JP5322031B2 - Digital mixer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention has a function of assigning a signal processing channel (ch) to an operator provided on an external panel and setting / changing parameters of one or more assigned channels by operating one operator. It is related with the provided digital mixer.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a digital mixer having a physical operation unit such as a fader or a switch on an external panel (mixing console) is known. There are two types of digital mixers: a console operated by the user and a mixer engine that performs mixing processing of input signals, which are configured as separate devices and connected by a cable, and those in which these are integrated. . In any form, space saving of the console is desired in order to reduce the installation area. For this purpose, it is necessary to reduce the number of operators on the console. On the other hand, in recent years, the number of processing channels in a digital mixer has increased, and it is important how to express a large number of channels with a small number of operators. In particular, a compact, easy-to-use expression is desired without waste.

  Non-Patent Document 1 below discloses a digital mixer that includes a plurality of channel strips having faders, level meters, and various buttons and other operation elements, and that can be operated by assigning an input channel to each channel strip. Yes. One method of assigning input channels to channel strips is to switch layers (page 45 of Non-Patent Document 1). For example, 48 channels of input channels are divided into a first layer of input channels 1 to 24 and a second layer of input channels 25 to 48, and the layers are switched by a predetermined switch, and the input channels 1 to 24 are input to 24 channel strips. Alternatively, the input channels 25 to 48 are assigned. In this case, even if the layer is switched, one channel is allocated to one channel strip. There is also a fader assign function for assigning an arbitrary input channel to eight predetermined faders (page 212 of Non-Patent Document 1). Also in this case, one channel is assigned to one fader.

DIGITAL MIXING CONSOLE PM5D / PM5D-RH V2, DIGITAL MIXING SYSTEM DSP5D, instruction manual, 2004, Yamaha Corporation

  In the above-described conventional technology, when the control target of one ch strip is to be switched, the above-described layer switching is required. Therefore, there is an inconvenience that the allocated channel is changed even for the channel strip for which the control target is not to be switched by switching the layer.

  From the above points, there is a problem that the degree of freedom in assigning channels to the channel strip is low.

  An object of the present invention is to improve the degree of freedom in assigning channels to ch strips in a digital mixer that performs signal processing with a plurality of channels.

In order to achieve this object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the digital mixer for mixing a plurality of audio signals, a plurality of signal processing channels for signal processing one audio signal based on various parameters, a switching operator, and A plurality of channel strips to be controlled by one signal processing channel, and allocating means for simultaneously allocating two or more signal processing channels to one channel strip. Further, when a switching operator of the certain channel strip is operated, the signal processing channel controlled by the certain channel strip is switched to another signal processing channel different from the current one. The other signal processing channel is one of the two or more signal processing channels assigned to the certain channel strip. Further, when an adjustment operator of the certain channel strip is operated, the parameter value of one signal processing channel controlled by the certain channel strip is changed based on the operation. Further, it further comprises a defining means for defining one channel definition for identifying the signal processing channel to be linked to each signal processing channel, and the assigning means includes the channel strip and the certain channel strip. Channel strip selection means for selecting one channel strip, signal processing channel selection means for selecting a plurality of signal processing channels as candidates for the two or more signal processing channels from the plurality of signal processing channels, and the candidates Based on the channel definition of each signal processing channel, the signal processing channels that are linked to each other are extracted from the selected signal processing channels, and the extracted signal processing channels are defined as the two or more signal processing channels. And further extracting means Characterized in that it obtain.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the digital mixer according to the first aspect, each of the plurality of channel strips includes a display unit, and the channel strip is controlled by the display unit of each channel strip. characterized in that it comprises a display control means to control so as to perform display related parameters of the signal processing channels.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the freedom degree at the time of assigning the channel to a channel strip can be improved in the digital mixer which performs signal processing by a plurality of channels. In particular, the signal processing channel controlled by one channel strip can be switched among the signal processing channels assigned to the channel strip by the operation of the switching operator. The channel to be displayed on the display portion of the channel strip can be easily switched. Therefore, the user can refer to various information of the control target ch and easily change the parameters of the control target ch in one ch strip while operating the control operator. Changes can be made.

1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a digital mixer according to an embodiment Block diagram showing the functional configuration of the digital mixer Appearance (part) of external panel of digital mixer External view of the layer switch on the external panel The figure which shows the example of the combination of ch definition Ch definition process flowchart Flow chart of custom layer creation processing (Example 1) Flow chart of custom layer creation processing (Example 2) Flow chart of layer switch pressing process Flowchart of operation processing of the channel strip adjustment operator Flowchart of operation processing of channel strip switching operator

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a digital mixer according to an embodiment of the present invention. A central processing unit (CPU) 101 is a processing device that controls the operation of the entire mixer. The flash memory 102 is a non-volatile memory that stores various programs executed by the CPU 101 and various data. A random access memory (RAM) 103 is a volatile memory used for a load area and a work area of a program executed by the CPU 101. The display device 104 is a display for displaying various information provided on the operation panel of the mixer. The electric fader 105 is a level setting operator provided on the operation panel. The operation element 106 is a variety of operation elements (other than the electric fader) provided on the operation panel and operated by the user. A waveform input / output interface (I / O) 107 is an interface for exchanging waveform signals with an external device. The signal processing unit (DSP) 108 executes various microprograms based on instructions from the CPU 101 to perform mixing processing, effect applying processing, volume level control processing, and the like of the waveform signal input via the waveform I / O 107. The processed waveform signal is output via the waveform I / O 107. The recorder 109 records the musical tone signal input from the DSP 108 and reproduces the recorded musical tone signal. The other I / O 110 is an interface for connecting other devices. The bus 111 is a bus line that connects these parts, and is a generic term for a control bus, a data bus, and an address bus.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the digital mixer of FIG. Reference numeral 201 denotes an input obtained by converting an analog sound signal input from a microphone or the like into a digital signal. Reference numeral 202 denotes an input of a digital acoustic signal. Each of these inputs can be provided in a plurality (the number of which has an upper limit according to the apparatus configuration). The input patch 203 performs arbitrary connection from the input line described above to the input channel (ch) 204. The connection setting can be arbitrarily performed by the user while viewing a predetermined screen. The input channel 204 is single and 96 channels are provided. The signal of each input channel 204 can be selectively output to the 16 MIX buses 205, and the transmission level can be set independently. Each input channel performs signal processing of the audio signal based on the set parameters.

  Each of the 16 buses of the MIX bus 205 mixes signals input from the input channel 204. The mixed signal is output to output channels 206 (1 to 16 channels) corresponding to the MIX bus. The MIX bus 205 and the output channel 206 have a one-to-one correspondence with each channel. Each output channel performs signal processing of an audio signal based on the set parameters. The output of the output channel 206 is input to the output patch 207. The output patch 207 performs arbitrary connection from the output channel 206 to the analog output 208 or the digital output 209. The connection setting can be arbitrarily performed by the user while viewing a predetermined screen.

  The input units 201 and 202 and the output units 208 and 209 are realized by the waveform I / O 107 in FIG. The other parts 203 to 207 are realized by the DSP 108 executing a predetermined microprogram. The microprogram is set by the CPU 101 sent to the DSP 108. The coefficient data used when the DSP 108 executes the microprogram is also sent from the CPU 101 to the DSP 108 and set.

  FIG. 3 shows the appearance (part) of the external panel of the digital mixer of this embodiment. Reference numerals 301 and 302 denote displays (104 in FIG. 1) that display various types of information. Ch strip portions (105 and 106 in FIG. 1) are provided below the displays 301 and 302, respectively. The left channel strip portion is composed of eight channel strips 303-1 to 303-8, and the right channel strip portion is composed of eight channel strips 304-1 to 304-8. One channel strip, for example, 303-1 includes rotary encoders 311, 312, ON switch 313, SEL switch 314, CUE switch 316, display unit 317, and electric fader 318. The rotary encoder 311 is an operator whose function is switched according to the content displayed on the upper screen 301. The rotary encoder 312 is a rotary encoder for adjusting various parameters, and includes an LED serving as a level meter on the outside thereof. The ON switch 313 is a switch for turning on / off a channel to which the channel strip 303-1 is assigned. The SEL switch 314 is a switch used when selecting a channel assigned to the channel strip 303-1. The electric fader 318 is a fader for adjusting the volume level (signal level) of the assigned channel. The knob of the electric fader 318 can be positioned at an arbitrary position based on an instruction from the CPU 101.

  The RAM 103 in FIG. 1 is provided with a current memory. The current memory records the current values of various parameters (including the parameters of each signal processing channel) in this digital mixer. Among the parameters on the current memory, the current values of parameters related to signal processing in the DSP 108 are also set as coefficient data in the DSP 108, and the DSP 108 controls various signal processing (mixing) based on these current values. ing. The current parameter value in the current memory can be changed using an electric fader or other operation element. That is, when the operator of each channel strip in FIG. 3 is operated, the current value in the current memory of the parameter corresponding to the operator is rewritten according to the operation content, and the new current value after the rewrite is obtained. It is set in the DSP 108 and is reflected in signal processing in the DSP 108.

  In FIG. 3, one or more channels can be assigned to one channel strip (for example, 303-1). Conditions and methods for assigning channels to each channel strip will be described later. A ch assigned to a certain ch strip is a candidate for selecting a control target channel in the ch strip (in this specification, assigning a ch to a ch strip sets the ch as a candidate for a ch strip control target. Means to do). In one channel strip, one signal processing channel is set as a control target channel among the channels assigned to the channel strip. The control target ch is a ch to be controlled by an operator in the ch strip. That is, the current value of the parameter of one signal processing channel set as the control target channel can be changed using an operator (adjustment operator described later) included in the channel strip. The channel strip display section 317 displays information related to the parameters of the control target channel. Further, the knob of the ch strip electric fader 318 is positioned at a position corresponding to the current level value of the control target ch. In addition, in the present embodiment, when the parameter current value of the control target channel is changed by the operation of the operation element included in the ch strip, if there is another ch that is in the group relationship with the control target ch, the other The current value of the ch parameter is also changed in conjunction. The “group relationship” will be described in detail later.

  In the current memory, an allocation information recording area and a control target recording area are provided for each ch strip. The allocation information recording area records allocation information indicating the channels actually allocated to the channel strip at the present time. The control target recording area records control target ch information indicating the ch actually set as the control target ch of the ch strip at the present time.

  FIG. 4 shows the appearance of the layer switch provided on the external panel of the digital mixer of this embodiment. Reference numeral 401 denotes a ch layer switch for assigning 1-16 ch. When the switch 401 is turned on, the ch1 to ch16 of the input channels are controlled in order from the left side with respect to the 16 ch strips 303-1 to 303-8 and 304-1 to 304-8 in FIG. The target channel. The ch layer switches 402 to 406 are also the same, and are the switches having ch17 to ch32, ch33 to ch48, ch49 to ch64, ch65 to ch80, and ch81 to ch96 among the input channels in order.

  Custom layer switches 407 and 408 (hereinafter, referred to as custom layer switches 1 and 2) read the custom layer files 1 and 2, respectively, and assign and control channels to ch strips according to the read custom layer files. This is a switch for initial setting of the target channel. In assignment using a custom layer file, it is possible to assign a plurality of channels to one channel strip.

  In the present embodiment, the custom layer files 1 and 2 are fixedly associated with the custom layer switches 1 and 2, but an arbitrary number of custom layer files are created and the custom layer switch 1 , 2 may be selected respectively.

  Next, setting of the ch definition as a premise for creating a custom layer file will be described. In the digital mixer of this embodiment, 96 input channels for signal processing are divided in advance into 12 blocks for every 8 channels in ascending order of channel numbers. The user can set the channel definition of each channel by displaying the channel definition setting screen by a predetermined operation and designating the block definition for each block on the screen. The set ch definition is stored in the flash memory 102. The block definition includes “normal block”, “stereo block”, “surround 1 block”, and “surround 2 block”. When one block definition is specified for one block, a ch definition based on the block definition is set for each of the eight channels in the block. The channel definition includes “normal channel”, “stereo channel”, and “surround channel”.

  “Normal channel” means a channel that handles a normal audio signal as an input source audio signal. A normal audio signal is a signal that does not form a group and is independent. An input channel set to “normal channel” does not form a group.

  “Stereo ch” means a ch that handles a stereo signal as an input audio signal. A stereo signal is a signal that constitutes a group of a plurality of audio signals having a stereo relationship. The input channel set to the stereo ch is set to either one of stereo ch (L) and stereo ch (R). One stereo channel group is always composed of two input channels, one input channel set to stereo ch (L) and one input channel set to stereo ch (R).

  “Surround ch” means a channel that handles a surround signal as an input source audio signal. The surround signal is a signal that forms a group with a plurality of audio signals having a surround relationship. The input channel set as the surround channel can be any of the six types of surround channel (L), surround channel (R), surround channel (C), surround channel (Ls), surround channel (Rs), and surround channel (LFE). Is set. L, R, C, Ls, Rs, and LFE are 5.1 channel surround front left (L), front right (R), center (C), rear left (Ls), and rear right (Rs). , And each signal of the woofer (LFE) with heavy bass output. One surround channel group always has one input channel set to surround channel (L), one input channel set to surround channel (R), and input channel set to surround channel (C). , One input channel set to surround ch (Ls), one input channel set to surround ch (Rs), and one input ch set to surround ch (LFE), It consists of 6 input channels.

  The “group” in the above-described channel definition represents a group of channels for adjusting parameter values in conjunction with each other. A plurality of groups can be formed among all input channels and output channels, and not all input channels are regarded as one group, and all output channels are not regarded as one group. Any number of groups can be set.

  FIG. 5 shows an example in which a block definition is specified for a block and a ch definition for each channel is set. FIG. 5A shows a case where “normal block” is designated for the ch1 to ch8 blocks. In this case, all ch definitions of ch 1 to ch 8 are set to “normal ch”.

  FIG. 5B shows a case where “stereo block” is designated for the ch1 to ch8 blocks. In this case, the ch definition of each of ch1 to ch8 is set to “stereo ch”. Specifically, two channels are divided in ascending order of channel numbers, and the two channels are paired to have a stereo channel group relationship, and each pair forms one stereo channel group. In addition, it is assumed that a channel having an odd channel number is set as the stereo L side, and a channel having the next even channel number is set as the stereo R side. Here, since the blocks are ch1 to ch8, ch1 and 2 are a stereo LR pair, ch3 and 4 are a stereo LR pair, and so on.

  FIG. 5C shows a case where “surround 1 block” is designated for the ch1 to ch8 blocks. In this case, in the ascending order of the channel numbers, the channel definition of 6 channels from the first channel is set to “surround channel”, and the remaining 2 channels are set to “normal channel”. Six surround channels are assigned to surround L, R, C, Ls, Rs, and LFE in order. The six channels of ch 1 to 6 are grouped as a unit to have a surround channel group relationship, and one surround channel group is formed by these six channels.

  FIG. 5D shows the case where “surround 2 block” is designated for the ch1 to ch8 blocks. In this case, in the ascending order of the channel numbers, the channel definition of 6 channels from the first channel is set as “surround channel”, and the remaining 2 channels are set as “stereo channel”. Six channels of surround channels are assigned to L, R, C, Ls, Rs, and LFE as in the case of “surround 1 block”. The six channels of ch 1 to 6 are grouped as a unit to have a surround channel group relationship, and one surround channel group is formed by these six channels. The two channels of ch7 and ch8 are grouped together to have a stereo ch group relationship, and one stereo ch group is formed by these two channels.

  In FIG. 5, the ch 1 to 8 blocks have been described as examples. However, the ch definitions of all the channels can be set by designating the block definitions in the same manner for the other blocks. The ch definition of each channel is stored in the flash memory 102.

  In this embodiment, since the channel definition is set as described above, if the channel definition of a certain channel is known, the type of signal assigned to the channel and the channel in the relationship between the channel and the group can be known. For example, if the ch definition of a ch is “stereo ch”, (1) if the ch number of the ch is an odd number, the ch is L side and the next ch is paired with the R side, and (2) the ch If the ch number of the ch is an even number, it can be seen that the ch is on the R side and the previous ch is the L side that forms a pair. Also, for example, when the ch definition of a certain channel is “surround ch”, the ch is L, R, C, Ls, Rs, or LFE depending on the number of the ch from the head of the block. You can see if there are any other channels that are related to the group. However, information about other channels that are related to the signal type or group of the channel may be included in the channel definition.

  FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the channel definition process executed by the CPU 101 to set the channel definition for each channel. This process is activated when a user displays a ch definition setting screen for setting a ch definition by a predetermined operation. This is the initial setting of the digital mixer, and channel definitions are always set for all input channels. On the channel definition setting screen, the user can select any one of the 12 blocks by using a switch on the screen, and can select any one of the four block definitions described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 6, in step 601, a block selected by the user is set as a designated block. In step 602, the block definition selected by the user is set as a designated block definition. In step 603, a ch definition is set for 8ch included in the designated block based on the designated block definition. How to define the ch definition based on the designated block definition has been described with reference to FIG. The ch definition for each channel is stored in the flash memory 102. The user performs the processing of FIG. 6 for all blocks, and sets ch definitions for all channels. Thereby, one channel definition is defined for each channel.

  The user sets the channel definition of each channel as described above, and then creates (edits) a custom layer file. There are two types of processing methods when creating a custom layer file. Hereinafter, the first processing method will be described as a first embodiment in FIG. 7, and the second processing method will be described as a second embodiment in FIG. 8. The custom layer file is stored in the flash memory 102.

  When the user performs a predetermined operation to enter the custom layer file creation mode, the custom layer fail creation mode is started, and a custom layer file creation screen (not shown) is displayed. The user edits one custom layer file (here, custom layer file 1 or 2) selected in advance on the custom layer fail creation screen, and applies to each ch strip recorded in the custom layer file. Input channel assignment state can be set (changed). One custom layer file records input channels (a plurality of channels) allocated to each of the 16 channel strips 303-1 to 304-1 and 304-1 to 8. There are two methods for editing this file (a method for changing the assignment state of the input channel to the channel strip), which is Example 1 in FIG. 7 and Example 2 in FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the custom layer creation process (first embodiment). When the user selects one channel strip on the custom layer file creation screen and further selects one input channel to be assigned to the channel strip, the processing in FIG. 7 is started. The user assigns channels in the same manner to all 16 channel strips.

  In FIG. 7, in step 701, one ch strip selected by the user is set as a designated ch strip. In step 702, one input channel selected by the user is set as a designated input channel. In step 703, it is determined whether there is an input channel already assigned to the designated channel strip. This determination is made by referring to the assignment state relating to the current designated channel strip in the custom layer file to be edited, and recording that the input channel has already been assigned to the designated channel strip. This is done by checking whether If there is no assigned input channel (that is, if the designated input channel to be newly assigned is the first assigned channel), in step 708, the designated input channel is assigned to the designated channel strip. The allocation information is written in the custom layer file to be edited, and the process ends. The processing of step 708 is performed as information indicating the allocation state of the current designated ch strip in the custom layer file to be edited so that the current input channel is assigned to the current designated ch strip. The state to which the input channel is assigned is recorded.

  If there is an input channel assigned in step 704 (that is, if the designated input channel to be newly assigned is a channel assigned to the second and subsequent channels), in step 705, the input already assigned. It is determined whether any one of the channels and the designated input channel are in a group relationship. This determination is processing for checking whether two input channels belong to the same group with reference to the channel definition of each input channel. Since the group is determined as shown in FIG. 5 according to the channel definition, it is checked whether the two input channels this time belong to the same group among the groups determined according to the rule of FIG.

  If there is a group relationship in step 706 (if they belong to the same group), in step 707, the designated input channel is added to the already assigned input channel, assigned to the designated channel strip, and the assignment information is edited. Write to the target custom layer file and exit. The processing of step 707 is performed as information indicating the allocation state of the current designated ch strip in the custom layer file to be edited so as to indicate that the current input ch is assigned to the current designated ch strip. The state where the input channel is assigned is additionally recorded. If there is no group relationship in step 706, the process ends without assigning the designated input channel and maintaining (not changing) the assigned state of the input channel related to the designated channel strip currently recorded in the custom layer file. If there is no group relationship in step 706, a method of canceling an already assigned input channel and newly assigning a designated input channel may be employed.

  If the first input channel assigned to a channel strip is a normal channel, any input channel cannot be additionally allocated to the channel strip thereafter.

  According to the processing of FIG. 7, when the channel definition of the first allocated channel is a stereo channel, among the channels specified by the user to be allocated, the first allocated channel and the stereo channel group Only the channels having the relationship of (2) are additionally allocated, and the other channels are not allocated. In addition, when the channel definition of the first allocated channel is a surround channel, only the channels that are in the relationship between the first allocated channel and the surround channel group among the channels specified by the user are allocated. Are additionally allocated, and other channels are not allocated.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the custom layer creation process (second embodiment). On the custom layer file creation screen, the user selects one channel strip, and then selects an arbitrary number of input channels to be assigned to the channel strip (the number of input channels that can be selected is arbitrary, one or a plurality of input channels can be selected). In a plurality of cases, they can be selected at the same time regardless of whether they belong to the same group.) When a predetermined confirmation switch on the custom layer file creation screen is pressed, the processing of FIG. In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the process shown in FIG. 7 is performed every time a channel to be assigned is selected, and the relationship between the groups of the channels is checked. In the second embodiment shown in FIG. The process of FIG. 8 is activated in the selected state. Only one of the first and second embodiments may be adopted, or the method of the first embodiment and the method of the second embodiment may be selectively designated by user designation.

  In FIG. 8, in step 801, the channel strip selected by the user is set as a designated channel strip. In step 802, the number of input channels selected by the user is checked, and in step 803, it is determined whether the number is plural. When the number of selected input channels is one, in step 806, the selected one input channel is set as the designated input channel. Next, in step 807, the one designated input channel is assigned to the designated channel strip, the assignment information is written in the custom layer file to be edited, and the process ends. In the processing of step 807, the current input ch is used as information indicating the allocation state of the current designated ch strip in the custom layer file to be edited so that the designated input ch is assigned to the designated ch strip. It records the assigned state. If any input channel has already been assigned to the designated channel strip of this time, the previous assignment information is deleted, and only the designated input channel to be newly assigned is assigned (that is, as the contents of the custom layer file). , The information indicating the previous allocation state is overwritten with the information indicating the current new allocation state).

  If there are a plurality of selected input channels in step 803, the input channels to be assigned to the designated channel strip are extracted from the selected input channels in step 804. In this extraction method, for example, one reference channel is first extracted from a plurality of selected input channels (the first selected one, the one with the smallest ch number, and the user specified) It is assumed that extraction is performed in accordance with a predetermined rule such as one), and all other input channels having a group relationship with the reference channel are extracted from the selected input channels. That is, the input channels to be extracted are one reference channel among the selected input channels and all other input channels that are in a group relationship with the reference channel among the selected input channels. . The other input channels are only among the selected input channels. Even for other input channels that are in a group relationship with the reference channel, input channels that are not included in the currently selected input channels are input channels that are simultaneously assigned to the current specified channel strip. Is not selected (extracted). The group relationship can be acquired by referring to the above ch definition.

  If the extracted reference channel is a normal channel, or the reference channel is a stereo channel or a surround channel, but only one channel in the group is selected by the user, the one channel is selected. Only the reference channel is extracted (there is no other input channel having a group relationship with the reference channel).

  In step 805, all the extracted input channels are set as designated input channels. In step 807, all of the designated input channels are assigned to designated channel strips, and the assignment information is written in the custom layer file to be edited. ,finish. In the process of step 807, when new allocation information is recorded as information on the designated channel strip, if some information has already been recorded on the designated channel strip, the old information is deleted and new allocation information is recorded. (Overwrite old information with new allocation information). That is, only the new allocation information this time is recorded as the allocation information for the current designated channel strip.

  According to the processing of FIG. 8, since a channel having a group relationship is extracted and allocated from a plurality of channels designated by the user, only a plurality of channels having a stereo channel group or a surround channel group relationship are allocated. Other channels are not assigned.

  7 and 8 is processing for creating allocation information for each channel strip, which is the content of the custom layer file, and writing it to the custom layer file in the flash memory 102. When the allocation information is written in the custom layer file, the channel allocation state of the actual channel strip does not change. In order to reflect the allocation information of the custom layer file in the channel allocation state of the actual channel strip, the process shown in FIG. 9 described later is executed by the user pressing either layer switch 1 or 2, thereby It is necessary to read the allocation information in the custom layer file and expand it in the allocation information recording area of the current memory.

  FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the layer switch pressing process. This process is activated when any one of the layer switches 401 to 408 in FIG. 4 is pressed. In step 901, it is determined whether the pressed switch is the custom layer switch 1 or 2. If not, that is, if any of the ch layer switches 401 to 406 is pressed, in step 906, the 16 strips corresponding to the pressed ch layer switch are sequentially switched to the ch strips 303-1 to 8,304. Assign to -1-8. This allocation information is set in the allocation information recording area of the current memory. After step 906, the process proceeds to step 904.

  If the switch pressed in step 901 is the custom layer switch 1 or 2, the allocation information of the custom layer file (1 or 2) corresponding to the custom layer switch is read in step 902, and read in step 903. Channels are allocated to channel strips according to the allocation information. As a result, candidates for the control target ch are set in each ch strip based on the allocation information read from the custom layer file in the allocation information recording area of the current memory. After step 903, the process proceeds to step 904.

  The process of step 904 will be described. In step 904, first, the number of input channels assigned in step 903 or 906 is confirmed for each channel strip. When the number of input channels assigned to a certain ch strip is one, the assigned input ch is set in the control target recording area of the current memory as the control target ch of that ch strip. When there are a plurality of assigned input channels, one input channel is selected from a plurality of assigned input channels according to a predetermined rule, and the selected one input channel is controlled by the channel strip. The target channel is set in the control target recording area of the current memory. The predetermined rule may be any rule as long as it selects any one of a plurality of input channels. For example, the input channel having the smallest channel number is selected. Specifically, when step 904 is executed after step 906, one input channel is assigned to all the channel strips, and therefore one input channel assigned to all channel strips is assigned to the input channel. Set as the control target channel of the ch strip. When step 904 is executed after step 903, since a channel strip to which one input channel is allocated and a channel strip to which a plurality of input channels are allocated are mixed, the allocated input for each channel strip. The number of channels is confirmed, and for each channel strip, one input channel to be controlled is determined and set. After step 904, the process proceeds to step 905.

  An input channel assigned to a certain ch strip (ch described in the allocation information recording area of the current memory) is only assigned as a candidate to be controlled using the operator of that ch strip. Not all of these assigned channels are actually controlled by the operation of the child. The input channel selected as the control target channel in step 904 is the input channel whose parameter value is actually controlled using the channel strip operator.

  Next, the display update process in step 905 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, each ch strip includes a display unit 317. The display unit 317 is used to display various information about the control target channel of the channel strip. The user can specify what information about the control target channel is displayed. For example, when the display unit 317 is designated to display the current value of a certain parameter, the display unit 317 of all the channel strips displays the current value of the parameter for each control target channel of the own channel strip. Such display control is performed by the CPU 101. In the display update process in step 905, when the control target ch of each ch strip is determined in step 904 and the control target ch has been changed, the information on the control target ch after the change is displayed. This is a process for updating the display content of the display unit 317. Whether the ch layer is designated or the custom layer is designated, since the control target ch of each ch strip is one ch, the display content of the display unit 317 of each ch strip is This is information about the control target channel.

  Further, various information can be displayed in various display modes on the displays 301 and 302 shown in FIG. 3, and information corresponding to each lower channel strip is displayed as one of the display modes. Mode (referred to as “ch strip display mode”). In the channel strip display mode, the boundary between each channel strip on the lower side is extended to the upper display as it is, and the display area of each channel strip is divided on the display, corresponding to each divided vertical display region. Various information of the control target ch of the lower ch strip to be displayed is displayed. For example, when the control target ch of the ch strip 303-1 is ch 1, a vertically long display area is provided on the display 301 so as to be positioned above the ch strip 303-1 with the width of the ch strip 303-1. Various information of ch1 that is the control target ch is displayed in the display area. The display for the other ch strips is the same. The display in the ch strip display mode is the same as the display on the ch strip display unit 317 in that the display related to the control target channel is performed. Therefore, when the display in the channel strip display mode is performed on the displays 301 and 302, the display update processing in step 905 updates the display content in the channel strip display mode.

  Further, in the display update processing in step 905, the knob of the electric fader 318 is positioned at a position corresponding to the current signal level value of the control target ch after the change for all ch strips whose control target ch has been changed. Control. Further, the ON switch 313 and the CUE switch 316 are turned on / off based on the current value of the control target ch after the change, and the LEDs around the rotary encoder 312 are also turned on based on the current value of the control target ch after the change. As a result, the current values of the various parameters of the control target ch after the change are displayed on the ch strip.

  FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of an operation process that is started when an adjustment operator is operated among the operators in the channel strip. Of the controls on the channel strip described with reference to FIG. 3, the controls other than the SEL switch 314 (other than the switching controls) are adjustment controls. Specifically, the operators 311, 312, 313, 316, and 318 in FIG. 3 are adjustment operators.

  First, in step 1001, the control target ch set in the operated ch strip is specified with reference to the control target recording area of the current memory. Next, in step 1002, the parameter value of the specified control target channel is changed based on the operation content of the adjustment operator. Further, in step 1002, with reference to the ch definition of the specified control target ch, another input ch belonging to the same group as the control target ch (other input ch whose parameter value is changed in conjunction with the input ch, specifically In the case of a stereo channel group, there is a channel group in which Lch and Rch are linked. If so, the parameter value of the other input channel is also changed based on the current operation content. If there is no other input channel belonging to the same group as the input channel, nothing is done to the other input channels. Here, with respect to a plurality of input channels set as the same group by the channel definition, parameters are always set for all input channels belonging to the same group regardless of whether or not they are assigned to the same channel strip. The value of is linked and controlled.

  “Interlocked” refers to simultaneously changing parameter values of a plurality of input channels based on one operation. That is, the value of the same type of parameter in a plurality of input channels is changed simultaneously, and the operation amount based on one operation is shared by the plurality of input channels. There are two ways of changing: a method of changing with an absolute value based on an operation amount and a method of changing with a relative value. The method of changing with an absolute value (interlocking with an absolute value) is a method in which a value determined by an operation amount is set as a new current value, and the new current value is overwritten as a current value of all a plurality of input channels. The method of changing with a relative value (linked with a relative value) is to obtain a new current value from both the value determined by the manipulated variable and the current value of the input channel (for example, adding or subtracting two values), and a plurality of input channels. This is a method for obtaining a new current value from the current value of itself and a value determined by an operation amount. Such linked control of parameters is referred to as “linked control”.

  The parameters of the input channel include parameters that are linked (linked parameters) and parameters that are not linked (non-linked parameters). In the present embodiment, in order to simplify the description, it has been described that all parameters that can be controlled by the adjustment operator are linked parameters. When a parameter that can be controlled includes a non-linked parameter, it is checked whether the parameter controlled by the adjustment operator is a linked parameter or a non-linked parameter. If it is a linked parameter, the processing of the embodiment is performed. If there is, in step 1002, only the value of the parameter of the control target ch is changed based on the current operation regardless of the ch definition of the control target ch (regardless of whether or not it belongs to the group). . The main interlocking parameters include EQ, compressor, volume level, channel on / off, and pan. The interlock parameter is a parameter mainly for adjusting the sound characteristics of the audio signal output from the input channel. The main unlinked parameters include head amplifier gain, attenuator, delay, and phase switching. The non-linked parameter is a parameter mainly for adjusting the sound characteristics of the audio signal input to the input channel.

  After step 1002, the process proceeds to step 1003 to perform display update processing. In this process, as described in step 905 in FIG. 9, various display contents on the ch strip are updated based on the current operation contents.

  FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of an operation process that is started when a switching operator among the operators in the channel strip is operated. Of the operators in the channel strip described with reference to FIG. 3, the SEL switch 314 is a switching operator. The SEL switch 314 of each channel strip is a switch that normally performs a channel selection function, but in the present embodiment, each channel switch 314 is shared as a switching operator. Of course, apart from the SEL switch, a switching operation element may be provided for each channel strip. Each time a switch operator of a certain channel strip is operated, the control target channel can be switched within the range of channels assigned to that channel strip. Note that switching of the control target channel is performed independently for each ch strip (without affecting the other ch strips).

  First, in step 1101, the state of the input channel assigned to the ch strip on which the switching operator is operated is checked with reference to the allocation information recording area of the current memory. Next, in step 1102, it is determined whether or not the number of assigned input channels is plural. When the channel layer is designated, one channel is allocated to each channel strip, and a plurality of input channels are not allocated at the same time. When a custom layer is specified, there is a possibility that a plurality of input channels are assigned to one channel strip, so the number of input channels assigned to the channel strip having the switching operator operated this time And branch to YES or NO depending on the number.

  If it is determined in step 1102 that the number of input channels assigned is one, a normal SEL switch process is performed in step 1103 and the process ends. That is, the input channel set as the control target channel of the current ch strip is assigned to the selected channel. In this embodiment, since the SEL switch 314 is shared as a switching operator, step 1103 is performed. However, if the switching operator is installed alone without being shared with the SEL switch 314, nothing is performed. The process ends (therefore, step 1103 is indicated by a dotted line).

  If it is determined in step 1102 that the number of input channels allocated is plural, in step 1104, a new channel to be controlled is selected. In this process, one input channel is selected according to a predetermined rule from a plurality of input channels (candidates of a plurality of control target channels) assigned to the channel strip on which the current SEL switch 314 is operated. It is processing. A plurality of input channels assigned to the channel strip are obtained by referring to the assignment information recording area of the current memory. The input channel selected here is another input channel that is different from the input channel that is currently the control target channel. The predetermined rule may be any method as long as it is a method for selecting another input channel different from the current control target channel from among a plurality of input channels assigned to the channel strip. For example, in the order of the channel numbers of a plurality of input channels, the channel having the next largest channel number of the current control target channel or the channel having the next smallest channel number. Alternatively, the user may determine the order of all the channels in advance and determine the next ch of the current control target ch according to the order.

  In step 1105, the selected input channel is set as a control target channel of the ch strip (written in the control target recording area of the current memory). An input channel that can be set as a control target channel in one ch strip is always one, and a new selected input channel is set as a new control target ch instead of the current control target ch. It is. Thereafter, display update processing is performed in step 1106. In this process, as described in step 905 of FIG. 9, various display contents on the ch strip are updated based on the parameter value of the new control target channel.

  Note that any user interface for selecting ch strips and chs, which are the preconditions for the processing of FIGS. 7 and 8, may be used. For example, 16 ch strips are supported on the custom layer file creation screen. An icon and an icon corresponding to 96 input channels may be displayed, and a channel strip and an input channel to be assigned may be selected from among the icons. In addition, an input channel that has already been assigned to any one of the channel strips may be displayed so that it can be seen that it has been assigned (for example, in a different display mode) or may be set to be unselectable. When a certain input channel is selected, the channel definition on the memory is referred to, all the input channels that are in a group relationship with the selected input channel are specified, and the specified input channel is presented. Also good. An input channel having a group relationship represents an input channel that belongs to the same group and can be assigned to one channel strip. Further, when a certain input channel is selected, the channel definition on the memory is referred to, all the input channels not related to the selected input channel and the group are specified, and the specified input channel is presented, or The selection may be disabled. An input channel that is not related to a group represents an input channel that does not belong to the same group and cannot be assigned to one strip at the same time.

  Below, the modification of the said embodiment is demonstrated.

  [Modification 1] In the above embodiment, when the parameter value of a certain control target channel is changed, the parameter values of all other channels having a group relationship with the control target channel are changed in conjunction with each other (FIG. 10). Step 1002). There is also a method in which the other channels that are linked are not all other channels that are in a group relationship but depend on the contents of assignment by the custom layer. For example, when the parameter value of a certain control target channel is changed, another channel assigned to the same ch strip as the control target channel is extracted, and the parameter value is linked to the extracted other ch. change. That is, even if the channel has a group relationship with the control target channel, the channels that are not assigned to the same channel strip are not linked. In addition, when a custom layer is being used and no other channel is assigned to the same channel strip as the control target channel whose parameter value has been changed (when only the control target channel is assigned), the control target Even if the channel belongs to the group, only the parameter value of the control target channel is changed without linking the parameter values of other channels of the group.

  [Modification 2] In the above embodiment, the case where an input channel is assigned to a channel strip has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to an input channel. As a second modification, a mixing ch, an output ch, or the like may be assigned to the ch strip. When assigning output channels, the types of buses handled by the output channels (mix bus, stereo bus, surround bus) can be grouped in the same manner as in the case of input channels.

  [Modification 3] In the above-described embodiment, 5.1 ch surround has been described as an example. However, as modification 3, the present invention can be applied to surround of other numbers of channels (6.1 ch surround and 7.1 ch surround).

  [Modification 4] In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the ch definition is set in units of blocks has been described. However, as a modification 4, a configuration in which the ch definition is arbitrarily set in units of channels may be used. For example, one input channel is selected, and one channel definition is set for it. Alternatively, when it is desired to configure a stereo channel group or a surround channel group, it is only necessary to select the number of input channels necessary for configuring the group and set the definition of the stereo channel or the surround channel for the group. .

  [Modification 5] In the above embodiment, the group relationship is defined using the normal, stereo, and surround ch definitions, but as modification 5, the group relationship is defined without using such a ch definition. Also good. That is, a plurality of channels arbitrarily selected from all the channels may be allocated to one channel strip, and the plurality of allocated channels may constitute a group relationship.

  [Modification 6] The process of creating or editing the custom layer file in FIGS. 7 and 8 described in the above embodiment is merely rewriting the contents of the custom layer file. Using the written assignment state, the assignment of the input channel to the channel strip on the panel surface is not changed simultaneously with the writing. That is, a method for not reflecting the new assignment state on the ch strip on the panel surface in real time in accordance with the rewriting is described.

  In addition to this method, as a sixth modification, using the newly written assignment state in accordance with the rewriting of the contents of the custom layer file, the assignment of the input channel to the ch strip on the panel surface is changed simultaneously with the writing. (That is, in accordance with rewriting, a new assignment state is reflected in real time on the ch strip on the panel surface).

  In this case, when a custom layer file to be processed is selected as a process before starting the processes in FIGS. 7 and 8, the channel assignment based on the selected custom layer file is assigned to the ch strip on the panel surface. Set to. Specifically, the allocation information read from the custom layer file is written into the allocation information recording area of the current memory.

  In step 708 of FIG. 7, the new assignment state of the designated channel strip and the designated input channel is written to the custom layer file, and the assignment state of the channel strip on the panel surface is changed to the new assignment state ( Change the allocation information of the allocation information recording area of the current memory). Further, the newly assigned input ch is set in the current memory control target recording area as the control target of the ch strip (since there is always one input ch assigned to the ch strip in this step, the one input ch is set as the control target of the ch strip).

  Similarly, in step 707 of FIG. 7, the new assignment state of the designated channel strip and the designated input channel is written to the custom layer file, and the assignment state of the channel strip on the panel surface is changed to the new assignment state ( Change the allocation information of the allocation information recording area of the current memory). Further, the newly assigned input ch is set as the control target recording area of the current memory as the control target of the ch strip (in this case, a plurality of input chs are assigned to the designated ch strip. One newly added input channel is set as a control target of the channel strip). Of course, a method may be used in which a newly assigned input channel is not set as a control target channel, and an input channel that has been set as a control target channel is maintained as the control target channel.

  Similarly, in step 807 of FIG. 8, the new assignment state of the designated channel strip and the designated input channel is written to the custom layer file, and the assignment state of the channel strip on the panel surface is changed to the new assignment state ( Change the allocation information of the allocation information recording area of the current memory). In this case, since the number of input channels assigned to the designated channel strip is always one when passing through step 806, the newly assigned input channel is set as the control target channel of the ch strip, and the control target recording in the current memory. Set to area. Further, since the plurality of input channels are simultaneously assigned to the designated channel strip in the case of passing through step 805, any one of the newly allocated plurality of input channels is controlled by the channel strip. ch is set in the control target recording area of the current memory. Any method may be used to select one input channel as a control target channel (described with reference to FIG. 8).

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Central processing unit (CPU), 102 ... Flash memory, 103 ... Random access memory (RAM), 104 ... Display, 105 ... Electric fader, 106 ... Operator, 107 ... Waveform input / output interface (I / O), 108: Signal processing unit (DSP) 109: Recorder 110: Other I / O 111: Bus line

Claims (2)

In a digital mixer that mixes multiple audio signals,
A plurality of signal processing channels for processing one audio signal based on various parameters;
A plurality of channel strips having a switching operator and an adjusting operator, and controlling one signal processing channel;
Allocating means for simultaneously assigning two or more signal processing channels to one channel strip;
Switching means for switching a signal processing channel controlled by the certain channel strip to another signal processing channel different from the current when a switching operator of the certain channel strip is operated, The other signal processing channel is any one of the two or more signal processing channels assigned to the certain channel strip;
Change means for changing a parameter value of one signal processing channel controlled by the certain channel strip based on the operation when an adjustment operator of the certain channel strip is operated ;
Provision means for defining one channel definition for each signal processing channel for specifying a signal processing channel to be linked ;
The assigning means includes
Channel strip selection means for selecting one channel strip as the certain channel strip from the plurality of channel strips;
Signal processing channel selection means for selecting a plurality of signal processing channels as candidates for the two or more signal processing channels from the plurality of signal processing channels;
Based on the channel definition of each signal processing channel, a signal processing channel linked to each other is extracted from the plurality of signal processing channels selected as the candidates, and the extracted signal processing channels are defined as the two or more signal processing channels. Extraction means for signal processing channels;
A digital mixer further comprising: The digital mixer according to claim 1, wherein
Each of the plurality of channel strips includes a display unit,
Further, the display unit of each channel strip, a digital mixer characterized in that it comprises a display control means to control so as to perform display related parameter of the signal processing channel to which the channel strip is controlled.

Images