JPH08146963A - Musical tone generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide the musical tone generating device which increases the use efficiency of a RAM and can generate a musical tone with small RAM capacity and speedily get ready to generate the sound as to a musical tone generating device which transfers waveform data stored in a fixed storage device to a rewritable waveform memory and performs musical sound generation. CONSTITUTION: The musical tone generating device, which loads waveform data in the rewritable waveform memory 22 in advance and generates the musical tone on the basis of the waveform data read out of the waveform memory according to specific parameters, is equipped with the fixed storage means 14 stored with plural waveform data blocks consisting of the waveform data corresponding to plural timbres, a specifying means 10 which specifies a specific waveform data block in the fixed storage means 14, a transfer means 10 which transfers plural waveform data included in the waveform data block specified by the specifying means to the waveform memory, and a parameter generating means 10 which generates the parameters for reading the respective waveform data transferred to the waveform memory by the transfer means 10.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a musical tone generating device for generating musical tones by transferring waveform data stored in a fixed storage device to a rewritable waveform memory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, personal computers tend to have higher functionality and higher performance. As one of such high-performance functions, recent personal computers have a "tone generation function". This tone generation function is realized by a sound source device generally composed of hardware called a sound source board and software incorporated in a personal computer to control the sound source device.

As one of such sound source devices, for example, a digital signal processor (hereinafter referred to as "DSP") is used.
And a waveform memory, which reads waveform data from the waveform memory under the control of the DSP and generates a tone signal based on the read waveform data.
As a waveform memory of such a sound source device, a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as "ROM") has been generally used conventionally.

However, the DSP incorporated in the personal computer has not only the tone generation function but also other functions,
For example, it can be used for a communication function. Therefore, DS
In a device incorporating P, an attempt has been made to realize a plurality of functions (multiple functions) using a DSP. In the case of realizing such a multiple function, a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as “RAM”) is used as a program memory in which a control program for controlling the DSP is stored and a work memory in which various data are temporarily stored. Often composed.

When operating a DSP as a tone generator, for example, a tone generator program is loaded as a control program in the program memory and waveform data is loaded in the work memory in advance, and thereafter, in response to an instruction from the personal computer. Generate a musical sound. on the other hand,
For example, when the DSP is operated as a communication device, a communication program is loaded as a control program in a program memory in advance, and thereafter, the work memory is appropriately used as a transmission / reception buffer in accordance with an instruction from a personal computer and an external device is used. Communicate between.

[0006]

By the way, the capacity of the work memory required to realize the above-described multiplex function depends on the function to be realized by the DSP. For example, when using a DSP as a sound source device,
For example, since all the waveform data stored in the external storage device such as a CD-ROM is loaded into the work memory,
The work memory requires a huge capacity. If it is desired to increase the number of timbres handled by the sound source device or to improve the quality of the timbre, the capacity thereof will increase more and more. On the other hand, when the DSP is used as the communication device, the capacity of the work memory is smaller than that when it is used as the waveform memory.

As described above, the required capacity of the work memory (RAM) varies depending on the function realized by the DSP,
In general, the capacity of the work memory has to be adjusted to the one that requires the maximum capacity among the functions realized by the DSP. From another point of view, it can be said that the use efficiency of the RAM is low when the DSP implements a function that requires only a small capacity work memory.

Further, if all the waveform data previously stored in the fixed storage device is loaded into the work memory as in the prior art, it takes time to transfer the waveform data from the fixed storage device to the rewritable memory, There was a problem that it took a long time to be able to pronounce.

Furthermore, if the above-mentioned waveform data transfer process is performed by a personal computer, for example, the load on the personal computer is increased and the performance of other processes is affected. When such a situation occurs, there is a problem that, for example, a job that requires real-time processing cannot be performed, and the application range of the processing device is narrowed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a musical tone generating apparatus which can improve the use efficiency of RAM, can generate musical tone with a small RAM capacity, and can bring the musical tone into a soundable state quickly.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a tone generating apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention loads waveform data into a rewritable waveform memory in advance, and according to predetermined parameters. A tone generating device for generating a tone based on the waveform data read from the waveform memory, comprising fixed storage means in which a plurality of waveform data blocks composed of waveform data corresponding to a plurality of tone colors are stored, and the fixed storage means. Specifying means for specifying a predetermined waveform data block therein, transfer means for transferring a plurality of waveform data included in the waveform data block specified by the specifying means to the waveform memory, and transfer means for transferring the waveform data to the waveform memory. And a parameter generating unit for generating a parameter for reading each transferred waveform data.

For the same purpose, the tone generating apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention loads waveform data into a rewritable waveform memory in advance and reads it from the waveform memory according to a predetermined parameter. Is a musical tone generating device for generating musical tones based on waveform data, the fixed storage means storing a plurality of waveform data corresponding to a plurality of different timbres, the type of waveform data used for predetermined processing, and Defining means for defining a storage position of the waveform data on the waveform memory, and selecting predetermined waveform data from the waveform data stored in the fixed storage means in accordance with the definition of the defining means and storing the waveform data in the waveform memory. Transfer means to transfer,
And having.

Further, for the same purpose, the musical sound generating apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention has a processing device, and the waveform data is loaded in a rewritable waveform memory in advance so that A tone generation device for generating a tone based on waveform data read from the waveform memory in response to an instruction, comprising: fixed storage means storing waveform data; and waveform data stored in the fixed storage means. And a transfer means for transferring to the waveform memory independently of the processing of the processing device.

[0014]

In the tone generating apparatus according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the tone colors used when generating a tone of a predetermined genre or executing a predetermined application software are limited. It is based on the general property that

That is, in the tone generating apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, waveform data blocks are formed for each genre (classical, jazz, pops, rock, etc.) and these are stored in advance in the fixed storage means. Keep it. Each waveform data block includes a plurality of waveform data corresponding to a plurality of timbres used in the genre. Then, for example, when a predetermined waveform data block is designated by application software of a personal computer, all the waveform data included in the designated waveform data block is transferred to the waveform memory and also to the waveform memory. A parameter for reading the waveform data is created and stored in, for example, a tone table. Then, for example, when the application software of the personal computer is instructed to generate a sound, the waveform data is read from the waveform memory by using the above parameters, and the sound is generated. Therefore, the waveform memory only needs to have a capacity for storing the waveform data included in one waveform data block.

In the tone generating apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the waveform data corresponding to the tone color set (128 tones) defined by the GM (General MIDI) standard is stored in the fixed storage means. Further, for example, the type of waveform data (timbre) used by each application software of the personal computer and the storage position on the waveform memory are defined by the defining means. Then, for example, when a predetermined process is performed by the application software, the waveform data required for the process is selected according to the stipulated contents of the stipulation means and transferred to the waveform memory. The parameters for reading the waveform data transferred to the waveform memory can be stored in advance in a predetermined storage means in association with each waveform data defined by the defining means, for example. Then, for example, when the application software of the personal computer is instructed to generate a sound, the waveform data is read from the waveform memory by using the above parameters, and the sound is generated. Therefore, the waveform memory only needs to have a capacity for storing the waveform data used by one application software.

In the tone generating apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the waveform data stored in the fixed storage means is transferred to the waveform memory, this processing is performed not under the control of the processing apparatus, but this processing is performed. This is performed by a separately provided transfer means that operates independently of the device. Thereby, the waveform data can be transferred to the waveform memory without increasing the load on the processing device.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the musical tone generating apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The musical tone generating apparatus of the present invention comprises, for example, a personal computer as a processing apparatus and a sound source apparatus that operates under the control of this personal computer. The DSP in this embodiment is used to realize a multiple function, but in each of the following embodiments, only the case where the DSP operates as a sound source device will be described.

As the sound source device, PCM modulation (Pu
The PCM tone generator which stores the waveform data subjected to the lse code modulation) in a waveform memory and reads the waveform data to generate a musical tone signal will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to the PCM tone generator. For example, A
DPCM Modulation (Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Mod)
modulation) and DPCM (Differential Pulse C)
It can be applied to any sound source device that stores waveform data created in advance in a waveform memory and reads out the waveform data to generate a musical tone signal, such as a sound source device of an ode Modulation system.

(Embodiment 1) This embodiment is prepared in advance, for example, when predetermined application software is started or when it is specified that waveform data should be transferred during the execution of the application software. The generated waveform data block is transferred to the waveform memory as a unit, and then a musical tone is generated based on the waveform data in the waveform memory.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the musical tone generating apparatus of the present invention. This tone generating device includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as "CPU") 10, a ROM 11 and a RAM.
12, a tone generator 17 is incorporated (connected to the system bus 30) in a personal computer as a processing device in which interface circuits (I / F) 13 and 15 are connected by a system bus 30.

The CPU 10 controls the entire tone generating apparatus. The CPU 10 executes waveform data transfer processing and application software, which will be described later, for example. The ROM 11 stores fixed data used by the CPU 10 for various processes.

The RAM 12 is provided with a tone table for blocks 0 to N, an angular frequency conversion table, a work area for sound source control, a work area for application software, etc., as shown in FIG. .

The tone table is provided for each waveform data block (details will be described later), and each tone table specifies a plurality of waveform data corresponding to a plurality of timbres included in the waveform data block. Information (waveform data table) is included. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the tone table for the waveform data block 0 includes n + 1 waveform data tables corresponding to the waveform data 0 to n. Each waveform data table has start address, loop top address, loop end address, attack level, attack speed,
Contains data specifying the decay level, decay speed, release speed, tune and panpot.

Here, the start address is the start address of the area in which each waveform data corresponding to each timbre is stored. The loop top address is the top address of the area to be repeatedly read out in the waveform data. The loop end address is the final address of the area to be repeatedly read out in the waveform data. The attack level is data that defines the target value when the attack envelope is generated, and the attack speed is data that defines the time until the attack level is reached. Similarly, the decay level is data that defines the target value when the decay envelope is generated, and the decay speed is data that defines the time until the decay level is reached. The release speed is data that defines the time until the release envelope reaches zero. The tune is data for changing the pitch, and more specifically, data for modifying the angular frequency data. The panpot is data that defines the sound image localization, and more specifically, is data that modifies the amplitude of each tone signal of the left and right channels.

The interface circuit 13 controls transmission / reception of data between the external storage device 14 and the CPU 10. The external storage device 14 connected to the interface circuit 13 corresponds to a fixed storage means. As the external storage device 14, for example, a CD-ROM,
One or more of DAT, magnetic tape, floppy disk, hard disk, ROM card, optical disk, etc. can be used in combination. The type of the interface circuit 13 is determined according to the characteristics of the external storage device 14. For example, as an external storage device, a CD-R
When the OM is used, an interface circuit conforming to the SCSI interface standard can be used.

The external storage device 14 stores various programs for operating the CPU 10, a sound source program for operating the DSP 20, waveform data (a plurality of waveform data blocks), and the like. The waveform data block is composed of a plurality of waveform data corresponding to a plurality of tones. The waveform data block can be composed of a set of waveform data having a certain relation such as music genre, application, etc., as shown in FIG. The size of each waveform data block is R
It can be arbitrarily determined within a range that does not exceed the capacity of the waveform memory formed in the AM 22. Each waveform data block in the external storage device 14 corresponds to the external storage device 1.
It is specified by the address of 4 and the block length (length).

When the waveform data blocks are formed by genre, they can be classified into classical, jazz, pops, rock, etc., as shown in FIG. 2A, for example. Then, for example, the classical waveform data block contains only the waveform data of the timbre used in classical music. Similarly, when the waveform data block is formed for each application, for example, as shown in FIG.
It can be divided into a game 2, a game 3, and the like. Then, for example, the waveform data block for the game 1 includes only the waveform data of the timbre used when executing the game. Although games have been given as examples of blocking for each application, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, word processing software, spreadsheet software,
It can be divided into blocks for graphic software, dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc.

The interface circuit 15 controls transmission / reception of data between the external input device 16 and the CPU 10. External input device 1 connected to this interface circuit 15
6, a device in which the user gives a command to the CPU 10,
For example, a keyboard, a mouse, a switch, a relay, a sensor or the like can be used.

The tone generator 17 generates a musical sound according to the data given from the CPU 10. The data sent from the CPU 10 to the sound source device 17 includes, for example, a control program, waveform data, sound source control parameters (details will be described later), and the like. The above waveform data is stored in the RAM 22
Then, the control programs are loaded into the program memory 21, respectively. Also, the sound source control parameter is once set to R
It is loaded into the AM 22 and is taken out as needed to be used in the process of generating a musical sound.

The DSP 20 is the core of the tone generator 17, and performs various processes according to the control program stored in the program memory 21. More specifically, DSP
20 sends various addresses AD to the program memory 21, and interprets and executes the program PRG read from the program memory 21 in accordance with this address AD to perform various processes. A general-purpose DSP can be used as the DSP 20, for example.

RA is used for various processes performed by the DSP 20.
Calculation of waveform address to be sent when waveform data is read from the waveform memory of M22, interpolation of waveform data received from RAM22, addition of envelope to interpolated waveform data, accumulation of waveform data with envelope added for each output series Processing such as arithmetic is included. This DSP20
The waveform data accumulated in is sent to the D / A converter 24 as a digital tone signal at every predetermined timing.

The program memory 21 is used to store a control program for operating the DSP 20, that is, a boot program and a tone generator program. The program memory 21 includes a ROM 210 and a RAM 211.
It consists of and. A boot program for loading the tone generator program from the CPU 10 is stored in the ROM 210. A sound source program is stored in the RAM 211. When the DSP 20 is used only as a sound source device without being used to realize the multiplex function, the program memory 21 may be composed of only a ROM storing a sound source program.

The RAM 22 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
The DSP 20 is composed of a work memory used for various processes and a waveform memory for storing waveform data. The waveform memory is used to store a plurality of waveform data corresponding to a plurality of timbres (for example, musical instrument sounds). DSP20
Sends the address AD to the RAM 22 to write or read the data DT.

The work memory stores sound source control parameters corresponding to each voice being sounded. The sound source control parameters can be stored in m + 1 sets (voice 0 to voice m) corresponding to each voice. Each sound source control parameter is made up of data specifying a start address, a loop top address, a loop end address, an angular frequency, an envelope level, an envelope speed, and a panpot. The sound source control parameter storage area also stores the waveform address accumulated value and the envelope calculated value. The sound source control parameters are created based on the data stored in the tone table described above and the data (for example, key data) designating the pitch of the sound to be generated.

As the start address, loop top address and loop end address, the values in the tone table described above are set as they are. As the angular frequency data, for example, a value obtained by converting the key data by the angular frequency conversion table in the RAM 12 is set. On this occasion,
If a tune is specified in the tone table, the converted angular frequency data with tune data is set as the angular frequency data. Here, the angular frequency data is an increment value of a read address when the waveform data is sequentially read from the waveform memory, and is used to define the pitch.

As the envelope level, each data of the attack level or the decay level stored in the tone table is set according to the phase (attack or decay) currently in progress. Similarly, as the envelope speed, the attack speed stored in the tone table, depending on the phase (attack, decay or release) currently in progress,
Decay speed or release speed data is set. The envelope level and envelope speed data are used to add an envelope to the waveform data.

As the pan pot, the pan pot data stored in the tone table is set. This panpot data is used by the sound source device 17 to determine the sound image localization formed based on the tone signals for two series (both left and right channels), for example.

The tone generator 17 generates a tone signal based on the tone control parameters composed of the above-mentioned data. From this, the tone color, volume balance, and other characteristics of the sound to be generated are determined.

The accumulated waveform address value is a read address for reading the waveform data from the waveform memory. That is, the DSP 20 starts reading the waveform data by using the start address as the read address, and thereafter reads the waveform data by using the value obtained by sequentially accumulating the angular frequency data as the new read address. And
When the read address reaches the loop end address, it returns to the loop top address to continue reading the waveform data, and the same operation is repeated thereafter.

The envelope calculation value is waveform data obtained by adding an envelope to the waveform data read from the waveform memory. The waveform data to which this envelope is added is sent to the D / A converter 24 as a digital tone signal.

The timing generation circuit 23 generates an interrupt signal at a time interval according to the tempo set at that time and supplies it to the DSP 20. The DSP 20 performs sound generation processing for all voices at the timing of receiving the interrupt signal. This causes the DSP 20 to generate a digital musical tone signal at time intervals according to the tempo.

The D / A converter 24 converts the digital musical tone signal generated by the DSP 20 into an analog musical tone signal (audio signal). The analog tone signal output from the D / A converter 24 is amplified by the amplifier 25 and supplied to the speaker 26. As a result, the musical sound is emitted from the speaker 26. As the speaker 26, a headphone, an earphone, etc. can be used in addition to the one housed in the enclosure used in a general audio system.

Next, the operation of the musical tone generating apparatus of the first embodiment having the above-mentioned structure will be described.

When the power is turned on, the CPU 10 causes the RO
It is activated by the program stored in M11 or the external storage device 14. Then, the CPU 10 is a ROM
11 or the tone generator program stored in the external storage device 14 is read and sent to the DSP 20. On the other hand, DSP20
Is the ROM 21 of the program memory 21 when the power is turned on.
It is started by the boot program stored in 0. Then, the DSP 20 reads the tone generator program sent from the CPU 10 according to this boot program, and loads it into the RAM 211 of the program memory 21. If the program memory 21 is composed only of ROM, the loading operation of the tone generator program is not performed.

When the loading of the tone generator program is completed, the processor can execute various programs. For example, when a predetermined application software is started by the processing device, the waveform data block used by the application software is stored in the RAM 2
2 waveform memory is loaded. The waveform data block to be loaded can be configured to be designated by, for example, a block number stored at the head of the application software or a block number generated during execution of the application software. The block number corresponds to the designating means in the present invention.

Next, processing corresponding to the transfer means of the present invention,
That is, the process of transferring the waveform data block designated by the block number to the RAM 22 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The transfer processing of this waveform data block is realized by the CPU 10.

First, the CPU 10 obtains the block number of the designated waveform data block (step S10).
That is, the block number designating the waveform data block to be transferred is obtained by reading the head area of the application software or by receiving the block number generated during the execution of the application software.

Next, based on the obtained block number, the address value in the external storage device 14 in which the waveform data corresponding to the block number is stored and the length value of the waveform data are obtained (step S11). The correspondence between the block number, the address value and the length value can be stored in advance in the conversion table.

Next, the address value obtained in step S11 is the initial value of the variable ADD2, and the length value is the variable LEN.
And the start address START of the waveform memory area of the RAM 22 is set as the initial value of the variable ADD1 (step S12). RA
The start address START of the waveform memory area of M22 is
It can be arbitrarily determined according to the specifications of the sound source device.

Next, the CPU 10 controls the external storage device 14
The waveform data is read from the position indicated by the address ADD2 (step S13). Then, the obtained waveform data is transferred to the position indicated by the address ADD1 in the RAM 22 (step S14). Next, the variables ADD1 and ADD2 are incremented and the variable LEN is decremented (step S15). And the variable L
It is checked whether EN has become zero (step S1
6) If not zero, return to step S13 and repeat the same processing. Then, steps S13 to S1
6 is repeatedly executed, the variable LE is changed in step S16.
When it is determined that N has become zero, the transfer of the waveform data ends. By the above processing, all the waveform data of the waveform data block designated by the block number is stored in the RAM.
22 waveform memory.

Although the address value and the length value are stored in the same conversion table in the above embodiment, the length value is stored at the head of each waveform data block in the external storage device 14. Alternatively, only the address value may be stored in the conversion table.
In this case, the length value is obtained by reading the head data from the external storage device 14 based on the address value obtained from the conversion table, and the length value and the address value (the value obtained from the conversion table is divided into the storage areas for the length value). The waveform data may be transferred on the basis of (the value obtained by adding the address).

When the waveform data is transferred from the external storage device 14 to the waveform memory, the waveform data may be transferred while being compressed / decompressed. For example, when the waveform data is stored in the external storage device 14, it may be compressed and stored by a predetermined algorithm, read out, expanded and then transferred to the waveform memory. With this configuration, the amount of waveform data stored in the external storage device 14 can be reduced. Further, the waveform data read from the external storage device 14 may be compressed (if it is already compressed, transferred to the waveform memory) and expanded when the waveform data is read from the waveform memory during sound generation. it can. According to this configuration, there is an advantage that the waveform memory can be downsized.

In the tone generating apparatus of this embodiment, the parameter generating process is performed at the same time as the above-mentioned waveform data transfer process. This parameter generation process corresponds to the parameter generation means of the present invention. In this parameter generation process, a process of creating a tone table in the RAM 12 is performed. An example of the tone table is shown in FIG. Specifically, in this parameter generation process, every time waveform data corresponding to one timbre is transferred from the external storage device 14 to the waveform memory, the start address and loop top address of the waveform data in the external storage device 14 are transferred. And the loop end address are converted into a start address, a loop top address and a loop end address on the waveform memory.

When the transfer of the waveform data for the predetermined genre or the predetermined application software to the waveform memory is completed and the creation of the tone table is completed as described above, thereafter, the CPU 10 causes, for example, the application software. Follow the pronunciation instructions from the wear
The tone control parameters are created by referring to the tone table described above, and the voice to be pronounced is assigned to D.
Send to SP20. The DSP 20 stores the sound source control parameter in the work memory of the RAM 22 corresponding to the assigned voice, and thereafter generates a digital musical tone signal with reference to the sound source control parameter stored in the work memory. As a result, the sound corresponding to the sound source control parameter is produced.

In the above embodiment, the CPU 10 is configured to generate the sound source control parameter and assign the voice, but it is also possible to configure the DSP 20 to perform these processes. In this case, in the above embodiment, R
The tone table 0 to N provided in the AM 12, the angular frequency conversion table, and the work area for the sound source are the RAM 22.
It is provided in.

(Embodiment 2) This embodiment is prepared in advance, for example, when predetermined application software is started or when it is specified that waveform data should be transferred during the execution of the application software. Only necessary ones are selected from the generated waveform data and transferred to the waveform memory, and then a musical tone is generated based on the waveform data in the waveform memory.

The configuration of the musical sound generating apparatus according to this embodiment is the same as that shown in the block diagram of FIG. However, in the present embodiment, the ROM 11 has, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, an address table for application software 0 to N and application software 0 to N.
The tone table for N is stored in advance. The address table for application software stores the number of timbres to be used, addresses and lengths in the external storage device 14 in which waveform data corresponding to timbres 0 to M are stored. This application software 0
The address table for N corresponds to the defining means of the present invention.

The tone table for each application software includes a table for tone colors 0 to M used in the application software. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the tone table for the application software 0 includes M + 1 tone color tables corresponding to the waveform data 0 to M. Each tone color table includes data specifying a start address, a loop top address, a loop end address, an attack level, an attack speed, a decay level, a decay speed, a release speed, a tune and a pan pot. The contents of this tone color table are shown in FIG.
This is the same as the contents of the waveform data table described in.

In this embodiment, the contents of this tone table are predetermined. This means that in the waveform data transfer process described later, the waveform data read from the external storage device 14 is transferred to a predetermined position in the waveform memory. Therefore, in the second embodiment,
It is not necessary to newly create a tone table as in the case of the above-described first embodiment, and therefore the parameter generation process is not performed.

In the present embodiment, the address table and tone table for application software are stored in the ROM 11, but they may be stored in the external storage device 14.

Further, the RAM 12 is provided with, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, an angular frequency conversion table, a work area for sound source control, a work area for application software, and the like. The sound source control parameters are the same as those used in the first embodiment (see FIG. 5).

Next, the operation of the musical tone generating apparatus of the second embodiment having the above-mentioned structure will be described.

The operation of loading the tone generator program into the program memory 21 immediately after the power is turned on is the same as in the first embodiment.
The description is omitted because it is the same as the case. When the loading of the tone generator program into the program memory 21 is completed, the processing device can execute various programs. For example, when a predetermined application software is started by the processing device, the waveform data used by the application software is selected and loaded into the waveform memory of the RAM 22. The waveform data is selected, for example, according to the application software number stored at the head of the application software or the application software number generated during execution of the application software.

Next, the processing corresponding to the transfer means of the present invention,
That is, the process of transferring the waveform data selected for each application software to the RAM 22 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This processing is realized by the CPU 10.

First, the CPU 10 obtains the number of used tones corresponding to the application software number (step S20). That is, by reading the application software number stored at the beginning of the application software or receiving the application software number generated during the execution of the application software, the number of the application software to be executed is obtained. Next, the obtained application software number is used to obtain the number of timbres used from the address table formed in the ROM 11 (see FIG. 7).

Next, the variable X is initialized to zero, the number Y of timbres used is stored as a constant, and the RAM 2
The start address START of the waveform memory area of 2 is set to the variable A.
The initial value of DD1 is set (step S21). RAM22
The start address START of the waveform memory area can be arbitrarily set according to the specifications of the sound source device.

Next, the X-th pair of address and length stored in the address table corresponding to the application software is extracted (step S).
22). Then, the fetched address is set to the variable ADD2.
The initial value and the length are set as the initial value of the variable LEN (step S23).

Next, the CPU 10 causes the external storage device 14
The waveform data is read from the position indicated by the address ADD2 (step S24). Then, the obtained waveform data is transferred to the position indicated by the address ADD1 in the RAM 22 (step S25). Next, the variables ADD1 and ADD2 are incremented and the variable LEN is decremented (step S26). And the variable L
It is checked whether EN has become zero (step S2
7) If not zero, the process returns to step S24 and the same processing is repeated.

When it is determined in step S27 that the variable LEN has become zero in the repeated execution of steps S24 to S27, the variable X is incremented (step S28), and the variable X and the number of used tone colors Y are set. It is checked whether they match (step S29). If it is determined that they do not match, it is recognized that the processing has not been completed for all pairs of address and length, and the process returns to step S22. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S29 that they match each other, it is recognized that the transfer of the waveform data corresponding to all the timbres used by the application software has been completed, and the transfer processing of the waveform data ends. Through the above processing, all waveform data selected by the application software number
It is transferred to the waveform memory of AM22.

When transferring the waveform data from the external storage device 14 to the waveform memory, the first embodiment described above is used.
As in the case of (3), the waveform data can be transferred while being compressed and expanded.

When the transfer of all the waveform data used by the predetermined application software to the waveform memory is completed as described above, the CPU 10 thereafter
For example, according to a sounding instruction from the application software, a tone control parameter is created by referring to the tone table described above, and a voice to be sounded is assigned and sent to the DSP 20. The DSP 20 has a RAM 2 corresponding to the voice to which this sound source control parameter is assigned.
It is stored in the second work memory, and thereafter, the digital tone signal is generated with reference to the sound source control parameters stored in the work memory. As a result, the sound corresponding to the sound source control parameter is produced.

In the second embodiment, the CPU 10 is configured to generate the sound source control parameter and assign the voice, but the DSP 20 may be configured to perform these processes. In this case, in the above embodiment, R
The tone table 0 to N provided in the AM 12, the angular frequency conversion table, and the work area for the sound source are the RAM 22.
It is provided in.

(Third Embodiment) This embodiment is based on the external storage device 1.
4 is transferred to the waveform memory of the RAM 22 from the waveform memory of the RAM 22 without passing through the system bus 30, in other words, independently of the operation of the CPU 10.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the structure of the musical sound generating apparatus of the third embodiment. In FIG. 9, an interface 40 and a waveform data input device 41 are added to the configuration shown in the block diagram of FIG. As the waveform data input device 41, the same one as the external storage device 14 described above, for example, one or a combination of CD-ROM, DAT, magnetic tape, floppy disk, hard disk, ROM card, optical disk, etc., is used. be able to. The type of the interface circuit 40 is determined according to the characteristics of the waveform data input device 41. For example, when a CD-ROM is used as the external storage device, an interface circuit conforming to the SCSI interface standard can be used.

As the waveform data input device 41, an audio device such as a tape recorder, CD or DAT can be used. Also, instead of the interface circuit 40 and the waveform data input device 41, a combination of a voice input device such as a microphone, a D / A converter, and a serial interface circuit can be used.

Next, the operation of the musical sound generating apparatus of the third embodiment having the above-mentioned structure will be described.

The operation of loading the tone generator program into the program memory 21 immediately after the power is turned on is the same as in the first embodiment.
The description is omitted because it is the same as the case. When the loading of the tone generator program into the program memory 21 is completed, the processing device can execute various programs.

In such a state, the CPU 10 sets D
A waveform data transfer command is sent to SP20. The DSP 20 receiving this waveform data transfer command reads the waveform data from the waveform data input device 41 and transfers it to the waveform memory of the RAM 22. In transferring the waveform data, if the capacity of the RAM 22 provided in the musical tone generating apparatus is sufficiently large, the waveform data corresponding to all the tone colors can be transferred like the conventional tone generator. .

On the other hand, R provided in the musical tone generator
When the capacity of the AM 22 is small, it is possible to transfer only the previously blocked waveform data block to the waveform memory as in the first embodiment described above. In this case, the DSP 20 performs a process corresponding to the transfer process of the waveform data block shown in FIG.

Similarly, when the capacity of the RAM 22 provided in the musical tone generating apparatus is small, only the waveform data corresponding to the tone color required by the predetermined application software is selected as in the second embodiment. And transfer to a waveform memory. in this case,
The process corresponding to the waveform data transfer process shown in FIG.
It will be performed by the DSP 20.

When transferring the waveform data from the waveform data input device 41 to the waveform memory, the waveform data should be transferred while being compressed / decompressed as in the case of the first embodiment. You can

When the transfer of the waveform data to the waveform memory is completed as described above, thereafter, the CPU 10
For example, a sound source control parameter is created in accordance with a sounding instruction from application software, and a voice to be sounded is assigned and sent to the DSP 20. DSP20
Stores this sound source control parameter in the work memory of the RAM 22 corresponding to the assigned voice.
A digital tone signal is generated with reference to the sound source control parameters stored in this work memory. As a result, the sound corresponding to the sound source control parameter is produced.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the transfer of the waveform data from the waveform data input device to the waveform memory is C.
Since it is performed under the control of the DSP 20 regardless of the operation of the PU 10, there is an advantage that the load on the CPU 10 can be reduced.

If necessary, the transfer of the waveform data using the waveform data input device 41 can be executed even during the tone generation processing by the DSP 20. In this case, all the waveform data to be stored in the waveform memory may be transferred again, or only some of the waveform data may be transferred.

[0086]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a musical tone generating apparatus which can improve the usage efficiency of RAM, generate musical tones with a small RAM capacity, and can quickly put into a sound-producible state.

That is, in the musical tone generating apparatus, since only one waveform data block is transferred to the waveform memory to generate a musical tone, the waveform memory only stores the waveform data contained in one waveform data block. The capacity of the RAM used as the waveform memory can be reduced. Further, since the amount of waveform data to be transferred to the waveform memory is reduced, the time required for the transfer is shortened and the sound-producible state can be set quickly.

Further, in the tone generating apparatus of the present invention, for example, only the waveform data required for one application software is transferred to the waveform memory, so that the waveform memory uses the waveform used for one application software. It is sufficient if there is a capacity to store the data. Therefore, the capacity of the RAM used as the waveform memory can be reduced, and the amount of waveform data to be transferred to the waveform memory is also reduced, so that the time required for the transfer can be shortened and the sound can be rapidly produced. You can Furthermore, since it is sufficient to store only one waveform data corresponding to one timbre in the fixed storage device, there is an effect that the fixed storage device can be used efficiently.

Further, in the present tone generating apparatus, since the transfer means for transferring the waveform data is provided separately from the processing apparatus, the waveform data can be transferred without burdening the processing apparatus. Therefore, since the performance of the processing in the processing device is not affected, the application range of the processing device is expanded.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a musical sound generating apparatus according to first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a waveform data block according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a waveform data block transfer process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of a RAM 12 used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5: R used in Examples 1 and 2 of the present invention
It is a figure which shows an example of a memory map of AM22.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of a RAM 12 used in a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of a ROM 11 used in a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a waveform data transfer process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a musical sound generating apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 CPU 11 ROM 12 RAM 13 Interface Circuit 14 External Storage Device 15 Interface Circuit 16 External Input Device 20 DSP 21 Program Memory 210 ROM 211 RAM 22 RAM 23 Timing Generation Circuit 24 D / A Converter 25 Amplifier 26 Speaker 40 Interface Circuit 41 Waveform Data input device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A musical tone generating apparatus for preliminarily loading waveform data into a rewritable waveform memory and generating musical tones based on the waveform data read from the waveform memory according to a predetermined parameter. Fixed storage means in which a plurality of waveform data blocks consisting of waveform data corresponding to the above are stored, designating means for designating a predetermined waveform data block in the fixed storage means, and included in the waveform data block designated by the designating means. Transfer means for transferring a plurality of waveform data to the waveform memory, and parameter generation means for generating a parameter for reading each waveform data transferred to the waveform memory by the transfer means. Musical tone generator. 2. A musical tone generating apparatus which loads waveform data in a rewritable waveform memory in advance and generates a musical tone based on the waveform data read from the waveform memory according to a predetermined parameter. Fixed storage means for storing a plurality of waveform data corresponding to timbre, defining means for defining the type of waveform data used for predetermined processing and the storage position of these waveform data on the waveform memory, And a transfer unit that selects predetermined waveform data from the waveform data stored in the fixed storage unit according to the regulation of the regulation unit and transfers the waveform data to the waveform memory. 3. A waveform data is preliminarily loaded into a rewritable waveform memory having a processing device, and a musical tone is generated based on the waveform data read from the waveform memory in response to an instruction from the processing device. And a transfer means for transferring the waveform data stored in the fixed storage means to the waveform memory independently of the processing of the processing device. A musical tone generating apparatus characterized by having.