Abstract: A portable voice studio apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a microphone, a music generation device, a processing unit, and a headphone. The processing unit is contained in a single housing. The processing unit is electrically coupled with the microphone and the music generation device for receiving a first input signal from the microphone and a second input signal from the music generation device. The processing unit is configured to amplify and add an intended effect to at least one of the first and second input signals to generate an output signal. The headphone receives the output signal from the processing unit to enable a user to hear the output.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a music playing/processing device for playing a musical file in a wireless communication device and determining the playing order of a plurality of tones of the musical file. The music playing/processing device comprises: an analysis module for receiving the musical file and analyzing a waveform corresponding to each of the tones to generate a plurality of order parameters of each of the tones; a sorting module for arranging a playing order to play the tones according to the order parameters of each of the tones; and a playing module for playing the tones according to the playing order. The music playing/processing device of the present invention is provided to reduce the tone commands to be executed and to make the digital signal processor use less memory to execute the wavetable synthesis operation, and to make the performance of the music as perfect as possible.

Abstract: Systems implementing the invention allow a user to time stretch an audio track without changing the pitch of the sound, and to produce optimal audible qualities of the output signal. The approach utilized in the invention relies on providing several time stretching methods, each one of which is selected based on one or more criteria of the audio data properties. One method relies on crossfading pairs of segments of audio data while running one segment backward every other repetition. The second time stretching method detects inaudible segments and inserts longer periods of audible data within those segments. The third method utilizes a reverb to create a reverb segment that is played after the original segment.

Abstract: A music apparatus has a data storage, a controller and a sound generator for reproducing a music sound and a voice sound. The data storage stores a music data file containing a music part and a voice part, the music part containing a sequence of music generation events effective to instruct generation of the music sound, the voice part containing voice reproduction sequence data composed of a combination of voice reproduction event data and duration data, the voice reproduction event data instructing reproduction of a sequence of voice events, the duration data specifying a timing of effecting a voice event in terms of a duration time measured from another voice event preceding to the voice event. The controller reads out the music data file from the data storage.

Abstract: A “music mixer”, as described herein, provides a capability for automatically mixing arbitrary pieces of music, regardless of whether the music being mixed is of the same music genre, and regardless of whether that music has strong beat structures. In automatically determining potential mixes of two or more songs, the music mixer first computes a frame-based energy for each song. Using the computed frame-based energies, the music mixer then computes one or more potentially optimal alignments of the digital signals representing each song based on correlating peaks of the computed energies across a range of time scalings and time shifts without the need to ever compute or evaluate a beats-per-minute (BPM) for any of the songs. Then, once one of the potentially optimal time-scalings and time-shifts has been selected, the songs are then simply blended together using those parameters.

Abstract: A system for creating a variation of an audio track from audio building blocks is presented, where track variation may be created during a live performance. Two or more of the presented systems may be coupled to automatically maintain a beat mix between two or more playing audio track building blocks. Audio building blocks are prepared in advance to include features that may enable the creation of the track variation and the automatic maintaining of the beat mix.

Abstract: A musical instrument preamplifier system is provided which comprises a filtering means for splitting an input signal into two or more separate frequency bands comprising a similar phase response for each frequency band, two or more non-linear circuits, each of which distorts the input signal component of one of the frequency bands, and a summing network for recombining said frequency bands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus implement time compression and expansion of audio data, with dynamic tempo change during playback. Dynamic changes in tempo are implemented at specific points in the audio signal corresponding to local minimums in the fade-in and fade-out characteristics of the compression/expansion scheme. An audio signal is marked to define temporal slices of audio data. Mark positions may be selected to minimize significant transient activity midway between consecutive marks. Fade-in and fade-out functions are associated with the leading side and trailing side, respectively, of each mark, creating a series of cross-fading “mounds” with peaks at each mark. When a tempo change is requested (e.g., a user selects a new tempo value in a user interface), the tempo change is delayed until the start of the next “mound” (i.e., the next fade-in). Thus, despite the tempo change, each mound uses a contiguous set of audio data, preventing the clicks and pops associated with skips in the audio data.

Abstract: An apparatus is designed for updating setting of parameters so as to control an audio signal. In the apparatus, a holding section holds current values of the parameters effective to control the audio signal. A storing section stores a plurality of scene data, each scene data has a set of setting values of the parameters. A specifying section reads out one of the scene data from the storing section and specifies a setting value of at least one parameter contained in the read scene data. A determining section determines a unit updating amount of the specified parameter for use in a manual update mode according to both of the current value of the specified parameter and the setting value of the specified parameter.

Abstract: An audio generation system includes MIDI track components that generate event instructions for MIDI audio data received from a MIDI audio data source, and includes audio wave track components that generate playback instructions for audio wave data maintained in an audio wave data source. A segment component plays one or more of the MIDI track components to generate the event instructions, and plays one or more of the audio wave track components to generate the playback instructions. An audio processing component, such as a synthesizer component, receives the event instructions and the playback instructions, and generates an audio rendition corresponding to the MIDI audio data and/or the audio wave data.

Abstract: A “music mixer”, as described herein, provides a capability for automatically mixing arbitrary pieces of music, regardless of whether the music being mixed is of the same music genre, and regardless of whether that music has strong beat structures. In automatically determining potential mixes of two or more songs, the music mixer first computes a frame-based energy for each song. Using the computed frame-based energies, the music mixer then computes one or more potentially optimal alignments of the digital signals representing each song based on correlating peaks of the computed energies across a range of time scalings and time shifts without the need to ever compute or evaluate a beats-per-minute (BPM) for any of the songs. Then, once one of the potentially optimal time-scalings and time-shifts has been selected, the songs are then simply blended together using those parameters.

Abstract: In order to set in advance, for each scene, setting data that should belong to (or should not belong to) a recall range, a predetermined recall setting window is displayed for a current data set representing current settings of a mixing system. Buttons in a parameter selection section correspond to parameters of each channels belonging to the current data set, and the buttons can turned on and off. When the current data set is to be recorded as a scene data set, settings of the recall setting window are also stored as part of the current data set. When the scene is to be recalled, only setting data of parameters, having been set as data belonging to the recall range, are recalled. Also, editing of a channel name is permitted in order to perform optimal name display for channel strips of the system in accordance with a form of use of the system.

Abstract: There is provided a mixing method which is executed by a mixing apparatus and enables cascade connection without providing the mixing apparatus with any terminals used exclusively for cascade connection. The mixing method is executed by a first mixing apparatus including a plurality of input terminals when a second mixing apparatus is connected in cascade to part of the input terminals of the first mixing apparatus. At least one audio signal input to part of the plurality of input terminals is set as at least one cascade signal supplied from the second mixing apparatus. Arithmetic operations are performed on at least one audio signal input to at least one input terminal other than the part of the plurality of input terminals. The at least one cascade signal and the at least one audio signal on which the arithmetic operations have been performed are mixed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method to deliver a multimedia presentation of an audio file to a computing device for display to a user and further to allow the user to play a musical instrument in conjunction with the multimedia presentation. In response to a user selecting a musical piece at the computing device, a server transmits a session file associated with the musical piece to the computing device through a computer network. The session file includes an audio file and multimedia data such that the computing device can process the session file to present the multimedia presentation of the audio file to the user. An interface device is connected to the computing device and to the user's musical instrument. The interface device couples the musical instrument to the computing device such that the user can play the musical instrument in conjunction with the multimedia presentation of the audio file.

Abstract: A grand piano generates acoustic tones through vibrations of strings and sound board so that the acoustic tones are converted to analog audio signals at recording points over the sound board, and a group of waveform data sets are produced from the analog audio signal through sampling and analog-to-digital conversion; when electronic tones are generated, delay parameters and volume parameters are determined on the basis of differences between the recording points and tone radiating points occupied by loud speakers, the sets of waveform data series are sequentially read out from the group of waveform data sets and are modified with the delay parameters and volume parameters so that the electronic tones become close to the acoustic tones.

Abstract: Disclosed is an interface device to couple a musical instrument to a computing device to allow a user to play a musical instrument in conjunction with a multimedia presentation. The interface device comprises a processor, a D/A converter, and a digital audio interface. The computing device creates a processed digital audio signal of the musical instrument based upon an original digitized audio signal of the musical instrument from the interface device. The D/A converter then converts a mixed digital signal of both the processed digital audio signal of the musical instrument and a digital audio file received from the computing device into a mixed analog audio signal. The processor controls the digital audio interface such that the mixed digital signal is transmitted through the D/A converter, and ultimately through an analog sound device, to the user.

Abstract: Generating a pitched musical part from an electronic music file comprised of instrumental parts includes generating a control stream that indicates which of the instrumental parts has a highest value for a period of time, selecting one of the instrumental parts for the period of time based on the control stream, and outputting the selected instrumental part for the period of time to produce the musical part. Generating a non-pitched musical part from an electronic music file includes identifying patterns in the electronic music file and selectively combining the patterns to produce the musical part.

Abstract: A musical tone generation apparatus is basically configured by a main sound source device installing an extension board. Herein, the main sound source device is configured by a CPU, memories, operators, a music synthesizer, a mixer, an effector and a sound system, while the extension board is configured by fabricating a CPU (or sequencer), memories and a music synthesizer (or effector). When the extension board is installed in the main sound source device, function setting data regarding new functions installed on the extension board is automatically transferred to the main sound source device so that a user is capable of adequately setting and controlling the new functions by using the operators. If the extension board corresponds to a tone color extension board that provides extended tone colors which differ from preset tone colors being installed in the main sound source device in advance, the main sound source device is capable of generating musical tones using the extended tone colors.

Abstract: In a memory, there are prestored shot-tone-related rendition style modules, each integrally including attack and release waveforms, in addition to attack-, release-, body- and joint-related rendition style modules. When two or more rendition style modules are to be time-serially combined, a shot-tone-related rendition style module is selectively assigned to a tone corresponding to a predetermined rendition style and allotted to a time axis. Then, a waveform is synthesized in accordance with the thus-allotted shot-tone-related rendition style module. Such arrangements permit production, with ample controllability, a high-quality waveform of a characteristic tone faithfully reflecting a predetermined rendition style having rendition styles of attack and release portions closely related each other, which was hitherto impossible.

Abstract: This invention provides a signal processing and signal synthesis technique from a family of signal processing and signal synthesis techniques designed to readily interwork or be used individually in creating new forms of rich musical timbres. A real-time controllable mix of a plurality of multiple output frequency-reduced signals and the cross-products of these signals provides rich animated harmonically partitioned spectra. Mixing parameters may be recalled from stored program control or modulated in real-time by arbitrary control signals, including envelope generators, low-frequency oscillators, and those derived from an original input signal, and specifically including the amplitude of an original input signal. The real-time controllable mix may have multiple outputs and be subjected to further signal processing and multiple-channel amplification.

Abstract: On a casing of an electronic keyboard instrument, there are provided front speakers, rear speakers and upper speakers as non-front speakers, a woofer speaker, and a vibrator. Tone generator section generates tone signals of tone colors corresponding to tones of various musical instruments. Assignment section adjusts, on a tone-color-by-tone-color basis, tone volume allocations, of the generated tone signals, to the speakers and vibrator. Further, the thus-adjusted tone signals are mixed for each of speaker reproduction systems and vibrator drive system, and then the resultant mixed tone signals of the speaker reproduction systems and vibrator drive system are supplied to corresponding ones of the speakers and vibrator.

Abstract: An oscillator for digital music synthesis that provides a smooth waveform that is rich in harmonic content and whose shape is continuously and dynamically variable over a wide range of harmonically rich shapes. The oscillator is efficient in that it generates the shapes in a time consonant with sampling rates commonly used in music synthesis, and is generally free of discontinuities which would otherwise create audible alias components on subsequent signal processing.

Abstract: To mix signals of a plurality of input channels, first buses and second buses are provided. It is possible that, even when a user has selected a desired first surround mode and a desired effect to be imparted, an effecter is capable of performing only an effect process corresponding to a second surround mode. However, if arrangements are made such that the input signals are subjected to level adjustment corresponding to the second surround mode and mixed via the second buses to the effecter, the effecter can impart the mixed signals with an effect corresponding to the second surround mode. The effect-imparted signals are returned to the first buses, and mixed on the first buses to provide effect-imparted signals corresponding to the first surround mode. In the second surround mode, sound image localization may be controlled to follow localization in the first surround mode.

Abstract: In order to set in advance, for each scene, setting data that should belong to (or should not belong to) a recall range, a predetermined recall setting window is displayed for a current data set representing current settings of a mixing system. Buttons in a parameter selection section correspond to parameters of each channels belonging to the current data set, and the buttons can turned on and off. When the current data set is to be recorded as a scene data set, settings of the recall setting window are also stored as part of the current data set. When the scene is to be recalled, only setting data of parameters, having been set as data belonging to the recall range, are recalled. Also, editing of a channel name is permitted in order to perform optimal name display for channel strips of the system in accordance with a form of use of the system.

Abstract: A cursor movement controlling apparatus for an electronic musical apparatus comprises a display that displays a plurality of choices for controlling parameters of the electronic music apparatus, each of which is categorized into one of groups, and a cursor for selecting the choices, an instructor that instruct a movement of the displayed cursor, a movement storage device that stores a content of the movement of the cursor when the movement of the cursor within the group is instructed, and a cursor moving device that moves, when the movement of the cursor to other group is instructed, the cursor to the choice that is in the other group and corresponding to the content of the movement storage device.

Abstract: This invention provides a signal processing and signal synthesis technique from a family of signal processing and signal synthesis techniques designed to readily interwork or be used individually in creating new forms of rich musical timbres. A real-time controllable mix of a plurality of multiple output frequency-reduced signals and the cross-products of these signals provides rich animated harmonically partitioned spectra. Mixing parameters may be recalled from stored program control or modulated in real-time by arbitrary control signals, including envelope generators, low-frequency oscillators, and those derived from an original input signal, and specifically including the amplitude of an original input signal. The real-time controllable mix may have multiple outputs and be subjected to further signal processing and multiple-channel amplification.

Abstract: A control device for an audio processor has a plurality of sets of function select controls and a function control section on its control device. Each set of the plurality of sets of function select controls is coupled with a corresponding channel in a plurality of channels associated with the audio processor. The sets include select switches for a predetermined set of functions which are executable in the corresponding channels. The select switches have first and second states which are visually distinguishable by an operator. The plurality of sets of function select controls are arranged on the control panel in a row, and the select switches in the plurality of sets are arranged in respective single columns within the plurality of sets so that the select switches for a particular function across the plurality of channels form a single band on the control panel.

Abstract: An Automatic Soundtrack Generator permits merger of a sound track that is independent of the external sound source, while either recording or playing a video sequence. The Automatic Soundtrack Generator integrates in a video recorder or player a module that generates music or other sounds which either can be mixed with the originally recorded sound (sound mixing), or can replace the originally recorded sound (sound dubbing). This sound mixing or dubbing can be performed either at video/audio record time or at play back time.

Abstract: An audio system includes a circuit (12) for processing an audio signal, this circuit (12) having an input (20) for receiving the audio signal and an output (26) for supplying an output signal. The circuit (12) further includes a harmonics generator (22) coupled to the input (20) for generating harmonics of the audio signal, and an adding circuit (24) coupled to the input (20) as well as to the harmonics generator (22) for supplying a sum of the audio signal and the generated harmonics to the output (26). The harmonics generator (22) is embodied so as to limit the amplitude of the generated harmonics.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system that provides a convenient and easy-to-use means for controlling audio input and output for recording. The system includes a first input adapted to receive a high fidelity microphone such as a low impedance microphone, and a second input adapted to receive a musical instrument. The system also includes at least two outputs, each adapted to transmit analog signals to an input of a sound card (30) of a computer (20), and electrical circuitry coupling the inputs to the outputs. More specifically, the system further comprises at least one additional input adapted to receive analog signals from an output of the sound card (30) and at least one additional output adapted to transmit analog signals to a receiver. The electrical circuitry couples the additional input to the additional output, and is operable to transmit analog signals from the first and second inputs to the receiver and to the input of the sound card (30).

Abstract: A technique for enhancing audio signals generated from compressed digital audio files is described. The technique uses a Bass Maximizer module, a Harmonic Exciter module and a Quasi Stereo module. The Bass Exciter module enhances the intensity, depth and punch of the bass audio content by creating harmonic sequences from low frequency components contained in the original input signal. The Harmonic Exciter module adds to the treble audio content of the original input signal by generating harmonic series from the high frequency components contained in the input signal. The Quasi Stereo Module creates a stereo image of the enhanced input signal by adding and subtracting delayed and filtered versions of the enhanced input signal with itself to create left and right channeled stereo-like outputs. The technique provides a useful tool to regenerate from an audio signal more pleasant and joyful sounds.

Abstract: On a casing of an electronic keyboard instrument, there are provided front speakers, rear speakers and upper speakers as non-front speakers, a woofer speaker, and a vibrator. Tone generator section generates tone signals of tone colors corresponding to tones of various musical instruments. Assignment section adjusts, on a tone-color-by-tone-color basis, tone volume allocations, of the generated tone signals, to the speakers and vibrator. Further, the thus-adjusted tone signals are mixed for each of speaker reproduction systems and vibrator drive system, and then the resultant mixed tone signals of the speaker reproduction systems and vibrator drive system are supplied to corresponding ones of the speakers and vibrator.

Abstract: A plurality of music apparatus 10 to 30 such as an electronic musical instrument and a microphone apparatus are connected by wireless to a mixer apparatus 40. A Bluetooth module is adopted as wireless communication means to construct a piconet with mixer apparatus 40 functioning as a master and music apparatus 10 to 30 functioning as slaves. Audio signals and MIDI data from music apparatus 10 to 30 are transmitted by wireless to mixer apparatus 40 through isosynchronous communication procedure using Bluetooth modules 11, 21, 31, 41. In mixer apparatus 40, with regard to the MIDI data, music tone signals based on the MIDI data are produced, whereafter the produced music tone signals and the aforesaid audio signals transmitted by wireless are mixed. Wiring by means of cables between a plurality of music apparatus and a mixer apparatus is abolished, thereby eliminating the cumbersomeness of wiring and the restrictions accompanying the wiring.

Abstract: There is provided a portable mixing recorder which enables a user to readily produce music using overdubbing and/or other recording techniques while suppressing degradation of sound quality to the minimum without excessive concern for space restriction. An input analog audio signal is converted to a digital audio signal by an A/D converter section. A decoder reads out a compressed audio signal from an original source file stored in a memory card, and then extends the compressed audio signal to a digital audio signal. A mixing section mixes the digital audio signal obtained by the A/D conversion by the A/D converter section and the digital audio signal obtained by the extension by the decoder. An encoder compresses the digital audio signal obtained by the mixing by the mixing section to a compressed audio signal (mixed file). The mixed file obtained by the compression by the encoder is stored as a new source file in the memory card.

Abstract: There is provided herein a method of defining and storing remixing of existing musical and video works. As a first step, various segments of a digital song or video work are identified, preferably in terms of their starting and ending times. Given the defined loops or video clips, the user next forms a remix of the selected song/video work using those components. The final product, i.e., the resulting remix, can then be completely specified in terms of the loop/clip definitions together with the time at which each of the defined loops/clips appears in the final mix. The remix can thus be compactly stored as a computer file.

Abstract: During mixing of two musical tracks, the variations in combined output volume are reduced by analysing either the intrinsic amplitude at which each track was mastered or the output amplitude (i.e. subsequent to amplification of the audio signal), and modifying either the intrinsic amplitude or amplification during the mixing phase. Musical clashes during mixing are avoided by analysing intrinsic amplitudes of the two tracks at similar frequencies to detect the likelihood of a clash, and in the event a clash is detected, reducing the output amplitude of one of the tracks at the relevant frequency.

Abstract: An audio interface is coupled to received a music signal and a microphone signal. The music signal and a volume control signal are combined in a multiplier to produce a volume adjusted music signal. In response to an input signal from a user, the volume control signal is gradually changed in predetermined increment levels. Thus, the multiplier gradually changes the audible volume in these predetermined increment levels. The resulting music and microphone signal are stored in corresponding partitions of a single memory, and thereafter provided to a mixing circuit. The mixing circuit combines signal samples read from the memory to produce four output signals each containing first and second channel samples. The resultant 8 channel samples are gated in a formatter with respective channel mute signals which, when asserted, effectively mute their corresponding channel sample.

Abstract: An audio system includes a circuit (12) for processing an audio signal, this circuit (12) having an input (20) for receiving the audio signal and an output (26) for supplying an output signal. The circuit (12) further includes a harmonics generator (22) coupled to the input (20) for generating harmonics of the audio signal, and an adding circuit (24) coupled to the input (20) as well as to the harmonics generator (22) for supplying a sum of the audio signal and the generated harmonics to the output (26). The harmonics generator (22) is embodied so as to limit the amplitude of the generated harmonics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing data representing a time history of a sonic waveform. A portion of the data is processed to determine a beat frequency by performing a transformation from the time domain to the frequency domain and, based on the energy of the frequencies of the sonic waveform, produce an energy vector for each frequency band. The data is also processed to detect and order transients found in the sonic waveform and use these transients to establish the tempo of the sonic waveform.

Abstract: A rotary control for control surface on a processor, like on a large scale audio mixer or other system, includes an illuminated display for angular position, such as lights arranged in an arcuate pattern indicating the value of a parameter by an angular position, on the top of the knob. By placing the display directly on the top of the knob, a crisp illumination is provided allowing an operator to obtain rapid visual feedback concerning the parameters under control. Furthermore, the display allows a variety of display modes, which are suited to the particular parameter under control. The rotary control comprises a stator mounted on the control surface which has a proximal end adjacent to control surface and a distal end. An array of lights is mounted on the distal end of the stator and arranged in an arcuate pattern. A rotor is mounted on the stator, and operable by an operator. The rotor has a shape near the distal end so that the array of lights is visible to the operator.

Abstract: A percussive sound contains both harmonic and non-harmonic frequency spectral content. To reproduce a particular percussive sound, such as the sound of a drum or cymbal or hand clap, for example, the harmonic and non-harmonic content are determined empirically. Also, and tendency of the harmonic content to change over time, and the temporal aspects of attack, sustain, and decay are likewise determined empirically. These attributes are represented in the invention in a percussive sound file which includes a harmonic content profile (502), noise shape filter (504), Doppler shift profile (506), and a time wave shaping profile (508). The harmonic content profile is used by an FM generator (114) to generate a frequency modulated signal (116). The noise shape profile is used by a noise generator (134) to generate and shape the non-harmonic spectral content. While the sound is being generated, the Doppler shift profile is used to adjust the base frequency of the FM signal.

Abstract: Arithmetic processor executes waveform generation software on the basis of a received tone generation instruction, to thereby generate tone waveform data in a plurality of channels. The tone waveform data generated in the plurality of channels are added together so to be output as tone waveform data for a track. At the same time, waveform data are previously generated for a plurality of channels so as to be output at a time later than the current time point, and the waveform data thus previously generated in the plurality of channels are added together so that they are stored in a buffer storage section as previously-generated tone waveform data for a track. When there has occurred a situation that prevents waveform generation, the previously-generated waveform data currently stored in the buffer storage section are output.

Abstract: Waveform corresponding to a tone performed with desired styles of rendition is produced from vector data generated on the basis of received style-of-rendition stream data. The style-of-rendition stream data describes a series of performance tones by a combination of characteristics of a plurality of styles of rendition. The vector data can be generated for each of the styles of rendition, and waveforms corresponding to any desired styles of rendition can be produced in a simplified manner with facility on the basis of the individual vector data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating the status of a track in a multi-track recorder is described. An indicator light capable of outputting different colored lights is used to indicate the status of a track in the multi-track recorder. The color and the blinking sequence of the indicator light indicates the status of the track.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating the status of a track in a multi-track recorder is described. An indicator light capable of outputting different colored lights is used to indicate the status of a track in the multi-track recorder. The color and the blinking sequence of the indicator light indicates the status of the track.

Abstract: An electric musical instrument is provided, which enables rich and diverse expressions to be achieved in musical performance. A driving member drives a tone generating source. A driving member-side signal generator obtains a signal from the driving member and outputs the obtained signal. A musical tone signal generator generates a musical tone signal using the signal output by the driving member-side signal generator and outputs the generated musical tone signal. In another aspect of the invention, a tone generating source-side signal generator obtains a tone generating source-side signal from the tone generating source and outputs the obtained signal, and a driving member-side signal generator obtains a driving member-side signal from the driving member and outputs the obtained signal. A modulation device frequency-modulates one of the tone generating source-side signal and the driving member side signal with the other signal. The modulated signal is output from the modulation device as a sound.

Abstract: This application describes a method for musical signal analysis and synthesis using global waveform fitting (GWF). GWF uses a sinusoidal model with quadratic phase. GWF tries to fit the entire data record (signal waveform) to the assumed signal model. The model parameters obtained by GWF have clear physical interpretations or meanings.

Abstract: Sets of waveform data of unit waveforms stored in a memory each include first and second loop waveform segments at both ends of a non-loop waveform segment and any one of the unit waveform data sets can be selectively readout from the memory. The waveform data set of a desired one of the unit waveforms is read out from the memory and is connected with another waveform preceding or following the read-out unit waveform using the first or second loop waveform segment in the read-out unit waveform. Thus, a smooth connection between the read-out unit waveform and the other waveform is achieved with ease. This is because the loop waveform can be smoothly connected with any other waveform through cross-fade synthesis or phase-matched connection technique performed at an appropriate point in the loop.

Abstract: For a given tone generating channel, tone waveform sample data corresponding to a plurality of sampling cycles (e.g., 100 samples) are arithmetically formed collectively. Once performance information such as MIDI event data is supplied to a tone generator MIDI driver from an application program such as a MIDI sequencer, the MIDI driver, in response to an input MIDI signal, assigns new tone generation to a designated tone generating channel of a tone generator task, and prepares tone controlling parameters to be set in the designated channel. The tone generator task arithmetically forms tone waveform data by use of the tone controlling parameters and passes the tone waveform data to a CODEC circuit functioning as an A/D converter. The program and a general-purpose operating system are sequenced and executed by a preemptive multitask management program. In this way, it is possible to reduce overheads involved in arithmetically forming tone waveform samples.

Abstract: A MIDI-compatible gesture synthesizer is provided for use with a conventional music synthesizer to create musically realistically sounding gestures. The gesture synthesizer is responsive to one or more user controllable input signals, and includes several transfer function models that may be user-selected. One transfer function models properties of muscles using Hill's force-velocity equation to describe the non-linearity of muscle activation. A second transfer function models the cyclic oscillation produced by opposing effects of two force sources representing the cyclic oppositional action of muscle systems. A third transfer function emulates the response of muscles to internal electrical impulses. A fourth transfer function provides a model representing and altering virtual trajectory of gestures. A fifth transfer function models visco-elastic properties of muscle response to simulated loads.