Abstract: This system serves as one musical instrument by interconnecting a plurality of musical apparatuses EMa through EMf via an expandable communication connecting portion such as USB networks CB and UH. The respective musical apparatuses EMa through EMf have their own apparatus information. For the host musical apparatus EMa, a plurality of path rule information sets which are associated with a plurality of possible statuses where apparatuses are interconnected on a USB network and each of which specifies a path along which music data is transferred among the musical apparatuses are provided. Once the musical apparatuses EMb through EMf are connected to the USB network, the host musical apparatus EMa creates an actual connection pattern Pa1 representative of an actual apparatus connection status in accordance with the apparatus information of the apparatuses EMa through EMf.

Abstract: A music information calculation apparatus recognizing a structure of a piece of music based on an acoustic signal. The apparatus includes: an acoustic signal input for inputting the acoustic signal of the piece of music; an acoustic parameter calculator for calculating, using the acoustic signal, at least a first acoustic parameter indicating a volume of the piece of music; an inflection degree calculator for calculating, using at least the first acoustic parameter, an inflection degree indicating an inflection of the piece of music; a story node calculator for calculating, using at least the first acoustic parameter, a story node representing a time at which a formation of the piece of music changes; and a story information calculator for calculating, as story information indicating at least a correspondence between the story node having been calculated and the inflection degree obtained at the time represented by the story node.

Abstract: An automatic performance apparatus comprises a storage device that stores performance data and accompaniment data having a plurality of sections, a detector that detects a specific note in the performance data, a reproduction device that simultaneously reproduces the performance data and the accompaniment pattern data, and a controller that controls the reproduction device to change the section at a point of the detected specific note. A musical performance that is rich in variations can be performed easily with simple automatic performance data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the creation and playback of music, audio and sound; such that each time a composition is played back, a different sound sequence is generated in the manner previously defined by the artist. During composition creation, the artist's definition of how the composition will vary from playback to playback is embedded into the composition data set. During playback, the composition data set is processed by a playback device incorporating a playback program, so that each time the composition is played back a unique version is generated. Variability occurs during playback per the artist's composition data set, which specifies: the spawning of group(s) from a snippet; the selection of snippet(s) from each group; editing of snippets; flexible and variable placement of snippets; and the combining and/or mixing of multiple snippets to generate each time sample in one or more channels.

Abstract: For characterizing a tone signal a sequence of quantized entry times for each of at least two tone sources over time is provided on the basis of a quantization raster. Hereupon, a common period length underlying the at least two tone sources is determined using the sequences of entry times. Hereupon, the sequence of entry times is divided into respective sub-sequences, wherein a length of a sub-sequence is equal to the common period length. Finally, the sub-sequences for the first tone source are combined into a first combined sub-sequence and for the second tone source into a second combined sub-sequence, i.e. for example using a pattern histogram, in order to characterize the tone signal by the first combined sub-sequence and by the second combined sub-sequence, e.g. with regard to rhythm, speed or genre.

Abstract: There are provided tone material editing apparatus and program. The tone material editing apparatus is connected to a tone material providing apparatus that provides tone material data. Video data stored in the tone material editing apparatus is reproduced. The tone material providing apparatus is instructed to stream-distribute tone material data to be reproduced in synchronism with the reproduced video data. The tone material data stream-distributed from the tone material providing apparatus is stream-reproduced in synchronism with the reproduced video data.

Abstract: A performance processing apparatus is operable by an operation device and equipped with a sound device and a display device. In the apparatus, a storing section stores song data representative of a music sound constituting a music song, and stores image data representative of an image. An acquiring section acquires detection information from the operation device, which is used by a user and which has a detector for detecting a chronological action or state of the user and outputting the detection information representative of the detected chronological action or state. A sound control section generates the music sound through the sound device according to the song data, and controls a progression degree of the generation of the music sound according to the acquired detection information. A display control section displays the image by the display device according to the image data in correspondence with the progression degree of the generating of the music sound.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium stores a data structure that encodes an audio performance for interactive playback. The data structure includes a virtual instrument pool, which encodes an interactive part of the audio performance. Audio content of the interactive part is encoded at least in a sequence of synthesizer control data. Each datum in the synthesizer control data specifies a digital sample of the audio content to be played back. The data structure also includes a global accompaniment pool, which encodes non-interactive portions of the audio performance. The global accompaniment pool includes timing information to synchronize the playback of the audio performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a way of presenting a musical composition such as an orchestral piece, a song, jingle, or other musical content (complete or excerpts) as a sort of game made up of component audio tracks. In one preferred embodiment, the individual tracks are defined by layers (also called “segments”) that represent different instruments. For example, in the case of an orchestral music, the layers may represent the sounds made by a violin, flute, trumpet, drum, piano, and so on. The separate digital recordings of each layer then are the audio tracks that become pieces of a puzzle.

Abstract: A musical sound generator combines a software processing and a hardware processing. A sub CPU210 generates musical note data based on the musical score data 340. Main CPU110 refers to a sound source file, converts musical note data and generates PCM data. A sound processor 210 converts the musical note data at a sound synthesis circuit 221 to generate PCM data. D/A converter 222 converts the PCM data into analog signals. The speaker 300 receives the signals and emits the sound.

Abstract: A registration apparatus for a musical instrument having a memory that has stored information representing set states of various parameters that specify respective types of rhythms to be accompanied automatically and respective types of musical sound generation. The set parameters are called and updated in a lump. By changing a type of calling, all the parameters can be called out immediately or only a parameter that specifies a type of accompaniment generation can be called out in synchronism with a predetermined timing of an accompaniment.

Abstract: A drum rhythm game apparatus and a guitar rhythm game apparatus each includes a staging operating unit. Playing progression information, which includes sector numbers, is transferred between the drum rhythm game apparatus and the guitar rhythm game apparatus, thereby enabling staging operation to be implemented from each of the staging operating units while synchronizing the visual staging instructions provided to players of the game for the background music piece to be played at both the drum rhythm game apparatus and the guitar rhythm game apparatus. This allows the game to be played in a state closer to reality in which multiple players each have staging operating units as different instrument, such as with an actual band, making the game more enjoyable.

Abstract: An automatic accompaniment apparatus has a storage unit (53) for storing information on a variation pattern selection state and the mute setup state of each part of each variation, and a control unit (55) for controlling to make each part in a tone generation state or a mute state in accordance with the mute setup state of the part of the selected variation pattern in playing an insert pattern such as an introduction pattern, a fill-in pattern, and an ending pattern. The mute setup state set for the selected variation pattern is applied without change also to the insert pattern, thus preventing the mute setup state of each part from changing at the time of switching between the variation pattern and the insert pattern, and obtaining smooth automatic accompaniment tones.

Abstract: Automatic composition apparatus and method is able to automatically compose a piece of music having a melody that is favorable in a musical sense, namely, a melody that satisfies musical requirements. A storage medium stores a program executed for automatically composing a piece of music having such a melody as described above. After melody pitches are generated under moderate first melody generation conditions, the generated melody pitches are evaluated in terms of more strict second melody generation conditions. With regard to a certain pitch, therefore, it can be determined whether the pitch satisfies musical requirements in view of not only the previous pitch but also the next pitch, thus making it possible to compose a piece of music that as a whole is favorable in a musical sense.

Abstract: In an automatic accompanying apparatus and an automatic accompanying method, the respective part structures of a plurality of basic variation patterns used as a basic accompanying pattern of rhythm are arbitrarily set by a music player. When the music player selects one basic variation pattern from a plurality of basic variation patterns to which the part structures are set in such a manner, the part structure is automatically set in such a manner that part structures of an intro-pattern, an ending pattern, and also a fill-in pattern, which are prepared for this rhythm, are made equal to the part structure of the selected basic variation pattern. The automatic accompaniment is carried out by employing the selected basic variation pattern, and the intro-pattern, ending pattern, and fill-in pattern, which own the same part structures as that of this basic variation pattern. As a result, the automatic accompaniment can be carried out while being matched with a motif of a user through the entire music.

Abstract: A system, and related method, for creating music in real time includes an input device and a real-time music generator. The input device is used by a user to provide rhythm-related signals and pitch-related signals to the real-time music generator. The real time music generator receives the rhythm-related and pitch-related signals and creates or composes in real time music that includes pitches based on the pitch-related signals and rhythmic activity based on the rhythm-related signals. The input device can provide pitch related and rhythm-related signals that are representative of position, velocity, or acceleration. The real-time music generator can derive position, velocity, or acceleration from the pitch-related and rhythm-related signals and compose in real time music comprising pitches and rhythm activity based on the derived information.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A music composition system, comprising receiving a first harmony including a first melody, analyzing the first harmony to derive in real-time a rule relating the first melody to the first harmony, receiving a second melody, and applying the rule in real-time to the second melody to produce a second harmony relating to the second melody.

Abstract: The invention relates to a voice processing system capable of outputting voice prompts and background music. The volume of background music is progressively variable relative to the voice prompts or speech. The progressive variation is effected by multiplying the background music samples by a scaling factor and then adding together a current voice sample and the scaled background music sample. Accordingly, when the combined samples are output to the user the volume of the background music varies.

Abstract: An electric stringed instrument having an integral accompaniment system is proposed. The vibrations of the strings on the electric stringed instrument are detected as analog signals by a pickup device. A portion of the detected signal is extracted, has its voltage adjusted, is converted into a digital signal, and is read into a CPU as a digital signal within a range of 0-5 volts. An amplification factor of the digital signal is determined according to sound volume data included in accompaniment data stored within the accompaniment system, and the proportion of sound volume between the player's performance and an automatically generated accompaniment is adjusted by multiplying the sound volume of the player's performance, or of the accompaniment, by the amplification factor. The sound volume adjustment is effected only once and only when an automatic balancing switch provided on the instrument is depressed.

Abstract: A song program and a motion picture background image suitable for the mood of the song program are recorded on a recording medium. A video-song accompaniment apparatus employs the recording medium to reproduce the song program and the motion picture background image. The recording medium has a lead-in area, a program area and a lead-out area.

Abstract: A system for interpreting the requests and performance of an instrumental soloist, stated in the parlance of the musician and within the context of a specific published edition of music the soloist is using, to control the performance of a digitized musical accompaniment. Sound events and their associated attributes are extracted from the soloist performance and are numerically encoded. The pitch, duration and event type of the encoded sound events are then compared to a desired sequence of the performance score to determine if a match exists between the soloist performance and the performance score. If a match exists between the soloist performance and the performance score, the system instructs a music synthesizer module to provide an audible accompaniment for the soloist. The system provides a method for editing a tempo map associated with the performance score to indicate the tempo of the accompaniment at a location within the performance score.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A melody segmentation module segments a given melody into a plurality of phrases. A phrase tonality analyzer determines a key of each phrase to provide a correct succession of keys of the melody. With this arrangement, the music apparatus can detect, from the melody, a modulation (change of key). A chord progression database is searched to assign an appropriate chord pattern to each phrase. Thus, the melody is harmonized with a natural and real chord progression. A style analyzer tests a melody phrase for a preselected music style and labels it with style-matched if it meets the preselected music style. A chord pattern characteristic of the preselected music style is selected from a chord progression database of the same music style to harmonize the style-matched phrase. Thus, the melody agrees with the harmonizing chord progression in terms of music style.

Abstract: An accompaniment apparatus has a first memory for memorizing a plurality of original accompaniment patterns corresponding to various accompaniment styles, each original accompaniment pattern being composed of a set of parallel part patterns. An editor is operated for designating different ones of the original accompaniment patterns and collecting therefrom a set of desired part patterns to define a free accompaniment pattern which is different than the original accompaniment patterns. A second memory memorizes designated and collected results by the editor for use in reproduction of the free accompaniment pattern. During the reproduction, a pattern length difference or a meter difference among the set of the collected parallel part patterns can be corrected to maintain a consistent progression of the automatic free accompaniment.

Abstract: A system for interpreting the requests and performance of an instrumental soloist, stated in the parlance of the musician and within the context of a specific published edition of music the soloist is using, to control the performance of a digitized musical accompaniment. Sound events and their associated attributes are extracted from the soloist performance and are numerically encoded. The pitch, duration and event type of the encoded sound events are then compared to a desired sequence of the performance score to determine if a match exists between the soloist performance and the performance score. If a match exists between the soloist performance and the performance score, the system instructs a music synthesizer module to provide an audible accompaniment for the soloist. The system provides a method for marking a music sequence data segment to match a musical performance score using a musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) marker message.

Abstract: An automatic playing device has a memory which stores sequence data consisting of musical sound data and sequence data to control read-out of the musical sound data. A processing unit repeatedly reads out musical sound data specified by the control data included in the sequence data stored in the memory. A movement instruction switch gives instructions for movement of an accompaniment part to be played. A control device terminates, when an instruction for movement of a part to be played is issued by the movement instruction switch, the operation to repeatedly read out musical sound data if musical sound data stored in the memory is being repeatedly read out by the processing unit. In this case, the control device moves system operation to read out the next sequence data.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument has a minus-one function to effect switching between full automatic performance and semi-automatic performance in which programmed musical tones are generated as automatic accompaniment except for melody and obbligato parts. A performance data memory records automatic performance data. A keyboard has a right key region allotted with the melody part and a left key region allotted with the obbligato part. A CPU controls the automatic performance according to operation of various switches including a song selecting switch, a start/stop switch and a minus-one switch for setting the minus-one mode. Under the minus-one mode of the automatic performance, instant musical tones are generated in response to the operation of the keyboard, while corresponding programmed musical tones are inhibited for the melody and obbligato parts when the key operation is detected on either of the right and left key regions.

Abstract: The electronic musical instrument is constructed such as to detect key-on/key-off performed by physical flexion movements of fingers through a pair of performing gloves 1 and 2 so as to effect generation and erase of musical tones in real timings practically matching with fingering performance. An A/D converter 3 converts signals from bend sensors 10 of the performing gloves 1, 2 into digital flexion data. A controller 4 processes the digital flexion data such as to detect a stop motion of a finger to judge a key-on event according to bending velocity information calculated from the sequentially sampled flexion data, thereby generating musical tones. Further, the controller 4 detects a maximum angle according to the flexion data of the finger restored from the key-on state so as to judge a key-off event according to an off-threshold level correlated to the maximum bend depth to thereby erase musical tones.

Abstract: A melody supplement control apparatus is disclosed wherein supplementary tones for melody tones are produced according to predetermined rules, and the degree of the addition of the aforesaid supplementary tones to the aforesaid melody tones is determined based on the pitch of the said supplementary tones.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes an emphasis circuit for independently modifying the level of each musically encoded data channel of a selected automatic accompaniment pattern in response to a parameter characterizing key operation, such as key velocity or key aftertouch force. Channel level modification is effected by modifying the MIDI velocity data byte of each channel in accordance with a value selected from a respective emphasis table in response to the current value of the key operating parameter.

Abstract: A device for playing back a music or video source such as a digital audio tape recorder, Compact Disc, Laser Vision Disc, video tape recorder, television and FM broadcasting and analog records comprises means responsive to control information supplied from a music or video source device for controlling an externally controllable electrical or electronic musical instrument so as to perform the musical instrument automatically in synchronism with playback of the source device. An electrical or electronic musical instrument is performed automatically in synchronism with playback of a source so that a reproduction atmosphere which cannot be obtained by mere playback of the source can be created.

Abstract: A system for automatically determining principal tones of an accompaniment line supporting a melodic line comprises a plurality of principal tone inference engines which after principal tones in accordance with different rules of inference from one another and a priority control which controls priorities among the plurality of inference engines to determine final principal tones in the accompaniment line. Each principal tone inference engine may include a condition checker which checks to see whether musical conditions are met and a principal tone generator which generates principal tones. The priority control monitors the information supplied from the condition checkers to select final principal tones supplied from the principal tone generators. Some of the final principal tones may be dependent from the preceding principal tone while some others may be independent. There may be also be provided a storage of the structure of music which is reflected in a series of the final principal tones.