JPH08314456A - Automatic accompaniment device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To make it possible to easily and rapidly set the combinations of the accompaniment patterns consisting of the accompaniment pattern data of the same meters as each other with all accompaniment parts by detecting the meter of the assigned accompaniment pattern data, retrieving the accompaniment pattern data of the same meter as the detected meter out of memory means, displaying the data and selecting the desired accompaniment pattern data from the displayed accompaniment pattern data. CONSTITUTION: The meter of the accompaniment pattern data is detected by a detecting means when a user assigns any of the accompaniment pattern data within the memory means by an assigning means. The accompaniment pattern data of the same meter as the meter of the accompaniment pattern data is then retrieved from the preset accompaniment memory 4 by a retrieving means and the accompaniment pattern data of the same meter is displayed by a display 12. The accompaniment pattern data of the same meter as the meter of the first assigned accompaniment pattern data is selected even if the user sets any accompaniment pattern data with the selecting means according the display.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic accompaniment apparatus for automatically generating accompaniment sounds of a plurality of accompaniment parts in accordance with a predetermined pattern based on a designated chord and rhythm type, and particularly to a natural audible impression. The present invention relates to a pattern in which a user can easily select a combination of patterns.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of types of accompaniment pattern data are stored in a memory for each of a plurality of accompaniment parts (for example, three accompaniment parts of a chord backing part, a bass part, and a drum part). A combination of accompaniment pattern data can be set by selecting any accompaniment pattern data, and the accompaniment pattern data of the set combination is read out in parallel from the memory at the time of performance and is pronounced as an accompaniment sound. However, it is generally known.

[0003]

The accompaniment pattern data stored in the memory of the automatic accompaniment apparatus usually has various beats (for example, three-quarters beats and four-quarters beats).
There is a time signature). Among them, accompaniment pattern data with different time signatures for each accompaniment part (for example, three quarters for chord backing part, four quarters for bass part and drum part).
When the accompaniment pattern data of the time signature is selected, the accompaniment pattern data of a time signature shorter than the accompaniment pattern data of the longest time signature (accompaniment pattern data of the three quarters of the chord backing part in the above example) has a shorter beat. A few minutes (1/4 in the above example, which is the difference between 4/4 and 3/4
The applicant of the present invention has proposed an automatic accompaniment device in which only part of the accompaniment pattern data or rests is added for each beat (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-202659). If such an automatic accompaniment device is used, even if accompaniment pattern data with different time signatures is selected for each accompaniment part, the accompaniment sound will be generated after matching the time signatures. It is possible to expand the variety of combinations. However, from the viewpoint of performing automatic accompaniment that gives a natural impression to the audible sense, accompaniment pattern data having the same time signature (for example, three-quarters time signature for all accompaniment parts) is selected for all accompaniment parts. Is most desirable.

For convenience of selecting accompaniment pattern data,
When the user inputs the characteristic of the accompaniment pattern data of any accompaniment part, the accompaniment pattern data having the characteristic is searched and displayed from all accompaniment pattern data of the accompaniment part in the memory. An automatic accompaniment device has also been proposed by the applicant (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-27).
3975). This automatic accompaniment device has a feature that each accompaniment part is complicated to some extent and has mutually different contents (for example, one accompaniment part has a three-quarter beat and a hard atmosphere, and another accompaniment part has a different atmosphere). It is useful when the accompaniment pattern data having that characteristic is selected by designating (3/4 beat, soft atmosphere, and fill-in). However, when this automatic accompaniment device is used only for the purpose of selecting accompaniment pattern data having the same time signature with each other, each time the accompaniment pattern data for each accompaniment part is selected, the content is exactly the same and only from the time signature. It is necessary to input each of the features (for example, that it has a three-quarter beat) (for example, if there are three accompaniment parts, a chord backing part, a bass part, and a drum part, input the features with exactly the same contents. Will have to be repeated 3 times). Therefore, the operation becomes somewhat complicated and the required time becomes long as compared with the purpose of use. The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and allows a user to easily combine accompaniment pattern data composed of accompaniment pattern data having the same time signature (that is, giving a natural impression to the listener) to all accompaniment parts. The present invention aims to provide an automatic accompaniment device that can be set quickly.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An automatic accompaniment apparatus according to the present invention includes a designating means for designating any one of the accompaniment pattern data among a plurality of types of accompaniment pattern data stored in a storage means, and the designation. Detecting means for detecting the time signature of the accompaniment pattern data designated by the means, searching means for searching the storage means for accompaniment pattern data having the same time signature detected by the detecting means, and searching by the search means It is characterized by comprising display means for displaying the generated accompaniment pattern data and selection means for selecting desired accompaniment pattern data from the accompaniment pattern data displayed on the display means.

[0006]

When the user designates any accompaniment pattern data in the storage means by the designating means, the detecting means detects the time signature of the accompaniment pattern data, and the searching means detects the accompaniment pattern data having the same time signature as the accompaniment pattern data. The accompaniment pattern data having the same time signature is retrieved from the storage means and displayed by the display means. No matter which accompaniment pattern data is selected by the user based on the display, the accompaniment pattern data having the same time signature as the initially specified accompaniment pattern data is selected. In this way, the user only needs to specify one of the accompaniment pattern data, and all the existing accompaniment pattern data with the same time signature as that accompaniment pattern data is displayed to the user, and the user selects the desired accompaniment pattern data from among them. Since it is sufficient to select the accompaniment pattern data, it is possible to easily and quickly select accompaniment pattern data having the same time signature from the existing accompaniment pattern data. Therefore, by performing such an operation for each accompaniment part, a combination of accompaniment patterns composed of accompaniment pattern data having the same time signature can be set easily and quickly for all accompaniment parts.

A plurality of combinations of accompaniment pattern data for a plurality of accompaniment parts, each accompaniment pattern data having the same time signature, are stored in the storage means, and the specifying means, the detecting means, the searching means, The display means and the selection means are made to specify, detect, search, display and select the combination of the accompaniment pattern data as a unit. Further, the desired accompaniment part is selected from the accompaniment pattern data selected by the selection means. It is more preferable to provide setting means for setting the combination of accompaniment pattern data consisting of the accompaniment pattern data designated by the designating means for the remaining accompaniment parts. As a result, when the user specifies one of the existing accompaniment pattern data combinations, all the accompaniment pattern data combinations with the same time signature as the combination of the accompaniment pattern data are displayed to the user, and the user can arbitrarily select those combinations. Since it is possible to set a new combination of accompaniment pattern data by exchanging them, it is possible to easily and quickly set the combination of accompaniment patterns composed of accompaniment pattern data having the same time signature for all accompaniment parts. Like

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an electronic musical instrument that employs an automatic accompaniment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This electronic musical instrument includes a CPU 1, a program memory (ROM) 2 and a working memory (RAM).
3, a preset accompaniment memory (ROM) 4, accompaniment memory (RA)
M) 5, keyboard 6, operation panel 7, playback accompaniment section 8 and tone generator 9 are connected to this microcomputer via a data and address bus 10.

In the preset accompaniment memory 4, a plurality of combinations of accompaniment pattern data for the three accompaniment parts of the chord backing part, the bass part and the drum part, each accompaniment pattern having the same time signature, are stored in advance. Remembered That is, a combination of accompaniment pattern data in which the accompaniment pattern data for any accompaniment part is three quarters, a combination of accompaniment pattern data in which the accompaniment pattern data for any accompaniment part is four quarters, and the like. , A plurality of types are stored respectively. Hereinafter, this combination of accompaniment pattern data will be referred to as a preset pattern. The accompaniment memory 5 stores a combination of accompaniment pattern data newly set by the user on the basis of a combination of accompaniment pattern data in the preset accompaniment memory 4 or a combination of accompaniment pattern data already stored in the accompaniment memory 5. It is a memory. In the following, the accompaniment pattern data for each accompaniment part is called a part pattern,
The combination of the accompaniment pattern data stored in advance will be referred to as a preset pattern, and the combination of the accompaniment pattern data stored in the memory 5 by the user will be referred to as a custom pattern.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a data storage format of one preset pattern or custom pattern. The header HD includes a pattern number which is a serial number of each pattern, a pattern name which is a name of the pattern,
This area stores the time signature of the pattern and other data. The pattern number of each preset pattern is given in advance. On the other hand, the custom pattern is given a desired custom pattern number by the user (however, a number different from the pattern number of the preset pattern). In this embodiment, the pattern name is'Rock 'or'Disc' that represents the type of accompaniment pattern.
Words such as o ',' Pop ',' Swing 'and'Waltz' (herein referred to as styles) and normal accompaniment (normal) or an accompaniment inserted between normal accompaniments (fill-in). ), The accompaniment of the introduction part of the music (intro), or the accompaniment of the end part of the music (ending) 'Norm. ',
'Fil. ',' Intr. ',' End. It is assumed to consist of two words, the word 'and the word here (which will be referred to as a section here). Therefore, the pattern name is, for example, 'Rock Norm. "It is" Disco F
il. ' The style name and section name are also stored in the header HD as pattern names.

The pattern data section is an area for storing accompaniment pattern data for each accompaniment part. In the area for the chord backing part and the area for the bass part, a sequence consisting of timing data for instructing the sounding timing and key code data for instructing the pitch of the musical tone to be generated at the timing with the pitch according to the reference chord. The data is stored according to the accompaniment order. In the drum part area, sequence data composed of timing data for instructing sound generation timing and drum sound number data for instructing the type of drum sound to be generated at the timing are stored in accompaniment order.

The keyboard 6 outputs a key-on event signal and a key code signal indicating a pitch in response to a key press. The operation panel 7 is provided with an operator group 11 and a display 12. Although not particularly shown, the operator group 11 includes switches having the following names and roles. (1) Edit switch: switch for instructing to edit a new custom pattern (2) Numeric keypad switch: switch for inputting numbers such as pattern number of custom pattern (3) Character key switch: style name and A switch for specifying the preset pattern or custom pattern that you want to use as a reference when editing the custom pattern by specifying the section name, and for specifying the preset pattern or custom pattern that you want to be pronounced as an accompaniment when playing. ) Accompaniment part specification switch: Specify the accompaniment part for which you want to replace the part pattern of the preset pattern or custom pattern (hereinafter referred to as the reference pattern) specified by the character key switch when editing the custom pattern. Switch for (5) Cursor switch: Switch for moving the cursor on the screen of the display 12 (6) Selection switch: Style displayed at the cursor position on the screen of the display 12 when editing the custom pattern Switch for selecting preset pattern of name and section name (7) Start / Stop switch: Switch for starting / stopping automatic accompaniment

The playing accompaniment section 8 reads out a preset pattern or a custom pattern designated by the user with the character key switches at the time of performance from the preset accompaniment memory 4 or the accompaniment memory 5, and sets the pitch according to the chord designated by the keyboard 6. After conversion, it is transmitted to the mixer 13 as accompaniment sound data. In the mixer 13, the accompaniment sound data is mixed with the music sound data output from the tone generator 9 in response to the key depression of the keyboard 6, and then sent to the sound system 14 to be acoustically sounded.

The microcomputer controls each part of the electronic musical instrument as described above according to the program in the program memory 2 to execute various processes. Next, of the processes executed by the microcomputer, an example of the part according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main routine executed by the microcomputer. In this main routine, after performing a predetermined initialization (step 100), a key event process (step 101), a pattern editing process (step 102) which is a feature of the present invention, and a custom pattern edit process (step 103). , Style selection processing (step 104), and section selection processing (step 10)
5) and automatic accompaniment start / stop processing (step 1
06) and other processing (step 107) are repeatedly executed.

FIG. 4 shows an example of key event processing.
In the key event process, it is determined whether or not a new key event has occurred on the keyboard 6 (step 200), and if it has not occurred, the process directly returns. On the other hand, if a key event has occurred, it is determined whether or not it is a key-on event (step 201). If it is a key-on event, a predetermined sound generation process is performed and a chord detection process is performed (step 202). If it is a key-off event, a predetermined muffling process is performed (step 202). In the chord detection process, the root note and type of the detected chord are stored in a predetermined storage area in the working memory 3. Then return.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the pattern editing process following the key event process. In the pattern editing process, in the first step 300, it is determined whether or not there is an on event of the edit switch (that is, whether the user has instructed to edit a new custom pattern). If there is no on event, it returns as it is. On the other hand, if there is an on event, the routine proceeds to step 301, where it is determined whether any of the custom pattern numbers has been input by operating the ten-key switch. When it is input, the process proceeds to step 302 and the value of the custom pattern number is registered in the register CPT provided in a predetermined storage area in the working memory 3.
Store in N.

Subsequent steps 303 to 305
Is a step for securing the reference pattern. First, in step 303, it is determined whether or not a style name has been input by operating the character key switch, and if input, the process proceeds to step 304 and it is determined whether or not a section name has been input by operating the character key switch. When the section name is also input, the process proceeds to step 305, the preset pattern or the custom pattern of the style name and the section name is read from the preset accompaniment memory 4 or the accompaniment memory 5 as a reference pattern, and the reference pattern is stored in the accompaniment memory 5. Of the storage area, register CP
The data is stored in the area provided corresponding to the value of TN (that is, the value of the custom pattern number).

Next, in step 306, the time signature data is read from the header part HD (see FIG. 2) of the reference pattern stored in the accompaniment memory 5, and the time signature data is provided in a predetermined storage area in the working memory 3. Store in register BT. Next, in step 307, it is determined whether or not there is another ON event of the edit switch (that is, whether the user has again instructed to edit a new custom pattern). If there is no on event, it returns as it is.
On the other hand, if there is an on-event, go to step 308,
It is determined whether or not any accompaniment part is designated by operating the accompaniment part designation switch.

When the designation is made, the flow advances to step 309 to search the preset accompaniment memory 4 for preset patterns having the same beat as the value of the register BT (that is, the beat of the reference pattern), and the style names and sections of all the corresponding preset patterns. The names are displayed on the display 12 as a list. FIG. 6 shows three types of styles'Ro as an example of this display.
ck ',' Disco ', and'Pop' are displayed, and four sections'Norm. ',' Fil. ',' Intr. 'And' End. 'Is displayed (ie 3 × 4 in total)
= 12 types of style names and section names are displayed). In this state, by operating the cursor switch, the cursor C is moved to the position of any section name corresponding to the style name of any row, and then the selection switch is turned on. A preset pattern is selected. In the figure, 'Rock Norm. The cursor C is moved to the position "'.

At the next step 310, it is determined whether or not any one of the style names and section names displayed on the display 12 has been selected by operating the cursor switch and the selection switch. to decide. If selected, the process proceeds to step 311, and a part pattern for the accompaniment part specified by the accompaniment part specification switch is read from the preset accompaniment memory 4, and the part pattern is associated with the value of the register CPTN. It is stored in an area for the accompaniment part of the storage area in the accompaniment memory 5 (that is, a storage area storing the reference pattern). As a result, the part pattern of the accompaniment part in the reference pattern is replaced with the part pattern of another preset pattern selected by the selection switch from the original part pattern. In this way, a new custom pattern is set for the desired accompaniment part, which is a part pattern of another preset pattern having the same time signature, and for the remaining accompaniment parts, which is a part pattern of the reference pattern. Upon completion of step 311, the process returns.

The custom pattern edit process (FIG. 3) following the pattern edit process is a process in which the user corrects the custom pattern set in the pattern edit process in units of one note (unit of individual notes). This processing can be performed by a well-known method and is not directly related to the present invention, and therefore its detailed description is omitted. Style selection processing and section selection processing following the custom pattern editing processing (Fig. 3)
Then, similarly to step 303 and step 304 (FIG. 5) of the pattern editing process, the preset pattern or the custom pattern is designated by inputting the style name and the section name with the character key switches. However, here, a preset pattern or a custom pattern that is desired to be pronounced as an accompaniment sound during performance is specified.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the automatic accompaniment start / stop processing (FIG. 3) following the style selection processing and section selection processing. In the automatic accompaniment start / stop processing, it is judged whether or not there is an on event of the start / stop switch (step 400), and if not, the routine directly returns. On the other hand, if there is an on event, the value of the automatic accompaniment flag RUN provided in a predetermined storage area in the working memory 3 is inverted between "1" and "0" (step 401), and then the value of the flag RUN is changed. It is determined whether or not it is "1" (step 402). If it is '1', the preset pattern or custom pattern specified in the style selection processing and section selection processing is stored in the memory 4 or 5.
In order to read from the pattern, the read pointer is set to the head address of the pattern (step 403). On the other hand, if it is "0", a predetermined muffling process is performed (step 4).
04). By this start / stop processing, when the start / stop is turned on during the automatic accompaniment, the automatic accompaniment is stopped, and when the start / stop is turned on while the automatic accompaniment is stopped, the automatic accompaniment is started.

When the value of the flag RUN is "1", a predetermined interrupt process is executed according to a tempo clock pulse from a timer (not shown) during the loop process of the main routine of FIG. The preset pattern or custom pattern specified in the selection process and the section selection process is played as an accompaniment sound. This interrupt processing includes the step of reading data from the address designated by the read pointer and the read data.
Chord detection processing of key event processing (step 40 in FIG. 4)
The steps of converting in accordance with the root note and type of the chord detected in 1), outputting the converted data to the mixer 13, and stepping the read pointer are repeatedly executed. Since this is a well-known process in the device and is not directly related to the present invention,
Detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Thus, according to this automatic accompaniment device,
When the user specifies a preset pattern or custom pattern to use as a reference, all preset patterns with the same time signature as the reference pattern are displayed to the user, and the user can replace the part pattern of those patterns with a new custom pattern. As a result, the user can easily and quickly set a custom pattern including part patterns having the same time signature for all accompaniment parts.

In this embodiment, a combination (preset pattern) of accompaniment pattern data of each accompaniment part is set in advance and various processes are executed in units of the combination. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Various processes may be executed with each accompaniment pattern data (part pattern) as a unit, and the accompaniment pattern data selected for each accompaniment part may be combined at the end. When the accompaniment pattern data of each accompaniment part is used as a unit in this way, as an example, when accompaniment pattern data of a certain accompaniment part is specified, the accompaniment pattern data of accompaniment parts other than the accompaniment part is selected from the accompaniment pattern data. It is preferable to search for and display accompaniment pattern data having the same time signature, and set a new combination of the accompaniment pattern data arbitrarily selected from the accompaniment pattern data and the accompaniment pattern data specified first. However, as another example, when the accompaniment pattern data for a certain accompaniment part is specified, the accompaniment pattern data for the accompaniment part itself is searched for and displayed, and any accompaniment pattern data is displayed. The pattern data may be selectable.

Further, in this embodiment, preset patterns having the same time signature as the time signature of the reference pattern are visually displayed on the display 12 as a list of their style names and section names. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the preset pattern is displayed on the display unit 12, the preset pattern is read out from the memory 4, and the tone generator 9, the mixer 13, and the sound system 14 produce sound as the reference chord (that is, acoustically displayed). You may do it. Further, for example, the preset pattern may be sounded without being displayed on the display unit 12. In that case, a switch for determining whether or not to select the preset pattern being sounded is operated by the operator group 11 It may be provided inside.

[0027]

As described above, according to the automatic accompaniment apparatus of the present invention, the user can easily and quickly select the accompaniment pattern data having the same time signature from the existing accompaniment pattern data. It has an excellent effect that Then, based on this, the user can easily and quickly set a new combination of accompaniment pattern data that is composed of accompaniment pattern data having the same time signature for all accompaniment parts (that is, gives a natural impression to the sense of hearing). It has an excellent effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic accompaniment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a data storage format of a preset pattern or a custom pattern.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a main routine executed by a microcomputer.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of key event processing in a main routine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of pattern editing processing in the main routine.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of pattern names displayed on a display.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of automatic accompaniment start / stop processing in the main routine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU1 2 Program memory (ROM) 3 Working memory (RAM) 4 Preset accompaniment memory (ROM) 5 Accompaniment memory (RAM) 6 Keyboard 7 Operation panel 8 Play accompaniment section 9 Tone generator 10 Data and address bus 11 Operator group 12 Display Vessel 13 mixer 14 sound system

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An automatic instrument comprising: storage means for storing a plurality of types of accompaniment pattern data; and reproduction accompaniment means for reading the accompaniment pattern data from the storage means and generating an accompaniment sound based on the read out accompaniment pattern data. In the accompaniment apparatus, a designating unit for designating one of the accompaniment pattern data from the accompaniment pattern data stored in the storage unit, and a detection unit for detecting the time signature of the accompaniment pattern data designated by the designating unit. A search unit that searches the storage unit for accompaniment pattern data having the same time signature as that detected by the detection unit; a display unit that displays the accompaniment pattern data searched by the search unit; Automatic with a selection means for selecting desired accompaniment pattern data from the displayed accompaniment pattern data Kanade apparatus. 2. A storage unit that stores a plurality of types of combinations of accompaniment pattern data for a plurality of accompaniment parts, each accompaniment pattern data having the same time signature, and a combination of the accompaniment pattern data read from the storage unit. In an automatic accompaniment apparatus comprising a reproduction accompaniment means for generating an accompaniment sound based on a combination of read out accompaniment pattern data, any combination is designated from among combinations of accompaniment pattern data stored in said storage means. Designating means, detecting means for detecting the time signature of the combination of accompaniment pattern data designated by the designating means, and searching the storage means for a combination of accompaniment pattern data having the same time signature as the time signature detected by the detecting means. And a set of accompaniment pattern data retrieved by the retrieval means. Display means for displaying the combination, selection means for selecting a desired combination of accompaniment pattern data from the combination of accompaniment pattern data displayed on the display means, and selection of the desired accompaniment part by the selection means An automatic accompaniment apparatus, comprising: combination setting means for setting a combination of accompaniment pattern data consisting of accompaniment pattern data designated by the designating means for the remaining accompaniment parts consisting of accompaniment pattern data.