Abstract: If a pitch bend event is included in a note event, one tone to be sounded in accordance with the note event continuously varies in pitch from a note pitch designated by the note event to another note pitch, as a result of control response to the pitch bend event. For sounding of a note based on an accompaniment pattern, harmony note or the like, the pitch corresponding to the note event is converted in accordance with a designated chord, and thus, not only the note pitch corresponding to the note event but also the other note pitch responsive to the pitch bend event should be converted appropriately. Thus, arrangements are made for accurately determining the pitch-bend-responsive other note pitch that is not identifiable from the note pitch indicated by the note event itself and converting the other note pitch in accordance with a designated chord.

Abstract: A CPU sets a first key-press pitch as a first target value; sets the immediately-preceding key-press pitch as a first starting point; emits the first key-press pitch sound therefrom with portamento toward the first target value; sets the second key-press pitch as a second target value; sets a pitch obtained by adding a pitch difference between the first and second key-press pitches to the pitch of the above-described sound as a second starting point; emits the second key-press pitch sound therefrom with portamento toward the second target value; sets the third key-press pitch as a third target value; sets a pitch obtained by adding a pitch difference between the second and third key-press pitches to the pitch of the sound being emitted with portamento toward the second target value as a third starting point; and emits the third key-press pitch sound therefrom with portamento toward the third target value.

Abstract: A CPU sets a first key-press pitch as a first target value; sets the immediately-preceding key-press pitch as a first starting point; emits the first key-press pitch sound therefrom with portamento toward the first target value; sets the second key-press pitch as a second target value; sets a pitch obtained by adding a pitch difference between the first and second key-press pitches to the pitch of the above-described sound as a second starting point; emits the second key-press pitch sound therefrom with portamento toward the second target value; sets the third key-press pitch as a third target value; sets a pitch obtained by adding a pitch difference between the second and third key-press pitches to the pitch of the sound being emitted with portamento toward the second target value as a third starting point; and emits the third key-press pitch sound therefrom with portamento toward the third target value.

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: 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: The present invention is directed to a waveform synthesizer apparatus that synthesizes a waveform of a musical sound based on musical performance event information. In particular, a music synthesizer includes an overlap detector that detects whether a first and second musical sound overlap, and a sound length meter that determines a sound length of the first musical sound. If the first and second musical sounds overlap, the synthesizer instantly terminates synthesizing of the first sound and starts synthesizing the second sound, provided the length of the first sound does not exceed a predetermined length. If the first and second sounds do not overlap, synthesis of the first sound is terminated, and the synthesis of the second sound is initiated, if it is determined that the length of rest between the two sounds does not exceed a predetermined length, and that the first sound does not exceed a predetermined length.

Abstract: Respective waveform data on pad strike sounds, rim strike sounds, and rim-shot sounds are stored in a waveform memory, and when a CPU detects a strike detection signal outputted by either of a pad sensor, and a rim sensor, provided in a head unit, a musical tone generating controller reads out waveform data on an strike sound corresponding to the strike detection signal from the waveform memory, thereby generating a musical tone signal corresponding thereto before outputting. Thereafter, when the CPU detects a strike detection signal outputted by the other of the pad sensor, and the rim sensor within a predetermined time, waveform data on a rim-shot sound are read out from the waveform data memory, thereby generating a musical tone signal corresponding thereto before outputting. A sound output unit produces electronic strike sounds corresponding to those musical tone signals, respectively.

Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument includes input means, comparison means, and musical tone generation control means. The input means allows for the input of a vibration of a head section and a vibration of a rim section that have been detected by a striking detection section. The comparison means allows for a comparison of a size of the vibration of the head section and a size of the vibration of the rim section. The musical tone generation control means allows for controlling a generation of a musical tone based on a result of a comparison by the comparison means such that the musical tone corresponds either to the vibration of the head section or to the vibration of the rim section. In those cases where the musical tone corresponds to the vibration of the rim section, the generation of the musical tone can be further controlled.

Abstract: The present invention is a musical synthesizer that can respond to a pitch wheel control by generating realistic slide-step-slide and slide-step portamento pitch curves. The musical synthesizer responds to a pitch wheel control in a context sensitive manner. When a first note-on occurs the pitch wheel behaves in the standard fashion. However, when a second-note on occurs, if the pitch wheel is still being held after the second note-on then the effects of the pitch wheel are disabled. The result is a clean slide-step portamento curve. In addition, the effects of the pitch wheel are delayed slightly relative to the raw pitch wheel signal. The result is that if the pitch wheel is released slightly before a second note-on occurs then the delayed pitch wheel signal will still be at substantially the previous held value when the second note-on occurs. The result is a clean slide-step portamento curve.

Abstract: A recording medium reproduction apparatus is provided, which apparatus includes: a reproduction instruction unit which inputs instructions on a direction and a rate of a scratch reproduction of a recording medium; a data storage unit which stores data read out from the recording medium, the data being separated by a reference position at which the scratch reproduction is started into first and second halves each having a predetermined time length; and a scratch reproduction system which reads and reproduces the data stored in the data storage unit in accordance with the instructions input by the reproduction instruction unit.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard instrument is basically configured by a keyboard, a microcomputer, a tone generator and a sound system as well as sensors, switches and foot switches. Each of keys of the keyboard is equipped with a variety of sensors and switches such as a touch sensor, make switches, a key-stroke sensor, key-depression pressure sensors and a hammer-depression pressure sensor, while the foot switches correspond to a damper pedal, a soft pedal and a sostenuto pedal as well as a slur foot switch and a portamento foot switch. Herein, various acoustic instruments are related to different performance techniques respectively. So, operating a foot switch designate a specific performance technique detection rule in response to a desired tone color corresponding to an acoustic instrument whose sounds are being simulated. Then, a performance technique is detected in accordance with the performance technique detection rule on the basis of outputs of the sensors, at least one of which is selectively used.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic keyboard, which has a sequentially variable operating terminal, that comprises: a detector for detecting an operational displacement of the sequentially variable operating terminal, a linear converter for converting into a linear value the operational displacement of the sequentially variable operating terminal that is detected by the detector, a linear conversion table that is to be referred to when the linear converter converts the operational displacement into the linear value, a bender MIDI converter for converting into a bender MIDI value the linear value that is obtained by the linear converter, and a bender MIDI conversion table that is to be referred to when the bender MIDI converter converts the linear value into the bender MIDI value; and wherein the bender MIDI converter refers to the bender MIDI conversion table to convert the operational displacement of the sequentially variable operating terminal into a discrete bender MIDI value.

Abstract: Music information and word information are input to a music/word information input unit. A voice part extracting unit extracts note length information, pitch information, loudness information, and phonetic symbols from the music information and the word information for each voice part. A note length information changing unit changes the note length information extracted for each voice part. A pitch information changing unit changes the pitch information extracted for each voice part. Furthermore, a loudness information changing unit detects a solo in a chorus and changes the loudness information of the solo. A singing voice signal synthesizing unit provided for each voice part synthesizes a singing voice signal according to the note length information extracted and changed for each voice part, the pitch information extracted and changed for each voice part, the changed loudness information, and the phonetic symbols.

Abstract: While a sound waveform is reproductively read out from a waveform memory in accordance with a readout rate designated in correspondence to a desired pitch, scratch control data for controlling readout rate and readout direction are generated using a manual controller or an envelope function generator. In accordance with the scratch control data, the readout rate is changed. The thus-changed readout rate is of a positive or negative value depending on a factor that controls the readout direction. Readout from the waveform memory of the waveform data is controlled on the basis of the changed readout rate so that, when the changed rate is of a positive value, the waveform data are read out from the memory in the forward direction at a readout speed corresponding to the rate value, and when the changed rate is of a negative value, the waveform data are read out from the memory in the reverse direction. Further, when the changed rate is zero, the waveform data readout is stopped.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument having portamento function comprises playing keys, a musical tone signal generating device, a key depression detection device, and a control device. The key depression detection device detects a displacement of a depressed key. The control device, when a new key depression occurs following a previous key depression, controls, a tone pitch of the musical tone signal generated by the musical tone generation device to change continuously from a tone pitch of the previously depressed key to a tone pitch of the new depressed key in response to displacement of the new depressed key.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes a performance operator such as a bar-like member, a position detection circuit for detecting a play position on the performance operator and generating position information corresponding to the play position, a circuit for selecting a desired one of a plurality of predetermined position-tone pitch conversion characteristics or establishing a desired position-tone pitch conversion characteristic with respect to the performance operator, a conversion circuit for converting the position information from the position detection circuit to tone pitch information in accordance with the position-tone pitch conversion characteristic having been selected or established and a tone generator for generating a tone signal of a tone pitch corresponding to the tone pitch information provided by the conversion circuit.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument effects the slur on several continuous notes when the slur is selected. The slur performance is detected based on performance information which is generated when performing the keyboard. Then, states of musical tones to be generated are varied from the first note to the last note in the slurred notes in accordance with a line or a curve corresponding to the predetermined musical factor to be detected. Preferably, this musical factor may be the tone color, key-depression intensity, pitch difference between the first note and last note in the slurred notes. Further, it is possible to select desirable one of the preset lines or curves whose data are stored in a memory.

Abstract: An electroic musical instrument of the present invention is provided with a damper control as well as tone generation instructin device and tone generation device. While the damper control is operated, the tone generation device continues tone generation even if the stop thereof is instructed by the tone generation instruction device. Moreover there is provided pitch control device adapted to change the pitch of the tone currently generated while the damper control is operated.Accordingly, when the damper control is operated, the resulting musical tones can be enhanced in their variety, distinct from normal tone generation. This allows an electronic musical instrument, for example, to generate such sounds as when the damper pedal is stamped with a piano.

Abstract: A keyboard and a portamento bar are connected to a tone generator through a common channel assigner to use each tone generating channel either for generating a keyboard sound or for generating a portamento sound. Thus, a portamento sound can be generated without a need for providing a another tone generator. Further, such arrangement is provided that can shift the tone generation from a keyboard sound to a portamento sound and from a portamento sound to a keyboard sound, enabling initiation and termination of a portamento performance to have accurate pitches.

Abstract: The automatic musical tone generating apparatus for generating musical tones with slur effect includes a pitch information storing device, a read-out device for reading out pitch information at a predetermined tempo from the pitch information storing device, a tone signal generating device for producing tone signals having pitches corresponding to the pitch information read out by the read-out device, a slur information storing device, a slur effect impartment detecting device for detecting, on the basis of the slur information stored in the slur information storing device, whether or not the slur effect is to be imparted to the musical tones corresponding to the read out pitch information, and a pitch information altering device for altering, when the slur effect impartment is detected, the read out pitch information to a pitch information gradually approaching to the pitch of the musical tone to be produced next and out-putting the altered pitch information to the tone signal generating device.

Abstract: Combinations of operation data such as timbre data, effect data, and the like, which are designated for a musical performance, are stored in a memory. The operation data is read out from the memory, and a musical tone signal corresponding to the readout operation data is generated and a musical tone is produced. Operation data is an operation mode can be transferred to, e.g., a normal mode, and a musical tone signal corresponding to the readout operation data can be generated and a musical tone can be produced in the normal mode. Operation data set in the normal mode can also be transferred to the operation mode. Part of the combined operation data can be easily updated.