Abstract: Performance event data designating rendition style modules are supplied in order of time. When a given performance event data at a given time is to be processed in accordance with the supplied performance event data, another performance event data related to one or more events, following the given performance event data, is obtained in advance of a predetermined original time position of the other performance event daata. Control data corresponding to a rendition style module designated by at least one of the given performance event data and the other performance event data obtained in advance is generated on the basis of the given and the other performance event data, and a waveform corresponding to the designated rendition style module is synthesized on the basis of the control data.

Abstract: Determination is made, in accordance with acquired performance information, as to whether a crossfade characteristic should be changed or not, and a crossfade characteristic of crossfade synthesis having already been started at the time of the acquisition of the performance information was acquired are automatically changed in accordance with a result of the determination. Because the crossfade characteristic is automatically changed during the course of the crossfade synthesis, the time length of the crossfade synthesis can be expanded or contracted as compared to the time length that had been preciously set at the beginning of the crossfade synthesis, and thus, the time position of a succeeding one of rendition style modules to be time-serially combined in accordance with the acquired performance information can be allotted to a time position displaced by an amount corresponding to the expanded or contracted time.

Abstract: Packet stream is generated by combining a plurality of packets corresponding to style-of-rendition identification information which are selected from among a number of packets usable for producing waveforms corresponding to various styles of rendition. Then, a waveform having characteristics of the style of rendition indicated by the style-of-rendition identification information is produced on the basis of the generated packet stream. The packet stream includes a plurality of packets and time information of the individual packets and controls the pitch, amplitude and shape of the waveform to be produced. By thus combining packets corresponding to the style-of-rendition identification information and producing a waveform on the basis of the packet stream, there can be provided a waveform corresponding to a desired style of rendition in a simplified manner with great facility.

Abstract: In a sound waveform synthesizer, a waveform data supplying section reads the waveform data from a storage medium for supplying the waveform data to a waveform buffer in response to a first transfer request. A waveform data processing section retrieves the waveform data from the waveform buffer in response to a second transfer request. The waveform data processing section performs sound waveform synthesis based on the retrieved waveform data and given control parameters, while notifying a state and progress of the sound waveform synthesis to a control data processing section. The control data processing section issues the first transfer request based on the notified progress of the sound waveform synthesis. The control data processing section receives waveform control information from an outside and creates the control parameters based on the waveform control information and the notified state of the sound waveform synthesis.

Abstract: Each time a predetermined type of note controlling performance data (e.g., note-on event data) is detected from among a series of performance data, deviation values for a plurality of channels, varying in deviation state among the channels, are set such that a control value of a predetermined tone characteristic (e.g., event generation timing), included in the note controlling performance data, is caused to vary among the plurality of channels. Then, values, obtained by causing the control value vary among the plurality of channels in accordance with the respective deviation values of the channels, are set as new control values for the corresponding channels. Then, for each of the channels, there is created note controlling performance data of the predetermined type having the corresponding new control value incorporated therein. A break of a phrase in performance data may be detected so that control can be performed per phrase.

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: Partial waveform data representative of a waveform shape variation are extracted from supplied waveform data, and the extracted partial waveform data are stored along with time position information indicative of their respective time positions. In reproduction, the partial waveform data and time position information are read out, then the partial waveform data are arranged on the time axis in accordance with the time position information, and a waveform is produced on the basis of the waveform data arranged on the time axis. In another implementation, sets of sample identification information and time position information are obtained in accordance with a performance tone waveform to be reproduced, and sample data are obtained from a database in accordance with the sample identification information. The thus-obtained sample data are arranged on the time axis in accordance with the time position information, and the desired waveform is produced on the basis of the sample data arranged on the time axis.

Abstract: Basic envelope is produced for at least one tone on the basis of performance information. In response to a free selection by a user, a segment template including a characteristic variation curve is supplied, and the characteristic variation curve of the segment template is placed on a performance time axis. Then, the placed characteristic variation curve and the basic envelope are combined together to produce a synthesized envelope, and a tone is generated using the produced synthesized envelope. A plurality of segment templates of different lengths are prepared beforehand, which include phrase segment templates corresponding to lengths of phrases, note segment templates corresponding to substantial total lengths of tones, and tone-portion segment templates corresponding to lengths of portions of tones. Two or more segment templates of different lengths selected by the user are combined, as necessary, so as to permit fine envelope control.

Abstract: Style-of-rendition identification information representing a style of rendition of a performance tone is received, and reference is made to a predetermined table on the basis of the received style-of-rendition identification information to thereby obtain, from the table, style-of-rendition module data corresponding to the received style-of-rendition identification information. Waveform is produced on the basis of the obtained style-of-rendition module data. The style-of-rendition module data is data representing behavior of a waveform to be produced in accordance with a style of rendition and may include data representing characteristic behavior of vectors that control the waveform to be reproduced. The behavior of the waveform can be defined by various waveform factors. The vectors include, for example, vectors of various fundamental waveform factors for producing the waveform, such as a waveform shape, pitch, amplitude and time axis.

Abstract: Each time a predetermined type of note controlling performance data (e.g., note-on event data) is detected from among a series of performance data, deviation values for a plurality of channels, varying in deviation state among the channels, are set such that a control value of a predetermined tone characteristic (e.g., event generation timing), included in the note controlling performance data, is caused to vary among the plurality of channels. Then, values, obtained by causing the control value vary among the plurality of channels in accordance with the respective deviation values of the channels, are set as new control values for the corresponding channels. Then, for each of the channels, there is created note controlling performance data of the predetermined type having the corresponding new control value incorporated therein. A break of a phrase in performance data may be detected so that control can be performed per phrase.

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: A music apparatus has a central processor, a plurality of generator modules, and a program memory storing instructions for causing the central processor to execute a process of synthesizing a musical tone signal with the generator modules. The process includes the steps of commanding each of the generator modules to generate a predetermined number of samples of the musical tone signal at a common sampling period, and collecting the samples from each of the generator modules and processing the collected samples at the common sampling period to thereby synthesize the musical tone signal. The generator modules include a synchronous generator module that does generate the predetermined number of the samples at the common sampling period, and an asynchronous generator module that does not generate the predetermined number of the samples at the common sampling period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synthesis of sound. One method for synthesis of musical sound includes receiving a stream of packets including a preceding packet and a succeeding packet for reproducing the musical sound continuously along a time axis. Each packet contains identification information effective to specify vector data stored in a first storage device. According to the identification information in the preceding packet, vector data of the succeeding packet is predicted. The predicted vector data is transferred from the first storage device to a second storage device before the succeeding packet is received such that the predicted vector data can be cached in the second storage device. The cached vector data is retrieved from the second storage device when the succeeding packet is received and the identification information contained therein hits the cached vector data to thereby synthesize the musical sound.

Abstract: Basic envelope is produced for at least one tone on the basis of performance information. In response to a free selection by a user, a segment template including a characteristic variation curve is supplied, and the characteristic variation curve of the segment template is placed on a performance time axis. Then, the placed characteristic variation curve and the basic envelope are combined together to produce a synthesized envelope, and a tone is generated using the produced synthesized envelope. A plurality of segment templates of different lengths are prepared beforehand, which include phrase segment templates corresponding to lengths of phrases, note segment templates corresponding to substantial total lengths of tones, and tone-portion segment templates corresponding to lengths of portions of tones. Two or more segment templates of different lengths selected by the user are combined, as necessary, so as to permit fine envelope control.

Abstract: Style-of-rendition identification information representing a style of rendition of a performance tone is received, and reference is made to a predetermined table on the basis of the received style-of-rendition identification information to thereby obtain, from the table, style-of-rendition module data corresponding to the received style-of-rendition identification information. Waveform is produced on the basis of the obtained style-of-rendition module data. The style-of-rendition module data is data representing behavior of a waveform to be produced in accordance with a style of rendition and may include data representing characteristic behavior of vectors that control the waveform to be reproduced. The behavior of the waveform can be defined by various waveform factors. The vectors include, for example, vectors of various fundamental waveform factors for producing the waveform, such as a waveform shape, pitch, amplitude and time axis.

Abstract: A plurality of blocks of waveform data are stored in a memory, which also stores, for each of the blocks, synchronizing information representative of a plurality of cycle synchronizing points that are indicative of periodic specific phase positions where the block of waveform data should be synchronized in phase with another block of waveform data. Two blocks of waveform data (e.g., harmonic and nonharmonic components) are read out from the memory, along with the synchronizing information. On the basis of the synchronizing information, the readout of two blocks of waveform data is controlled using the synchronizing information. There is stored, for each of the blocks, at least one piece of synchronizing position information indicative of a specific position where the block should be synchronized with another block, and the readout of the individual blocks of waveform data is controlled so that the blocks are synchronized with each other using the synchronizing position information.

Abstract: Style-of-rendition identification information representing a style of rendition of a performance tone is received, and reference is made to a predetermined table on the basis of the received style-of-rendition identification information to thereby obtain, from the table, style-of-rendition module data corresponding to the received style-of-rendition identification information. Waveform is produced on the basis of the obtained style-of-rendition module data. The style-of-rendition module data is data representing behavior of a waveform to be produced in accordance with a style of rendition and may include data representing characteristic behavior of vectors that control the waveform to be reproduced. The behavior of the waveform can be defined by various waveform factors. The vectors include, for example, vectors of various fundamental waveform factors for producing the waveform, such as a waveform shape, pitch, amplitude and time axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating musical tones are provided. Musical tones are generated based on musical tone waveform samples generated through a plurality of channels, and performance information is input. Control information is input depending on an amount of operation of an operating element operated by a user. Musical tone waveform samples are generated for each of the channels corresponding to the performance information input within a predetermined time period, in a number corresponding to the input control information, whenever the predetermined time period elapses. Musical tones are generated based on the generated musical tone waveform samples.

Abstract: In a fingering information analyzer, tone pitch information indicative of each tone pitch of a series of musical notes supplied from a flexible disc or a performance information memory is analyzed to produce fingering information indicative of a performance finger for each of the musical notes. The fingering information is mixed with the tone pitch information and memorized in a fingering memory. When the fingering information is reproduced, a performance finger for each of the musical notes is determined in accordance with a changing direction or variation width of the tone pitch information continual in time series and a changing condition of white and black keys based on the tone pitch information. The tone pitch information and fingering information memorized in the fingering memory is read out in accordance with progression of a musical tune and adapted for performance of the keys on a keyboard and for indication of the performance finger.

Abstract: A method is designed for controlling a plurality of tone generating drivers by an integrating driver installed in an operating system to generate music tones according to performance data created by a music application software. In the method. the performance data created by the music application software is inputted into the integrating driver through an application program interface provided by the operating system. The performance data is distributed from the integrating driver to one or more of the tone generating drivers provisionally registered to the integrating driver. The registered tone generating driver is operated to generate waveform data of a music tone at a specific sampling frequency based on the distributed performance data. The waveform data is streamed back from the registered tone generating driver to the integrating driver. The specific sampling frequency of the streamed waveform data is converted into a common sampling frequency by the integrating driver.