JPH10282992A - Speech processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically output a plurality of speeches inputted from a microphone in an appropriate speech volume. SOLUTION: Each speech is inputted to AGC 11 by microphone 1 and microphone 2 via an analyzing device 10, and the AGC compares each sound level of the inputted speech signals with each other, and based on the comparison result, the speeches based on each speech signal is adjusted to a sound level at which both speeches can be heard with a same volume, and is sent to a preamplifier 13. The preamplifier 13 mixes the speech signals with a music signal reproduced by a performance data reproducing device and outputs it to a main amplifier 4, and the main amplifier 4 amplifies the speech signals and the music signal and outputs them from loudspeakers 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, an audio / video reproducing apparatus, a karaoke apparatus, and a communication karaoke apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, audio processing devices such as personal computers, audio / video reproducing devices, karaoke devices, and communication karaoke devices that sing using a microphone while reproducing various musics have been frequently used.

[0003] In such an audio processing device, the user can output a microphone input audio at an arbitrary volume by adjusting a microphone or a volume knob provided on the device main body.

[0004] In addition, an automatic gain control circuit (auto gain control circuit: AGC) and a logarithmic amplifier circuit are both provided.
Hands-free telephone, etc. that selects one of the above two circuits in consideration of the noise level around the microphone, etc., and adjusts the audio level so that the other party cannot make the microphone input audio difficult to hear. (See, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-272254).

Conventionally, in the above-described audio processing apparatus, for example, when a man and a woman use a single microphone to perform duet, if there is a large difference in the sound volume of both the sounds, the listener has a poor balance. It sounds like a song.

[0006] In particular, the volume of voice when singing is often lower in females than in males, and females tend to sing more away from the microphone than males, so that the volume is even lower than males. Often become. Therefore, in order to eliminate the difference in volume between the two, the singer has adjusted the volume level of each.

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned conventional audio processing apparatus has a problem that it takes much time and effort to output a plurality of audios at an optimum volume level. For example, in a duet between a man and a woman, the volume of each microphone must be adjusted each time, or the volume of the voice must be reduced by the male, and the volume of the voice must be increased by the female. For this reason, the singer cannot concentrate on the singing while paying attention to the operation of the device for adjusting the volume or the utterance operation, and there is a problem that the duet cannot be sufficiently enjoyed.

In the above-described audio processing apparatus for adjusting and outputting the sound level so that the sound of the microphone input is not easily heard by the other party due to noise, when a plurality of different input sounds are simultaneously input and output, Each sound could not be output so as to be heard at the same volume.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to be able to automatically output a plurality of voices input through a microphone so that they can be heard at the same volume.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of voice input means, a volume level comparison means for comparing the volume levels of voices respectively input by the respective means, and the means. A sound processing apparatus comprising: sound level adjusting means for adjusting each sound to a sound level that can be heard at the same sound volume based on the comparison result of the above, and sound output means for outputting each sound at the sound level adjusted by the means. I will provide a.

Also, a plurality of voice input means, a male / female sound determining means for determining whether the voice input by each means is a male voice or a female voice, and the above-mentioned respective means based on the determination result by the means. It is preferable that the sound processing apparatus includes a sound volume level adjusting unit that adjusts the sound to a sound level that can be heard at the same sound volume, and a sound output unit that outputs each sound at the sound volume level adjusted by the sound unit.

Further, a plurality of voice input means, a male voice / female voice determining means for determining whether the voice input by each means is a male voice or a female voice, and a male singing part and a female singing part in the performance data Music data and reproduction data output means for reproducing and outputting performance music based on the performance data, and when the performance music is reproduced and output by the means, Means for recognizing data of a singing section, a female singing section, and a male / female dual singing section, and a female voice level determined by the male / female sound determining section when the male singing section data is recognized by the means. Or the male voice sound determined by the male voice / female voice determining means when the data of the female singing part is recognized. A volume that can be adjusted to a silence level or an adjustment to lower the volume level, and the male and female voices determined by the male / female voice determining means can be heard at the same volume when the data of the male / female duet is recognized. It is preferable that the sound processing apparatus includes a sound volume level adjusting means for adjusting the sound level and audio output means for outputting each sound of the sound volume level adjusted by the means.

Further, the male / female sound determining means may be a means for determining whether it is a male or female voice sound based on the frequency or frequency of the voice input from each of the voice input means.

[0014] Further, the male / female sound determining means may include:
When a male voice singing part and a female voice singing part in the performance data are recognized, a means for judging a male voice or a female voice based on the volume level of the voice input from each of the voice input means may be used. .

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio processing apparatus for inputting a plurality of voices, comparing the volume levels of the voices,
Based on the comparison result, each sound is adjusted to a sound volume level that can be heard at the same sound volume and output.

Therefore, when a plurality of singers are duet, it is possible to automatically output both voices so that the listener can hear them at the same volume without adjusting the volume or adjusting the singing volume according to the other party. . In addition, the singer does not need to perform a complicated volume adjustment operation during the singing, and can fully concentrate on and enjoy the singing.

Further, the voice processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention inputs a plurality of voices, determines whether each voice is a male voice or a female voice, and converts each voice at the same volume based on the determination result. Adjust to a audible volume level and output.

Therefore, when a man or woman is duet, the voices of the man and the woman input through the microphones can be automatically adjusted and output so that they can be heard at the same volume, and a singing with a good volume balance can be provided to the listener. Can be heard.
Also, the singer does not have to perform complicated volume adjustment operations during the singing, and the male does not have to reduce the volume at the time of singing, and the female does not have to forcibly increase the volume at the time of singing. You can concentrate and enjoy.

The sound processing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention, when reproducing and outputting performance music, inputs a plurality of voices, determines whether each voice is a male voice or a female voice, and outputs the male voice or the female voice in the performance data. Recognizing the data of the singing section, female singing section, and male and female singing section, and adjusting and lowering the volume level of the female voice input when the data of the male singing section is recognized to silence or a predetermined level, and outputting. The volume level of the male voice input when recognizing the female singing section data is silenced or adjusted to reduce it to a predetermined level and output, and the male voice and female input when the male and female dual vocal section data are recognized. The vocal sound is output at the same volume adjusted to be audible.

Therefore, even if a male voice and a female voice are input to the microphone in the male solo part of the music piece, only the male voice is output and listened to, and in the female solo part, the male voice and the male voice are input to the microphone. Only female voices can be output and listened, and male and female duets in male and female duets can be output and heard at the same volume as the male and female voices input through the microphones, thereby enhancing the effect of the duet.

Further, the voice processing apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention determines whether the voice is a male voice or a female voice based on the frequency or frequency of each input voice. Therefore, by determining the male voice sound and the female voice sound by their frequency or frequency, the determination accuracy can be improved.

Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a voice processing apparatus which recognizes a male voice singing part and a female voice singing part in performance data, based on the magnitude of the volume level of the voice respectively input, when the voice singing part and the female singing part are recognized. Determine whether it is a voice sound. Therefore, the automatic determination of the male and female voices can be simplified, and the apparatus cost can be reduced.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a karaoke apparatus according to one embodiment of the audio processing apparatus of the present invention. This karaoke apparatus is realized by a microcomputer as shown in FIG.
And 2, a commander 3, a main amplifier device 4, and a speaker 5.

This karaoke apparatus accumulates a large number of pieces of music information, outputs music reproduced on the basis of music information corresponding to music specified by the user, and mixes the sound input to the microphone with the music. And output.

The microphones 1 and 2 are voice input devices for converting voice sounds emitted by the user into voice signals and inputting them to the commander 3. The main amplifier device 4 includes various operation keys such as a volume, and amplifies the music signal and the audio signal output from the commander 3 and outputs the amplified signal to the speaker 5. The speaker 5 outputs music and voice based on the music signal and the audio signal output from the main amplifier device 4.

The commander 3 controls the entire karaoke apparatus and executes the processing of the automatic voice adjustment function according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. (AGC) 1
1, a performance data reproducing device 12 and a preamplifier 13.

The analyzer 10 sends the audio signals input from the microphones 1 and 2 to the AGC 11, determines whether the audio signals input from the microphones 1 and 2 are male voice or female voice, and compares the determination result with the AGC 11. The process recognizes data indicating a male singing unit, a female singing unit, and a gender dual singing unit of the performance data transmitted from the performance data reproducing device 12, and sends the recognition result to the AGC 11.

The AGC 11 uses a digital signal processor (DSP) or the like to compare audio signals received from the microphones 1 and 2 via the analyzer 10 and to determine the volume level of each audio based on the comparison result. Adjustment is performed, and a process of transmitting the adjustment to the preamplifier 13 is performed. In addition, a process of adjusting the volume level of each audio signal based on the comparison result of each audio signal, the determination result received from the analyzer 10 and the recognition result, and transmitting the adjusted audio signal to the preamplifier 13 is also performed.

The performance data reproducing device 12 controls the overall control of the commander 3, reads out the performance data stored in a memory such as an HDD, transmits the performance data to the analyzer 10, and plays music based on the performance data. The signal is reproduced and sent to the preamplifier 13.

The preamplifier 13 mixes the input sound from the microphones 1 and 2, the volume level of which has been adjusted by the AGC 11, with the music signal from the performance data reproducing device 12, and outputs it to the main amplifier 4.

That is, the microphones 1 and 2 function as a plurality of voice input means, and the AGC 11 compares the volume levels of the voices input by the voice input means, respectively. Based on the comparison result, the function of the main amplifier device 4, the speaker 5, and the preamplifier 13 is performed by the volume level adjusting means, which functions as volume level adjusting means for adjusting each voice to a sound level that can be heard at the same volume. The function of the sound output means for outputting each of the sounds described above.

The analyzing apparatus 10 functions as a male / female sound determining means for determining whether the voice input by each voice input means is a male or female voice, and the AGC 11 functions as a male / female voice. Based on the result of the judgment by the judging means, it also functions as a sound volume level adjusting means for adjusting each sound to a sound level that can be heard at the same sound volume.

Further, the main amplifier 4, the speaker 5, the performance data reproducing device 12, and the preamplifier 13 are provided with data indicating a male singing section, a female singing section, and a gender double singing section, respectively, in the performance data. The analyzer 10 functions as a performance music playback output means for playing back and outputting performance music based on the performance data. When the performance music playback output means reproduces and outputs performance music, the analyzer 10 reproduces a male singing section, a female singing section, And the volume level adjusting means silences the female voice determined by the male / female voice determining means when the recognizing means recognizes the male singing part data. Adjust the level or lower the volume level, and when recognizing the data of the female singing section, the male / female voice judgment The adjustment or adjustments to reduce its volume level of male sound is determined to silence level by,
When recognizing the data of the male and female duet parts, it also functions as a volume level adjusting means for adjusting the male voice and the female voice determined by the male / female voice determining means to a volume level that can be heard at the same volume.

The analyzer 10 also functions as a means for determining whether the sound is a male voice or a female voice based on the frequency or frequency of the voice input from each voice input unit.

Further, the analyzer 10 recognizes the male singing section and the female singing section in the performance data, and based on the volume level of the voice respectively input from each voice input means, recognizes the male or female voice. It also functions as a means for determining whether it is a voice sound.

Next, a process for reproducing music and voice in the karaoke apparatus will be described. When music is selected from an input device (an operation unit provided on the commander 3 or a remote control device) not shown, the performance data reproducing device 12 of the commander 3 outputs a large number of music stored in a memory such as an HDD. The performance data corresponding to the selected music is searched from the performance data of the selected music data, and if there is the corresponding performance data, the music data is read, and a music signal is reproduced based on the performance data and output to the preamplifier 13.

On the other hand, the commander 3 inputs sound from the microphones 1 and 2, adjusts the sound level of each sound signal described later, and outputs the signal to the preamplifier 13. Thereafter, the music signal and each audio signal are mixed by the preamplifier 13 and output to the main amplifier device 4. Then, the music signal and each audio signal are amplified by the main amplifier device 4, and music and audio are output by the speaker 5.

The video data and the lyrics data corresponding to the performance data may be stored in association with each other, and the video data and the lyrics data may be reproduced and displayed in synchronization with the reproduction of the performance data. Further, since the video data has a large data amount, a recording medium such as an optical disk may be mounted and the corresponding data may be read therefrom.

Next, a process of automatically adjusting the volume level of the microphone input sound in the karaoke apparatus and outputting the same will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process of automatically adjusting and outputting the volume level of the microphone input sound in the karaoke apparatus.

In this process, in step (indicated by "S" in the figure) 1, the volume levels of the audio signals input from the microphones 1 and 2 are compared to obtain a difference = data A, and the process proceeds to step 2 to It is determined whether or not A = 0 (the volume level of the audio signal input from the microphone 1 and the volume level of the audio signal input from the microphone 2 are the same).

If it is determined in step 2 that data A = 0, the process returns to step 1 and the audio signals input from microphones 1 and 2 are output at the same volume level. Then, AGC is performed to adjust the audio signals input from the microphones 1 and 2 to a volume level that can be heard at the same volume based on the data A.

In this AGC, the AGC 11 has the microphones 1 and 2
Of the audio signal having the higher volume level is reduced by the value of the data A, and the audio signal is adjusted to the audio signal having the lower volume level. In addition, the smaller one of the sound levels of the audio signals of the microphones 1 and 2 is increased by the value of the data A,
You may make it match with the audio signal of a larger volume level.

Further, the volume level of the audio signals of the microphones 1 and 2 may be made closer to a half value of the data A. Then, each audio signal whose volume level has been adjusted by AGC is output, and the process returns to step 1.

The analyzer 10 may analyze the quality of the input voices of the microphones 1 and 2, and perform AGC based on the quality. For example, since a thin voice sounds lower than a thick voice, there is a possibility that the voice signal may not be heard at the same volume when the audio signal is output even if the voice level is simply the same.

Therefore, the volume level of the thin audio signal is adjusted to be slightly higher than the volume level of the thick audio signal. A table storing adjustment values set in advance for each voice quality is provided, and the AGC 11
The optimum adjustment value may be read from the table based on the analysis result of the voice quality of 0, and the volume level of each audio signal may be adjusted based on the adjustment value.

When the volume level difference between the audio signals input from the microphones 1 and 2 is considerably large, if the volume levels of the two audio signals are made the same immediately, the change of the output voice becomes too steep and the singer changes. And give the listener a sense of incompatibility. Therefore, if the AGC 11 adjusts the volume levels of the two audio signals so as to approach each other gently based on the information on the quality of the audio signals of the microphones 1 and 2 identified in the analysis device 10, the volume change is made gradual without any uncomfortable feeling. I can hear you.

Further, if the volume level of the audio signal input from the microphones 1 and 2 is adjusted in consideration of the volume level of the performance music, the performance music can be erased or only the voice can be heard loudly. Can be prevented.

Therefore, when the AGC 11 adjusts the volume level of the audio signal input from the microphones 1 and 2 so as to approach a volume level within a range having an appropriate difference from the volume level of the performance data, It can be heard without losing harmony between music and voice.

In this manner, during music reproduction, the volume levels of the audio signals from the microphones 1 and 2 are constantly compared, and if there is a volume difference, each audio signal is adjusted to a volume level that can be heard at the same volume and output. I do.

Therefore, two people (male, female,
Or when a singer performs a duet, if there is a difference in volume between the two, the output sound of both will not matter even if the user does not care about the volume adjustment operation or sing to match the other. The same volume level is automatically set, so you can fully enjoy the duet.

Although the sound volume level adjustment process is executed on the microphone input sound during music reproduction, it may be executed on the microphone input sound input when music is not reproduced. .

Next, if the singers of the microphones 1 and 2 are male and female, respectively, the female voice generally sounds finer than the male, so that the volume levels of the two audio signals are set to the same level as described above. The output sound is not always heard at the same volume simply by doing. Therefore, when adjusting the volume level of the audio signals input from the microphones 1 and 2, it is preferable to output the female voice slightly larger than the male voice.

Next, a description will be given of a process of automatically adjusting the volume levels of male and female voices input through the microphone in the karaoke apparatus and outputting the same. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process for automatically adjusting and outputting the volume levels of male and female voices input through the microphone in the karaoke apparatus.

In this processing, in step (indicated by "S" in the figure) 11, the volume levels of the audio signals input from the microphones 1 and 2 are compared to obtain the difference = data A.
The process proceeds to step 2 to analyze whether the voices input from the microphones 1 and 2 are male voice or female voice, and the determination result = data B is obtained.

In the process of judging a male voice and a female voice, the frequencies of the voice signals input to the microphones are compared, and the one having the lower frequency is determined as a male voice. This uses the fact that the frequency of a male voice is lower than that of a female voice as a criterion. Alternatively, the frequency of the audio signal input to the microphone may be compared, and the one having the low frequency portion may be determined as a male voice. This is based on the criterion that the low frequency part of a male voice that is voice-friendly is not present in a female voice.

Thereafter, the flow advances to step S13, where data A =
It is determined whether the data is 0 or not. If the data A is 0, the process returns to the process of step 11, and the audio signals respectively input from the microphones 1 and 2 are output at the same volume level. Then, AGC is performed to adjust each audio signal input from the microphones 1 and 2 to a sound volume level that can be heard at the same volume based on the data A and the data B.

The AGC performs a process of adjusting the voice level of the female voice signal in the voice signals of the microphones 1 and 2 to be slightly higher than the male voice signal. Therefore, the analyzer 10
Is provided with a table storing optimum volume difference data for each degree of frequency or frequency difference between a male voice and a female voice. The analyzer 10 determines whether the input voice from the microphones 1 and 2 is a male voice or a female voice. Then, the degree of the difference in the frequency or frequency is analyzed, and the optimum volume difference data corresponding to the degree of the difference is read from the table and notified to the AGC 11.

The AGC 11 discriminates between male and female voice signals based on the data B sent from the analyzer 10, and adjusts the female voice signal so that it exceeds the male voice by the optimum volume difference data. Output. And AG
Each audio signal after the volume level adjustment by C is output, and the process returns to step 11.

When the volume level difference between the male and female voice signals input from the microphones 1 and 2 is considerably large, if the volume levels of both voice signals are immediately made the same, the change in the output voice becomes steep. It gives singers and listeners a sense of incongruity.

Therefore, the AGC 11 gradually lowers the volume level of the male voice identified in the analyzer 10, while gradually increasing the volume level of the female voice so that the voice level exceeds the male voice by the above-mentioned optimum volume difference data. For example, it is possible to make the sound audible without discomfort by slowly changing the volume.

Further, when the AGC 11 adjusts the volume level of the audio signals input from the microphones 1 and 2 so as to approach a volume level within a range having an appropriate difference from the volume level of the performance data, It is possible to prevent the voice from being erased by the music or to hear only the voice loudly, so that the music played and the voice of the duet of the man and woman can be heard in a well-balanced manner.

In this manner, during music reproduction, the male and female voices of the audio signals from the microphones 1 and 2 are always identified and the two volume levels are compared. Since the volume level of the signal is adjusted to be slightly higher than the male voice and both voices are output at the same volume level, both male and female voices of the microphone input are output at the same volume. The accuracy of level adjustment can be improved.

Therefore, when a male and female singer performs a duet, the output voices of the two are automatically set to the same volume level without the female being forced to sing unreasonably to match the male volume. You can enjoy it.

Although the volume level adjustment process is performed on the microphone input voice during music playback, it may be performed on the microphone input voice input when music is not being played back. .

Next, when the performance music is a duet song, it is composed of a male part (male solo: male singing part), a female part (female solo: female singing part), and a duet part (male and female duet: male and female duet part). Often. In the case of such a duet song, for example, if a man mistakenly sings in the female part, the male voice will be output at the same volume as the female voice, and the female voice will be halved. The image when singing is lost.

Therefore, the male part of the performance music may output only male voice even if female voice is input, and the female part may output only female voice even if male voice is input. Also, the male part of the performance music outputs so that the male voice can be heard better even if the female voice is input, and the female part outputs so that the female voice can be heard better even if the male voice is input You may do so.

Next, a description will be given of a process of automatically adjusting the volume levels of the male and female voices input to the microphone in the karaoke apparatus for each singing part of the performance music and outputting the same. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process in the karaoke apparatus for automatically adjusting the volume levels of the male and female voices input through the microphone for each singing part of the performance music and outputting the same. First, duet control data, which is part identification information indicating a male part, a female part, and a duet part, is added to the performance data in advance.

In this process, due control data = data C in the performance data is extracted in step (indicated by "S" in the figure) 31. This extraction process is performed by the analyzer 1
0 extracts duet control data from the performance data transmitted from the performance data reproducing device 12 and sends out the data C to the AGC 11.

Thereafter, in step 32, it is determined whether the data C is a male part, a female part, or a duet part. This determination process is performed when the AGC 11
Based on the data C transmitted from 0, the part to be played next determines one of the male part, the female part, and the duet part. Therefore, duet control data is added to the performance data so that the type of the part can be identified before the performance of each part is started.

Further, in step 33, the volume level of the audio signals input from the microphones 1 and 2 is compared to obtain the difference = data A, and the flow advances to step 34 to determine whether the audio input from the microphones 1 and 2 is a male voice. It is analyzed whether it is a female voice, and the determination result = data B is obtained.

The processing for judging a male voice and a female voice is performed by the analyzer 1
0 compares the frequency of the voice signal input to the microphone, determines that the frequency is lower as a male voice, and sends data A indicating the determination result to the AGC 11. Alternatively, the frequency of the audio signal input to the microphone may be compared, and the one having the low frequency portion may be determined to be a male voice.

Thereafter, the flow advances to step 35, where data A =
It is determined whether it is 0 or not. If the data A is 0, the process returns to the step 31 to output the audio signals respectively input from the microphones 1 and 2 at the same volume level. Then, AGC is performed to adjust each audio signal input from the microphones 1 and 2 to a sound volume level that can be heard at the same volume based on the data A and the data B.

The AGC performs a process of adjusting the voice level of the female voice signal in the voice signals of the microphones 1 and 2 to be slightly higher than the male voice signal. Therefore, the analyzer 10
Is provided with a table storing optimum volume difference data for each degree of frequency or frequency difference between a male voice and a female voice. The analyzer 10 determines whether the input voice from the microphones 1 and 2 is a male voice or a female voice. Then, the degree of the difference in the frequency or frequency is analyzed, and the optimum volume difference data corresponding to the degree of the difference is read from the table and notified to the AGC 11.

The AGC 11 discriminates between male and female voice signals based on the data B sent from the analyzer 10, and adjusts the female voice signal so that it exceeds the male voice by the optimum volume difference data. Output. And AG
Each audio signal after the volume level adjustment by C is output, and the process returns to step 31.

On the other hand, if the data C is the male part or the female part in the determination in step 32, the flow advances to step 37 to analyze whether the voices inputted from the microphones 1 and 2 are male voice or female voice, and the determination result = data B Ask for. This determination process is performed by the analyzer 10 based on the frequency or frequency of the audio signal input from the microphones 1 and 2.

If the data C is a male part in step 38, the voice signal which is identified as a male voice by the data B among the audio signals input from the microphones 1 and 2 is output and is identified as a female voice. The audio level of the other audio signal is adjusted to “0” and output. When the data C is a female part, of the audio signals input from the microphones 1 and 2,
The audio signal of the voice identified as female by the data B is output, and the volume level of the audio signal identified as male is adjusted to “0” and output, and the process returns to step 31.

This volume level adjustment processing is performed by the AGC 11
As described above, even if the sound that does not correspond to the solo part is not silenced as described above, the volume level of the non-corresponding sound may be significantly reduced so that the corresponding sound can be sufficiently heard as solo. In this way, for example, when a man cannot sing well during a male voice part, a woman can sing and lead the male part.

In the analyzer 10 or the AGC 11, the input of the female voice signal out of the voices input from the microphones 1 and 2 during the male part is completely cut off, and the input from the microphones 1 and 2 during the female part. The input of the male voice signal among the voices may be completely cut off.

As described above, in the male solo part of the performance music, only the male voice is output or output so that it can be heard at a large volume even if the female voice is input to the microphone together with the male voice.
In the female solo part, even if a male voice is input into the microphone along with the female voice, only the female voice will be output or heard at a large volume.For example, even if a male sings accidentally in the female part, the female voice Only due to the output, it is possible to enhance the production effect to ensure that each part is heard during the duet. Also, howling can be prevented.

Next, regarding the distinction between a male voice and a female voice, the singer of the microphone whose voice level is the highest among the voices input into the microphones during the male part and the female part is usually a singer of the gender who should sing that part. It is. Therefore, the microphone input with the higher volume level during the male part of the performance music may be determined as a male voice, and the microphone input with the higher volume level during the female part may be determined as a female voice.

Next, a description will be given of a process in the karaoke apparatus for discriminating a male voice from a female based on the volume level input during each singing part of the music performed. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process in the karaoke apparatus for identifying a male voice and a female based on the volume level input during each singing part of the music performed.

In this process, the duet part is recognized in step 41, and the flow advances to step 42 to identify whether the part is a male part, a female part, or a duet part. In this recognition processing, the analyzer 10 recognizes and extracts duet control data = data C in the performance data transmitted from the performance data reproducing device 12 and
And the AGC 11 identifies the male part, the female part, and the duet part based on the data C.

If it is determined in step 42 that the duet part, the process returns to step 41, and if it is the male part or the female part, the process proceeds to step 43, and the microphone having the higher volume level among the audio signals input from the microphones 1 and 2 is used. The input is determined, and the flow advances to step 44 to set the voice signal of the microphone input as a voice signal of the gender to sing this part, and terminate this processing.

That is, when the data C transmitted from the analyzer 10 is a male part, the AGC 11
The audio signal with the larger volume level of the audio signal input from the microphone is determined as a male voice, and the microphone that has input the voice is set as the male voice input microphone. The voice signal having the larger volume level among the voice signals obtained is determined to be female voice, and the microphone that has input the voice is set as the female voice input microphone.

The AGC 11 sets the microphones 1 and 2 to the male voice input and the female voice input, immediately cuts off the voice signal of the female voice input microphone in the case of the male part, and outputs only the voice signal from the male voice input microphone. In the case of a female part, the voice signal of the male voice input microphone can be immediately cut, and only the voice signal of the female voice input microphone can be output.

Since the male and female microphones are not exchanged during the duet, the above-described process of determining the male voice input microphone and the female voice input microphone is executed when the first male part or the female part has been performed since the music was started. It is preferable to determine the determination result and then adjust the volume level of the audio signals input from the microphones 1 and 2 based on the determination result.

In this manner, the singer's gender automatic determination function can be easily realized by determining the louder of the voices input in the gender parts of the music to be performed as the gender voice to be sung. can do. Therefore, it is not necessary to analyze the processing for determining whether the voices input from the microphones 1 and 2 are male or female for each part of the music by a complicated mathematical algorithm, and the cost of the karaoke apparatus can be reduced. it can.

A display device is provided in the above-mentioned karaoke apparatus, lyrics data is added to performance data, video data corresponding to the performance data is stored in a readable manner, and synchronized with reproduction of performance music based on the performance data. Then, lyrics information based on the lyrics data may be superimposed on a moving image or a still image based on the video data and displayed on the display device.

Further, a communication control unit via a communication line such as ISDN may be provided, and the communication control unit may receive and reproduce a large number of performance data distributed from the host device via the line.

Further, in the above-described karaoke apparatus, a case has been described in which audio signals input from two microphones are output so as to be heard at the same volume. However, if three or more microphones are provided, each microphone can be used. The input audio signal can be output after the same volume adjustment as described above.

The present invention can be similarly applied to an audio processing device such as a personal computer or a stereo device having an audio input function.

[0092]

As described above, according to the voice processing apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of voices input through a microphone can be automatically output so as to be heard at the same volume.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a karaoke apparatus according to an embodiment of the audio processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process of automatically adjusting and outputting the volume level of a microphone input sound in the karaoke apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process of automatically adjusting and outputting the volume levels of male and female voices input through a microphone in the karaoke apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of automatically adjusting the volume levels of male and female voices input to the microphone in the karaoke apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of identifying a male voice and a female based on the volume level input at the time of each singing part of performance music in the karaoke apparatus shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Microphone 3: Commander 4: Main amplifier device 5: Speaker 10: Analysis device 11: Auto gain control unit (AGC) 12: Performance data reproduction device 13: Preamplifier

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of voice input means, a volume level comparison means for comparing the volume levels of voices respectively input by the respective means, and each of the voices can be heard at the same volume based on a comparison result by the means. A sound processing apparatus comprising: a sound volume level adjusting means for adjusting a sound volume level to a proper level; and sound output means for outputting each sound of the sound volume level adjusted by the means. 2. A plurality of voice input means, a male voice / female voice determining means for determining whether the voice input by each means is a male voice or a female voice, and said voice input means based on a determination result by said means. A sound processing apparatus comprising: a sound volume level adjusting unit that adjusts a sound to a sound level that can be heard at the same sound volume; and a sound output unit that outputs each sound at the sound volume level adjusted by the unit. 3. A plurality of voice input means, a male voice / female voice determining means for determining whether a voice input by each means is a male voice or a female voice, and a male singing part and a female singing part in the performance data. And music data indicating the male / female dual singing part. The music data reproducing means outputs and reproduces the performance music based on the performance data. Means for recognizing data of the singing section, female singing section, and male / female dual singing section, respectively, and the female voice determined by the male / female sound determining means when the male singing section data is recognized by the means; Or the voice level of the male voice determined by the male / female voice determining means when the data of the female singing part is recognized. To adjust or reduce the volume level to a volume level that allows the male and female voices determined by the male / female voice determining means to be heard at the same volume when the data of the male and female duet parts is recognized. A sound processing apparatus comprising: a sound volume level adjusting means for adjusting; and a sound output means for outputting each sound of the sound volume level adjusted by the means. 4. The voice processing device according to claim 2, wherein said male voice sound / female voice sound determination means is based on a frequency or a frequency of a voice input from each voice input means. An audio processing device that is a means for determining whether a voice sound. 5. The voice processing device according to claim 2, wherein said male voice / female voice determining means recognizes a male voice singing part and a female voice singing part in said performance data from said voice input means. An audio processing device which is means for judging whether it is a male voice or a female voice based on the magnitude of the volume level of each input voice.