Expression Or Special Effects Patents (Class 84/662)
-
Patent number: 6087578Abstract: An initial note series is collected from a real-time source of musical input material such as a keyboard or a sequencer playing back musical data, or extracted from musical data stored in memory. The initial note series may be altered to create variations of the initial note series using various mathematical operations. The resulting altered note series, or other data stored in memory is read out according to one or more patterns. The patterns may have steps containing pools of independently selectable items from which random selections are made. A pseudo-random number generator is employed to perform the random selections during processing, where the random sequences thereby generated have the ability to be repeated at specific musical intervals. The resulting musical effect may additionally incorporate a repeated effect, or a repeated effect can be independently performed from input notes in the musical input material.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1999Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Inventor: Stephen R. Kay
-
Patent number: 6066793Abstract: In executing a music performance on the basis of supplied performance data, a feeling of swing can be imparted to the performance by delaying tone-generation start time of a tone, based on the performance data, at each predetermined beat such as upbeat. In this case, if an original tone-generation end time of the tone to be delayed is ahead of tone-generation start time of a next tone, control is executed to automatically change a duration of the tone in such a manner that actual tone-generation end time of the delayed note comes ahead of the tone-generation start time of the next tone. In this manner, the delay control can be properly executed on staccato performance data without losing characteristics of staccato.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1998Date of Patent: May 23, 2000Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Yoichiro Ogai, Takao Yamamoto
-
Patent number: 6023018Abstract: When a plurality of different effects are added to a plurality of musical notes at the same time, the plurality of musical notes are divided into a plurality of groups for musical notes, and the groups of musical note waveforms are delivered on a time divisional basis to an effect adding circuit, which adds the respective effects to the groups of musical note waveforms, accumulates at each waveform sampling period the musical note waveforms to which the respective effects have been added, and outputs a resulting musical note waveform. The sum of operation times required for adding the respective effects to the plurality of groups of musical note waveforms can exceed a sampling period depending on types of effect to be assigned. To avoid this situation, it is determined in advance whether the sum of the operation times required for adding the effects exceeds the sampling period. If so, addition of an effect to a musical note waveform where a depth of the effect is minimum is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1999Date of Patent: February 8, 2000Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroshi Iwase
-
Patent number: 6002080Abstract: There are provided a plurality of keys for designating a pitch and a plurality of sensors for detecting operating states of the keys. Main pitch determination section identifies respective ON/OFF states of the keys on the basis of output values from the sensors to thereby determines a performed pitch. When the output value from the sensor, corresponding to a particular one of the keys determined to be in the ON or OFF state, presents a predetermined intermediate value, a subsidiary pitch determination section determines another pitch on the basis of predetermined assumptive ON/OFF states of the keys. The assumptive ON/OFF states are similar to the ON/OFF states of the keys identified by the main pitch determination section except that the ON or OFF state of the particular key is inverted to the OFF or ON state.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1998Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Assignee: Yahama CorporationInventor: So Tanaka
-
Patent number: 5998724Abstract: Basic tone waveform corresponding to a designated tone color and pitch is generated in each of a plurality of channels. Effect is imparted to the basic tone waveform in accordance with an algorithm for providing a predetermined effect, independently for each of the channels. The effect to be imparted is controlled in accordance with the designated tone pitch, separately for each of the channels. The effect impartment may be conducted using a processor, such as a DSP, executing a predetermined program containing a predetermined effect-imparting algorithm. In one example of the effect-imparting algorithm, a delay loop is employed through which an input exciting signal is circulated while being delayed, and an effect specific to an electromagnetic pickup of an electric guitar can be approximated by controlling the delay amount in the delay loop.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Chifumi Takeuchi, Toru Kitayama, Toshifumi Kunimoto
-
Patent number: 5977471Abstract: A method of and apparatus for enhancing an audio signal to reflect positional information of a sound emitting object in a simulation are described. The method includes determining a parameter describing a location of the sound emitting object. A setting for the audio signal is adjusted based on the first parameter by sending an adjustment command to an audio interface device. Either the whole audio signal, or a portion thereof is transferred to the audio interface device after the adjustment command. The apparatus includes a processor, a memory, and an audio interface coupled to a bus. The memory contains an audio adjustment routine which, when executed by the processor, sends an adjustment command to the audio interface device to adjust a characteristic of an audio signal. The adjustment command reflects a spatial location of an emitter in a simulated environment.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Intel CorporationInventor: Michael D. Rosenzweig
-
Patent number: 5952599Abstract: An improved music generation system that facilitates artistic expression by non-musician and musician performers in both individual and group performance contexts. Mappings are provided between 1) gestures of a performer as indicated by manipulation of a user input device, 2) displayed motion of a graphic object, and 3) global features of a musical segment. The displayed motions and global features are selected so as to reinforce the appearance of causation between the performer's gestures and the produced musical effects and thereby assist the performer in refining his or her musical expression. The displayed motion is isomorphically coherent with the musical segment in order to achieve the appearance of causation. The global features are segment characteristics perceivable to human listeners. Control at the global feature level in combination with isomorphic visual feedback provides advantages to both non-musicians and musicians in producing artistic effect.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Interval Research CorporationInventors: Thomas Dolby, Tom Dougherty, John Eichenseer, William Martens, Michael Mills, Joy S. Mountford
-
Patent number: 5939655Abstract: A musical tone generating apparatus has a processing device that produces either musical tone synthesis parameters or musical tone waveform data corresponding to input performance data, depending upon a type of the input performance data. An encoder/decoder circuit includes a tone generator circuit that generates musical tone waveform data in accordance with the musical tone synthesis parameters produced by the processing device, a buffer circuit storing the musical tone waveform data produced by the processing device, a mixing circuit that mixes the musical tone waveform data produced by the tone generator circuit and the musical tone waveform data stored in the buffer circuit, and a conversion circuit that converts mixed musical tone waveform data generated from the mixing circuit into a musical tone signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Hiroyuki Sato
-
Patent number: 5922983Abstract: An electronic keyboard musical instrument stores first key touch data codes representative of a first reaction component and grouped into first data groups by a key velocity, second key touch data codes representative of a second reaction component and grouped into second data groups by a key position and third key touch data codes representative of a third reaction component and grouped into third data groups by the key position, and produces a digital key position signal representative of current key position, a digital key velocity signal representative of current key velocity and a digital key acceleration signal representative of current key acceleration so that a solenoid-operated actuator generates a resistance against the key motion on the basis of the first key touch data code selected by using the digital key position signal and the digital key velocity signal, the second key touch data code selected by using the digital key velocity signal and the digital key position signal and the third key touchType: GrantFiled: October 16, 1997Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Shigeru Muramatsu
-
Patent number: 5905222Abstract: A silent violin converts vibrations of strings to an electric signal, and the electric signal is supplied to two delay circuits and, thereafter, two multipliers so as to produce a left sound signal and a right sound signal different in delay time and magnitude; when a headphone produces stereophonic sounds from the left/right sound signals, the player feels the source of stereophonic sounds to be at a certain point on the silent violin same as an acoustic violin.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1997Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Toshiya Yamada
-
Patent number: 5895878Abstract: In a music apparatus, an operator panel designates a first style of automatic play. A tone generator sequentially generates musical tones to produce the automatic play in the designated first style. A DSP applies a first effect to the musical tones in matching with the first style of the automatic play. A CPU operates when the operator panel commands a style change from the first style to a second style during the course of the automatic play for controlling the tone generator to switch the automatic play to the second style. The CPU further operates when the style change necessitates an effect change from the first effect to a second effect matching the second style in a transient period for controlling the DSP before the controlling of the tone generator to complete the effect change within the transient period so that the DSP can apply the second effect to the musical tones timely when the automatic play is switched from the first style to the second style.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1997Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Masao Ishibashi
-
Patent number: 5890116Abstract: A conduct-along system that can give expressions to sounds and/or images, in which expressions are added to sounds and/or images following the playback of sounds and/or images in real-time based on any one or any combination of parameters, such as tempo, intensity, beat timing and accent, detected from the movement of an input device. The conduct-along system detects any one or any combination of parameters, such as tempo, intensity, beat timing and accent, from the movements of the input device, and plays back voices and/or images in real-time following any one or any combination of detected parameters, such as tempo, intensity, beat timing and accent.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1997Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Assignee: PFU LimitedInventors: Yasunari Itoh, Hiroyuki Kiyono
-
Patent number: 5880393Abstract: An acoustic piano, solenoid-operated key actuators for moving black/white keys in response to a driving signal and an electric system form in combination a keyboard musical instrument, and the electric system previously establishes first relations between key motions and associated hammer motions and second relations between the magnitude of the driving signal and final hammer velocity; the electric system estimates the final hammer velocity and a time delay between a key-on timing and an impact timing on the basis of the first relations for producing pieces of music data information in a recording mode, and tailors the driving signal on the basis of the second relations in a playback mode for exactly reproducing the original performance.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1997Date of Patent: March 9, 1999Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Yasutoshi Kaneko, Kiyoshi Kawamura
-
Patent number: 5880392Abstract: An improved control structure for music synthesis is provided in which: 1) the sound representation provided to the adaptive function mapper allows for a greatly increased degree of control over the sound produced; and 2) training of the adaptive function mapper is performed using an error measure, or error norm, that greatly facilitates learning while ensuring perceptual identity of the produced sound with the training example. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, sound data is produced by applying to an adaptive function mapper control parameters including: at least one parameter selected from the set of time and timbre space coordinates; and at least one parameter selected from the set of pitch, .DELTA.pitch, articulation and dynamic. Using an adaptive function mapper, mapping is performed from the control parameters to synthesis parameters to be applied to a sound synthesizer.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1996Date of Patent: March 9, 1999Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: David Wessel, Michael Lee
-
Patent number: 5834672Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a tone (e.g. for music) without use of a waveform memory and using a feedback loop. The feedback loop includes a waveform generator which calculates, in real time, a parabolic approximation to a sine wave. The feedback loop includes a delay phase differencer to eliminate hunting. The output waveform from the feedback loop is provided to a sine function generator which approximates a sine value using a third order polynomial, to provide the output tone.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1995Date of Patent: November 10, 1998Assignee: Chromatic Research, Inc.Inventor: Avery L. Wang
-
Patent number: 5804755Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1997Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Rei Furukawa
-
Patent number: 5798922Abstract: A system for providing audible cues that enable a listener to identify locations of origins of sounds. In one embodiment, a front and rear signal are copies of an input signal. The rear signal is modified by application of a modified head related transfer function which is the difference between the front and rear head related transfer functions. Copies are then made of the front signal and the modified rear signal, one copy of each associated with a first channel and one copy of each associated with a second channel. Front/rear cues are applied by delaying one of the rear signals or inverting the phase of one of the rear signals. Volume levels are then modified according to the location of the sound source. Locations of sound sources, including sources location behind the user are therefore audibly distinguished. Thus, in an interactive environment, such as a video game environment, the sounds generated by moving objects can be readily modified by simply modifying the volume levels.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1997Date of Patent: August 25, 1998Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc.Inventors: Paul Nigel Wood, Laura Mercs, Paul Embree
-
Patent number: 5763800Abstract: An audio data format in which an instrument is described using a combination of sound samples and articulation instructions which determine modifications made to the sound sample is provided. The instruments form a first, initial layer, with a second layer having presets which can user defined to provide additional articulation instructions which can modify the articulation instructions at the instrument level. The articulation instructions are specified using various parameters. The present invention provides a format in which all of the parameters are specified in units which relate to a physical phenomena, and thus are not tied to any particular machine for creating or playing the audio samples. The articulation parameters include generators and modulators, which provide a connection between a real-time signal and a generator. The parameter units are specified in perceptually additive units, to make the data portable and easily edited.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1995Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignee: Creative Labs, Inc.Inventors: David P. Rossum, Michael Guzewicz, Robert S. Crawford, Matthew F. Williams, Donald F. Ruffcorn
-
Patent number: 5750914Abstract: Effect data designating a desired sound effect is introduced from the outside, and a tone generator generates a tone imparted with an effect based on the introduced effect data. A conversion table is provided which classifies predetermined effects impartable by the tone generator into groups in accordance with characteristics of the effects and stores for each of the groups effect data indicative of effect belonging to the group. If it is ascertained, from the table, that the introduced effect data designates an effect not impartable by the tone generator, the effect data indicative of another effect belonging to one of the groups which corresponds to a characteristic of the introduced effect data is extracted from the table. The tone generator imparts the tone the effect designated by the extracted effect data in place of the introduced effect data.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: May 12, 1998Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Makoto Takahashi
-
Patent number: 5745743Abstract: A digital signal processing for, e.g., tone synthesis or tone control is performed by reading a microprogram from a microprogram memory and executing a digital signal processing algorithm according to this microprogram using necessary coefficients. A first coefficient to be used in this digital signal processing is supplied by a coefficient supply section but this first coefficient is not used directly for execution of the algorithm. A second coefficient which is actually used is generated as a result of a predetermined interpolation operation by a coefficient interpolation section using the first coefficient as a target value. The second coefficient which is used for execution of the algorithm, therefore, changes timewise toward the first coefficient. This coefficient interpolation section is provided independently from the microprogram.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1996Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Masahiro Kakishita
-
Patent number: 5731534Abstract: An effect imparting processing and other processing are executed by shared use of a same microprocessor. When the other processing involves a relatively great amount of calculation, the effect imparting processing is set to a lower grade to reduce the amount of calculation necessary for the effect imparting processing, so that more computing capability of the microprocessor can be allocated to the other processing. When the other processing involves a relatively small amount of calculation, the effect imparting processing is set to a higher grade to impart a higher-quality effect to a tone signal. In an effect imparting device, the level of the input audio signal is monitored and execution of the effect imparting processing is discontiued when supply of the audio signals is stopped continuously for a predetermined time period. Thereafter, the effect imparting processing is resumed when the supply of the audio signal is restarted.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1996Date of Patent: March 24, 1998Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Motoichi Tamura, Hiroyuki Sato
-
Patent number: 5728961Abstract: In a tone generating method or device, where an arithmetic unit such as a CPU or DSP is used to execute a specific tone generating processing program to generate tone signals, control is conducted to execute the tone generating processing with its content controlled to be most suitable for the computing capability of the arithmetic unit. Namely, performance or computing capability of the arithmetic unit is detected prior to execution of the tone generating processing, and depending on the detected performance, control is conducted to modify the content of the tone generating processing so as to best fit the performance.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1996Date of Patent: March 17, 1998Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Motoichi Tamura
-
Patent number: 5703312Abstract: There are provided a tone source for generating tone signals in plural channels independently and effect impartment sections, provided in corresponding relations to the channels, for imparting individual effects to the tone signals of the channels generated by the tone source. Each of the effect impartment sections, in accordance with tone control information unique to the tone signal of the corresponding channel, controls a parameter of the effect to be imparted. In a case where any of the effect impartment sections uses a signal delaying memory to impart an effect, when a damping (or truncating process) is performed in any of the channels, the storage area to be used for the channel is switched to another unused storage area so as to prevent any preceding tone's delayed signal from being undesirably mixed into the signal of a new tone.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1995Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Makoto Takahashi, Kiyoshi Hasebe
-
Patent number: 5703313Abstract: A music synthesizer includes main resonator, such as a digital waveguide network, that is coupled to a digital passive nonlinear filter. The passive nonlinear filter receives traveling wave signals from the resonator and generates modified traveling wave signals having a different frequency spectrum than the received traveling wave signals without changing the received traveling wave signals' energy content. The passive nonlinear filter then transmits the modified traveling wave signals back into the resonator. The passive nonlinear filter includes a first memory element for retaining an internal energy state and a dual-mode signal generator that generates the modified traveling wave signal from the received signals and the internal energy state using a first signal processing method when the internal energy state has a negative value and using a second distinct signal processing method when the internal energy state has a positive value.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1994Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: John R. Pierce, Scott A. Van Duyne
-
Patent number: 5700966Abstract: A miniature bank of switches is affixed directly to the musical instrument where it is easy to access during a live performance. The instrument-mounted unit produces an encoded signal representing the pattern and sequence of switch buttons depressed. This encoded signal is radiated, via UHF or infrared, to the remotely located musical instrument switching circuit. The switching circuit may be rack-mounted along with the effects devices which it controls. The switching unit receives the radiated signals and produces the corresponding MIDI protocol signals to control modern day MIDI effects devices, or alternatively produces signals which simulate ON/OFF wired foot switches to control effects of vintage amplifier equipment.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1995Date of Patent: December 23, 1997Inventor: Frank LaMarra
-
Patent number: 5684259Abstract: A system and method for synthesizing musical melodies on a computer displays a plurality of figures on a display device, one or more of which can be selected by a user for conversion into a series of sounds to create a melody to be played through an electronic musical instrument. In operation, various sub-routines stored within a system processor are used to manipulate attributes such as position, shape, color, and size of the displayed figures to generate corresponding sounds having a desired pitch, intensity, timbre, and sound length. The displayed figures are then made to move in accordance with user-selected rules, or with melodies played on an electronic musical instrument. An octave filter or wide range filter may be employed to change other attributes of the individual sounds comprising the melody, or of the entire melody itself.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1994Date of Patent: November 4, 1997Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd.Inventor: Youichi Horii
-
Patent number: 5663514Abstract: A specific type of a human operator's gesture (such as a downward, upward or lateral swinging movement) and its movement amount (such as a speed or acceleration of the movement) is detected by a movement detector. The detected movement amount is compensated in accordance with the detected movement type, and various factors to control dynamics of a music performance (such as tone volume, color, pitch, effect etc.) are variably controlled on the basis of the compensated movement amount. At least one of minimal and maximal values indicative of the operator's repetitive gesture is selectively extracted from the output of the movement detector so that the performance tempo is controlled on the basis of a particular time point at which the selected minimal or maximal value has been extracted.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1996Date of Patent: September 2, 1997Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Satoshi Usa
-
Patent number: 5661253Abstract: A control apparatus comprises a rod-like member having a gripping portion at its distal end, a support member for supporting the rod-like member, the gripping portion being movable along an axial direction of the rod-like member, and moving amount detectors for detecting moving amounts of the gripping portion. The control apparatus inputs a control signal to a control object on the basis of a detection value of the moving amount detectors. An electronic musical instrument has a control apparatus as a performance operation member for controlling electronic tone generation parameters in correspondence with a performance function, and a sound source for generating an electronic tone on the basis of inputs from a keyboard and the performance operation member.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1990Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Eiichiro Aoki
-
Patent number: 5635658Abstract: A data set including data representing volume levels of an original sound and of an effect-imparted sound that has been set by a first musical instrument is transmitted to a second musical instrument. If any effect corresponding to the transmitted effect volume level data is not achievable by the second musical instrument, the second musical instrument modifies the original sound volume level in accordance with the effect volume level data, to thereby control a total volume balance. When tone color designating information is transmitted from the first instrument to the second instrument and tone color designated by the information is achieved by the second instrument, data representing a tone color group having been achieved by the second instrument is stored. Then, when any tone color group not achievable by the second instrument is designated, the designated tone color group is replaced with the stored tone color group.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1994Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Masao Kondo, Yoshihiro Shiiya
-
Patent number: 5614687Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the number of beats in that second time measuring means starts to measure time from a time point when the level of a predetermined frequency component of an input audio signal is once higher than a predetermined level and, after a predetermined period T1 elapses from the time point, the measurement of time by the second time measuring means is terminated at a time point when the level of the predetermined frequency component of the input audio signal is again higher than the predetermined level, thereby to convert a measured period T2 at termination of measuring of the second time measuring means into BPM i.e., the number of beats per predetermined unit time regarding as a unit beat.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1995Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Assignee: Pioneer Electronic CorporationInventors: Yoichi Yamada, Tomohiko Kimura, Takeaki Funada, Gen Inoshita
-
Patent number: 5606145Abstract: An improved code changing method for an electronic musical instrument with an automatic accompaniment function allows a chord code change during a play in accordance with a tone of an musical instrument being used in the current accompaniment just before a new code representing a new chord is inputted for the next music play. The method includes judging the possibility of a slur processing by recognizing a tone being used in the automatic accompaniment when the new code information is inputted, performing the slur processing when the slur processing is judged to be possible, and performing a retriggering process or an automatic accompaniment by neglecting the new code information, when the slur processing is judged to be impossible.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: February 25, 1997Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Moon K. Kim
-
Patent number: 5602358Abstract: An effect imparting device is constructed such that effects of a first kind which are different from each other are imparted to at least two of a plurality of musical tone signals transmitted via a plurality of channels. At least two of the musical tone signals are mixed. An effect of a second kind is imparted to the resulting signal. The effect imparting device is adapted to bypass at least one of effect-imparting blocks. An electronic musical instrument can change one of the effects of the first kind corresponding to a tone color of at least one of the musical tone signals transmitted via the channels simultaneously when the tone color is changed, while changing of an effect of the second kind is inhibited. A plurality of output terminals are provided through which the musical tone signals of the channels and to which effects have been imparted can be output to an external device, in a manner independent of each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1994Date of Patent: February 11, 1997Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Takao Yamamoto, Yoichiro Ogai, Kiyoshi Hasebe
-
Patent number: 5585584Abstract: An automatic performance control apparatus provides a hand controller which contains gyro sensors in X, Y directions. The gyro sensors are employed to accurately detect hand-swing motion applied to the hand controller without being affected by gravity. When the hand controller is swung by a human operator like a conductor's baton, angular velocity applied to the hand controller is detected based on detection values of the gyro sensors. The angular velocity becomes bottom at a change point of direction in a locus of the hand-swing motion of the hand controller; and a peak of the angular velocity appears between bottoms. So, peak detection process is performed on the angular velocity to determine a beat timing designated by the human operator. If the peak is detected, beat-timing detection data are automatically created and are transmitted to an electronic musical instrument having an automatic performance function.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1996Date of Patent: December 17, 1996Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Satoshi Usa
-
Patent number: 5585587Abstract: An acoustic image localization apparatus localizes an acoustic image of a plurality of tone color species having various timbres to a source point with respect to a listening point within a sound field. Desired ones of separate source points are specified, which are provisionally set throughout the sound field. Each of the tone color species is assigned to one or more of the specified source points such that each specified source point is assigned with a group of desired tone color species. Acoustic images of the respective groups are localized to corresponding ones of the specified source points. Further, one of separate listening points is designated, which is provisionally set relatively to the source points so that the acoustic images are localized with respect to the designated listening point.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1994Date of Patent: December 17, 1996Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Toshihiro Inoue, Hiroyuki Torimura
-
Patent number: 5583308Abstract: In an automated system for learning to play a musical instrument, music data and tone control data for a musical composition of an exemplary musical instrument is stored in machine readable form. An audio signal generated by a musical instrument being played, corresponding to the exemplary musical instrument, is inputted through a musical effects apparatus wherein the musical tone of the musical instrument being played is mixed with the stored music data. The musical effects apparatus is utilized, under digital control, to match the musical tone of the musical instrument being played with that of the exemplary musical instrument. More particularly, the music data and tone control data of the musical composition are stored on a conventional CD-ROM. The tone control data is utilized to create control parameters which can be used to control one or more electronic effects devices in an automated fashion.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1994Date of Patent: December 10, 1996Assignee: Maestromedia, Inc.Inventor: Randall L. Owen
-
Patent number: 5561257Abstract: A control system for a musical instrument, e.g., an electric guitar, which is programmable so that a tremolo characteristic can be applied to the audio signal produced by the musical instrument. The tremolo characteristic can be comprised of a combination of three preset amplitude components and three preset frequency components. The control system can also be used to dynamically vary the volume characteristic of the audio signal produced by the musical instrument. Specifically, the control system includes a tactile member which produces a signal proportionate to the pressure exerted on the tactile member by the musician. This signal can be used to increase the volume characteristic of the musical instrument while the musician is playing the musical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1995Date of Patent: October 1, 1996Assignee: Sound Ethix, Corp.Inventors: Max L. Cardey, III, Gustavo Dimidjian
-
Patent number: 5552560Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument produces electronic sounds in synchronism with fingering on a keyboard, and a player can select an reverberation emvironment and a depth of reverberation through predetermined keys of the keyboard before the performance, thereby making an arrangement on a switch board simpler.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1994Date of Patent: September 3, 1996Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Tomoyuki Ura
-
Patent number: 5541356Abstract: An electronic musical tone controller having an input operator for inputting a degree of a sensory expression representing the quality of a musical tone and generating an input parameter, a controller for controlling an electrical parameter and a circuit parameter for controlling a waveform of a signal of the musical tone, a musical tone signal generator for generating a signal of the musical tone in accordance with the electrical parameter and the circuit parameter, and a logical calculation unit for performing a fuzzy calculation and generating an output parameter for controlling the electrical parameter and the circuit parameter, by using the input parameter generated by the input operator unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Satoshi Usa
-
Patent number: 5542000Abstract: A karaoke apparatus operates in response to a song request for sounding an automatic accompaniment mixed with a singing voice to produce a karaoke performance involving an additional effect. The karaoke apparatus is supplied with a composite song data containing an accompaniment event data and an additional effect event data. A multimedia sequencer time-sequentially processes the supplied composite song data to synchronously feed a train of the accompaniment event data and another train of the additional effect event data in parallel manner with one another. A tone generator operates based on the fed accompaniment event data for generating an automatic accompaniment so as to produce a karaoke performance. An additional effect equipment is controlled by the fed additional effect event data for imparting an additional effect to the karaoke performance in matching with time-sequential progression thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1994Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Youji Semba
-
Patent number: 5521330Abstract: A sound control device and method which increase the width of sound of sound data by controlling and outputting the phase of the sound data, in which the phase of the generated sound data is uniformly shifted over the entire frequency band of the related sound data and in which this sound data shifted in phase and the above described generated original sound data are output to different sound systems.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1994Date of Patent: May 28, 1996Assignee: Kawai Musical Inst. Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koji Kuwano
-
Patent number: 5498836Abstract: A controller for controlling a plurality of parameters to be used by a physical model tone signal synthesizer electronically simulating a tone generating mechanism of a natural musical instrument. In accordance with musical performance signals such as dynamics and tone color entered by a player, musical instrument playing parameters such as breath and embouchure, or bow speed and bow pressure, are generated by using correlation functions.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1995Date of Patent: March 12, 1996Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Tetsuo Okamoto, Satoshi Usa
-
Patent number: 5478969Abstract: A control system for a musical instrument, e.g., an electric guitar, which is programmable so that a tremolo characteristic can be applied to the audio signal produced by the musical instrument. The tremolo characteristic can be comprised of a combination of three preset amplitude components and three preset frequency components. The control system can also be used to dynamically vary the volume characteristic of the audio signal produced by the musical instrument. Specifically, the control system includes a tactile member which produces a signal proportionate to the pressure exerted on the tactile member by the musician. This signal can be used to increase the volume characteristic of the musical instrument while the musician is playing the musical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1995Date of Patent: December 26, 1995Assignee: Sound Ethix Corp.Inventors: Max L. Cardey, III, Gustavo Dimidjian
-
Patent number: 5473107Abstract: A selector is provided for selecting a predetermined effect. Instruction as to whether this effect should be imparted or not is not made instantly in response to an output of this selector but made in association with instruction of start of tone generation by a key-on event signal. For example, even when a state in which an effect is selected is brought about in the course of generation of a tone without selecting an effect, this effect is not imparted to the tone which is currently being generated. Upon instruction of generation of another new tone in this state, instruction of imparting of the effect is made for the new tone so that the effect is imparted to the new tone from the start of generation of the tone. Conversely, when a state in which no effect is selected is brought about in the course of generation of a tone which is imparted with an effect, the effect is kept imparted to the tone which is currently being generated until generation of the tone is ended.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1992Date of Patent: December 5, 1995Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Kotaro Mizuno
-
Patent number: 5459280Abstract: A musical tone synthesizing apparatus for generating a musical tone which is influenced not only by blowing pressure and embouchure, etc. but also effected by the movement of a performer's tongue. The apparatus comprises an operating part WC having a mouthpiece part and a reed part; a breath measuring sensor for measuring breath passing through the mouthpiece part; a tonguing detector for measuring the relative position of a performer's tongue to the reed part; a musical tone forming circuit TC for simulating the mouthpiece, the reed, and the resonance tube of the acoustic wind instrument in response to an output signal of the breath measuring sensor so as to create a musical tone signal; and a tonguing effector for changing a simulating characteristic of the reed of the acoustic wind instrument in response to an output signal of the tonguing detector.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1993Date of Patent: October 17, 1995Assignee: Yamaha CorportionInventors: Hideyuki Masuda, Toshifumi Kunimoto
-
Patent number: 5455380Abstract: An electronic musical instrument changes sound effects, such as resonance and reverberation, during a performance. The instrument has a tone-ON channel counter, for counting keys that are simultaneously depressed; an output channel determination unit, for determining an output channel in consonance with a count value held by the tone-ON channel counter; and an output channel selector, for designating the output channel, so as to provide a desired sound effect through the selected output channel.In a modification, the instrument has a parameter value determination unit, for determining a parameter value in consonance with a count value counted by the tone-ON channel counter; a resonant tone production unit, for adding a desired sound effect; and a controller, for employing the parameter value to control the resonant tone production unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1993Date of Patent: October 3, 1995Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki SeisakushoInventors: Eiji Matsuda, Gen Izumisawa
-
Patent number: 5438155Abstract: An electronic musical instrument having a plurality of switches is disclosed wherein a numerical value can be inputted without provision of a specific switch for inputting a numerical value. The electronic musical instrument has a tone/effect inputting mode in which, when one of the switches is operated, a tone or acoustic effect allocated in advance to the operated switch is set and a numeric inputting mode in which, when one of the switches is operated, a numerical value allocated in advance to the operated switch is set. A change-over switch is provided for changing over the operation mode between the tone/effect inputting mode and the numeric inputting mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1993Date of Patent: August 1, 1995Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki SeisakushoInventors: Eiji Matsuda, Toshinori Matsuda, Tsuyoshi Koike
-
Patent number: 5403970Abstract: A control apparatus, for an electronic musical instrument and other electronic apparatuses, comprises a freely operable operation rod having an operation gripping portion at a distal end of the rod, X- and Y-position detectors for respectively detecting X- and Y-positions of the operation rod, and a pressure or rotation amount detector for detecting an operation pressure operating on the operation rod or a rotational amount of the operation rod about an axis thereof. The control apparatus can input a pressure or rotational amount detection signal of the operation rod to a control object together with X- and Y-position detection signals. An electronic musical instrument has the control apparatus as a performance operation member for controlling electronic tone generation parameters in correspondence with a performance function of a kind of instrument, and a physical sound source for generating an electronic tone on the basis of inputs from a keyboard and the performance operation member.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1990Date of Patent: April 4, 1995Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Eiichiro Aoki
-
Patent number: 5369224Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is provided with an input implement for inputting performance information which designates a tone pitch of a musical sound to be produced during the course of performance. A tone generator of a monaural type generates a monaural tone signal having the designated tone pitch. A distributing circuit is connected to the tone generator for distributing the monaural tone signal selectively to a plurality of range channels assigned to different tone pitch ranges. A plurality of acoustic image formers are provided in the respective range channels for processing the distributed monaural tone signal to impart thereto stereophonic spread and location in different manners associated to the different tone pitch ranges. A stereo sound system is connected to the range channels for producing the musical sound having the imparted stereophonic spread and location.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1993Date of Patent: November 29, 1994Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Tomomi Miyata
-
Patent number: 5352849Abstract: A musical tone synthesizing apparatus is designed to simulate a physical phenomenon of a non-electronic musical instrument providing a sound generating element and an activating element. Herein, the sound generating element has its specific resonance characteristic, while the activating element imparts an excitation vibration to the sound generating element. This apparatus contains a plurality of loop circuits each including at least one delay element, wherein these loop circuits are connected together such that a signal picked up from one loop circuit is introduced into another loop circuit. This signal circulating through each loop circuit is delayed by a delay time which is controlled by a predetermined parameter corresponding to a desirable musical tone to be generated. In addition, an excitation signal, corresponding to the excitation vibration, is applied to at least one of the loop circuits.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1991Date of Patent: October 4, 1994Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Kaoru Kobayashi
-
Patent number: 5338892Abstract: An electronic musical tone generating apparatus includes a tone pitch designating unit for generating pitch signal representing tone pitch, a tone generation instruction unit for generating start signal instructing tone generation, a musical tone signal generating unit for generating a pair of musical tone signals representing a pair of direct sounds and a plurality of musical tone signals each representing a reflect sound in accordance with the start signal, wherein there can be difference of tone volume between respective musical tone signals of the pair of musical tone signals, and differences of tone volume and tone generation timing between respective musical tone signals of the plurality of musical tone signals, a controlling unit for controlling the difference of tone volume and the difference of tone generation timing in accordance with the pitch signal of the tone pitch designating unit, and a converting unit for converting the musical tone signals to musical sound.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1993Date of Patent: August 16, 1994Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Satoshi Sekine, Junichi Fujimori