Abstract: An instrument for recording and playing musical playing data comprises a pattern memory, a timing designation key for designating playing back timing of the pattern data, a sequence track for recording sequence data, and a writing device for writing the pattern data into the sequence track at the playing back timing designated with the timing designation key. The pattern data is read from the pattern memory and transferred to the place, in the sequence track, corresponding to the designated timing. The transferred note data is modified with the designated chord. The instrument further comprises a backing track storing backing data, any part of which can be also transferred to the sequence track.

Abstract: A MIDI apparatus and a MIDI system wherein an operation ON signal for starting operation to a MIDI instrument and an operation OFF signal for stopping the operation are obtained and supplied to the MIDI instrument in response to a MIDI format signal included in a subcode signal generated during play of a record medium play apparatus. If the play state of the record medium play apparatus becomes discontinuous, such as a pause after the operation ON signal is supplied to the MIDI instrument and before the operation OFF signal corresponding to the operation ON signal is obtained, the operation OFF signal is forcedly supplied to the MIDI instrument. Thereby such the sound of the MIDI instrument is stopped when there is a discontinuous play state after the operation ON signal is supplied to the MIDI instrument and before the operation OFF signal corresponding to the operation ON signal would ordinarily be supplied.

Abstract: The invention provides a performance recording/reproducing apparatus including a playing information recording device, a data discrimination device and a data transfer device. The data discrimination device discriminates a specific channel of playing data, which needs correction or modification from the others all merged on one of the tracks of the playing information recording device. The data transfer device transfers data of the specific channel to another track. The apparatus thus efficiently corrects or modifies only data of the specific channel and accordingly completes recording of performance in a short while.

Abstract: The invention provides performance recording apparatus for separately recording plural event data, each corresponding to an electronic instrument, as plural channels of playing information onto playing information recorder. The apparatus includes channel converter for converting a channel discrimination code of newly received event data into another channel discrimination code, and merger for merging event data with the converted channel discrimination code with other event data which have already been recorded on the playing information recorder. Since any identical channel is not assigned to plural event data corresponding to different electronic instruments, playing information corresponding to plural channels is easily processed and stored on the playing information recorder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for studying music includes a music analysis system, which in conjunction with a proprietary storage medium, enables the user to comparatively analyze a recorded musical performance alone or in synchronization with a modifiable synthesized version of the same musical performance. The system further provides facilities for defining specific segments of the original and synthesized performances as well as means for re-orchestrating the synthesized performance, adding additional instrumental parts to the synthesized performance, changing the tempo of the synthesized performance on playback, and electronically displaying and/or printing the score of the synthesized performance. The invention further includes a proprietary storage medium containing data representative of the original musical performance, digital data representative of the synthesized performance and timing data. The invention further discloses a method for generating the data stored on the proprietary storage medium.

Abstract: A recording medium playing apparatus comprises a reading device for reading, from an information recording medium on which a sub-program signal carrying a musical instrument play control signal is written in order together with a main program signal, the main program signal and the sub-program signal simultaneously according to an order of writing, a musical instrument play control signal decoding device for decoding a musical instrument play control signal from the sub-program signal and supplying the musical instrument play control signal to electronic musical instruments, and a control device for controlling the operation of the reading device in response to an operational command. The control device is adapted to command the musical instrument play control signal decoding device to transmit a sound generation stop command signal when the content of the operational command is to cause the reading device to perform a reading operation in which the order of reading is different from the order of writing.

Abstract: In a synchronized sound recording and reproducing system including a tape recorder to playback a tape carrying time code information indicative of particular longitudinal locations of the tape, a sequencer having sound information programmed therein and a manually operated tapping key to be tapped by an operator to produce heat signals, a synchronizing signal generator for providing synchronism between the base sounds reproduced from the tape and the additional sounds reproduced from the sound information memorized in the sequencer, comprising beat interval detecting means operative to detect, on the basis of the time code information from the tape, the time intervals between the successive beat signals produced by the beat signal generating means, and rhythm information generating means for generating rhythm information based on the pattern of the time intervals.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument comprising detection means to detect time positions of an initial part and a terminal part of a voice, extraction means to extract pitch data of the voice, a plurality of processing means to subject the pitch data to different processing operations, means to successively select the processed pitch data of the plurality of processing means in correspondence with the respective detected time positions, and musical sound production means to produce a musical sound on the basis of the processed pitch data delivered from the selection means.

Abstract: Data for a plurality of musical pieces is preset in a ROM pack and also on a tape recorder. Musical piece data read out from the ROM pack or tape recorder is supplied from a control section to melody generators, a chord generator, a bass generator and a rhythm generator. Melody data, chord data, and rhythm data obtained from these generators are coupled through an amplifier to a loudspeaker.

Abstract: Tone data produced by operating a keyboard is stored in a RAM to be saved into a tape recorder through an interface. Of a plurality of music numbers saved in the tape recorder a selected one is loaded into the RAM through the interface. A tone generator converts the tone data from the RAM into a tone signal which is sounded from a loudspeaker. The save and load operations are all controlled by a CPU.

Abstract: In an automatic music playing apparatus, musical data entered at a keyboard are temporarily stored in a RAM and are sequentially recorded on a magnetic tape. The RAM has a memory capacity larger than the longest musical data to be recorded on the magnetic tape and has memory areas which are all accessed by a CPU. The musical data is then recorded in a predetermined data area on the magnetic tape.

Abstract: Apparatus for synchronizing playback rates of a plurality of music sources includes a reference generator generating a reference signal including beats, a music source producing a music signal representative of music, a discriminating circuit operative in response to the music signal for extracting beats involved in the music signal to produce a beat signal representative of the extracted beats, and control circuitry interconnected to the reference generator and music source for determining the time difference between the occurrence of beats involved in the reference signal and the occurrence of the beat signal to regulate the music source so as to make the time difference substantially constant. The music source will thereby produce the music signal with a phase difference of the beats involved in the music signal substantially constant with respect to the beats involved in the reference signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for altering the solenoid drive during playback in a reproducing piano to prevent double hammer strikes. The key is depressed by a solenoid under constant velocity until the point of let-off, and the velocity is then increased to accelerate the continued movement of the key and action so that the hammer rebounding from the string will fall without rebounding from the action against the string a second time. In a preferred embodiment, a microprocessor evaluates the key velocity drive value, and if the velocity called for is above a predetermined level, then no boost is applied to the solenoid.

Abstract: An automatic performing apparatus for use in an electronic musical instrument stores chord name data and chord generation timing data to carry out an automatic chord performance. In spite of frequent variations of a chord during the progression of a music piece, repetitive storage of a same chord name data is not required so that the amount of stored data can be reduced, allowing utilization of a memory of a small capacity.

Abstract: A musical performance or accompaniment unit which is so arranged that, with employment of a so-called sound multiplex system recording medium in which a vocal signal of a singer or the like is recorded on its first track and a musical signal of a musical instrument for accompaniment is recorded on its second track, when a user sings, with the recording medium being subjected to reproduction, singing abilities of the user such as rhythmical feelings, degrees of bass or soprano, etc. are automatically marked for display through comparison and calculation of the above reproduced vocal signal and signal of the song sung by the user.

Abstract: A synchronizing signal generator includes a tape recorder which is adapted to record click signals in response to actuations of a manual switch. Counting clock signals go on while the click recorded signals are reproduced, especially during a length of time extending from receipt of a particular one of the click signals to receipt of the next succeeding click signal. The resultant count is divided by a given numeral value and then the quotient is stored. The clock signals developing between the respective click signals are further counted during the course of reproduction of the click signals from the tape recorder and a pulse signal is delivered whenever the instantaneous count coincides with the stored quotient. Tempo clock signals are obtained through the division of the pulse signal at a selected division ratio out of a plurality of division ratios. The tempo clock signals are fed to a sequencer which in turn generates a control voltage and gate signals synchronous with the tempo clock signals.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for recording electric signals corresponding to piano key operation and for reproducing the piano key operation. The process includes switching a discrete frequency oscillator corresponding to each piano key, algebraically adding the outputs of each oscillator, filtering the algebraic sum of the oscillator outputs through a low pass filter, recording the filtered signal, reproducing said filtered signal through a high pass filter, detecting each frequency in the high pass filtered signal, and energizing an electromechanical device so as to actuate the piano key which had switched the discrete frequency oscillator.

Abstract: A magnetic tape strip for the reproduction of bell sounds is set to play one or more of a multiple number of different melodies or programs wherein the programs are arranged on tape segments in parallel groups with each group separated from each adjacent group by an appropriate divider or "window". Half of the groups of programs are recorded or encoded on one end of the tape and play during tape travel in one direction and the other half recorded or encoded at the other end of the tape and play during travel in the opposite direction.Mechanism acts to physically stop tape travel after completion of each program and when two or more programs are to be played, rewind the tape in the direction opposite the direction of travel needed to play the next selected program. In the event an end of play sensor fails to stop tape travel at the end of a program, an optical sensor will stop tape travel.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument, in the nature of an organ, employs a plurality of endless magnetic tape cartridges, each continuously playing an endless magnetic tape stored therein, each endless tape having recorded thereon a continuous tone, and a keyboard arranged such that depression of a key causes the output of a selected tape cartridge to be played through a speaker system continuously for as long as the key is depressed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for encoding of bass and treble expression effects while recording from the keyboard of an electronic player piano wherein the intensity of the music being recorded is reflected in variations in the power of the acoustic waveform produced thereby. The key note or key switch actuations are multiplexed in a serial bit stream of data and stored in a shift register and then separately combined with the bass and treble expression data bits in a format which, upon re-creation of the original musical presentation, results in a more faithful rendition of the original performance.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for recording digital signals subsequent re-creation of a musical performance from the keyboard of an electronic player piano, wherein the notes are given a stretched effect before recording so as to eliminate the sharpness and mechanical sounding of such music during the re-creation of the performance.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for encoding of expression while recording from the keyboard of an electronic player piano wherein the intensity of the music being recorded is reflected in variations in the power of the acoustic waveform produced thereby. There is a delay between the time the key is struck and the time that the note is sounded or heard by the listener. The apparatus measures the changes in power by performing a digital integration of a waveform. The key note or key switch actuations are multiplexed and a serial bit stream of data and stored in a shift register and then combined with the expression data bits to form the data stream which is encoded in a bi-phase encoder to be recorded on tape.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electronically adaptive player piano roll to magnetic tape formatting system which adapts itself to play the expression music generated from different sources. A plurality of control bits are inserted into vacant or unused bit positions of a prior art time division multiplex frame of musical data encoded, preferably, in a bi-phase mark/space code. The control bits identify the particular type of player piano roll music which has been well known in the prior art, such as a Welte, Ampico or Duo-Art, each of which have different manners of expression for reproducing the playing style of the original artist.

Abstract: There is disclosed a circuit for controlling the expression of an electronically controlled keyboard instrument and is an improvement on the circuit disclosed in application Ser. No. 680,996. The circuit works on the principle that by switching a solenoid on and off at a rapid rate and then varying the time on versus the time off, the energy supplied to the solenoid varies and therefore the striking force of the piano is changed. In accordance with the present invention, precise control over the width of the pulses is achieved by first setting a set voltage level and then adding thereto increments of set voltage according to a binary weighting. These voltages are then added and compared with a triangular voltage in a comparator. Both the up ramp portion and the down ramp portion of the triangular waveform are utilized and compared against the sum voltages. The pulse width of the comparator output is thus a function of the intersection of the ramp voltage, both up and down ramps, with the sum voltage.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for reproducing a musical presentation wherein musical data, from such presentation, such as keyboard actuations of a keyboard-type musical instrument, is encoded and stored in a code which has information contained in the transitions only and the sense and direction of such transitions are ignored. This avoids several major drawbacks of bi-phase level code previously disclosed in the prior art because the (1) phase of the signal need not be maintained and, (2) the bi-phase level code cannot be recovered following a dropout until a 1-0 or a 0-1 transition occurs.There is also disclosed a data dropout detection system for assuring that the wrong music is not played.

Abstract: There is disclosed an expression system for playback of a magnetic tape record rendition of a musical presentation. The detected intensity level for the bass and treble halves of the keyboard are assigned different data bit positions in the frames of recorded data bits of a time division multiplexed record system. The binary bits are weighted and used to modulate the width of pulses supplied to selected solenoids which actuate the striker-hammer members of the instrument so that the average drive energy applied to the solenoid is proportional to the desired intensity thereby more faithfully reproducing the manual action of the original performer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for demultiplexing and storing time division multiplexed frames of musical data encoded ina bi-phase mark/space code. Data in sequential groups of data bit cells is stored in a shift register while a counter counts the data bit cells. A plurality of latch circuits, each capable of storing one said group of data, are sequentially enabled to receive and store the data, in the groups, respectively. After all of the data bit cells in a given time frame are stored, they are simultaneously gated to transistor driver circuits for operating solenoids which, in turn, re-create the music.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument, in the nature of an organ, employs a plurality of endless magnetic tape players, each continuously playing an endless magnetic tape stored therein, each endless tape having recorded thereon a continuous tone, and a keyboard arranged such that depression of a key causes the output of a selected tape player to be played through a speaker system continuously for as long as the key is depressed.A method of recording a continuous tone on a magnetic tape is also disclosed, in which a short loop of a master tape carrying the desired tone is fed sequentially across two transducer heads and the output of the heads is selectively fed toa tape player in the record mode so as to avoid recording the splice on the master tape.

Abstract: Data for a plurality of musical pieces is preset in a ROM pack and also on a tape recorder. Musical piece data read out from the ROM pack or tape recorder is supplied from a control section to melody generators, a chord generator, a bass generator and a rhythm generator. Melody data, chord data, and rhythm data obtained from these generators are coupled through an amplifier to a loudspeaker.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument comprising detection means to detect time positions of an initial part and a terminal part of a voice, extraction means to extract pitch data of the voice, a plurality of processing means to subject the pitch data to different processing operations, means to successively select the processed pitch data of the plurality of processing means in correspondence with the respective detected time positions, and musical sound production means to produce a musical sound on the basis of the processed pitch data delivered from the selection means.