Abstract: In each sound unit, when connection with another sound unit is detected, an input control signal is supplied to a control section and then supplied to the adjoining sound unit. Input clock signal is supplied to a PLL section, and an output clock signal from the PLL section is supplied to the adjoining sound unit. Input speaker output signal and microphone input signal are supplied to a speaker output signal processing section and microphone input signal processing section, respectively. The speaker output signal processing section performs predetermined signal processing on an input signal to output the resultant processed signal to a speaker array, and then performs internal delay compensation processing on the signal to output the resultant processed signal to the adjoining sound unit.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus is provided, which is capable of properly transmitting and receiving data of low speed specifications such as MIDI data even via a transmission line of high speed specifications such as an IEEE 1394 serial bus, and hence capable of properly processing the data. The data communication apparatus transmits data to a data receiving apparatus having a data processing section that processes received data at a predetermined processing speed. Data to be transmitted is generated at a higher speed than the predetermined processing speed. The generated data is output at an output speed adjusted to the predetermined processing speed, and the output data is transmitted at a higher speed than the predetermined processing speed.

Abstract: In each sound unit, when connection with another sound unit is detected, an input control signal is supplied to a control section and then supplied to the adjoining sound unit. Input clock signal is supplied to a PLL section, and an output clock signal from the PLL section is supplied to the adjoining sound unit. Input speaker output signal and microphone input signal are supplied to a speaker output signal processing section and microphone input signal processing section, respectively. The speaker output signal processing section performs predetermined signal processing on an input signal to output the resultant processed signal to a speaker array, and then performs internal delay compensation processing on the signal to output the resultant processed signal to the adjoining sound unit.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus is provided, which is capable of properly transmitting and receiving data of low speed specifications such as MIDI data even via a transmission line of high speed specifications such as an IEEE 1394 serial bus, and hence capable of properly processing the data. The data communication apparatus transmits data to a data receiving apparatus having a data processing section that processes received data at a predetermined processing speed. Data to be transmitted is generated at a higher speed than the predetermined processing speed. The generated data is output at an output speed adjusted to the predetermined processing speed, and the output data is transmitted at a higher speed than the predetermined processing speed.

Abstract: A music apparatus is constructed for joint play of music pieces by processing song data. In the music apparatus, a storage device stores song data representing a plurality of music pieces. An operating device is used for designating a first music piece as an object of the joint play among the plurality of the music pieces stored in the storage device. A controller device automatically selects a second music piece from the plurality of the music pieces as another object of the joint play such that the second music piece has a musical compatibility with the first music piece. A processor device retrieves the song data of the first music piece and the song data of the second music piece from the storage device, and processes the song data retrieved from the storage device so as to merge the second music piece to the first music piece.

Abstract: In a karaoke apparatus, an audio device is responsive to a request of a music piece for starting karaoke performance of the music piece to accompany a live singing voice of the music piece. A monitor device displays a background image selected from a temporary picture having a short term and a permanent picture having a long term in matching with the music piece to support the karaoke performance. A first video device is enabled initially without a substantial delay time when the audio device starts the karaoke performance for providing the temporary picture corresponding to the requested music piece. A second video device is enabled subsequently to the first video device with a substantial delay time after the audio device starts the karaoke performance for providing the permanent picture corresponding to the requested music piece.

Abstract: A method is designed for feeding karaoke data representative of karaoke performance to a karaoke apparatus having an audio section and a video section. The method is conducted by the following steps. The initial step is formatting the karaoke data containing various kinds of data items including music control data and word control data into a plurality of packets such that each packet is formed of a body containing a segment of the karaoke data and a header containing identification information indicating the kind of the karaoke data contained in the body of each packet. The next step is delivering the plurality of the packets in a stream to the karaoke apparatus according to a predetermined order by which the karaoke apparatus time-sequentially processes the stream of the packets.

Abstract: The karaoke apparatus is constructed for accompanying a karaoke music on a singer according to music information. In the karaoke apparatus, a providing device provides the music information containing accompaniment data and at least first reference data and second reference data, respectively, corresponding to a first part and a second part of the karaoke music. A generating device generates the karaoke music according to the accompaniment data while a first singer sings the first part along with the karaoke music and a second singer sings the second part along with the karaoke music. A collecting device collects a first singing voice of the first singer and a second singing voice of the second singer during progression of the karaoke music.

Abstract: When sound parameters defining a selected element among plural elements constituting a sound are edited, a predetermined schematic display of the entire elements constituting the sound is made and, also, a particular part of the schematic display corresponding to the selected element in a special form is made about the selected element for emphasizing it. An operator can thereby recognize easily for which part of element in the entire sound structure he is currently making the parameter editing. In response to designation of a desired object of editing by the operator, plural possible candidates of edition processings corresponding to the designated object are displayed. Upon selection of one of the plural processings by the operator, the selected editing processing is automatically performed.