JP4232685B2 - Mixer device control method, mixer device, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a mixer apparatus control method, a mixer apparatus, and a program suitable for use in production of video / audio contents.

  When producing video / audio content, for example, a number of VTRs that play back the video / audio signals that are the raw material, or that record the completed content, a digital mixer that mixes the audio signals, a video switcher that switches the video signals, etc. It is necessary to operate the equipment. Since it is very cumbersome for an operator to individually operate these devices, a technique using a control device that centrally and remotely controls these devices is known. That is, the operator can operate other devices mainly by operating only this control device, and can continue the content production work.

Here, when switching two audio signals as materials, generally, a crossfade (automatic gain update with respect to the audio signal) that fades in one audio signal and fades out the other audio signal is performed. Executed. Even in the control device described above, it is possible to instruct the mixer to automatically update the gain so as to execute the cross fade. That is, when the operator performs a predetermined operation on the control device, a command for instructing that automatic gain update should be executed is transmitted from the control device to the digital mixer. When this command is received in the digital mixer, automatic update of the gain is performed based on pre-stored gain setting information for automatic updates. That is, the audio signals of the other group of input channels are faded in while the audio signals of the group of input channels are faded out. At that time, on the operation panel of the digital mixer, faders corresponding to these channels are automatically driven in the vertical direction. A digital mixer capable of remote control from the outside is disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, for example.

"DM2000 Instruction Manual" Yamaha Corporation, February 2002

However, in the technique described above , when automatic gain update is instructed from the control device side, it is impossible to stop automatic gain update for some channels on the operation panel of the digital mixer. Further, when the operator desires to stop the automatic update of the gain for some channels, Ru mower if it is desired to the state before execution of the automatic update of the gain return fader position and gain.
The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, the control method of the mixer device can be aborted automatic update of the gain for some channels in the middle of automatic update of the gain, it aims to provide a mixer apparatus and a program It is said.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration. The parentheses are examples.
In the control method of the mixer device according to claim 1, when a control command is received from an external control device and a plurality of faders (524) for adjusting gains respectively for audio signals of a plurality of input channels. , A processing means (CPU 18) for executing processing according to the control command, and a selection operation that is provided for each fader and designates whether or not automatic gain updating is allowed for the corresponding input channel (FADER mode) Child (SEL key 516), selection information (FADER mode) for designating whether or not automatic gain update is allowed for each input channel, and operation designation indicating whether the audio signal is faded in or faded out the external control device and a storage means (16, 30) for storing information (CROSSFADE mode) A method of controlling mixer device to be remotely operated I, at the time of accepting the predetermined execution instruction command as the control command is specified that to allow the automatic update by the selection information among the plurality of input channels The process of automatically updating the gain of the input channel in accordance with the operation designation information so that the audio signal fades in or out (FIG. 7, SP42 to SP59) and the operation on the selection operator are performed. A process of detecting, a process of inverting the value of the selection information related to the input channel corresponding to the selection operator in which the operation is detected (SP104, SP114), and the selection information value being inverted. The information is changed to a value that specifies that automatic gain update is not permitted, and the selection When the automatic gain update is in progress at the time when the operation element is operated (“YES” in step SP108), the automatic gain adjustment for the input channel corresponding to the selected operation element where the operation is detected is performed. The processing means executes the process of stopping the update (SP110) and changing the gain of the input channel to a predetermined reference value (SP112).
Furthermore, in the configuration according to claim 2, in the method for controlling the mixer device according to claim 1, the mixer device notifies the setting state of the selection information of each input channel, and the selection information includes For the input channel designated to automatically update the gain, a notification means (LED in the SEL key 516) for distinguishing the setting state of the operation designation information and notifying the operator is provided. The processing means is provided corresponding to each input channel, and the processing means uses the selection information and the operation designation according to the notification information corresponding to the selection information and the operation designation information set corresponding to each input channel. Further executing a notification process (SP106, SP120) for notifying the setting state of information for each of the input channels via the notification means. And butterflies.
Furthermore, in the configuration according to claim 3, in the method for controlling a mixer device according to claim 2, the notification unit includes a first display and a second display arranged respectively corresponding to the selection operators. It is characterized by comprising a vessel.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the mixer apparatus control method according to any one of the first to third aspects is executed.
The program according to claim 5 causes the processing means to execute the mixer apparatus control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to stop the automatic update of the gain in the middle by the operator automatic updating cancellation operation of the gain for some channels run further, the gain of the channel Can be changed to a predetermined reference value.

1． Example configuration
1.1. Overall Configuration Next, the configuration of an editing system to which a digital mixer according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numerals 106, 108, and 110 denote VTRs, and the VTRs 106 and 108 reproduce video / audio signals that are materials for producing content. The VTR 110 records video / audio signals of the completed content. These VTRs record and reproduce multitrack audio signals. Reference numeral 104 denotes a video device, which includes a video switcher, a video effector, and the like. The video signal reproduced from the VTRs 106 and 108 is subjected to processing such as effect addition, mixing, and switching, and the resulting video signal is supplied to the VTR 110. To do.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes a digital mixer according to the present embodiment, which executes effect processing, level adjustment processing, and the like on the audio signals supplied from the VTRs 106 and 108 and supplies the resultant audio signals to the VTR 110. Reference numeral 102 denotes a control device that remotely controls a plurality of control target devices such as the video device 104, the VTRs 106, 108, 110, and the digital mixer 112 so as to operate (process) at the same timing. For each of them, a command (control command) indicating the control content (process to be executed by the control target device) is transmitted in accordance with the control timing (timing for executing the processing) for each device. When each control target device (video device 104, VTR 106, 108, 110, digital mixer 112, etc.) receives a control command from the control device 102, it executes a process represented by the control command. Reference numeral 114 denotes a sound system that emits the CUE signal (monitoring signal) output from the digital mixer 112.

1.2. Configuration of Digital Mixer 112 Next, a detailed configuration of the digital mixer 112 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2 denotes a control signal interface, which inputs and outputs control signals such as the above-described control commands to and from the control device 102. An audio signal interface 4 inputs / outputs audio signals to / from input / output devices such as the VTRs 106, 108, and 110. A signal processing circuit 6 is constituted by a group of DSPs (digital signal processors). The signal processing circuit 6 performs mixing processing and effect processing on the digital audio signal supplied via the audio signal interface 4 and outputs the result to the audio signal interface 4.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes an operator group, which includes operators such as faders, volume operators, switches, a character input keyboard, and a mouse. Reference numeral 12 denotes a display group, which includes a flat panel display (LCD display or the like) for displaying various information to the user, LEDs around the volume operation element, LEDs embedded in a switch, a level meter, and the like. . Reference numeral 18 denotes a CPU which controls each unit via the bus 8 based on a control program stored in the ROM 14. Reference numeral 16 denotes a RAM, which is used as a work memory for the CPU 18.

  The RAM 16 has a current area 16a. In the current area 16a, currently set values for various parameters for signal processing in the signal processing circuit 6 are stored. For example, the fader gain (value for adjusting the volume of the audio signal) given to the audio signal of the input / output channel based on the operation amount of each fader, the equalizing processing parameter of each input / output channel, The on / off state and the like are stored in the current area 16a. And the signal processing with respect to the audio | voice signal performed with the signal processing circuit 6 is controlled based on the value memorize | stored in this current area | region 16a.

1.3. Next, the configuration of the main part of the operation panel (operation element group 10) of the digital mixer 112 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the figure, reference numerals 510-1, 510-2,... Denote channel strips, which are provided corresponding to the respective input channels. Since each channel strip has the same configuration, the detailed configuration will be described below by taking the channel strip 510-1 as an example.

  Inside channel strip 510-1, 512 is an ON key, which switches the on / off state of the corresponding input channel. In the ON key 512, an LED that is turned on / off according to the on / off state is embedded. A rotary encoder 514 is used for PAN adjustment and gain adjustment of the input channel. In addition, LEDs are arranged in a ring around the rotary encoder 514, and the operation amount of the rotary encoder 514 is displayed according to the lighting state. Reference numeral 516 denotes a SEL key that switches an on / off state of a FADER mode to be described later. The SEL key 516 includes a plurality of LEDs having different emission colors, and these LEDs are configured to be able to set a lighting / extinguishing state independently.

  Reference numeral 518 denotes a display, which displays the channel name of the input channel. Reference numeral 524 denotes an electric fader that includes detection means for detecting a manual operation by an operator. When the manual operation is detected by the detection means, an operation amount (level) operated by the manual operation is detected and detected. Adjust the fader gain of the corresponding input channel according to the level. The rotary encoder 514 and the electric fader 524 can automatically set the operation amount based on a command from the CPU 18. Reference numeral 526 denotes a CUE key, which switches the on / off state of the CUE of the corresponding input channel. The audio signal of the input channel in which the CUE is in the ON state is mixed with the CUE signal. That is, the result of mixing the audio signals of one or a plurality of input channels becomes a CUE signal, and the CUE signal is emitted through the sound system 114.

2． Data Structure of Embodiment The setting information table 30 shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the RAM 16 of the digital mixer 112. In the figure, 32 is a channel number column indicating the number of an input channel in the digital mixer 112, and 34 is an input device allocation unit. In the input device assignment unit 34, it is defined which input channel is assigned to the input audio signals from the plurality of input devices A, B, C,. The input channel assigned to each input device is indicated by “X” in the figure. Arbitrary input devices can be assigned to the input devices A, B, C,..., But here it is assumed that the VTR 106 is assigned as the input device A and the VTR 108 is assigned as the input device B. That is, in the illustrated example, each of the four input signals input from the input device A (VTR 106) is assigned to each of the first to fourth input channels and input from the input device B (VTR 108). Each of the four input signals is assigned to each of the fifth to eighth input channels. The state of allocation in the input device allocation unit 34 is set by the operator using the operator on the digital mixer 112.

  Reference numeral 35 denotes a FADER mode designating unit which designates an “ON” or “OFF” FADER mode for each input channel. Here, the FADER mode designates whether or not the inside of the channel strips 510-1, 510-2,... Related to each input channel can be remotely controlled based on a control command from the control device 102. is there. That is, if the FADER mode is ON, the fader of the channel can be remotely controlled based on the control command. If the FADER mode is OFF, the channel fader is not remotely controlled based on the control command. The state of the FADER mode is set by the operator using the operation element (SEL key 516) on the digital mixer 112.

Reference numeral 36 denotes a CROSSFADE mode designating section, which stores any CROSSFADE mode of “FROM”, “TO” or “NONE”. Here, “FROM” means fading out when executing automatic gain update , “TO” means fading in, and “NONE” is not subject to fading in / out. Means that. However, even if the CROSSFADE mode is “NONE”, if the FADER mode is “ON”, the parts other than the faders in the channel strip are remotely controlled. For example, the ON / OFF state of the CUE key 526 is controlled. Remote control from the device 102 is possible. The CROSSFADE mode state is set only by a control command received from the control device 102, and cannot be set by using an operator on the digital mixer 112.

Next, reference numeral 37 denotes an AUTO mode designating unit for designating an “ON” or “OFF” AUTO mode. Here, the AUTO mode is a mode that specifies whether or not the fader related to each input channel is actually automatically driven in the automatic gain update operation currently being executed. If it is “OFF”, it indicates that it is not automatically driven. Although details will be described later, when the automatic gain update is started, the AUTO modes of the input channels whose CROSSFADE mode is “FROM” or “TO” are all set to the ON state. However, if the operator performs a predetermined operation during the automatic gain update, the AUTO mode of the corresponding input channel is set to “OFF”.

Next, reference numeral 38 denotes a reference level designating unit that defines a reference level for automatic gain update . Here, the “reference level” is used as a fader gain at the start of automatic gain update when the CROSSFADE mode is in the “FROM” input channel, and the gain level is used when the CROSSFADE mode is in the “TO” input channel . This value is used as a fader gain at the end of automatic updating .

3． Operation of the embodiment
3.1. General Operation of Digital Mixer When the operator group 10 is operated by an operator, the operation content is detected by the CPU 18 and the corresponding parameter in the current area 16a is updated. Even when the operator group 10 is not operated by the operator, the contents of the current area 16a may be automatically updated by various processes described later. Then, the CPU 18 periodically executes an interrupt process. In this interrupt process, the operation amount of each operator is compared with the value of the corresponding parameter in the current area 16a. When the two values are different, the operation amount of each operator is updated so that the operation amount of each operator matches the value of the corresponding parameter. As described above, the operation amount of each operation element is sequentially updated so as to maintain the consistency between the operation amount of each operation element and the corresponding parameter.

  For example, since the operation amount of the rotary encoder 514 is expressed by the lighting state of surrounding LEDs, the operation amount can be instantaneously updated according to the parameter value in the current area 16a. On the other hand, since the operation amount of the electric fader 524 is expressed by the physical position of the electric fader 524, the electric fader 524 is driven to match the parameter value (fader gain). Such general operation is the same as that of a known digital mixer.

3.2. Here the initial setting of automatic updating of the gain, when the operator performs a predetermined operation, the channel number column 32 a flat panel display of the indicator group 12, the contents of each of the input device assignment unit 34 and the FADER mode designation unit 35 A screen for displaying and editing them is displayed. As a result, the operator designates the input channels assigned to the input devices A, B, C,... By operating the keyboard and mouse on this screen, and sets the FADER mode for these input channels. Can be set.

Further, the operator can set the fader gain of each input channel to an optimum level by operating the fader of each input channel while actually reproducing the audio signal from the VTRs 106, 108, etc. When the operator performs a predetermined operation after the fader gain is adjusted to the optimum level in this way, the fader gain at that time of each fader is used as a reference level for automatic gain update. Is remembered. However, the content of the CROSSFADE mode designating unit 36 is set when a control command is supplied from the control device 102 later, and the content of the AUTO mode designating unit 37 is set when the automatic gain update is actually executed. Since it is set, the operator cannot edit the contents of the designation units 36 and 37 at this point.

3.3. Setting of CROSSFADE Mode In order to instruct execution of automatic gain update from the control device 102 to the digital mixer 112, it is necessary to designate in advance the CROSSFADE mode of the channel related to automatic gain update . In order to execute such designation, the following are specified as control commands supplied from the control device 102 to the digital mixer 112.
(1) FROM machine command: This command is used to instruct that the CROSSFADE mode of all input channels assigned to a specific input device should be set to “FROM”.
(2) FROM channel command: This command is a command for setting the CROSSFADE mode to “FROM” for one or a plurality of arbitrary input channels.
(3) TO machine command: This command is used to instruct that the CROSSFADE mode of all input channels assigned to a specific input device should be set to “TO”.
(4) TO channel command: This command is a command for setting the CROSSFADE mode to “TO” for one or a plurality of arbitrary input channels.

Hereinafter, the operation when each command is supplied from the control device 102 will be described in detail. However, any of the above-described commands is ignored if an automatic gain update is received during execution. Therefore, these commands are executed only when the automatic gain update is not being executed, and the contents of the CROSSFADE mode are updated. A method for determining whether or not “ automatic gain update is in progress” will be described later.

(1) FROM machine command When a FROM machine command designating one of the input devices (A, B, C,...) Is supplied from the control device 102, the CPU 18 shows the FROM shown in FIG. The machine command reception routine is started. In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP2, the input device assignment unit 34 in the setting information table 30 is referred to, and all input channels assigned to the input device designated by the FROM machine command are searched. Then, the corresponding part of the CROSSFADE mode designating unit 36 is updated so as to set all the CROSSFADE modes of the searched input channels to “FROM”.

(2) FROM Channel Command When a FROM channel command is supplied from the control device 102, the CPU 18 starts a FROM channel command reception routine shown in FIG. The FROM channel command includes channel designation data 40 as shown in FIG. 5C, for example. The channel designation data 40 is formed by assigning a 1-bit instruction flag for each input channel. When the instruction flag is “1”, the CROSSFADE mode of the corresponding input channel is set to “FROM”. When it is “0”, it indicates that “FROM” is not set. Now, when the process proceeds to step SP12 in FIG. 5B, the corresponding part of the CROSSFADE mode designating unit 36 is updated so that the CROSSFADE mode of all the input channels whose instruction flags are “1” is set to “FROM”. Is done.

  Next, when the process proceeds to step SP14, a channel whose current CROSSFADE mode is “FROM” is detected from all the input channels whose instruction flag is “0”. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP16, it is determined whether or not at least one channel is detected in step SP14. If “NO” is determined here, the processing of this routine is immediately terminated. On the other hand, if “YES” is determined, the process proceeds to step SP18, and CROSSFADE of the detected input channel (all input channels in which the corresponding instruction flag is “0” and the CROSSFADE mode is “FROM”). The corresponding part of the CROSSFADE mode designating unit 36 is updated so as to set the mode to “NONE”.

(3) TO Machine Command When a TO machine command specifying any input device is supplied from the control device 102, the CPU 18 starts a TO machine command reception routine shown in FIG. In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP22, the input device assignment unit 34 in the setting information table 30 is referred to, and all input channels assigned to the input device designated by the TO machine command are searched. Then, the corresponding part of the CROSSFADE mode designating unit 36 is updated so that all the CROSSFADE modes of the searched input channels are set to “TO”.

(4) TO Channel Command When a TO channel command is supplied from the control device 102, the CPU 18 starts a TO channel command reception routine shown in FIG. The TO channel command includes channel designation data 42 as shown in FIG. 6C, for example. This channel designation data 42 is formed by assigning a 1-bit instruction flag for each input channel, as in the channel designation data 40 of the FROM channel command described above. When the process proceeds to step SP32 in FIG. 6B, the corresponding part of the CROSSFADE mode designating unit 36 is updated so that the CROSSFADE mode of all input channels whose instruction flag is “1” is set to “TO”. .

  Next, when the process proceeds to step SP34, a channel whose current CROSSFADE mode is “TO” is detected from all the input channels whose instruction flag is “0”. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP36, it is determined whether or not at least one channel is detected in step SP34. If “NO” is determined here, the processing of this routine is immediately terminated. On the other hand, if “YES” is determined, the process proceeds to step SP38, and CROSSFADE of the detected input channel (all input channels whose corresponding instruction flag is “0” and CROSSFADE mode is “TO”). The corresponding part of the CROSSFADE mode designating unit 36 is updated so as to set the mode to “NONE”.

3.4. The gain automatic update start command instructing the reception control device 102 of the automatic update start command gain to the digital mixer 112 to start the execution of the automatic update of the gain is supplied, in the CPU 18, automatic update of the current gain It is determined whether or not is running. Here, if automatic gain update is being executed, the automatic gain update start command is ignored. On the other hand, if automatic gain update is not being executed, an automatic gain update start command reception routine shown in FIG. 7 is started.

  When the process proceeds to step SP42 in FIG. 7, the setting information table 30 is referred to, and all input channels in which the FADER mode is “ON” and the CROSSFADE mode is set to “FROM” or “TO” are detected. The number of detected input channels is substituted for the variable n. Here, each detected channel is assigned to the array CH. Therefore, the elements of the array CH are channels CH [1] to CH [n]. Further, a count variable k for counting input channels is set to “1”.

  Next, when the process proceeds to step SP44, it is determined whether or not the count variable k exceeds the number of channels n. If "NO" is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP46. Here, the reference level of the channel CH [k] is read from the reference level designating unit 38, and the current region 16a is updated so that the fader gain of the channel CH [k] becomes equal to the reference level. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP48, it is determined whether or not the CROSSFADE mode of the channel CH [k] is set to “TO”. If “YES” is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP50, and the current region 16a is updated so that the fader gain of the channel CH [k] becomes the lowest level “−∞”.

After all, the fader gain is set to the reference level if the CROSSFADE mode is “FROM”, and is set to the lowest level “−∞” if it is “TO”. Accordingly, the corresponding electric fader 524 is driven toward the position corresponding to the fader gain, and automatically moves to the corresponding position. After the movement is completed, when the process proceeds to step SP52, the AUTO mode of the channel CH [k] is set to “ON”. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP54, automatic gain update / timer interruption corresponding to the channel CH [k] is permitted.

Note that "automatic update timer interrupt gain", every gain predetermined time automatic update in (automatic update timer interrupt period of the gain), and occurs for each channel that is interrupt enable, each This interrupt is used to gradually change the fader gain of the input channel. Since whether or not this interrupt is possible is set for each channel, only the interrupt for channel CH [k] is permitted here. In the automatic gain update start command supplied from the control device 102, the automatic gain update execution time, which is the time from the start of automatic gain update to the end, is specified. Accordingly, when the automatic gain update execution time is divided by the automatic gain update / timer interrupt cycle, the number of interrupt occurrences within the automatic gain update execution time can be obtained.

In a channel whose CROSSFADE mode is “FROM”, the fader gain at the start of automatic gain update is the reference level, and the fader gain at the end of automatic gain update is the lowest level “−∞”. On the other hand, in a channel whose CROSSFADE mode is “TO”, the fader gain at the start of automatic gain update is the lowest level “−∞”, and the fader gain at the end of automatic gain update is the reference level. In any case, "(Fader gain at the end of automatic gain update- Fader gain before the start of automatic gain update ) / Number of interrupt occurrences", " Automatic gain update / timer interrupt per" 1 "time The amount of change in fader gain at can be obtained. In step SP54, this change amount for the channel CH [k] is also calculated.

Next, when the process proceeds to step SP56, the lighting state of the built-in LED of the SEL key 516 of the channel CH [k] is changed from the “ gain automatic update stop” state to the “ gain automatic update executing” state. The Details of these lighting states will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the “ automatic gain update stop” state, the SEL key of the channel whose FADER mode is “OFF” is set to the off state. In addition, the SEL key of a channel whose FADER mode is “ON” is continuously lit with a lighting color corresponding to the CROSSFADE mode. For example, when the CROSSFADE mode is “FROM”, the SEL key is continuously lit in “red”, “TO” is “orange”, and “NONE” is “green”.

In the state "Automatic updating execution of gain", automatic FADER mode channel and FADER mode is "OFF" CROSSFADE mode is "ON" lighting state of the channel is "NONE" is the "gain This is the same as the case of the “ updating update ” state. However, if the FADER mode is “ON” and the CROSSFADE mode is “FROM” or “TO”, the SEL key 516 is set in a blinking state. That is, if the CROSSFADE mode is “FROM”, the SEL key blinks in “red”, and if it is “TO”, it is “orange”. Thus, the operator can be notified of the fact that each fader is actually driven by the blinking state of the built-in LED of the SEL key.

Returning to FIG. 7, when the process proceeds to step SP58, the count variable k is incremented by “1”, and the process returns to step SP44. Thereafter, the same processing is repeated for all the channels CH [1] to CH [n]. When the same processing is completed for all these channels, “YES” is determined in step SP44, and the processing proceeds to step SP59. Here, an automatic gain update interruption is permitted. Note that “ automatic gain update end interrupt” is generated every predetermined time ( automatic gain update end interrupt cycle) during automatic gain update , and whether or not the automatic gain update execution time has elapsed. This is an interrupt for determination.

3.5. Automatic Gain Update / Timer Interrupt Processing As described above, when “ automatic gain update / timer interrupt” is permitted in step SP54, an interrupt is permitted for each automatic gain update / timer interrupt cycle. Automatic gain update and timer interruption occur for each channel. When this interrupt occurs, the automatic gain update / timer interrupt routine shown in FIG. 8A is started. In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP62, it is determined whether or not the AUTO mode of the channel related to the current interrupt (the input channel to be processed this time) is set to “ON”. If “NO” is determined here, the present routine is terminated without performing substantial processing. On the other hand, if “YES” is determined in step SP62, the process proceeds to step SP64, and the fader gain (current region 16a) of the input channel is increased by the change amount of the channel (the change amount calculated in step SP54 previously). The fader gain value and the fader position corresponding to the channel) stored therein are changed. Therefore, when this routine is called at every automatic gain update / timer interrupt cycle, as long as the AUTO mode is “ON”, the fader gains of all applicable channels are automatically From the fader gain at the start of update to the fader gain at the end of automatic gain update , the calculated amount of change is gradually updated, and the fader is gradually driven automatically in accordance with this.

3.6. Fader Operation Event Processing When a fader of any input channel is operated (manual operation) by an operator, this is detected by the CPU 18 and a fader operation event processing routine shown in FIG. 8B is started. Note that this routine is started when the fader is operated regardless of whether or not the automatic gain update is being executed. In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP72, it is determined whether or not automatic gain update is being executed. Note that “ automatic gain update is being executed” means “a state from when an automatic gain update start command is received from the control device 102 until an automatic gain update interrupt is prohibited”. Point to. If “YES” is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP74 to determine whether or not the FADER mode of the input channel related to the operated fader is set to “ON”.

  If “YES” is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP76 to determine whether or not the AUTO mode of the input channel is set to “ON”. If “YES” is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP77, and the AUTO mode of the input channel is set to “OFF”. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP78, the corresponding part in the current area 16a is updated so that the fader gain of the channel becomes equal to the actual operation amount (current position) of the fader.

As described above, when the AUTO mode is set to “OFF”, “NO” is determined in step SP62 when the automatic gain update / timer interrupt routine (FIG. 8A) is called thereafter. Thus, the fader gain of the input channel is not automatically updated until the execution of the current automatic gain update is completed. In other words, operating one of the fader operator while the gain automatic update execution according to an automatic update of the gain (manual operation), the until execution of automatic update of the current gain is complete, the fader Are excluded from the target of automatic gain update . However, when the new automatic gain update for the input channel is executed after the current automatic gain update is completed, step SP52 (see FIG. 7) is executed again, thereby executing the input channel. The AUTO mode is again set to “ON”, and the fader of the input channel is automatically driven.

On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in any of the steps SP72, SP74, or SP76, the step SP77 is skipped and the step SP78 is executed. This is because when the automatic gain update is not being executed, when the FADER mode is “OFF”, or when the AUTO mode is “OFF”, the input channel related to the operated fader is automatically updated in the first place. This is because it is only necessary to update the corresponding portion in the current area 16a in accordance with the operation amount of the fader.

3.7. Gain automatic update end interrupt process also in, when the step SP59 (see FIG. 7) gain automatic update completion interrupt in is permitted, the gain shown in FIG. 8 (c) for each automatic update end interrupt period of the gain The automatic update end interrupt routine is started. In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP82, after the automatic gain update is started (after step SP59 is executed), it is determined whether or not the automatic gain update execution time has elapsed. If “NO” is determined here, the processing of this routine is immediately terminated.

On the other hand, if the automatic gain update execution time has elapsed, “YES” is determined here, and the process proceeds to step SP84 where automatic gain update / timer interruption (FIG. 8 (a)) and automatic gain update are performed. End interrupt (Fig. 8 (c)) is prohibited. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP86, the SEL key lighting state of all input channels changes from the “ automatic gain update execution” state (FIG. 10B) to the “ gain automatic update stop” state (FIG. 10). 10 (a)).

3.8. SEL key press event processing
Regardless of whether or not automatic gain update is being executed, when the SEL key 516 of any input channel is pressed, the SEL key pressing event processing routine shown in FIG. 9 is started. In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP102, it is determined whether or not the FADER mode of the input channel is “ON”. If "NO" is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP114, and the FADER mode is set to "ON". Next, when the process proceeds to step SP116, the setting state of the CROSSFADE mode of the input channel is read from the setting information table 30. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP118, the lighting state in the SEL key is determined according to the setting state of the CROSSFADE mode. The lighting state determined here is any one of the “ gain automatic update stop” state (FIG. 10A).

On the other hand, if the FADER mode is set to “ON” when the SEL key 516 is pressed, “YES” is determined in step SP102, and the process proceeds to step SP104, where the FADER mode of the input channel is “OFF”. Set to Next, when the process proceeds to step SP106, the SEL key is turned off in response to (OFF) of this new FADER mode. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP108, it is determined whether or not automatic gain update is being executed. If “YES” is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP110, and the AUTO mode of the input channel is set to “OFF”.

Thus, even if the automatic gain update / timer interrupt routine (FIG. 8 (a)) is subsequently activated for the input channel, the fader gain is not changed depending on the routine. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP112, the fader gain of the input channel is updated so as to be equal to the fader gain before execution of automatic gain update. Here, “fader gain before execution of automatic gain update ” is a reference level in a channel in which the CROSSFADE mode is “FROM”, and a minimum level “−∞” in a channel in “TO”. As a result, the fader is automatically driven to a position corresponding to the new fader gain.

As described above, in the present embodiment, as a method to stop for a particular input channel during the automatic update run of the gain the gain automatic update, operating the (1) of the input channel fader (FIG. 8 ( One of two methods can be selected: b)) and (2) pressing the SEL key of the input channel (FIG. 9). According to the former method (1), it is convenient to use only when the automatic gain update being executed at that time is stopped and the fader gain is updated by the manual operation of the operator. The latter method (2) is convenient not only for the current automatic gain update but also for the subsequent automatic gain update when it is desired to exclude the input channel from the target.

Four. Modifications The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made as follows, for example.

(1) Although the above embodiment has been described with respect to an example in which the present invention is applied to a digital mixer, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to an analog mixer in which an attenuator is directly connected to a fader. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to various volume control devices other than the mixer.

(2) In the above embodiment, the operator distinguishes the ON / OFF state of the FADER mode and the CROSSFADE mode for each channel when “ON” is indicated by the lighting state of the LED in the SEL key as shown in FIG. However, the LED lighting method is not limited to that of the embodiment. The notification of the operation mode can also be performed by a display other than the LED built in the SEL key.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, irrespective of whether the automatic update of the gain is running, it has been informed FADER mode and CROSSFADE mode the operator, before the automatic update of the gain is performed The FADER mode and the CROSSFADE mode may not be notified, and these modes may be notified when a notification is necessary, for example , when automatic gain update is started.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the FADER mode and the CROSSFADE mode are notified for all input channels subject to automatic gain update . However, it is not necessary to notify these modes simultaneously for all channels. The notification may be given only to a part of the channels designated by the operator.

(5) Further, in the processing of steps SP118 and SP120 of the above embodiment, the “ automatic gain update stop” state (FIG. 10A) is applied to the input channel for which the FADER mode is newly set to “ON”. ), The corresponding SEL key is lit, but the lighting state in this case may be changed to the “ automatic gain update execution” state (FIG. 10B).

(6) In step SP112 of the above embodiment, when the FADER mode is set to OFF during the automatic gain update , the fader gain of the corresponding input channel is either the reference level or the minimum level “−∞”. It was set to However, when the automatic gain update start command reception routine (FIG. 7) is executed, the fader gain value of each input channel at that time is stored in the RAM 16, and the fader gain is stored in step SP112. It may be set to a different value.

(7) In the above embodiment, at the initial setting of automatic gain update , the fader gain at that time of each fader is stored in the reference level designating unit 38 as a reference level for automatic gain update . However, if it is only necessary to perform automatic gain update once, it is not necessary to set the reference level at the initial setting, and the reference level may be set when the automatic gain update start command is received. Good. Specifically, instead of the processing of step SP46 (FIG. 7) in the above embodiment, processing for writing the fader gain of the channel CH [k] at that time into the location of channel CH [k] of the reference level designating unit 38 is performed. It is good to execute. In this case, the fader gain is updated to the value written in the reference level designating unit 38 in step SP112 of FIG.

(8) In the above embodiment, various processes are executed by a program operating on the CPU 18, but only this program is stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a flexible disk and distributed, or through a transmission line. It can also be distributed.

1 is a block diagram of an editing system to which a digital mixer according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram of the digital mixer of one Example of this invention. It is a top view of the principal part of the operation panel of the digital mixer of one Example. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the setting information table 30 of one Example. It is a flowchart of a FROM machine command and a FROM channel command reception routine. It is a flowchart of a TO machine command and TO channel command reception routine. It is a flowchart of a gain automatic update start command reception routine. It is a flowchart of various interrupt routines / fader operation event routines. It is a flowchart of a SEL key press event processing routine. It is explanatory drawing of the lighting state of LED incorporated in each SEL key.

Explanation of symbols

  2: control signal interface, 4: audio signal interface, 6: signal processing circuit, 8: bus, 10: operator group, 12: display group, 14: ROM, 16: RAM, 16a: current area, 18: CPU , 30: setting information table, 32: channel number column, 34: input device allocation unit, 35: FADER mode designating unit, 36: CROSSFADE mode designating unit, 37: AUTO mode designating unit, 38: reference level designating unit, 40: Channel designation data, 42: Channel designation data, 102: Control equipment, 104: Video equipment, 106, 108, 110: VTR, 112: Digital mixer, 114: Sound system, 510-1, 510-2, ...: Channel Strip 512: ON key 514: Rotary encoder 516: SEL key 5 8: Display, 524: electric fader, 526: CUE key.

Claims (5)

A plurality of faders for adjusting the gain for the audio signals of a plurality of input channels,
When a control command is received from an external control device, processing means for executing processing according to the control command;
A selection operator that is provided for each fader and that specifies whether or not automatic gain updating is allowed for the corresponding input channel;
Wherein for each input channel, the external control and a storage means for storing an operation designation information for selecting information and audio signal indicating whether to fade out or to fade-in specifies whether to allow the automatic update of the gain A method for controlling a mixer device remotely operated by a device, comprising:
At the time when a predetermined execution command is received as the control command, the gain of the input channel designated to allow automatic update by the selection information among the plurality of input channels is set according to the operation designation information. Starting the process of automatically updating each so that it fades in or out,
Detecting an operation on the selection operator;
Reversing the value of the selection information for the input channel corresponding to the selection operator for which the operation was detected;
When the value of the selection information is inverted, the selection information is changed to a value that specifies that automatic update of gain is not permitted, and the automatic update of gain is performed when the selection operator is operated. A process of stopping the automatic update of the gain related to the input channel corresponding to the selection operator in which the operation is detected when the operation is being performed, and changing the gain of the input channel to a predetermined reference value;
A control method for a mixer apparatus, characterized in that the processing means executes. The mixer device is:
Notifying the setting state of the selection information of each input channel, and for each input channel designated to automatically update the gain by the selection information, the setting state of the operation designation information is distinguished and operated. Informing means for informing the person is provided corresponding to each of the input channels,
The processing means includes
The setting state of the selection information and the operation designation information is notified for each input channel through the notification means by the notification method according to the selection information and the operation designation information set corresponding to each input channel. The method for controlling a mixer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising performing a notification process. The method of controlling a mixer apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the notification means includes first and second indicators respectively arranged corresponding to the selection operators.   A mixer apparatus, characterized in that the method for controlling a mixer apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is executed.   A program for causing the processing means to execute the control method for a mixer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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