JPH0651756A - Rhythm sound generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To generate a rhythm sound which is rich in variation with a small number of data. CONSTITUTION:In setting mode, timbre name data are written in the high-order side of a 1st setting register by operating a timbre selection switch 8 and the pattern number of the rhythm sound is written in the low-order side of the register by operating a pattern number selection switch 8 and displayed 10. Similarly, the contents of 2nd-4th setting registers are specified. Thus, the rhythm sound name and sound generation timing pattern are separately specified and stored in the respective setting registers and then information on a rhythm pattern consisting of two kinds of data in combination is read out at constant intervals of time to generate the rhythm sound. Therefore, necessary rhythm patterns need not be stored independently by rhythm timbres and the storage capacity of a ROM is reducible.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rhythm sound generator for automatically generating a rhythm sound based on a rhythm pattern designated in advance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an automatic accompaniment apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-51198, which automatically generates a rhythm sound. In this device, a plurality of types of rhythm patterns are stored for each rhythm type such as fill-in, normal, and ending, and a desired rhythm pattern is selected for each rhythm type.

[0003]

By the way, in the conventional automatic accompaniment apparatus, a plurality of types of rhythm patterns are stored for each rhythm note name. That is, the rhythm tone name and the pronunciation command are stored per data. Since the CPU reads the pattern data selected for each note name from the ROM at each sounding process timing and performs the sounding process in accordance with the data, when trying to increase the variation of the rhythm pattern, each rhythm sound is reproduced. By name,
The rhythm pattern data is required, a large amount of data needs to be stored in the ROM in advance, and there is a problem that the storage capacity of the ROM becomes very large. On the other hand, if the storage capacity of the ROM is to be suppressed, it becomes difficult to generate rhythm sounds rich in variations.

Therefore, the present invention uses a small amount of data (RO
It is an object of the present invention to provide a rhythm sound generator capable of generating rhythm sounds with more variations by reducing the storage capacity of M).

[0005]

To achieve the above object, the rhythm sound generator according to the present invention comprises a pattern storage means for storing a plurality of generation timing patterns for designating the timing of sounding instruction with the passage of time. , A tone color designating means for designating a plurality of tone colors of rhythm sounds to be generated, and for each tone color designated by the tone color designating means, one of the occurrence timing patterns stored in the pattern storage means is designated. The pattern designation means, the pattern designation information storage means for storing the designation information of the occurrence timing pattern designated by the pattern designation means for each tone color designated by the tone color designation means, and the pattern designation information storage means are stored. A reading means for reading out the occurrence timing pattern designated by the designation information at regular time intervals, and Rhythm sound generation instructing means for instructing the generation of a rhythm sound with a tone color corresponding to the generation timing pattern when the generation timing pattern read out by the sounding means is a timing for instructing sound generation. . In a preferred aspect, the rhythm sound generating device is further provided with rhythm sound generating means, and the rhythm sound generating means generates a rhythm sound instructed by the rhythm sound generation instructing means.

[0006]

In the present invention, the rhythm pattern data is divided into the rhythm note name and the sounding timing pattern and stored separately, and the rhythm pattern information is generated and stored by appropriately combining these two types of data. . Then, this rhythm pattern information is read out at regular intervals to instruct generation of rhythm sounds. Therefore, it is not necessary to independently store a necessary rhythm pattern for each rhythm tone color, and a rhythm tone with a wide variety can be generated with a small amount of data, that is, with a very small storage capacity of the ROM. It will be possible.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of an electronic musical instrument to which the rhythm sound generator according to the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a keyboard-type electronic musical instrument, and a rhythm sound generator is incorporated in this electronic musical instrument 1. The electronic musical instrument 1 includes a keyboard 2 operated by a player.
And a power switch 3, a mode switch 4, an increment switch 5, a start switch 6, a stop switch 7, an up-down type tone color selection switch 8, and an up-down type pattern NO. Selection switch 9 and display unit 1
0 is provided.

The power switch 3 is used to turn on / off the power of the electronic musical instrument 1. Mode switch 4
Is for switching between the performance mode and the setting mode. The performance mode is selected when the electronic musical instrument 1 is played, and the setting mode is selected when setting the tone color and sounding timing of the rhythm sound to be generated. Each time the mode changeover switch 4 is pressed, for example, a type that is switched to a performance mode or a setting mode is used. The increment switch 5 is used by the CPU as described later.
In order to set the four modes of the generated rhythm sound in the setting register in 21, the setting registers from the first to the fourth are sequentially fed to perform the increment operation. The start switch 6 is pressed when the generation of rhythm sound is started, and the stop switch 7 is pressed when the generation of rhythm sound is stopped.

The tone color selection switch 8 is an up switch 8a.
And the down switch 8b for selecting the timbre of the rhythm sound to be generated. In the present embodiment, for example, four rhythm patterns of "basdra,""hi-hat,""tomtom," and "snare" are created. It is selectable. When the up switch 8a is pressed, the tone color to be selected appears in sequence on the screen of the display unit 10. When the desired tone color is released, the displayed tone color is selected when the up switch 8a is released. There is. Similarly, when the down switch 8b is pressed, the tone color to be selected appears on the screen of the display unit 10 in the reverse order of the case of the up switch 8a. The displayed tone is selected. Here, the "bass drum" is a rhythm sound of a tone color corresponding to a percussion instrument (that is, a bass drum) having the largest and lowest tone in the drum set. The "hi-hat" is a rhythm sound of a tone color corresponding to a percussion instrument that is opened and closed by pedal operation by stacking two cymbals on the vertical stand. A "tom tom" is a rhythm sound of a tone color corresponding to a medium-sized drum (abbreviated as "tom" for short). “Snare” is a rhythm sound of a tone color corresponding to a snare drum.

Pattern No. The selection switch 9 is composed of an up switch 9a and a down switch 9b, and sets the rhythm pattern of the rhythm sound to be generated to NO. It is something to choose with. As the rhythm pattern, as shown in FIG. 1, pattern NO. 2, pattern NO. 3, pattern NO. .. are prepared, and it is possible to select a desired one rhythm pattern among them. For example, when the up switch 9a is pressed, the NO.
(For example, [1], [2], ...) Sequentially moves to the up side, appears on the screen of the display unit 10, and when the up switch 9a is released when the desired rhythm pattern is reached, the The displayed rhythm pattern is selected. Similarly, when the down switch 9b is pressed, the NO. Sequentially moves to the down side and appears on the screen of the display unit 10. When the down switch 9b is released when the desired rhythm pattern is displayed, the displayed rhythm pattern is selected. The display unit 10 is composed of, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal screen) and, as shown in FIG. Is displayed. In the figure, the numbers on the left side are classification numbers of four generated rhythm sounds, the center display is the timbre of the rhythm sound, and the right display is the rhythm pattern NO. Is.

Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electronic circuit of the electronic musical instrument 1 incorporating the rhythm sound generator. Figure 2
, 21 is a CPU with a built-in program,
Data from the keyboard 2 and the switch group 22 is input to the CPU 21. The switch group 22 includes the power switch 3, the mode changeover switch 4, the increment switch 5, the start switch 6, the stop switch 7, the tone color selection switch 8 and the pattern NO. The selection switch 9 is a generic term. CPU21 is ROM23
The control necessary for generating musical tones and rhythm sounds is performed in accordance with the program stored in, and necessary information is displayed on the display unit 10. The ROM 23 stores the rhythm pattern NO. Is stored (see FIG. 4). The work RAM 24 functions as a work area of the CPU 21, and stores the contents of each register in the CPU 21. The sound source 25 generates a performance sound and a rhythm sound designated by the CPU 21 and outputs the performance sound and the rhythm sound to the speaker 27 via the amplifier 26, and is composed of, for example, a polyphonic PCM sound source, a DAC, or the like.

FIG. 3 shows the contents of the four setting registers in the CPU 21.
It is also provided in the AM 24 and is transferred from the CPU 21 to the work RAM 24 when the start switch 6 is turned on.
In this case, the rhythm sound name and the designation information of the rhythm pattern of the rhythm sound are stored in the first to fourth setting registers. In this embodiment, four modes can be stored. The four modes are classified by the classification numbers [1] to [4], the tone color of the rhythm sound is stored in the upper side of the setting register, and the rhythm pattern NO. Is stored. The four modes consist of 8-bit data,
For example, the upper 4 bits are the rhythm note name, and the lower 4 bits are the data of the generated rhythm pattern. Of these data, the rhythm tone name is designated in advance by the performer by operating the tone color selection switch 8, and the generated rhythm pattern is the pattern NO. By operating the selection switch 9, each pattern No. shown in FIG. The player specifies in advance the desired one from the above.

The upper 4 bits of each of the 1st to 4th setting registers can store data designating different rhythm tone names. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the upper side of the 1st setting register is stored. 4 bits are "bus driver", similarly upper 4 bits of the second setting register is "hi-hat", upper 4 bits of the 3rd setting register is "tom tom", upper 4th setting register 4 bits can store data such as "snare" that specifies a completely different rhythm note name. However, not limited to this,
It is also free to store designated data with the same rhythm note name in succession. On the other hand, different rhythm patterns N are set in the lower 4 bits of the first to fourth setting registers, respectively.
O. 1 can be stored. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the pattern NO. The pattern No. is set in the lower 4 bits of the fourth and second setting registers. Lower side 4 of the 1st and 3rd setting registers
The pattern NO. The pattern No. is set in the lower 4 bits of the second and third setting registers. No. 3, which is a completely different rhythm pattern. You can store the specified data. The same rhythm pattern NO. It is also free to store the specified data of continuously.

The upper 4-bit data and the lower 4-bit data stored in the first to fourth setting registers are in a corresponding relationship. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the upper data of the first setting register is higher. The data of "Bass drum" stored in 4 bits and the rhythm pattern No. stored in the lower 4 bits. The data of No. 4 and the data of No. 4 become a data for generating one rhythm sound. That is, in this case, the rhythm note name is "bassdra", and the rhythm pattern NO.
Pattern NO. 4. Therefore, the sound of "Bassdora" is set to the pattern NO. It is a combination of generating according to 4. Similarly, the "hi-hat" data stored in the upper 4 bits of the second setting register and the rhythm pattern NO. The data of "1" is paired with the data of "TOM-TOM" stored in the upper 4 bits of the third setting register and the rhythm pattern NO. The data of 2 becomes a pair, and 4
The "snare" data stored in the upper 4 bits of the second setting register and the rhythm pattern No. stored in the lower 4 bits. Paired with the data in 3.

FIG. 4 shows the generated rhythm patterns of the rhythm sounds stored in the ROM 23. As an example, four rhythm patterns, that is, pattern NO. 1, pattern NO. 2, pattern NO. 3, pattern NO. 4 is shown. Each rhythm pattern consists of 4 bits of 8-bit data
Two bars of 8-bit data correspond to one bar, for example. Therefore, each rhythm pattern has pattern data for two measures. Also, among the bits, "1" is the timing for generating the rhythm sound, "0"
Indicates the timing at which the generation of the rhythm sound is stopped. It should be noted that a certain period of time (for example, 2 bars / 16 times) is set between each timing.

As described above, a plurality of rhythm patterns are prepared in advance separately from the timbre of the rhythm sound and stored in the ROM 23. Although FIG. 4 shows four specific rhythm patterns, the number of rhythm patterns is not limited to four and many rhythm patterns are actually stored in the ROM 23. Of the rhythm pattern, the timing of generation and stop of the rhythm sound is not limited to the example of FIG. 4, and various modes are possible. The tone color selection switch 8 is used as a tone color designating means for pattern NO. The selection switch 9 corresponds to the pattern designating means, the CPU 21 corresponds to the reading means and the rhythm sound generation instructing means, the ROM 23 corresponds to the pattern storing means, the work RAM 24 corresponds to the pattern designating information storing means, and the sound source 25 corresponds to the rhythm sound generating means.

Next, the performance control operation will be described. Main Flowchart FIGS. 5 and 6 are main flowcharts. When the power switch 3 is turned on and the power is turned on, initialization (initial setting) is performed in step S1. For example, the setting register in the CPU 21 is cleared, each value in the work RAM 24 is cleared, and the register pointer I is set to [ 1]. The register pointer I designates the number of four setting registers in the CPU 21. Therefore, by setting the register pointer I = [1], the first setting register is designated first. Next, the mode changeover switch 4 is scanned in step S2, and it is determined in step S3 whether or not the setting mode is set.

"Setting mode" In the setting mode, the contents of the first to fourth setting registers are displayed on the display section 10 in step S4. For example, if no data about the rhythm sound is specified in the first routine, the display unit 1
In 0, the numbers of the setting registers are simply displayed as [1] to [4]. On the other hand, if the data about the rhythm sound is designated in the second and subsequent routines, the designated content is displayed (for example, the display shown in FIG. 1 is performed). If the setting mode is not set in step S3,
Since it is the performance mode, the process jumps to step S15.

After the processing of step S4, it is then determined in step S5 whether the timbre selection switch 8 is turned on. When the timbre selection switch 8 is on, the timbre name data is written in the upper 4 bits (hereinafter simply referred to as the upper side) of the I-th setting register in the step S6, that is, the first setting register in the first routine. In step S7, the I-th (that is, the first) tone color name display is changed. As a result, the new tone color name written on the upper side of the first setting register is displayed on the display unit 10. For example, when the performer turns on the tone color selection switch 8 (turns on the switch 8a or the switch 8b) and selects "bass drum" as the tone color of the rhythm tone, the data stored in the upper side of the first setting register. "Bathdora" is displayed as.

After the process of step S7, the process proceeds to step S8. On the other hand, when the timbre selection switch 8 is turned off in step S5, steps S6 and S7 are skipped and the process proceeds to step S8. Therefore,
At this time, the timbre of the rhythm sound is not changed. Step S
8, the pattern NO. It is determined whether or not the selection switch 9 is turned on, and if it is turned on, then in step S9 I
In the second setting register, that is, in the first routine, the rhythm sound pattern NO.
Is written, and the I-th (that is, the first) pattern NO. Change the display. As a result, the new pattern No. written on the lower side of the first setting register is displayed on the display unit 10. Is displayed.

For example, if the performer has pattern NO. The selection switch 9 is turned on (switch 9a or switch 9
b) to turn on the rhythm sound pattern NO. 4 is selected, the pattern No. stored in the lower side of the first setting register. As shown in FIG. 1, [4] is displayed on the display unit 10. After the process of step S10, the process proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, step S
No. 8 pattern NO. When the selection switch 9 is off, steps S9 and S10 are skipped and the process proceeds to step S11. Therefore, at this time, the rhythm sound pattern NO. Is not changed.

In step S11, it is determined whether or not the increment switch 5 is turned on. When it is turned on, the register pointer I is incremented in step S12 and the process proceeds to step S13. Therefore, by incrementing the register pointer I, the register pointer I = [2] is set, and the second setting register is designated. On the other hand, when the increment switch 5 is not turned on in step S11, step S12 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S13. Next, in step S13, it is determined whether or not the register pointer I exceeds [4], and when it does not exceed [4], for example, as in this routine, the register pointer I =
If [2], the process jumps to step S14 and returns to step S2. When the register pointer I exceeds [4], the register pointer I is returned to [1] again in step S14 and the process returns to step S2. In this way, the process of designating the contents of the first setting register is performed.

Returning to step S2, the same processing as described above is repeated, but in this case, when the increment switch 5 is turned on in step S11, the register pointer I is incremented and set to the register pointer I = [2]. The same process as above is repeated for the second setting register. Then, the process of designating the contents of the second setting register is performed. Also, the contents of the second setting register are displayed and the contents are confirmed.
In the process related to the second setting register, first, in step S4, the contents of the first to fourth setting registers are displayed on the display unit 10. For example, since the rhythm sound data for the first setting register has already been specified in this routine, the contents of the first setting register are displayed on the display unit 10. Specifically, [1]: “Bass driver ": Pattern N
O. 4 is displayed.

After the processing in step S4, it is then determined in step S5 whether or not the timbre selection switch 8 is on. If the timbre selection switch 8 is on,
In step S6, the tone color name data is written in the upper side of the second setting register, and in step S7, the second tone color name display is changed. As a result, the new tone color name written on the upper side of the second setting register is displayed on the display unit 10. For example, when the performer turns on the tone color selection switch 8 and selects "high hat" as the timbre of the rhythm tone, "high hat" is displayed as the data to be stored in the upper side of the second setting register.

After the processing of step S7, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the pattern NO.
It is determined whether or not the selection switch 9 is turned on. When it is turned on, in step S9, the pattern number of the rhythm sound is set to the lower side of the second setting register. Is written, and the second pattern NO. Change the display. As a result, the new pattern No. written on the lower side of the second setting register is displayed on the display unit 10. Is displayed. For example, if the performer has pattern NO. When the selection switch 9 is turned on, the rhythm sound pattern NO. If you select 1, 2
Pattern No. stored in the lower side of the th setting register.
As shown in an example in FIG. 1, [1] is displayed on the display unit 10. In this way, the contents of the second setting register are [2]: “Hi-hat”: pattern NO. It is designated as 1 and displayed.

After the processing of step S10,
It proceeds to step S11. In step S11, it is determined whether or not the increment switch 5 is turned on. When it is turned on, the register pointer I is incremented in step S12 and the process proceeds to step S13. Therefore, by incrementing the register pointer I, the register pointer I = [3] is set, and the third setting register is designated. On the other hand, when the increment switch 5 is not turned on in step S11, step S12 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S13. Next, in step S13, the register pointer I is [4]
If it exceeds [4], it is judged whether
For example, as in this routine, register pointer I =
In the case of [3], the process jumps to step S14 and returns to step S2. When the register pointer I exceeds [4], the register pointer I is returned to [1] again in step S14 and the process returns to step S2. In this way, the process of designating the contents of the second setting register is performed.

Returning to step S2, the routine is repeated in the same manner, and the processing for designating the contents of the third and fourth setting registers is performed. Note that the first to fourth
Of the second setting registers, those whose contents do not need to be changed or whose contents are not designated are the tone color selection switch 8 and the pattern No. The selection switch 9 is not operated. As an example of the contents of the rhythm sound generation stored in the first to fourth setting registers, the following display contents are obtained as shown in FIG. [1]: “Bathdora”: Pattern NO. 4 [2]: "Hi-hat": Pattern NO. 1 [3]: “Tom Tom”: Pattern No. 2 [4]: “Snare”: Pattern NO. 3 Then, in step S13, the register pointer I is [4]
When it exceeds, the process proceeds to step S14, the register pointer I is returned to [1], and the process returns to step S2.
Therefore, the process of designating the contents from the first setting register can be performed again.

"Performance Mode" If the performance mode is selected in step S3, the process branches to NO and jumps to step S15 in FIG. In step S15, it is determined whether or not the start switch 6 has been turned on, that is, whether the start state has changed from the off state to the on state. When the state changes from the off state to the on state, the process proceeds to step S16 to start the process for generating the rhythm sound, and if the state is still in the off state or the on state,
Jump to step S25. In step S16, C
The rhythm pattern is transferred to the work RAM 24 based on the contents of the lower side of the setting register of the PU 1 (pattern number of rhythm sound). Then, in step S17, the timbre of the rhythm sound is set in the corresponding channel CH of the sound source 25 based on the contents (timbre of the rhythm sound) of the upper side of the setting register of the CPU 1. In the example of FIG. 1, since four tone colors of “bass drama”, “hi-hat”, “tom tom”, and “snare” are designated, these tone colors are set in the four channels CH of the sound source 25. In this way, the generation of rhythm sounds is prepared based on the contents of each setting register.

Next, in step S18, a timer is started to start a process for timing the generation of rhythm sounds. Further, as a result, the timer interrupt processing shown in FIG. 7 is executed as an interrupt routine at regular intervals based on the time measurement of the timer. Then, step S1
At 9, the register pointer I is set to [1] and the data pointer J is set to [1]. By setting the register pointer I = [1], the rhythm sound generation process is first performed based on the contents of the first setting register. That is, in this embodiment, the pattern No. The process of generating the rhythm sound of No. 4 is performed. On the other hand, the data pointer J is shown in FIG.
In the 8-bit rhythm pattern shown in FIG. 5, each bit (that is, corresponding to bit data stored in the horizontal axis direction in FIG. 4) is sequentially designated. Therefore, by setting the data pointer J = [1], the pattern NO. The first bit for 4 is designated.

Then, in step S20, the pattern No. stored in the I-th setting register is stored. It is determined whether the J-th bit of is on, that is, whether it is the "1" level corresponding to the tone generation processing. In this routine, I =
Since [1] and J = [1], the pattern No. for the "bus driver" stored in the first setting register. Four
It is determined whether or not the first bit of is "1". If the decision result in the step S20 is YES,
In step S21, the I-th sounding channel CH is instructed to sound. Therefore, in this routine, I =
Since it is [1], the pronunciation of the "bassdra" set in the first pronunciation channel CH is instructed, and the rhythm sound of "bassdra" is generated. On the other hand, step S20
When the result of the determination is NO, that is, when the J-th bit is "0", the process proceeds to step S22, and the I-th sounding channel CH is instructed to mute.

Next, in step S23, the register pointer I is incremented, and it is determined in step S24 whether the register pointer I exceeds [4]. When the register pointer I does not exceed [4], for example, when the register pointer I = [2] after the increment as in this routine, the process returns to step S20, and when the register pointer I exceeds [4], step S25.
Exit to. In this way, 1 of the first setting register
The pronunciation processing for the th bit content is performed. When the process for the first bit content of the first setting register is completed and the process returns to step S20, the same process as above for the first bit content is repeated for the second setting register. In the example of this embodiment, I =
When [2] and J = [1], the first bit is “1”, so the pattern No. stored in the second setting register is NO. The "hi-hat" rhythm sound set in the first pronunciation channel of 1 is generated.

Similarly, in the same processing as above for the first bit content of the third setting register, I =
[3] and J = [1], the pattern No. stored in the third setting register. Since the 1st bit of 2 is "1", the rhythm sound of "Tom Tom" set in the third pronunciation channel is generated. Further, in the same process as above for the first bit contents of the fourth setting register, when I = [4] and J = [1], the pattern No. stored in the fourth setting register is stored. Since the first bit of 3 is "1", the rhythm sound of "snare" set in the fourth pronunciation channel is generated. In this way, the sound generation processing is performed for the first bit contents of the four setting registers. In the end, since all the first bits are "1", "basdora", "hi-hat",
All tom rhythm and snare rhythm sounds are 1 at the same time
It will occur at a length of / 4 beats.

Next, when the register pointer I exceeds [4] in step S24, the process advances to step S25, and the data pointer J is incremented to J = [2]. This will specify the second bit of the four setting registers, but this processing will be entrusted to FIG. 7 described later. Next, in step S26, it is determined whether or not the stop switch 7 is turned on. If it is on, the process proceeds to step S27 to stop the timer. This stops the process of timing the rhythm sound generation,
As a result, the rhythm sound generation is stopped from the next rhythm sound generation timing. After step S27, the process returns to step S2. On the other hand, when the stop switch 7 is not turned on, the process jumps to step S27 and returns to step S2. Therefore, the rhythm sound generation process continues. When the process returns to step S2 when the stop switch 7 is not turned on, the process branches to NO (performance mode) in step S3 and jumps to step S15. In step S15, since the player has already pressed the start switch 6 in the previous routine, there is no state in which the switch changes from off to on, and the determination result is NO and the process jumps to step S26.
Therefore, the generation of the rhythm sound is not interrupted unless the stop switch 7 is turned on.

When the process branches to NO in step S15 of the timer interrupt process , step S2
Go to step S27, step S2, step S
3, the loop of step S15 is repeated, and the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 7 is executed as an interrupt routine at regular intervals in this loop. That is, in the sounding process for the second and subsequent bit contents of the four setting registers in the main flow, the sounding of the rhythm sound is controlled by the timer interrupt process. In the timer interrupt process, first, step S31.
To return the register pointer I to [1], and step S32
Pattern No. stored in the I-th setting register. It is determined whether the J-th bit of is on, that is, whether it is the "1" level corresponding to the tone generation processing. In this routine, J = [2], and I =
Since [1] and J = [2], the pattern No. stored in the first setting register. It is determined whether or not the second bit of 4 is "1".

The pattern No. stored in the first setting register. The second bit of 4 is, as shown in FIG.
Since it is "0", the determination result in step S32 is NO, and the flow advances to step S34 to instruct the I-th sounding channel CH to mute. In this case, it is instructed to mute the rhythm sound of the "bassdra" set in the first pronunciation channel, and no sound is produced. Then, step S
35, increment the register pointer I,
In step S36, it is determined whether the register pointer I exceeds [4]. When the register pointer I does not exceed [4], for example, when the register pointer I = [1] as in this routine, the process returns to step S32.
If the register pointer I exceeds [4], step S3
Exit to 7. In this way, the tone generation process is performed for the second bit content of the first setting register.

When the process for the second bit content of the first setting register is completed and the process returns to step S32, the same process as above is repeated for the second bit content of the second setting register. In the example of this embodiment,
When I = [2] and J = [2], the pattern No. stored in the second setting register. Since the second bit of 1 is "0", the rhythm sound of "high hat" set in the second pronunciation channel is not generated. Similarly,
In the same process as above for the first bit content of the third setting register, when I = [3] and J = [2],
The pattern No. stored in the third setting register. Since the second bit of 2 is "0", the rhythm sound "Tam-Tum" set in the third pronunciation channel is not generated. Further, in the same processing as above for the second bit content of the fourth setting register, I = [4], J =
In the case of [2], the pattern No. stored in the fourth setting register. The first bit of 3 is "0", so 4
The rhythm sound of the "snare" set for the second pronunciation channel is not generated.

When the register pointer I exceeds [4] in step S36, the process advances to step S37, and the data pointer J is incremented to J = [3]. Then, in step S38, the data pointer J is set to [3
3] is exceeded (that is, all the bits for two bars shown in FIG. 4 have been scanned). When the data pointer J does not exceed [33], the routine returns, and the next interrupt routine at regular intervals is repeated. In the next timer interrupt processing, the processing is performed again from the first setting register of the first, and this time, the pattern N
O. The same processing as above is repeated for the third bit content of. Specifically, the pattern No. stored in the first setting register. Since the third bit of 4 is "0" as shown in FIG. 4, the determination result of step S32 is N.
It becomes O, and the process goes to step S34 to instruct to mute, and 1
The rhythm sound of "bassdra" set in the second pronunciation channel is not generated.

Similarly, in the same processing as described above for the third bit contents of the second setting register, I =
When [2] and J = [3], the pattern No. stored in the second setting register is set. Since the 3rd bit of 1 is "0", the rhythm sound of "TomTum" set in the 3rd sounding channel is not generated. In the same processing as described above for the third bit contents of the third setting register, when I = [3] and J = [3], the pattern No. stored in the third setting register is stored. Since the third bit of 2 is "1", the rhythm sound of "Tam-Tum" set in the third sounding channel is generated. Further, in the same processing as above for the third bit content of the fourth setting register, when I = [4] and J = [3], the pattern No. stored in the fourth setting register is stored. Since the 3rd bit of 3 is "0", the rhythm sound of "snare" set in the 4th pronunciation channel is not generated.
Then, in step S36, the register pointer I is [4].
When it exceeds, the process goes to step S37 to increment the data pointer J to J = [4]. Next, in step S38, it is determined whether or not the data pointer J exceeds [33]. When the data pointer J does not exceed [33], the process returns and the interrupt routine is repeated.

In the next timer interrupt processing, the processing is performed again from the first setting register of the first time, and this time,
The pattern NO. The same process as above is repeated for the fourth bit content of. Thereafter, the interrupt routine is repeated in the same manner, and when the data pointer J exceeds [33] in step S38, it is determined that all the bits for two bars shown in FIG. 4 have been scanned, and the process proceeds to step S39 and the data pointer J Return to [1] again and return. Therefore, the interrupt routine is repeated again from the state of I = [1] and J = [1], and the rhythm sound generation processing is performed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the rhythm pattern data has rhythm note names such as "bass drum", "hi-hat", "tom tom" and "snare", and a plurality of tone generation timing patterns shown in FIG. ．
1, pattern NO. 2, pattern NO. 3, pattern N
O. .. are separately stored and the rhythm pattern information is generated and stored by appropriately combining these two types of data. Then, this rhythm pattern information is read out at regular intervals to instruct generation of rhythm sounds. Therefore, it is not necessary to store the necessary rhythm pattern independently for each rhythm tone color, and the ROM 23
You only have to remember multiple rhythm patterns in
Eliminates the need to store rhythm note names such as "Bassdora", "Hi Hat", "Tom Tom", "Snare", etc. As a result, the storage capacity of the ROM 23 can be made much smaller than in the conventional case, and a rhythm sound rich in variation can be generated with a small amount of data.

In the above embodiment, the rhythm note name is
Although an example of specifying four of "bass drama", "hi-hat", "tom tom", and "snare" has been shown, the number of rhythm note names is not limited to four, and it is not such a kind of rhythm note.
Other types of rhythm sounds can be specified. Further, although the above-described embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a keyboard type electronic musical instrument, it can also be applied to an electronic musical instrument of a type having a musical instrument body (for example, an electric guitar), and further, an electric instrument. Electronic musical instruments other than guitar type or D
Widely applicable to TM.

[0042]

According to the present invention, rhythm pattern data is divided into a rhythm note name and a sounding timing pattern and stored separately, and rhythm pattern information is generated by appropriately combining these two types of data. Since this rhythm pattern information is stored and is instructed to generate rhythm sounds at regular time intervals, it is not necessary to store the necessary rhythm pattern independently for each rhythm tone color, and the storage capacity of the ROM is reduced. The number of rhythm sounds can be very small, and a variety of rhythm sounds can be generated with a small amount of data.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of an electronic musical instrument to which a rhythm sound generator according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electronic circuit of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a setting register of the CPU of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a generated rhythm pattern of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a main flowchart showing a part of the rhythm sound control of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a main flowchart showing a part of the rhythm sound control of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a timer interrupt process of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 electronic musical instrument 2 keyboard 3 power switch 4 mode selector switch 5 increment switch 6 start switch 7 stop switch 8 timbre selection switch (timbre designating means) 9 pattern NO. Selection switch (pattern designating means) 10 Display section 21 CPU (reading means, rhythm sound generation instructing means) 22 Switch group 23 ROM (pattern storing means) 24 Work RAM (pattern designating information storing means) 25 Sound source (rhythm sound generating means)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A pattern storage means for storing a plurality of generation timing patterns for designating the timing of sounding instructions with the passage of time, and a tone color designation means for designating a plurality of tone colors of rhythm sounds to be generated. Pattern designation means for designating one of the occurrence timing patterns stored in the pattern storage means for each tone color designated by the tone color designation means, and designation information of the occurrence timing pattern designated by the pattern designation means. A pattern designation information storage means for storing each tone color designated by the tone color designation means, and a reading means for reading out the occurrence timing pattern designated by the designation information stored in the pattern designation information storage means at regular time intervals. , The generation timing pattern read by the reading means indicates the sound generation. When timing, the rhythm sound generator apparatus characterized by comprising: a rhythm tone generation instructing means for instructing generation of the rhythm sound tone, the corresponding to emitting generation timing pattern. 2. The rhythm sound generation device further comprises rhythm sound generation means, and the rhythm sound generation means generates a rhythm sound instructed by the rhythm sound generation instruction means. Rhythm sound generator.