Abstract: A sound engine in a processor-based system utilizing real-time synthesis optimizes synthesis time, maximizes the number of fully-synthesized sound requests and preserves currently excessive sound requests. During synthesis, the sound engine attempts to full-synthesize all requests. If the sound engine determines that remaining sound requests are excessive and cannot be fully-synthesized, it preserves each excessive request by synthesizing a substitute waveform segment. If the sound engine determines that limiting the number of preserved requests is required, it synthesizes a concluding waveform segment for and then discards selected requests during selected synthesis intervals. Both substitute-synthesis and discarding of sound requests are achieved with minimized detrimental impact on ongoing sound performances.

Abstract: A composition and playback system includes a sound bank containing at least one instrument sound, an input device for receiving music control signals, a sequencer coupled to the input device for storing the music control signals, and a work manager coupled to the sound bank and to the sequencer for generating a musical work file containing the music control signals and at least a portion of the sound bank. The system further includes a synthesizer engine coupled to the input device for processing the music control signals based on the instrument sounds contained in the sound bank, a mixer coupled to the synthesizer engine for mixing effects with the processed music control signals, and a speaker system coupled to the mixer for converting the mixed music control signals to sound.