Abstract: A method for use with a musical instrument includes receiving a signal representative of a sound produced by the musical instrument, receiving a selection of an audio effect from a wireless controller, applying the audio effect to the signal representative of a sound produced by the musical instrument, and providing an output signal representative of the audio effect applied to the sound produced by the musical instrument. Other methods include causing an image to be responsive to a signal representative of motions of the musical instrument, and causing an image to be responsive to a signal representative of sound produced by the musical instrument. A computer readable storage medium may store a computer program adapted to cause a processor based system to execute the steps of any one or more of these methods.

Abstract: An audio playback device having a function for adjusting a playback speed, and a method thereof includes, in the audio playback device, stored audio data is decoded and converted into an audio stream in a PCM format, and the audio stream is divided into a high frequency band and a low frequency band at cut-off frequency. The audio stream of the high frequency band is signal-processed using an overlap add (OLA) algorithm, and the audio stream of the low frequency band is down-sampled and signal-processed using a synchronized overlap and add (SOLA) algorithm. Accordingly, calculation time of the stream processor 130 is minimized so that a TSM function is efficiently implemented.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for mixing audio is presented. A plurality of tracks is displayed in a user interface, each track of the plurality of tracks including at least one audio clip. Each audio clip is designated as either a foreground clip or a background clip. The foreground clips are analyzed and loudness corrected. The background clips are analyzed and a distance value between the loudness corrected foreground clips and the background clips is defined. Keyframes are added to some of the audio clips, the keyframes providing a fade between levels of the background clips to take into account the loudness corrected foreground clips and a sequenced audio file is produced from the corrected foreground clips, the background clips and the keyframes.

Abstract: A foot-operated audio effects device (10) receives, stores and operates at least one software audio effect plug-in (86). At least two of the audio effect plug-in (86) may be designed to operate under different operating systems. The device (10) may receive multiple audio input streams (38, 40). Users can control at least one parameter of the audio effect plug-ins (86). The device (10) may include a mass storage device (72) which stores audio which has been generated within the device (10). In use, the device (10) may be connected to a computer (110) and software audio effect plug-ins (86) transferred to and stored in the device (10). The computer (110) may be used to configure parameters of the audio effect plug-in (86). Those parameters may be stored within the computer (110).

Abstract: Musical instrument effects pedals are powered from adjacent pedals by providing electrical connectors between adjacent pedals and by providing tip-ring-sleeve jacks in the pedals and three wire connectors with tip-ring-sleeve connectors, which carry sound signals from an instrument through sequential pedals and electrical power in an opposite direction to the pedals.

Abstract: A saxophone is equipped with a supporting system, and the supporting system assists a player in performance on the saxophone; the supporting system includes pressure sensors respectively adhered to the keys of the saxophone, torque motors provided in association with the keys for exerting assisting force on the keys and a controller for adjusting a driving signal to a certain amount corresponding to the pressure; since a conversion table is stored in the controller, the controller looks up the amount of driving current to be adjusted in the conversion table, and supplies the driving signal to the torque motor, whereby the keys are depressed by the total of finger force and assisting force.

Abstract: A computer portion 70 determines main reaction force RF0 by use of a main reaction force table storing main reaction forces which vary according to the velocity and the depth of a depression of the key 11. The computer portion 70 determines first ancillary reaction force RF1 by use of a first ancillary reaction force table storing first ancillary reaction forces which vary according to the amount of depression of a lever 32 of a pedal apparatus 30. The computer portion 70 adds the first ancillary reaction force RF1 to the main reaction force RF0 to obtain a composite reaction force to control a solenoid 21 on the basis of the composite reaction force so that a reaction force which is to be exerted on the key 11 will be the composite reaction force.

Abstract: When it is determined that Insertion Effect Block 20n for adding the same acoustic effect is found, CPU 13 assigns the Insertion Effect Block 20n for adding the same acoustic effect to a tone color part PTs whose tone color information has been changed, and when it is determined that Insertion Effect Block 20n for adding the same acoustic effect is not found, CPU 13 sets acoustic-effect information included in tone color information set to the tone color part PTs whose tone color information has been changed, thereby assigning the Insertion Effect Block 20n to the tone color part PTs whose tone color information has been changed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pianoforte instrument comprising a musical mechanism with keys. Also provided are strings which are struck via a mechanism when the keys are actuated and are made to vibrate. The vibrations of the strings are transmitted to a sound board. A device is provided for delivering additional oscillating energy into the sound board. Also provided are sensors which directly or indirectly detect actuation of the keys of the musical mechanism. The measured values of the sensors are fed to a sound-amplifying device. The sound-amplifying device is equipped with units which compile data corresponding to a desired characteristic sound in accordance with the measured values of the sensors. The sound amplifying device supplies the sound board with additional oscillation energy via the delivering device according to the determined data.

Abstract: An actuator unit includes: a performance operator drive device including a movable member that mechanically drives the performance operator member; an optical pattern having a pattern to cause an amount of light reflection or light transmission to gradually vary in accordance with movement of the movable member; and an optical sensor that irradiates light toward the optical pattern and receives light reflected from or transmitted through the optical pattern. One of the optical pattern and the optical sensor is provided to move in interlocked relation to the movable member, and the amount of the reflected light or transmitted light, based on the optical pattern, is detected by the optical sensor, so that a moving position of the movable member is detected on the basis of the detected amount of the reflected or transmitted light.

Abstract: Electromagnetic (EM) musical instrument systems and methods for configuring and using the instrument are provided. The EM musical instrument could include an EM resonant body to receive an excitation signal. The excitation signal varies the associated sound produced by the EM musical instrument. The EM musical instrument could also include a first circuit to convert an audio signal into an associated electrical signal, a second circuit to convert the electrical signal to an associated EM signal, and a third circuit to apply the EM signal to a body of an EM musical instrument to produce an associated sound. The EM musical instrument could include a body having a top plate of EM resonant material. The instrument could include a center medium defining a cavity coupled to a sound hole of the top plate and a bottom plate of EM resonant material coupled to the center medium. The instrument could further include a port coupled to the body and configured to apply the received excitation signal to the body.

Abstract: A method for generating electromagnetic (EM) music through excitation of an EM Musical Instrument is provided. An input queue, comprised of three sub-queues, receives three input audio queues. An EM excitation signal is generated based on the received input audio queues. The EM excitation signal is applied to the EM Musical Instrument. A measured response is generated, based on a response of the EM Musical Instrument to the EM excitation signal. Various time marks are marked in the measured response. Selected portions of the measured response are discarded based on particular time marks, generating a newly measured sample set. The newly measured samples are joined to a previously measured sample set of an output queue based on alignment of time marks. Various alternate embodiments and supporting systems are also provided.

Abstract: An electromagnetic (EM) musical instrument system includes an excitation signal generator to generate an excitation signal. The system also includes an excitation signal applier coupled to the excitation signal generator. The excitation signal applier receives the excitation signal and transmits a corresponding excitation signal to an EM musical instrument. The excitation signal applier is further configured to modulate the corresponding excitation signal to produce audio effects. An EM musical instrument, in response to receiving the corresponding excitation signal, generates an EM output signal associated with a produced sound. The system also includes an EM output receiver coupled to the EM musical instrument to receive the EM output signal.

Abstract: Methods for automatically analyzing and/or performing music are described. One embodiment concerns a method for assigning chords to a musical score indicative of a sequence of time segments, each time segment comprising at least one note, the method comprising assigning a chord to each time segment responsive to consonance/dissonance relationships between the assigned chord and the notes of at least two of the time segments. Optionally, consonance/dissonance relationships include existence of a dissonant between a chord assigned to a time segment and a note of the time segment and existence of resolution to said dissonant.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for enabling a user of digital video editing software to automatically create an emotionally controlled soundtrack that is matched in overall emotion or mood to the scenes in the underlying video work. In the preferred arrangement, the user will be able to control the generation of the soundtrack by positioning emotion tags in the video work that correspond to the general mood of each scene. The subsequent soundtrack generation step will utilize these tags to prepare a musical accompaniment to the video work that generally matches its on-screen activities.

Abstract: The invention provides an actuator for actuating a pallet of a pipe organ under the command of a key of an organ. The actuator comprises a movable member, adapted to be connected to the pallet of the organ pipe and a magnetic plunger, mounted on the movable member. It also comprises an electromagnet having a gap within which the magnetic plunger can be inserted and moved, wherein the electromagnet when energized moves the member to thereby actuate the pallet. A controller roller unit controls a current in the electromagnet to provide a controlled actuation of the pallet that is proportional to a key dip of the key. It also provide for a system based on a digital serial link for controlling an assembly of organ pallets that are actuated by electromagnets.

Abstract: A keyboard apparatus of this electronic musical instrument is provided with touch curves TW1 through TWp, TB1 through TBq each defining a velocity value Vc varying with a key-depression velocity Kv (TD). Each of keys K1 through Kn of a keyboard 14k is associated with one of the touch curves TW1 through Twp, TB1 through TBq by touch selecting tables SW, SB in accordance with an equalization rule and a weighting rule. Upon a key-depression, in accordance with the velocity curve TWr, TBs selected on the basis of an actual depressed key position Ki (M2), an actual key-depression velocity Kva is converted into a velocity Vca for controlling emission of a tone (M3).

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 sound generator including a plurality of synthesis generators each configured to generate a sound from a note, and a dynamic voice allocation circuit configured to select a new note to be supplied to the plurality of synthesis generators depending on a priority that is associated with the new note and the generated sounds and the volumes of the generated sounds.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to output a musical tone is disclosed. More particularly, disclosed is an apparatus and method to output a musical tone according to motion, which divides a space in which a terminal can move into a plurality of subspaces, and matches the subspaces with different musical tones, so that the terminal can output a musical tone matched with a specific subspace when the terminal has moved into the specific subspace.

Abstract: The present synthesizer includes functionality for changing over from a current note to the following notes that results in natural and expressive combinations and transitions. The method of the present invention incorporates an delay (actual, functional, or look ahead) between receiving control data inputs and generating an output sound. This period of delay is used to modify how notes will be played according to control data inputs for later notes. The input to the synthesizer is typically a time-varying MIDI stream, which may be provided by a musician or a MIDI sequencer from stored data. An actual delay occurs when the synthesizer receives a MIDI stream and buffers it while looking ahead for changeovers between notes. A functional delay occurs in a system in which the synthesizer has knowledge of note changeovers ahead of time.

Abstract: A foot controlled effects knob controls a variable electronic component. A receptacle couples with a spindle of the variable electronic component. One or more wings extend from the receptacle to facilitate control of the spindle, and thus the variable electronic component, by a user's foot.

Abstract: Plural key switches are arranged in two dimensions along X- and Y-coordinate axes, and an X-coordinate position of each of the key switches is associated with tone generation timing while a Y-coordinate position of each of the key switches is associated with a tone pitch. Storage section stores a music piece data set that includes tone generating data having data of tone pitches and tone generation timing associated with the key switches. In a repeat-section setting mode, a repeat-section setting section causes the plural key switches to function as setting operators and sets a repeat section of the music piece data set on the basis of the X-coordinate position of any operated one of the key switches. In reproduction of the stored music piece data set, a reproduction section repetitively reproduces the tone generating data of the music piece data set which are included in the set repeat section.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard apparatus capable of changing, with a simple construction, a musical tone control characteristic for each pedal manipulation stroke section. A detection value representing a pedal depression depth is converted into an output value according to a table group, and a musical tone parameter is controlled based on the output value. The table group includes default and alternate tables exhibiting a hysteresis such that the output value converted from the same detection value becomes smaller in a reverse pedal stroke than in a forward pedal stoke. In the forward stroke, the default table is changed to the alternate table when the detection value passes a second threshold value provided on a deeper depression depth side than a first threshold value. In the reverse stroke, the alternate table is changed to the default table when the detection value passes the first threshold value.

Abstract: A keyboard electronic musical instrument is of a type which comprises a keyboard including a plurality of individual keys for playing individual musical notes and arrayed in a first direction, and a key detecting device for detecting respective key depression velocities of the individual keys. The instrument further comprises an indicator device which presents a plurality of bar-graphic indications respectively for the individual keys in the keyboard, the bar-graphic indications being arrayed side by side in the first direction, each bar-graphic indication being elongate in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction and representing the key depression velocity of each of the individual keys. When a key is depressed, the key depression velocity is detected and the bar-graphic indication which corresponds to the depressed key is illuminated in green color with a length representing the key depression velocity.

Abstract: Methods and systems for graphical actuation of a velocity and directionally sensitive sound generation application are disclosed. An identifier of a graphical element or elements that are traversed is received wherein the graphical element or elements are located on a coded surface. In one embodiment, the traversal has a velocity and a direction. Moreover, the traversal can be performed with an optical pen on a graphical representation of a sound generation system. The velocity and the direction of the traversal are determined and an identifier of the velocity and the direction of the traversal is used to actuate a directionally sensitive sound generation application.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques that make use of a plurality of hardware elements that operate simultaneously to service synthesis parameters generated from one or more audio files, such as musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) files. In one example, a method comprises storing audio synthesis parameters generated for one or more audio files of an audio frame, processing a first audio synthesis parameter using a first audio processing element of a hardware unit to generate first audio information, processing a second audio synthesis parameter using a second audio processing element of the hardware unit to generate second audio information, and generating audio samples for the audio frame based at least in part on a combination of the first and second audio information.

Abstract: Multiple kernel-mode audio processing modules or filters are combined to form a module or filter graph. The graph is implemented in kernel-mode, reducing latency and jitter when handling audio data (e.g., MIDI data) by avoiding transfers of the audio data to user-mode applications for processing. A variety of different audio processing modules can be used to provide various pieces of functionality when processing audio data.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for processing audio files that comply with the musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) format. In particular, various tasks associated with MIDI file processing are delegated between software operating on a general purpose processor, firmware associated with a digital signal processor (DSP), and dedicated hardware that is specifically designed for MIDI file processing. Alternatively, a multi-threaded DSP may be used instead of a general purpose processor and the DSP. In one aspect, this disclosure provides a method comprising parsing MIDI files and scheduling MIDI events associated with the MIDI files using a first process, processing the MIDI events using a second process to generate MIDI synthesis parameters, and generating audio samples using a hardware unit based on the synthesis parameters.

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 multi-channel cross-flanger with differing modulation signals for each flanger element deepens synthesized sounds. The configuration may process outputs from a plurality of distortion signal processors, each driven by a related signal, to create new levels of distortion richness. Each distortion signal processor may be driven by an output of a multiple-output spatializing signal processor. The characteristics and parameters of the processors and modulations may be recalled from stored program control or varied by real-time 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.

Abstract: A music sound generator imitates released key string vibration sounds (RKSV) and cabinet resonances of an acoustic piano. When a key is pressed, waveform is readout from a normal music sound waveform memory 15. The normal sound waveform is inputted into a filter 21, and inputted into a filter 22 through a band-pass filter 33. Output waveform of a cabinet resonance waveform memory 17 is inputted into a filter 23 when the key is pressed. Outputs of the filters are synthesized by an adder 27 through multipliers 24 through 26. When the key is pressed, a cut-off frequency of the filter 22 is sufficiently low and RKSV is not generated. If the damper is not on when key-releasing, the cut-off frequency is returned to normal and RKSV is generated. A level controller 32 attenuates the RKSV and the cabinet resonance for a longer time than the normal music sound.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a display and method for conducting sound system design. The display is configured to simultaneously show a sound system model comprising both audio components and sound environment components, a plurality of parameters and a graphic representation of a calculated sound system performance attribute. In response to receiving input from the user and without any additional user intervention, the display re-displays a newly-calculated sound system performance attribute such as, for example, a graphic representation in the sound system model of a sound path associated with a user-selected reflected sound identifier. A processor also simulates, based on the sound system configuration, the sound performance that a user would expect to hear positioned in an identified listening position of the sound system model.

Abstract: Reactive force control apparatus for a pedal comprises: a movement detection section that detects movement of the pedal; a solenoid that produces a reactive force in response to operation of the pedal; a reference reactive force impartment table defining intensities of the reactive force corresponding to amounts of the operation of the pedal; a setting value input section operable to input a setting value for changing the reactive force responsive to the operation of the pedal; and a control section that controls the reactive force to the pedal by changing content of the table, on the basis of the input setting value, to thereby create a changed reactive force impartment table, so that the reactive force to the pedal is controlled on the basis of the changed table and detected movement of the pedal.

Abstract: In a filter device, a filter coefficient calculation circuit has a parameter table. The parameter table stores a plurality of sets of filter coefficients associated with a first parameter based on a frequency and a second parameter based on respective plurality of levels representing a degree of attenuation or enhancement of a gain of a filter in filter characteristics. The filter coefficient calculation circuit extracts a set of filter coefficients from a parameter table with the use of the first parameter and the second parameter determined according to a frequency and a strength of a musical sound signal, and outputs the extracted set of filter coefficients to the filter. The filter circuit performs filter processing for the musical sound signal, based on the filter characteristics determined by the set of filter coefficients.

Abstract: An automatic player piano is equipped with a preliminary data producer comprising an experimental routine and an editor; a motion controller forces each of the black and white keys to travel on a test trajectory at different values of key velocity so that the black or white key gives rise to rotation of hammer by means of an action unit, and a hammer sensor varies the magnitude of a hammer position signal depending upon the current hammer position; the hammer velocity is converted to a value of MIDI velocity so that a table producer correlates the values of key velocity with the values of MIDI velocity; while an automatic player is performing a music passage, the motion controller exactly determines a value of key velocity on the basis of the relation already determined by the preliminary data producer.

Abstract: In order to detect a state of a key 30, a differential acceleration sensor 38 is provided in addition to a common position sensor 35 and a velocity sensor 36. A reaction force applied by a solenoid unit 20 is determined on the basis of a function which monotonously increases with respect to a differential acceleration signal j in an initial period which is an early stage of depression of a key. After a lapse of the initial period, the reaction force is determined in accordance with velocity, acceleration and the like, referring to a table. As a result, the reaction force rises up rapidly when a key is depressed strongly.

Abstract: Expressing a musical work includes identifying a series of musical moments in the musical work and electronically specifying values for levels of each musical moment in the series. The electronically-specified values for at least one level are displayed.

Abstract: A digital piano apparatus includes an input unit including a plurality of keys and a plurality of pedals, a sound source unit, a sound field synthesizing unit, and a speaker unit. The sound field synthesizing unit includes virtual sound source spot signal generating means for generating a plurality of virtual sound source spot signals of a number equivalent to the number of output channels in the speaker unit, the plurality of virtual sound source spot signals being used for forming reproduced sound fields of a grand piano on the basis of a plurality of tone signals supplied from the sound source unit; mixing means for mixing each virtual sound source spot signal with the remaining virtual sound source spot signals; and sound effect means for applying a sound effect by signal processing using impulse responses to the virtual sound source spot signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing wireless remote control of devices, where the sensing/transmitting device is worn by, or affixed to, the operator, and responds in real-time to position or movements. The technology enables the operator to control remote devices, even while the operator is engaged in other activities. For an exemplary musical performance application, the remote control apparatus may take the form of a normal sized ring worn on a finger of a hand that the musician uses to play a musical instrument. The ring senses position or movement, e.g. of one or more fingers of the hand. In the examples, the remote control apparatus uses a capacitive measurement technique to measure an electrical field generated in the vicinity of the hand indicative of position. The musician or operator can finely control a device with the system, e.g. to provide nuanced control of audio effects during the performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for digitally controlling analogue effect devices for musical instruments. The invention comprises an analogue effects device controlled by digital means such that the output sound from the musical instruments is of analogue sound quality.

Abstract: A first control may be for setting a patch including one or more types of effects to be provided by circuitry to an inputted music signal, the patch associated with multiple candidate keywords to be displayed by a display device. A second control may be for assigning a patch name including a candidate keyword from the multiple candidate keywords to the patch. A storage device may be for storing the patch name and the patch. The one or more types of effects may be provided to the inputted music signal based on the patch stored in the storage device.

Abstract: An automatic performance data processing apparatus which makes it possible to simply convert a plurality of automatic performance data into digital audio data in a batch. Each of a plurality of automatic performance data in an order designated by a playlist data stored in a storage device is sequentially reproduced. Audio signals generated by a tone generator that is supplied with tone generator driving events that occur in response to reproduction of each automatic performance data and that generates audio signals based on the supplied tone generator driving events are digitally recorded. The digitally recorded audio signals are stored in a storage medium as digital audio data.

Abstract: The proposed invention is a portable multi-sound effect system providing a novel and unique solution for processing the electrical audio signals created by a guitar. The innovation according to the present invention is by attaching a signal processing unit along with a touch-sensitive dynamic control unit upon the front panel of the guitar's body for controlling and processing electrical signals produced by an amplified guitar, e.g. electric, bass, acoustic or classic guitar.

Abstract: Multiple kernel-mode audio processing modules or filters are combined to form a module or filter graph. The graph is implemented in kernel-mode, reducing latency and jitter when handling audio data (e.g., MIDI data) by avoiding transfers of the audio data to user-mode applications for processing. A variety of different audio processing modules can be used to provide various pieces of functionality when processing audio data.

Abstract: Multiple kernel-mode audio processing modules or filters are combined to form a module or filter graph. The graph is implemented in kernel-mode, reducing latency and jitter when handling audio data (e.g., MIDI data) by avoiding transfers of the audio data to user-mode applications for processing. A variety of different audio processing modules can be used to provide various pieces of functionality when processing audio data.

Abstract: A method for interpreting an image into sound is provided and includes scanning an image to provide a plurality of scanned elements which are assigned a value and an associated sound element. The sound elements are arranged to produce a sound track for the scanned image.

Abstract: The disclosure presented here involves an effect device that can easily connect with other effect devices in parallel. A preferred embodiment of this device is equipped with a number of components including an effect add means that adds effects, a mixing means that mixes the musical signals, a mode switching means that configures the operation from parallel mode to serial mode, and a phase reversal means that reverses the phase of the musical sound signals. Various combinations using the above means are possible and are presented in this disclosure. The output terminal outputs the musical sound signals that were selected, mixed, and or treated by the enabled features of the underlying embodiments.

Abstract: A testing system is incorporated in an automatic player piano for specifying a half pedal point of a damper pedal at which the loudness of tones is lessened, and an automatic player moves the damper pedal to the half pedal point so as to lessen the loudness of tones in an automatic playing; the testing system accumulates pieces of experimental data expressing relation between the loudness of tones and a current pedal position of the damper pedal, and searches the pieces of experimental data for points of reflection; and the testing system determines the half pedal point through an internal division on the line between the points of reflection.

Abstract: A stereo sounding method which can provide realistic sounds such as stereo sounds for a large number of listeners while reducing the number of speakers. A stereo sounding system is comprised of a plurality of stereo sound sources, and a plurality of speakers. A smaller number of speakers than twice the number of the plurality of stereo sound sources are arranged, and an R-channel output from at least one stereo sound source among the plurality of stereo sound sources and an L-channel output from a stereo sound source other than the at least one stereo sound source are mixed, and the mixing result is output to at least one of the arranged speakers.

Abstract: There is provided an optical disc reproducing apparatus which reads out data from an optical disc, stores the data, and reproduces the stored data. The apparatus includes: a casing; an operation disc unit for accepting an instruction as to a speed and a sequence for reading the stored data via a rotational operation therewith, the operation disc unit being provided on a surface of the casing; and depression detecting element for accepting an instruction as to a predetermined operation by way of a depression of the operation disc unit, the depression detecting element being provided below the operation disc unit and on the surface of the casing.