Electronic percussion instrument

Abstract

To provide an electronic percussion instrument capable of stabilizing a response in a musical performance as set by a player.SOLUTION: An electronic percussion instrument includes: a sensor which acquires a percussion signal; an operator which acquires a parameter; and a signal processing part which outputs a PCM signal with a volume and a tone corresponding to a velocity value obtained by adding a first value and a second value together at a rate corresponding to the parameter, wherein the first value and second value are obtained by converting impact strength according to a first equation y=x and a second equation which is a nonlinear equation passing (0,0) and (1,1), where x is the impact strength obtained by normalizing the strength of the percussion signal within a range from 0 to 1, and y is the velocity value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electronic percussion instruments. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a conventional electronic percussion instrument is the electronic drum pad disclosed in Patent Document 1. The electronic drum pad in Patent Document 1 includes a piezoelectric element that acquires a signal corresponding to the sound of the electronic drum pad being struck, a tone processing unit that outputs a tone processing signal obtained by processing the tone of the signal acquired by the piezoelectric element, a PCM signal selection unit that selects a PCM signal according to the level of the signal acquired by the piezoelectric element, and a signal synthesis unit that synthesizes the tone processing signal with the selected PCM signal, and is characterized by its enhanced expressive power achieved by combining a modeling method that uses the variously changing strike sounds themselves as a sound source with a PCM method based on recorded audio data. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-184885 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] With conventional electronic percussion instruments, the volume and tone of the sound can change significantly depending on the performer's subtle influences, such as the strength, position, and method of striking the object, and the material of the object being struck. As a result, performers often find themselves in situations where the volume and tone of the sound they produce are unstable and not to their liking.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic percussion instrument that can stabilize response during performance according to the settings of the performer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electronic percussion instrument disclosed herein includes a sensor that acquires a strike signal, a control that acquires parameters, and a signal processing unit that outputs a PCM signal with a volume and tone that corresponds to the velocity value obtained by adding together the first and second values ​​obtained by converting the strike intensity using the first and second equations, respectively, in a ratio that corresponds to the parameters, where x is the strike intensity obtained by normalizing the strength of the strike signal to the range of 0 to 1, y is the velocity value, and y=x is the first equation and a nonlinear equation that passes through (0,0) and (1,1) is the second equation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the electronic percussion instrument of the present disclosure, it is possible to stabilize the response during performance according to the settings of the performer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an electronic percussion instrument according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic percussion instrument of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of a signal processing unit of the electronic percussion instrument according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] A diagram showing the first equation used to calculate the velocity value. [Figure 5] A diagram showing an example of the second formula (convex upward) used to calculate the velocity value. [Figure 6] A diagram showing the third equation, which is a combination of the first and second equations, for each parameter. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of the second formula (convex downward) used to calculate the velocity value. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail. Note that components having the same functions are assigned the same numbers, and redundant explanations will be omitted. [Example]

[0010] The functional configuration of the electronic percussion instrument of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. Note that the term "electronic percussion instrument" is a general term for electronic instruments that simulate percussion instruments, and includes, for example, electronic drums, electronic cymbals, electronic timpani, electronic triangles, electronic tom-toms, electronic frame drums, electronic congas, electronic bongos, electronic cajons, electronic djembes, electronic tubolos, and electronic Japanese drums.

[0011] 1, the electronic percussion instrument 1 of this embodiment includes a sensor 11, a striking strength detection unit 12, a control 13, a signal processing unit 14, and a PCM signal storage unit 15. The operation of each component will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0012] <Sensor 11> Although not shown in the figure, the electronic percussion instrument 1 is assumed to have a striking surface for the performer to strike, and the sensor 11 acquires a striking signal generated by striking the striking surface (S11). The sensor 11 can be realized, for example, by a piezoelectric element, and a piezo sensor or the like can be used.

[0013] <Impact intensity output unit 12> The impact intensity output unit 12 normalizes the intensity of the impact signal to a range of 0 to 1 and outputs it as the impact intensity (S12).

[0014] <Controller 13> The electronic percussion instrument 1 of this embodiment allows the performer to adjust a parameter related to the response (also referred to as "Response") of the electronic percussion instrument 1 when the striking surface (PAD, also referred to as "Pad") is struck. This adjustment function is called the PAD Response function. The performer can adjust the parameter related to the PAD Response function (hereinafter referred to as the PAD Response parameter, symbolized as p) by operating the operator 13. The operator 13 acquires the PAD Response parameter p set by the performer (S13). The operator 13 may be, for example, a dial-type or button-type operator, or may be linked to a display on an LCD screen.

[0015] <Signal processing unit 14> The signal processing unit 14 defines the impact strength as x and the velocity value as y, where y = x is the first equation and a nonlinear equation passing through (0,0) and (1,1) is the second equation. The signal processing unit 14 converts the impact strength using the first and second equations, respectively, and adds the first and second values ​​obtained in a ratio determined by the parameter p to obtain a velocity value (also referred to as a PAD velocity value). The signal processing unit 14 then outputs a PCM signal with a volume and tone corresponding to the velocity value (PAD velocity value) (S14). At this time, the signal processing unit 14 references the PCM signal storage unit 15 (described below). The first equation: y = x is shown in FIG. 4. When the PAD Response function is turned off, only the first equation is used. When only the first equation is used, a linear velocity value is generated relative to the impact strength. When the PAD Response function is maximized, only the second equation is used.

[0016] For example, the above result can be obtained by associating the PAD Response function OFF state with the PAD Response parameter p=1, the state where the PAD Response function is at its maximum with the PAD Response parameter p=0, multiplying the first value obtained by the first equation by p, and multiplying the second value obtained by the second equation by 1-p, which is the value obtained by subtracting the parameter p from 1. This setting for the parameter p will also be used in the following explanation.

[0017] Conversely, the state in which the PAD Response function is OFF may correspond to the PAD Response parameter p=0, the state in which the PAD Response function is at its maximum may correspond to the PAD Response parameter p=1, and the first value obtained by the first equation may be multiplied by 1-p, and the second value obtained by the second equation may be multiplied by p.

[0018] The signal processing unit 14 outputs the PCM signal as a musical sound signal as is, or synthesizes the PCM signal with a percussion signal (to be described later) and outputs the result as a musical sound signal.

[0019] <When the second formula is an upward convex function> If the performer is a beginner, it is desirable that the second equation be an upward convex function. Figure 5 shows the second equation: y=1-(1-x) 4 The PAD Response parameter p is a numerical value ranging from 0 to 1, and is intended to be set to a smaller value as the performer becomes a beginner. The signal processing unit 14 obtains the PAD velocity value by multiplying the first value by p, multiplying the second value by 1-p, and adding them together.

[0020] When the PAD Response function is set to maximum (PAD Response parameter = 0), the velocity value is determined by the curve shown in the figure. This function outputs a y value between 0 and 1 when x ranges from 0 to 1, but within this range the y value increases rapidly and then saturates. If you convert impact strength into a velocity value using this curve, even if you gradually increase the impact strength, the velocity value will quickly reach a large value, resulting in the perception that the dynamic range has narrowed.

[0021] Beginners to percussion instruments may not be able to strike the striking surface hard enough, or may end up overexerting themselves in an attempt to strike hard, disrupting the rhythm and preventing them from producing the desired tone and volume. For example, with the second curve shown in Figure 5, even if a beginner percussionist can only strike with moderate force, the velocity value will be large (e.g., x = 0.5 and y ≒ 0.95), reproducing values ​​that approximate the maximum striking strength achieved with the PAD Response function turned off. While the gradation for low to medium velocity values ​​is somewhat coarse, it is still possible to easily achieve performances equivalent to maximum striking strength, allowing even beginners to produce vivid, crisp performances.

[0022] In addition, not only beginners but also experienced musicians can use the PAD Response function (Type 2: convex upwards) when stable sound is desired, such as in ensemble playing or recording. Also, depending on the musical genre, it may be preferable for percussion sounds to sound with a consistent tone, like a drum machine sound, and in such cases the PAD Response function (Type 2: convex upwards) can be used.

[0023] <Equivalent processing example> In the above processing, the signal processing unit 14 first calculates two velocity values (the first value and the second value), and then adds these values at a ratio according to parameters to obtain the PAD velocity value. As an equivalent processing, the following processing can be considered.

[0024] The signal processing unit 14 converts the impact intensity into a velocity value based on the third formula obtained by combining the first formula and the second formula at a ratio according to the parameter p, and outputs a PCM signal of volume and timbre corresponding to the converted velocity value (S14). In this case, the third formula changes as shown in FIG. 6 according to each value of the parameter p = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0.

[0025] <When the second formula is a convex-down function> In the above processing, an example in which the second formula is a convex-up function has been described. If the second formula is a convex-down function, the PAD Response function will behave differently from the above. For example, if the second formula is a convex-down function passing through (0,0) and (1,1) as shown in FIG. 7, although the maximum impact strength is difficult to appear, the response to a medium-strength impact is reproduced as a weak sound, so it becomes an effective curve in a music genre that emphasizes more delicate percussion instrument sounds.

[0026] <PCM signal storage unit 15> The PCM signal storage unit 15 stores in advance a PCM signal, which is a signal obtained by recording sound sources of volume and timbre corresponding to each PAD velocity value in the PCM format. For example, PCM signals (PCM-1, …, PCM-N) of each percussion sound with N levels (N is an integer of at least 2) of impact intensity from a soft hit to a strong hit can be provided with M levels (M is an integer of at least 2) of level variations (LEVEL-1, …, LEVEL-M), and data with a dynamic range of N×M gradations can be stored in advance.

[0027] In this embodiment, the PCM signal storage unit 15 is included within the electronic percussion instrument 1, but this is not limited to this. For example, the PCM signal storage unit 15 may be configured as an external device, and the electronic percussion instrument 1 may acquire the PCM signal by referring to the external device.

[0028] <Detailed Operation of Each Component in the Signal Processing Unit 14> As shown in Fig. 1, the signal processing unit 14 includes a velocity value calculation unit 141, a strike signal output unit 142, a PCM signal output unit 143, and a signal synthesis unit 144. The strike signal output unit 142 is configured to prevent slight delays caused by using PCM signals, and can be omitted as appropriate. When the strike signal output unit 142 is omitted, the signal synthesis unit 144 is also omitted. The detailed operation of each component in the signal processing unit 14 will be described below with reference to Fig. 3.

[0029] <Velocity value calculation unit 141> The velocity value calculation unit 141 calculates the PAD velocity value by adding together the first and second values ​​obtained by converting the impact strength using the first and second equations, respectively, at a ratio according to the parameter p (S141).

[0030] As described above, the velocity value calculation unit 141 may calculate the PAD velocity value based on the third equation obtained by combining the first and second equations at a ratio according to the parameter p (S141).

[0031] <Impact signal output unit 142> The impact signal output unit 142 outputs the impact signal acquired by the sensor 11 (S142). It is preferable that the impact signal output unit 142 processes the tone of the impact signal so that it more closely resembles the live sound of a percussion instrument before outputting it. Note that the impact signal may also be called a physical model sound source in contrast to the PCM signal, which is a recorded sound source.

[0032] The percussion signal output unit 142 may also multiply the percussion signal by the parameter p and output the result. For example, when realizing the electronic percussion instrument 1 in the above-mentioned case where the second formula is an upwardly convex function, if the percussion signal is multiplied by the parameter p and output, the more novice the performer, the quieter the percussion signal will be.

[0033] The percussion signal output unit 142 outputs the percussion signal acquired by the sensor 11 itself or a signal that has been processed to produce a tone color, so the tone color changes depending on the performer's subtle changes in percussion strength, position, percussion method, and percussion object. Experienced performers can control these changes to produce an emotional performance similar to that of an acoustic instrument, but beginner performers may end up with unintended variations in the sound. Therefore, by controlling the percussion signal level with the parameter p in addition to the "PAD Response," and setting a lower level the more beginner the performer, the difficulty for beginners can be alleviated.

[0034] Therefore, when the PAD Response parameter p=1, the PAD velocity value is determined based on the linear response of the first equation: y=x, and at the same time, the parameter p=1 is multiplied, i.e., an impact signal is output with the normal balance.

[0035] As the curve formed by combining the first and second equations changes in the direction of compressing the dynamic range (the PAD Response parameter p approaches 0), the level of the output impact signal decreases. When the PAD Response parameter p=0, the PAD velocity value is determined based on the second equation (convex upward), and at the same time, the parameter p=0 is multiplied, i.e., the impact signal is muted.

[0036] <PCM signal output unit 143> The PCM signal output unit 143 acquires the velocity value calculated by the velocity value calculation unit 141, and acquires the PCM signal corresponding to the acquired velocity value from the PCM signal storage unit 15 and outputs it (S143).

[0037] <Signal synthesis unit 144> The signal synthesis unit 144 synthesizes (mixes) the percussion signal output by the percussion signal output unit 142 and the PCM signal output by the PCM signal output unit 143, and outputs the result as a musical sound signal (S144).

[0038] In conventional electronic percussion instruments, such as electronic drums, the above functions are often implemented as functions on the sound source side, which requires the performer to adjust all the tone programs they use, which is extremely cumbersome. Adjusting all the necessary tone programs every time the performer's skills or preferences change is a huge amount of work, and is inconvenient for the performer.

[0039] According to the electronic percussion instrument 1 of this embodiment, by operating a single PAD Response parameter p with the operator 13, it is possible to freely move between the two types of formulas (formula 1 and formula 2) and the states therebetween, thereby adjusting the response of the entire electronic percussion instrument 1. This makes it easy to adjust the response, and is very convenient for the performer.

[0040] Furthermore, conventional electronic percussion instruments, such as electronic drums, sometimes have a function for selecting a response curve for the drum pads in addition to the tone program functions described above. However, conventional electronic drums only allow you to select one of several pre-preset curves, making them unsuitable for gradually adjusting the response to changes in the player's skill or preferences.

[0041] According to the electronic percussion instrument 1 of this embodiment, when converting the striking strength of the electronic percussion instrument 1 into a velocity value, two calculation formulas are prepared: a linear formula (formula 1) and a non-linear formula (formula 2), and it is possible to seamlessly transition between the two formulas, allowing the performer to find the pad response they desire.As a result, the pad response can be finely adjusted to suit changes in the performer's skills and preferences.

[0042] <Additional Notes> The functions performed by the components described herein may be implemented in circuitry or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), a CPU (a Central Processing Unit), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to perform the described functions. A processor includes transistors and other circuits and is considered to be circuitry or processing circuitry. A processor may also be a programmed processor that executes programs stored in memory.

[0043] In this specification, a circuitry, unit, or means is hardware that is programmed to realize or performs the described functions, which may be any hardware disclosed herein or any hardware known to be programmed to realize or perform the described functions.

[0044] If the hardware is a processor considered to be a type of circuitry, the circuitry, means, or unit is a combination of the hardware and software used to configure the hardware and / or processor.

[0045] The various processes described above can be implemented by loading a program that executes each step of the above method into the recording unit 10020 of the computer shown in Figure 8 and operating the control unit 10010, input unit 10030, output unit 10040, etc.

[0046] The program describing the processing contents can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, which may be, for example, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, a semiconductor memory, or any other suitable recording medium.

[0047] The program may be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, lending, etc. a portable recording medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM on which the program is recorded. Furthermore, the program may be stored in a storage device of a server computer, and then transferred from the server computer to another computer via a network, thereby distributing the program.

[0048] A computer that executes such a program may first temporarily store the program recorded on a portable recording medium or transferred from a server computer in its own storage device. Then, when executing a process, the computer reads the program stored on its own recording medium and executes the process in accordance with the read program. Alternatively, the computer may read the program directly from a portable recording medium and execute the process in accordance with the program. Furthermore, the computer may execute the process in accordance with the program each time a program is transferred from a server computer to the computer. The server computer may not transfer the program to the computer, but may instead execute the process through a so-called ASP (Application Service Provider) service, which realizes the processing function by issuing an execution instruction and obtaining the results. Furthermore, the server computer may execute the process on a terminal using a so-called SaaS (Software as a Service) service, which allows users to use part of the server computer along with the program. In this embodiment, the program includes information used for computer processing that is equivalent to a program (such as data that is not a direct instruction to the computer but has properties that define computer processing).

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the device is configured by executing a predetermined program on a computer, but at least a part of the processing contents may be realized by hardware.

Claims

1. a sensor for acquiring a striking signal; A manipulator for obtaining a parameter; The signal processing unit includes: a signal processing unit that outputs a PCM signal having a volume and a tone color corresponding to the velocity value obtained by adding together a first value and a second value obtained by converting the impact intensity using the first and second equations at a ratio corresponding to the parameter, where the impact intensity is normalized to a range of 0 to 1 and the velocity value is y, where y=x is a first equation and a second equation is a nonlinear equation that passes through (0,0) and (1,1), respectively. Electronic percussion instrument.

2. a sensor for acquiring a striking signal; A manipulator for obtaining a parameter; The signal processing unit converts the impact strength into the velocity value based on a third equation obtained by combining the first equation and the second equation at a ratio according to the parameter, where x is the impact strength obtained by normalizing the strength of the impact signal to a range of 0 to 1, y is the velocity value, and y=x is the velocity value, and outputs a PCM signal with a volume and a tone according to the converted velocity value. Electronic percussion instrument.

3. 2. The electronic percussion instrument according to claim 1, The second equation is an upwardly convex function. Electronic percussion instrument.

4. 2. The electronic percussion instrument according to claim 1, The second equation is a downward convex function Electronic percussion instrument.

5. 4. The electronic percussion instrument according to claim 3, The parameters are: It is a number between 0 and 1, and it is assumed that the more beginner the player is, the smaller the value should be set. The signal processing unit The first value is multiplied by the parameter, and the second value is multiplied by a value obtained by subtracting the parameter from 1, and the results are summed to obtain the velocity value. Electronic percussion instrument.

6. 6. The electronic percussion instrument according to claim 5, The signal processing unit The impact signal is multiplied by the parameter and output. Electronic percussion instrument.

7. 4. The electronic percussion instrument according to claim 3, The second formula is: y=1-(1-x) ４ is Electronic percussion instrument.

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