Signal generation apparatus, signal generation method, and recording medium

Abstract

The present application provides a signal generation device, a signal generation method, and a recording medium, which change a position at which a decay control is changed by an operation of a damper pedal according to a situation of performance. A signal generation device of one embodiment includes a signal generation section and a decay control section. The signal generation section generates a sound signal based on key operation data associated with an operation of a key. The decay control section controls a decay speed of the sound signal based on pedal operation data associated with an operation position of a pedal. The decay control section controls the decay speed to a first speed in a case where the operation position is in a first range in which the operation position is changeable, and controls the decay speed to a second speed greater than the first speed in a case where the operation position is in a second range adjacent to the first range. A first boundary position of the first range and the second range is determined based on control information obtained by the operation of the key.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a signal generation apparatus, a signal generation method, and a recording medium that generate a sound signal. BACKGROUND

[0002] Various efforts have been made in order that a sound from an electronic piano can be as close as possible to a sound of an acoustic piano. For example, in Patent Literature 1, a technology is disclosed in which, in order to reflect an influence of a damper in an acoustic piano in a sound, an attenuation speed of the sound is controlled when a damper pedal is operated.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: International Publication No. 2019 / 058457

[0006] An attenuation of a sound generated in an electronic musical instrument is controlled according to a position of a damper pedal. In the case of an electronic piano, a state in which a damper is separated from a string (damper ON) or a state in which the damper is brought into contact with the string (damper OFF) is assumed and the attenuation is controlled. A state in which the damper is slightly in contact with the string (half pedal) is also assumed and the attenuation is controlled. The control corresponding to each state is performed in a plurality of set ranges decided in advance in correspondence with an operable range of the damper pedal. The plurality of set ranges do not change from the set ranges decided in advance regardless of a situation of performance. SUMMARY

[0007] One of the objects of the present application is to provide a signal generation apparatus, a signal generation method, and a recording medium that change a position at the time of changing attenuation control by operation of a damper pedal in accordance with a situation of performance.

[0008] According to an embodiment, there is provided a signal generation apparatus including: a signal generation section that generates a sound signal based on key operation data associated with operation of a key; and an attenuation control section that controls an attenuation speed of the sound signal based on pedal operation data associated with an operation position of a pedal, in a case where the operation position exists in a first range in a range in which the operation position is variable, controls the attenuation speed to a first speed, in a case where the operation position exists in a second range adjacent to the first range, controls the attenuation speed to a second speed larger than the first speed, and a first boundary position of the first range and the second range is decided based on control information obtained by the operation of the key.

[0009] The decay control section can control the decay speed to a third speed different from the first speed and the second speed when the operation position exists in a third range different from the first range and the second range.

[0010] The third range can be adjacent to one of the first range and the second range. A second boundary position between the one of the first range and the second range and the third range can be determined based on information associated with operation of the key.

[0011] The third range can be adjacent to the second range. A second boundary position between the third range and the second range can be determined based on the control information.

[0012] The first boundary position and the second boundary position can be determined in a manner in which a difference between the first boundary position and the second boundary position varies according to the control information.

[0013] The control information can include pitch information corresponding to the key. The first boundary position can represent a first position when the pitch information represents a first pitch. The first boundary position can represent a second position closer to a rest position than the first position when the pitch information represents a second pitch higher than the first pitch.

[0014] The control information can include speed information of the key. The first boundary position can represent a third position when the speed information represents a first speed. The first boundary position can represent a fourth position closer to a rest position than the third position when the speed information represents a second speed lower than the first speed.

[0015] The control information can include output level information of the sound signal generated by operation of the key. The first boundary position can represent a fifth position when the output level information represents a first output level. The first boundary position can represent a sixth position closer to a rest position than the fifth position when the output level information represents a second output level lower than the first output level.

[0016] A first boundary position between the first range and the second range can be determined based on control information obtained by operation of the key corresponding to the sound signal whose decay speed is controlled.

[0017] According to an embodiment, there is provided a signal generation method including: generating a sound signal based on key operation data associated with operation of a key; and controlling an attenuation speed of the sound signal based on pedal operation data associated with an operation position of a pedal, the controlling of the attenuation speed of the sound signal including: deciding a first boundary position between a first range and a second range adjacent to the first range in a range in which the operation position is variable, based on control information obtained by the operation of the key; and controlling the attenuation speed to a first speed in a case where the operation position is present in the first range, and controlling the attenuation speed to a second speed greater than the first speed in a case where the operation position is present in the second range.

[0018] According to an embodiment, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute a signal generation method including: generating a sound signal based on key operation data associated with operation of a key; and controlling an attenuation speed of the sound signal based on pedal operation data associated with an operation position of a pedal, the controlling of the attenuation speed of the sound signal including: deciding a first boundary position between a first range and a second range adjacent to the first range in a range in which the operation position is variable, based on control information obtained by the operation of the key; and controlling the attenuation speed to a first speed in a case where the operation position is present in the first range, and controlling the attenuation speed to a second speed greater than the first speed in a case where the operation position is present in the second range.

[0019] Effects of Invention

[0020] According to the present application, it is possible to change a position at which attenuation control is changed by operation of a damper pedal, in accordance with a situation of performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a structure of a keyboard instrument in an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a functional structure of a sound source section in an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a functional structure of a signal generation section in an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 4 is a diagram explaining a definition of a general envelope waveform.

[0025] Figure 5 is a diagram explaining an example of an envelope waveform of a sound of a piano.

[0026] Figure 6 is a diagram explaining a relationship between a damper setting range and a note code prescribed in an attenuation control table in an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the decay control processing in an embodiment.

[0028] Figure 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the damper setting range and the note code prescribed in the decay control table in the modified example.

[0029] Figure 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the damper setting range and the note code prescribed in the decay control table in the modified example.

[0030] Figure 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the damper setting range and the note code prescribed in the decay control table in the modified example.

[0031] Figure 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the damper setting range and the note code prescribed in the decay control table in the modified example.

[0032] Figure 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the damper setting range and the note code prescribed in the decay control table in the modified example.

[0033] Figure 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the damper setting range and the note code prescribed in the decay control table in the modified example.

[0034] Figure 14 is a graph showing the relationship between the damper setting range and the note code prescribed in the decay control table in the modified example.

[0035] Figure 15 is a graph showing the relationship between the damper setting range and the speed prescribed in the decay control table in the modified example.

[0036] Figure 16 is a graph showing the relationship between the damper setting range and the output level prescribed in the decay control table in the modified example.

[0037] Figure 17 is a graph showing the relationship between the damper setting range and the acceleration prescribed in the decay control table in the modified example.

[0038] Figure 18 is a graph showing the relationship between the damper setting range and the note code prescribed in the decay control table in the modified example.

[0039] Figure 19 is a graph showing the relationship between the damper setting range and the plurality of control information (the note code and the speed) prescribed in the decay control table in the modified example.

[0040] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] 1 … keyboard instrument, 10 … control section, 21 … operation section, 23 … display section, 30 … storage section, 50 … housing, 60 … speaker, 75 … key action measuring section, 80 … sound source section, 88 … conversion section, 90 … pedal device, 91 … damper pedal, 93 … shift pedal, 95 … pedal action measuring section, 111 … signal generating section, 113 … waveform reading section, 115 … EV waveform generating section, 117 … multiplier, 119 … waveform synthesizing section, 131 … decay control section, 135 … decay control table, 151 … waveform data storage section, 180 … output section, 800 … sound signal generating section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Hereinafter, a keyboard instrument in an embodiment of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown below are examples of the embodiments of the present application, and the present application is not to be construed as being limited to these embodiments. In addition, in the drawings referred to in the present embodiment, the same symbol or similar symbol (only the symbol of A, B, etc. is added after the number) is added to the same part or part having the same function, and sometimes the repeated description will be omitted.

[0043] <EMBODIMENT>

[0044] [Structure of Keyboard Instrument]

[0045] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the structure of the keyboard instrument in an embodiment. The keyboard instrument 1 is, for example, an electronic keyboard instrument such as an electronic piano, and is an example of an electronic musical instrument having a plurality of keys 70 as a performance controller. When the user operates the keys 70, sound is generated from the speaker 60. The kind (tone color) of the generated sound is changed using the operation section 21. In this example, the keyboard instrument 1 is capable of performing sound generation similar to that of a live piano in a case where the sound is generated using the tone color of a piano. In particular, the keyboard instrument 1 is capable of performing sound generation reflecting the influence of a damper more accurately in performance using a damper pedal. Next, each structure of the keyboard instrument 1 will be described in detail.

[0046] The keyboard instrument 1 is provided with the plurality of keys 70, the housing 50, and the pedal device 90. The plurality of keys 70 are rotatably supported to the housing 50. The operation section 21, the display section 23, and the speaker 60 are disposed in the housing 50. The control section 10, the storage section 30, the key action measuring section 75, and the sound source section 80 are disposed inside the housing 50. The pedal device 90 is provided with the damper pedal 91, the shift pedal 93, and the pedal action measuring section 95. Each structure disposed inside the housing 50 is connected via a bus.

[0047] In the present example, the keyboard instrument 1 includes an interface for input and output of signals with an external device. The interface is, for example, a terminal that outputs a sound signal, a cable connection terminal for transmitting and receiving MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) data, and the like. In the present example, the pedal device 90 is connected to the interface, and the pedal action measuring section 95 is connected to each structure disposed inside the housing 50 via the bus described above.

[0048] The control section 10 includes an arithmetic processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The control section 10 implements various functions in the keyboard instrument 1 by executing a control program using the CPU. The operation section 21 is a device such as an operation button, a touch sensor, a slider, and the like, and outputs a signal corresponding to an input operation to the control section 10. The display section 23 displays a screen based on the control of the control section 10.

[0049] The storage section 30 is a storage device such as a nonvolatile memory. The storage section 30 stores a control program executed by the control section 10. In addition, the storage section 30 can also store a parameter, waveform data, and the like used in the sound source section 80. The speaker 60 generates a sound corresponding to a sound signal by amplifying and outputting the sound signal output from the control section 10 or the sound source section 80.

[0050] The key action measuring section 75 measures the action of each of the plurality of keys 70 and outputs measurement data indicating the measurement result. The measurement data includes information (KC, KS, KV). That is, the key action measuring section 75 outputs the information (KC, KS, KV) according to the pressing operation of each of the plurality of keys 70. The information KC is information (for example, a key number) that identifies the key 70 operated. The information KS is information indicating the amount of pressing of the key 70. The information KV is information indicating the speed of pressing of the key 70. By associating and outputting the information KC, KS, KV, the key 70 operated and the operation content of the key 70 are determined by the measurement data output from the key action measuring section 75.

[0051] The pedal operation measuring section 95 measures the operation of each of the damper pedal 91 and the sostenuto pedal 93, and outputs measurement data indicating the measurement result. The measurement data includes information (PC, PS). The information PC is information indicating whether the operated pedal is the damper pedal 91 or the sostenuto pedal 93. The information PS is information indicating the pressing amount of the pedal. In the following description, the pressing amount of the pedal is sometimes referred to as the operation position of the pedal. By associating and outputting the information PC, PS, the operated pedal (the damper pedal 91 or the sostenuto pedal 93) and the operation content (the pressing amount) for the pedal are determined by the measurement data output from the pedal operation measuring section 95. In addition, in the case where the pedals of the pedal device 90 are only the damper pedals 91, the information PC can be omitted.

[0052] The sound source section 80 generates a sound signal based on the measurement data input from the key operation measuring section 75 and the pedal operation measuring section 95, and outputs the sound signal to the speaker 60. At each operation of the key 70, a sound signal generated by the sound source section 80 is obtained. Further, a plurality of sound signals obtained corresponding to a plurality of keystrokes are synthesized and output from the sound source section 80. The structure of the sound source section 80 is described in detail.

[0053] [Structure of Sound Source Section]

[0054] Figure 2 Fig. 13 is a diagram indicating the functional structure of the sound source section in one embodiment. The sound source section 80 is provided with a conversion section 88, a sound signal generating section 800 (signal generating device), an attenuation control table 135, a waveform data storage section 151, and an output section 180. The sound signal generating section 800 includes a signal generating section 111 and an attenuation control section 131, and the sound signal generating section 800 executes a signal generating method including an attenuation control process.

[0055] The conversion section 88 converts the input information (KC, KS, KV, PC, PS) into control data in a format used in the sound signal generating section 800. That is, information having different meanings is converted into control data in a common format. The control data is data specifying the sound production content. In this example, the conversion section 88 converts the input information into control data in MIDI form. The conversion section 88 outputs the generated control data to the sound signal generating section 800 (the signal generating section 111 and the attenuation control section 131).

[0056] The conversion section 88 generates control data associated with the operation of the key 70 (hereinafter referred to as key operation data) based on the information (KC, KS, KV) input from the key action measuring section 75. In this example, the key operation data includes information indicating the position of the operated key 70 (note code), information indicating that the key has been pressed (note ON), information indicating that the key has been released (note OFF), the speed of the operation of the key 70, i.e., the key pressing speed (speed: 0 to 127 in this example), and the like. In this way, the conversion section 88 also functions as a key operation data generating section that generates key operation data.

[0057] Further, the conversion section 88 generates control data associated with the operation of the damper pedal 91 (hereinafter referred to as pedal operation data) based on the information (PC, PS) input from the pedal action measuring section 95. The pedal operation data includes at least information indicating the operation position of the pedal.

[0058] The damper ON, the damper OFF, and the half damper used in the following description are defined as follows. The damper ON indicates a state in which the damper is completely detached from the string in the acoustic piano. The damper ON corresponds not only to a state in which the operation position of the damper pedal 91 is in the end position (a state in which the damper is completely raised), but also to a state in which the operation position of the damper pedal 91 is included in a prescribed range including the end position (a range that is set in advance as being the same as this state). In the following description, the range of the operation position of the damper pedal 91 that becomes the damper ON is sometimes referred to as the damper ON range.

[0059] The damper OFF indicates a state in which the damper is completely lowered. The damper OFF corresponds not only to a state in which the operation position of the damper pedal 91 is in the rest position (a state in which the damper is completely lowered), but also to a state in which the operation position of the damper pedal 91 is included in a prescribed range including the rest position (a range that is set in advance as being the same as this state). In the following description, the range of the operation position of the damper pedal 91 that becomes the damper OFF is sometimes referred to as the damper OFF range.

[0060] The half damper includes information indicating a state in which the damper becomes a position other than the rest position and the end position (half pedal), and the like. In addition, the pedal can be operated within a range from the rest position to the end position.

[0061] The operation position of the damper pedal 91 corresponding to the half damper is included in a state sandwiched between the damper-off range and the damper-on range (a state becoming a half pedal). In the following description, the range of the operation position of the damper pedal 91 becoming the half damper is sometimes referred to as a half damper range. The damper-off range is adjacent to the half damper range. The half damper range is adjacent to the damper-on range. The damper-on range (1st range), the half damper range (2nd range), and the damper-off range (3rd range) are sometimes collectively referred to as a damper setting range.

[0062] Thus, the conversion section 88 also functions as a pedal operation data generation section that generates pedal operation data. In addition, it can be generated in accordance with the control data of the sostenuto pedal 93, but the description thereof is omitted here.

[0063] The conversion section 88 outputs the generated control data to the sound signal generation section 800 (the signal generation section 111 and the decay control section 131). Specifically, the conversion section 88 outputs the key operation data to the signal generation section 111 and the decay control section 131, and outputs the pedal operation data to the decay control section 131.

[0064] The waveform data storage section 151 stores at least piano sound waveform data. The piano sound waveform data is waveform data obtained by sampling a sound of a natural piano (a sound generated by striking a string in association with a key).

[0065] The signal generation section 111 generates and outputs a sound signal based on the key operation data input from the conversion section 88. At this time, the envelope of the sound signal is adjusted by the decay control section 131.

[0066] The decay control section 131 controls the envelope of the sound signal generated in the signal generation section 111 based on the key operation data and the pedal operation data input from the conversion section 88, with reference to a decay control table 135. Specifically, the envelope at the time of sound signal decay is controlled. In the present example, the decay control section 131 decides a damper setting range based on the key operation data with reference to the decay control table 135. The decay control section 131 controls the decay speed based on the pedal operation data using the decided damper setting range. The decay control table 135 is a table that specifies the relationship between a note code and a damper setting range.

[0067] More specifically, the decay control section 131 refers to the decay control table 135 to determine a damper setting range corresponding to the note code in the key operation data. The decay control section 131 controls the decay speed in accordance with the damper setting range so as to correspond to the damper opening when the operation position of the damper pedal 91 in the pedal operation data is in the damper opening range. Likewise, the decay control section 131 controls the decay speed to correspond to the damper closing when the operation position of the damper pedal 91 is in the damper closing range, and controls the decay speed to correspond to the half damper when the operation position of the damper pedal 91 is in the half damper range. The decay control table 135 is a table that specifies the relationship between the note code and the damper setting range.

[0068] The output section 180 outputs the sound signal generated by the signal generation section 111 to the outside of the sound source section 80. In the present example, the sound signal is output to the speaker 60 to be heard by the user. Next, the detailed structure of the signal generation section 111 will be described.

[0069] [Structure of Signal Generation Section]

[0070] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the signal generation section in an embodiment. The signal generation section 111 is provided with a waveform readout section 113 (waveform readout sections 113-1, 113-2, ··· 113-n), an EV (envelope) waveform generation section 115 (115-1, 115-2, ···, 115-n), a multiplier 117 (117-1, 117-2, ··· 117-n), and a waveform synthesis section 119. The above-mentioned "n" corresponds to the number of simultaneous sound production (the number of simultaneously generated sound signals), which is 32 in the present example. That is, with this signal generation section 111, the state of sound production is maintained up to the 32nd key operation, and in the case where the 33rd key operation exists, the sound signal corresponding to the initial sound production is forcibly stopped.

[0071] The waveform readout section 113-1 selects and reads out the waveform data that should be read out from the waveform data storage section 151 based on the key operation data obtained from the conversion section 88, and generates a sound signal of a pitch corresponding to the note code. In the present example, piano sound waveform data is read out. The EV waveform generation section 115-1 generates an envelope waveform based on the key operation data obtained from the conversion section 88 and a parameter that is set in advance. The generated envelope waveform is adjusted by the decay control section 131. The method of generating the envelope waveform and the method of adjusting the same will be described later. The multiplier 117-1 multiplies the envelope waveform generated in the EV waveform generation section 115-1 with respect to the sound signal generated in the waveform readout section 113-1.

[0072] Although the case of n = 1 is exemplified, whenever the sound signal is output from the multiplier 117-1 there is the next key, the key operation data corresponding to the key is applied in the order of n = 2, 3, 4, • • •. For example, if it is the next key, the key operation data is applied to the structure of n = 2, the sound signal is output from the multiplier 117-2 as with the above. The waveform synthesizing section 119 synthesizes the sound signals output from the multipliers 117-1, 117-2, • • •, 117-32 and outputs to the output section 180.

[0073] [Envelope Waveform]

[0074] The envelope waveform generated in the EV waveform generating section 115 is described. First, the general envelope waveform and the parameters are described.

[0075] Figure 4 is a diagram that explains the definition of the general envelope waveform. As shown in Figure 4 , the envelope waveform is specified by a plurality of parameters. The plurality of parameters include an attack level AL, an attack time AT, a decay time DT, a sustain level SL, and a release time RT. In addition, the attack level AL can be fixed to the maximum value (for example, 127). In this case, the sustain level SL is set in the range of 0 to 127.

[0076] When the note-on occurs, it rises to the attack level AL in the time of the attack time AT. Thereafter, it decreases to the sustain level SL in the time of the decay time DT, and maintains the sustain level SL. When the note-off occurs, it decreases from the sustain level SL to the mute state (level "0") in the time of the release time RT. When the note-off exists in the period of the attack time AT and the period of the decay time DT before reaching the sustain level SL, it reaches the mute state in the time of the release time RT from the time point. In addition, it is also possible to make the decay rate obtained by dividing the sustain level SL by the release time RT reach the mute state.

[0077] The decay rate DR is a value that can be calculated from the above-mentioned parameters, and is obtained by dividing the difference between the attack level AL and the sustain level SL by the decay time DT. This parameter (decay rate DR) indicates the degree (decay speed) of natural decay of the sound in the decay period after the note-on. In addition, although the example in which the decay speed of the decay rate DR in the decay period is constant (the inclination is a straight line) is shown, it is not necessarily constant. That is, it is also possible to define the inclination other than the straight line by making the decay speed undergo a predetermined change.

[0078] Figure 5is a drawing showing an example of an envelope waveform that indicates the sound of a piano. For the sound of a general piano, for example, the sustain level SL is set to "0", and the decay time DT is set to be longer (the decay rate DR is small). This state indicates a state in which the damper is detached from the string (the damper is open). When there is a note-off in the decay time DT, it becomes a state in which the damper is in contact with the string (the damper is closed), and sharply decays according to the setting of the release time RT as shown by the dotted line. The EV waveform generation section 115 in this example generates an envelope waveform as shown in Figure 5

[0079] As one of the parameters that control the decay speed like this, the decay coefficient K is used. In this example, when the decay rate to be controlled is set to DRf, it is calculated as DRf = DR x K. That is, the larger the decay coefficient K becomes, the faster the decay speed becomes. In the state in which the damper is open, the decay coefficient K is "1", and DRf corresponding to the decay speed is the same as the decay rate DR. The decay coefficient K in the state of the half damper is "Kh". "Kh" is a value larger than "1", and DRf corresponding to the decay speed is "DR x Kh". The decay speed in the state in which the damper is closed corresponds to the decay speed corresponding to the release time RT, and is a value larger than the decay speed "DR x Kh" in the state of the half damper.

[0080] These parameters are explanations of the setting values that define the envelope waveform, and each level such as the attack level AL is a relative value. Therefore, the absolute value of the output level is adjusted according to the speed in the envelope waveform output from the EV waveform generation section 115, that is, the envelope waveform that is multiplied by the sound signal in the multiplier 117. In addition, the adjustment of the output level can also be realized by an amplification circuit.

[0081] [Decay control table]

[0082] The decay control section 131 determines the damper setting range corresponding to the note code with reference to the decay control table 135 as described above. That is, if the note codes corresponding to the two sounds are different from each other, it is determined that the damper setting ranges corresponding to the two sounds are also different from each other. Therefore, there is a case in which, for example, a sound controlled by the damper closed and a sound controlled by the half damper occur simultaneously according to the operation position of the damper pedal 91.

[0083] Figure 6 ​is a view showing the relationship between the damper setting range and the note code prescribed in the decay control table in one embodiment. The horizontal axis represents the note code (NN). In this example, the horizontal axis is defined in the range from the note code "0" (corresponding to the pitch "C-1") to the note code "127" (corresponding to the pitch "G9"). The vertical axis represents the operation position of the damper pedal 91. In this example, the vertical axis is defined in the range in which the operation position of the damper pedal 91 can be changed, i.e., the range from the rest position RP to the end position EP.

[0084] The boundary position HS represents the boundary position (2nd boundary position) of the damper-off range Doff (3rd range) and the half-damper range Dh (2nd range). The boundary position HF represents the boundary position (1st boundary position) of the half-damper range Dh (2nd range) and the damper-on range Don (1st range). In this example, the damper setting range is determined so that the greater the note code, i.e., the higher the pitch, the closer the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF to the rest position RP. In other words, the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF in the 2nd pitch higher than the 1st pitch are closer to the rest position RP than the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF in the 1st pitch. In this example, the difference between the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF, i.e., the size of the half-damper range Dh, is constant regardless of the note code. The boundary position HS and the boundary position HF can also be calculated by a prescribed formula in which the note code is a variable. Figure 6 In the example shown, the damper setting range is determined so that the greater the note code, i.e., the higher the pitch, the closer the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF to the rest position RP. In other words, the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF in the 2nd pitch higher than the 1st pitch are closer to the rest position RP than the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF in the 1st pitch. In this example, the difference between the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF, i.e., the size of the half-damper range Dh, is constant regardless of the note code. The boundary position HS and the boundary position HF can also be calculated by a prescribed formula in which the note code is a variable.

[0085] [Decay control processing]

[0086] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the decay control processing in one embodiment of the present application. When the note-on is detected by the key operation data and the waveform data is read out (more specifically, when the decay period is reached), the decay control processing is performed on the sound generated in correspondence with the respective note-on. The sound that will be the target of the decay control processing is sometimes referred to as the processing target sound. Therefore, as shown in the flowchart, the number of sounds that can be sounded simultaneously is 32, and the decay control processing is performed in parallel on 32 at the maximum. Figure 3

[0087] ​First, the decay control section 131 determines whether or not a note-off is detected based on the key operation data between the last determination and the present determination (step S101). In a case where a note-off corresponding to the processing target sound is not detected (step S101; No), in order to correspond to the state of the keys being pressed, independently of the state of the damper pedal, the decay control section 131 sets the decay coefficient K to "1" (step S111). That is, a decay speed of the normal decay rate DRf (= DR x 1) is set. The decay control section 131 performs the decay processing of the unit time (step S121), returns to step S101, and continues the processing. The unit time is a time corresponding to a prescribed processing unit, such as a processing time corresponding to one clock.

[0088] In a case where a note-off corresponding to the processing target sound is detected (step S101; Yes), the decay control section 131 acquires the note code corresponding to the processing target sound (the note code corresponding to the note-off), refers to the decay control table 135, and acquires the damper setting range corresponding to the note code (step S103). Next, the decay control section 131 determines which of the damper-on range Don, the half-damper range Dh, and the damper-off range Doff the operation position of the damper pedal 91 is included in, based on the damper setting range. In the present example, the decay control section 131 determines whether or not the operation position of the damper pedal 91 is in the damper-off range Doff, and whether or not it is in the half-damper range Dh (steps S105, S107).

[0089] In a case where the operation position of the damper pedal 91 is in the damper-on range Don (step S105; No, step S107; No), in order to correspond to the damper-on in the state of the keys being released, the decay control section 131 performs the processing of step S111 and step S121 described above, returns to step S101, and continues the processing.

[0090] In a case where the operation position of the damper pedal 91 is in the half-damper range Dh (step S105; No, step S107; Yes), in order to correspond to the half-damper in the state of the keys being released, the decay control section 131 sets the decay coefficient K to "Kh" (step S113). The decay control section 131 performs the decay processing of the unit time at the decay rate DRf (DR x Kh) determined by the set decay coefficient K (step S121), returns to step S101, and continues the processing.

[0091] When the damper pedal 91 is in the damper off range Doff (step S105; Yes), in order to correspond to the damper off state in the release state, the attenuation control unit 131 switches to release (step S123), ending the attenuation control process. That is, the attenuation control unit 131 controls the switch from the attenuation rate DRf to the attenuation rate corresponding to the release period.

[0092] In an acoustic piano, the higher the pitch, the smaller the string amplitude tends to be. Therefore, when returning the damper pedal from the stop position to the rest position, the lower the pitch and the larger the string amplitude, the easier it is for the damper to contact the string. According to the above-described attenuation control processing, the larger the note code (the higher the pitch), the closer the operation position from damper closed to half-damper, and from half-damper to damper open, is to the rest position RP. Thus, depending on the playing situation (the pitch of the key being played), the operating position of the damper pedal 91 can be changed when altering the attenuation control, allowing the player to obtain a feeling similar to playing on an acoustic piano.

[0093] <Variation Example>

[0094] The present invention has been described above with respect to one embodiment, but is not limited to the above embodiment, and includes various other modifications. For example, the above embodiments have been described in detail for the purpose of easily understanding the disclosure, and are not necessarily limited to having all the structures described. Furthermore, for a part of the structure of each embodiment, other structures can be added, deleted, or replaced. Hereinafter, some modifications will be described. The modifications described below can be combined and applied with each other.

[0095] (1) The attenuation control table 135 described above is not limited to the example described in one embodiment ( Figure 6 ). In the above Figure 6 In the example shown, the damper setting range is defined in attenuation control table 135 to meet the following two conditions.

[0096] (a) As the note code becomes larger, the boundary positions HS and HF gradually approach the rest position RP.

[0097] (b) The difference between the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF, i.e. the size of the half-mute range Dh, is constant and does not depend on the note encoding.

[0098] In this variation, several examples are illustrated regarding the relationship between the damper setting range and note encoding. These examples are not limited to achieving a performance feel close to that of an acoustic piano. In other words, the purpose can be varied as long as the damper setting range can be adjusted according to the performance conditions.

[0099] Since the tone color used by the effect as a target is also various, the waveform data is not necessarily limited to the sampled sound of an acoustic piano. That is, the waveform data can be the sampled sound of an electronic piano, or the sampled sound of another musical instrument. Further, it can be generated by synthesizing or modulating a prescribed waveform data. From among the plurality of kinds of decay control tables 135 exemplified below, a prescribed table is selected in accordance with the tone color selected as a sound source, and can be referred to by the decay control section 131.

[0100] Figures 8 to 14 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the damper setting range prescribed in the decay control table in the modification example and the note code. In the example shown in Figure 8 , the larger the note code becomes, the more gradually the boundary position HS (1st boundary position) approaches the rest position RP, but the boundary position HF is constant regardless of the note code. As a result, the larger the note code becomes, the larger the half damper range Dh becomes. In this way, the boundary position can change by the note code only between the half damper range Dh (1st range) at which the decay speed is "DR x Kh" (1st speed) and the damper-off range Doff (2nd range) at which the decay speed is a speed (2nd speed) corresponding to the release time RT. On the other hand, unlike the embodiment, the boundary position can not change by the note code between the half damper range Dh (1st range) at which the decay speed is "DR x Kh" (1st speed) and the damper-on range Don (3rd range) at which the decay speed is "DR x 1" (3rd speed). Figure 6 , the slope is smaller than that in the example shown in , and is constant regardless of the note code. As a result, the larger the note code becomes, the smaller the half damper range Dh becomes. In this way, the boundary position can change by the note code only between the damper-on range Don (1st range) at which the decay speed is "DR x 1" (1st speed) and the half damper range Dh (2nd range) at which the decay speed is "DR x Kh" (2nd speed). On the other hand, unlike the embodiment, the boundary position can not change by the note code between the half damper range Dh (1st range) at which the decay speed is "DR x Kh" (1st speed) and the damper-off range Doff (3rd range) at which the decay speed is a speed (3rd speed) corresponding to the release time RT.

[0101] Figure 9 , the larger the note code becomes, the more gradually the boundary position HF (1st boundary position) approaches the rest position RP, but the boundary position HS is constant regardless of the note code. As a result, the larger the note code becomes, the smaller the half damper range Dh becomes. In this way, the boundary position can change by the note code only between the damper-on range Don (1st range) at which the decay speed is "DR x 1" (1st speed) and the half damper range Dh (2nd range) at which the decay speed is "DR x Kh" (2nd speed). On the other hand, unlike the embodiment, the boundary position can not change by the note code between the half damper range Dh (1st range) at which the decay speed is "DR x Kh" (1st speed) and the damper-off range Doff (3rd range) at which the decay speed is a speed (3rd speed) corresponding to the release time RT. Figure 6 , the slope is smaller than that in the example shown in , and is constant regardless of the note code. As a result, the larger the note code becomes, the smaller the half damper range Dh becomes. In this way, the boundary position can change by the note code only between the damper-on range Don (1st range) at which the decay speed is "DR x 1" (1st speed) and the half damper range Dh (2nd range) at which the decay speed is "DR x Kh" (2nd speed). On the other hand, unlike the embodiment, the boundary position can not change by the note code between the half damper range Dh (1st range) at which the decay speed is "DR x Kh" (1st speed) and the damper-off range Doff (3rd range) at which the decay speed is a speed (3rd speed) corresponding to the release time RT.

[0102] InFigure 10 In the example shown, the larger the note code becomes, the closer the boundary position HS gradually approaches the termination position EP, but the larger the note code becomes, the closer the boundary position HF gradually approaches the rest position RP. As a result, the larger the note code becomes, the smaller the half damper range Dh becomes.

[0103] As described above, in a grand piano, when the damper pedal is returned from the termination position to the rest position, the damper more easily contacts the string for a string of a lower pitch (a string for which vibration more easily becomes large). On the other hand, considering that when it becomes a half damper, vibration is limited for a string of an arbitrary pitch, and has substantially the same amplitude. When such a case is assumed, from when the half damper becomes a damper off, the damper pedal position is not dependent on the pitch. Therefore, as shown in Figure 9 shown, it can also be considered that the position at which the half damper range Dh moves to the damper off range Doff, that is, the boundary position HS is independent of the pitch and is constant, and is closer to a grand piano.

[0104] Further, even in a state in which it becomes a half damper and a state in which vibration is limited, it is considered that because the movement energy of a string of a low pitch is large, it is easy to generate a string vibration in the opposite direction to the damper. When such a case is assumed, in order to become a damper off state, the lower the pitch, the closer the damper pedal must be to the rest position. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10 shown, it can also be considered that the lower the pitch, the closer the boundary position HS is to the rest position RP, and is closer to a grand piano.

[0105] In Figure 11 the example shown, in contrast to the example shown in Figure 6 the larger the note code becomes, the closer the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF gradually approach the termination position EP. As a result, the size of the half damper range Dh is constant independent of the note code. In this way, the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF can also have different slopes from each other when the note code changes, or the larger the note code becomes, the closer to the termination position EP.

[0106] In Figure 12In the illustrated example, the boundary position HS1 and the boundary position HF1 corresponding to the note code smaller than the specified note code SN, and the boundary position HS2 and the boundary position HF2 corresponding to the note code larger than the specified note code SN are defined by the fade control table 135. In this example, the boundary position HS1 and the boundary position HS2 are the same as the above-described boundary position HS. On the other hand, the boundary position HF2 has a smaller slope than the boundary position HF1, which is constant irrespective of the note code. In this way, at least one of the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF can have different slopes in the range smaller than the specified note code SN and the range larger than the specified note code SN. The range of the note code is divided into two ranges by the one specified note code SN, but can be divided into three or more ranges. The divided positions can be different from the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF.

[0107] In Figure 13 In the illustrated example, the boundary position HS1 and the boundary position HF1 corresponding to the note code smaller than the specified note code SN, and the boundary position HS2 and the boundary position HF2 corresponding to the note code larger than the specified note code SN are defined by the fade control table 135. The boundary position HS1, the boundary position HS2, the boundary position HF1, and the boundary position HF2 are constant irrespective of the note code. On the other hand, the boundary position HS1 is closer to the end position EP than the boundary position HS2, and the boundary position HF1 is closer to the end position EP than the boundary position HF2. That is, in the specified note code SN, the boundary position HS1 and the boundary position HS2 are discontinuous, and the boundary position HF1 and the boundary position HF2 are discontinuous. In this way, at least one of the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF can be discontinuous in the range smaller than the specified note code SN and the range larger than the specified note code SN. The range of the note code is divided into two ranges by the one specified note code SN, but can be divided into three or more ranges. The divided positions can be different from the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF.

[0108] In Figure 14In the example shown, the damper setting range that does not include the half damper range Dh is defined in the decay control table 135. That is, the damper setting range includes the damper off range Doff and the damper on range Don. The boundary position DS indicates the boundary position of the damper off range Doff and the damper on range Don. The boundary position DS gradually approaches the rest position RP as the note code becomes larger. In this way, the damper setting range is not limited to the case where it includes three ranges as exemplified in the damper off range Doff and the damper on range Don, but can include at least two ranges. The damper setting range can also include four or more ranges. For example, the half damper range Dh can also be further divided into two ranges. In this case, it can also be that the reduction factor K is smaller for the half damper range Dh2 that is closer to the damper on range Don than for the half damper range Dh1 that is closer to the damper off range Doff. Thereby, the influence of the damper when the half pedal operation is performed can be reflected with higher precision.

[0109] (2) The above-described decay control table 135 is not limited to Figure 6 The damper setting range as in the example shown is determined by the note code (pitch information). In the present modification example, as an example of the control information, the speed (speed information), the output level of the sound (output level information), and the acceleration of the key (acceleration information) are described. Further, the information indicating the action of the key 70 can also be information related to the sound generated by the operation of the key 70. Further, for example, in the case where the keyboard instrument 1 has a hammer (structure that simulates the hammer of an acoustic piano) that is rotated by the operation of the key 70, it can also be the action (for example, the speed or the acceleration) of the hammer. In the present example, the relationship between the damper setting range and the speed is described in the same way as in the modification example (1) shown in FIG. 8. Figures 8 to 14 The modification shown can also be applied to the damper setting range.

[0110] Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the damper setting range and the speed prescribed in the decay control table in the modification example. As in Figure 15 The speed (VL) is indicated on the horizontal axis. In the present example, the horizontal axis is defined in the range from the speed "0" (the speed of the key 70 corresponds to the minimum (stop)) to the speed "127" (the speed of the key 70 corresponds to the maximum). The operation position of the damper pedal 91 is indicated on the vertical axis. In the present example, the vertical axis is defined in the range from the operation position "0" (the operation position of the damper pedal 91 corresponds to the minimum (rest)) to the operation position "127" (the operation position of the damper pedal 91 corresponds to the maximum). Figure 15In the example shown, the damper setting range is determined so that the greater the speed, the closer both the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF become to the end position EP. In other words, the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF in the second speed, which is smaller than the first speed, are closer to the rest position RP than the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF in the case where the speed is the first speed. The difference between the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF, that is, the size of the half damper range Dh, is constant regardless of the speed.

[0111] The decay control section 131 acquires the speed in the key operation data, and Figure 7 In the processing of step S103 shown, it is only necessary to acquire the damper setting range corresponding to the speed. In the case where it is applied to an acoustic piano, the greater the speed, the greater the amplitude of the string. Therefore, the greater the amplitude of the string when the damper pedal is returned from the end position to the rest position, the more easily the damper contacts the string if the key is operated faster. By determining the damper setting range based on the speed, it is also possible to approach the feeling of playing an acoustic piano.

[0112] Figure 16 is a graph illustrating the relationship between the damper setting range and the output level prescribed in the decay control table in the modified example. As Figure 16 indicated, the horizontal axis represents the output level (EL). In this example, the horizontal axis is defined in the range from the output level "0" to the output level "127". The vertical axis represents the operation position of the damper pedal 91. Here, the decay control section 131 acquires the output level from the EV waveform generation section 115 corresponding to the sound to be processed, and Figure 7 In the processing of step S103 shown, it is only necessary to acquire the damper setting range corresponding to the output level.

[0113] In Figure 16 In the example shown, the damper setting range is determined so that the greater the output level, the closer both the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF become to the end position EP. In other words, the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF in the second output level, which is smaller than the first output level, are closer to the rest position RP than the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF in the first output level. The difference between the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF, that is, the size of the half damper range Dh, is constant regardless of the output level. In the case where it is applied to an acoustic piano, the greater the output level, the greater the amplitude of the string. Therefore, the greater the amplitude of the string when the damper pedal is returned from the end position to the rest position, the more easily the damper contacts the string if the output level is greater. By determining the damper setting range based on the output level, it is also possible to approach the feeling of playing an acoustic piano.

[0114] Figure 17is a graph showing the relationship between the damper setting range and the acceleration prescribed in the damper control table in the modification example. As shown in Figure 17 the horizontal axis indicates the acceleration (ACC). In this example, the horizontal axis is defined in the range from the acceleration "0" (the acceleration of the key 70 corresponding to the minimum) to the acceleration "127" (the acceleration of the key 70 corresponding to the maximum). The vertical axis indicates the operation position of the damper pedal 91. In the example shown in Figure 17 the damper setting range is determined so that the greater the acceleration, the closer the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF gradually become to the end position EP. The difference between the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF, that is, the size of the half damper range Dh is constant regardless of the acceleration.

[0115] The damper control section 131 acquires the acceleration corresponding to the sound to be processed, and in Figure 7 In the processing of the step S103 shown in

[0116] (3) In the damper control table 135, the damper setting range can not be determined in the prescribed range of the note code. In the region in which the damper setting range is not determined, the decay speed is not controlled, and a prescribed decay rate DR is set.

[0117] Figure 18 is a graph showing the relationship between the damper setting range and the note code prescribed in the damper control table in the modification example. In Figure 18 In the example shown in

[0118] (4) The damper setting range is not limited to the case where it is determined corresponding to one control information (e.g., note code), but can be determined corresponding to a plurality of control information. For example, the damper setting range can be determined corresponding to the note code and the speed. In this case, the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF can also be calculated by a prescribed arithmetic expression with the note code and the speed as variables.

[0119] Figure 19 is a view illustrating the relationship of the damper setting range prescribed in the decay control table in the modification example and the plurality of control information (note code and speed). In the example shown in Figure 19 , the damper setting range is set to include the damper on range Don and the damper off range Doff for easy understanding. The boundary position DS of the damper on range Don and the damper off range Doff is determined corresponding to the note code and the speed.

[0120] In the example shown in Figure 19 , the larger the note code becomes, or the smaller the speed becomes, the closer the boundary position DS becomes to the rest position RP. That is, when the note code is the smallest and the speed is the largest, the boundary position DS becomes closest to the end position EP. The amount of increase of the boundary position DS with respect to the speed can be the same as in the case of the note code being "0" and the case of "127", or can be different. The range (upper limit and lower limit) of the boundary position DS can also be determined in advance.

[0121] (5) At least one of the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF in the damper setting range can also change non-linearly with respect to the change of the control information such as the note code. For example, in Figure 6 , at least one of the boundary position HS and the boundary position HF can define the damper setting range as depicted by a curve in the decay control table 135.

[0122] (6) Not only the damper setting range, but also the decay speed can be changed by the control information obtained by the operation of the key 70. For example, when it is a half damper, the decay coefficient K is set to "Kh", but at this time, the value of "Kh" can be further set to change by the control information such as the note code. The control of the decay speed can also be achieved by the operation of the damper pedal 93. The specific processing method is exemplified in the published international publication No. 2019 / 058457 as a related art.

[0123] (7) In the above-described embodiments, the keyboard instrument 1 has been described as an example of the implementation, but it can also be implemented as the sound signal generation section 800, i.e., the signal generation apparatus, included in the keyboard instrument 1, and in addition, it can also be implemented as the sound source section 80 including the sound signal generation section 800. In this case, the key operation data and the pedal operation data can also be acquired from an input device having a keyboard and an input device having a damper pedal, and information for generating the key operation data and the pedal operation data can also be acquired. The key operation data and the pedal operation data can be provided from an external apparatus by data prescribed by a prescribed specification (e.g., the MIDI specification), or can be provided in a state of being recorded in a recording medium in a time series.

[0124] (8) All or a part of each function of the sound source section 80 can also be realized by execution of a control program of the CPU of the control section 10. In this case, the program for causing the control section 10 (computer) to execute the decay control processing can also be provided by download via a recording medium or a network. In addition, it can also be used by downloading the program to a personal computer or the like and executing it, thereby using the computer as the signal generation apparatus.

[0125] (9) In the keyboard instrument 1 in the above-described embodiments, the housing 50 and the pedal device 90 are configured to be detachable from each other, but they can also be housed in an integrated frame and cannot be detached.

[0126] (10) The decay speed of the sound can also be corrected in accordance with the operation position of the sostenuto pedal 93.

[0127] (11) Although the decay speed of the sound is controlled by changing the envelope waveform, it can also be controlled by controlling the degree of addition of reverb.

Claims

1. A signal generation device, comprising: The signal generation unit generates sound signals based on key operation data associated with key operations; as well as The attenuation control unit controls the attenuation rate of the sound signal based on pedal operation data associated with the pedal's operating position. If the operating position is within a first range that allows the operating position to vary, the attenuation rate is controlled to a first rate. If the operating position is within a second range adjacent to the first range, the attenuation rate is controlled to a second rate greater than the first rate. The first boundary position of the first range and the second range is determined based on control information obtained from the operation of the key.

2. The signal generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, When the operating position exists in a third range different from the first range and the second range, the attenuation control unit controls the attenuation speed to a third speed different from the first speed and the second speed.

3. The signal generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The third range is adjacent to either the first range or the second range. The position of the second boundary between the first range and one of the second ranges and the third range is determined based on information associated with the operation of the key.

4. The signal generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The third range is adjacent to the second range. The positions of the second boundary of the third range and the second range are determined based on the control information.

5. The signal generating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, The first boundary position and the second boundary position are determined in a manner that varies according to the control information based on the difference between the first boundary position and the second boundary position.

6. The signal generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The control information includes pitch information corresponding to the key. When the pitch information represents the first pitch, the first boundary position represents the first position; when it is the second pitch, which is higher than the first pitch, the first boundary position represents the second position, which is closer to the rest position than the first position.

7. The signal generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The control information includes the speed information of the key. When the speed information represents a third speed, the first boundary position represents a third position; when the speed is a fourth speed less than the third speed, the first boundary position represents a fourth position closer to the resting position than the third position.

8. The signal generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The control information includes the output level information of the sound signal generated by the operation of the key. When the output level information represents the first output level, the first boundary position represents the fifth position; when it is the second output level, which is lower than the first output level, the first boundary position represents the sixth position, which is closer to the rest position than the fifth position.

9. The signal generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The first boundary positions of the first range and the second range are determined based on control information obtained by the operation of the key corresponding to the sound signal whose attenuation rate is controlled.

10. A signal generation method, comprising: Sound signals are generated based on key operation data associated with key operations; as well as The decay rate of the sound signal is controlled based on pedal operation data associated with the pedal's operating position. Controlling the attenuation rate of the sound signal includes: The control information obtained through the operation of the key determines the position of the first range within the range in which the operation position can change, and the first boundary position of the second range adjacent to the first range; and When the operating position is within the first range, the attenuation rate is controlled to a first rate; when the operating position is within the second range, the attenuation rate is controlled to a second rate that is greater than the first rate.

11. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform: Sound signals are generated based on key operation data associated with key operations; as well as The decay rate of the sound signal is controlled based on pedal operation data associated with the pedal's operating position. When controlling the attenuation rate of the sound signal, Based on the control information obtained through the operation of the key, the first boundary position of the first range within the range in which the operation position can change and the first boundary position of the second range adjacent to the first range are determined. When the operating position is within the first range, the decay rate is controlled to a first rate; when the operating position is within the second range, the decay rate is determined to be a second rate that is greater than the first rate.

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