Karaoke device

Abstract

To provide a Karaoke device capable of reducing discomfort which a singer and audience feel when a guide vocal function is used.SOLUTION: A Karaoke device includes: an acquisition unit for acquiring voice range data; a determination unit for determining whether a reference pitch of each note in reference data of music is included in a range indicated by the acquired voice range data; a generation unit for generating mute timing data in which sound production start time and sound production end time of the note whose reference pitch is determined to be not included in the range indicated by the voice range data are recorded; and a performance control unit for controlling performance means to start mute reproduction of guide vocal based on guide vocal data along to Karaoke performance of music, cancel mute reproduction based on sound production start time recorded in mute timing data and perform mute reproduction based on sound production end time recorded in the mute timing data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a karaoke machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Karaoke machines are equipped with a guide vocal function to assist karaoke singing. The guide vocal function plays pre-registered guide vocals (for example, vocals sung by a professional singer) along with the accompaniment of the song. By using the guide vocals as a model, karaoke machine users can easily sing even unfamiliar songs.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a music playback device with an automatic performance switching function that automatically switches from karaoke to performance with vocals when the singer's voice stops, without the singer having to perform an instantaneous switch operation, and automatically switches from performance with vocals to karaoke when the singer starts singing again. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-298793 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technology described in Patent Document 1 starts vocal performance when there is no vocal output from the singer for a few seconds. In other words, a situation occurs in which neither the singing voice nor the guide vocals are emitted during karaoke singing, which creates a sense of discomfort for the singer singing karaoke and the audience listening to the karaoke singing.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a karaoke apparatus that can reduce the sense of discomfort felt by singers and audiences when using the guide vocal function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One invention for achieving the above object is a karaoke device having an acquisition unit that acquires vocal range data indicating the highest and lowest pitches that a singer can sing; a determination unit that determines whether the reference pitch of each note in the reference data of a song selected by the singer is within the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch indicated by the acquired vocal range data of the singer; a generation unit that generates mute timing data that records the sounding start time and sounding end time of a note whose reference pitch is determined not to be within the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch; and a performance control unit that controls a performance means to start muted playback of a guide vocal based on guide vocal data in synchronization with a karaoke performance of the song, to cancel muted playback based on the sounding start time recorded in the mute timing data, and to execute muted playback based on the sounding end time recorded in the mute timing data. Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, when the guide vocal function is used, the sense of discomfort felt by the singer and the audience can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a karaoke device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing a karaoke machine main body according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing reference data according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing the process of the karaoke device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing mute timing data according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] <Embodiment> A karaoke device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] ==Karaoke Equipment== The karaoke device K is a device for performing karaoke music and for singers to sing karaoke. As shown in Fig. 1, the karaoke device K includes a karaoke main unit 10, a speaker 20, a display device 30, a microphone 40, and a remote control device 50.

[0012] The karaoke machine 10 controls various aspects of karaoke performance and singing, such as controlling the karaoke performance of the selected song, controlling the display of lyrics and background images, and processing audio signals input through the microphone 40. The speaker 20 is configured to emit sound based on the sound emission signal from the karaoke machine 10. The display device 30 is configured to display videos and images on a screen based on the signal from the karaoke machine 10. The microphone 40 is configured to convert the singer's singing voice into an analog audio signal and input it to the karaoke machine 10. The remote control device 50 is a device for performing various operations on the karaoke machine 10.

[0013] 2, the karaoke machine 10 according to this embodiment includes a storage unit 10a, a communication unit 10b, an input unit 10c, a performance unit 10d, and a control unit 10e. Each component is connected to a bus B via an interface (not shown).

[0014] [Storage means] The storage means 10a is a large-capacity storage device that stores various types of data, including music data.

[0015] Song data is assigned song identification information for identifying each song. Song identification information is information unique to each song, such as a song ID for identifying the song. Song data includes accompaniment data, reference data, etc. Accompaniment data is data that forms the basis of the karaoke performance sound. Reference data is data that indicates the singing melody of the song performed karaoke, and is used to evaluate the singer's karaoke singing. Reference data is composed of multiple notes (musical notes), and for each note, a note number, a predetermined pitch (i.e., reference pitch), a sound start time (so-called note-on) and a sound end time (so-called note-off) are set. Note numbers indicate the order of the notes. For example, the note number corresponding to the first note of a song is "1." The sound start time and sound end time are indicated using the time (0) as the reference point.

[0016] 3 is an example of reference data for music piece X. For example, note No. 1 of music piece X has a reference pitch of "E3," an onset time of "16000 msec," and an onset time of "16750 mec."

[0017] The storage means 10a stores lyric data for displaying lyrics corresponding to each song on the display device 30 or the like in sync with the karaoke performance, background video data such as background video to be displayed on the display device 30 or the like during the karaoke performance, attribute information of the song (song title, singer name, genre, performance time, etc.), and guide vocal data for playing guide vocals for the song.

[0018] [Communication means / input means] The communication means 10b provides an interface for communicating with the remote control device 50. The input means 10c is configured to allow the singer to input various operations. The input means 10c is a button or the like provided on the karaoke main unit 10. Alternatively, the remote control device 50 may function as the input means 10c.

[0019] [Means of performance] Based on the control of the control means 10e, the performance means 10d performs karaoke performance of music pieces and processes audio signals input through the microphone 40. The performance means 10d includes a sound source, a mixer, an amplifier, etc. (none of which are shown).

[0020] [Control means] The control means 10e performs various controls in the karaoke device K. The control means 10e includes a CPU and a memory (neither of which is shown). The CPU executes programs stored in the memory to realize various functions.

[0021] In this embodiment, the CPU executes a program stored in the memory, and the control means 10e functions as an acquisition unit 100, a determination unit 200, a generation unit 300, and a performance control unit 400.

[0022] (Acquisition Department) The acquisition unit 100 acquires vocal range data.

[0023] Vocal range data indicates the highest and lowest pitches that a singer can sing. The highest pitch is the highest pitch that a singer can sing. The lowest pitch is the lowest pitch that a singer can sing. In other words, a singer can produce any pitch that falls within the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch (conversely, a singer cannot produce any pitch that falls outside that range).

[0024] Vocal range data can be acquired in various ways. For example, the singer operates the remote control device 50, enters his / her singer identification information and password, and then selects the login icon. The singer identification information is information unique to each singer, such as a singer ID for identifying the singer.

[0025] The karaoke device K transmits a login request including the input singer identification information and password to a server device (not shown). The server device has a singer database. The singer database stores singer information for each singer. The singer information includes singer identification information, a preset login password, singing history, vocal range data, etc.

[0026] The server device completes the login by storing the singer identification information and password included in the received login request in a storage means. The server device also references a singer database and extracts singer information including the combination of singer identification information and password included in the received login request. The server device transmits the extracted singer information to the karaoke device K that sent the login request (at this time, the server device also transmits a signal indicating that login has been completed). The acquisition unit 100 acquires the vocal range data included in the singer information received from the server device.

[0027] Alternatively, the acquisition unit 100 can acquire vocal range data directly from the singer's singing voice using publicly known technology (for example, processing similar to the evaluation means for identifying the singer's vocal range described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-15672).

[0028] (Judgment Department) The determination unit 200 determines whether the reference pitch of each note in the reference data of the song selected by the singer is included in the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch indicated by the acquired vocal range data of the singer.

[0029] The singer operates the remote control device 50 to select a song that the singer wishes to sing karaoke. In this case, the determination unit 200 refers to the storage means 10a and extracts reference data included in the song data corresponding to the song identification information of the song selected by the singer. The determination unit 200 compares the reference pitch of each note in the extracted reference data with the singer's vocal range data acquired by the acquisition unit 100, and determines for each note whether the reference pitch is within the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch indicated by the vocal range data. The determination unit 200 outputs the determination result to the generation unit 300.

[0030] (Generation part) The generating section 300 generates mute timing data that records the sounding start time and sounding end time of a note that is determined not to fall within the range of the reference pitch from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch.

[0031] When the judgment unit 200 outputs a judgment result that the reference pitch of a certain note is not included in the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch indicated by the vocal range data, the generation unit 300 reads out the pronunciation start time and pronunciation end time of the certain note from the storage means 10a and records them.

[0032] On the other hand, if the determination unit 200 outputs a determination result that the reference pitch of a certain note is included in the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch indicated by the vocal range data, the generation unit 300 does not read out the onset time and end time of the certain note, i.e., the onset time and end time of the certain note are not recorded.

[0033] The generation unit 300 repeats the above process each time the determination unit 200 outputs a determination result for a certain note. When determination results have been obtained for all notes included in the reference data for a certain piece of music, the generation unit 300 generates mute timing data that records the onset and end times of the notes that are determined not to fall within the range of the reference pitch from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch.

[0034] If the reference pitch of a note is outside the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch indicated by the vocal range data, the singer corresponding to that vocal range data cannot produce the reference pitch of that note. On the other hand, if the reference pitch of a note is within the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch indicated by the vocal range data, the singer corresponding to that vocal range data can produce the reference pitch of that note.

[0035] (Performance control unit) The performance control unit 400 controls the performance means 10d to perform a karaoke performance of the song selected by the singer.

[0036] The performance control unit 400 reads out the accompaniment data of the song selected by the singer from the storage unit 10a based on the song identification information of the song. The performance control unit 400 controls the performance unit 10d to perform karaoke based on the accompaniment data, and causes the speaker 20 to emit karaoke performance sounds.

[0037] Here, the performance control unit 400 according to this embodiment controls the performance means 10d to start muted playback of the guide vocal based on the guide vocal data in synchronization with the karaoke performance of the song, to cancel the muted playback based on the pronunciation start time recorded in the mute timing data, and to execute the muted playback based on the pronunciation end time recorded in the mute timing data.

[0038] Suppose that when singing a certain song at karaoke, the singer operates the remote control device 50 and selects to use the guide vocal function. In this case, the performance control unit 400 reads out the guide vocal data for the certain song from the storage means 10a. When the karaoke performance of the certain song begins, the performance control unit 400 starts muted playback of the guide vocal based on the guide vocal data. Mute playback is a process that plays back the guide vocal data while not emitting the guide vocal sound from the speaker.

[0039] Thereafter, the performance control unit 400 controls the performance means 10d to cancel the mute playback based on the sound production start time recorded in the mute timing data. By canceling the mute playback, the guide vocal sound being played is emitted.

[0040] On the other hand, the performance control unit 400 controls the performance means 10d to execute mute playback based on the sound production end time recorded in the mute timing data. By executing mute playback (when mute playback is released), the sound of the guide vocal being played is stopped.

[0041] More specifically, the performance control unit 400 according to this embodiment controls the performance means 10d to cancel mute playback based on the start time of the sounding of a note included in the mute timing data, and to execute mute playback based on the end time of the sounding of that note.

[0042] The performance control unit 400 refers to the mute timing data in synchronization with the start of karaoke performance of the song, and checks the sounding start time and sounding end time in the order of the recorded notes. When the sounding start time of one note included in the mute timing data arrives, the performance control unit 400 cancels mute playback. On the other hand, when the sounding end time of one note included in the mute timing data arrives, the performance control unit 400 executes mute playback. The performance control unit 400 repeats the above process until the karaoke performance of the song ends.

[0043] ==About the operation of the karaoke device K== Next, a specific example of the operation of the karaoke device K in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the karaoke device K. Figure 5 shows an example of mute timing data generated by the generation unit 300. In this example, it is assumed that the storage means 10a stores reference data for the song X shown in Figure 3.

[0044] The acquisition unit 100 acquires vocal range data indicating the highest and lowest pitches that the singer V can sing (acquire vocal range data; step 10).

[0045] The singer V operates the remote control device 50 to select the song X that he or she wishes to sing as karaoke (selecting song X; step 11).

[0046] The determination unit 200 determines whether the reference pitch of each note in the reference data for song X selected by singer V is within the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch indicated by the vocal range data of singer V acquired in step 10 (determines whether the reference pitch of each note in the reference data is within the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch indicated by the vocal range data; step 12).

[0047] The generating unit 300 generates mute timing data that records the sounding start time and sounding end time of the note that is determined not to be included in the range of the reference pitch from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch (generating mute timing data; step 13).

[0048] The performance control unit 400 starts the karaoke performance of the song X (start karaoke performance, step 14). Also, the performance control unit 400 starts muted playback of the guide vocal based on the guide vocal data of the song X in sync with the karaoke performance of the song X (start muted playback of the guide vocal, step 15).

[0049] The performance control unit 400 controls the performance means 10d to cancel mute playback based on the sound production start time recorded in the mute timing data generated in step 13 (cancel mute playback; step 16). Also, the performance control unit 400 controls the performance means 10d to execute mute playback based on the sound production end time recorded in the mute timing data generated in step 13 (execute mute playback; step 17).

[0050] The performance means 400 repeats the processes of steps 16 and 17 based on the mute timing data generated in step 13 until the karaoke performance of the piece of music X is completed (if Y in step 18).

[0051] Specifically, singer V operates remote control device 50, inputs his / her singer ID and password, and then selects a login icon. Karaoke device K transmits a login request including the input singer ID and password to the server device. The server device stores the singer ID and password included in the received login request in a storage means, thereby completing the login of singer V. The server device also refers to a singer database and extracts singer information of singer V, including the combination of singer ID and password included in the received login request. The server device transmits the singer information of singer V to karaoke device K that transmitted the login request. The acquisition unit 100 acquires vocal range data VR of singer V included in the singer information received from the server device. It is assumed that the vocal range data VR has a highest pitch of "B4" and a lowest pitch of "D3".

[0052] The singer V operates the remote control device 50 to select the song X that he / she wishes to sing as karaoke and to select the use of the guide vocal function.

[0053] In this case, the determination unit 200 refers to the storage means 10a and extracts reference data included in the song data corresponding to the song ID of song X (see FIG. 3).

[0054] Thereafter, the determination unit 200 determines, in order of note number, whether the reference pitch of each note is included in the range from the highest pitch "B4" to the lowest pitch "D3" indicated by the vocal range data VR.

[0055] 3, the reference pitch of note No. 1 is “E3.” Therefore, the determination unit 200 determines that the reference pitch of note No. 1 is included in the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch.

[0056] On the other hand, the reference pitch of note No. 2 is "C3." Therefore, the determination unit 200 determines that the reference pitch of note No. 2 is not included in the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch. In this case, the generation unit 300 records the note production start time of note No. 2 as "16750 msec" and the note production end time as "17000 msec."

[0057] Furthermore, the reference pitch of note No. 3 is “F3.” Therefore, the determination unit 200 determines that the reference pitch of note No. 3 is included in the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch.

[0058] Similarly, the reference pitch of note No. n-1 is “A4.” Therefore, the determination unit 200 determines that the reference pitch of note No. n-1 is included in the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch.

[0059] On the other hand, the reference pitch of note No. n is "C5." Therefore, the determination unit 200 determines that the reference pitch of note No. n is not included in the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch. In this case, the generation unit 300 records the sounding start time of note No. n as "37500 msec" and the sounding end time as "38000 msec."

[0060] Furthermore, the reference pitch of note No. n+1 is “G4.” Therefore, the determination unit 200 determines that the reference pitch of note No. n+1 is included in the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch.

[0061] When the above process is repeated and determination results are obtained for all notes included in the reference data of musical piece X, the generation unit 300 generates mute timing data that records the onset and end times of notes that are determined not to fall within the range of the reference pitch from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch. In this example, it is assumed that mute timing data MD is generated that records the onset and end times of notes No. 2 and No. n shown in Figure 5.

[0062] After the mute timing data MD is generated, the performance control unit 400 reads out the accompaniment data of the song X from the storage means 10a based on the song ID of the song X selected by the singer V. The performance control unit 400 controls the performance means 10d to perform karaoke based on the accompaniment data, and causes the speaker 20 to emit karaoke performance sounds. The singer V sings karaoke along with the karaoke performance sounds.

[0063] In this example, the performance control unit 400 reads out the guide vocal data for the song X from the storage means 10a, and starts muted playback of the guide vocal based on the guide vocal data in sync with the karaoke performance of the song X.

[0064] The performance control unit 400 refers to the mute timing data MD, and controls the performance means 10d to cancel the mute playback when the sounding start time of note No. 2, "16750 msec," arrives. When the performance means 10d cancels the mute playback, the guide vocal being played is emitted from the speaker 20.

[0065] The reference pitch "C3" of note No. 2 is a pitch that is not included in the range from the highest pitch "B4" to the lowest pitch "D3" indicated by singer V's vocal range data, i.e., a pitch that singer V cannot produce. Therefore, by emitting the guide vocal sound at the timing when the pronunciation of note No. 2 starts, singer V's karaoke singing can be supported. Furthermore, because the guide vocal sound is emitted based on the time when the pronunciation of the note starts, there is no chance that a situation will occur where neither the singing voice nor the guide vocal sound is not emitted when switching to the guide vocal.

[0066] Next, the performance control unit 400 refers to the mute timing data MD, and controls the performance means 10d to execute mute playback when the sounding end time of note No. 2, "17000 msec," arrives. When mute playback is released, the performance means 10d executes mute playback, which stops the sound of the guide vocal being played.

[0067] The reference pitch "F3" of note No. 3, the note following note No. 2, is a pitch included in the range from the highest pitch "B4" to the lowest pitch "D3" indicated by singer V's vocal range data VR, i.e., a pitch that singer V can produce. Therefore, by stopping the emission of the guide vocal voice at the timing when the pronunciation of note No. 2 ends, singer V can easily sing karaoke in his or her own voice. Furthermore, because the emission of the guide vocal voice is stopped based on the time when the pronunciation of the note ends, the guide vocal voice does not affect the karaoke singing.

[0068] Similarly, the performance control unit 400 refers to the mute timing data MD, and controls the performance means 10d to cancel muted playback when the sounding start time of note No. n, "37500 msec," arrives. When the performance means 10d cancels muted playback, the guide vocal being played is emitted from the speaker 20.

[0069] Next, the performance control unit 400 refers to the mute timing data MD, and controls the performance means 10d to execute mute playback when the sounding end time of note No. n, "38000 msec," arrives. When mute playback is released, the performance means 10d executes mute playback, which stops the sound of the guide vocal being played.

[0070] As is clear from the above, the karaoke device K of this embodiment comprises an acquisition unit 100 that acquires vocal range data indicating the highest and lowest pitches that the singer can sing; a determination unit 200 that determines whether the reference pitch of each note in the reference data of a song selected by the singer is within the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch indicated by the acquired vocal range data of the singer; a generation unit 300 that generates mute timing data that records the pronunciation start time and pronunciation end time of a note whose reference pitch is determined not to be within the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch; and a performance control unit 400 that controls the performance means 10d to start muted playback of a guide vocal based on the guide vocal data in time with the karaoke performance of the song, to cancel the muted playback based on the muted playback start time recorded in the mute timing data, and to execute the muted playback based on the muted playback end time recorded in the mute timing data.

[0071] With this karaoke device K, mute playback can be released or started by using mute timing data that records the onset and end times of notes with reference pitches determined not to be within the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch among the reference pitches of each note in the reference data for the song selected by the singer. By emitting the guide vocals based on the onset and end times of notes, a situation will never occur during karaoke singing where neither the singer's voice nor the guide vocals are emitted (unless the singer intentionally stops singing). In other words, the karaoke device K according to this embodiment can reduce the sense of discomfort felt by the singer and the audience when using the guide vocal function.

[0072] In addition, in the karaoke device K according to this embodiment, the performance control unit 400 controls the performance means 10d to cancel mute playback based on the sounding start time of a note included in the mute timing data, and to execute mute playback based on the sounding end time of the note. This karaoke device K can support the singer in singing karaoke by emitting guide vocals only for notes whose reference pitch is a pitch that the singer cannot produce.

[0073] <Modification> For example, there may be cases where the reference pitches of two consecutive notes are determined not to be within the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch indicated by the singer's vocal range data, and the pronunciation end time of a first note and the pronunciation start time of a second note (an example of another note) that is the note following the first note are the same. In this case, the performance control unit 400 according to the embodiment will execute mute playback based on the pronunciation end time of the first note included in the mute timing data, and then cancel mute playback based on the pronunciation start time of the second note included in the mute timing data. This may result in a momentary interruption in the sound output of the guide vocal.

[0074] Alternatively, for the reference pitches of three consecutive notes, the reference pitch of the first note may be determined to be outside the range from highest to lowest indicated by the singer's vocal range data, the reference pitch of the second note following the first note may be determined to be within the range from highest to lowest indicated by the singer's vocal range data, and the reference pitch of the third note (an example of another note) following the second note may be determined to be outside the range from highest to lowest indicated by the singer's vocal range data. In this case, if the time from the end of the first note to the start of the third note is short, the performance control unit 400 according to the embodiment shortens the time between the execution of muted playback based on the end of the first note included in the mute timing data and the release of muted playback based on the start of the third note included in the mute timing data. This means that the singer needs to sing the second note for just a moment.

[0075] Therefore, the performance control unit 400 according to this modification can control the performance means 10d to cancel mute playback based on the sounding start time of a note included in the mute timing data, not to execute mute playback based on the sounding end time of the note included in the mute timing data, and to execute mute playback based on the sounding end time of the subsequent note, if the difference between the sounding end time of a note included in the mute timing data is within a predetermined time. The predetermined time is set to a value such as 500 msec.

[0076] Specifically, let us assume that the determination unit 200 has determined that the reference pitches of two consecutive notes N1 and N2 are not within the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch indicated by the singer's vocal range data. In this case, the mute timing data contains the onset time ST1 and end time FT1 of note N1, and the onset time ST2 and end time FT2 of note N2. Let us also assume that the predetermined time is 500 msec.

[0077] Here, the performance control unit 400 according to this modification checks whether the difference D between the sounding end time FT1 of note N1 and the sounding start time ST2 of note N2 is within a predetermined time. If the sounding end time FT1 of note N1 and the sounding start time ST2 of note N2 are the same, the difference D will be "0." Therefore, the performance control unit 400 determines that the difference D is within the predetermined time. In this case, the performance control unit 400 controls the performance means 10d to cancel mute playback based on the sounding start time ST1 of note N, not to perform mute playback based on the sounding end time FT1 of note N1, and to perform mute playback based on the sounding end time FT2 of note N2.

[0078] Alternatively, suppose the determination unit 200 determines that the reference pitch of note N1 is outside the range from highest to lowest indicated by the singer's vocal range data, the reference pitch of note N2 is within the range from highest to lowest indicated by the singer's vocal range data, and the reference pitch of note N3 is outside the range from highest to lowest indicated by the singer's vocal range data. In this case, the mute timing data includes the onset time ST1 and onset end time FT1 of note N1, and the onset time ST3 and onset end time FT3 of note N3. The predetermined time is also assumed to be 500 msec.

[0079] Here, the performance control unit 400 according to this modification checks whether the difference D between the sounding end time FT1 of note N1 and the sounding start time ST3 of note N3 is within a predetermined time. If the difference D between the sounding end time FT1 of note N1 and the sounding start time ST3 of note N3 is 300 msec, the performance control unit 400 determines that the difference D is within the predetermined time. In this case, the performance control unit 400 controls the performance means 10d to cancel mute playback based on the sounding start time ST1 of note N, not to perform mute playback based on the sounding end time FT1 of note N1, and to perform mute playback based on the sounding end time FT3 of note N3.

[0080] As is clear from the above, in the karaoke apparatus K according to this modification, if the difference between the sounding end time of a note included in the mute timing data and the sounding start time of a note that follows the note included in the mute timing data is within a predetermined time, the performance control unit 400 controls the performance means 10d to cancel mute playback based on the sounding start time of the note, not to perform mute playback based on the sounding end time of the note, and to perform mute playback based on the sounding end time of the subsequent note. With this karaoke apparatus K, it is possible to reduce the sense of discomfort felt by the singer and audience when using the guide vocal function, regardless of the determination result based on the reference pitch of consecutive notes.

[0081] <Other> The program can also be supplied to a computer using a non-transitory computer-readable medium with an executable program stored thereon. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), etc.

[0082] The above-described embodiments are presented as examples and do not limit the scope of the invention. The above configurations can be implemented in appropriate combinations, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The above-described embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 100 Acquisition Department 200 Judgment section 300 Generation part 400 Performance control unit K Karaoke equipment

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires vocal range data indicating the highest and lowest pitches that a singer can sing; a determination unit that determines whether the reference pitch of each note in the reference data of the song selected by the singer is within the range from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch indicated by the acquired vocal range data of the singer; a generating unit that generates mute timing data that records the sounding start time and sounding end time of a note that is determined to be outside the range of the reference pitch from the highest pitch to the lowest pitch; a performance control unit that controls the performance means to start muted playback of a guide vocal based on the guide vocal data in synchronization with the karaoke performance of the song, to cancel the muted playback based on the sound production start time recorded in the mute timing data, and to execute the muted playback based on the sound production end time recorded in the mute timing data; A karaoke device having:

2. 2. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the performance control unit controls the performance means to cancel mute playback based on a sounding start time of one note included in the mute timing data, and to execute mute playback based on a sounding end time of the one note.

3. 3. The karaoke apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the performance control unit controls the performance means so that, when a difference between a sounding end time of a note included in the mute timing data and a sounding start time of a note subsequent to the note included in the mute timing data is within a predetermined time, the performance control unit cancels mute playback based on the sounding start time of the note, does not execute mute playback based on the sounding end time of the note, and executes mute playback based on the sounding end time of the subsequent note.

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