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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A performance recording/reproducing apparatus for recording and editing
plural channels of playing information for electronic instruments,
comprising:
recording means for recording playing information as event data on at least
a record track and a merge track, where the merge track contains plural
channels of event data;
reproducing means for reproducing the event data stored in the recording
means;
discrimination means for discriminating a channel contained on the merge
track from other channels stored on the merge track;
data transfer means for transferring the discriminated channel from the
merge track to the record track;
editing means for editing the event data of a specific channel on the
record track, the specific channel event data being transferred to the
record track by the data transfer means; and
merging means for merging the specific channel edited by the editing means
with a channel on the merge track.
2. The performance recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 1, in which:
each channel of event data comprises code data for identifying the channel;
and
the discrimination means discriminates a given channel of event data by
determining which of the plural channels of event data stored on the merge
track contains the code data for the given channel.
3. The performance recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 2, in which
each channel of event data comprises plural data blocks containing data
bytes, where a first data byte contains a plurality of channel indicating
bits for indicating the channel to which the data block belongs.
4. The performance recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 3, in which the
discrimination means discriminates a given channel by comparing the
channel indicating bits in each first data byte of each data block with
predetermined channel indicating bits for the given channel.
5. The performance recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 3, in which the
first data byte further contains an identity bit for identifying the first
data byte.
6. The performance recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 5, in which the
first data byte further contains a plurality of bits for indicating the
status of the operation of the channel.
7. The performance recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 6, in which
said data bytes includ a second data byte containing a plurality of bits
for determining pitches of sound.
8. The performance recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 7, in which
said data bytes include a third data byte containing a plurality of bits
for determining volumes of sound.
9. The performance recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said discrimination means comprises determining means for
determining whether event data of a specific channel on the merge track is
to beone of corrected and modified, said data transfer means comprising
writing means for writing the determined event data on the merge track to
the recording track, said apparatus further comprising eliminating means
for eliminating the written event data from the merge track.
10. The performance recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said editing means comprises function keys and shift keys of a
MIDI sequencer.
11. A performance recording/reproducing apparatus for recording and editing
plural channels of playing information for electronic instruments,
comprising:
recording means for recording playing information as event data on at least
a record track and a merge track, where the merge track contains plural
channels of event data and each channel of event data comprises code data
for identifying the channel;
reproducing means for reproducing the event data stored in the recording
means; and
editing means for discriminating a given channel contained on the merge
track from other channels stored on the merge track by determining which
of the plural channels of event data stored on the merge track contains
the code data for the given channel and for transferring the event data
having the code data for the given channel from the merge track to the
record track.
12. The performance recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 11, in which
each channel of event data comprises plural data blocks containing plural
data bytes, where a first data byte contains a plurality of channel
indicating bits for indicating the channel to which the data block
belongs.
13. The performance recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 12, in which
the editing means discriminates a given channel by comparing the channel
indicating bits in each first data byte of each data block with
predetermined channel indicating bits for the given channel.
14. The performance recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 12, in which
the first data byte further contains an identity bit for identifying the
first data byte.
15. The performance recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 14, in which
the first data byte further contains a plurality of bits for indicating
the status of operation of the channel.
16. The performance recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 15, in which
said data bytes include a second data byte containing a plurality of bits
for determining pitches of sound.
17. The performance recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 16, in which
said data bytes include a third data byte containing a plurality of bits
for determining volumes of sound.
18. A performance recording/reproducing apparatus for recording and editing
plural channels of playing information for electronic instruments,
comprising:
input means for receiving playing information represented by event data
from one or more electronic instruments;
recording means for storing the event data on at least a record track and a
merge track, where the merge track contains plural channels of event data
and each channel of event data comprises code data for identifying the
channel;
reproducing means for reproducing the event data stored in the recording
means;
output means for sending the event data at least one electronic instrument,
where the at least one electronic instrument generates sound from the
event data; and
editing means for discriminating a given channel contained on the merge
track from other channels stored on the merge track by determining which
of the plural channels of event data stored on the merge track contains
the code data for the given channel and for transferring the event data
having the code data for the given channel from the merge track to the
record track.
19. The performance recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 18, in which
each channel of event data comprises plural data blocks containing plural
bytes, where a first data byte contains a plurality of channel indicating
bits for indicating the channel to which the data block belongs.
20. The performance recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 19, in which
the editing means discriminates a given channel by comparing the channel
indicating bits in each first data byte of each data block with
predetermined channel indicating bits for the given channel. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to performance recording/reproducing apparatus for
recording and reproducing information for controlling electronic
instruments to generate music.
Performance recording/reproducing apparatus utilizing playing information
of an MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) have been proposed in,
for example, Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No.
Sho-63-193193. The apparatus records playing information input from a
keyboard of an electronic instrument or a computer in the form of digital
event data showing the operation of keys on the keyboard and reproduces
the playing information to output it to a computer or any other sound
sources.
In the general performance recording/reproducing apparatus above, each
channel consists of playing information input from each of plural
electronic instruments; that is, each channel is assigned to playing
information for an electronic instrument. The playing information is
generally recorded on a recording track or a merge track set in a memory
of the performance recording/reproducing apparatus with corresponding time
data.
A performance of music is recorded in the following steps. A channel of
playing information sent from an electronic instrument is recorded on a
recording track. The playing information on the recording track is
reproduced, checked, and then transferred to a merge track. A channel of
playing information for another electronic instrument is recorded on the
recording track, reproduced, checked, and then merged with the information
on the merge track. In the above manner, plural channels of playing
information are successively transferred to the merge track to be merged
thereon; the whole performance of music is thus completed.
The above method, however, gives great inconvenience and trouble when some
correction or modification is required for only part of the playing
information merged on the merge track. Once plural channels of playing
information are merged on the merge track, it is impossible to pick up
only a specific channel of playing information to be corrected or
modified. Correction or modification of playing information thus means
performance of music from the beginning once again. It accordingly takes
time to complete recording of performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One objective of the invention is thus to provide a performance
recording/reproducing apparatus for recording a performance easily and
rapidly.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a performance
recording/reproducing apparatus in which part of playing data is
efficiently corrected or modified.
The above and other related objectives are realized by a performance
recording/reproducing apparatus, shown in FIG. 1, for recording event data
for an electronic instrument M1 as plural channels of playing information
on one of tracks of playing information recording means M2 and for
reproducing the event data recorded. The performance recording/reproducing
apparatus includes data discrimination means M3 for discriminating a
specific channel of playing information from the other channels of playing
information all merged on one of the tracks of the playing information
recording means M2. The performance recording/reproducing apparatus
further includes data transfer means M4 for transferring playing
information of the specific channel discriminated by the data
discrimination means M3 from the track storing the playing information to
another track.
The performance recording/reproducing apparatus of the invention records
event data for the electronic instrument M1 as plural channels of playing
information on one of the tracks of the playing information recording
means M2 and then reproduces the event data recorded. The data
discrimination means M3 discriminates a specific channel of playing
information, which needs correction or modification from the other
channels of playing information all merged on one of the tracks of the
playing information recording means M2. The data transfer means M4
transfers playing information of the specific channel discriminated by the
data discrimination means M3 from the track storing the playing
information to another track. The apparatus thus efficiently corrects or
modifies only playing information of the specific channel transferred and
accordingly completes recording of performance in a short while.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may be best understood by referring to the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings,
wherein like numerals denote like elements and in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing features of the invention;
FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a system including an MIDI
sequencer and a keyboard, embodying the invention;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of the MIDI sequencer and
the keyboard of FIG. 2;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are views illustrating contents of playing information;
FIGS. 5A through 5D are views showing processes for recording playing
information on tracks;
FIGS. 6A through 6D are views showing processes for correcting part of
playing information; and
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing steps for correcting or modifying playing
information.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A preferred embodiment of the invention is now described referring to the
drawings.
As shown in FIG. 2, an MIDI sequencer 1 includes a floppy disk unit 3, a
liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as LCD) 5, function keys 7
and shift keys 9. The floppy disk unit 3 records and stores information
for playing music including event data and time data into a recording
medium or a floppy disk and then reproduces the information stored. The
floppy disk unit 3 has a slot 3a in which a floppy disk is inserted, an
access lamp 3b for indicating that the unit is recording or reproducing,
and an eject button 3c for ejecting a floppy disk.
The MIDI sequencer 1 is connected to a keyboard 11 of an electronic
instrument through MIDI signal cables 13 and 15. The sequencer 1 receives
event data from the keyboard 11 and stores the event data together with
time data showing the time of the reception as playing information; the
sequencer also outputs event data corresponding to time data to the
keyboard 11 or another musical instrument to make it sound. The keyboard
11 distributes event data sent from the MIDI sequencer 1 to other
electronic instruments.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the signal processing system. The MIDI
sequencer 1 has a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU)
1a, a read only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) 1b, a random
access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) 1c and a timer 1d, which
compose a digital computer. The MIDI sequencer 1 further includes a floppy
disk controller le for driving and controlling the floppy disk unit 3, an
LCD controller 1f for driving and controlling the LCD 5, an interface 1g
for inputting and outputting event data in sequence, an input interface 1h
for the keys 7 and 9, and a bus line 1i for connecting them to one another
to transmit various signals.
The keyboard 11 also has a CPU 11a, a ROM 11b, a RAM 11c and a timer 11d,
which compose a digital computer. The keyboard 11 further includes a sound
source 11e for converting digital event data into analog sound signal, an
amplifier 11f for amplifying the analog sound signal, a speaker 11g for
generating the amplified sound signal, an interface 11i for keys 11h, an
interface 11j for inputting and outputting event data in sequence, and a
bus line 11k for connecting them to one another to transmit various
signals.
Playing information processed in the MIDI sequencer 1 is explained based on
views of FIGS. 4A and 4B.
The MIDI sequencer 1 for processing MIDI playing information records key
event data in the RAM 1b together with time data and then reproduces and
outputs the key event data corresponding to the time data recorded. Here
the key event data shows pressing on and off of the keys llh (what is
called `note on` and `note off`) and the time data shows the time when the
key event data is generated.
Playing information includes a channel message for each of the plural
channels, where each channel is assigned to an electronic instrument, and
a system message for the system as a whole. The channel message includes,
as shown in FIG. 4A, `note on` and `note off` information. Each unit of
the `note on` or `note off` information generally consists of three bytes:
a status byte or a first data byte B1 for executing operation, e.g.,
generating sound, and discriminating a specific channel from others; a
note number byte or a second data byte B2 for determining pitches of
sound; and a velocity byte or a third data byte B3 for determining volumes
of sound. In FIG. 4A, X denotes a channel number and H indicates that data
is expressed by hexadecimal notation.
As seen in FIG. 4B, the seventh bit of the first data byte B1 is `1`; the
number establishes the identity of the first data byte B1. The sixth
through the fourth bits indicate various status words like `note on`; that
is, they are code data for operation. The third through the null bits
indicate various channels; that is, they are code data for discriminating
a specific channel from others. Combinations of digits on the status byte
B1 give eight different status words and sixteen different channels.
Status words other than `note on` include polyphonic key pressure, control
change, and program change.
Each seventh bit of the second data byte B2 and the third data byte B3 is
`0`; the number establishes the identity of the data byte B2 or B3. The
lower seven bits of B2 and B3 are operational code data indicating a
hundred twenty eight different pitches and volumes, respectively.
The operation of the MIDI sequencer 1 and the keyboard 11 with MIDI playing
information are explained based on views of FIGS. 5A through 5D and FIGS.
6A through 6D, and a flow chart of FIG. 7.
Playing information is recorded and merged in the following manner to
complete performance of music.
Playing information for an electronic instrument, e.g., the keyboard 11, is
recorded as event data of channel 1 together with corresponding time data
TD on a recording track RT in the RAM 1d (see FIG. 5A) and is then
transferred to a merge track MT (see FIG. 5B). The time data TD, e.g., T1
or T2, is marked at predetermined time intervals. Playing information for
another electronic instrument (not shown) is recorded as event data of
channel 2 with corresponding time data TD on the recording track RT (see
FIG. 5C) and is then transferred to the merge track MT (see FIG. 5D). Now
event data of channel 1 and channel 2 are merged on the merge track MT
(see FIG. 5D). In the above manner, event data for various electronic
instruments are successively merged on the merge track MT to complete
performance.
When some correction or modification is required for a specific channel of
event data while performance is being recorded, only the event data for
the specific channel is transferred back to the recording track RT now
used as a working track. For example, only event data of channel 2 is
transferred back to the recording track RT from the merge track MT on
which event data of channels 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 are merged as shown in FIG.
6A.
Now steps for correcting or modifying part of playing information are
explained with a flow chart of FIG. 7. Data of all the channels recorded
on the merge track MT are successively checked. At step Sl, event data on
the merge track MT are successively read out and stored into a register
corresponding to time data TD like T1 or T2. The program then proceeds to
step S2 where it is determined if data stored in the register is of a
channel to be transferred for correction or modification (channel 2 in the
embodiment) by code data of the lower four bits of the status byte B1
showing various channels.
When data is determined to be of channel 2, the program proceeds to step S3
where the data of channel 2 is written into the working track together
with corresponding time data TD as shown in FIG. 6B and also to step S4
where an elimination mark FE is written in all the parts corresponding to
data of channel 2 on the merge track MT.
Then at step S5 it is determined if all data is checked in the above
manner. When the check is finished for all the data, the program proceeds
to step S6 where all the parts with the elimination mark FE on the merge
track MT are eliminated as shown in FIG. 6C.
At step S7 data transferred to the working track RT is corrected or
modified. While a performance is being reproduced, data of channel 2 is
corrected or modified by eliminating data for a certain time period or by
recording data again with the function keys 7 and the shift keys 9 of the
MIDI sequencer 1.
Then the program proceeds to step S8 where data of channel 2 corrected or
modified is merged again on the merge track MT as shown in FIG. 6D and
exits from the routine. Only data of channel 2 on the merge track MT has
been corrected or modified.
As explained above with the flow chart of FIG. 7, only a specific channel
of playing information, i.e., playing information which needs correction
or modification, is discriminated from the other channels of playing
information merged on the merge track MT, is transferred to the working
track RT to be corrected or modified and is then recorded on the merge
track MT again. Recording of performance is thus easily and rapidly
completed. Further, the embodiment requires only two tracks since the
recording track RT also functions as the working track.
The invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but there may be many
modifications and changes without departing from the scope of the
invention.
Though plural electronic instruments are used and a channel is assigned to
each of the instruments in the embodiment, only one electronic instrument
may be used and be played many times and a channel may be assigned to each
performance.
Every time when specific data is transferred from the merge track MT to the
working track RT, the data may be eliminated. Specific data on the merge
track MT may not be given the elimination mark FE until its correction is
completed. The corrected data may then be written over the old one on the
merge track MT. This method has such an advantage that uncorrected data is
kept until the end of the correction process.
In the performance recording/reproducing apparatus of the invention, data
discrimination means discriminates a specific channel of playing
information, which needs correction or modification, from the other
channels of playing information all merged on one of the tracks of playing
information recording means. Data transfer means transfers playing
information of the specific channel discriminated by the data
discrimination means from the track storing the playing information to
another track. The apparatus thus efficiently corrects or modifies only
playing information of the specific channel transferred and accordingly
completes recording of performance easily and rapidly.
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Description |
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