Abstract: Described is a technology by which a playback list comprising similar songs is automatically built based on automatically detected/generated song attributes, such as by extracting numeric features of each song. The attributes may be downloaded from a remote connection, and/or may be locally generated on the playback device. To build a playlist, a seed song's attributes may be compared against attributes of other songs to determine which other songs are similar to the seed song and thus included in the playlist. Another way to build a playlist is based on similarity of songs to a set of user provided-attributes, such as corresponding to moods or usage modes such as “resting” “reading” “jogging” or “driving” moods/modes. The playlist may be dynamically adjusted based on user interaction with the device, such as when a user skips a song, queues a song, or dequeues a song.

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 music recommendation method and a music recommendation system are provided. The music recommendation method includes: selecting music files according to a theme of the message service and music, a mood of the music, a similarity between content of the message service and content of the music; and recommending selected music files to a user.

Abstract: A method for creating a personalized musical file is presented, the method comprising receiving a birth date, determining angular distribution of planets on a birth sky based, at least in part, on the birth date, selecting a plurality of Names from Shem ha-Meforash based, at least in part, on the angular distribution of planets, associating vowels with at least some of the Names, generating a recorded musical portion for at least some of the Names, assembling at least some of the recorded musical portions in a musical file and recording the musical file. A method for creating a personalized mandala and a personalized mantra is also presented herein.

Abstract: In a portable multimedia device, a method, apparatus, and system for providing user supplied configuration data are described. In one embodiment, a hierarchically ordered graphical user interface is provided. A first order, or home, interface provides a highest order of user selectable items each of which, when selected, results in an automatic transition to a lower order user interface associated with the selected item. In one of the described embodiments, the lower order interface includes other user selectable items associated with the previously selected item from the higher order user interface.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for avatars to musically interact with each other. In one representative embodiment, a server is configured to host a virtual environment and various client devices communicate with the server over an electronic network, with each such client device configured to interact within the virtual environment through a corresponding avatar. A first client device accepts commands from a first user and, in response, communicates corresponding information to the server causing a modification of any of a first set of user-customizable visual characteristics of a first avatar that represents the first user. Similarly, a second client device accepts commands from a second user and, in response, communicates corresponding information to the server causing a modification of any of a second set of user-customizable visual characteristics of a second avatar that represents the second user.

Abstract: An entertainment system has a music storage system storing a plurality of music pieces, a playback system coupled with the music storage system, a navigation system providing current map information including a present location, wherein a current map has a plurality of zones each being assigned to one of a plurality of zone types, and a controller for controlling playback of selected music pieces, wherein the controller maintains a plurality of playlists, each having a plurality of music pieces and being assigned to at least one zone type. The controller receives information of a present location and a current zone type and selects an assigned playlist, wherein the navigation system further provides information about a distance and/or time to a next zone. The controller modifies the assigned playlist such that a transition to the next zone is timely synchronized with the ending of a music piece of the assigned playlist.

Abstract: In normal mode or expansion mode, a normal load table 53 or an expansion load table 54 is selected, respectively, to store half area start position HS and half area end position HE as effect-switchable positions. The selected load table is referenced to generate and output drive signals so as to obtain depression reaction force F according to position ST. In accordance with player's depression/release of keys, musical tone signals are generated on the basis of waveform data 51 and envelope data 52 corresponding to the manipulated keys, designated basic tone color and depression area to carry out tone emission/tone-vanishing processes. Both the characteristics of musical tones and the rate of change in the reaction force switch at the effect-switchable positions.

Abstract: For at least one music piece, a storage section stores tone data of each of a plurality of fragments segmented from the music piece and stores a first descriptor indicative of a musical character of each of the fragments in association with the fragment. Descriptor generation section receives input data based on operation by a user and generates a second descriptor, indicative of a musical character, on the basis of the received input data. Determination section determines similarity between the second descriptor and the first descriptor of each of the fragments. Selection section selects the tone data of at least one fragment on the basis of a result of the similarity determination by the determination section. On the basis of the tone data of the selected at least one fragment, a data generation section generates tone data to be outputted.

Abstract: A bibliographic-information impression word is generated from a bibliographic information segment about selected one of music pieces. An acoustic feature quantity of an audio signal representing the selected music piece is calculated. A feature-quantity impression word is generated from the calculated acoustic feature quantity. A degree of conformity between the bibliographic-information impression word and the feature-quantity impression word is determined. Both the bibliographic-information impression word and the feature-quantity impression word are selected as final impression words when the determined conformity degree is greater than a predetermined threshold value. One is selected from the bibliographic-information impression word and the feature-quantity impression word as a final impression word when the determined conformity degree is not greater than the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A method for controlling a plurality of light sources. Control signals corresponding to notes of a music file are generated to enable selected ones of a plurality of receptacles to be powered. The plurality of receptacles comprises a first plurality of receptacles and a second plurality of receptacles, and the first plurality of receptacles are powered more frequently than the second plurality of receptacles. The plurality of receptacles is adapted to supply power to the plurality of light sources. A pleasing twinkling effect can be created even if light sources are not coupled to one of the plurality of receptacles.

Abstract: A bibliographic-information impression word is generated from a bibliographic information segment about selected one of music pieces. An acoustic feature quantity of an audio signal representing the selected music piece is calculated. A feature-quantity impression word is generated from the calculated acoustic feature quantity. A degree of conformity between the bibliographic-information impression word and the feature-quantity impression word is determined. Both the bibliographic-information impression word and the feature-quantity impression word are selected as final impression words when the determined conformity degree is greater than a predetermined threshold value. One is selected from the bibliographic-information impression word and the feature-quantity impression word as a final impression word when the determined conformity degree is not greater than the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: In a portable multimedia device, a method, apparatus, and system for providing user supplied configuration data are described. In one embodiment, a hierarchically ordered graphical user interface are provided. A first order, or home, interface provides a highest order of user selectable items each of which, when selected, results in an automatic transition to a lower order user interface associated with the selected item. In one of the described embodiments, the lower order interface includes other user selectable items associated with the previously selected item from the higher order user interface.

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: 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: A CPU 10 operates in response to an instruction for starting reproduction of a melody to read out tone color data and tempo data included in selected musical composition data from a RAM 11 or a ROM 12, and transfer the readout data to a musical tone-generating section 15. The CPU 10 then reads out starting position information written in a performance starting point register 36, reads out note data included in the musical composition data from a position indicated by the starting position information from the RAM 11 or the ROM 12, and transfers the readout note data to the musical tone-generating section 15. The musical tone-generating section 15 generates a melody from the transferred note data based on the transferred tone color data and tempo data. As a result, the melody can be listened to from an arbitrary starting position.

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: A method of dynamically determining a maximum polyphony number is used in an electronic device, which has S tone generators. First, an operation mode of the electronic device is detected. Next, a residual computing power of the electronic device is obtained according to the operation mode. Then, a maximum polyphony number is determined according to a constant computing power, which is required to synthesize a polyphony, and the residual computing power. Next, the states of T tone generators of the S tone generators are set to be an ON state according to the maximum polyphony number, wherein T is a positive integer and is smaller than or equal to S.

Abstract: A portable telephone produces either beep sound or melody sound as incoming call sound. The melody sound is produced based on music data, which are stored in advance or downloaded from the prescribed distribution center, wherein the music data represent the melody of a single musical tune in different arrangements that are respectively assigned to time zones in advance. Hence, the portable telephone produces the same melody in different arrangements in response to time zones, to which the time for receiving an incoming call belong.

Abstract: The characteristic value detection section detects a characteristic value concerning input musical data. The detected characteristic value is converted by a genre information determination section to genre information representing a genre of the contents of the input musical data. Based on the genre information, a parameter determination section determines an acoustic processing parameter which is used for adjusting the tone of the output from a acoustic processing section. In accordance with the acoustic processing parameter as determined, the acoustic processing section applies predetermined acoustic processing to the input musical data. The musical data having been subjected to the predetermined acoustic processing is reproduced by a reproduction section. Thus, the musical signal processing device makes it possible to obtain a tone which is adapted to the contents of the input musical data.

Abstract: Many non-musicians enjoy listening to music, and would like to be able to play along with it, but do not have the talent or the time to learn to play a musical instrument. The system described herein allows non-musicians to follow along with a display that is based on the principles of musical notation, but is designed to be intuitive and require no training to use. The player is guided through the steps of playing a rhythm along with a musical performance, and the system provides the illusion that the player is actually playing a melodic part on an instrument. In addition, the system indicates how closely the player is following the guide, and it also scores the player's performance. The score is used to drive interactive feedback to the player. The system can be configured to work in local area networks or wide area networks with low latency or high latency in the network.

Abstract: A data modifying apparatus having: a memory that stores modification data for modifying data; a detecting unit for detecting each data group from performance data, the data group being unable to be reproduced at the same time from the viewpoint of music; and a modifying unit for modifying the data group detected by the detecting unit to divide the data group into a plurality of sub-data groups capable of being reproduced at the same time from the viewpoint of music, by using the modification data.

Abstract: In the sound signal adding apparatus in which there is a limitation on the number of reproducible sound sources, a remaining reproduction time determining section and a sound data attenuation controlling section are provided. The remaining reproduction time determining section checks, when sound data is to be added and reproduced, the remaining reproduction time of the sound data current being reproduced and detects a sound data having least reproduction time remaining. While the sound data attenuation controlling section reduces the output level of the sound signal corresponding to the sound data detected by the remaining reproduction time determining section.

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

Abstract: A process for the automatic selection of musical or tonal compositions to be replayed from a collection of musical or tonal compositions includes the step of assigning evaluation data to each of said compositions which describe its characteristics. Parameters are established describing a target corresponding to a selected behavior of an audience. Status data is generated based on an evaluation of audience behavior. The parameters are then compared with the status data to generate requirement data based on the comparison. The requirement data is compared with the evaluation data and a composition is selected based on the comparison of the requirement data with the evaluation data. A device is also provided for the automatic selection of musical or tonal compositions.

Abstract: A musical sound signal generation apparatus for producing a sound corresponding to an operated key can produce a sound of a newly-operated key even if all the musical sound signal generation means for generating a musical sound signal are in use. On producing the new sound, the apparatus prevents the players and the audience from having a sense of incongruity derived from the change in sound production. Especially, when a chord has been produced, it can maintain the state of chord production normally.

Abstract: A musical instrument having a signal output function 1 for outputting a given signal in response to a user command, and a mode managing function 2 for managing process modes of an electronic keyboard and compulsorily finishing an arbitrary process mode of the electronic keyboard when the signal is outputted by the signal output function 1, and for changing to a tone color selection mode after the compulsory finish for setting a tone color of the electronic keyboard to a given tone color. Even during each of the process modes, the tone color of the electronic musical instrument can be compulsorily set to a given one.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is constructed on a mother board for editing a parameter of an extension board necessary for generating a music tone while monitoring the parameter according to display information. In the instrument, a display device is provided for displaying a current value of the parameter to be edited. An input device is operable for inputting an operational variable effective to change the current value of the parameter. A first control circuit contained in a CPU of the mother board is operative when receiving the display information for controlling the display device to display the current value of the parameter, and is operative when the operational variable is inputted from the input device for transmitting the operational variable to the extension board.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus is provided with: a music tone judging device for judging a music tone or genre of a music composition composed of an input audio signal: a selecting device for selecting one of a plurality of characteristics prepared in advance for each parameter used for a compression encoding method on the basis of a judgment result of the music tone judging device; and an encoding device for generating a spectrum signal out of the input audio signal and compression-encoding the generated spectrum signal on the basis of the selected characteristic.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument having a plurality of tone generation channels includes a solo tone channel assignment means and a non-solo tone channel assignment means. The solo tone channel assignment means preferentially operates to assign a solo tone to be generated to an unoccupied one of the plurality of tone generation channels. The assigned channel number is stored in a solo tone channel information memory. The non-solo tone assignment means looks up the solo tone channel information memory upon checking unoccupied channel information, and assigns tone information to an unoccupied channel excluding the channel number recorded in that memory. A solo tone is dynamically assigned to an unoccupied channel. That assigned channel is reserved without being assigned as a non-solo tone channel, and the solo and non-solo tones do not compete in channel assignment.

Abstract: In a musical tone synthesis apparatus, a sequencer provides a sequence of event data effective to command generation of musical tones. A generator operates according to the event data to generate the musical tones. A detector detects when either of the sequencer and the generator suffers from misoperation which would cause abnormal generation of the musical tone. A blocking device operates when the misoperation is detected for blocking the generator to prevent the abnormal generation of the musical tone.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard musical instrument includes a plurality of sound generating channels selectively assigned to pairs of fundamental sound signals and pairs of resonant sound signals, and a channel controller assigns the sound generating channels to a new pair of resonant sound signals after release of sound generating channels from the assignment to a pair of resonant sound signals for a stereophonic sound with the minimum loudness when the sound generating channels have already assigned to the predetermined pairs of resonant sound signals so as to concurrently produce a large number of stereophonic sounds.

Abstract: A digital audio signal processor for adding harmonic content to an input audio signal through a non-linear transfer function with discontinuities. The discontinuities are generated by bit shifting each input value by an amount dependent on the sign and magnitude of the input value. The amount by which the input value is shifted is roughly inversely related to the magnitude of the logarithm of the input value. The transfer function is fractal and so provides increased harmonic content for all signal amplitudes.

Abstract: An automatic accompaniment apparatus which performs automatic accompaniment with a natural sounding advancement of chords. In the automatic accompaniment apparatus, one of component sounds of a chord which has a particular position in the order of the pitch is set as a reference part sound. The inversion type of chord is determined from the reference part sound, and then sounds of the chord are produced in accordance with the inversion type thus determined. The apparatus determines, as production of sounds of chords proceeds, a reference part sound of a present chord in accordance with a musical interval relationship of component sounds of the present chord to another reference part sound of a preceding chord and in accordance with a preset rule. The inversion type of the present chord is determined by the reference part sound.

Abstract: A channel assigning system which effects an assignment of a channel other than a predetermined number channels which are preferentially assigned to any part of a piece of music, to a part thereof. To thus ensure an efficient use of the channels. Further, the predetermined number of channels to be assigned to any part of the piece of music can be ensured by assigning channels, other than the channels to be secured to newly performed musical tones.

Abstract: A key assigner for an electronic musical instrument having multiple tone channels for tone signals generated by tone signal generator means controlled by a tone signal generation instruction input device. The key assigner includes a random access memory having an assignment table for storing priority level value data for each of the multiple tone channels for controlling the order in which musical tone signals present in the tone channels are halted when new tone signals are to be generated. An assigner halts the existing tone signal for the tone channel having the lowest priority level value in the assignment table upon the generation of a new tone signal instruction and assigns the new musical tone signal to that tone channel. A control provides priority level value data for storage in the memory in consonance with musical attribute data for the new musical tone, such as sustainment or attenuation of the new tone.

Abstract: According to the invention, a pedal operation is permitted independently for each group in a keyboard, and thus various ways of sounding musical tones can be realized. More specifically, a plurality of designation elements for designating the sounding of musical tones are divided into a plurality of groups, which are designated, and according to the group designation a musical control by a pedal operation is permitted independently for each group. Thus, a choice of a musical control by a pedal operation can be made for each group according to the group designation, thus permitting various ways of sounding musical tones.

Abstract: A preferential order of channel vacating is determined according to a musical character of musical tones having assigned channels, thus permitting a channel assignment which does not depart from the harmony of the musical tone. The greater the number of tones which are equivalent in musical character, the more readily channels can be vacated for new tones, and tones with fewer equivalent tones in musical character may remain assigned. The channel selection may also be limited for low envelope level tones.

Abstract: An assigning device of an electronic musical instrument for selecting a musical tone-generating channel to assign a new musical tone is disclosed. The object of the invention is to minimize the sense of incongruity in a musical performance upon determining, preliminarily, the preferential order for the assignment of a new musical tone to the musical tone-generating channels.As to the musical tone-generating channels with the successive strike relation detected from among the channels being in a musical sound-generating condition, the content subject of the predetermined preferential order rule is altered. This altering is conducted so that the above-mentioned musical tone-generating channels with the successive strike relation are preferentially selected, and are assigned with new musical tones, according to the assigning order based on the predetermined preferential order rule, at least among musical tone-generating channels in the sound-generating condition.

Abstract: When a new tone is to be assigned to a certain channel, an amplitude level of a preceding tone signal which is being produced in this channel is detected and a damp rate is determined on the basis of the detected amplitude level. Tone volume of the preceding tone signal is rapidly attenuated in accordance with the damp rate thus determined and, thereafter, generation of a new tone signal is started. The damp rate thereby is variably controlled in accordance with the magnitude of tone volume level of the preceding tone signal during a damp control and both optimum prevention of a click noise and a very quick rapid attenuation control corresponding to the tone volume level can be realized. The invention is applicable not only to a damp control of tone volume of a tone but also to a damp control of an envelope shape signal used for other control purposes.

Abstract: The invention provides an electronic musical instrument having a plurality of musical control functions, each musical control function having corresponding musical control data, wherein musical control is effected by designating the musical control data of one or more desired musical control functions. The electronic musical instrument of the present invention includes an operational portion provided with designation switches and a write switch, whereby when operation of the designation switches or write switch is detected, a designation indication signals or write indication signal is generated, respectively. Additionally, the electronic musical instrument of the present invention includes an operational history memory wherein operational history data is stored indicating the use history of each of the above mentioned musical control data.

Abstract: In order to accurately simulate the sounding system of the stringed instrument such as the violin and cello, an electronic musical instrument provides a performance unit such as a keyboard and a multi-channel sound source unit. As the sound source unit, there is provided a plurality of string sound generating circuits, each corresponding to each of plural strings provided in the stringed instrument, each of which forms a musical tone waveform signal having a different tone color. When performance information is created by operating the performance unit, one of the string sound generating circuits and its fingering position is selected on the basis of the preceding tone-generation assignment state, and then tone-generation corresponding to the created performance information is assigned to the selected circuit. Normally, plural musical tones can be sounded simultaneously in the stringed instrument.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument allots musical tone-generating channels to new musical tones by calculating an integrated residual generated volume or a substitute values corresponding thereto for each current musical tones; and determining which of musical tone-generating channels has a minimum such volume or substitute value. The instrument may, alternatively, allot a tone generating channel for a new musical tone by detecting a minimum envelope level of those already allotted musical tones; selecting those channels having envelope levels falling within a determined range defined based on and including the detected minimum level; and determining which channel selected by the selecting means has a minimum residual generated volumes or substitute values corresponding thereto. The residual generated volumes are determined by an equation: ##EQU1## wherein V(t) is an envelope level at an instant "t" during a period from the given instant "t.sub.o " and to the end point "t.sub.end " of the musical tone.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument with a channel assigning device which includes a characteristic information generating unit for generating characteristic information of musical tone envelopes, a sound radiation instructing unit for generating each musical tone selected by a musical tone selecting unit, a processing unit for processing the characteristic information generated by the characteristic information generating unit in response to an elapse of time and an assigned channel determining unit for comparing the results of the processing performed by the processing unit and determining a channel to which the musical tone information should be assigned in response to a sound radiation instruction from the sound radiation instructing unit.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument having a key-depression-detecting circuit for detecting a depressed key on a keyboard and for generating tone-pitch data corresponding to the depressed key, a tone-color-designating circuit for sequentially designating a desired tone color among a plurality of tone colors, a tone-color-data-storing circuit for storing tone-color data associated with the tone colors sequentially designated by the tone-color-designating circuit, an ensemble-tone-designating circuit for designating a predetermined number of tone colors among the most recently designated tone-color data stored in the tone-color-data-storing circuit; and a musical-tone-signal-generating circuit for generating a plurality of musical-tone signals in a parallel fashion, each of the musical-tone signals having a tone color corresponding to one of the tone colors designated by the ensemble-tone-designating circuit, and having a tone-pitch corresponding to the tone-pitch data generated by the key-depression-detecting cir

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument efficiently uses plural tone generation channels to generate both manual performance tones and automatic rhythm performance tones. The tone generation channels normally are used for manual performance tone generation. Tone generation channels for automatic rhythm performance are selected when automatic rhythm performance is designated. The tone generation channels are selected on the basis of non-use or least significance. After a required number of tone generation channels are selected for automatic rhythm performance, musical tone channel assignment is made. When stopping of automatic rhythm performance subsequently is designated, each tone generation channel selected for automatic rhythm performance is designated to return to normal use for generation of manual performance tones.

Abstract: A decoder assigns key values according to a system of mathematical weight values in terms of whole and semi-tone intervals of the musical scale, each key contributing its assigned value to the sum when depressed. Any interval along the scale can be reached by any combination of depressed keys that sum to that interval amount from the open "zero reference" position. The result is a woodwind-style keyboard that is perfectly regular and which has no default or unusable fingering combinations.

Abstract: A method for operating a digital synthesizer type of electronic musical instrument to rapidly make available digital oscillators to produce newly keyed notes even when all digital oscillators are currently active with previous assignments. The method contains a way of maintaining a record of the digital oscillator with the lowest amplitude, and reassigning this lowest amplitude digital oscillator to produce the new note on the rationale that the output of the lowest digital oscillator will be the least missed if an output has to be prematurely curtailed. Beside just a straight amplitude critereon, the method also allows for prioritizing some low amplitude outputs over others to make a more pleasing performance. The invention also includes an apparatus for performing the method.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument has a composite sound source for generating a musical tone, and includes a first synthesizing circuit for creating a variety of timbres of the musical tone having a superior quality and a second synthesizing circuit for creating another variety of timbres of the musical tone having an inferior quality. The instrument admits designation information effective to designate one of the first and second synthesizing circuits to be activated and effective to designate a timbre to be created by the designated one of the first and second synthesizing circuits. A detector operates when the second synthesizing circuit is designated for providing a detection signal if the designated timbre can be also created by the first synthesizing circuit.