JP4766401B2 - Mixer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mixer suitable for use in a digital mixer.

  In the digital mixer, after equalization processing, volume adjustment processing, etc. are performed on the audio signals of a plurality of input channels, the results are supplied to a plurality of mixing buses, where the audio subjected to equalization processing, etc. The signal is mixed. Here, since there is a limit to the number of input channels that can be processed by a single digital mixer, a technique called cascade connection is known in order to process audio signals having more input channels. This is because the output signal (cascade signal) of each mixing bus of one digital mixer is directly input to the mixing bus of another digital mixer, so that these two digital mixers can be connected to the number of both input channels. It functions as a large-scale mixer having the number of input channels equal to the sum of the above (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-15284

In order to perform such cascade connection, the digital mixer is provided with cascade input / output terminals. However, if there is another model (second model) that uses a terminal of the same type as a cascade connection terminal of a certain model (first model) as a terminal for a normal input / output channel, the second model In the first model, all the audio signals input / output from the terminal of this model can be handled only as “cascade signals”, which is inconvenient.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a mixer capable of inputting and outputting a flexible cascade signal using a plurality of different types of terminals.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration. The parentheses are examples.
In the mixer according to claim 1, a plurality of mixing buses (110) capable of performing audio signal mixing processing and inputting audio signals via corresponding cascade input logic channels, and a plurality of normal inputs A plurality of normal input terminals (input first to fourth slots) for inputting audio signals of physical channels, and a plurality of cascade inputs corresponding to a plurality of audio signals (cascade input physical channels) to each of the cascade input logical channels. Equalizing processing is performed on audio signals supplied via a cascade input terminal (82a) that is input as a physical channel and a plurality of normal input logical channels respectively corresponding to the normal input physical channels, and the equalization of each audio signal is performed. One or more of the mixing buses for processing results An input signal processing means for outputting to any mixing bus (108), said plurality of normal input terminals (input first to fourth slot) or other device connected through said cascade input terminal (82a) Storage means (FIG. 5) for storing information defining a selectable input mode among a plurality of input modes corresponding to a plurality of input model information (model A, model B, MIXER 32BUS, MIXER 16BUS) for identifying An input mode setting means (204) that selects any one of the plurality of input model information and selects any one of the plurality of input modes that can be selected corresponding to the selected input model information. ) and, when said input mode setting means (204) the one input mode in ( "cascade" mode) is selected, the plurality of normal While assigning the plurality of cascade input physical channels allocates a force physical channels each corresponding normal input logical channels each corresponding cascade input logical channels, the two input mode in the input mode setting means (204) (Other Mode) is selected, the plurality of normal input physical channels selected according to the second type input mode are changed to the plurality of cascade input logical channels selected according to the second type input mode. And assigning the cascade input physical channel corresponding to the selected cascade input logical channel to the normal input logical channel corresponding to the selected normal input physical channel, thereby causing the normal input physical channel and the cascade to be assigned. Input physical channel Allocating means (104) for switching channels, and cascade audio signal supplying means (10) for supplying audio signals supplied from the plurality of cascade input logic channels to the mixing bus (110) corresponding to each cascade input logic channel. 2) (connection between the input logical channel setting unit 104 and the mixing bus group 110 in FIG. 2).
In the mixer according to claim 2, a plurality of mixing buses (110) capable of performing audio signal mixing processing and outputting audio signals via corresponding cascade output logic channels, and a plurality of mixing buses (110) A plurality of normal output terminals (output first to fourth slots) for outputting audio signals of normal output physical channels, and a plurality of audio signals are output as a plurality of cascade output physical channels corresponding to the respective cascade output logical channels. An equalizing process is performed on an audio signal supplied from one or a plurality of arbitrary mixing buses of the cascade output terminal (82b) and the mixing bus (110), and the result of each equalizing process is converted into the normal output physical Audio signals of multiple normal output logic channels corresponding to each channel An output for outputting the signal processing means (118), a plurality of output models identify the other apparatus connected the plurality of normal output terminals (output first to fourth slot) or through said cascade output terminal (82b) Corresponding to the information (model A, model B, MIXER32BUS, MIXER16BUS), storage means (FIG. 5) for storing information defining a selectable output mode from among a plurality of output modes, and the plurality of output model information An output mode setting means (208) for selecting any one of the plurality of output modes defined so as to be selectable in accordance with the selected output model information, and the output mode setting means if the first type of output mode ( "cascade" mode) is selected in (208), each corresponding to said plurality of normal output physical channels That while normally assigned to each corresponding cascade output logical channels the plurality of cascaded output physical channel assigns to the output logical channel, the second type of output modes (other modes) is selected in the output mode setting means (208) The normal output physical channel selected according to the second type output mode is assigned to the cascade output logic channel selected according to the second type output mode, and the selected cascade output logic is selected. Allocation means (122) for switching the normal output physical channel and the cascade output physical channel by allocating the cascade output physical channel corresponding to the channel to the normal output logical channel corresponding to the selected normal output physical channel. )When, Cascade audio signal supply means for supplying audio signals from the plurality of mixing buses (110) to the cascade output logical channel corresponding to each mixing bus (from the mixing bus group 110 to the output logical channel setting unit 122 in FIG. 3). Connection).

Thus, according to the present invention, when the first type of input / output mode is selected, a plurality of normal input / output physical channels are assigned to the corresponding normal input / output logical channels and a plurality of cascade input / output physical channels are assigned. Are assigned to the corresponding cascaded I / O logical channel, and when the second type of I / O mode is selected, the selected normal I / O physical channel is assigned to the selected cascaded I / O logical channel and these are selected. By assigning the cascade I / O physical channel corresponding to the selected cascade I / O logical channel to the normal I / O logical channel corresponding to the selected normal I / O physical channel, the normal I / O physical channel and the cascade I / O physical channel Replace several different types With terminal, can input and output flexible cascade signal.

1． Hardware Configuration of Embodiment Next, the hardware configuration of a digital mixer of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the figure, reference numeral 4 denotes an electric fader group, which adjusts the signal level of each input / output channel based on a user operation. Furthermore, the electric fader group 4 is configured such that when an operation command is supplied via the bus line 12, the operation position is automatically set.

  Reference numeral 2 denotes a switch group, which includes various switches and LED keys, and the blinking state of the LED built in the LED key is set via the bus line 12. Reference numeral 6 denotes a rotary knob group, which includes a plurality of rotary knobs for setting the left and right volume balance of each input / output channel. The operation amounts of these rotary knobs are output via the bus line 12. A waveform I / O unit 8 inputs and outputs analog audio signals or digital audio signals. In the present embodiment, various audio signal mixing processing and effect processing are all performed by digital processing. However, the audio signal input from the outside and the audio signal to be output to the outside can be both digital and analog signals. For this reason, the waveform I / O unit 8 performs processing such as conversion between an analog signal and a digital signal and conversion between a plurality of types of digital signals.

  Inside the waveform I / O unit 8, reference numeral 82 denotes a cascade interface unit, which includes a cascade input terminal 82a for inputting a cascade signal from an external mixer and a cascade output terminal 82b for outputting a cascade signal to the external mixer. It has been. These cascade input / output terminals 82a and 82b can input or output "32" channel digital audio signals. The waveform I / O unit 8 is provided with “4” slots for inserting “input cards” and “output cards”, and a maximum of “4” of these cards can be inserted. . Signals other than the cascade signal are input / output via these input / output cards. Here, the input card, the output card, the other input terminal, and the other output terminal have different terminal shapes. In the present embodiment, only the cascade input terminal, the cascade output terminal, the input card, and the output card are illustrated as the input and output terminals in the digital mixer. However, this is for convenience of explanation, and is illustrated in the embodiment. In addition to the terminals, this digital mixer is equipped with multiple other input terminals and other output terminals.

  Reference numerals 84-1 to 84-4 denote “4” input cards, which receive an analog signal or a digital signal from the outside, and convert the received audio signal into a digital signal in an internal format of the digital mixer. The input cards 84-1 to 84-4 are classified into digital audio signals and analog audio signals, and the number of input signals of each card is either “8” or “16” depending on the type. It becomes. Similarly, reference numerals 86-1 to 86-4 denote "4" output cards, which convert the digital signal in the internal format of the digital mixer into an analog signal or another type of digital signal and output it. These output cards also have types for digital audio signals and analog audio signals, and the number of output signals of each card is either “8” or “16” depending on the type.

  Next, reference numeral 10 denotes a signal processing unit, which is constituted by a group of DSPs (digital signal processors). The signal processing unit 10 performs mixing processing and effect processing on the digital audio signal supplied via the waveform I / O unit 8 and outputs the result to the waveform I / O unit 8. A rear display unit 13 is provided in the vicinity of the cascade input / output terminals 82a and 82b on the rear panel of the digital mixer. Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, as an operation mode for inputting a cascade signal, one of “5” types of “input / output modes” shown in the “input / output mode” column of FIG. 5 is selected. Can do. Therefore, the rear display unit 13 is provided with a set of (five) LEDs corresponding to the “input mode” and another set of (five) LEDs corresponding to the “output mode”. In accordance with the currently selected input / output mode of each set of LEDs, one LED is selectively set in a lighting state, and the other LEDs are turned off. As a result, the user can check the input / output mode by looking only at the rear panel when wiring the back of the digital mixer.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a large display, which is constituted by a flat panel display having a resolution of, for example, “1024 × 768”. An input device 15 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and performs a cursor movement on the large display 14 and an on / off operation of buttons displayed on the large display 14. Reference numeral 16 denotes another I / O unit for inputting / outputting time codes and other information to / from various external devices. Reference numeral 18 denotes a CPU which controls each unit via the bus line 12 based on a control program described later. Reference numeral 20 denotes a flash memory, and the control program is stored in a program area inside the flash memory. A RAM 22 is used as a work memory for the CPU 18.

2． Next, the content of the mixing algorithm realized in the signal processing unit 10 and the like will be described with reference to FIGS.
In these figures, the input cards 84-1 to 84-4, the output cards 86-1 to 86-4, the cascade input terminal 82a and the cascade output terminal 82b are determined by the hardware in the waveform I / O unit 8 as described above. Although implemented, the constituent elements other than those described above are implemented by a program that operates in the signal processing unit 10. As described above, a maximum of “32” channels of audio signals are supplied to the cascade input terminal 82a, and an independent “pin” is assigned to each signal. Therefore, a unique channel can be defined by “pin number” for these audio signals. Thus, a channel uniquely determined by the “pin number” is referred to as a “PIN specific cascade input channel”.

  By the way, the audio signal supplied from another mixer via the cascade input terminal 82a is a signal corresponding to various buses (mixing bus group 110, stereo buses 112 and 114, or CUE bus 116) described later. The correspondence between these buses and pin numbers varies depending on the type of digital mixer. Accordingly, when a cascade signal is input to the cascade input terminal 82a from a model different from the digital mixer model (model A) of the present embodiment, the channel number and various buses are set so as to match the correspondence in model A. It is convenient to change the correspondence relationship. Reference numeral 102 denotes a PIN conversion unit. When a mixer supplying a cascade signal to the cascade input terminal 82a is designated, the PIN-specific cascade input channel number is converted as necessary to match the correspondence in the model A. . In this way, the channel whose number is converted as necessary in the PIN conversion unit 102 is referred to as a “cascade input physical channel”.

  The audio signals of a plurality of channels input via the input cards 84-1 to 84-4 are determined by the “slot number” in which the input card is inserted and the “input terminal number” in the input card. A unique input channel can be defined. As described above, an input channel determined by the “slot number” and the “input terminal number” is referred to as a “normal input physical channel”. Since a maximum of “16” channels of audio signals can be input to each input card, a maximum of “64” channels can be secured as normal input physical channels via “4” slots. By the way, in the conventional digital mixer, the audio signal of the normal input physical channel is supplied to the mixing bus group 110 and the like after being subjected to equalizing processing or the like in the input signal processing unit 108 to be described later, and the audio signal of the cascade input physical channel Is supplied to the corresponding bus without being subjected to equalizing processing or the like.

  In contrast, in this embodiment, the audio signal of the normal input physical channel is supplied to the bus as a cascade signal instead of the audio signal of the cascade input physical channel, or the cascade input instead of the audio signal of the normal input physical channel. The audio signal of the physical channel can be supplied to the input signal processing unit 108. Reference numeral 104 denotes an input logical channel setting unit that switches the audio signal paths of the normal input physical channel and the cascade input physical channel as necessary. After this switching is performed, a signal finally supplied to various buses as a cascade signal can define a unique channel corresponding to the supplied bus. This channel is called a “cascade input logic channel”.

  Further, as described above, since the maximum number of normal input physical channels can be secured as “64”, “64” should be actually associated with the maximum number of normal input physical channels in a one-to-one correspondence with the normal equalizing process. A channel can be assumed. These channels are called “normal input logical channels”. The normal input physical channel can secure up to “64” channels, but if an “8” channel input card is inserted in any slot, or if no card is inserted, the normal input physical channel Since there are fewer channels than “64” channels, there is usually “vacancy” in the input logical channel. Further, when the audio signal of any normal input physical channel is used as the audio signal of the cascade input logical channel, the “vacant” space can be created by the number of these channels. In the present embodiment, the audio signal of the cascade input physical channel can be assigned to the normal input logical channel in the “vacant” state as described above.

  Next, the input signal processing unit 108 performs equalizing processing and volume adjustment processing for correcting the frequency characteristics on the “48” channel audio signal based on the operation of the electric fader group 4 and the rotary knob group 6. A channel for specifying an audio signal in such processing is referred to as an “input mixing channel”. Reference numeral 106 denotes an input patch unit which sets a correspondence relationship between a normal input logical channel and an input mixing channel. Reference numeral 110 denotes a mixing bus group, which is composed of “24” monaural mixing buses. Reference numerals 112 and 114 are stereo buses, and 116 is a CUE bus, each of which includes a pair of left and right buses. Therefore, in this embodiment, “30” buses are provided in monaural conversion. Note that if the number of bus systems is “30” and the number of cascade input logical channels is “32”, “2” channels of the cascade input logical channels remain, but this is reserved for future expansion. Is a channel.

  The input signal processing unit 108 can supply the audio signal of each input mixing channel at an arbitrary send level to one or a plurality of arbitrary buses among the “30” buses 110 to 116. On the other hand, the audio signal of the cascade input logical channel can be supplied to only one corresponding bus. Next, in FIG. 3, reference numeral 118 denotes an output signal processing unit, which is provided corresponding to each of these “30” system buses, and an equalizing process of frequency characteristics for an audio signal which is a result of mixing in these buses. Apply processing such as level adjustment. Since the audio signals input / output to / from the output signal processing unit 118 correspond to the “30” buses 110 to 116 respectively, the channel can be determined according to the corresponding bus. This channel is called an “output mixing channel”.

  By the way, similarly to the cascade input terminal 82a described above, the “PIN specific cascade output channel” is determined by the “pin number” of the cascade output terminal 82b for the audio signal output from the cascade output terminal 82b to the other digital mixer. It is done. Here, assuming that the other mixer that receives the cascade signal output from the cascade output terminal 82b is the same model (model A) as the present embodiment, the “pin number” of the cascade output terminal 82b is the other Can be associated with “30” buses 110 to 116 in the mixer. If the other mixer is another model, the relationship between the “pin number” and the “other mixer bus” may be different from that of the model A.

  Here, when it is assumed that “the relationship between the pin number of the other mixer and the bus is the same as that of the model A”, it corresponds to “the bus of the other mixer” (this is the same as the bus of this embodiment). Channels can be defined to The channel thus determined is referred to as a “cascade output physical channel”. Reference numeral 124 denotes a PIN conversion unit, which performs a pin number conversion process on the supplied “cascade output physical channel” audio signal as necessary (to match the pin arrangement of other models). The result is output as an audio signal of the PIN specific cascade output channel. On the other hand, for the audio signals output for cascade connection from the buses 110 to 116 in the mixer of this embodiment, channels corresponding to the “30” buses 110 to 116 can be determined. The channel thus determined is referred to as a “cascade output logic channel”.

  Similarly to the input card, the audio signal of a plurality of channels output from the output cards 86-1 to 86-4 includes the “slot number” in which the output card is inserted and the “output terminal” in the output card. A unique output channel can be defined by "number". Such a channel is called a “normal output physical channel”. Each output card can output a maximum of “16” channels of audio signals, and the waveform I / O unit 8 has “4” slots for output cards, so these normal output physical channels are also at maximum. “64” channels can be secured. Then, it is possible to assume the same number of channels that output various mixing processing results and the like in one-to-one correspondence with the maximum number of normal output physical channels. These channels are called “normal output logic channels”. An output patch unit 120 sets a correspondence relationship between the normal output logic channel and the output mixing channel.

  In this embodiment, the audio signal of the normal output logical channel can be output via the PIN converter 124 and the cascade output terminal 82b as the audio signal of the cascade output physical channel, instead of the cascade output logical channel. As a normal output physical channel audio signal, a cascade output logical channel signal can be output to the output cards 86-1 to 86-4 instead of the normal output logical channel. Reference numeral 122 denotes an output logical channel setting unit which switches the audio signal paths of the normal output logical channel and the cascade output logical channel as necessary.

3． Operation of the embodiment
3.1. Display of Setting Screen Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
When the user performs a predetermined operation, a setup screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the large display 14. In the figure, reference numeral 206 denotes a cascade on / off button that toggles the on / off state of the cascade input / output. Reference numeral 202 denotes a cascade input model selection box, which selects another mixer that inputs a cascade signal to the digital mixer of this embodiment. Reference numeral 210 denotes a cascade output model selection box for selecting another mixer to which the digital mixer of this embodiment outputs a cascade signal. Reference numeral 204 denotes a cascade input mode selection box for selecting a “cascade input mode” for specifying the switching state in the input logical channel setting unit 104. Reference numeral 208 denotes a cascade output mode selection box for selecting a “cascade output mode” that specifies the switching state in the output logical channel setting unit 122. A block diagram display unit 212 displays a block diagram for simply illustrating the flow of signals set according to the cascade input / output mode.

  Next, details of the cascade input / output models and cascade input / output modes that can be selected by the above-described selection boxes will be described with reference to FIG. The “input / output model” column in the figure shows the input / output models that can be selected in the cascade input / output model selection boxes 202 and 210. Here, “model A” is the same model as the digital mixer of this embodiment as described above, and “model B” is a model of another specific digital mixer. “MIXER32BUS” is an unspecified model with the number of cascade input / output channels of “32” or less, and “MIXER16BUS” is an unspecified model with the number of cascade input / output channels of “16” or less.

  In the “input / output mode” column of FIG. 5, input / output modes that can be selected in the cascade input / output mode selection boxes 204 and 208 are listed. Here, the “cascade” mode is an input / output mode in which cascade input / output physical channels are directly assigned to cascade input / output logical channels and normal input / output physical channels are assigned to normal input / output logical channels as they are. In the “SLOT4” mode, the normal input / output physical channel related to the input / output fourth slot is assigned to the cascade input / output logical channel, and the cascade input / output physical channel is assigned to the normal input / output logical channel corresponding to the input / output fourth slot. This is the operation mode assigned to. In the “SLOT3 / 4” mode, normal input / output physical channels related to input / output third and fourth slots are assigned to cascade input / output logical channels, and cascade input / output physical channels are assigned to input / output third and fourth slots. This is an operation mode assigned to the normal input / output logical channel corresponding to.

  In the “SLOT1-4 [CH1-8]” mode, the normal input / output physical channels related to the first to eighth channels of the input / output first to fourth slots are assigned to the cascade input / output logical channels, and cascade input / output is performed. This is an operation mode in which physical channels are assigned to normal input / output logical channels corresponding to the first to eighth channels of the input / output first to fourth slots. In the “SLOT1-4 [CH9-16]” mode, the normal input / output physical channels related to the 9th to 16th channels of the input / output first to fourth slots are assigned to the cascade input / output logical channels, and cascade input / output is performed. This is an operation mode in which physical channels are assigned to normal input / output logical channels corresponding to the ninth to sixteenth channels of the input / output first to fourth slots. In the description of the present embodiment, the term “input / output” is used for convenience, which means “input or output”. The setting states of the input logical channel setting unit 104 and the output logical channel setting unit 122 are independent and do not restrict each other.

  In FIG. 5, the crossing position of each input / output model name and each input / output mode name indicates whether the input / output mode is selectable (◯) or not (×) in the input / output model. . First, referring to “MIXER32BUS”, the “cascade” mode cannot be selected. This is because “MIXER32BUS” does not indicate a specific model, and therefore a signal (or bus) corresponding to each cascade input / output physical channel cannot be specified, and such a signal is directly sent to the buses 110 to 116. This is because it is not appropriate to input / output automatically. In “MIXER32BUS”, the “SLOT4” mode cannot be selected. This is because the maximum number of channels that can be input / output from the “1” slot is “16”, so that all of the “32” channels cannot be assigned. In “MIXER32BUS”, all input / output modes other than these can be selected.

  Next, for “MIXER16BUS”, only the “SLOT4” mode can be selected, and the other modes cannot be selected. Here, the reason why the “cascade” mode cannot be selected is the same as “MIXER32BUS”. The reason why the operation modes other than these cannot be selected is that “MIXER 32BUS” can be used instead. That is, even if the number of cascade input / output channels of the other mixers to be connected is “16” or less, “MIXER 32BUS” can be selected, so that the cascade signal of “16” channels can be assigned to a plurality of input / output slots. Distributed input / output.

  Next, only the “cascade” mode can be selected for “model A”. This does not mean that cascade connection via the input / output slot is impossible when the other mixer to be connected is actually “model A”. In other words, even if the other mixer is actually “model A”, “MIXER 32BUS” can be selected in the cascade input / output model selection boxes 202 and 210, and the cascade via the input / output slot can be selected by such model selection. Connection is possible. When the “model A” is cascade-connected in the “cascade” mode, control signals specific to the “model A” can be input / output between both mixers.

  Next, as for “Model B”, “SLOT3 / 4” mode, “SLOT1-4 [CH1-8]” mode and “SLOT1-4 [CH9-16]” mode can be selected similarly to “MIXER32BUS”. It has become. Further, for the “model B”, the “cascade” mode can also be selected. Since “model B” is a “specific” model different from “model A”, it is already known which bus 110 to 116 each audio signal of the PIN-specific cascade input / output channel actually corresponds to. . Therefore, by converting the pin numbers in the PIN conversion units 102 and 124, it is possible to perform a cascade connection similar to the case where the “model A” is connected.

3.2. Selection of connected model When one of the cascade input / output model selection boxes 202 and 210 is clicked with the mouse, a pop-up window listing the input / output models is displayed below the selection box, and the user can select a new input / output model. Can be selected. Here, when the user changes the input / output model, the input / output model change event routine shown in FIG. 6 is started. In FIG. 6, when the process proceeds to step SP10, the conversion state of the pin numbers in the PIN conversion units 102 and 124 is changed as necessary. “As needed” specifically refers to a case where “model B” is changed to another model in the selection boxes 202 and 210, or another model is changed to “model B”.

  In this embodiment, the correspondence between the buses and pins of model A and model B (the pin number of the cascade input / output terminal and the bus in the mixer, that is, the PIN specific cascade input / output channel is cascaded. Data representing the relationship between the input / output physical channels and the corresponding number) is stored in advance in the digital mixer. The PIN conversion process in step SP10 is performed using the stored data.

  Next, when the process proceeds to step SP12, it is determined whether or not the input / output mode needs to be changed. That is, it is determined whether or not the input / output mode selected before the model change is not selectable in the model after the change. If it is determined “NO” (selectable: ◯), the process proceeds to step SP14, and the display contents of the operated selection boxes 202 and 210 are changed to those corresponding to the new model. On the other hand, if “YES” (selection impossible: x) is determined, the process proceeds to step SP16 to select an input / output mode selectable in the model, and a mode change event routine (FIG. 7) described later. ) Is activated.

3.3. Selection of input / output mode When one of the cascade input / output mode selection boxes 204 and 208 is clicked with the mouse, a pop-up window listing selectable input / output modes is displayed below the selection box, and the user newly selects the input / output mode. Various I / O modes can be selected. Here, when the user changes the input / output mode, a mode change event routine shown in FIG. 7 is started. In addition, the same routine is executed when step SP16 of FIG. 6 described above is executed.

  When the processing proceeds to step SP22 in FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the selected input / output mode is “cascade”. If "YES" is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP24, and in either of the input / output logical channel setting units 104 and 122, the cascade input / output physical channel is assigned to the normal input / output logical channel. It is released and a cascade input / output logical channel is assigned. Next, when the processing proceeds to step SP26, the assignment to the cascade input / output logical channel is canceled and the normal input / output logical channel is assigned to the normal input / output physical channel.

  On the other hand, if the new input / output mode is a mode other than the “cascade” mode, “NO” is determined in step SP22, and the process proceeds to step SP28. Here, the normal input / output logical channel to be assigned to the cascade input / output physical channel is detected according to the selected input / output mode. Next, when the processing proceeds to step SP30, the allocation of the cascade input / output logical channel is canceled with respect to the cascade input / output physical channel in either of the input / output logical channel setting units 104 and 122, and the detected normal input is detected. An output logical channel is assigned. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP32, the normal input / output physical channel corresponding to the detected normal input / output logical channel is assigned to the cascade input / output logical channel. Here, the normal input / output physical channels corresponding to the normal input / output logical channels other than the normal input / output logical channel detected in step SP28 are assigned to the corresponding normal input / output physical channels (having the same number).

  When the process of step SP26 or SP32 is completed, the process proceeds to step SP34, and a new input / output setting state in the input / output logical channel setting units 104 and 122 is stored in a predetermined buffer area in the RAM 22. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP36, the contents of the block diagram display unit 212 are updated according to the newly selected input / output mode. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP38, the display content of the rear display unit 13 is updated according to the newly selected input / output mode. That is, the LED corresponding to the new input / output mode is turned on, and the LEDs corresponding to other modes are turned off.

  Here, the details of the update of the block diagram display unit 212 in step SP36 will be described. In FIG. 4, the block diagram display unit 212 includes an input stage display unit 212a and an output stage display unit 212b. The display example of the block diagram display unit 212 in FIG. 4 is an example when “SLOT4” is selected as the input mode and “SLOT1-4 [CH9-16]” is selected as the output mode. “SLOT4”, “CASCADE IN” and “SLOT1-3” in the left part of the input stage display unit 212a respectively represent “input physical channels”, and “CASCADE IN” and “SLOT IN” in the right part represent “input logical channels”. ". And the correspondence of both is shown by the arrow which connects a left part and a right part.

  Here, when “cascade” is selected as the input mode, the display content of the input stage display section 212a is as shown in FIG. Thus, it can be seen that the cascade input physical channel corresponds to the cascade input logical channel, and the normal input physical channel corresponds to the normal input logical channel. The display contents of the input stage display unit 212a when the “SLOT3 / 4” mode, the “SLOT1-4 [CH1-8]” mode, and the “SLOT1-4 [CH9-16]” mode are selected as the input modes. Are shown in FIGS. 8B, 8C, and 8D, respectively.

  Also, the display content of the output stage display unit 212b is set in the same manner as the input stage display unit 212a. That is, in the example of FIG. 4, “SLOT1-4” and “CASCADE OUT” in the right part of the output stage display unit 212b represent “output physical channels”, respectively, and “CASCADE OUT” and “SLOT in the left part. “OUT” represents an “output logic channel”. And the correspondence of both is shown by the arrow which connects a left part and a right part. Here, when “cascade” is selected as the output mode, the display content of the output stage display unit 212b is as shown in FIG. Accordingly, it can be seen that the cascade output physical channel corresponds to the cascade output logical channel, and the normal output physical channel corresponds to the normal output logical channel. When another output mode is selected, the assignment state of the output physical channel and the output logical channel is displayed in the same manner as in FIGS. 8B, 8C, and 8D on the input side. .

  In the block diagram display unit 212, an image representing the appearance of the input / output terminals related to the input / output physical channel is displayed adjacent to the block corresponding to each input / output physical channel. Referring again to FIG. 4, reference numerals 214 and 218 denote input slot images, which are displayed adjacent to blocks corresponding to “input fourth slot” and “input first to third slots”, respectively. Reference numeral 216 denotes a cascade input terminal image, which is displayed adjacent to the “CASCADE IN” block. Similarly, in the output stage display unit 212b, the cascade output terminal image 220 is displayed adjacent to the “CASCADE OUT” block, and the output slot image 222 is displayed adjacent to the “output first to fourth slots” block. The Thus, by displaying an image representing the appearance of the input / output terminals, the user can grasp the functions of each input / output terminal at a glance and prevent problems such as wiring mistakes. .

3.4. Specific Example of Connection Processing Next, specific examples of the connection relationship between the PIN conversion unit 102 and the input logical channel setting unit 104 in accordance with the input side connection destination model and input mode are shown in FIGS. First, FIG. 9 shows the connection relationship when “model B” is selected as the input model and “cascade” is selected as the input mode. When “model B” is selected as the input model, the PIN conversion unit 102 performs a pin number replacement process. In the case of a cascade input physical channel, the pin arrangement (channel number) after replacement is “model A”. It is set to be the same. The cascade input physical channel and the cascade input logical channel are associated with each other on a one-to-one basis, and the normal input physical channel and the normal input logical channel are associated on a one-to-one basis.

  Next, FIG. 10 shows the connection relationship when “model B” is selected as the input model and “SLOT1-4 [CH1-8]” is selected as the input mode. In FIG. 10, the PIN conversion unit 102 performs pin number replacement processing as in the case of FIG. 9, and the input logical channel setting unit 104 displays the first to fourth cascade input physical channels after the replacement processing. Corresponding to the normal input logical channels corresponding to the first to eighth channels of the slot. The normal input physical channels corresponding to the first to eighth channels of the first to fourth slots are associated with the first to thirty-second channels of the cascade input logical channel.

  Next, FIG. 11 shows a connection relationship when “MIXER32BUS” is selected as the input model and “SLOT3 / 4” is selected as the input mode. 11 to 13, the PIN conversion unit 102 is omitted because the PIN conversion unit 102 does not change the pin number. In FIG. 10, the first to thirty-two channels of the cascade input physical channel are attached to the normal input logical channels corresponding to the first to sixteenth channels of the third and fourth slots, and the third and fourth slots are respectively connected to the normal input logical channels. The normal input physical channels 1 to 16 are associated with the first to thirty-second channels of the cascade input logical channel. For the first and second slots, each normal input physical channel is directly associated with the normal input logical channel.

  Next, FIG. 12 shows the connection relationship when “MIXER32BUS” is selected as the input model and “SLOT1-4 [CH1-8]” is selected as the input mode. In the figure, the first to thirty-two channels of the cascade input physical channel are attached to the normal input logical channels corresponding to the first to eighth channels of the first to fourth slots, and the first to eighth slots of the first to fourth slots. The normal input physical channel related to the channel is associated with the first to thirty-second channels of the cascade input logical channel. The normal input physical channels associated with the 9th to 16th channels of the first to fourth slots are directly associated with the normal input logical channels.

Next, FIG. 13 shows the connection relationship when “MIXER16BUS” is selected as the input model and “SLOT4” is selected as the input mode. In the figure, the first to sixteenth channels of the cascade input physical channels are attached to the normal input logical channels corresponding to the first to sixteenth channels of the fourth slot, and the normal input physicals related to the first to sixteenth channels of the fourth slot. The channels are associated with the first to sixteenth channels of the cascade input logic channel. Note that the 17th to 32nd channels of the cascade input logical channel are in the “vacant” state. Each normal input physical channel in the first to third slots is directly associated with the normal input logical channel.
The example of the connection relationship between the PIN conversion unit 102 and the input logical channel setting unit 104 on the input side has been described above. However, the output type PIN output unit 124 and the output logical channel setting unit 122 also have different output models and output modes. Accordingly, the connection relationship is set in the same manner.

3.5. Display of Input / Output Patch Setting Screen When the user performs a predetermined operation to set the input patch unit 106 or the output patch unit 120, the input patch setting screen shown in FIG. 14 or the output patch setting screen shown in FIG. 15 becomes large. Displayed on the display 14. Here, the contents of these screens will be described. First, 302 is an input category display field on the input patch setting screen (FIG. 14), and displays the type (category) of means for supplying the audio signal of the normal input logical channel to the input patch unit 106. For example, the portion displayed as “SLOT” here corresponds to one of the first to fourth slots. An ID number display unit 304 displays the ID number of the audio signal supply unit belonging to the category. For example, ID numbers “1” to “4” are assigned to the first to fourth slots, respectively.

  A channel number display unit 306 displays the channel number of the normal input logical channel in the input means specified by the “category” and “ID number”. Reference numeral 308 denotes an assignment status display section, which displays “1” when the normal input logical channel is assigned to any input mixing channel, and “0” if it is not assigned to any input mixing channel. Is displayed.

  Reference numeral 320 denotes a channel name display section which displays a “channel name” assigned to each input mixing channel. Reference numeral 318 denotes a channel name change button that displays the “channel number” of each input mixing channel and, when clicked with the mouse, displays a pop-up window for changing the “channel name”. Reference numeral 316 denotes an assignment status display section, which displays “1” in a state where the corresponding input mixing channel is assigned to any normal input logical channel, and “No” is assigned to any normal input logical channel. “0” is displayed.

  A grid display unit 310 displays a matrix-like grid with a vertical axis corresponding to the input mixing channel and a horizontal axis corresponding to the normal input logical channel. In this grid, a portion where “●” is displayed indicates that the normal input logical channel on the horizontal axis is assigned to the input mixing channel on the vertical axis. Here, when the user clicks one of the grids with the mouse and presses the “Enter key” on the keyboard, the assignment is performed so that the normal input logical channel is assigned to the grid for the input mixing channel corresponding to the grid. The state is changed. Reference numerals 312 and 314 denote scroll bars, which scroll the grid display unit 310 in the vertical and horizontal directions.

  Next, in the output patch setting screen (FIG. 15), 352 is an output category display field, 354 is an ID number display section, 356 is a channel number display section, 358 is an allocation status display section, and the input patch setting screen (FIG. 14). The information related to the normal output logical channel is displayed in the same manner as the constituent elements 302 to 308 of FIG. Reference numeral 370 denotes a channel name display unit, and 366 denotes an allocation status display unit. The channel name display unit 320 and the allocation status display unit 316 display information related to the normal output logical channel. However, since the channel name of the normal output logical channel is fixed, the channel name change button 318 is not provided. Reference numeral 360 denotes a grid display unit that displays an assignment state of the normal output logical channel to the output mixing channel. Reference numerals 362 and 364 denote scroll bars that scroll the grid display unit 360 in the vertical and horizontal directions.

  Next, the contents of processing executed when the input patch setting screen (FIG. 14) or the output patch setting screen (FIG. 15) is displayed will be described. First, when the user performs an operation to display any of these screens, an input / output patch setting screen request event routine shown in FIG. 16 is started. In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP50, one of the requested input / output patch setting screens (FIGS. 14 and 15) is displayed on the large display 14. At that time, the grid display units 310 and 360 are displayed in the first display mode (for example, the background color is light blue).

  Next, when the process proceeds to step SP52, the input / output setting state (see SP34 in FIG. 7) stored in the buffer area in the RAM 22 is read. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP54, it is determined whether or not the input / output mode is “cascade”. If "NO" is determined here, the process proceeds to step SP56 to search for the normal input / output logical channel assigned to the cascade input / output physical channel. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP58, the display mode of the portion corresponding to the detected normal input / output logical channel is changed to the second display mode in the grid display units 310 and 360.

  For example, the second display mode may be “display the background in yellow”. However, in FIG. 14, this second display mode is displayed by “hatching”. According to the illustrated example, since the 9th to 16th channels of the input first slot are set to the second display mode, the user actually supplies the audio signal of the normal input logical channel from the cascade input terminal 82a. It is possible to grasp at a glance that the signal is being transmitted.

  Next, when the process proceeds to step SP60, the display mode of the portion corresponding to the normal input / output logical channel in the “vacant” state is changed to the third display mode. For example, the third display mode may be “display the background in gray”. However, in FIG. 15, this third display mode is displayed as “mesh”. According to the illustrated example, since the 9th to 16th channels of the output first slot are set to the third display mode, the user cannot actually output an audio signal from the normal output logical channel. Can be grasped.

Four. Modifications The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made as follows, for example.
(1) In the above embodiment, the audio signal of the normal input / output physical channel is input / output via the “slot” and the “input / output card”. Needless to say, the present invention may also be applied to a mixer that inputs and outputs audio signals through the mixer.

(2) In the input / output logical channel setting units 104 and 122 of the above-described embodiment, the path is switched for a plurality of input / output channels within a certain range, but for each audio signal for each “1” channel. The route may be switched freely.

(3) In the above embodiment, the “model” candidates displayed in the selection boxes 202 and 210 have the same contents for both “input” and “output”, and are displayed in the selection boxes 204 and 208. The candidates of “mode” to be used have the same contents in both “input” and “output”. However, there is no need to align “model” or “mode” between “input” and “output”, and it is possible to select “model” or “mode” that applies only to either “input” or “output”. You may do it.

(4) In the above embodiment, the input / output mode can be arbitrarily selected within the range shown in FIG. 5 regardless of the presence / absence and type of the input / output card actually inserted in the input / output slot. However, the input / output mode candidates that can be selected by the user may be changed according to the presence / absence and type of the input / output card actually inserted.

(5) In the above embodiment, one system of audio signals is input / output from one of the pins provided in the cascade input / output terminal and the slot terminal. Audio signals of a plurality of systems may be input / output via these pins. Regardless of how the audio signal communicated by the pin is assigned to the pin, for the cascade input / output terminal, through which pin each audio signal of the PIN specific cascade input / output channel is communicated It is sufficient to store the data representing the definition in the digital mixer of this embodiment so that it can be recognized.

(6) 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, or distributed. It can also be distributed through.

It is a hardware block diagram of the digital mixer of one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram of the algorithm of the digital mixer of one Example. It is a block diagram of the algorithm of the digital mixer of one Example. It is a figure which shows the setup screen displayed on the large sized display. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of a cascade input / output model and cascade input / output mode. It is a flowchart of an input / output model change event routine. It is a flowchart of a mode change event routine. It is a figure which shows the change content of the setup screen according to an input / output mode. It is a figure which shows the connection relation in the "cascade" mode of the model B. It is a figure which shows the connection relation in "SLOT1-4 [CH1-8]" mode of the model B. FIG. It is a figure which shows the connection relation in "SLOT3 / 4" mode of MIXER32BUS. It is a figure which shows the connection relation in "SLOT1-4 [CH1-8]" mode of MIXER32BUS. It is a figure which shows the connection relation in "SLOT4" mode of MIXER16BUS. It is a figure which shows the input patch setting screen displayed on the large indicator. It is a figure which shows the output patch setting screen displayed on the large display. It is a flowchart of an input / output patch setting screen request event routine.

Explanation of symbols

  2: switch group, 4: electric fader group, 6: rotary knob group, 8: waveform I / O unit, 10: signal processing unit, 12: bus line, 13: rear display unit, 14: large display, 15: Input device 16: Other I / O section 18: CPU 20: Flash memory 22: RAM 82: Cascade interface section 82a: Cascade input terminal 82a, 82b: Cascade input / output terminal 82b: Cascade output terminal 84-1 to 84-4: input card, 86-1 to 86-4: output card, 102, 124: PIN conversion unit, 104: input logical channel setting unit, 106: input patch unit, 108: input signal processing 110: mixing bus group, 112, 114: stereo bus, 116: CUE bus, 118: output signal processing unit, 120: output patch unit, 122: 202: Cascade input model selection box, 204: Cascade input mode selection box, 206: Cascade on / off button, 208: Cascade output mode selection box, 210: Cascade output model selection box, 212: Block diagram display , 212a: input stage display section, 212b: output stage display section, 214, 218: input slot image, 216: cascade input terminal image, 220: cascade output terminal image, 222: output slot image, 302: input category display field 304: ID number display section, 306: Channel number display section, 308: Assignment status display section, 316: Assignment status display section, 318: Channel name change button, 320: Channel name display section, 352: Output category display section, 370: Channel name display , 310, 360: Grid display unit, 312 and 314: scrollbars, 362 and 364: the scroll bar.

Claims (2)

A plurality of mixing buses that perform audio signal mixing processing and can input audio signals via corresponding cascade input logic channels;
A plurality of normal input terminals for inputting audio signals of a plurality of normal input physical channels;
A cascade input terminal for inputting a plurality of audio signals as a plurality of cascade input physical channels corresponding to each of the cascade input logical channels;
Equalizing processing is performed on audio signals supplied through a plurality of normal input logical channels corresponding to the normal input physical channels, and the result of the equalizing processing of each audio signal is one or more of the mixing buses. Input signal processing means for outputting to an arbitrary mixing bus;
Corresponding to a plurality of input model information for identifying other devices connected via the plurality of normal input terminals or the cascade input terminals, information specifying a selectable input mode among a plurality of input modes is stored. Storage means for
An input mode setting means for selecting any one of the plurality of input model information and selecting any one of the plurality of input modes defined to be selectable corresponding to the selected input model information;
When the first input mode is selected in the input mode setting means, the plurality of normal input physical channels are assigned to the corresponding normal input logical channels, and the cascade input physical channels are respectively assigned to the corresponding cascade inputs. On the other hand, when the second type input mode is selected by the input mode setting means while assigning to the logical channel, a plurality of normal input physical channels selected in accordance with the second type input mode are assigned to the second type input mode . The normal input corresponding to the selected normal input physical channel is assigned to the plurality of cascade input logical channels selected according to the input mode, and the cascade input physical channel corresponding to the selected cascade input logical channel is assigned to the normal input physical channel. By assigning it to a logical channel And assigning means for replacing the said cascade input physical channels and the normal input physical channels,
Cascade audio signal supply means for supplying audio signals supplied from the plurality of cascade input logic channels to the mixing bus corresponding to each of the cascade input logic channels;
The mixer characterized by having. A plurality of mixing buses that perform audio signal mixing processing and can output audio signals via corresponding cascade output logic channels;
A plurality of normal output terminals for outputting audio signals of a plurality of normal output physical channels;
A cascade output terminal for outputting a plurality of audio signals as a plurality of cascade output physical channels corresponding to each of the cascade output logical channels;
Equalizing processing is performed on an audio signal supplied from one or a plurality of arbitrary mixing buses among the mixing buses, and the result of each equalizing processing is sent to a plurality of normal output logical channels respectively corresponding to the normal output physical channels. Output signal processing means for outputting as an audio signal;
Stores information defining output modes that can be selected from a plurality of output modes in correspondence with a plurality of output model information identifying other devices connected via the plurality of normal output terminals or the cascade output terminals. Storage means for
Output mode setting means for selecting any one of the plurality of output model information, and selecting any one of the plurality of output modes defined so as to be selectable corresponding to the selected output model information;
When the first output mode is selected by the output mode setting means, the plurality of normal output physical channels are assigned to the corresponding normal output logical channels, and the cascade output physical channels are respectively assigned to the corresponding cascade outputs. When the second type output mode is selected by the output mode setting means while being assigned to the logical channel, the normal output physical channel selected according to the second type output mode is assigned to the second type output mode. And assigning the cascade output physical channel corresponding to the selected cascade output logical channel to the normal output logical channel corresponding to the selected normal output physical channel. By the normal And assigning means for replacing the the force physical channel and the cascade output physical channels,
Cascade audio signal supply means for supplying an audio signal from the plurality of mixing buses to the cascade output logic channel corresponding to each mixing bus;
The mixer characterized by having.

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