JPH08241583A - Multitrack recorder and system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a multitrack recorder which is capable of mutually connecting its plural bus lines through external terminals. CONSTITUTION: When analog input signals S1 of each channel are inputted into an input circuit section 2, their characteristics are adjusted in each internal circuit to be selectively supplied to bus lines G1, G2 or buslines G3, G4. Analog signals, S2 to S4, to be inputted to other channels are also redundantly fed to bus lines, G1 to G4, through input circuit sections, 3 to 5, and subjected to mixing by summing amplifiers(SUM), 21 to 24, to be inputted into a recorder section 26. The inputted mixing signals, M1 to M4, are converted to digital signals in a specified recording format by an A/D converter 31 so as to be recorded in specified tracks, TR1 to TR4, in the recording medium 33. Since the bus lines, G1 to G4, are connected to the bus terminals 25 which allow the connection to external devices, they are shared by other MTRs.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plurality of channels for each track of a recording medium such as a cassette tape, a digital audio tape (DAT), a digital compact cassette (DCC), a mini disk (MD), and a magnetic optical (MO). The present invention relates to a multi-track recorder (MTR) for independently recording the input signals of the above and a system using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a multi-track recorder for independently recording audio signals supplied to a plurality of input channels on a plurality of recording tracks, a bus corresponding to the number of input channels is internally provided, and a bus corresponding to the number of input channels is provided on the bus. In the above, signals of arbitrary channels can be mixed and recorded on arbitrary recording tracks. For example, 4c
In the case of h input-4bus-4tr MTR, 4 channels of signals are recorded on a 4-track cassette tape.
A book bus is provided. Further, when, for example, 8 channels are required as the number of input channels, MTRs having 8 or more input channels are required. However, the MTR having many input channels is a popular 4-channel input- There is a problem that it is extremely expensive as compared with 4bus-4trMTR. Therefore, conventionally, by increasing the number of input channels by connecting a plurality of 4-channel input MTRs.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a conventional system configuration example using a plurality of MTRs. The number of input channels is 8,
When recording these on one track,
As shown in (a), three MTRs 51 to 53 are used. The signals S1 to S4 and S5 to S8 to be recorded are MT
The signals are mixed by R51 and R52 and supplied to the MTR53 as mixing signals M1 and M2. The mixing signals M1 and M2 supplied here are further mixed by the MTR 53 and then recorded on a specific track of the cassette tape.

When the number of input channels is 5 to 7, FIG.
As shown in (b), two MTRs 51 and 52 are used. The signals S1 to S4 to be recorded are mixed by the MTR 51 and supplied to the MTR 52 as a mixing signal M1. This mixing signal M1 is recorded on the cassette tape of the MTR 52 together with the remaining signals S5 to S7 to be recorded.

Further, in the case of performing so-called ping-pong recording for the follow-up recording of channels exceeding the number of channels that can be recorded at one time, first, as shown in FIG.
After separately recording separate parts on each track on the cassette tape of the MTR 51, these tracks are reproduced, and while the reproduced data is mixed by the MTR 52, it is recorded on an empty track on the cassette tape of the MTR 52. Next, after separately recording another part on another track of the cassette tape of MTR52, the cable is reconnected as shown by a broken line in the figure, and the reproduction data of each track of the cassette tape of MTR52 is recorded on the MTR51.
Mix and record on an empty track of the cassette tape of MTR51. After that, the same operation is repeated.

[0006]

However, in the system in which a plurality of conventional multi-track recorders are connected as described above, if all input channels of a plurality of MTRs are used as shown in FIG. 8A, Another MTR for further combining the combined output from these MTRs must be used, which causes a problem of increasing the cost of the system. In addition, as shown in FIG.
In a system that supplies the combined output of the MTR of the preceding stage to one input channel of the MTR of the succeeding stage, an extra MTR is not required, but in this case, the input signals inputted to the MTR of the preceding stage are recorded on separate tracks. Can't
There is a problem that which input signal is assigned to which channel of which MTR is limited and the connection becomes complicated. Furthermore, when performing ping-pong recording as shown in FIG. 8 (c),
Since it is necessary to reconnect the cables frequently, MTR
The work, including the operation, becomes complicated and recording errors easily occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the system can be configured with a smaller number of multi-track recorders than before, and the input destination of the input signal is not restricted and the editing is performed. An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-track recorder that facilitates work and a system using the same.

[0008]

A multi-track recorder according to the present invention inputs signals of a plurality of channels to be recorded, and selectively supplies these signals to a plurality of bus lines, respectively. In a multi-track recorder that generates mixing information on each line and outputs the mixing information on each bus line as recording information for each track on a recording medium, these bus lines are connected to the plurality of bus lines. Is provided with an external terminal for connecting the device to an external device.

Further, the multi-track recorder system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of the multi-track recorders, and the plurality of multi-track recorders are connected to each other through the external terminals by a multi-cable connector, so that the plurality of the multi-track recorders are connected to each other. The multi-track recorder shares the plurality of bus lines.

Further, in the multi-track recorder system according to the present invention, the recording information recorded on the recording medium is digital recording information including a synchronization control signal, and the plurality of multi-track recorders are used for the synchronization. It is characterized in that the signals of the plurality of channels are synchronously recorded based on the signals.

Further, the multi-track recorder system according to the present invention further comprises a plurality of disc reproducing devices for supplying the signals of the plurality of channels to be recorded, and the disc reproducing devices are compressed and recorded on a disc. While reading data from the disk and writing the read data to the storage means at a first speed intermittently,
The read data written in the storage means is used as the first data.
A disk reproducing apparatus for reading out data at a second speed slower than the speed of No. 2, expanding data, and outputting as a reproduction signal, wherein one of the plurality of disk reproducing apparatuses has a clock signal for synchronization control, A reproduction address on the disc and a read start signal that gives a timing for reading the read data from the storage means are supplied to other disc reproduction devices, and all the disc reproduction devices have the read start signal and the clock. It is characterized in that reproduced signals are simultaneously output based on the signals.

[0012]

According to the present invention, since the plurality of bus lines of the multi-track recorder are connected to the external terminals that enable these bus lines to be connected to an external device, the plurality of bus lines of each multi-track recorder are connected. The lines can be connected to each other via the external terminals.

When the external terminals of the plurality of multi-track recorders are connected to each other by the multi-cable connector, the plurality of multi-track recorders can share the plurality of bus lines. The track recorder can be used as if it were a single multi-track recorder. Therefore, all input terminals can be used without waste, and
A plurality of signals to be recorded can be recorded independently. Also, when performing ping-pong recording, the complexity of work is eliminated.

It should be noted that the recording information recorded on the recording medium includes a synchronization control signal, and a plurality of multi-track recorders synchronously record signals of a plurality of channels based on the synchronization control signal. Then, it is possible to easily synchronize a plurality of input sources without using an expensive synchronizer.

Further, while the input source reads data compressed and recorded on the disk from the disk, such as MD, and writes the read data intermittently at the first speed in the storage means, In the case of a disc reproducing apparatus that reads out read data written in the storage means at a second speed slower than the first speed, continuously expands the data, and then outputs it as a reproduction signal, the plurality of discs are reproduced. One of the devices supplies a clock signal for synchronization control, a reproduction address on the disc, and a read start signal that gives a timing for reading the read data from the storage means to all the other disc reproduction devices, The disk reproducing device outputs a reproduction signal simultaneously based on the read start signal and the clock signal. And it makes it possible to implement the same synchronous recording.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an MTR1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG. In addition, here, 4c
An MTR1 with h input-4bus-4tr, particularly a digital multi-track recorder for recording on a digital recording medium will be described as an example.

When the analog input signal S1 of each channel is input to the input circuit section 2, a trimmer circuit (TRIM).
The input level is adjusted at 11 to balance the channels. The output of the TRIM 11 is input to the equalizer circuit (EQ) 13 via the switch 12, and the frequency characteristic is adjusted here. The output of the EQ 13 is separated by the pan circuit (PAN) 14 as stereo signals S1L and S1R, and the left and right balance is adjusted. Stereo signal S
1L and S1R are supplied to the switches 15 and 16, and are selectively supplied to the bus lines G1 and G2 or the bus lines G3 and G4. Switches 15 and 16 are independently ON and OF
When the switch 15 is ON, the signals S1L and S1R are supplied to the bus lines G1 and G2,
When the switch 16 is ON, the signals S1L and S1R are supplied onto the bus lines G3 and G4.

On the other hand, the analog signals S2 to S4 input to the other channels are also input to the input circuit sections 3 to 5 having the same structure as the input circuit section 2, and the bus lines are passed through these circuits 3 to 5. It is supplied to G1 to G4. Therefore, on the bus lines G1 to G4, the output signals from the input circuit units 2 to 5 are redundantly supplied, and the summing amplifier (S
UM) 21-24. Since the bus lines G1 to G4 are connected to the bus terminal 25 that enables connection with an external device, the bus lines G of other MTRs.
1 to G4 can be connected to each other via the bus terminal 25. The mixing signals M1 to M4 output from the SUMs 21 to 24 are input to the recorder unit 26. The mixing signals M1 to M4 input to the recorder unit 26 are A
The signal is converted into a digital signal by the / D converter 31, converted into a predetermined recording format, and then supplied to the recording / reproducing head 32, and a predetermined track TR1 of the recording medium 33.
To TR4.

The tracks TR1 to T of the recording medium 33 are also included.
The audio signals reproduced from R4 via the head 32 are reproduced by the D / A converter 34 as analog reproduction signals PB1 to PB1.
Converted to B4. The reproduction signals PB1 to PB4 are fed back to the input circuit units 2 to 5. The switch 12 of each of the input circuit units 2 to 5 controls the input signal S of each channel.
1 to S4 or one of the reproduction signals PB1 to PB4 is selected and supplied to the EQ 13.

Next, a system using a plurality of MTRs 1 thus constructed will be described. FIG. 2 shows an example of a system using two MTR1s of the same embodiment.
3 is a block diagram showing a configuration in which a and 1b are connected to each other via a bus terminal 25. FIG. In this system, buses G1-
When G4 is exposed to the outside, it is easy to pick up noise, so connect the bus terminal 25 to the shielded multi-cable 4
1 and the shield wire is connected to the ground terminal G5.

With this configuration, two MTR1s
Since the bus lines G1 to G4 are shared by a and 1b, 8
ch input-4bus-8tr MTR can be configured. Using this system, for example, 8-channel input signals S1, S2, S5, S6 and S3, S4, S
When 7 and S8 are mixed and recorded on TR1, TR2 and TR3, TR4 of the recording medium 33 (not shown) set on the recorder section 26a of the MTR1a, the input circuit sections 2a, 3a, 2b and 3b are used. Switch 1
5 and 16 may be set to ON and OFF states, respectively, and the switches 15 and 16 of the input circuit units 4a, 5a, 4b and 5b may be set to OFF and ON states, respectively. As a result, the stereo signals S1L, S2L, S5L, S6L are supplied to the bus line G1 shared by the MTRs 1a, 1b, and the stereo signals S1R, S2R,
S5R and S6R are supplied, stereo signals S3L, S4L, S7L and S8L are supplied to the bus line G3, and stereo signals S3R, S4R and S7 are supplied to the bus line G4.
R and S8R are supplied. And each bus line G1-
The signals on G4 are respectively added by the SUMs 21a to 24a, output as mixing signals M1L, M1R, M2L, M2R to the recorder unit 26a, and converted into digital signals. As a result, the input signal S is input to the tracks TR1 to TR4 of the recording medium set in the recorder section 26a.
1, S2, S5, S6 left component, right component, input signal S
The left and right components of S3, S4, S7 and S8 will be recorded respectively.

As described above, according to this system, even if all the input channels of the two MTRs 1a and 1b are used, another MTR for further combining the combined outputs from these MTRs 1a and 1b is used. No need to use extra. Further, in this system, since the bus lines G1 to G4 are shared by the MTRs 1a and 1b, the signals on the bus lines G1 and G2 are transferred to the recorder unit 2 of the MTR1a in the above-described example.
It is also possible to record on the tracks TR1 and TR2 of the recording medium 6a and record the signals on the bus lines G3 and G4 onto the tracks TR3 and TR4 of the recording medium of the recorder section 26b of the MTR 1b.

In this way, the bus lines G1 to G4 are connected to the MT.
When shared by R1a and R1b, the input signal of which channel is assigned to which track of which MTR is not limited, and the connection is not complicated. Further, in the conventional system, the information could be recorded on only one recording medium, so when the number of tracks was increased, the recording width of the tape was narrowed and the S / N and the sound quality were deteriorated. According to this, since recording can be performed on the recording medium in which both MTRs 1a and 1b are set, the number of recording tracks can be increased without narrowing the recording width.

Next, the input signals S1 to S4 and the MTR1b
The case where the reproduction signals PB1 to PB4 from the recording medium of No. 1 are mixed and recorded on the recording medium of MTR 1a will be described. In this case, the input circuit section 2a-
Switch 12 of 5a is set to the input channel side, and MTR
The switch 12 of the input circuit units 2b to 5b of 1b may be set to the reproduction signals PB1 to PB4 side. Each input circuit section 2a
.. 5a, 2b to 5b switches 15 and 16 are appropriately set, the input signals S1 to S4 and the reproduction signals PB1 to PB4 are mixed on the bus lines G1 to G4, and the MTR1a of the MTR1a is mixed via the bus lines G1 to G4. It can be recorded on the recording medium of the record section 26a. By applying this recording method, so-called ping-pong recording becomes easy.

For example, when performing ping-pong recording, first,
After the guitar and flute parts are independently recorded on the respective tracks TR1 to TR4 of the recording medium of the MTR1a, these tracks TR1 to TR4 are reproduced, and the reproduced data is mixed by the MTR1b, while the MTR1 is reproduced.
Recording is performed on vacant tracks TR1 and TR2 of the recording medium b. Next, another track TR of the recording medium of the MTR 1b
After recording the vocal part in TR3 independently,
The reproduction data of each track TR1 to TR4 of the recording medium of MTR1b is mixed by MTR1a and recorded on empty tracks TR1 and TR2 of the recording medium of MTR1a. In this case, since the bus lines G1 to G4 are shared, there is no need to reconnect the cables, the work including the MTR operation is facilitated, and the recording error is less likely to occur.

In the above embodiment, MTR1
If it is necessary to control a and 1b synchronously, the following may be done. That is, as shown in FIG.
3 is provided with a time code track to record the time code. Then, the two MTRs 1a and 1b are synchronized so that the time codes match. When the MTR 1a is used as a master device as a reference for synchronization control, the time code read by the MTR 1a is the time code output circuit 3
5, the switch 36, and the bus line G6 to supply the controller 37 of the MTR 1b, which is a slave device. The MTR 1b servo-controls the recording medium 33 based on this time code. Here, the bus line G6 is also connectable to an external device via the bus terminal 25, so that the bus lines G1 to G4 can be connected with one cable.
Can be shared and synchronous control can be performed via the bus line G6.

Further, without using the bus line G6, the time code is sent from another external terminal to the controller 37 of the MTR 1b.
May be supplied to In the case of analog recording such as cassette tape, 1 tr is crushed and MIDI time code is set to 2
It is conceivable to synchronize two units or synchronize two units with a synchronizer.

The case where the bus terminals 25 of the two MTRs are connected to each other by the shielded multi-cable connector 41 has been described above, but the same applies to the case where the bus terminals 25 of the n MTRs are connected to each other. . In addition, although an example of a digital recorder for a cassette tape type recording medium has been described above, other digital recorders such as MD and MO, and an analog recorder for recording on an analog recording medium such as an analog cassette tape can also be used. It goes without saying that the invention can be applied.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration in the case where the outputs of a plurality of MD players are synchronously recorded using the MTR of the present invention. Multiple MD players M1, S1,
S2, ..., And R1 are disk recording / reproducing devices capable of recording and reproducing, and are connected for mutual synchronization. The MD player M1 is a master device serving as a reference for synchronous reproduction, and the MD player M1 supplies a clock signal CK for synchronizing the transfer rates to the other MD players S1 and S2, which are slave devices. Has been done. The information required for synchronization is the MD player M1.
Is transmitted from the synchronization control unit (not shown) to the synchronization control units of the MD players S1 and S2.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the synchronous reproduction operation of the system of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a time chart showing a concrete operation. The master device M1 first sets the reproduction start address on the disc to the other slave devices S1, S2, ...
To (S11). S that received the address from M1
1, S2, ... (S21) search the address (S12, S22). Slave device S that completed the search
, 1, 2 and so on notify the master device M1 of the completion of the search (S23) and enter the pause state (S24). When the master device M1 completes the search for all devices (S1
(3, S14), and notifies each device S1, S2, ... Of the pause cancellation (S15).

As a result, each of the devices M1, S1, S2, ...
Starts reading the disk, and takes in the disk data to the memory via an EFM encoder / decoder (not shown) (S16, S26). When a certain amount of data has been taken into the memory, S1, S2, ... Inform M1 that the preparation is completed (S27). When all the devices are ready (S17, S18), M1
Sends a reproduction start signal to the other devices S1, S2, ... (S
19). At the timing of receiving this signal, the other devices S1, S2, ... Operate the audio compression / decompression unit (not shown) to start reproduction (S28).

As described above, according to this system, the system is not affected by variations in the delay time at the time of disk access,
Each device M1, S1, S2, ... Can start reproduction all at once by the reproduction start signal. It should be noted that the data transfer timing signal is transmitted from M1 to another recording / reproducing apparatus S1 every time a certain amount of data is transferred to a buffer memory (not shown).
If it is sent to S2, ..., As shown in FIG. 7, the reproduction can be synchronized from an arbitrary position for each disk recording / reproducing apparatus. Further, when an operation is performed such that different areas are continuously reproduced from the middle like the device S2 in FIG. 7, a search operation is required during the reproduction, but since the reproduction is intermittent, The reproduction is not interrupted, and the synchronization timing does not shift depending on the search time.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the multiple bus lines of the multi-track recorder are connected to the external terminals that enable these bus lines to be connected to an external device, the multiple bus lines of each multi-track recorder can be connected to each other via the external terminals. Can be connected to.

Further, according to the present invention, when the external terminals of the plurality of multi-track recorders are mutually connected by the multi-cable connector, the plurality of multi-track recorders share the plurality of bus lines. This makes it possible to independently record a plurality of signals to be recorded, as if they were one multi-track recorder. Also, the complexity of connection is eliminated. Furthermore, the complexity of the work is eliminated when performing ping-pong recording.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an MTR according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of connection of MTRs in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing tracks on a tape in the example.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration for synchronously recording the outputs of a plurality of MD players using the MTR of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a synchronized playback operation of the player.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing a synchronized reproduction operation of the player.

FIG. 7 is a time chart showing another synchronous reproduction operation of the player.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a multi-track recorder according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1a, 1b, 51, 52, 53 ... MTR, 2-5,
2a to 5a, 2b to 5b ... Input circuit unit, 21 to 24, 2
1a to 24a, 21b to 24b ... SUM, 25 ... Bus terminals, 26, 26a, 26b ... Recorder section, 11 ... TRI
M, 12, 15, 16, 36 ... Switch, 13 ... EQ,
14 ... PAN, 31 ... A / D converter, 32 ... Head, 3
3 ... Recording medium, 34 ... D / A converter, 35 ... Time code output circuit, 37 ... Controller, 41 ... Multi-cable.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of channels of signals to be recorded are input, and these signals are selectively supplied to each of a plurality of bus lines to generate mixing information on each of the bus lines. A multi-track recorder that outputs the above mixing information as recording information for each track on a recording medium, comprising an external terminal that is connected to the plurality of bus lines and enables these bus lines to be connected to an external device. A multi-track recorder characterized by that. 2. A plurality of multi-track recorders according to claim 1, wherein the external terminals of the plurality of multi-track recorders are connected to each other by a multi-cable connector, whereby the plurality of multi-track recorders are connected to each other. A multi-track recorder system characterized by sharing multiple bus lines. 3. The recording information recorded on the recording medium is digital recording information including a synchronization control signal, and the plurality of multi-track recorders output the signals of the plurality of channels based on the synchronization signal. 3. The multi-track recorder system according to claim 2, wherein the recording is performed in synchronization. 4. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of disc reproducing devices for supplying the signals of the plurality of channels to be recorded, wherein the disc reproducing device reads the data compressed and recorded from the disc from the disc and reads the data. While intermittently writing data in the storage means at the first speed, read data written in the storage means is read out at a second speed slower than the first speed without interruption, and data expansion is performed. A disk reproducing apparatus for outputting as the above, wherein one of the plurality of disk reproducing apparatuses provides a clock signal for synchronization control, a reproduction address on the disk, and a timing for reading the read data from the storage means. The read start signal is supplied to another disc reproducing device, and all the disc reproducing devices are arranged to perform the reading. The multi-track recorder system according to claim 2, wherein a reproduction signal is simultaneously output based on a start signal and the clock signal.