JP4109302B2 - Timpani pitch adjuster - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention adjusts the pitch of a timpani that allows the pitch to be adjusted by changing the tension of the head stretched around the opening of the kettle body by moving a plurality of tuning rods connected to the periphery of the head up and down. It relates to the improvement of the device.

  Some conventional timpanis can adjust the tension of the head to adjust the pitch (pitch). According to the adjustment method, it is classified into hand-tightened type, handle type, and pedal type.

  Of these, the hand-tightened and handle-types take time to operate, so they can only be operated at the tune before the performance, etc., and the pitch cannot be changed during the performance, but the pedal-type ones are played. Among them, it is most frequently used because it can change the tension of the head instantaneously just by stepping on it.

  According to such a pedal type, a single timpani can be performed within a range of 8 to 10 semitones. Normally, timpani is composed of 4 or 5 instruments with different head sizes, and each timpani has the same range of length, so even if overlapping ranges are taken into account, the overall range is 2 octaves. have. Therefore, it is possible to play the main melody of the music within that range.

  4A and 4B are diagrams schematically showing an example of a pitch variable mechanism of a conventional pedal-type timpani, where FIG. 4A is an overall schematic view, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged side view including a partial cross section showing a head tension mechanism. is there. The pitch variable mechanism 100 is a mechanism in which the head is stretched to produce a high sound as the pedal 102 is depressed, and the tension becomes weaker and softer as the pedal 102 is loosened. In addition, it is not necessary to keep stepping on the pedal in order to hold the tension of the head 103, and the structure is such that the head 103 is stopped at the position when it is stepped on.

  The pedal-type timpani includes a pitch adjustment device 104 that changes the tension of the head 103 stretched on the kettle 101 by operating in conjunction with the depression operation of the pedal 102 provided in the vicinity of the main body base (not shown). The pitch adjusting device 104 is attached to a sliding shaft 105 and further connected to a head tensioning mechanism 108 via a tension rod 106 and a tuning rod 107. By depressing the pedal 102, the sliding shaft 105 is moved up and down to operate the head tensioning mechanism 108, thereby changing the tension of the head 103. In the figure, 117 is a cylinder connected to the pitch adjusting device.

  An example of the head tension mechanism 108 is shown in the enlarged side view of FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 109 denotes a hollow frame attached to a main body base (not shown), and supports the kettle 101 on the upper side by six to eight frames 109. This figure shows the head tensioning mechanism 108 corresponding to the one frame 109.

  The frame 109 is fixed at its upper end to the kettle support ring 110, and a tuning joint side plate 111 is supported at one end 111a in the vicinity of the fixed portion. A tuning rod 107 is engaged with a rotary shaft provided at the other end so as to be movable up and down at an upper end 107a. Further, a tuning bolt 114 is screwed into a rotating nut 113 provided at the center at the lower end portion. A hoop 116 is attached to the upper end of the bolt 114 via a mounting bracket 115, and the head 103 is held and tensioned by the hoop 116 via the upper edge of the kettle 101 suspended and supported by the kettle support ring 110. .

  That is, if a plurality of tuning rods 107 are moved up and down simultaneously by the pedal 102 by depressing the pedal 102, the head tension mechanism 108 corresponding to each tuning rod 107 adjusts the degree of tension of the head 103 from the entire circumference. It can be changed freely.

  In this way, the pedal-type timpani acts like a left-hand operation of a stringed instrument (guitar, violin, cello, etc.), and the head tensioning mechanism can be operated only by this pedal operation to adjust the head tension. The pitch can be freely changed within the range of 8 to 10 semitones. As a result, it is possible to play multiple pitches with a single timpani during performance.

In various documents such as the following documents, many improved inventions of a pitch type timpani pitch adjusting device have been proposed.
JP 54-37711 A

  By the way, in the above-mentioned pedal-type timpani, there is only one point of depression of the pedal corresponding to each semitone note name, de, de #, les, etc., as with the string pressing position of the left finger of the stringed instrument. However, experts such as professional musicians have learned the position through practice.

  However, the pedal operation of the pedal-type timpani is by foot, so it is much more difficult to adjust the operation compared to the manual operation, and the left hand operation on stringed instruments can visually confirm the string pressing position, Since it is almost impossible to visually recognize the stepping position of the foot, it is very difficult for an amateur player who has not sufficiently learned how to step on the pedal to change the pitch during the performance.

  Moreover, one set of timpani is composed of a plurality of units, and depending on the performance music, it is necessary to operate the pedals individually and frequently. There is also.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of such circumstances, and the object thereof is to provide a timpani pitch adjusting device that can reliably adjust the pitch during performance even with an amateur performance by a simple operation. There is to do.

In order to achieve the above object, a timpani pitch adjusting device according to claim 1 is provided with a plurality of tuning rods, each of which has a head stretched in the kettle opening and the head tension is connected to the peripheral portion of the head. In Timpani's pitch adjustment device, which can be changed by operating it, the pitch adjustment device with a pitch selection button is attached, and the pitch is determined by inputting the sound and measuring the frequency, A tuning meter that outputs the discrimination signal is connected and has the following configuration. In other words, the pitch adjusting device for timpani according to claim 1 is a storage means for allocating and storing a set value corresponding to the vertical fixed position of the tuning rod to the pitch selection button, a ball screw mechanism coupled to the tuning rod, and a ball screw. A servo motor that operates the mechanism and a servo motor control circuit are provided, and when the pitch selection button is selected, the setting value stored in the storage means is read, and the servo motor is driven to rotate based on the read setting value. Then, the ball screw mechanism is moved up and down, the tuning rod is moved up and down, and the driving means is varied by changing the tension of the head, and the pitch selection button is operated to drive the driving means. After starting the movement control at a constant speed of the vertical position of the rod and starting the operation of the ball screw mechanism, The tone meter detects and outputs the pitch sound of the head, and at the same time inputs the discrimination signal of the output pitch, stops driving the driving means, and sets the stop position corresponding to the predetermined operated pitch selection button. And an automatic setting unit that converts the value into a value and stores it in the storage unit .
Here, the pitch includes the meaning of the pitch that can be determined by the frequency.

In the invention device according to the second aspect , the pitch operation device further includes a pitch display means for indicating the selected pitch.

According to the timpani pitch adjusting device of the present invention , the pitch selection button is configured to vertically control a plurality of tuning rods with a set value corresponding to the vertical fixing position of the tuning rod assigned to the pitch selection button. You can adjust the pitch by changing the tension of the head just by selecting and operating.

Further, if the set value is stored by the operation control of the ball screw mechanism by the manual lever and the predetermined operation of the pitch selection button, the tuning of the head can be performed appropriately, simply and in a short time.

Further , according to the timpani pitch adjusting device of the present invention , the tuning meter discriminates the pitch name if the pitch selection button is operated by a predetermined operation and the head is struck while the ball screw mechanism is operated. Since the timing position can be assigned to the operated pitch selection button and stored as a set value, an appropriate pitch can be reliably assigned to each pitch selection button. In addition, if the tuning meter is operated, the setting value can be automatically set simply by striking the head, so that tuning can be performed in a short time without being a performer or a tuner.

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

  1 is an external perspective view schematically showing a timpani T with a pitch adjusting function according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the main part of the pitch adjusting device A, and FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of an operation box 7 attached to the timpani T. FIG.

  The timpani T has a main body base 1 provided with casters (not shown), a plurality of hollow frames 2, 2... A kettle 3 that is supported, a head 5 that is stretched over the opening of the kettle 3 by a head tension mechanism 4, a kettle support ring 6 that is fixed to the frame 2 and supports the peripheral portion of the kettle 3, and a pitch adjustment device As A, an operation box 7 having a plurality of pitch operation buttons 7 a, 7 a... Is attached at appropriate positions on the periphery of the head 5, and a servo motor 12 and its control circuit 13 described later are provided in the vicinity of the main body base 1. A built-in controller box 8 is attached.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, a tuning rod 9 connected to the head tension mechanism 4 passes through the frame 2, and the lower end of the tuning rod 9 is a tension rod 18 in the main body base 1. It is connected to. Although the tuning rod 9 is built in all the frames 2 shown in the figure, FIG. 1 shows the tuning rod 9 only for a part of the frames.

  In the main body base 1, a plurality of tension rods 18, 18... Are connected to a ball screw mechanism 11 disposed in the base 1, and this ball screw mechanism 11 is operated by a servo motor 12 accommodated in the base 1. Connected as possible.

  The controller box 8 includes a servo motor control circuit 13, a storage unit 14, a setting unit 15, and the like.

  On the other hand, the operation box 7 is connected to the controller box 8 and outputs an operation signal to the driving means 10 including the servo motor 12, the control circuit 13, and the ball screw mechanism 11. On the upper surface of the box, a pitch selection button 7a corresponding to the pitch name of each semitone is arranged, and these constitute a pitch operating device 70. Further, a manual lever 7b for directly rotating the servo motor 12, an automatic tuning switch 7c for switching to an automatic tuning mode described later, and a setting completion lamp 7f at tuning are provided.

  As will be described later, the automatic tuning mode is a mode in which setting to each button 7a by a predetermined operation of the pitch selection button 7a is permitted, and an automatic tuning switching switch 7c is provided to switch to such automatic tuning mode. ing. Further, a protective cover 7e for preventing the switch 7c from being erroneously operated during performance is provided as shown in the figure.

  If the manual lever 7b is also operated during a performance, the setting may be changed to the position where the servo motor 12 is operated by a predetermined operation of the subsequent pitch selection button 7a, but the manual lever 7b is simply operated. Because it is a mechanism that does not, no protective cover is provided.

  The pitch selection button 7a corresponds to the pitch name of each semitone included in the whole range of the timpani T. In the example shown in the figure, F, F #, G, G #, A, A #, B, C, C #, D, and D # buttons are provided. It is desirable that the note name is displayed.

  In addition, the pitch selection button 7a is not limited to one corresponding to each semitone, but is made to correspond to all scales (F, G, A, B, C, D), all scales (sounds divided not for semitones but for every whole tone). It may be a thing. Moreover, the thing corresponding to the sound subdivided rather than the semitone may be sufficient. Further, even if the head 5 or the like is improved so that the timpani can cope with a sound range of 1 octave or more, it can be applied. In this case, the same pitch names having different pitches exist, but there is no problem if they are arranged in order according to the pitches like a piano keyboard.

  Further, a display lamp 7d is provided corresponding to each pitch selection button 7a. When the pitch selection button 7a is selected and the pitch is changed, the corresponding display lamp 7d is lit. The pitch display means is not limited to this, and may be a display panel that can display the pitch name of the selected pitch.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a tuning meter 20 is additionally connected to the timpani T for automatic tuning described later. The tuning meter 20 can be a commercially available one, but it needs to be configured to measure at least the frequency of the hitting sound of the head 5 to determine the pitch name for each semitone and to output the pitch name determination signal to the timpani T. To do. For example, there is a tuning meter 20 that turns on a different lamp for each pitch name when the frequency corresponding to the pitch name is detected and the needle is swung to “0”. Use it. Note that reference numeral 21 in FIG. 3 denotes an external microphone for the tuning meter 20 to detect the hit sound of the head 5.

  Next, control of the vertical position of the tuning rod 9 by the driving means 10 will be described.

  As described above, a plurality of tension rods 18, 18... Coupled to a plurality of tuning rods 9, 9... Are connected to the upper end of the ball screw mechanism 11. 16, the ball screw of the ball screw mechanism 11 connected through the belt 17 is moved up and down, and the tuning rod 9 is interlocked through the tension rod 18 to control the vertical position.

  The servo motor 12 is rotationally driven by a control circuit 13, and the control circuit 13 is controlled by a CPU (not shown) and various programs.

  On the other hand, the storage unit 14 stores setting values corresponding to each pitch selection button 7a of the pitch controller 70. When the pitch selection button 7a is operated, the program operates and the corresponding pitch selection button 7a is operated. , The servo motor 12 is controlled based on the set value, the ball screw mechanism 11 connected to the servo motor 12 is operated, and the tuning rod 9 is moved to a fixed position corresponding to the set value.

  This set value is stored by the setting means 15, and is normally changed when tuning of the head 5 is required, such as before performance.

  The set value corresponds to the upper and lower fixed positions of the tuning rod 9 for each pitch selection button 7a, that is, corresponds to the absolute value for controlling the servo motor 12, and the program uses the ball screw mechanism based on this absolute value. 11, the control parameter for the servo motor 12 is calculated, and the servo motor 12 is controlled using the control parameter.

  Thus, if the correct setting value for controlling the tuning rod 9 is stored and stored corresponding to the pitch name for each semitone, the performer can change the tension of the head 5 only by selecting the pitch selection button 7a. You can change the pitch. Therefore, even an amateur player can perform while changing the pitch like a professional.

  In addition, if the pitch is changed by operating the pitch selection button 7a in a state in which a sound is produced at a certain pitch and the lingering sound of the tone remains (the head 5 vibrates), the head 5 Since the tension varies continuously, the sound from the pitch before the change to the pitch after the change can be smoothly changed in an analog manner. That is, a glissando playing method is also possible.

  Next, registration and change of setting values corresponding to each pitch will be described.

  The setting value setting operation is an operation of making a sound by hitting the head 5 while changing the tension of the head 5, and assigning a position (setting value) corresponding to a pitch name to a pitch selection button, that is, tuning. Two types of tuning, manual and automatic, can be selected, and the setting value is registered and changed by operating the manual setting unit 15a and the automatic setting unit 15b correspondingly.

  In the manual tuning, the tuner determines the desired pitch name and pitch while listening to the hit sound of the head 5, and stores the set value by a predetermined operation of the pitch selection button 7a. Note that the judgment of the pitch name and pitch is performed only by the tuner's own hearing, and a tuned instrument (for example, piano), a tuning meter, or the like may be used.

  By operating the manual lever 7b, the tuner operates the driving means 10 connected thereto, and moves the tuning rod 9 up and down to change the tension of the head 5, and the manual lever at the appropriate position. 7b is stopped, the position of the tuning rod 9 is fixed, and in this state, the head 5 is hit and the tuner determines the hitting sound. When a sound corresponding to a desired pitch name is discriminated while repeating such operations and operations, if the predetermined pitch selection button 7a is operated (for example, long press, double press, etc.), the manual setting means 15a The absolute value for control corresponding to the stop position of the stopped tuning rod 9 is set as a set value and stored in the storage means 14 in association with the pitch selection button 7a.

  Further, the setting completion lamp 7f is turned on when setting registration is completed by a predetermined operation of each pitch selection button 7a so that the setting for each pitch name selection button 7a can be easily confirmed.

  While repeating such an operation, the setting value for the whole pitch selection button 7a is stored and saved in the storage means 14.

  According to this manual setting means 15a, an appropriate pitch can be assigned to each pitch selection button 7a with a simple operation, so that a change due to the temperature and humidity of the head can be immediately handled between performances. Can be tuned in a short time. In addition, since the tension of the head 5 is manually operated directly by the manual lever 7b, the tuning is performed when a set value is initially set to the pitch selection button 7a or when a significant change is required due to a change in temperature or the like. It is suitable.

  On the other hand, the automatic tuning stores the set value based on the pitch name determination signal determined by the connected tuning meter 20. In this tuning method, it is necessary to adjust the tension of the head 5 in advance to the range where the tuning meter 20 of the pitch name can swing according to the name of the note to be tuned. If the pitch selection button 7a is operated, the tension of the head 5 can be adjusted to at least the current setting value of the pitch selection button 7a. it can. That is, this automatic tuning is suitable for tuning when there is no extreme deviation in the set value before and after setting such as between performances.

  The tuner adjusts the tone selection button 7a to be set in advance to adjust the tension of the head 5 set immediately before, and operates the automatic tuning switch 7c to enter the automatic tuning mode (pre-adjustment and The switching operation to the automatic tuning mode may be performed in reverse order), and when the same pitch selection button 7a is further operated for a predetermined time, the automatic setting means 15b sends a movement start signal to the driving means 10 to move the vertical position of the tuning rod 9 to a constant speed. The tension of the head 5 is changed, but when the tuner continues to strike the head 5 as the tuning rod 9 starts to move up and down, the sound corresponding to the pitch selection button 7a on which the tuning meter 20 has been operated is sounded. When the frequency corresponding to the name is detected and the automatic setting means 15b receives the discrimination signal corresponding to the note name, the automatic setting means 15b stops the driving means 10 and tunes in. Stopping the movement of the rod 9. The automatic setting means 15b stores and saves the absolute value for control corresponding to the stop position of the stopped tuning rod 9 as a set value in the storage means 14 in association with the pitch selection button 7a.

  While the automatic setting means 15b is in operation, the setting completion lamp 7f blinks. When the setting for the pitch selection button 7a is completed, the setting completion lamp 7f is turned off.

  In addition, after the predetermined operation of the pitch selection button 7a, the tuning rod 9 is once operated to the lowest limit (low frequency, that is, the loose position of the head 5) of the meter needle swinging range, and from that position it is constant. It is desirable to tighten the head 5 at a speed.

  The predetermined operation of the pitch selection button 7a may be a special operation such as a long press. However, since the automatic tuning mode has already been established, the normal operation may be performed once.

  According to the automatic setting means 15b, an appropriate pitch can be reliably assigned to each pitch selection button 7a as long as the hitting sound is within the range in which the tuning meter 20 can move. In addition, if the tuning meter 20 is operated, the set value can be automatically set by simply striking the head 5, so that tuning can be performed in a short time without being a performer or a tuner. In addition, since the setting completion can be visually confirmed with the setting completion lamp 7f, the setting registration work can be performed reliably.

  The above-mentioned automatic tuning requires an operation of the first pitch selection button 7a for pre-adjustment and an operation (predetermined operation) of the second pitch selection button 7a for the setting change operation. It is also possible to perform both the pre-adjustment and the setting change operation only by operating the pitch selection button 7a once after switching to the mode.

The external appearance perspective view of the timpani apparatus with a pitch adjustment function. The principal part block diagram of the pitch adjustment apparatus of the timpani of this invention. External view of an operation box. It is the figure which showed typically an example of the pitch variable mechanism of the conventional pedal type timpani, (a) is a schematic diagram of the whole, (b) is an enlarged side view including the partial cross section which shows a head tension mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

T Timpani with pitch adjustment function A Timpani pitch adjustment device 1 Main body base 2 Frame 3 Kettle 4 Head tension mechanism 5 Head 70 Pitch controller 7a Pitch operation button 7b Manual lever 7c Automatic tuning switch 9 Tuning rod 11 Ball screw mechanism 12 Servo motor 13 Control Circuit 14 Storage Unit 15a Manual Setting Unit 15b Automatic Setting Unit 20 Tuning Meter

Claims (2)

Timpani's pitch adjustment device that can adjust the pitch by stretching the head in the kettle opening and changing the tension of the head by moving the tuning rods connected to the peripheral part of the head up and down. In
A pitch controller with a pitch selection button is attached, and a tuning meter is connected to input the sound, measure the frequency to determine the pitch, and output the discrimination signal.
Storage means for assigning and storing a set value corresponding to the upper and lower fixed positions of the tuning rod to the pitch selection button;
A ball screw mechanism connected to the tuning rod, a servo motor for operating the ball screw mechanism, and a servo motor control circuit, and when the pitch selection button is selected, the set value stored in the storage means is stored. Drive means for changing the tension of the head by reading, rotating the servo motor based on the read set value, causing the ball screw mechanism to move up and down, and moving the tuning rod up and down When,
A predetermined operation of the pitch selection button drives the driving means to start movement control of the tuning rod in a vertical position at a constant speed. After the ball screw mechanism starts operating, the tuning meter Discrimination while measuring the head hitting sound and inputting the discriminating signal of the output pitch, and at the same time, the driving of the driving means is stopped and the stop position is converted into a set value corresponding to the predetermined pitch selection button. And a timpani pitch adjusting device, comprising: automatic setting means stored in the storage means .
In claim 1,
The pitch controller according to claim 1, further comprising pitch display means for indicating the selected pitch.

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