USRE37367EExpiredUtilityPatentIndex 74
Computerized music system having software and hardware sound sources
Est. expiryJun 6, 2015(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
G10H 7/004G10H 2240/305G10H 2230/041G10H 2240/241G10H 2240/291G10H 2240/311G10H 2250/511G10H 2240/315G10H 7/006G10H 2240/271
74
PatentIndex Score
11
Cited by
27
References
107
Claims
Abstract
A musical sound generating apparatus creates a waveform to generate a musical sound according to performance information. In the apparatus, a first waveform generator is operable for creating a waveform. A second waveform generator is operable independently from the first waveform generator for creating a waveform. An input device provides performance information. A designating device designates at least one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator in correspondence with the provided performance information. A controller selectively operates the designated one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to create the waveform according to the provided performance information. An output device generates the musical sound based on the created waveform. The second waveform generator, the input device, the designating device and the controller are integrated with each other to constitute a main part composed of a computer, while the first waveform generator alone constitutes a supplementary part which is separate from the main part and which is optionally installable in the computer.
Claims
exact text as granted — not AI-modifiedWhat is claimed is:
1. A musical sound generating apparatus for creating a waveform to generate a musical sound according to performance information, comprising:
first waveform generator means operable for creating a waveform;
second waveform generator means operable independently from the first waveform generator means for creating a waveform;
input means for providing performance information;
designating means for designating at least one of the first waveform generator means and the second waveform generator means, in correspondence with the provided performance information;
controller means for selectively operating the designated one of the first waveform generator means and the second waveform generator means to create the waveform according to the provided performance information; and
output means for generating the musical sound based on the created waveform, wherein the first waveform generator means comprises a hardware module driven by the controller means, while the second waveform generator means comprises a software module installable in the controller means.
2. A musical sound generating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the input means comprises means for providing performance information which contains timbre information effective to specify a timbre of the musical sound and timing information effective to specify a timing of generation of the musical sound, and wherein the designating means comprises means for designating one of the first waveform generator means and the second waveform generator means in correspondence with the timbre information so that the output means generates the musical sound having the specified timber at the specified timing.
3. A musical sound generating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the designating means includes means operable for coincidently designating both of the first waveform generator means and the second waveform generator means so that the controller means operates both of the first waveform generator means and the second waveform generator means to concurrently create waveforms in a parallel manner.
4. A musical sound generating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the input means comprises means for providing performance information effective to command concurrent generation of a plurality of musical sounds, and wherein the designating means comprises means for designating one of the first waveform generator means and the second waveform generator means according to a number of concurrent musical sounds specified by the performance information such that the designated one has a capacity sufficient to create a number of waveforms corresponding to the number of the musical sounds.
5. A musical sound generating apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the designating means further comprises means operative when the number of the concurrent musical sounds exceeds a capacity of either of the first waveform generator means and the second waveform generator means for designating both of the first waveform generator means and the second waveform generator means to ensure complete generation of the concurrent musical sounds.
6. A musical sound generating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first waveform generator means comprises an external waveform generator optionally connectable to the controller means while the second waveform generator means comprises an internal waveform generator integrated with the controller means so that the designating means designates the internal waveform generator in place of the external waveform generator when the same is not connected to the controller means even though the external waveform generator should primarily correspond to the provided performance information.
7. A musical sound generating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second waveform generator means, the input means, the designating means and the controller means are integrated with each other to constitute a main part composed of a computer, while the first waveform generator means alone constitutes a supplementary part which is separate from the main part and which is optionally installable in the computer.
8. A musical sound generating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second waveform generator means comprises a plurality of digital waveform generators which are operable based on different algorithms to arithmetically create digital waveforms having different qualities, and wherein the controller means comprises means for selectively operating an optimal one of the digital waveform generators according to the provided performance information.
9. A musical sound generating apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the second waveform generator means includes a digital waveform generator of a waveform memory type operable based on a relatively simple algorithm to create a digital waveform having a relatively low quality, and another digital waveform generator operable based on a relatively complicated algorithm to create another digital waveform having a relatively high quality.
10. A musical sound generating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second waveform generator means comprises a computerized waveform generator operable according to a given algorithm at a variable operation speed to create a digital waveform by successively computing sample values of the digital waveform, and wherein the controller means comprises means for provisionally operating the computerized waveform generator to carry out trial creation of a model digital waveform while measuring the operation speed at which the trial creation is carried out, determining means for optionally determining a sampling frequency comparable to the measured operation speed, and means for actually operating the computerized waveform generator to enable the same to successively compute sample values of an actual digital waveform at the determined sampling frequency according to the provided performance information.
11. A musical sound generating apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the determining means comprises means for fixing the sampling frequency to one of stepwise predetermined levels, which is lower than and closest to the measured operation speed.
12. A musical sound generating apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the controller means further comprises changing means operative when the determined sampling frequency falls below a critical level which is defined to ensure a minimal quality of the digital waveform for changing the algorithm to raise the operation speed of the computerized waveform generator so that the sampling frequency can be redetermined to exceed the critical level.
13. A musical sound generating apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the changing means comprises means for changing the algorithm from a complicated one to a simplified one such that the computerized waveform generator operates based on the simplified one of the algorithms to successively read out prestored ones of sample values to reproductively create the digital waveform.
14. A musical sound generating apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the computerized waveform generator successively reads out prestored ones of sample values which are provisionally computed according to the complicated algorithm before the same is changed to the simplified algorithm.
15. A sound generating apparats for creating a digital waveform to generate a musical sound according to performance information, comprising:
input means for providing performance information;
computerized waveform generator means operable based on a given algorithm at a variable operation speed to create a digital waveform by successively computing sample values of the digital waveform;
trial means for provisionally operating the computerized waveform generator to carry out trial creation of a model digital waveform while measuring the operation speed at which the trial creation is carried out;
determining means for optimally determining a sampling frequency comparable to the measured operation speed;
controller means for actually operating the computerized waveform generator to enable the same to successively compute sample values of an actual digital waveform at the determined sampling frequency; and
output means for generating the musical sound based on the actual digital waveform according to the provided performance information.
16. A musical sound generating method of creating a waveform to generate a musical sound according to performance information, comprising the steps of:
preparing a first waveform generator operable for creating a waveform;
preparing a second waveform generator operable independently from the first waveform generator for creating a waveform;
providing performance information;
designating at least one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator in correspondence with the provided performance information;
selectively operating the designated one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator by means of a controller to create the waveform according to the provided performance information; and
generating the musical sound based on the created waveform, wherein the first waveform generator comprises a hardware module driven by the controller, while the second waveform generator comprises a software module installable in the controller.
17. A musical sound generating method according to claim 16 , wherein the providing step comprises providing performance information which contains timbre information effective to specify a timbre of the musical sound and timing information effective to specify a timing of generation of the musical sound, and wherein the designating step comprises designating one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator in correspondence with the timbre information so that the musical sound having the specified timber is generated at the specified timing.
18. A musical sound generating method according to claim 16 , wherein the designating step includes coincidently designating both of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator so that the controller operates both of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to concurrently create waveforms in a parallel manner.
19. A musical sound generating method according to claim 16 , wherein the providing step comprises providing performance information effective to command concurrent generation of a plurality of musical sounds, and wherein the designating step comprises designating one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator according to a number of concurrent musical sounds specified by the performance information such that the designated one has a capacity sufficient to create a number of waveforms corresponding to the number of the musical sounds.
20. A musical sound generating method according to claim 19 , wherein the designating step further comprises designating both of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to ensure complete generation of the concurrent musical sounds when the number of the concurrent musical sounds exceeds a capacity of either of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator.
21. A musical sound generating method according to claim 16 , wherein the preparing steps comprise preparing the first waveform generator composed of an external waveform generator optionally connectable to the controller and the second waveform generator composed of an internal waveform generator integrated with the controller so that the internal waveform generator is designated in place of the external waveform generator when the same is not connected to the controller even though the external waveform generator should primarily correspond to the provided performance information.
22. A musical sound generating method according to claim 16 , wherein the preparing step comprises preparing the second waveform generator composed of a plurality of digital waveform generators which are operable based on different algorithms to arithmetically create digital waveforms having different qualities, and wherein the operating step comprises selectively operating an optimal one of the digital waveform generators according to the provided performance information.
23. A musical sound generating method according to claim 22 , wherein the preparing step comprises preparing the second waveform generator including a digital waveform generator of a waveform memory type operable based on a relatively simple algorithm to create a digital waveform having a relatively low quality, and another digital waveform generator operable based on a relatively complicated algorithm to create another digital waveform having a relatively high quality.
24. A musical sound generating method according to claim 16 , wherein the preparing step comprises preparing the second waveform generator composed of a computerized waveform generator operable according to a given algorithm at a variable operation speed to create a digital waveform by successively computing sample values of the digital waveform, and wherein the operating step comprises steps of provisionally operating the computerized waveform generator to carry out trial creation of a model digital waveform while measuring the operation speed at which the trial creation is carried out, optimally determining a sampling frequency comparable to the measured operation speed, and actually operating the computerized waveform generator to enable the same to successively compute sample values of an actual digital waveform at the determined sampling frequency according to the provided performance information.
25. A musical sound generating method according to claim 24 , wherein the determining step comprises fixing the sampling frequency to one of stepwise predetermined levels, which is lower than and closest to the measured operation speed.
26. A musical sound generating method according to claim 24 , wherein the operating step further comprises changing the algorithm to raise the operation speed of the computerized waveform generator so that the sampling frequency can be redetermined to exceed the critical level when the determined sampling frequency falls below a critical level which is defined to ensure a minimal quality of the digital waveform.
27. A musical sound generating method according to claim 26 , wherein the changing step comprises changing the algorithm from a complicated one to a simplified one such that the computerized waveform generator operates based on the simplified one of the algorithm to successively read out prestored ones of sample values to reproductively create the digital waveform.
28. A musical sound generating method according to claim 27 , wherein the preparing step comprises preparing the computerized waveform generator which successively reads out prestored ones of sample values which are provisionally computed according to the complicated algorithm before the same is changed to the simplified algorithm.
29. A sound generating method of creating a digital waveform to generate a musical sound according to performance information the method, comprising the steps of:
providing performance information;
preparing a computerized waveform generator operable based on a given algorithm at a variable operation speed to create a digital waveform by successively computing sample values of the digital waveform;
provisionally operating the computerized waveform generator to carry out trial creation of a model digital waveform while measuring the operation speed at which the trial creation is carried out;
optimally determining a sampling frequency comparable to the measured operation speed;
actually operating the computerized waveform generator to enable the same to successively compute sample values of an actual digital waveform at the determined sampling frequency; and
generating the musical sound based on the actual digital waveform according to the provided performance information.
30. A machine readable media containing instructions for causing said machine to perform a method of creating a waveform to generate a musical sound according to performance information, the method comprising the steps of:
preparing a first waveform generator operable for creating a waveform;
preparing a second waveform generator operable independently from the first waveform generator for creating a waveform;
providing performance information;
designating at least one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator in correspondence with the provided performance information;
selectively operating the designated one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator by means of a controller to create the waveform according to the provided performance information; and
generating the musical sound based on the created waveform, wherein the first waveform generator comprises a hardware module driven by the controller, while the second waveform generator comprises a software module installable in the controller.
31. A machine readable media according to claim 30 , wherein the providing step comprises providing performance information which contains timbre information effective to specify a timbre of the musical sound and timing information effective to specify a timing of generation of the musical sound, and wherein the designating step comprises designating one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator in correspondence with the timbre information so that the musical sound having the specified timber is generated at the specified timing.
32. A machine readable media according to claim 30 , wherein the designating step includes coincidently designating both of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator so that the controller operates both of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to concurrently create waveforms in a parallel manner.
33. A machine readable media according to claim 30 , wherein the providing step comprises providing performance information effective to command concurrent generation of a plurality of musical sounds, and wherein the designating step comprises designating one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator according to a number of concurrent musical sounds specified by the performance information such that the designated one has a capacity sufficient to create a number of waveforms corresponding to the number of the musical sounds.
34. A machine readable media according to claim 33 , wherein the designating step further comprises designating both of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to ensure complete generation of the concurrent musical sounds when the number of the concurrent musical sounds exceeds a capacity of either of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator.
35. A machine readable media according to claim 30 , wherein the preparing steps comprise preparing the first waveform generator composed of an external waveform generator optionally connectable to the controller and the second waveform generator composed of an internal waveform generator integrated with the controller so that the internal waveform generator is designated in place of the external waveform generator when the same is not connected to the controller even though the external waveform generator should primarily correspond to the provided performance information.
36. A machine readable media according to claim 30 , wherein the preparing step comprises preparing the second waveform generator composed of a plurality of digital waveform generators which are operable based on different algorithms to arithmetically create digital waveforms having different qualities, and wherein the operating step comprises selectively operating an optimal one of the digital waveform generators according to the provided performance information.
37. A machine readable media according to claim 36 , wherein the preparing step comprises preparing the second waveform generator including a digital waveform generator of a waveform memory type operable based on a relatively simple algorithm to create a digital waveform having a relatively low quality, and mother digital waveform generator operable based on a relatively complicated algorithm to create another digital waveform having a relatively high quality.
38. A machine readable media according to claim 30 , wherein the preparing step comprises preparing the second waveform generator composed of a computerized waveform generator operable according to a given algorithm at a variable operation speed to create a digital waveform by successively computing sample values of the digital waveform, and wherein the operating step comprises steps of provisionally operating the computerized waveform generator to carry out trial creation of a model digital waveform while measuring the operation speed at which the trial creation is carried out, optionally determining a sampling frequency comparable to the measured operation speed, and actually operating the computerized waveform generator to enable the same to successively compute sample values of an actual digital waveform at the determined sampling frequency according to the provided performance information.
39. A machine readable media according to claim 38 , wherein the determining step comprises fixing the sampling frequency to one of stepwise predetermined levels, which is lower than and closest to the measured operation speed.
40. A machine readable media according to claim 38 , wherein the operating step further comprises changing the algorithm to raise the operation speed of the computerized waveform generator so that the sampling frequency can be redetermined to exceed the critical level when the determined sampling frequency falls below a critical level which is defined to ensure a minimal quality of the digital waveform.
41. A machine readable media according to claim 40 , wherein the changing step comprises changing the algorithm from a complicated one to a simplified one such that the computerized waveform generator operates based on the simplified one of the algorithms to successively read out prestored ones of sample values to reproductively create the digital waveform.
42. A machine readable media according to claim 41 , wherein the preparing step comprises preparing the computerized waveform generator which successively reads out prestored ones of sample values which are provisionally computed according to the complicated algorithm before the same is changed to the simplified algorithm.
43. A machine readable media containing instructions for causing said machine to perform a method of creating a digital waveform to generate a musical sound according to performance information, the method comprising the steps of:
providing performance information;
preparing a computerized waveform generator operable based on a given algorithm at a variable operation speed to create a digital waveform by successively computing simple values of the digital waveform;
provisionally operating the computerized waveform generator to carry out trial creation of a model digital waveform while measuring the operation speed at which the trial creation is carried out;
optimally determining a sampling frequency comparable to the measured operation speed;
actually operating the computerized waveform generator to enable the same to successively compute sample values of an actual digital waveform at the determined sampling frequency; and
generating the musical sound based on the actual digital waveform according to the provided performance information.
44. A music apparatus comprising:
a processor;
a first waveform generator comprising a hardware device driven by the processor;
a second waveform generator comprising a software program executed by the processor; and
a program memory storing instructions for causing the processor to execute a musical sound generating process according to performance information, the musical sound generating process comprising the steps of:
preparing the first waveform generator operable for creating a waveform;
preparing the second waveform generator operable independently from the first waveform generator for creating a waveform;
receiving the performance information;
designating at least one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator;
selectively operating the designated one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to create the waveform according to the received performance information; and
generating a musical sound based on the created waveform.
45. The music apparatus according to claim 44 , further comprising a sequencer comprising an automatic performance program executable by the processor, and wherein the step of receiving comprises receiving the performance information provided automatically from the sequencer.
46. The music apparatus according to claim 44 , wherein the step of receiving comprises receiving the performance information from an interface connectable, under control by the processor, to an external source of the performance information.
47. The music apparatus according to claim 44 , wherein the step of receiving comprises receiving the performance information from an input- device, the input - device being manually playable to provide the performance information.
48. The music apparatus according to claim 44 , wherein the step of receiving comprises retrieving the performance information from a storage medium storing the performance information.
49. The music apparatus according to claim 44 , wherein the step of designating comprises designating at least one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator in correspondence with the received performance information.
50. The music apparatus according to claim 44 , wherein the step of designating comprises designating at least one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator according to an operating speed of the processor available for executing the musical sound generating process.
51. The music apparatus according to claim 44 , wherein the step of designating comprises designating at least one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator according to a channel capacity of the processor available for executing the musical sound generating process.
52. The music apparatus according to claim 44 , wherein the step of preparing comprises preparing a plurality of second waveform generators in the form of a plurality of software programs corresponding to different modes of the musical sound generating process such that the step of designating can selectively designate one of the second waveform generators.
53. The music apparatus according to claim 44 wherein the hardware device comprises a digital signal processor that executes a microprogram under control of the processor for processing the performance information to create the waveform.
54. The music apparatus according to claim 44 , wherein the hardware device comprises a large- scale integrated circuit that receives the performance information through the processor to create the waveform.
55. The music apparatus according to claim 44 , wherein the hardware device comprises a large scale integrated circuit including at least a sound source device that receives the performance information through the processor to create the waveform and a digital- to - analog converter that converts the created waveform into a corresponding analog signal of the musical sound.
56. The music apparatus according to claim 44 , wherein the hardware device comprises a remote sound source system that receives the performance information from the processor and returns the created waveform to the processor.
57. A music apparatus comprising:
a computer having a processor and a program memory storing instructions for causing the processor to execute a process of creating a digital waveform to generate a musical sound according to performance information, the process comprising the steps of:
receiving the performance information;
preparing a computerized waveform generator operable, based on a given algorithm, at a variable operation speed to create a digital waveform by successively computing sample values of the digital waveform;
provisionally operating the computerized waveform generator to carry out trial creation of a model digital waveform while measuring the operation speed at which the trial creation is carried out;
optimally determining a sampling frequency comparable to the measured operation speed;
operating the computerized waveform generator to successively compute sample values of an actual digital waveform at the determined sampling frequency; and
generating the musical sound based on the actual digital waveform according to the received performance information.
58. A music apparatus comprising:
a central processor;
a first waveform generator comprising a hardware device driven by the central processor;
a second waveform generator comprising a software program executed by the central processor;
a digital - to - analog converter provided commonly for both of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator; and
a program memory storing instructions for causing the central processor to execute a musical sound generating process according to performance information, the musical sound generating process comprising the steps of:
preparing the first waveform generator operable for creating a digital waveform;
preparing the second waveform generator operable independently from the first waveform generator for creating a digital waveform;
receiving the performance information;
operating either of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to create the digital waveform according to the received performance information; and
operating the digital - to - analog converter to convert the digital waveform created by either of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator into a corresponding analog signal of a musical sound.
59. A music apparatus comprising:
a central processor;
first and second waveform generators;
a program memory storing instructions for causing the central processor to execute a musical sound generating process according to performance information, the musical sound generating process comprising the steps of:
preparing the first waveform generator operable for creating a waveform;
preparing the second waveform generator operable in addition to the first waveform generator for creating a waveform;
receiving the performance information;
designating the first waveform generator, in precedence to the second waveform generator, when the first waveform generator is sufficient to process the received performance information and designating the second waveform generator when the first waveform generator is insufficient to process the received performance information;
operating the first waveform generator to create the waveform and, when the second waveform generator is designated, additionally operating the second waveform generator to create the waveform according to the received performance information; and
generating a musical sound based on the created waveform.
60. The music apparatus according to claim 59 , wherein the step of receiving comprises receiving the performance information for a plurality of concurrent musical sounds, and wherein the step of designating comprises designating the first waveform generator to create a number of waveforms corresponding to the concurrent musical sounds specified by the performance information, and when the number of the waveforms exceeds the capacity of the first waveform generator, further designating the second waveform generator to create the remaining waveforms, thereby ensuring complete generation of the concurrent musical sounds by both of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator.
61. The music apparatus according to claim 59 , wherein the first waveform generator includes a hardware device driven by the central processor and the second waveform generator includes a software program executable by the central processor, and wherein the step of designating comprises designating the second waveform generator when an operating speed of the central processor allows execution of the software program.
62. The music apparatus according to claim 59 , wherein the first waveform generator includes a hardware device driven by the central processor and the second waveform generator includes a software program executable by the central processor, and wherein the step of designating comprises designating the second waveform generator when a channel capacity of the central processor allows execution of the software program.
63. The music apparatus according to claim 59 , wherein at least one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator comprises a software program executed by the central processor.
64. The music apparatus according to claim 63 , wherein the other of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator comprises a hardware device driven by the central processor.
65. A music apparatus comprising:
a central processor;
a program memory storing instructions for causing the central processor to execute a process of generating a musical sound according to performance information, wherein the process comprises the steps of:
detecting whether a first waveform generator, comprised of a hardware device selectively connected with and driven by the central processor for creating a waveform, is connected with the central processor,
preparing a second waveform generator comprised of a software program executable by the central processor for creating a waveform;
receiving the performance information;
designating either of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator when the first waveform generator is detected to be connected with the central processor, and otherwise designating the second waveform generator when the first waveform generator is not detected to be connected with the central processor;
selectively operating the designated one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to create the waveform according to the received performance information; and
generating the musical sound based on the created waveform.
66. The music apparatus according to claim 65 , wherein the step of designating comprises designating the first waveform generator in precedence to the second waveform generator when the first waveform generator is detected to be connected to the central processor.
67. The music apparatus according to claim 66 , wherein the step of a designating comprises further designating the second waveform generator when the first waveform generator is insufficient to process the received performance information.
68. The music apparatus according to claim 65 , wherein the step of designating comprises designating the second waveform generator in precedent to the first waveform generator when the first waveform generator is detected to be connected to the central processor.
69. A music apparatus comprising:
a central processor;
a program memory storing instructions for causing the central processor to execute a process of generating a musical sound according to performance information, wherein the process comprises the steps of:
preparing a first waveform generator comprised of a first software program executable by the central processor for creating a waveform, and preparing a second waveform generator comprised of a second software program executable by the central processor for creating a substitute waveform which is substitutable for the waveform created by the first waveform generator;
receiving the performance information;
designating primarily the first waveform generator, and otherwise designating the second waveform generator in place of the first waveform generator when the central processor is unable to operate the first waveform generator;
operating the second waveform generator when the second waveform generator is designated to create the substitute waveform according to the received performance information; and
generating the musical sound based on the created substitute waveform when the central processor is unable to operate the first waveform generator.
70. The music apparatus according to claim 69 , wherein the first waveform generator requires a predetermined computation capacity of the central processor, and the second waveform generator requires a computation capacity less than the predetermined computation capacity, and wherein the step of designating comprises designating the second waveform generator in place of the first waveform generator when the central processor cannot provide the predetermined computation capacity required for operation of the first waveform generator.
71. The music apparatus according to claim 69 , wherein the step of operating comprises provisionally operating the first waveform generator for creating a source waveform even though the first waveform generator is not designated, and then operating the second waveform generator to create the substitute waveform by using the source waveform.
72. The music apparatus according to claim 68 , wherein the step of designating comprises designating primarily the first waveform generator in correspondence with the received performance information.
73. The music apparatus according to claim 68 , wherein the step of designating comprises designating primarily the first waveform generator according to a computation capacity of the central processor available for executing the musical sound generating process.
74. A music apparatus comprising:
a central processor;
a program memory storing instructions for causing the central processor to execute a process of creating a digital waveform to generate a musical sound according to performance information, wherein the process comprises the steps of:
receiving the performance information;
preparing a waveform generator composed of a software program executable by the central processor in a variable operation mode to create a digital waveform, the variable operation mode depending on a computation capacity of the central processor;
detecting the computation capacity available for operation of the waveform generator;
optimally changing the variable operation mode of the waveform generator according to the detected computation capacity of the central processor;
operating the waveform generator in the variable operation mode as optimally changed to create the digital waveform according to the received performance information; and
generating the musical sound based on the created digital waveform.
75. The music apparatus according to claim 74 , wherein the waveform generator is operable according to the software program at a variable operation speed to create a digital waveform by successively computing sample values of the digital waveform, wherein the step of detecting comprises provisionally operating the waveform generator to carry out trial creation of a model digital waveform while measuring the computation capacity of the central processor in terms of the operation speed at which the trail creation is carried out, wherein the step of optimally changing comprises optimally determining the variable operation mode in terms of a sampling frequency comparable to the measured operation speed, and wherein the step of operating comprises operating the waveform generator to successively compute sample values of the digital waveform at the determined sampling frequency.
76. The music apparatus according to claim 74 , wherein the step of detecting comprises detecting whether an additional processor is available to assist the central processor in computation for executing the software program.
77. The music apparatus according to claim 76 , wherein the additional processor comprises a co- processor of the central processor.
78. The music apparatus according to claim 74 , wherein the step of detecting comprises provisionally measuring the computation capacity of the central processor before the central processor executes the software program to operate the waveform generator.
79. The music apparatus according to claim 74 , wherein the step of optimally changing comprises changing the variable operation mode such that a first algorithm, defining a method of creating the digital waveform is changed to a second algorithm when the detected computation capacity of the central processor decreases below a certain capacity level, the second algorithm being simpler than the first algorithm, thereby allowing the waveform generator to create the digital waveform at the decreased computation capacity.
80. The music apparatus according to claim 74 , wherein the step of optimally changing comprises changing the variable operation mode such that a first operation speed of the waveform generator is changed to a second operation speed slower than the first operation speed when the detected computation capacity of the central processor decreases below a certain capacity level.
81. The music apparatus according to claim 74 , wherein the step of optimally changing comprises changing the variable operation mode such that a set of computation steps performed by the central processor to create the digital waveform is changed according to the detected computation capacity of the central processor.
82. A music apparatus comprising:
a processor;
a first waveform generator comprising a hardware device driven by the processor;
a second waveform generator comprising a software program executed by the processor; and
a program memory storing instructions for causing the processor to execute a musical sound generating process according to performance information, the musical sound generating process comprising the steps of:
preparing the first waveform generator operable for creating a waveform;
preparing the second waveform generator operable independently from the first waveform generator for creating a waveform;
receiving the performance information;
designating at least one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to an operating state based on an operating speed of the processor available for executing the process of generating the musical sound;
selectively operating the designated one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to create the waveform according to the received performance information; and
generating the musical sound based on the crated waveform.
83. A music apparatus comprising:
a processor;
a first waveform generator comprising a hardware device driven by the processor;
a second waveform generator comprising a software program executed by the processor; and
a program memory storing instructions for causing the processor to execute a musical sound generating process according to performance information, the musical sound generating process comprising the steps of:
preparing the first waveform generator operable for creating a waveform;
preparing the second waveform generator operable independently from the first waveform generator for creating a waveform;
receiving the performance information;
designating at least one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to an operating state based on a channel capacity of the processor available for executing the process of generating the musical sound;
selectively operating the designated one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to create the waveform according to the received performance information; and
generating the musical sound based on the created waveform.
84. A music apparatus comprising:
a processor;
a first waveform generator comprising a hardware device driven by the processor;
a second waveform generator comprising a software program executed by the processor; and
a program memory storing instructions for causing the processor to execute a musical sound generating process according to performance information, the musical sound generating process comprising the steps of:
preparing the first waveform generator operable for creating a waveform;
preparing the second waveform generator operable independently from the first waveform generator for creating a waveform;
receiving the performance information;
setting a plurality of assignment modes to determine different assignments of the received performance information to the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator;
manually selecting one of the assignment modes to assign the received performance information to at least one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator according to the selected assignment mode so as to create the waveform; and
generating the musical sound based on the created waveform.
85. The music apparatus according to claim 84 , wherein the step of setting comprises setting a first assignment mode to assign the received performance information primarily to the first waveform generator and secondarily to the second waveform generator, and a second assignment mode to assign the received performance information primarily to the second waveform generator and secondarily to the first waveform generator.
86. A music apparatus comprising:
a computer having a processor and a program memory storing instructions for causing the processor to execute a process of creating a digital waveform to generate a musical sound according to performance information, the process comprising the steps of:
receiving the performance information;
preparing a computerized waveform generator operable, based on a given algorithm, at a variable sampling frequency to create a digital waveform by successively computing sample values of the digital waveform;
designating a value of the variable sampling frequency according to a computation capacity of the computer available for generating the musical sound;
operating the computerized waveform generator to successively compute the sample values of the digital waveform at the designated value of the variable sampling frequency; and
generating the musical sound based on the digital waveform according to the received performance information.
87. The music apparatus according to claim 86 , wherein the computation capacity of the computer is measured by provisionally operating the computerized waveform generator to carry out a trial creation of a model digital waveform while measuring the operation speed at which the trial creation is carried out.
88. A method of generating a musical sound by a computer according to performance information, comprising the steps of:
preparing a first waveform generator operable for creating a digital waveform;
preparing a second waveform generator operable independently from the first waveform generator for creating a digital waveform;
providing the performance information;
operating either of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to create the digital waveform according to the provided performance information, wherein the first waveform generator comprises a hardware device driven by the computer and the second waveform generator comprises a software program executed by the computer; and
operating a digital - to - analog converter, provided commonly for both of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator, to convert the digital waveform created by either of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator into a corresponding analog signal of the musical sound.
89. A method of generating a musical sound according to performance information, comprising the steps of:
preparing a first waveform generator operable for creating a waveform;
preparing a second waveform generator operable in addition to the first waveform generator for creating a waveform;
providing the performance information;
designating the first waveform generator in precedence to the second waveform generator, and designating the second waveform generator when the first waveform generator is insufficient to process the provided performance information;
operating the first waveform generator to create the waveform and, when the second waveform generator is designated, additionally operating the second waveform generator to create the waveform according to the provided performance information; and
generating the musical sound based on the created waveform.
90. A method of generating a musical sound according to claim 89 , wherein at least one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator comprises a software program executed by the central processor.
91. A method of generating a musical sound by a computer according to performance information, comprising the steps of:
detecting a first waveform generator comprised of a hardware device that is optionally connectable with and driven by the computer for creating a waveform;
preparing a second waveform generator comprised of a software program executable by the computer for creating a waveform;
providing the performance information;
designating either of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator when the first waveform generator is detected to be connected with the computer, and otherwise designating the second waveform generator when the first waveform generator is not detected to be connected with the computer;
selectively operating the designated one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to create the waveform according to the provided performance information; and
generating the musical sound based on the created waveform.
92. A method of generating a musical sound by a computer according to performance information, comprising the steps of:
preparing a first waveform generator comprised of a first software program executable by the computer for creating a waveform, and preparing a second waveform generator comprised of a second software program executable by the computer for creating a substitute waveform which is substitutable for the waveform created by the first waveform generator;
providing the performance information;
designating the first waveform generator, and otherwise designating the second waveform generator in place of the first waveform generator when the computer is unable to operate the first waveform generator;
operating the second waveform generator when the second waveform generator is designated to create the substitute waveform according to the provided performance information; and
generating the musical sound based on the created substitute waveform even when the computer is unable to operate the first waveform generator.
93. A method of generating a musical sound by a computer according to performance information, comprising the steps of:
providing the performance information;
preparing a waveform generator comprising a software program executable by the computer in a variable operation mode to create a digital waveform, the variable operation mode being dependent on a computation capacity of the computer;
detecting the computation capacity available for operation of the waveform generator;
optimally changing the variable operation mode of the waveform generator according to the detected computation capacity of the computer;
operating the waveform generator in the variable operation mode as optimally changed to create the digital waveform according to the provided performance information; and
generating the musical sound based on the created digital waveform.
94. A method of generating a musical sound by a computer according to performance information, comprising the steps of:
providing the performance information;
preparing a computerized waveform generator operable, based on a given algorithm, at a variable sampling frequency to create a digital waveform by successively computing sample values of the digital waveform;
designating a value of the variable sampling frequency according to a computation capacity of the computer available for generating the musical sound;
operating the computerized waveform generator to successively compute the sample values of the digital waveform at the designated value of the variable sampling frequency; and
generating the musical sound based on the digital waveform according to the received performance information.
95. A machine- readable recording medium for use in a music apparatus having a central processing unit for generating a musical sound according to performance information, the medium including instructions executable by the central processing unit for causing the music apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of:
preparing a first waveform generator operable for creating a digital waveform;
preparing a second waveform generator operable independently from the first waveform generator for creating a digital waveform;
receiving the performance information;
operating either of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to create the digital waveform according to the received performance information, wherein the first waveform generator comprises a hardware device driven by the central processing unit and the second waveform generator comprises a software program executed by the central processing unit; and
operating a digital - to - analog converter, provided commonly for both of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator, to convert the digital waveform created by either of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator into a corresponding analog signal of the musical sound.
96. A machine- readable recording medium for use in a music apparatus having a central processing unit for generating a musical sound according to performance information, the medium containing instructions executable by the central processing unit for causing the music apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of:
preparing a first waveform generator operable for creating a waveform;
preparing a second waveform generator operable in addition to the first waveform generator for creating a waveform;
receiving the performance information;
designating the first waveform generator in precedence to the second waveform generator, and designating the second waveform generator when the first waveform generator is insufficient to process the received performance information;
operating the first waveform generator to create the waveform and, when the second waveform generator is designated, operating the second waveform generator to create the waveform according to the received performance information; and
generating the musical sound based on the created waveform.
97. A machine- readable recording medium for use in a music apparatus having a central processing unit for generating a musical sound according to performance information, the medium containing instructions executable by the central processing unit for causing the music apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of:
detecting a first waveform generator comprised of a hardware device that is optionally connectable with and driven by the central processing unit for creating a waveform;
preparing a second waveform generator comprised of a software program executable by the central processing unit for creating a waveform;
receiving the performance information;
designating either of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator when the first waveform generator is detected to be connected with the central processing unit, and otherwise designating the second waveform generator when the first waveform generator is not detected to be connected with the central processing unit;
operating the designated one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to create the waveform according to the received performance information; and
generating the musical sound based on the created waveform.
98. A machine- readable recording medium for use in a music apparatus having a central processing unit for generating a musical sound according to performance information, the medium containing instructions executable by the central processing unit for causing the music apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of:
preparing a first waveform generator comprised of a first software program executable by the central processing unit for creating a waveform and preparing a second waveform generator comprised of a second software program executable by the central processing unit for creating a substitute waveform which is substitutable for the waveform created by the first waveform generator;
receiving the performance information;
designating primarily the first waveform generator, and otherwise designating the second waveform generator in place of the first waveform generator when the central processing unit is unable to operate the first waveform generator;
operating the second waveform generator when the second waveform generator is designated to create the substitute waveform according to the received performance information; and
generating the musical sound based on the created substitute waveform even when the central processing unit is unable to operate the first waveform generator.
99. A machine- readable recording medium for use in a music apparatus having a central processing unit for generating a musical sound according to performance information, the medium containing instructions executable by the central processing unit for causing the music apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of:
receiving the performance information;
preparing a waveform generator composed of a software program executable by the central processing unit in a variable operation mode to create a digital waveform, the variable operation mode depending on a computation capacity of the central processing unit;
detecting the computation capacity available for operation of the waveform generator;
optimally changing the variable operation mode of the waveform generator according to the detected computation capacity of the central processing unit;
operating the waveform generator in the variable operation mode as optimally changed to create the digital waveform according to the received performance information; and
generating the musical sound based on the created digital waveform.
100. A machine- readable recording medium for use in a music apparatus having a central processing unit for generating a musical sound according to performance information, the medium containing instructions executable by the central processing unit for causing the music apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of:
receiving the performance information;
preparing a computerized waveform generator operable, based on a given algorithm, at a variable sampling frequency to create a digital waveform by successively computing sample values of the digital waveform;
designating a value of the variable sampling frequency according to a computation capacity of the computer available for generating the musical sound;
operating the computerized waveform generator to successively compute the sample values of the digital waveform at the designated value of the variable sampling frequency; and
generating the musical sound based on the digital waveform according to the received performance information.
101. A music apparatus for generating a musical sound according to performance information comprising:
a first waveform generator operable for creating a digital waveform;
a second waveform generator operable independently from the first waveform generator for creating a digital waveform;
means for providing the performance information;
means for operating either of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to create the digital waveform according to the provided performance information, wherein the first waveform generator comprises a hardware device and the second waveform generator comprises a software program; and
means provided commonly for both of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator for converting the digital waveform created by either of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator into a corresponding analog signal of the musical sound.
102. A music apparatus for generating a musical sound according to performance information comprising:
a first waveform generator operable for creating a waveform;
a second waveform generator operable in addition to the first waveform generator for creating a waveform;
means for providing the performance information;
means for designating the first waveform generator in precedence to the second waveform generator, and designating the second waveform generator when the first waveform generator is insufficient to process the provided performance information;
means for operating the first waveform generator to create the waveform and, when the second waveform generator is designated, additionally operating the second waveform generator to create the waveform according to the provided performance information; and
means for generating the musical sound based on the created waveform.
103. A music apparatus according to claim 102 , wherein at least one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator comprises a software program.
104. A music apparatus for generating a musical sound according to performance information comprising:
a processor;
a first waveform generator comprised of a hardware device that is optionally connectable to and driven by the processor for creating a waveform;
means for determining whether the first waveform generator is connected to the processor;
a second waveform generator comprised of a software program executable by the processor for creating a waveform;
means for providing the performance information;
means for designating either the first waveform generator or the second waveform generator when the first waveform generator is determined to be connected with the processor, otherwise designating the second waveform generator when the first waveform generator is not determined to be connected with the processor;
wherein the processor selectively operates the designated one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to create the waveform according to the provided performance information; and
means for generating the musical sound based on the created waveform.
105. A music apparatus for generating a musical sound according to performance information comprising:
a processor;
a first waveform generator comprised of a first software program executable by the processor for creating a waveform;
a second waveform generator comprised of a second software program executable by the processor for creating a substitute waveform which is substitutable for the waveform created by the first waveform generator;
means for providing the performance information;
means for designating the first waveform generator, and otherwise designating the second waveform generator in place of the first waveform generator when the processor is unable to operate the first waveform generator;
wherein the processor operates the second waveform generator when the second waveform generator is designated to create the substitute waveform according to the provided performance information; and
means for generating the musical sound based on the created substitute waveform even when the processor is unable to operate the first waveform generator.
106. A music apparatus for generating a musical sound according to performance information comprising:
a processor;
means for providing the performance information;
a waveform generator comprising a software program executable by the processor in a variable operation mode to create a digital waveform, the variable operation mode being dependent on a computation capacity of the processor;
means for detecting the computation capacity available for operation of the waveform generator;
means for optimally changing the variable operation mode of the waveform generator according to the detected computation capacity of the processor;
wherein the processor operates the waveform generator in the variable operation mode as optimally changed to create the digital waveform according to the provided performance information; and
means for generating the musical sound based on the created digital waveform.
107. A music apparatus for generating a musical sound according to performance information comprising:
means for providing the performance information;
a computerized waveform generator operable, based on a given algorithm, at a variable sampling frequency to create a digital waveform by successively computing sample values of the digital waveform;
means for designating a value of the variable sampling frequency according to a computation capacity of the computer available for generating the musical sound;
means for operating the computerized waveform generator to successively compute the sample values of the digital waveform all the designated value of the variable sampling frequency; and
means for generating the musical sound based on the digital waveform according to the received performance information.Cited by (0)
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