Abstract: An external memory medium storing data corresponding to a desired automatically playing or tone color selecting function can be removably set, so as to expand various functions of an electronic musical instrument. An identification code is recorded in the medium, and thus the function of the medium can be automatically determined from the code. The instrument is automatically set to an operation mode corresponding to the function in accordance with the determined function so that the data stored in the medium can be utilized. The determined function may be displayed to the player.

Abstract: The data file recording method and reproducing system record musical performance tune signal in the form of MIDI information and background video signal on CD in order to store a number of playing tune signal. The recording method records on CD video information corresponding to and representing the meaning of the words of sheet music by measures. And the recording method records the musical performance information by measures following the video information, wherein the musical performance information includes a measure of MIDI information for playing a measure of a tune in the sheet music and exclusive information for synchronizing the musical performance information with the video information each for measure.

Abstract: A plurality of image data and sequence data indicative of the sequence of displaying images are provided beforehand. The image data are sequentially read in accordance with the sequence indicated by the sequence data at the timing synchronous with automatic accompaniment. Image advancement in automatic accompaniment of a normal pattern differs from image accompaniment in automatic accompaniment of a fill-in pattern. The image display is made at the timing synchronous with chord advancement in automatic accompaniment.

Abstract: A tone signal generator unit having both a bi-directional interface such as RS-232C and a MIDI interface. The tone signal generator unit converts data format to allow direct connection to a personal computer and to another electronic musical instrument, without using a specific MIDI board on the side of the personal computer.

Abstract: In a system including clock pulse data such as a network for sequencing music or multi-media data, a man/machine interface is provided which can be driven either by the operator or by a motor and transmission system. The man/machine interface contains encoders for producing tempo clock data which can be varied by the operator. Based on the comparison of the output signals of the encoders, the motor is accelerated or decelerated to eliminate the difference between the outputs of the encoders. The man/machine interface can be operated in the slave mode in which tempo clock data generated in the network is used to control the speed of operation of the man/machine interface or in the master mode when the man/machine interface determines the timing. The man/machine interface is preferably a foot-pedal.

Abstract: Based on a series of video data for producing one or a plurality of text displaying images and a series of accompaniment MIDI data, a signal processing circuit (1) prepares a quasi video signal containing the two kinds of data as arranged in alternating fields or in alternating pluralities of fields in time series and identification data for identifying the series of video data and MIDI data. The quasi video signal is transmitted to terminal units (5) for users via a CATV or like transmission path. The terminal unit extracts from the quasi video signal fields of MIDI data and video data containing identification data specifying a piece of music selected by the user, and reproduces the accompaniment of the selected piece and displays the text thereof based on the extracted data.

Abstract: A magnetic disc 13 serving as a memory medium has stored therein sound control MIDI messages and MIDI messages containing character codes so as to make it possible to reproduce performance data and image data over a prolonged period of time although the memory medium has a given capacity. A MIDI sequencer 14 delivers the MIDI messages serially based on the signals read from the disc 13. A sound source device 15 performs specified music by being controlled by the sound source control MIDI messages. An image forming device 20 displays a text on a display 21 based on the MIDI messages containing the character codes.

Abstract: A computer entertainment system is disclosed for dynamically composing a music sound tract in response to dynamic and unpredictable actions and events initiated by a directing system in a way that is aesthetically appropriate and natural. The system includes a composition database having one or more musical sequences. One or more of the one or more musical sequences has one or more decision points. The decision points within the database comprise a composing decision tree, with the decision points marking places where branches in the performance of the musical sequences may occur. A sound driver interprets each decision point within the one or more musical sequences. The sound driver conditionally responds to the interpreted decision points depending on the unpredicted actions and events initiated by the directing system. It is also contemplated that the directing system may directly query the state of the sound driver and adjust the activities of the directing system based on the results of the query.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument utilizing neural nets comprises parameter input device for inputting a parameter and a neural net device for calculating the parameter. The neural net device is in advance learning therefore, any input parameter results in proper output by interpolation. The instrument further comprises a weighting data memory, the weighting data being provided to the neural net device. The output of the neural net device is interpreted by an interpreter using interpretation knowledge stored in a memory, thereby the output of the neural net device being changed to musical values. Further, the musical values are modified by an output modifier using modification knowledge stored in another memory so as to be accepted musically. The weighting data, the interpretation knowledge and the modification knowledge can be selected by use of selectors, thus use of the selectors expands musical variation.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument, which carries out a plurality of process functions, comprises a plurality of operation elements, function designation device, setting device, reading device, assigning device, and control device. The plurality of operation elements is operated. The function designation device stores function designation data which designates a plurality of functions corresponding to one of a plurality of process functions. The setting device freely connects or disconnects the function designation device with the electronic musical instrument. The reading device reads out the function designation data stored in the function designation device. The assigning device respectively assigns the plurality of functions, designated based on the function designation data, to plurality of operation elements. The control device carries out the functions respectively assigned to the plurality of operation elements when the plurality of operation elements are respectively operated.

Abstract: An information storage medium has a storage area for storing audio information, the storage area being divided into a plurality of sections. At least either one of the sections stores musical accompaniment information and lead voice information in which word-of-song information to be reproduced in relation to the musical accompaniment information is pronounced. The lead voice information is stored in a position which precedes, in time, a position where the word-of-song information is to be reproduced. An apparatus for reproducing information from the information storage medium includes an information reading unit, an information demodulating unit, and a control unit.

Abstract: There are disclosed an apparatus adapted to generate musical information of a synthetic sound in accordance with the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) standard to carry out PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) recording of a natural effect sound including natural sound and/or a human voice such as back chorus to mix them to generate musical accompaniment, thus to mix a voice of singing sung with the musical accompaniment, and a recording medium used for such an apparatus.

Abstract: An instrument for recording and playing musical playing data comprises a pattern memory, a timing designation key for designating playing back timing of the pattern data, a sequence track for recording sequence data, and a writing device for writing the pattern data into the sequence track at the playing back timing designated with the timing designation key. The pattern data is read from the pattern memory and transferred to the place, in the sequence track, corresponding to the designated timing. The transferred note data is modified with the designated chord. The instrument further comprises a backing track storing backing data, any part of which can be also transferred to the sequence track.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is controlled to receive key operation messages from a keyboard, sequencer or the like so as to control the data in such a manner that the disadvantages of a first-in first-out system and a map system are diminished and the newest data can be obtained rapidly. A reading device sequentially reads musical pitches out from a first memory so that it can be decided whether the values indicated on note-on/off flags in a second memory have the same state as the flags in a third memory. A command is issued to generate and/or truncate (or mute) musical tones based on key-depression (i.e., key state) data for the musical pitches registered in the second memory, if the flags are not identical with each other. On the other hand, the key-depression data are discarded without issuing any command if the flags are the same.

Abstract: A computer system connected through appropriate analog and digital circuitry controls or monitors a piano. Solenoids connected to each piano key and to each note-sounding hammer permit a computer program to control the keys and/or the sounding of a note, as well as transmitting to the computer for storage and analysis information concerning a student's performance.

Abstract: A music entertaining device which reproduces music instrumental sound and back chorus so that an entertainer can sing a song to the accompaniment of the reproduced music instrumental sound and the back chorus. The music instrumental data and back chorus data are separately stored in a memory device. Upon detection of a code instructing to insert back chorus during the reproduction of the music instrumental data, a computer base controller accesses the memory device in which the back chorus is stored and reproduces the back chorus identified by the code detected.

Abstract: A musical accompaniment playing apparatus comprises a MIDI sound source, a phoneme information memory, a playing information memory, a control means, a mixing means and a sound output means.When a user sings a song with a musical accompaniment and a back chorus, the control means controls the MIDI sound source to output an audio signal in accordance with a phoneme information stored in the phoneme memory and a playing information stored in the playing information memory. The output audio signal is mixed with a singing voice of the user at the mixing means and output from the sound output means as a song in harmony with the back chorus.

Abstract: An automatic musical playing playing system including an automatic playing apparatus and a sound generating unit incorporated in combination therewith, the apparatus comprising: a first memory for storing musical playing data arranged to be sequentially preread; a calculator for calculating an actual length of time required to play music based on the preread musical data and/or for calculating an actual quantity of playing information in said data; a comparator for deciding whether or not the actual length of time is less than a predetermined length, and/or whether or not the actual quantity is less than a predetermined quantity; a first reading device for sequentially prereading from the first memory the musical data prior to an actual timing for playing, in a case where the above decisions are affirmative; and an output for outputting the preread musical data wherein the above unit comprises: an input for receiving the preread musical data; a second memory for temporarily storing said data from the input; a

Abstract: A technique for digitally processing a counterpart of a musical sound first transforms a set of time-domain samples of the sound into frequency-domain counterparts and then gradually coerces the frequency-domain counterparts into integer multiples of a fundamental frequency of the sound.

Abstract: A multiple-choice verbal sound toy uses a microprocessor to produce one song or poem that has at least one space or slot for introducing a supplementary verbal sound segment to complete the song or poem. The child user may be given a plurality of different choices of segments for completing the song or poem. For example, the microprocessor may play a song such as "Old McDonald Had a Farm", and a child user may select--as by pushing one of several keys associated with pictures of different farm animals--the verbal sounds made by that particular animal, to be inserted into each verse of the song. The song or poem may have a series of slots or spaces and there may be a plurality of sets of verbal sounds to be inserted with the individual sounds in each set being a plurality of the same sounds or a variety of different but related sounds. Sounds may be inserted in successive verses cumulatively, in the order (or reverse order) in which they are first introduced.

Abstract: A music reproducing method and apparatus for mixing voices input from a microphone and music data displays various information which represents that a musical performance of a piece of music is entering an interlude inserted between singing -portions, i.e., choruses, or is entering a postlude after the choruses are terminated, the information being provided by a screen display or speaker output of the music reproducing apparatus. The information can inform the user of the end of a song when the musical performance enters the postlude, and can inform the user of the end of singing-portions in the song when the musical performance enters the interlude. The information can be related to the music or the like known to the user.

Abstract: The invention provides a performance recording/reproducing apparatus including a playing information recording device, a data discrimination device and a data transfer device. The data discrimination device discriminates a specific channel of playing data, which needs correction or modification from the others all merged on one of the tracks of the playing information recording device. The data transfer device transfers data of the specific channel to another track. The apparatus thus efficiently corrects or modifies only data of the specific channel and accordingly completes recording of performance in a short while.

Abstract: An automatic musical playing system includes an automatic playing apparatus and a sound generating unit. The playing apparatus includes: a first memory for storing musical playing data arranged to be sequentially preread; a calculator for calculating an actual length of time required to play music based on the preread musical data and/or for calculating an actual quantity of playing information in such data; a comparator for deciding whether or not the acutal length of time is less than a predetermined length of time, and/or whether or not the actual quantity is less than a predetermined quantity; a first reading device for sequentially prereading from the first memory, the musical data prior to an actual time for playing when the comparator decision/decisions is/are affirmative; and an output for outputting the preread musical data.

Abstract: The device generates an audio signal from a sound source using a MIDI signal. The music data consists of many pieces of music stored in a memory device like a database in an on-line host computer or an external magneto-optical disc. The music generation processing operations are carried out by 2 microprocessors, each assigned a different set of functions to speed up the overall processing. The receipt and transfer of data to the sound source from the sequencer is carried out in parallel. The data is subsequently output in parallel and the contents of the buffer are monitored constantly to prevent overflow malfunctions. Clock time is divided to enable the generation of trigger signals to control tempo. By variation of the timing of the trigger signals in accordance with tempo data taken from the data stream, the tempo can be varied while reducing the reproduction time processing load.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is disclosed in which the selection of timbre and rhythm contol functions is simplified, and the number of function switches and control panel surface area can be limited, even when the instrument has a large number of available timbre and rhythm control functions. The invention provides an electronic musical instrument employing various types of musical tone control data which are divided into groups. Additionally, the invention provides an input device which includes a plurality of switches, each switch corresponding to one of the above described groups of musical tone control data. The input device is capable of detecting the operation of the above mentioned switches.

Abstract: A musical tone generator includes first and second tone generator units respectively having a plurality of musical tone generation channels, a designating device for designating tone colors of musical tones, and a CPU for enabling respective tone generation channels to be selectively assigned with different tone colors. The usage of the plural tone generator units is also controlled by discriminating whether or not the input performance data can be processed by the first tone generator unit. When the CPU determines that the input performance data can be processed by the first tone generator unit, it controls musical tone production in the first tone generator unit based on the performance data. When the CPU determines that the input performance data cannot be processed by the first tone generator unit, it controls musical tone production in the second tone generator unit based on the performance data.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument shaped like an electric guitar sounds individual notes that are synthesized to sound like an electric guitar. These notes may either be selected randomly selected by a player or from segments of prearranged musical tracks. The instrument provides for maintaining the tempo of manually played or preprogrammed notes, synchronizing the transitions between sequentially selected musical tracks, overlaying manual notes on the tracks, and a number of electric guitar-like sound effects including vibrato, chorus, overdrive, slurs and soft picks.

Abstract: In a MIDI Signal processor, MIDI data is reproduced from a recording medium. The reproduced MIDI data is outputted. An interruption of the reproducing of the MIDI data is detected. A MIDI status byte is detected after the interruption ends. The outputting of the reproduced MIDI data is suspended when the interruption is detected. The suspending is continued until the MIDI status byte is detected.

Abstract: Memory means is provided such that it is capable of reading and writing tone source control data for an available number of channels. Each channel time is divided into two divisions for instance. In the first half of each channel time, tone source control data for the channel corresponding to the current channel time is read out from the memory means, and in the second half of channel time tone source control data of a given designated channel for setting data is written in the memory means. In this way, tone source control data can be set speedily even if the polyphonic channels are increased in number. Further, with an increased number of polyphonic channels it is possible to synchronize the phase of each tone in a tone mixing mode even when a frequency change is caused by a pitch bender or a vibrato.

Abstract: Data for reproducing music and displaying words are composed of binary-coded digital signals. Such signals are down-loaded via a public communication line, or data corresponding to a plurality of musical pieces or songs are previously stored in an apparatus, and the stored data are selectively processed by a CPU. In the instrumental music data, trigger signals are existent for progression of processing the words data, whereby the reproduction of music and the display of words are linked to each other. The music thus reproduced is utilized as background music or for enabling the user to sing to the accompaniment thereof while watching the words displayed synchronously with such music reproduction.

Abstract: A recording medium playing apparatus comprises a reading device for reading, from an information recording medium on which a sub-program signal carrying a musical instrument play control signal is written in order together with a main program signal, the main program signal and the sub-program signal simultaneously according to an order of writing, a musical instrument play control signal decoding device for decoding a musical instrument play control signal from the sub-program signal and supplying the musical instrument play control signal to electronic musical instruments, and a control device for controlling the operation of the reading device in response to an operational command. The control device is adapted to command the musical instrument play control signal decoding device to transmit a sound generation stop command signal when the content of the operational command is to cause the reading device to perform a reading operation in which the order of reading is different from the order of writing.

Abstract: Memory means is provided such that it is capable of reading and writing tone source control data for an available number of channels. Each channel time is divided into two divisions for instance. In the first half of each channel time, tone source control data for the channel corresponding to the current channel time is read out from the memory means, and in the second half of channel time tone source control data of a given designated channel for setting data is written in the memory means. In this way, tone source control data can be set speedily even if the polyphonic channels are increased in number. Further, with an increased number of polyphonic channels it is possible to synchronize the phase of each tone in a tone mixing mode even when a frequency change is caused by a pitch bender or a vibrato.

Abstract: A device for correcting a timing of music playing information including a determining unit and a correcting unit, the correcting unit corrects the timing of the change of the performance of a piece of music, which is outside the range of short time data, to a timing within the range of the short time data, in response to a determination by the determining unit.

Abstract: For imparting a sostenuto effect to a series of sounds produced by key depressions successively repeated in an electronic musical instrument, a searching device searches a first memory device for a first memory channel which has already stored a note information identical with the note information produced on the basis of the repeated key depression, and, then a setting device is actuated in the presence of aforementioned first channel and operative to copy the sostenuto information indicative of the instruction of imparting the sostenuto effect from a second channel paired with aforementioned first channel having already stored the identical note information to the second channel paired with another first channel where the note information produced by the repeated key depression is newly stored, thereby imparting the sostenuto effect between tones produced by repeated key depressions.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument shaped like an electric guitar sounds individual notes that are synthesized to sound like an electric guitar. These notes may either be selected randomly selected by a player or from segments of prearranged musical tracks. The instrument provides for maintaining the tempo of manually played or preprogrammed notes, synchronizing the transitions between sequentially selected musical tracks, overlaying manual notes on the tracks, and a number of electric guitar-like sound effects including vibrato, chorus, overdrive, slurs and soft picks.

Abstract: An automatic accompaniment apparatus performs an automatic accompaniment having much variety with less storing amount of information (e.g., rhythm pattern data or pattern data). Based on the stored information, generation of tone or chord is controlled. In addition, tie expression or shifting operation is also controlled. In the shifting operation, some of constituent tones constituting the chord are sequentially generated in a shifting manner. The tie expression is applied to the constituent tones which are commonly used between preceding chord and present chord.

Abstract: In an apparatus for generating sound, there are provided a plurality of channels for generating sounds. Each of the channels includes a memory for storing waveform data, and at least one of the channels includes a noise generator so that various kinds of sounds including rhythm sound-effects sound, effects sound-vibrato etc. are generated. There is further provided a controller by which voice sound signal is passed through the channels so that artificial sound, voice sound etc. are generated. There is still further provided a circuit for adjusting an amplitude level of a whole sound which is obtained by mixing output sounds of the channels so that far and near sound is produced. Further, each of the channels includes left and right attenuators which divide a channel sound into left and right channel sounds.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes a musical tone information storing device, a plurality of external memory devices, a control unit, a switching unit, and a determining unit. The musical tone information storing device stores musical tone information. The control unit controls information transfer between at least one of the external memory devices and the musical tone information storing device. The switching unit generates a transfer command. The determining unit determines whether an external memory device of the highest priority in accordance with a predetermined priority is in a transfer enable state. The control unit controls information transfer between the external memory device of the highest priority which is selected by the determining unit and the musical tone information storing device.

Abstract: The automatic musical tone generating apparatus for generating musical tones with slur effect includes a pitch information storing device, a read-out device for reading out pitch information at a predetermined tempo from the pitch information storing device, a tone signal generating device for producing tone signals having pitches corresponding to the pitch information read out by the read-out device, a slur information storing device, a slur effect impartment detecting device for detecting, on the basis of the slur information stored in the slur information storing device, whether or not the slur effect is to be imparted to the musical tones corresponding to the read out pitch information, and a pitch information altering device for altering, when the slur effect impartment is detected, the read out pitch information to a pitch information gradually approaching to the pitch of the musical tone to be produced next and out-putting the altered pitch information to the tone signal generating device.

Abstract: When picking of a string is performed, the vibration of the string is detected accurately and quickly. When a fret operation position is changed during generation of a musical tone caused by the string picking, the pitch of the musical tone is changed to the one corresponding to the new fret operation position without generating a new musical tone. When the same string is stroked successively, the succeeding musical tone is generated while keeping the reverberation of the previous musical tone. The musical tone once generated will be stopped from being generated upon elapse of a predetermined time from the beginning of the tone generation, irrespective of the type of its timbre. When a fret operation state is changed to an open-string operation state after the string picking, the generation of the musical tone being generated stops at that timing.

Abstract: The multi-recording apparatus of an electronic musical instrument pre-records performance information designated by event data representative of events of depressed or released keys and generation timings of the events. The performance information is recorded in a memory having a plurality of channels. When newly inputted performance information is supplied from the electronic musical instrument to this multi-recording apparatus in a recording mode, the pre-recorded performance information is reproduced from a selected channel, so that a player can listen to musical tones corresponding to the pre-recorded performance information. At the same time, the newly inputted performance information is over-recorded with the pre-recorded performance information on the same selected channel, whereby a multi-recording can be done.

Abstract: The electronic musical instrument provides an internal memory for storing performance data corresponding to a musical performance played by using a keyboard thereof and an external memory which can be freely attached to and detached from the main body thereof. The performance data stored in the internal memory can be normally transferred to and stored in the external memory. However, in the case where data quantity of the performance data stored in the internal memory is larger than a storage capacity of the external memory, the performance data stored in the internal memory are controlled to be inhibited from being transferred to the external memory. In this case, an alarm may be generated in order to inform a player of data quantity of the performance data to be overflowed from the external memory when such performance data are to be stored in the external memory.