Abstract: An audio signal recording and reproducing apparatus can perform realtime processing with a structure having a low cost. The audio signal recording and reproducing apparatus records a series of input audio signals as digital audio data, and reproduces and outputs the input signals using the recorded digital audio data as output audio signals. An input audio signal processing unit converts the series of input audio signals into digital audio data. A data file recording unit records the digital audio data, as digital audio data file information, on a recording medium, the recording medium having a plurality of clusters in which data having a predetermined number of bytes is recorded, the digital audio file information being recorded over a plurality of clusters. A file management information recording unit records on the recording medium file management information representing the reproducing order of the clusters in which the digital audio data file information is recorded.

Abstract: A furnace for heating pipes each having an upset portion at least at one of its opposite ends includes a housing defining a heating chamber filled with high temperature gas, and a conveying apparatus for sequentially conveying the pipes in the housing in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the pipes. A blowing device is provided on one side of a path of the upset portion, and a waving plate is provided on the other side of the path, whereby the upset portion, when passing through a space between the blowing device and the plate, is heated locally by the high temperature gas blown out from the blowing device and also by the reflected high temperature gas and radiant heat from the plate.