
The amplitude modulator 35 modulates and outputs the audio signal supplied from the microphone unit 32 with the modulation signal supplied from the amplifier 34. The modulated audio signal is supplied to the karaoke apparatus body, mixed with a musical sound signal such as an accompaniment sound generated by a MIDI sound source, and then output from a speaker via a D / A converter and an amplifier.
[0051]
According to this embodiment, the vibrato effect can be imparted to the audio signal in response to the operation of the singer moving the microphone body 31. In the present embodiment, since the means for providing the vibrato effect is provided in the microphone, it is not necessary to provide an apparatus for providing the vibrato effect in the karaoke apparatus body. Of course, this does not prevent the microphone and the karaoke apparatus body from being provided with means for imparting a vibrato effect.
[0052]
The second embodiment may be configured as shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a modification of the microphone according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, in each part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 9, parts common to the apparatus shown in FIG.
[0053]
The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 differs from the apparatus in the second embodiment only in the configuration of the modulation signal generating means. In the present embodiment, the modulation signal generating means includes a flywheel 51, a shaft 52, a support 53, and a piezoelectric element 41. Similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 8, the piezoelectric element 41 is fixed to the microphone body 31. The flywheel 51 is connected to a column 53 via a shaft 52, and this column 53 is fixed to the piezoelectric element 41 in an upright state.
[0054]
In such a configuration, when vibration or acceleration is given to the microphone main body 31 by the singer, the flywheel 51 rotates around the shaft 52 provided on the support column 53. Here, since the center of gravity of the flywheel 51 is shifted from the center of rotation, the rotation of the flywheel 51 causes vibration in the column 53, and this vibration is transmitted to the piezoelectric element 41 through the column 53. The piezoelectric element 41 outputs a modulation signal when this vibration is applied. Subsequent operations are the same as those in the second embodiment.
[0055]
Also in this embodiment, the same effect as the second embodiment can be obtained.
[0056]
In addition, each microphone shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 demonstrated above does not prevent applying to apparatuses other than a karaoke apparatus besides being used for a karaoke apparatus.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, modulation data can be adjusted for each song, so that a vibrato effect suitable for each melody, a singer of the song, and lyrics can be given (claim 1). 2, 3). This makes it easy to copy the original song, and can provide enjoyment to the singer.
[0058]
In addition, when the modulation data is included as an exclusive message in some of the tracks constituting the music data, the data can be made compact.
[0059]
If the vocal sound signal is subjected to amplitude modulation as well as frequency modulation (Claim 4), it is possible to apply vibrato having a complicated temporal change to the vocal sound.
[0060]
Moreover, when it is set as the structure which controls a switching means by switching of the switch etc. which were attached to the microphone (Claim 5), a singer can apply a vibrato to a vocal sound at arbitrary timings.
[0061]
Further, when a plurality of modulators are provided, different modulation data is stored in each of them, and any one of the modulators is specified by the singer's selection (claim 6), the frequency modulation control information Therefore, the music data can be made compact.
[0062]
According to the invention which concerns on Claims 7-9, a vibrato can be applied to a vocal sound according to the operation | movement which a singer moves a microphone.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a composition of music data in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of tracks constituting the music data.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vibrato track that constitutes the music data.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke apparatus which is a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke apparatus which is a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke apparatus which is a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a microphone according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a microphone that is a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Microphone, 2 ... A / D converter, 3 ... Switching means 4, 4-1 to 4-n ... Modulator, 4a-1 to 4a-n ... Amplitude modulator 5 ... Control part , 6 ... Storage device 7 ... MIDI sound source, 8 ... Mixer, 9 ... D / A converter 10 ... Amplifier, 11 ... Speaker, 12 ... Switch 21, 22 ... Modulator selection means 31 ... ... Microphone body 32 ... Microphone unit 33 ... Modulation signal generating means 34 ... Amplifier 35 ... Amplitude modulator 41 ... Piezoelectric element 42 ... Spring 43 ... Damper 44 ... Load 51 ... ... handwheel, 52 ... shaft, 53 ... post

Claims (2)

Modulation signal generating means for outputting a modulation signal when vibration or acceleration is applied to the microphone body;
Modulation means for modulating and outputting an input audio signal with the modulation signal;
A microphone, comprising: In a karaoke apparatus that generates a musical sound signal based on music data and outputs a mixture of a vocal sound signal input from a microphone and the musical sound signal,
A microphone that senses vibration or acceleration;
Modulation means for modulating the vocal sound signal in response to the sensed vibration or acceleration when the microphone senses vibration or acceleration;
A karaoke apparatus comprising:

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