Abstract: The described technology is generally directed towards providing a visible waveform representation of an audio signal, by processing the audio signal with a polynomial (e.g., cubic) mapping function. Coefficients of the polynomial mapping function are predetermined based on constraints (e.g., slope information and desired range of the resultant curve), and whether the plotted audio waveform corresponds to sound field quantities or power quantities. Once the visible representation of the reshaped audio waveform is displayed, audio and/or video editing operations can be performed, e.g., by time-aligning other audio or video with the reshaped audio waveform, and/or modifying the reshaped audio waveform to change the underlying audio data.

Abstract: A music reproduction apparatus includes: a reproduction section for reproducing user-selected music piece data; a generation section for generating control information including music piece information identifying a music piece reproduced by the reproduction section and reproduced position information indicative of a currently-reproduced position; a modulation section for outputting, on the basis of the generated control information, an audio signal of a predetermined frequency band for carrying the control information; and an output section for transmitting to outside the audio signal generated by the modulation section.

Abstract: A time-varying formant is generated at a formant frequency by generating first and second harmonic phase signals having first and second harmonic numbers, respectively, in relation to a modulation frequency. The first and second harmonic phase signals are generated in proportion to a master phase signal, which varies at the modulation frequency, modulo a factor corresponding to their harmonic numbers. First and second sound signals, based on the first and second harmonic phase signals, are frequency modulated to create an arbitrarily rich harmonic spectrum, depending on an FM index. The time-varying formant is generated by generating a time-varying combination of the first and second harmonic sound signals, weighting the first and second harmonic sound signals in accordance with their spectral proximities to the formant frequency. One or more of the harmonic numbers are updated when the time-varying formant frequency passes the frequency of either sound signal.

Abstract: Provided are a method, computer storage device, and tone control device for generating tones with a vibrato effect. A determination is made of a key depression interval comprising a difference of a current time of a current note from a previous time of a previous note. A performance mode is set to a single tone mode, in which only one note is generated, or a polyphonic mode, in which multiple notes are simultaneously generated, based on the determined key depression interval. The tone is generated to output the current note with a first modulation magnitude in response to determining that the performance mode is the single tone mode. A tone is generated to output the current note with a second modulation magnitude in response to determining that the performance mode is the polyphonic mode, wherein the first modulation magnitude is greater than the second modulation magnitude.

Abstract: Systems, including methods and apparatus, for applying audio effects to a non-ambient signal, based at least in part on information received in an ambient audio signal. Exemplary effects that can be applied using the present teachings include generation of harmony notes, pitch-correction of melody notes, and tempo-based effects that rely on beat detection.

Abstract: Provided are a musical performance-related information output device and a musical performance system capable of superimposing musical performance-related information on an audio signal without damaging the general versatility of the audio signal. The musical performance-related information output device includes a musical performance-related information acquiring section that is adapted to acquire musical performance-related information related to a musical performance of a performer, a superimposing section that is adapted to superimpose the musical performance-related information on an analog audio signal such that a modulated component of the musical performance-related information is included in a band higher than the frequency component of the analog audio signal generated in accordance with the musical performance manipulation of the performer, and an output section that outputs the analog audio signal on which the superimposing section superimposes the musical performance-related information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to direct voice and instrument monitoring systems and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A musical performance apparatus is provided with a tone generation circuit 15 and a sound system 16 for emitting musical tones of musical instruments and control tones corresponding to musical score data SD which controls a musical score display apparatus 20. The tone generation circuit 15 has a tone volume adjustment circuit 15a3 which changes tone volume of only the musical tones in accordance with player's instruction and maintains tone volume of the control tones at a certain tone volume. The tone generation circuit 15 also has a pan adjustment circuit 15a4 which localizes the control tones so that the control tones will be emitted only from a certain speaker. Furthermore, the musical performance apparatus is designed such that the control tones are formed only of frequency components included in a certain high frequency band.

Abstract: Interactive data sonification for representing multidimensional numerical information with a plurality of variable-timbre channels for use complementing data visualization is described. The method includes generation of a plurality of variable-timbre audio waveforms, each having an audio frequency parameter and at least one timbre modulation parameter having an adjustable value that affects the timbre of the audio waveform. The method includes associating aspects of multidimensional numerical data with the timbre modulation parameter of each audio frequency waveform using a mapping element. The mapping element varies values of timbre modulation parameters responsive to selected values from the multidimensional numerical data. Each audio frequency waveform can be positioned within a sonically-rendered sound field, associating information with positions within the sound field. Mapping elements can vary the positions responsive to selected values from the multidimensional numerical data.

Abstract: A signal modulator includes a discriminator for discriminating a modulation technique through which a carrier signal was modulated to a quasi audio signal and a signal demodulation module for reproducing a continuous data stream from the quasi audio signal through a demodulating technique corresponding to the discriminated modulation technique; the discriminator includes a sampling circuit for extracting groups of samples from the quasi audio signal during each period of the carrier signal, an integrator calculating an integrated value on each group of samples, a comparator comparing the integrated value with a threshold for a neighborhood of zero so as to determine the groups of samples with the integrated value less than the threshold and a determiner measuring the time period between the groups of two modulation period and discriminating 16DPSK when the time period is equal to the modulation period.

Abstract: Provided are a method, computer storage device, and tone control device for generating tones with a vibrato effect. A determination is made of a key depression interval comprising a difference of a current time of a current note from a previous time of a previous note. A performance mode is set to a single tone mode, in which only one note is generated, or a polyphonic mode, in which multiple notes are simultaneously generated, based on the determined key depression interval. The tone is generated to output the current note with a first modulation magnitude in response to determining that the performance mode is the single tone mode. A tone is generated to output the current note with a second modulation magnitude in response to determining that the performance mode is the polyphonic mode, wherein the first modulation magnitude is greater than the second modulation magnitude.

Abstract: A method to automatically match keys between music being reproduced and music being performed includes detecting a key from an audio signal being reproduced from a storage medium or audio source, detecting a key from a sound signal representing music being played by a user, and performing a transposition by adjusting the key of the audio signal to match the key of the sound signal.

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. Amplitude-envelope controlled time-modulation and pitch-modulation are employed to add rich and attention-getting aspects to solo lines and chords. The amplitude envelope may be measured from the signal being modulated, a delayed version of this signal, or another signal source. Modulation characteristics and parameters may be recalled from stored program control or modulated in real-time by arbitrary control signals, including those derived from the original input signal. The invention may be used individually or in conjunction with other signal processing and signal synthesis techniques in creating new forms of rich musical timbres. The invention may also be used in spatially-distributed timbre construction.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for reconstructing high frequency components of a digital audio signal using a harmonic enhancer in a baseband integrated circuit of a receiver handset. The original spectrum of the digital audio signal is upsampled in a times two (2) upsample unit to double the size of the bandwidth. A low pass filter then removes a high frequency alias of the original spectrum. The spectrum is then modulated with a first carrier frequency and sent to a first filter bank where a low pass filter and a high pass filter shape the modulated harmonic spectrum. After gain adjustment, the modulated harmonic spectrum is added to a delayed version of the original spectrum. Additional harmonic spectra are similarly created at other carrier frequencies and added to the audio output spectra to reconstruct high frequency components of the audio signal.

Abstract: Digital complex tone generators include a first tone generator configured to generate a first digital tone with selectable first characteristics including a first frequency, a first phase, and a first amplitude; a second tone generator configured to generate a second digital tone with selectable second characteristics including a second frequency, a second phase, and a second amplitude; and a generator adder configured for combining the first tone and the second tone to provide a digital complex tone with programmable characteristics. Corresponding methods include initializing a first and second tone generators based on, respective, selected frequencies, phases, and amplitudes; iteratively generating a first digital tone and a second digital tone; and combining these two tones to provide the digital complex tone.

Abstract: The present synthesizer generates an underlying spectrum, pitch and loudness for a sound to be synthesized, and then combines the underlying spectrum, pitch and loudness with stored Spectral, Pitch, and Loudness Fluctuations and noise elements. The input to the synthesizer is typically a MIDI stream. A MIDI preprocess block processes the MIDI input and generates the signals needed by the synthesizer to generate output sound phrases. The synthesizer comprises a harmonic synthesizer block (which generates an output representing the tonal audio portion of the output sound), an Underlying Spectrum, Pitch, and Loudness (which takes pitch and loudness and uses stored algorithms to generate the slowly varying portion of the output sound) and a Spectral, Pitch, and Loudness Fluctuation portion (which generates the quickly varying portion of the output sound by selecting and combining Spectral, Pitch, and Loudness Fluctuation segments stored in a database).

Abstract: A method and system of audio synthesis capable of reducing CPU load is disclosed, which establishes a parameter look-up table in a read-only memory (ROM). When a computer system synthesizes audio signals, the required coefficients are obtained from the table, which relatively reduces the amount of parameter transferred between an audio chip and a central processing unit (CPU). Thus, the load of the CPU can be reduced.

Abstract: Based on the understanding that time-varying characteristics of a tone element, such as an amplitude and pitch, in waveform data acquired through a live performance of a musical instrument include a variation component intended or controllable by a human player and a variation component not intended or non-controllable by the human player, the present invention allows the two components to be adjusted/controlled separately and independently of each other, so as to achieve effective and high-quality control. Discrete variation value train is acquired for at least one particular tone element in original waveform data, and the acquired variation value train is separated, in accordance with a time constant factor, into a “swell” value train of a relatively great time constant and a “fluctuation” value train of a relatively small time constant. The “swell” value train and “fluctuation” value train are variably controlled independently of each other.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing a musical tone control device for carrying out appropriate control in user-performed operations. A pitch parameter value PB set by a pitch bend wheel may be loaded and a determination may be made whether the pitch parameter value PB is within a specified range. If the pitch parameter value PB is within the specified range, a time t may advance by 1, and a determination may be made whether the time t has reached t1. If the time t has reached t1, an amplitude value from a low frequency oscillator (LFO) table corresponding to the time t may be read out from the LFO table. The vibrato value VI may be calculated by multiplying the amplitude value and the vibrato depth. The pitch parameter value PB and the vibrato value VI may be added and transmitted to the sound source.

Abstract: A sound-processing apparatus is provided that is capable of creating a sound effect without having to worry about changes in parameters such as the beat of the input sound source. The sound-processing apparatus comprises: a delay unit DB that generates at least one or more new synchronized sound signal that is synchronized with a sound signal Si to be modulated; parameter-detection unit 6 that detects a parameter that indicates an attribute of the generated synchronized sound signal; a signal-conversion unit 8 that generates a converted signal Sdm based on the detected parameter; and a modulation unit that modulates the sound signal based on the generated converted signal Sdm.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for generating one or more predetermined waveforms from one or more contiguous segments of at least one prototype waveform stored in one or more memory tables, the method and system comprising iterations of following sample processing steps: reading at least one sample of the stored prototype waveform at a predetermined address, modifying the sample according to a predetermined logic, and accumulating the modified sample, wherein through a predetermined number of iterations of above steps, a cycle of a new waveform is formed by the accumulated modified samples.

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: 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: A synthesized strong hit waveform data is generated by synthesizing a strong hit amplitude component separated from a strong hit waveform data generated based on tone of a strong play and a weak hit phase component separated from a weak hit waveform data generated based on tone of a weak play. This synthesized strong hit waveform data is stored in a memory together with a weak hit waveform data. A musical tone signal is generated by interpolating the weak hit waveform data and the synthesized strong hit waveform data read out from the memory, in response to a signal supplied from external portion.

Abstract: A circuit and method for generating waveforms when synthesizing musical sounds. In one embodiment, the invention provides a multiplexer/shifter which modifies the phase angle input according to the particular waveform desired. Boolean logic gates further modify the multiplexer/shifter output based on the two most significant bits of the phase angle input and according to the particular waveform desired. Finally, a multiplier multiplies the multiplexer/shifter output with the output of the Boolean logic gates to produce the desired waveform. The invention may employ banks of exclusive OR gates and AND gates as the Boolean logic. Another embodiment of the invention provides a waveshaping method where a desired waveform is generated from a phase angle input. The phase angle input is multiplexed/shifted based on the particular waveform desired.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for emulating a frequency modulation sound chip with minimal hardware and utilizing the excess capacity of current computer systems. In one embodiment, the frequency modulation emulation apparatus includes a frequency modulation emulator suitable to communicate with a computer system. The frequency modulation emulator provides an addressable memory space, substantially similar to an emulated addressable memory space of the emulated frequency modulation sound chip, such that a frequency modulation application implemented on the computer system can communicate with the frequency modulation emulator. The emulator chip receives audio data through the addressable memory space from the frequency modulation application and, the frequency modulation application is unaware that the frequency modulation emulator is receiving the audio data rather than the emulated frequency modulation sound chip. A frequency modulation generator is implemented on the computer system.

Abstract: A method for frequency modulation synthesis and apparatus for performing the method. The method uses additions rather than multiplies and therefore saves the space and cost of multipliers in circuit implementations. The method saves further resources by using the coordinate rotation digital computer (CORDIC) algorithm to acquire sine values as opposed to an extensive sine look-up table. The method can be implemented with either a dedicated digital circuit or a programmed special purpose processor such as a digital signal processor. The hardware for implementing the method is normally integrated onto a semiconductor device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for tracking parameters of a synthesized ?an! audio signal that reduces the amount of processing time without causing any discernible degradation in the sound quality of the audio signal. An audio signal is intelligently divided into multiple time slices and the parameters of the audio signal are tracked over the duration of the time slice. The time slices are selected so that the actual characteristic of the parameters over the duration of the time slice can be easily approximated by performing simple, non-processor intensive steps. The characteristics of various components of an audio signal such as a volume envelope, pitch envelope, low frequency oscillator, MIDI commands controlling the audio signal, and various other inputs are used to identify control points. Adjacent control points are then selected as the start point and end point of a time slice.

Abstract: A tone signal generator includes a tone signal data generating device, a signal data generating device, and a sound effects imparting device, such as a digital signal processor. The sound effects are imparted to the tone signal data based on the signal data in such a way that the digital signal processor processes the tone signal data and the signal data by repeatedly multiplying and adding them. In the process, a signal data supplying device supplies the tone signal data to the signal data generating device so that the tone signal data is used in place of the signal data. The digital signal processor processes the first tone signal data generated by the tone signal generating device and the second tone signal device supplied by the signal data supplying device so that the sound effects are imparted to the first tone signal data based on the second tone signal data.

Abstract: An improved method for generating various wave functions for use in musical tone generation in FM synthesis so as to substantially reduce computational and storage requirements. The waveform desired to be used is mathematically modeled using piecewise linear approximation. A reduced number of coefficients of the piecewise linear approximation, representing the angles and offsets of the linear segments, are stored in memory.

Abstract: Intermodulation means for the emulation and exaggeration of an aspect of vacuum tube amplifiers by solid state, digital, speaker or other means. The intermodulation means produces intermodulation products of the input and an audio signal source which may be a spectrum-limited, filtered version of the input or the output or a spectrum-limited repetitive or random noise generator.

Abstract: An audio synthesizer is disclosed for generating an analog or digital audio output in response to coded control instructions representing musical events, such as a MIDI data stream. The synthesizer has a general purpose computer portion with a CPU programmed to receive the control instructions and generate audio samples and a special purpose hardware portion for receiving the control instructions and generating the audio samples. The synthesizer also has a controller for directing the control instructions either to the general purpose computer portion or to the hardware portion to generate the audio samples; and means to combine the audio samples generated by the general purpose computer portion and the hardware portion to form an audio output which accords with the control instructions.

Abstract: A sound synthesis system employs a variable-length delay line whose length is modulated at a frequency that is close to the fundamental frequency of the delay line. By modulating the length of the delay line at a frequency close to the fundamental frequency of the delay line, a new class of sounds is generated. A delay line length modulator produces a periodic modulation signal whose frequency is close to the fundamental frequency of the delay line. The length of the delay line is modulated in accordance with the modulation signal, thereby causing a variable pitch shifting effect in the waveform produced by the delay line structure. Since the length of the delay line is modulated at a frequency close to the average loop frequency, part of the waveform stored by the delay line is time-compressed and the other part is expanded. The waveform's shape changes smoothly so that the compressed part of the waveform is pitched-shifted upwards, and the expanded part is pitch-lowered.

Abstract: An audio synthesis circuit is disclosed that incorporates a phase accumulator, adder, sinusoid computing circuit, feedback controller, modulation controller and output accumulator. The audio synthesis circuit generates harmonically complex audio tones, which are output from the sinusoid computing circuit via the output accumulator through the use of frequency modulation of the phase of the audio tones. Instead of feeding back the audio tone to modulate the current phase, the disclosed audio synthesis circuit feeds back the current phase, which is converted by the feedback controller into a scaled feedback factor generated through a process using a waveform computing circuit that, without log-linear conversion, computes a preset cyclical function at an argument equal to the current phase. The feedback factor is then added to the current phase to generate a modulated phase value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tone signal generator. The tone signal generator includes first tone signal generation means for producing a dual-tone, multi-frequency ("DTMF") audio signal; second tone signal means for producing a plurality of non-DTMF audio signals; storage means for storing data that represents at least one channel of an output audio tone signal; and selection means for selectively loading the DTMF signal into the storage means and for selectively accumulating the non-DTMF signals into the storage means so as to generate the output tone signal.

Abstract: The method of the present invention preferably receives a predetermined number of input values or data from which it may be determined which one of a predetermined number of modulator waveforms is selected and which one of a predetermined number of carrier waveforms is selected for a desired audio signal, musical sound or tone. A portion of the input values are used to generate predetermined control signals which are used in combination with the selected modulation waveform to interpolate stored modulator harmonic spectral values to determine the modulator waveform's harmonic sideband(s). A second portion of the control values that have been generated are used in combination with the selected carrier waveform to then determine the carrier waveform's spectral values, amplitude and envelope amplitude. Following this the carrier and modulator spectral values are combined in a preselected manner to provide an appropriate composite signal.

Abstract: A tone signal generator includes a plurality of tone generation channels, and a tone generation control data memory for storing instruction data for instructing tone generation or tone release and execution data for instructing execution thereof, for each tone generation channel. The tone signal generator also includes an execution device for executing the tone generation. The execution device executes the tone generation or the tone release for each tone generation channel at an assigned timing in the sampling cycle to the tone generation channel when the instruction data is written in the tone generation control data memory corresponding to the tone generation channel, and then the execution data is written in the memory corresponding to any tone generation channel. After the writing of the instruction data, the executing data is written into the memory. This executing data triggers the tone generation of channels where the instruction data has already been written.

Abstract: A frequency modulation (FM) tone signal generator for generating a FM tone signal is disclosed. The tone signal generator includes a waveform generator having a plurality of wave tables, a selector and an enveloper. The waveform generator furnishes a waveform signal in response to a phase angle address signal. Each wave table stores a different waveform. The selector selects one of the wave tables in response to a plurality of selection signals such that the selected wave table largely provides the waveform signal upon being addressed largely by the phase angle address signal. Selection of the selected wave table varies with each selection signal. The enveloper impresses an envelope signal on the waveform signal. The envelope signal is used as a carrier or modulator for generating the FM tone signal.

Abstract: A frequency modulation (FM) tone signal generator for generating a FM tone signal is disclosed. The tone signal generator includes a waveform generator having a plurality of wave tables, a selector and an enveloper. The waveform generator furnishes a waveform signal in response to a phase angle address signal. Each wave table stores a different waveform. The selector selects one of the wave tables in response to a plurality of selection signals such that the selected wave table largely provides the waveform signal upon being addressed largely by the phase angle address signal. Selection of the selected wave table varies with each selection signal. The enveloper impresses an envelope signal on the waveform signal. The envelope signal is used as a carrier or modulator for generating the FM tone signal.

Abstract: A musical tone signal synthesizer wherein a first waveform signal of a frequency defined by first frequency information is produced as a modulation signal, a second waveform signal indicative of a windowing function is produced at a cycle defined by second frequency information and a third waveform signal starting from a predetermined phase at each cycle of the second waveform signal is repeatedly produced at a shorter cycle than that of the second waveform signal, and wherein the second and third waveform signals are modulated by the first waveform signal and multiplied to produce a fourth waveform signal as a musical tone signal having a fixed formant characteristic comprised of a plurality of formants.

Abstract: A tone generator (501) for a musical synthesizer has digital waveform generators (602,603) arranged such that a proportion of an output from a waveform generator (602) is supplied to a phase modulating input of a next waveform generator (603), wherein a proportion of the output from the last waveform generator in a chain (603) of serially connected waveform generators is supplied to a phase modulating input of the first waveform generator (602) in said chain, thereby providing a degree of recursion. Outputs from a plurality of waveform generators are supplied to a ring modulator (604) for generating harmonic sums and differences of frequencies produced by said recursion. A variable precision waveform lookup table (803) may be used to select a particular harmonic characteristic of tone and a frequency doubler (1001) may be included in the feedback loop to enable tones containing predominantly odd harmonics to be generated.

Abstract: There is generated a rhythm corresponding to a designated tempo and meter of a music piece to be recorded. Performance of a musical instrument is started at specific timing according to the generated rhythm, and the musical information resulting from the performance is recorded onto an MD (Mini Disk). The address on the MD read out when the performance of the music piece is started is retrieved as a start address of the music piece. After the recording, the retrieved start address is recorded onto the UTOC (User's-table-of-contents) area of the disk along with the designated tempo and meter. By reading out the start address, tempo and meter to calculate a measure number and start address of a desired measure on the basis of the read out information, display of a measure number being currently reproduced and quick access to the starting point of any desired measure can be achieved.

Abstract: A delay-time-modulation effecting apparatus employed by an electronic musical instrument or the like, is designed to effect a certain delay-time modulation on a musical tone signal so as to realize a desired modulation effect appear on a musical tone to be produced. The delay-time modulation is effected in response to a time lag between a write time and a read time at which the musical tone signal is written into and is read from a storage device (e.g., random-access memory). When a read address advances fast to be ahead of the write address, an overmodulation state emerges so that discontinuity in level of the musical tone signals occurs, which will result in an occurrence of noises. In order to avoid such an event, the read address should be limited not to advance ahead of the write address.

Abstract: An apparatus for synthesizing a musical tone comprises a loop circuit for circulating an input wave form signal through a delay circuit, a wave form memory, and a random modulation circuit for modulating the wave form signal stored in the wave form memory. The random modulation circuit generates a random signal, such as a noise signal. The random signal modulates address data to the wave form memory, so that the read wave form data read out from the wave form memory is delicately varied with time.

Abstract: A musical tone synthesizing apparatus generates musical tones of acoustic musical instrument which has operator like a hammer, and a vibrating element such as a string or a vibrating plate. The apparatus has a loop circuit which comprises at least two delays of which total delay time of the two delays corresponds to pitch of a musical tone, a propagating circle for simulating the vibrating element, an exciting signal generator which generates signal in accordance with a non-linear relation between the operator and the vibrating element, and a delay controller which controls a ratio of the delay time between the two delays. By varying the ratio, the apparatus realizes the characteristics of the vibration in the vibrating elements of which struck positions by the operator change in accordance with pitch of tones to thereby generates musical tones with fidelity.

Abstract: According to the invention, a plurality of pieces of frequency modulation information are weighted independently and then synthesized. The individual pieces of synthesized frequency modulation information are weighted independently, and individual pieces of sound data that have been generation speed controlled according to the individual pieces of frequency modulation information are synthesized. In this way, the individual pieces of frequency modulation information are weighted independently. Thus, the individual weighting processes may be changed in various ways without mutual restriction to produce for various changes in the frequency modulation.

Abstract: Reading of a waveform memory is controlled and one of different processing is performed depending upon which of a first mode and a second mode has been designated. When the first mode has been designated, an interpolation operation is performed on the basis of plural sample value data read from the waveform memory by using a predetermined number of processing time slots and a resulting one waveform sample value data is produced. When the second mode, has been designated, a processing for producing one waveform sample value data is performed on the basis of one sample value data read from the waveform memory by using one processing time slot. By using a predetermined plural number of processing time slots, one waveform sample value data produced with a high accuracy in the first mode whereas plural waveform sample value data are produced in the second mode whereby generation of a waveform can be performed efficiently by properly utilizing the mode.

Abstract: A microprocessor provides a pulse width modulated pulse train at a predetermined frequency to a tuned resonant circuit having a transducer element. The first pulse has a predetermined width. The pulse widths of successive pulses are decreased in a predetermined manner until the pulse width reaches a minimally desired width. The next generated pulse has the first predetermined width and each successive width is decreased in the same predetermined manner. This pattern is generated repeatedly. Each one of these generated patterns produces an audible waveform from the tuned resonant circuit which changes over time. If the pulse train frequency, the pulse width modulation, and the circuit's resonant frequency are chosen correctly, the audible waveform will have the same characteristics as the waveform produced by a specified bell which has been struck.

Abstract: In a tone signal synthesizer for synthesizing a tone signal by supplying a driving signal, into a closed loop circuit including a delay circuit and a filter, a filter coefficient which controls the characteristic of the filter is changed while a musical tone is generated. For example, a set of filter coefficients are provided at the time of key-on and are switched to another set of filter coefficients when a predetermined time is passed after the time of key-on. The set of filter coefficients are switched to a further set of filter coefficients at the time of key-off and then are switched to a still further set of filter coefficients when a predetermined time is passed after the time of key-off. It is possible to generate a musical tone which changes more complexly on the basis of the change of the filter characteristic, with the passage of time.

Abstract: There is generated a rhythm corresponding to a designated tempo and meter of a music piece to be recorded. Performance of a musical instrument is started at specific timing according to the generated rhythm, and the musical information resulting from the performance is recorded onto an MD (Mini Disk). The address on the MD read out when the performance of the music piece is started is retrieved as a start address of the music piece. After the recording, the retrieved start address is recorded onto the UTOC (User's-table-of-contents) area of the disk along with the designated tempo and meter. By reading out the start address, tempo and meter to calculate a measure number and start address of a desired measure on the basis of the read out information, display of a measure number being currently reproduced and quick access to the starting point of any desired measure can be achieved.