JPH10145159A - Fader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adjust a fader level of lots of input channels with a few number of fader operating elements. SOLUTION: Four fader operating elements F1-F4 are prepared for input channels CH1-CH12. Each of the fader operating elements F1-F4 is driven manually or motor-driven. A current fader level for each input channel is stored in a memory 22. The assignment of an input channel to each of the fader operating elements F1-F4 through the operation of scroll switches 18a, 18b. When the assignment is decides, the fader level of the corresponding input channel is read from the memory 22, and each of the fader operating elements F1-F4 is positioned to a position of the corresponding fader level. The fader levels of all the input channels is displayed on a display device 26.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fader device for an audio mixer or the like, which is capable of adjusting fader levels for many channels with a small number of fader operators.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A fader device is a device for continuously changing a gain, and is used, for example, in an audio mixer to adjust the level of a multi-channel input individually for mixing.

In a conventional fader device such as a multi-channel mixing console, fader operators (fader level adjustment operation means) are provided in a number corresponding to the number of input channels.

[0004]

In the conventional fader device, as the number of input channels increases, the space for disposing the fader operator becomes wider, and the device becomes larger, and the position of the fader controller becomes farther from the operator. There is a drawback that the number of fader operators increases and operation becomes difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a fader device which solves the above-mentioned problems in the prior art and enables fader level adjustment for many channels with a small number of fader operators.

[0006]

A fader device according to the present invention is configured to be slidable in the front-rear direction by motor driving and manual operation, respectively. A plurality of the fader devices are arranged in the left-right direction by a number smaller than the number of input channels. A fader operator and a fader level adjusting operation by the fader operator are selectively assigned to any of the input channels, and the assigned input channels of all the fader operators are previously assigned by a single assignment change operation. Allocating means for changing to a predetermined combination of input channels, allocating content displaying means for displaying allocating content by the allocating means, and fader level storing means for storing a fader level adjusted for each of the input channels;
Fader level control means for controlling a fader level of each input channel to a value adjusted for each of the input channels; and when one of the input channels is assigned to each of the fader operators by the assigning means, A fader operator positioning control means for reading out the fader level of the input channel stored in the level storage means and positioning the corresponding fader operator at a position corresponding to the fader level by motor drive; and the fader operator. In addition to the display of the fader level based on the operating position of the device itself, the display device further comprises fader level display means for graphically displaying the fader levels of all the input channels simultaneously based on the information stored in the fader level storage means. In things That.

In addition, the allocating means in the present invention can be configured as in the following (a) to (c) in addition to the above.

(A) A fader level adjustment operation by a fader operator is selectively assigned to any one of the input channels, and the assigned input channels of all the fader operators are changed by a single assignment change operation. Change without changing the order.

(B) A fader level adjusting operation by a fader operator is selectively assigned to any one of the input channels, and the assigned input channels of all the fader operators are changed by one assignment change operation. Change the scroll without changing the order.

(C) A fader level adjustment operation by a fader operator is selectively assigned to any one of the input channels. All input channels are arranged in a plurality by the number of fader operators without changing the arrangement order. , And the assignment input channels of all fader operators are changed for each block by a single assignment change operation.

According to the present invention, the fader level of the input channel selectively assigned to the fader operator by the assigning means is adjusted by the fader operator. The assignment contents at this time are displayed by the assignment contents display means. The fader level adjusted for each input channel is stored in the fader level storage means, and the level is actually adjusted by the fader level control means. Further, when the assignment of each fader operator is changed by the assigning means, the fader level of the corresponding input channel is read from the fader level storage means, and the fader operator is driven by the motor to a position corresponding to the fader level. Positioned. In addition, the fader level of each input channel is displayed according to the operation position of the fader control itself, and the fader level of all input channels is displayed separately. Graphical display is performed simultaneously on all input channels by the display means.

As described above, according to the present invention, the adjusting operation by the fader operator is selectively assigned to each input channel by the assigning means, so that the number of fader operators smaller than the number of input channels is used. Fader level adjustment can be performed for all input channels. Therefore, the space for disposing the fader operator can be reduced, and the apparatus can be downsized to reduce the cost. Further, all the fader operators can be arranged near the person who operates them, and the operability is improved.

In addition to the fader level display for the assigned channel based on the operation position of the fader operator itself, the fader levels of all input channels are graphically displayed simultaneously by the fader level display means. Despite using less than the number of fader controls, the fader level balance between all input channels can be easily grasped visually. Further, when an input channel is assigned to each fader operator by the assigning means, the fader level of the corresponding input channel is read from the fader level storage means, and the fader operator is positioned at an appropriate position by driving the motor. Therefore, the operation state of the fader operator can be immediately reproduced for any input channel, even though the number of fader operators smaller than the number of input channels is used. Therefore, for these reasons, it is possible to prevent a decrease in operability caused by using a number of fader operators smaller than the number of input channels.

Further, if the assigning means is configured to change the assigned input channels of all the fader operators to another combination of predetermined input channels by a single assignment changing operation, the assignment input channel changing operation can be performed. Becomes easier. Further, if the assigning means is configured to change the assigned input channels of all the fader operators without changing the arrangement order of the input channels by a single assignment changing operation, the assignment input channel changing operation is facilitated. Since the assignment contents are changed without changing the arrangement order of the input channels, the assignment of the input channels to the respective fader operators can be easily understood, and the fader operation can be easily performed. Further, if the assigning means is configured to scroll and change the assigned input channels of all the fader operators by a single change operation without changing the arrangement order of the input channels (that is, the selection range is sequentially shifted), the assignment input is performed. The operation of adjusting the fader level by sequentially feeding the channels can be easily performed. Also, the allocating means divides all input channels into a plurality of blocks by the number of fader operators without changing the arrangement order, and changes the assigned input channels of all fader operators for each block by a single allocation change operation. With this configuration, all input channels can be assigned to the fader operators with the minimum number of assignment change operations.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Here, a case will be described in which fader level adjustment is performed on 12 channels of inputs CH1 to CH12 by using four fader operators F1 to F4.

In FIG. 1, fader operators F1 to F4
Operates by manual operation or by electric drive via the motor driver 10. The slide positions of the fader operators F1 to F4 correspond to the fader level command values. The slide positions of the fader operators F1 to F4 are detected by the fader position detector 12. This detected value is input to the microcomputer 16.

The scroll switches 18a and 18b correspond to assigning means, and selectively operate fader level adjustment operations by the fader operators F1 to F4 for the respective channels CH1 to CH4.
12 is assigned. Scroll switch 18
Pressing "a" scrolls the channel number to become smaller, and pressing scroll switch 18b scrolls the channel number to become larger.

In this embodiment, the input channel CH1
To CH12 by the number of the fader operators F1 to F4 (that is, 4 channels).
1 to CH4, CH5 to CH8, and CH9 to CH12), and scrolling is performed in block units.
That is, if the scroll switch 18a is kept pressed,
As shown in FIG. 2, the fader operators F1 to F4 have C
H1 to CH4 are respectively assigned. Pressing the scroll switch 18b once from this state switches to FIG. 2, and CH5 to CH8 are assigned to the fader operators F1 to F4, respectively. When the scroll switch 18b is further pressed from this state, the display switches to FIG. 2, and CH9 to CH12 are assigned to the fader operators F1 to F4, respectively.

It is possible to know which of the contents is assigned by displaying the light emitting diodes 20a and 20b installed on the scroll switches 18a and 18b. That is, only the light emitting diode 20a is turned on in the assigned state, both lights are turned off in the assigned state, and only the light emitting diode 20b is turned on in the assigned state.

When the fader operators F1 to F4 are operated in the state where the channels are allocated as described above, each of the fader operators F detected by the fader position detector 12 is operated.
The slide position detection information 1 to F4 is sent to the microcomputer 16 as a fader level adjustment value for the assigned channel, and is stored in the memory 22. The memory 22 has channels CH1 to CH12.
The latest fader level adjustment value for is stored. For the channel whose allocation range has been switched to another range, the value immediately before the switching is protected.

Each channel fader level adjustment value stored in the memory 22 is sent to the microcomputer 16, and the microcomputer 16
To variably control the gains of the channels CH1 to CH12 in order to realize the commanded channel fader levels. In the case of an analog system using a VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier), this gain control controls the VCA gain of each channel in accordance with each channel fader level adjustment value output from the microcomputer 16. In the case of the digital system, each channel fader level adjustment value output from the microcomputer 16 is converted into a digital signal processing signal LS in the signal processing circuit 24.
Gain control is performed by giving a command for updating the multiplication coefficient to I or the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, the display 26 displays the fader level display 26a of each of the channels CH1 to CH12 in the form of a bar graph on an LCD or the like. Further, the assignment content display 26b is displayed in characters on an LCD or the like (in FIG. 3, CH5, CH6, CH7 and CH8 are selected, and these are displayed at display positions corresponding to the actual positions of the fader operators F1 to F4. There.)

A specific example of the actual fader operation by the fader device of FIG. 1 will be described. Channels CH1 to C
In the case where adjustment is made for H4, the scroll switch 18a is depressed to set the allocation state shown in FIG. The state of the assignment in FIG.
The light emitting diodes 20a and 20b on the display 18b are turned on only by the light emitting diode 20a or the display 2
6 can be known from the display 26b (FIG. 3) of the assignment contents.

In the allocation state shown in FIG. 2, the latest fader level adjustment values for the channels CH1 to CH4 stored in the memory 22 are read out and sent to the motor driver 10 as command values. The slide position of each of the faders F1 to F4 is controlled to a position corresponding to the command value.

When the fader operators F1 to F4 are operated in the assignment state shown in FIG. 2, the respective slide positions are detected by the fader position detector 12 and sent to the microcomputer 16. The microcomputer 16 updates the storage contents of the channels CH1 to CH4 in the memory 22 by using these as new fader level command values for the channels CH1 to CH4. Further, the gain of the channels CH1 to CH4 in the signal processing circuit 24 is controlled to a value corresponding to the newly designated fader level. This new fader level is displayed in real time on each channel fader level display 26a (FIG. 3) on the display 26.

At this time, the other channels CH5 to C
For H12, the latest fader level command value stored in the memory 22 is read, and the gain in the signal processing circuit 24 is controlled. The fader levels of these channels CH5 to CH12 are displayed on respective fader level displays 26a on the display 26.

Subsequently, when adjusting the channels CH5 to CH8, the user presses the scroll switch 18b once to set the assignment state shown in FIG. The assignment state shown in FIG. 2 is caused by the fact that both the light emitting diodes 20a and 20b on the scroll switches 18a and 18b are turned off or the display of the assignment contents on the display 26.
6b.

When the allocation state shown in FIG. 2 is reached, the latest fader level adjustment values for the channels CH5 to CH8 stored in the memory 22 are read out and sent to the motor driver 10 as command values. The slide position of each of the faders F1 to F4 is controlled to a position corresponding to the command value.

When the fader operators F1 to F4 are operated in the assignment state shown in FIG. 2, the respective slide positions are detected by the fader position detector 12 and sent to the microcomputer 16. The microcomputer 16 updates the stored contents of the channels CH5 to CH8 in the memory 22 by using these as new fader level command values for the channels CH5 to CH8. Further, the gain of the channels CH5 to CH8 in the signal processing circuit 24 is controlled to a value corresponding to the newly designated fader level. This new fader level is displayed in real time on each channel fader level display 26a on the display 26.

At this time, the other channels CH1 to C
For H4, CH9 to CH12, the latest fader level command values stored in the memory 22 are read, and the gain in the signal processing circuit 24 is controlled. In addition, these channels CH1 to CH4, CH9 to
The fader level of the CH 12 is displayed on each fader level display 26a on the display 26.

Subsequently, when adjusting the channels CH9 to CH12, the scroll switch 18b is depressed to set the allocation state shown in FIG. 2 is that the light emitting diodes 20a and 20b on the scroll switches 18a and 18b are
It can be known from the fact that only b is turned on or from the display 26b of the assignment contents on the display 26.

When the assignment state shown in FIG. 2 is reached, the latest fader level adjustment values for the channels CH9 to CH12 stored in the memory 22 are read out, and sent to the motor driver 10 as command values, and are controlled by servo control. The slide position of each of the faders F1 to F4 is controlled to a position corresponding to the command value.

When the fader operators F1 to F4 are operated in the assignment state shown in FIG. 2, the respective slide positions are detected by the fader position detector 12 and sent to the microcomputer 16. The microcomputer 16 updates the storage contents of the channels CH9 to CH12 in the memory 22 using these as new fader level command values for the channels CH9 to CH12. Further, the gain of the channels CH1 to CH8 in the signal processing circuit 24 is controlled to a value corresponding to the newly designated fader level. This new fader level is displayed in real time on each channel fader level display 26a on the display 26.

At this time, the other channels CH1 to C
As for H8, the latest fader level command value stored in the memory 22 is read, and the gain in the signal processing circuit 24 is controlled. The fader levels of these channels CH1 to CH8 are indicated by a display 26.
Are displayed on the respective fader level displays 26a.

In the above-described embodiment, scrolling is performed by four channels each time the scroll switches 18a and 18b are pressed. However, scrolling may be performed by one channel or by other numbers.

The relationship between the number of channels and the number of fader operators can be set variously.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an allocation state in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of a display on a display unit 26 in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 12, 16 Fader operator positioning control means (motor driver, fader position detector, microcomputer) 18a, 18b Scroll switch (assignment means) F1 to F4 Fader operator (fader level adjustment operation means) 20a, 20 light emitting diode (Allocation content display means) 22 Memory (fader level storage means) 24 Signal processing circuit (fader level control means) 26a Channel fader level display (fader display means) 26b Allocation content display (allocation content display means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of fader operators that are slidable in the front-rear direction by motor driving and manual operation, respectively, and are arranged side by side in the left-right direction by a number smaller than the number of input channels. A level adjusting operation is selectively assigned to any of the input channels, and the assigned input channels of all the fader operators are changed to another predetermined combination of input channels by a single assignment changing operation. Allocating means for allocating, allocating contents displaying means for displaying allocating contents by the allocating means, fader level storing means for storing a fader level adjusted for each of the input channels, and a value adjusted for each of the input channels. Fader level that controls the fader level for each input channel When one of the input channels is assigned to each of the fader operators by the assigning means, a fader level for the input channel stored in the fader level storage means is read out, and the corresponding fader is read out. A fader operator positioning control means for positioning the operator by a motor drive at a position corresponding to the fader level, and a display of the fader level based on the operation position of the fader operator itself, separately from the information stored in the fader level storage means. And a fader level display means for graphically displaying the fader levels of all of the input channels simultaneously. 2. A plurality of fader operators that are slidable in the front-rear direction by motor driving and manual operation, respectively, and are arranged in the left-right direction by a number smaller than the number of input channels, and a fader by these fader operators. Assigning a level adjustment operation selectively to any one of the input channels, wherein the assignment input operation of all fader operators is changed without changing the arrangement order of the input channels by a single assignment change operation Means, an assignment content display means for displaying the assignment content by the assignment means, a fader level storage means for storing a fader level adjusted for each of the input channels, and a value adjusted for each of the input channels. Fader level control means for controlling the fader level of the channel; When one of the input channels is assigned to each of the fader operators by the assigning means, the fader level for the input channel stored in the fader level storage means is read out, and the corresponding fader operator is assigned. Fader operator positioning control means for positioning by motor drive to a position corresponding to the fader level, separately from display of a fader level by an operation position of the fader operator itself, based on information stored in the fader level storage means, A fader device comprising: fader level display means for graphically displaying the fader levels of all input channels at the same time. 3. A plurality of fader operators which are configured to be slidable in the front-rear direction by motor driving and manual operation, respectively, and which are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction by a number smaller than the number of input channels, and a fader by these fader operators. A level adjustment operation is selectively assigned to any one of the input channels, and the assigned input channels of all the fader operators are scrolled without changing the arrangement order of the input channels by a single assignment change operation. Allocating means, allocating content displaying means for displaying allocating content by the allocating means, fader level storing means for storing a fader level adjusted for each of the input channels, and a value adjusted for each of the input channels. Fader level for controlling the input channel fader level When any one of the input channels is assigned to each of the fader operators by the assigning means, the fader level for the input channel stored in the fader level storage means is read, and Fader operator positioning control means for positioning a fader operator at a position corresponding to the fader level by motor driving, and separately from display of a fader level by an operation position of the fader operator itself, information stored in the fader level storage means And a fader level display means for graphically displaying the fader levels of all the input channels simultaneously on the basis of the above. 4. A plurality of fader operators which are configured to be slidable in the front-rear direction by motor driving and manual operation, respectively, and which are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction by a number smaller than the number of input channels, and a fader by these fader operators. A level adjustment operation is selectively assigned to one of the input channels. The input channels are divided into a plurality of blocks each corresponding to the number of the fader operators without changing the arrangement order, and assigned once. Assigning means for changing the assigned input channels of all the fader operators for each block by a changing operation; assigning content displaying means for displaying the assigned content by the assigning means; storing the fader level adjusted for each of the input channels Fader level storage means, and adjustment for each of the input channels Fader level control means for controlling the fader level of each input channel to the set value, and when any of the input channels is assigned to each of the fader operators by the assigning means, the fader level is stored in the fader level storage means. A fader operator positioning control means for reading a fader level of the input channel, and positioning the corresponding fader operator by a motor drive at a position corresponding to the fader level; and a fader based on the operation position of the fader operator itself. A fader device comprising: fader level display means for graphically displaying the fader levels of all the input channels simultaneously based on information stored in the fader level storage means, separately from the level display.