Sound generating device, sound generating method, and program

Abstract

This sound generation device comprises: a performance unit that carries out a performance on the basis of performance data including a plurality of tracks, each of which has attribute information and each of which includes one or a plurality of sound signals; a designation unit for designating attribute information that is to be searched; and a search unit for searching for a sound signal having the designated attribute information from the performance data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sound generation device, a sound generation method, and a program. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-142351 filed on September 1, 2021, and incorporates all of its disclosure herein.

Background Art

[0002] There is automatic performance data in which sound signals corresponding to the sounds (timbres) of various musical instruments are stored. In a restaurant or the like that provides live performances, the sound output by the automatic performance may be changed according to the composition of the participating band members. For example, when some members are absent, the sound of the timbre corresponding to the instrument that the member was supposed to play is set to be output from the automatic performance. As another method, there may be a case where the sound of an instrument of the same type as the instrument played by the member is muted so as not to be output from the automatic performance. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique capable of suppressing the volume of a specific musical instrument sound. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for muting an instructed part among the parts to be played.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in many cases, the data for automatic performance is stored in a state where each sound signal corresponding to a plurality of timbres is irregularly mixed. For example, one track may contain sound signals corresponding to a plurality of timbres. Also, even if one track contains only a sound signal corresponding to one timbre, the timbres included in the track may vary depending on the piece of music. Even for the same track, in one piece of music, a guitar timbre may be assigned, while in another piece of music, a piano timbre may be assigned. Therefore, when trying to search for the sound of a specific musical instrument from the data for automatic performance, for each piece of music, while checking detailed information such as which timbre is assigned to which track, or whether a track has one timbre assigned or a track contains a plurality of timbres, it is necessary to manually set each sound signal to mute or output one by one, which is time-consuming.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of such a situation. An example of the object of the present disclosure is to provide a sound generation device, a sound generation method, and a program capable of searching for a sound signal corresponding to the sound of a musical instrument from performance data including one or more sound signals each having attribute information in each of a plurality of tracks.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problems, one aspect of the present disclosure is a sound generation device including a performance unit that performs performance based on performance data including a plurality of tracks each including one or more sound signals each having attribute information, a designation unit that designates attribute information to be searched for, and a search unit that searches for a sound signal having the designated attribute information from the performance data.

[0007] Also, one aspect of the present disclosure is a sound generation method executed by a computer, the method including performing performance based on performance data including a plurality of tracks each including one or more sound signals each having attribute information, designating attribute information to be searched for, and searching for a sound signal having the designated attribute information from the performance data.

[0008] In addition, one aspect of the present disclosure is a program that causes a computer to perform a performance based on performance data including a plurality of tracks each including one or more sound signals each having attribute information, specify attribute information to be searched for, and search for a sound signal having the specified attribute information from the performance data.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to search for a sound signal corresponding to the sound of an instrument from performance data including one or more sound signals each having attribute information in a plurality of tracks. Therefore, it is possible to easily change the settings of the automatic performance according to the band members who can participate.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] The sound output device 1 in the embodiment is a computer, for example, an electronic musical instrument. The sound output device 1 outputs an electronic sound corresponding to the sound played based on the performance data. The performance data is, for example, data generated based on the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) standard. For example, the sound output device 1 is used as a device that outputs accompaniment sounds and the like in response to the performance of a band.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the sound output device 1 in the embodiment. The sound output device 1 includes, for example, a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, a control unit 13, and an input unit 14.

[0014] The communication unit 11 communicates with an external device. For example, the communication unit 11 receives various information such as performance data stored in an external server device via the Internet. Alternatively, the communication unit 11 acquires performance data stored in a portable memory such as a USB memory via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or the like.

[0015] The storage unit 12 is configured by, for example, a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access read / write Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or a combination thereof. The storage unit 12 stores a program for executing various processes of the sound output device 1 and temporary data used when performing various processes. The storage unit 12 stores, for example, performance data 120, registration data 121, category data 122, and search target data 123.

[0016] Here, the performance data 120 will be described. The performance data 120 includes a plurality of tracks. Each of the plurality of tracks includes one or more sound signals. Each of the one or more sound signals has attribute information. The attribute information here is information indicating what kind of sound the sound output based on the sound signal is, for example, timbre, a number or symbol associated with the timbre, or information indicating a character representing the musical instrument indicated by the timbre (such as an electric guitar). The attribute information is information that can be set, for example, in a MIDI program change or a MIDI control change. For example, the performance data 120 includes one track including a plurality of sound signals each having a different timbre as attribute information and one track including a sound signal having one timbre as attribute information.

[0017] FIGS. 2 to 5 are diagrams showing examples of the performance data 120 in the embodiment. The performance data 120 stores sound signals corresponding to a piece of music to be automatically performed. As shown in the example of FIG. 2, the performance data 120 stores information corresponding to items such as a track number and a track name. The track number is a number for identifying each track. The track name is the name of the track specified by the track number and is, for example, the name of each performance part.

[0018] In the example of FIG. 2, the performance data 120 is composed of eight tracks numbered from (T001) to (T008). To the track numbers T001 and T002, the names of "Rhythm 1" and "Rhythm 2" are respectively associated. To the track number T003, the name of "Bass" is associated. To the track numbers T004 and T005, the names of "Chord 1" and "Chord 2" are respectively associated. To the track number T006, the name of "Pad" is associated. To the track numbers T007 and T008, the names of "Phase 1" and "Phase 2" are respectively associated.

[0019] Generally, in each of the tracks of "Rhythm 1" and "Rhythm 2", the timbres of percussion instruments such as drums and percussion are mainly stored. Generally, in the "Bass" track, the bass timbre is stored. Generally, in each of the tracks of "Chord 1" and "Chord 2", the timbres of chords such as guitars and pianos are stored. Generally, in the "Pad" track, the timbres of stringed instruments are stored. Generally, in each of the tracks of "Phase 1" and "Phase 2", the timbres of, for example, guitars and synthesizers are stored.

[0020] FIGS. 3 to 5 show examples of the data stored in each track that constitutes the performance data 120 of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows an example of the data of "Rhythm 1" stored in the track number T001. FIGS. 4 and 5 show examples of the data of "Chord 1" stored in the track number T004.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, information corresponding to items such as, for example, the track number, track name, timbre, and timing is stored in the "rhythm" track. The track name stores a name corresponding to the track name in FIG. 2. The timbre stores the timbre of the sound signal assigned to the track.

[0022] In the example of FIG. 3, it shows that a sound signal having the timbre of each musical instrument group corresponding to "drum kit & percussion" is assigned as attribute information to the track named "Rhythm 1". Thus, the rhythm data in the performance data 120 mainly includes a sound signal having the timbre of percussion instruments as attribute information. Percussion instruments are, for example, musical instrument groups included in a drum kit such as a bass drum, snare drum, etc., and cowbells. Note that a timbre having a voice such as laughter or a timbre of a percussion instrument other than those for Western music, such as a Japanese taiko drum, may be assigned to the rhythm track as attribute information.

[0023] In the item of timing, information indicating the elapsed time based on the performance start time is stored. An event is associated with the timing. An event is information indicating the specific content of the process to be executed as a performance. An event includes, for example, items such as a note number, corresponding musical instrument, intensity, etc., and information is associated with each item. The note number is a number preset for each key on the keyboard. The corresponding musical instrument stores information indicating the musical instrument (percussion instrument) associated with the key specified by the note number. Since percussion instruments do not have a pitch, one musical instrument is associated with one key. Note that in cases where there are multiple performance methods corresponding to one percussion instrument, etc., multiple performance methods may be assigned to different keys.

[0024] In the example of FIG. 3, it is shown that at a certain timing, a sound signal of the "bass drum", which is the instrument corresponding to note number 36, is output, and at the next timing, a sound signal of the "snare drum", which is the instrument corresponding to note number 38, is output. Also, in the example of FIG. 3, it is shown that at another timing, a sound signal of the "cowbell", which is the instrument corresponding to note number 47, is output.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the "chord" track includes items such as the track number, track name, timbre, and timing, similar to the "rhythm" track, and information corresponding to each item is stored. On the other hand, the "chord" track is different from the "rhythm" track. Specifically, in the "chord" track, an event includes items such as note number, pitch, intensity, and length, and information corresponding to each item is stored. The "chord" track stores sound signals having the timbre of instruments with pitch, such as guitars and pianos, as attribute information. Therefore, in the "chord" track, one pitch is associated with one key.

[0026] The example of FIG. 4 shows that the timbre of "classical piano" is assigned to the track whose track name is "Chord 1". It is shown that at a certain timing, a sound signal corresponding to the timbre of the "classical piano" of "C1" with note number 36 is output, and at the next timing, a sound signal corresponding to the timbre of the "classical piano" of "D1" with note number 38 is output. Also, it is shown that at another timing, a sound signal corresponding to the timbre of the "classical piano" of "B1" with note number 47 is output.

[0027] The example of FIG. 5 shows that the sound of an "electric guitar" is assigned to the track whose track name is "Code 1". It is shown that at a certain timing, a sound signal corresponding to the sound of an electric guitar of "C1" with note number 36 is output, and at the next timing, a sound signal corresponding to the sound of an electric guitar of "D1" with note number 38 is output. Also, it is shown that at another timing, a sound signal corresponding to the sound of an electric guitar of "B1" with note number 47 is output.

[0028] Here, the registration data 121 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIGS. 6 and 7 show examples of the registration data 121 in the embodiment. The registration data 121 is data in which the output mode of the sound signal stored in each track is set for each track. The registration data 121 may have the same data structure as the performance data 120.

[0029] The output mode of the sound signal set in the registration data 121 is, for example, a mode of whether to mute the sound signal. Another example of the output mode of the sound signal is a mode of which instrument to associate with the sound signal. The registration data 121 is used, for example, when arranging the piece stored in the performance data 120. Thereby, for example, it is possible to perform a performance that changes the atmosphere by playing the piece with an instrument different from that during normal performance or making the piece quieter than during normal performance. Also, by storing the output mode of the sound signal as the registration data 121, it is possible to change the output mode of the sound signal to a desired output mode set in advance during performance.

[0030] The registration data 121 includes information associated with items such as, for example, the track number, the track name, and the setting items. The track number and the track name are the same information as the information included in the performance data 120. Therefore, these descriptions are omitted. The output mode of the sound signal is set in the setting items.

[0031] In the example of FIG. 6, a pronunciation mute setting is associated as a setting item. The pronunciation mute setting stores information for setting whether to pronounce or mute a sound signal. For example, when outputting a sound signal, "pronunciation" is set in the pronunciation mute setting. When muting the sound signal, "mute" is set in the pronunciation mute setting.

[0032] In the example of FIG. 7, a timbre change is associated as a setting item. The timbre change stores information for setting whether to change the timbre assigned to a track. Also, the timbre change stores information for setting which timbre to use when changing the timbre. In the example of FIG. 7, a setting is shown to change the timbre (classical piano) assigned to the track of "Chord 1" to the timbre of a pipe organ.

[0033] As shown by the performance data 120 and the registration data 121, it is common for the performance data to store sound signals having timbres corresponding to each performance part for each track as attribute information. However, the musical instruments for performing each performance part vary depending on the style. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, a sound signal having the timbre of a classical piano as attribute information may be stored in the track of "Chord 1". On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, a sound signal having the timbre of an electric guitar as attribute information may be stored in the track of "Chord 1".

[0034] In a band performance, since there is no guitarist today, there may be a case where only the guitar part is to be output as performance sound from the automatic performance. In this case, it is conceivable to set a specific track to "sounding" and other tracks to "muted". Specifically, it is conceivable to set either one of "Chord 1" or "Chord 2" in the performance data, or both "Chord 1" and "Chord 2", or either one of "Phase 1" and "Phase 2" to "sounding", and set other tracks to "muted". However, depending on the style, the track containing the sound signal having the guitar timbre as attribute information may be different. For example, the sound signal having the guitar timbre as attribute information may be in "Chord 1" in one style or in "Chord 2" in another style. Therefore, when there is no guitarist, simply setting a specific track to "sounding" cannot output only the intended guitar performance sound.

[0035] Also, for the drums, as shown in FIG. 3, although the main drum sound signal is input to the track of "Rhythm 1", there may be a case where the sound signal having the percussion timbre as attribute information is also input to the same track. Furthermore, the sound signal having the timbre of some instruments of the drum kit as attribute information may be input to the track of "Rhythm 2". Since there is a drummer today, if you want to mute only the drum part from the automatic performance, muting (turning off) the track of "Rhythm 1" will also mute the timbre of the cowbell belonging to the percussion. Also, if the track of "Rhythm 2" is left set to sounding (turned on), some timbres of the drum kit will be output.

[0036] Furthermore, the sounding / muting setting of each track in the performance data can be stored in the registration data 121. The registration data also includes the selection of styles and timbres. For one piece of music, multiple types of registration data may be used.

[0037] For example, assume that four types of registration data are used per piece, and it is planned to perform 20 pieces in a band performance tonight. In this case, 80 pieces (= 20 [pieces] × 4 [types]) of registration data will be used. If there is no guitarist in tonight's performance, rewriting all 80 pieces of registration data is a very time-consuming and laborious task.

[0038] As a countermeasure, in this embodiment, as a function separate from the setting of registration data, an output control function is realized that can set, for each instrument associated with a sound signal included in performance data, to output or mute that sound signal.

[0039] Here, the output control function will be described. Returning to FIG. 1, the control unit 13 is realized by causing the CPU (Central Processing Unit) included in the sound output device 1 as hardware to execute a program stored in the storage unit (memory) 12. The control unit 13 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 130, a designation unit 131, a search unit 132, a performance unit 133, and a device control unit 134. The output control function is realized by these functional units included in the control unit 13.

[0040] The acquisition unit 130 acquires various information. For example, the acquisition unit 130 acquires performance data received by the communication unit 11 and stores the acquired performance data in the storage unit 12 as performance data 120. The performance data is information including a plurality of sound signals having attribute information in a plurality of tracks.

[0041] Also, when the input unit 14 such as a selection button or a dial key is operated by the user, the acquisition unit 130 acquires information indicating the operation content via the input unit 14 and outputs the acquired information to the device control unit 134.

[0042] The specifying unit 131 specifies the search target. Here, the search target is a sound signal having specific attribute information in the performance data. Below, the case where the attribute information is information indicating timbre will be exemplified and described. In this case, the search target is a sound signal having a specific timbre as the attribute information. The attribute information (timbre) may be information indicating the type of sound (the type of sounding body).

[0043] For example, the specifying unit 131 acquires the timbre selected by the user, and specifies as the search target a sound signal having the acquired timbre as the attribute information. For example, the specifying unit 131 causes the display unit 15 to display the timbres used in the performance data in a selectable manner. The user operates a dial key or the like to perform an operation of selecting any one of the timbres displayed on the display unit 15. The input unit 14 acquires the timbre selected by the user and outputs it to the acquisition unit 130. The specifying unit 131 acquires the timbre selected by the user via the acquisition unit 130, and outputs the acquired timbre as the attribute information to the search unit 132. Thereby, the specifying unit 131 specifies the search target.

[0044] Also, the specifying unit 131 may identify the category to which the attribute information specified as the search target belongs, and specify the search target according to the identified category.

[0045] The category here is a classification that divides the attribute information into several groups. For example, the category is a classification of musical instruments (such as drums, percussion, bass, guitar, piano, etc.) played in a band performance. One category includes a plurality of attribute information. For example, when the category is "guitar", the attribute information of timbres such as "acoustic guitar", "electric guitar", "guitar harmonics" belongs to that category. The category may belong not only to the timbre but also to the attribute information corresponding to the performance method such as a special playing method. Also, when the category is "piano", the attribute information of timbres such as "grand piano", "classical piano", "electric piano" belongs to that category. The correspondence relationship between the attribute information and the category is stored in the storage unit 12, for example, as the category data 122.

[0046] Here, the category data 122 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing examples of the category data 122 of the embodiment. In the category data 122, for example, information corresponding to each of a category and a tone color is stored. The category is provided with items of a number and a name, and information corresponding to each item is stored. In the category number, a number for identifying the category is stored. In the category name, the name of the category specified by the category number is stored. The tone color is provided with items of a number and a name, and information corresponding to each item is stored. In the tone color number, a number for identifying the tone color is stored. In the tone color name, the name of the tone color specified by the tone color number is stored.

[0047] FIG. 8 shows an example of the category data 122 when the category is a guitar. In the example of FIG. 8, as tone colors belonging to the guitar category, an acoustic guitar, an electric guitar, and guitar harmonics are associated. Guitar harmonics is an example of a special playing technique.

[0048] FIG. 9 shows an example of the category data 122 when the category is a piano. In the example of FIG. 9, as tone colors belonging to the piano category, a grand piano, a classical piano, and an electric piano are associated.

[0049] For example, the specifying unit 131 may obtain the category selected by the user and specify, as a search target, a sound signal having a tone color belonging to the obtained category as attribute information. In this case, for example, the specifying unit 131 causes the display unit 15 to display icons of musical instrument categories, for example, drums, percussion, bass, guitar, piano, etc. in a selectable manner (see the image 150 in FIG. 12).

[0050] The user performs an operation of selecting any category from the instrument categories displayed on the display unit 15 by operating a dial key or the like. The input unit 14 acquires the category selected by the user and outputs it to the acquisition unit 130. The specifying unit 131 acquires the category selected by the user via the acquisition unit 130, and specifies the timbres belonging to the acquired category using the category data 122. The specifying unit 131 outputs the specified timbre to the search unit 132 as attribute information. Thereby, the specifying unit 131 specifies the search target.

[0051] As another method, the specifying unit 131 may specify, as the search target, a sound signal having some of the timbres belonging to the category.

[0052] In this case, for example, the specifying unit 131 causes the display unit 15 to display the instrument categories in a selectable manner (see the image 150 in FIG. 12). Then, the specifying unit 131 acquires the information indicating the category selected by the user, and specifies the timbres belonging to the acquired category using the category data 122. Based on the specified category, the specifying unit 131 causes the display unit 15 to display the timbres (sound sources) belonging to the category. For example, when the guitar is selected as the instrument category, the specifying unit 131 causes the timbres belonging to the guitar category to be displayed (see the image 151 in FIG. 12).

[0053] The user performs an operation of selecting whether or not to set as the search target a sound signal having the displayed timbre by operating a dial key or the like. The input unit 14 acquires the information indicating the timbre selected as the search target by the user. The specifying unit 131 outputs the acquired information to the search unit 132 as the information indicating the timbre of the sound signal to be the search target. Thereby, the specifying unit 131 specifies the search target.

[0054] The specifying unit 131 may acquire the tone color selected by the user and specify other tone colors belonging to the category to which the acquired tone color belongs as search targets. In this case, for example, the specifying unit 131 causes the display unit 15 to display the tone colors used in the performance data in a selectable manner. The user operates a dial key or the like to perform an operation of selecting any one of the displayed tone colors (referred to as the first tone color). The specifying unit 131 acquires the first tone color selected by the user. The specifying unit 131 specifies the category to which the acquired first tone color belongs using the category data 122. The specifying unit 131 extracts other tone colors belonging to the specified category using the category data 122. The specifying unit 131 causes the extracted other tone colors to be displayed in a selectable manner. The user operates a dial key or the like to perform an operation of selecting any one of the displayed other tone colors (referred to as the second tone color). The specifying unit 131 acquires the second tone color selected by the user. The specifying unit 131 specifies the acquired second tone color together with the first tone color as a search target.

[0055] Further, the specifying unit 131 may cause the storage unit 12 to store the attribute information targeted for search and the category information indicating the category as the search target data 123.

[0056] Here, the search target data 123 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams showing examples of the search target data 123 in the embodiment.

[0057] In FIG. 10, for each category, it is shown whether to target a sound signal having a tone color belonging to the category as attribute information for search. The search target data 123 stores information corresponding to items such as, for example, a category number, a category name, a search target flag, and an individual setting flag. The category is provided with items for a number and a name, and information corresponding to each item is stored. The category number stores a number for identifying the category. The category name stores the name of the category specified by the category number.

[0058] The search target flag stores binary information indicating whether or not the category specified by the category number is a search target. For example, when 0 (zero) is set in the search target flag, it indicates that it is not a search target. On the other hand, when 1 is set in the search target flag, it indicates that it is a search target.

[0059] The individual setting flag stores binary information indicating whether or not each of the sound signals having the timbre belonging to the category specified by the category number as attribute information is a search target, individually. For example, when 0 (zero) is set in the individual setting flag, it indicates that whether or not each of the timbres belonging to the category is a search target is not specified, individually. On the other hand, when 1 is set in the individual setting flag, it indicates that whether or not each of the timbres belonging to the category is a search target is specified, individually.

[0060] In the example of FIG. 10, for each of the categories of drum, percussion, bass, guitar, and piano corresponding to each of the category numbers G001 to G005, it is shown whether or not it is a search target. Here, among the categories of drum, percussion, bass, guitar, and piano, it is shown that the categories of guitar and piano are search targets. Among the categories of guitar and piano that are search targets, for the guitar, it is shown that whether or not each of the timbres belonging to the guitar category is a search target is specified, individually. For the piano, it is not shown that whether or not each of the timbres belonging to the piano category is a search target is set, individually, but it is shown that all of the sound signals having the timbre belonging to the piano category as attribute information are search targets.

[0061] In FIG. 11, it is shown whether or not each of the timbres belonging to the category is a search target, individually. The search target data 123A stores information corresponding to items such as a category, a search target flag, and an individual setting flag. The information corresponding to these items is the same as that of the search target data 123. The search target data 123A further stores information corresponding to items such as timbre and an individual search target flag.

[0062] The tone color is provided with items of number and name, and information corresponding to each item is stored. The number of the tone color stores a number for identifying the tone color. The name of the tone color stores the name of the tone color specified by the number of the tone color. The individual search target flag stores information indicating whether it is a search target. For example, when 0 (zero) is set in the individual search target flag, it indicates that it is not a search target. On the other hand, when 1 is set in the individual search target flag, it indicates that it is a search target.

[0063] In the example of FIG. 11, as the tone colors belonging to the guitar corresponding to the category number G004, an acoustic guitar, an electric guitar, and guitar harmonics are shown. Among these tone colors belonging to the guitar category, the acoustic guitar is shown to be a search target. The electric guitar is shown not to be a search target. The guitar harmonics is shown to be a search target.

[0064] Returning to the description of FIG. 1, the search unit 132 searches for a sound signal having a tone color that is a search target based on the information acquired from the designation unit 131.

[0065] For example, the search unit 132 acquires performance data 120 corresponding to the piece to be performed as performance data. When registration data is set in the acquired performance data, the search unit 132 acquires the registration data 121. The search unit 132 reflects the setting of the registration data 121 in the performance data 120. As a result, the performance data 120 becomes performance data that outputs the style and tone color set in the registration data 121. The search unit 132 refers to each track of the performance data and acquires the attribute information of the sound signal output from each track.

[0066] For example, the search unit 132 refers to rhythm tracks such as "Rhythm 1" or "Rhythm 2", and obtains the code numbers indicated in the events associated with each predetermined timing. The search unit 132 determines whether the sound signal associated with the code number is the sound signal to be searched for. When the sound signal associated with the code number is a sound signal having the attribute information to be searched for, the search unit 132 extracts that sound signal as the search target.

[0067] For example, the search unit 132 refers to tracks other than rhythm, such as "Code 1" and "Code 2", and obtains the timbres assigned to those tracks. The search unit 132 determines whether the timbre assigned to the track is a timbre having the attribute information to be searched for. When the timbre assigned to the track is a timbre having the attribute information to be searched for, the search unit 132 extracts all the sound signals included in that track as the search target.

[0068] The search unit 132 outputs information indicating the sound signals extracted as the search targets from the performance data to the performance unit 133.

[0069] The performance unit 133 performs based on the performance data. The performance unit 133 executes the events associated with that timing at a predetermined timing based on the performance data. Specifically, the performance unit 133 generates a sound of the timbre associated with the sound signal indicated in the event, and outputs the generated sound with the intensity and length indicated in that event. Thereby, the performance unit 133 performs.

[0070] In this embodiment, the performance unit 133 acquires sound signals associated with events associated with the same timing in each track of the performance data that reflects the setting of the registration data. When the acquired sound signal is a sound signal extracted as a search target by the search unit 132, the performance unit 133 mutes the sound signal without outputting it. On the other hand, when the acquired sound signal is not a search target, the performance unit 133 outputs the sound signal. As a result, the sound output device 1 can perform so as to output only the sound of a timbre that is not a search target without outputting the sound of the timbre that is a search target.

[0071] The device control unit 134 comprehensively controls the sound output device 1. For example, the device control unit 134 acquires the performance data received by the communication unit 11 and stores the acquired performance data in the storage unit 12 as performance data 120. Further, the device control unit 134 acquires the information input to the input unit 14 and outputs the acquired information to the designation unit 131. As a result, the designation unit 131 can acquire the timbre selected by the user as attribute information.

[0072] The input unit 14 acquires information operated by the user. The input unit 14 is, for example, an operation button, a dial key, each key of a keyboard, or the like. When an operation button or the like is operated by the user, the input unit 14 acquires information indicating the operation and outputs the acquired information to the control unit 13.

[0073] The display unit 15 displays an image. The display unit 15 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like. The display unit 15 displays an image according to the control of the control unit 13.

[0074] Here, the image displayed on the sound output device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 15 in the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, for example, images 150 to 152 are displayed as selectable images on the display unit 15. In the image 150, as search candidates, images of categories of musical instruments that form the basis of a band, such as drums, percussion, guitars, pianos (keyboards), etc., are displayed together with buttons 150B for selecting these categories.

[0075] In the image 151, as search candidates, tones belonging to the musical instrument category selected in the image 150, such as strings like acoustic guitar, electric guitar, guitar harmonics, etc., are displayed together with a button 151B1 for individually setting whether to include this tone in the search target. In this case, separately from the button 151B1 for individual setting, a button 151B2 for selecting all tones belonging to the musical instrument category may be displayed.

[0076] In the image 152, a button 152B for operating to store the category selected as the search target and the tone selected as the search target among the tones belonging to that category is displayed.

[0077] The user selects the tone to be searched and performs a storage operation of pressing the button 152B by operating a dial key or the like. When the storage operation is performed, the specifying unit 131 refers to the search target data 123 associated with the stored button 152B. When there is no information already stored in the referred search target data 123, the specifying unit 131 stores the attribute information and category information selected as the search target in the selectable image in the search target data 123. When the button 151B1 is selected as shown in FIG. 12, the information shown in the search target data 123A in FIG. 11 is stored.

[0078] On the one hand, when information is already stored in the reference search target data 123, the specifying unit 131 causes an image for selecting whether to "overwrite" the attribute information and category information selected in the selection image, for example, or to "call out" the already stored information to be displayed in the selection image. When "overwrite" is selected by the user, the specifying unit 131 stores the attribute information and category information selected as the search target in the selection image in the search target data 123. When "call out" is selected by the user, the specifying unit 131 sets the tone color stored in the search target data 123 to the state selected in the selection image. As a result, since the previously stored tone color is reflected in the selection image, the tone color to be searched for can be set based on the past history without the user having to perform an operation of individually selecting the tone color.

[0079] Here, the flow of the process performed by the sound output device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams for explaining the flow of the process performed by the sound output device 1 in the embodiment. FIG. 13 shows the flow of the process for designating the search target. FIG. 14 shows the flow of the process for searching for a sound signal having the attribute information designated as the search target.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 13, the sound output device 1 displays a selection image (step S1). In the selection image, the categories of musical instruments that are candidates for search are displayed. The sound output device 1 determines whether any of the categories of musical instruments displayed in the selection image have been selected by the user's operation (step S2). When a category is selected, the sound output device 1 acquires information indicating the selected category.

[0081] The sound output device 1 displays the tone colors belonging to the category (step S3). The sound output device 1 identifies the tone colors belonging to the category of musical instruments selected by the user's operation by referring to the category data 122. The sound output device 1 displays a character string indicating the tone colors belonging to the identified category in the selection image.

[0082] The sound output device 1 determines whether the timbre displayed in the selected image has been selected by the user's operation (step S4). When the timbre is selected, the sound output device 1 acquires information indicating the selected timbre as attribute information to be searched for (step S5).

[0083] The sound output device 1 determines whether to store the search target (step S6). For example, when a storage operation is performed by the user, the sound output device 1 determines to store the search target. On the other hand, when no storage operation is performed by the user, the sound output device 1 determines not to store the search target. When storing the search target, the sound output device 1 stores the attribute information to be searched for in the storage unit 12 as search target data 123 (step S7). On the other hand, when not storing the search target, the sound output device 1 ends the process.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 14, the sound output device 1 acquires performance data 120 (step S10). The sound output device 1 determines whether registration data 121 is set in the acquired performance data 120 (step S11). When the registration data 121 is set, the sound output device 1 reflects the registration data in the performance data 120 (step S12). The sound output device 1 acquires the performance data of the track to be searched (step S13). The sound output device 1 determines whether muting is set for the track (step S14). When muting is set, it is determined whether all tracks have been searched (step S18). If there are tracks that have not been searched, the process returns to step S13. When all tracks have been searched, the sound signal set for sounding is output (step S19). Thereby, a sound of the timbre associated with the sound signal is output from the sound output device 1.

[0085] On the other hand, in step S14, when no sound suppression is set for the track, the sound output device 1 acquires the sound signal set for each event at the timing in the track (step S15). The sound output device 1 determines whether the attribute information associated with the acquired sound signal is a search target (step S16). If it is a search target, the sound output device 1 sets that sound signal for sound suppression (step S17). If it is not a search target, the sound output device 1 executes the process shown in step S18 without setting that sound signal for sound suppression.

[0086] Here, an example in which the sound output device 1 is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 schematically shows an example in which the sound output device 1 is applied to an electronic musical instrument. In this case, the selection buttons and dial keys provided on the electronic musical instrument function as the input unit 14. Also, the liquid crystal screen provided on the electronic musical instrument functions as the display unit 15.

[0087] The sound output device 1 may be a PC (Personal Computer), a server device, a tablet terminal, etc. having a function of generating a waveform corresponding to a sound signal. FIG. 16 schematically shows an example in which the sound output device 1 is realized by a tablet terminal 100 and an electronic musical instrument 200 connected to the tablet terminal 100. In this case, the touch panel provided on the tablet terminal functions as the input unit 14. Also, the liquid crystal screen provided on the electronic musical instrument functions as the display unit 15. The tablet terminal 100 outputs a sound signal to the electronic musical instrument 200. The tablet terminal 100 suppresses the sound without outputting a sound signal having the timbre targeted for search as attribute information, and outputs only a sound signal having a timbre not targeted for search as attribute information to the electronic musical instrument 200. The electronic musical instrument 200 outputs a sound corresponding to the sound signal acquired from the tablet terminal 100.

[0088] In the above-described embodiment, the case where a sound signal having the searched tone color as attribute information is set to be muted has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. For example, the sound output device 1 can also be used when a sound signal having the searched tone color as attribute information is set to be pronounced and a sound signal having a tone color that is not the search target as attribute information is set to be muted.

[0089] As described above, the sound output device 1 (an example of a sound generation device) according to the embodiment includes a performance unit 133, a designation unit 131, and a search unit 132. The performance unit 133 performs a performance based on performance data 120. The performance data 120 includes a plurality of sound signals having attribute information in a plurality of tracks. The attribute information is information indicating, for example, what tone color the sound signal has as attribute information. The designation unit 131 designates the attribute information to be searched for. The search unit 132 searches for a sound signal having the attribute information designated by the designation unit 131 in the performance data 120. Thereby, the sound output device 1 of the embodiment can search for a sound signal having a specific tone color as attribute information from performance data in which each sound signal having a plurality of tone colors as attribute information is mixed in a plurality of tracks. That is, a sound signal corresponding to the sound of a specific musical instrument can be searched for. Therefore, the automatic performance setting can be easily changed according to the band members who can participate.

[0090] Note that, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the correspondence relationship between the attribute information and the category information is stored in the storage unit 12 as category data 122 has been illustrated and described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. The correspondence relationship between the attribute information and the category information only needs to exist in such a manner that at least the designation unit 131 can specify the category to which the tone color belongs or can specify the tone colors belonging to the category.

[0091] For example, the sound signal may be configured to have attribute information and category information. In the case of this configuration, the correspondence relationship between the attribute information and the category information is stored in the storage unit 12 as information related to the sound signal of the performance data 120. For example, the specifying unit 131 specifies the category to which the timbre belongs by referring to the performance data 120. Alternatively, the specifying unit 131 specifies the timbre belonging to the category by referring to the performance data 120.

[0092] Alternatively, the sound signal may be configured to have an address where the attribute information and the category information are stored. In this case, the specifying unit 131 acquires the address where the attribute information and the category information are stored by referring to the performance data 120. The specifying unit 131 specifies the category to which the timbre belongs by referring to the acquired address. Alternatively, the specifying unit 131 specifies the timbre belonging to the category by referring to the acquired address.

[0093] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the category of the musical instrument is used, but it is not limited thereto. The category may be arbitrarily set. For example, two categories, singing voice and other than singing voice, may be set, or two categories, electric and acoustic, may be set.

[0094] All or part of the sound output device 1 in the above-described embodiment may be implemented by a computer. In that case, a program for realizing this function may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to realize it. Here, the “computer system” shall include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, etc., and a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. Furthermore, the “computer-readable recording medium” also includes a communication line like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, which dynamically holds the program for a short time, and a volatile memory inside a computer system serving as a server or a client in that case, which holds the program for a certain period of time. Also, the above program may be for realizing a part of the aforementioned functions, and may further be realized in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system for the aforementioned functions, or may be realized using a programmable logic device such as an FPGA.

[0095] Although some embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the disclosure. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the disclosure, and are also included in the disclosure described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Industrial Applicability

[0096] The present disclosure may be applied to a sound generation device, a sound generation method, and a program.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0097] 1... Sound output device (sound generation device) 12... Memory unit 13... Control unit 131... Designation unit 132... Search unit 133... Performance unit 134... Device control unit

Claims

1. A performance unit that performs performance based on performance data including a plurality of tracks each including one or more sound signals each having attribute information; A display unit that selectively displays an icon indicating a category to which the attribute information belongs; A specifying unit that specifies the attribute information belonging to the category indicated by the icon selected by the user as a search target; A search unit that searches the performance data for a sound signal having the specified attribute information; comprising The display unit displays a storage operation button, The specifying unit stores, as search target data associated with the storage operation button, the attribute information selected by the user in response to the selection of the attribute information by the user and the operation of the storage operation button; A sound generation device.

2. The specifying unit specifies a category to which the specified attribute information belongs based on a correspondence relationship between the specified attribute information and the category, The search unit searches for the sound signal having the attribute information belonging to the specified category, The sound generation device according to claim 1.

3. The search unit selects whether to search for the sound signal having the specified attribute information or to search for the sound signal having the attribute information belonging to the specified category, The sound generation device according to claim 2.

4. The performance unit sets the searched sound signal to be muted, The sound generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. When the icon is selected by the user, the display unit selectively displays an image indicating the attribute information belonging to the category indicated by the selected icon, The specified unit specifies the attribute information indicated by the image selected by the user. The sound generation device according to claim 1.

6. The display unit displays in a selectable manner a history of the attribute information that has been selected as a search target in the past. The sound generation device according to claim 1 or claim 5.

7. The specified unit refers to the search target data in response to the selection of the storage operation button, and if the search target is not stored in the search target data, stores the attribute information selected by the user as the search target data. The sound generation device according to claim 1.

8. The specified unit refers to the search target data in response to the selection of the storage operation button. When the search target is stored in the search target data, the user can select whether to overwrite and store the attribute information selected by the user as the search target data, or to set the search target called from the search target data as the attribute information selected by the user. The sound generation device according to claim 1.

9. A sound generation method executed by a computer, performing a performance based on performance data including a plurality of tracks each including one or more sound signals each having attribute information, displaying in a selectable manner an icon indicating a category to which the attribute information belongs, specifying the attribute information belonging to the category indicated by the icon selected by the user as a search target, searching for a sound signal having the specified attribute information from the performance data, displaying a storage operation button, in response to the selection of the attribute information by the user and the operation of the storage operation button, storing the attribute information selected by the user as search target data associated with the storage operation button. A sound generation method including the following.

10. causing a computer to perform a performance based on performance data including a plurality of tracks each including one or more sound signals each having attribute information, display an icon indicating a category to which the attribute information belongs in a selectable manner, specify the attribute information belonging to the category indicated by the icon selected by the user as a search target, search for a sound signal having the specified attribute information from the performance data, display a memory operation button, and store the attribute information selected by the user as search target data associated with the memory operation button in response to the selection of the attribute information by the user and the operation of the memory operation button. A program for causing the above to be executed.

Images