Audio mixer and method for controlling the same

Abstract

To provide an audio mixer which can be easily used when using one mixer by a plurality persons.SOLUTION: An audio mixer contains an operation panel having a first division containing a first operator for operating a first parameter and a second division containing a second operator for operating a second parameter. A control part divides a plurality of input channels into a first input channel and a second input channel, and divides a mixing bus into a first mixing bus 303A and a second mixing bus 303B. A processing part is controlled so as to be operated separately in a first signal processing system and a second signal processing system. In the first signal processing system, a sound signal output from the first input channel to the first mixing bus in accordance with the first parameter is processed. In the second signal processing system, a sound signal outputting from the second input channel to the second mixing bus is processed in accordance with the second parameter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an audio mixer and a method for controlling an audio mixer. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses that a plurality of digital mixers of the same type are prepared, and that they share a common input board, and the mix output connector of the preceding stage is connected to the sub-mix-in connector of the subsequent stage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-310957 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an audio mixer that is easy to use when multiple people use one mixer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The audio mixer has an operation panel having a first section including a first operator that accepts operation of a parameter and a second section including a second operator that accepts operation of the parameter, a processing section that processes sound signals to be output from multiple input channels to multiple mixing buses in accordance with the parameters, and a control section that controls the operation of the processing section.

[0006] In a first mode, the control unit divides the multiple input channels into a first input channel that is a first signal processing system and a second input channel that is a second signal processing system, divides the multiple mixing buses into a first mixing bus that is the first signal processing system and a second mixing bus that is the second signal processing system, divides the parameters into a first parameter corresponding to the first operator and a second parameter corresponding to the second operator, controls the processing unit in the first signal processing system to process the sound signal output from the first input channel to the first mixing bus according to the first parameter, and controls the processing unit in the second signal processing system to process the sound signal output from the second input channel to the second mixing bus according to the second parameter; and in a second mode, the control unit treats the multiple input channels and the multiple mixing buses as a single signal processing system and controls the processing unit in the same signal processing system to process the sound signals output from the multiple input channels to the multiple mixing buses according to the parameters. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an audio mixer that is easy to use when multiple people use one mixer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an audio mixer. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of signal processing. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an input patch setting screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a block diagram functionally showing the signal processing configuration of the input channel 302 and the mixing bus 303. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an operation panel 100 of an audio mixer 1. FIG. [Figure 6]10 is a flowchart showing the switching operation in the CPU 16 between the split mode (first mode) and the normal mode (second mode). [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a block diagram functionally showing the signal processing configuration of the input channel 302 and the mixing bus 303 in the first mode. [Figure 8] 11A is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display 11A when an operation for a first signal processing system is accepted. FIG. [Figure 9] 11B is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display 11B when an operation for the second signal processing system is accepted. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a channel copy acceptance screen displayed on the display 11. [Figure 11] 1 is a block diagram showing an audio mixer 1 according to a first modification and a PC 2 connected to the audio mixer 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an audio mixer 1. The audio mixer 1 includes a display 11, an operation unit 12, an audio I / O (Input / Output) 13, a processing unit 14, a communication interface (I / F) 15, a CPU 16, a flash memory 17, and a RAM 18.

[0010] The display 11, operation unit 12, audio I / O (Input / Output) 13, processing unit 14, communication interface (I / F) 15, CPU 16, flash memory 17, and RAM 18 are connected to one another.

[0011] The audio I / O 13 is an interface for receiving input of an audio signal to be processed by the processing unit 14. The audio I / O 13 is provided with an analog input port, a digital input port, or the like for receiving input of an audio signal. The audio I / O 13 is also an interface for outputting an audio signal after being processed by the processing unit 14. The audio I / O 13 is provided with an analog output port, a digital output port, or the like for outputting an audio signal.

[0012] The communication I / F 15 is an interface for communicating with other devices. For example, an external PC is connected to the communication I / F 15. Alternatively, the communication I / F 15 transmits and receives audio signals conforming to standards such as Dante (registered trademark) via a network.

[0013] The CPU 16 is a control unit that controls the operation of the audio mixer 1. The CPU 16 performs various operations by reading out predetermined programs stored in a flash memory 17, which is a storage unit, into a RAM 18.

[0014] The display 11 displays various information under the control of the CPU 16. The display 11 is configured by, for example, an LCD, an OLED, or an LED.

[0015] The operation unit 12 accepts operations from the user on the audio mixer 1. The operation unit 12 is configured with various keys, buttons, switches, rotary encoders, sliders, etc. The operation unit 12 may also be configured with a touch panel laminated on the display 11.

[0016] The processing unit 14 is configured with a DSP for performing various signal processing such as mixing processing, effect processing, etc. The processing unit 14 performs signal processing such as mixing processing, effect processing, etc. on the sound signal supplied from the audio I / O 13 or the communication I / F 15. The processing unit 14 outputs the processed digital sound signal via the audio I / O 13 or the communication I / F 15.

[0017] 2 is a functional block diagram of the signal processing. As shown in FIG. 2, the signal processing is functionally performed by an input patch 301, an input channel 302, a mixing bus 303, an output channel 304, and an output patch 305.

[0018] The input patch 301 inputs audio signals from multiple input ports (e.g., analog input ports or digital input ports) in the audio I / O 13, and assigns any one of the multiple ports to at least one of multiple input channels (e.g., 32 channels).

[0019] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for the input patch 301. The setting screen for the input patch 301 is displayed on the display 11. The setting screen for the input patch 301 displays channel names and port numbers in a matrix format. A touch panel is laminated on the display 11. The user selects each port number in the matrix to specify the channel to be assigned to each port. As a result, an audio signal is supplied to each channel of the input channels 302.

[0020] 4 is a block diagram functionally showing the signal processing configuration of the input channels 302 and the mixing bus 303. Each channel of the input channels 302 adjusts the gain of the audio signal in a head amplifier (HA) 350 corresponding to a port assigned in the input patch 301. Furthermore, each channel of the input channels 302 performs signal processing such as an equalizer and compressor on the audio signal whose gain has been adjusted in the HA 350 in a signal processing block 351.

[0021] The processed sound signal is level-adjusted by a fader section (FADER) 352 and then sent to the downstream mixing bus 303 via a pan section (PAN) 353. The pan section 353 adjusts the balance of the signal to be supplied to a stereo bus (a two-channel bus that serves as a master output) 3031 of the mixing bus 303.

[0022] Furthermore, the processed sound signals are level-adjusted by sending units (SEND1 to SEND48) 354 and then sent to the downstream mixing bus 303. The user can switch whether or not the sending unit 354 supplies a signal to each of the MIX buses 3032 (MIX1 to MIX48) of the mixing bus 303. The sending unit 354 also adjusts the level of the signal supplied to each MIX bus according to the sending amount set by the user.

[0023] The output channels 304 have the same number of channels as the mixing buses. Each channel of the output channels 304 performs various signal processing on the audio signal output from the mixing bus 303. Each channel of the output channels 304 sends the processed audio signal to the output patch 305. The output patch 305 assigns each channel to one of a plurality of analog output ports or digital output ports. As a result, the audio signal after signal processing is supplied to the audio I / O 13.

[0024] The above signal processing is controlled based on the values ​​of various parameters. The CPU 16 stores the current values ​​(current data) of the various parameters in the RAM 18. The CPU 16 updates the current data when the user operates the operation unit 12.

[0025] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the operation panel 100 of the audio mixer 1. As shown in Fig. 5, the operation panel 100 of the audio mixer 1 has a first section 100A and a second section 100B.

[0026] The first section 100A is provided with a display 11A, a channel strip 63A, a store button 72A, a recall button 73A, an increase / decrease buttons 74A, etc. The display 11A is a display with a stacked touch panel, which is one aspect of the operation unit 12, and displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen for receiving user operations. The GUI of the display 11A, the channel strip 63A, the store button 72A, the recall button 73A, and the increase / decrease buttons 74A correspond to the operation unit 12 and the first operator of the present invention.

[0027] The second section 100B is provided with a display 11B, a channel strip 63B, a store button 72B, a recall button 73B, and an increase / decrease button 74B. The display 11B is also a display with a stacked touch panel, which is one aspect of the operation unit 12, and displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen for receiving user operations. The GUI of the display 11B, the channel strip 63B, the store button 72B, the recall button 73B, and the increase / decrease button 74B correspond to the operation unit 12 and the second operator of the present invention.

[0028] Channel strip 63A and channel strip 63B are areas in which a plurality of controls, each accepting operations for one channel, are arranged vertically. Each channel of channel strip 63A and channel strip 63B has controls corresponding to fader section (FADER) 352, pan section (PAN) 353, and feed section 354 shown in Fig. 4. Audio mixer 1 accepts parameter operations via the control (first control) of channel strip 63A and the control (second control) of channel strip 63B.

[0029] In this diagram, only one fader and one knob are shown as controls for each channel, but in reality, many knobs or switches may be provided.

[0030] Any input channel can be assigned to each of the channel strips 63A and 63B. For example, the channel strip 63A has 16 channel strips and can be assigned input channels 1 to 16. The channel strip 63B has 16 channel strips and can be assigned input channels 17 to 32.

[0031] Also, different input channels may be assigned to channel strip 63A and channel strip 63B, or the same input channel may be assigned to them. For example, input channels 1 to 16 may be assigned to channel strip 63A, and input channels 1 to 16 may also be assigned to channel strip 63B.

[0032] In this example, the number of input channels and the number of channel strips are the same (32), but the number of input channels may be greater than the number of channel strips. For example, even if the number of input channels is 64, any of the 64 input channels can be assigned to channel strip 63A and channel strip 63B.

[0033] The store button 72A and the store button 72B are buttons for instructing the storage of scene memory data. The user can operate the store button 72A or the store button 72B to store (store) the current data as data for one scene memory in the flash memory 17. Multiple scene memories are stored in the flash memory 17. The user can also select the scene memory to be saved or recalled from multiple scene memories by operating the increase / decrease button 74A or the increase / decrease button 74B. The user can recall the setting values ​​of various parameters by operating the recall button 73A or the recall button 73B to recall the data of the required scene memory. These buttons can also be configured as a GUI using a touch panel superimposed on the display 11.

[0034] Next, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the switching operation in the CPU 16 between the split mode (first mode) and the normal mode (second mode).

[0035] The CPU 16 determines whether the current mode is the first mode or the second mode (S11). A change between the first mode and the second mode is accepted, for example, via a dedicated operator on the operation unit 12. If the CPU 16 determines that the current mode is the first mode (S11: first mode), it divides the input channels into a first input channel, which is the first signal processing system, and a second input channel, which is the second signal processing system, and divides the mixing buses into a first mixing bus, which is the first signal processing system, and a second mixing bus, which is the second signal processing system (S12). The CPU 16 also divides the parameters into a first parameter, which is the first signal processing system, and a second parameter, which is the second signal processing system (S12). The CPU 16 then causes the processing unit 14 to perform signal processing in each system (S13). Specifically, the CPU 16 controls the processing unit 14 in the first signal processing system to process the sound signal output from the first input channel to the first mixing bus in accordance with the first parameter, and in the second signal processing system to control the processing unit 14 to process the sound signal output from the second input channel to the second mixing bus in accordance with the second parameter.

[0036] 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the signal processing of input channel 302 and mixing bus 303 in the first mode. In the first mode, CPU 16 divides input channel 302 into first input channel 302A and second input channel 302B. CPU 16 also divides mixing bus 303 into first mixing bus 303A and second mixing bus 303B.

[0037] In this embodiment, the number of input channels is, for example, 32. Therefore, the CPU 16 divides the 32 input channels into 16 first input channels and 16 second input channels. Also, in this embodiment, the number of MIX buses in the mixing bus is, for example, 48. Therefore, the CPU 16 divides the 48 MIX buses 3032 into 24 first MIX buses 3032A and 24 second MIX buses 3032B. Also, in this example, the CPU 16 divides other buses, such as the stereo bus 3031, into a first stereo bus 3031A and a second stereo bus 3031B.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 7, for each channel of the first input channel 302A, the HA 350A adjusts the gain of the sound signal. Furthermore, for each channel of the input channel 302A, the signal processing block 351A performs signal processing such as an equalizer or compressor on the sound signal whose gain has been adjusted by the HA 350A. The sound signal after the signal processing is level-adjusted by a fader section (FADER) 352A, and then sent to the subsequent mixing bus 303A via a pan section (PAN) 353A. The pan section 353A adjusts the balance of the signal to be supplied to a stereo bus (a two-channel bus serving as a master output) 3031A of the mixing bus 303A. Furthermore, the sound signal after the signal processing is level-adjusted by a send section (SEND1 to SEND24) 354A, and then sent to the subsequent mixing bus 303A.

[0039] Similarly, for each channel of the second input channel 302B, the HA 350B adjusts the gain of the sound signal. Furthermore, for each channel of the input channel 302B, the signal processing block 351B performs signal processing such as an equalizer or compressor on the sound signal whose gain has been adjusted by the HA 350B. The sound signal after the signal processing is level-adjusted by a fader section (FADER) 352B, and then sent to the subsequent mixing bus 303B via a pan section (PAN) 353B. The pan section 353B adjusts the balance of the signal to be supplied to a stereo bus (a two-channel bus serving as the master output) 3031B of the mixing bus 303B. Furthermore, the sound signal after the signal processing is level-adjusted by a send section (SEND1 to SEND24) 354B, and then sent to the subsequent mixing bus 303B.

[0040] Signal processing of the first input channel 302A is controlled based on the value of a first parameter. Signal processing of the second input channel 302B is controlled based on the value of a second parameter. The CPU 16 stores current data of the first parameter and current data of the second parameter in the RAM 18 as separate current data.

[0041] The first parameter corresponds to a first operator (e.g., channel strip 63A) of a first section 100A of the operation unit 12. The second parameter corresponds to a second operator (e.g., channel strip 63B) of a second section 100B of the operation unit 12.

[0042] The user can adjust the value of the first parameter by operating a first control (e.g., channel strip 63A) in the first section 100A. The user can adjust the value of the second parameter by operating a second control (e.g., channel strip 63B) in the second section 100B. The CPU 16 updates the current data of the first parameter when the user operates the first control. The CPU 16 updates the current data of the second parameter when the user operates the second control.

[0043] Furthermore, the user can perform a first store operation by operating store button 72A to store the current data of the first parameter as a first scene memory in flash memory 17, and can perform a second store operation by operating store button 72B to store the current data of the second parameter as a second scene memory in flash memory 17. CPU 16 stores the data of the first scene memory and the data of the second scene memory in flash memory 17 as separate data.

[0044] In addition, a first scene memory can be read out from the flash memory 17 by a first recall operation that operates the recall button 73A, and a second scene memory can be read out from the flash memory 17 by a second recall operation that operates the recall button 73B.

[0045] This allows users to operate one audio mixer 1 as two audio mixers, one in the first section 100A and one in the second section 100B. For example, a first user can operate the audio mixer 1 as a first mixer by operating the first controller in the first section 100A. Meanwhile, a second user can operate the audio mixer 1 as a second mixer by operating the second controller in the second section 100B. The first parameter of the first input channel reflects the operation of the first controller, but not the operation of the second controller. The second parameter of the second input channel reflects the operation of the second controller, but not the operation of the first controller. This prevents the first and second users from accidentally changing parameters operated by different users. Therefore, the audio mixer 1 is easy to use when multiple users use one mixer.

[0046] Furthermore, it is preferable that CPU 16 changes the display on display 11A and display 11B depending on whether an operation for the first signal processing system is accepted or an operation for the second signal processing system is accepted. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on display 11A when an operation for the first signal processing system is accepted, and Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on display 11B when an operation for the second signal processing system is accepted.

[0047] When the CPU 16 receives an operation for a first parameter using the first operator in the first section 100A, the CPU 16 causes the display 11A to display in the first display mode shown in Fig. 8. When the CPU 16 receives an operation for a second parameter using the first operator in the second section 100B, the CPU 16 causes the display 11B to display in the second display mode shown in Fig. 9.

[0048] 8 and 9, the CPU 16 changes the background color between the first display mode and the second display mode. Note that the first display mode and the second display mode are not limited to having different background colors, and may have different brightness, for example. This allows the user to easily determine whether to perform an operation on the first signal processing system or the second signal processing system.

[0049] The display 11 of the audio mixer 1 of this embodiment has two displays: a display 11A for the first section and a display 11B for the second section. However, if there is only one display, the CPU 16 can switch between the first display mode of Fig. 8 and the second display mode of Fig. 9. In this case, the audio mixer 1 is provided with an operator for accepting an operation to switch between the first signal processing system and the second signal processing system. When the CPU 16 accepts an operation to switch between the first signal processing system and the second signal processing system via the operator, it switches the display between the first display mode and the second display mode.

[0050] In the first mode, the same input port can be assigned to both the first and second input channels. In this case, the first parameter of HA350A and the second parameter of HA350B have the same value. In other words, the first signal processing system and the second signal processing system perform sound processing according to common signal processing parameters that are common to both systems.

[0051] In this case, in both the first store operation and the second store operation, the CPU 16 stores the common signal processing parameters in the flash memory 17. In addition, the CPU 16 reads the common signal processing parameters from the flash memory 17 in both the first recall operation and the second recall operation.

[0052] If the HA350A gain and the HA350B gain are common signal processing parameters, when the user changes the HA350A gain, the HA350B gain also changes. For example, if the HA350A gain is changed to -3 dB, the HA350B gain also changes to -3 dB.

[0053] On the other hand, the audio mixer 1 may accept a gain compensation setting that maintains the gain setting of the second input channel even when the user changes the gain of the HA350A of the first input channel. More specifically, the signal processing block 351B has a gain adjustment unit that compensates for the gain changed by the HA350B. When the gain compensation setting is accepted, for example, if the gain of the HA350A is changed to -3 dB, the gain adjustment unit of the signal processing block 351B performs a gain adjustment of +3 dB. This maintains the gain setting of the second input channel. Gain compensation may be accepted for each of the first input channel and the second input channel. In other words, a gain compensation setting that maintains the gain setting of the first input channel may be accepted. In this case, the signal processing block 351A has a gain adjustment unit that compensates for the gain changed by the HA350A.

[0054] Gain compensation may be automatically set when a channel copy operation is accepted. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a channel copy acceptance screen displayed on the display device 11. On the channel copy acceptance screen, the user can select whether to copy the first input channel (Ch A) to the second input channel (Ch B) or copy the second input channel (Ch B) to the first input channel (Ch A). That is, the user can copy the first signal processing settings for multiple first input channels among the first parameters to the second signal processing settings for multiple second input channels among the second parameters, or copy the second signal processing settings for multiple second input channels among the second parameters to the first signal processing settings for multiple first input channels among the first parameters. In the example of FIG. 8, the user selects to copy first input channels 1 to 16 (Ch A1 to 16) to second input channels 1 to 16 (Ch B1 to 16).

[0055] Furthermore, the user can select the parameters to be copied on the channel copy acceptance screen.

[0056] Furthermore, the user can select whether or not to set gain compensation on the channel copy acceptance screen. When the user sets gain compensation (selects Set GC for copied HA) on the channel copy acceptance screen and performs a copy operation, the CPU 16 sets gain compensation to the input channel on the copied side. In the example of Fig. 10, the user has selected to copy first input channels 1 to 16 (Ch A1 to 16) to second input channels 1 to 16 (Ch B1 to 16), so gain compensation is set to second input channels 1 to 16 (Ch B1 to 16).

[0057] 6, when the CPU 16 determines that the mode is the second mode (S11: second mode), it sets all of the input channels 302 and the mixing bus 303 to the same signal processing system (S14). Specifically, it integrates the first input channel, which is the first signal processing system, and the second input channel, which is the second signal processing system, into the same signal processing system, and it also integrates the first mixing bus, which is the first signal processing system, and the second mixing bus, which is the second signal processing system, into the same signal processing system (S14). In addition, the CPU 16 reads parameters to be used in the second mode into the RAM 18 as parameters (third parameters) separate from the first parameters and second parameters (S14). This third parameter is the current data last read into the RAM 18 when the mode shifted from the second mode to the first mode, and has been stored in the flash memory 17 as the third parameter. Alternatively, when changing from the first mode to the second mode, the CPU 16 may read either the first parameter or the second parameter into the RAM 18 as a parameter to be used in the second mode.

[0058] Then, the CPU 16 causes the processing unit 14 to perform signal processing using the same signal processing system (S15). Specifically, the CPU 16 controls the processing unit 14 to process the sound signal to be output from the input channel 302 to the mixing bus 303 in accordance with the third parameter read into the RAM 18.

[0059] As described above, for example, input channels 1 to 16 can be assigned to channel strip 63A, and input channels 17 to 32 can be assigned to channel strip 63B. In this case, the user can operate 32 input channels of the same signal processing system using both the first operator in first section 100A and the second operator in second section 100B.

[0060] In this way, in the second mode, the audio mixer 1 can operate as an audio mixer with a larger number of input channels and mixing buses.

[0061] In the first mode, the first parameter, which is the amount of sound signal feed supplied from each input channel of the first signal processing system to each MIX bus, and the second parameter, which is the amount of sound signal feed supplied from each input channel of the second signal processing system to each MIX bus, are independent of each other. On the other hand, the third parameter in the second mode may include, for example, the amount of sound signal feed supplied from an input channel that belonged to the first signal processing system in the first mode to a MIX bus that belonged to the second signal processing system, or the amount of sound signal feed supplied from an input channel that belonged to the second signal processing system in the first mode to a MIX bus that belonged to the first signal processing system. Also, as described above, when switching from the first mode to the second mode, the CPU 16 may read either the first parameter or the second parameter into the RAM 18 as a parameter to be used in the second mode. However, when the CPU 16 reads the first parameters into the RAM 18 as parameters to be used in the second mode, the CPU 16 may, for example, set the send amount of the sound signal to be supplied to the MIX bus that belonged to the second signal processing system to -∞ dB, thereby preventing the sound signal from being output to the MIX bus that belonged to the second signal processing system. Similarly, when the CPU 16 reads the second parameters into the RAM 18 as parameters to be used in the second mode, the CPU 16 may, for example, set the send amount of the sound signal to be supplied to the MIX bus that belonged to the first signal processing system to -∞ dB, thereby preventing the sound signal from being output to the MIX bus that belonged to the first signal processing system. Next, FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an audio mixer 1 according to a first modification and a PC 2 connected to the audio mixer 1. The audio mixer 1 and the PC 2 are connected by, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. Alternatively, the audio mixer 1 and the PC 2 may be connected by, for example, a network cable, a wireless LAN, or via an Internet line.

[0062] The PC 2 is an example of an external device of the present invention. The PC 2 connects to the audio mixer 1 via, for example, a web application program (GUI program) and accepts operations on the audio mixer 1 from the user of the PC 2. This allows the user of the PC 2 to operate the audio mixer 1 at a location away from the audio mixer 1.

[0063] However, the CPU 16 of the audio mixer 1 accepts only operations for the first signal processing system from the PC 2, and accepts operations for the second signal processing system only from the second operator in the second section 100B. In other words, the CPU 16 is set to accept operations for the first parameter from an external device or the first operator, and to accept operations for the second parameter only from the second operator.

[0064] For example, a first user operates a first parameter via PC2. Meanwhile, a second user operates a second operator in second section 100B to operate a second parameter. The first parameter of the first input channel reflects the operation from PC2 or the operation of the first operator, but does not reflect the operation of the second operator. The second parameter of the second input channel reflects only the operation of the second operator, but does not reflect the operation from PC2 or the operation of the first operator. Therefore, the second user will not be subject to erroneous operations by other users in remote locations.

[0065] The audio mixer 1 preferably includes a backup memory for temporarily storing setting information of the audio mixer 1, including the first and second parameters. The backup memory may be an external storage device connected to the audio mixer 1, but is preferably secured in the flash memory 17.

[0066] The setting information of the audio mixer 1 includes not only the first and second parameters, but also data of the first and second scene memories, common signal processing parameters, and preference settings such as display brightness and display language.

[0067] The CPU 16 temporarily stores the setting information of the audio mixer 1 in the backup memory every time a predetermined time (for example, one minute) has elapsed, when switching between the first mode and the second mode, or when an operation to switch between the first signal processing system and the second signal processing system is received. The user can call up the setting information stored in the backup memory at any time and reset the audio mixer 1.

[0068] This allows the user to freely return to the state of the audio mixer 1 at a certain point in time, for example, if the user has accidentally changed or adjusted a parameter and wants to compare the difference in sound with the parameter before adjustment.

[0069] The description of the present embodiment is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above-described embodiments but by the claims. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications that are equivalent to the claims and fall within the scope thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1: Audio mixer 11: Display 11A: Display 11B:Display unit 12:Operation unit 13: Audio I / O 14: Processing section 15: Communication I / F 16:CPU 17: Flash memory 18:RAM 63A: Channel Strip 63B: Channel Strip 72A: Store button 72B: Store button 73A: Recall button 73B: Recall button 74A: Increase / decrease button 74B: Increase / decrease button 100: Operation panel 100A: Section 1 100B: Section 2 301: Input patch 302: Input channel 302A: 1st input channel 302B: Second input channel 303: Mixing Bus 303A: 1st mixing bus 303B: 2nd Mixing Bus 304: Output channel 305: Output patch 351: Signal processing block 351A: Signal processing block 351B: Signal processing block 353: Bread Club 353A: Bread Department 353B: Bread Department 354: Feed section 3031: Stereo bus 3031A: 1st stereo bus 3031B: 2nd stereo bus 3032:MIX bus 3032A: 1st Mix Bus 3032B: 2nd MIX bus

Claims

1. a first section including a first operator that accepts an operation of a parameter; a second section including a second operator that accepts an operation of the parameter; an operation panel having a processing unit that processes sound signals to be output from a plurality of input channels to a plurality of mixing buses in accordance with the parameters; a control unit that controls the operation of the processing unit; 1. An audio mixer comprising: The control unit In the first mode, dividing the plurality of input channels into a first input channel that is a first signal processing system and a second input channel that is a second signal processing system; dividing the plurality of mixing buses into a first mixing bus which is the first signal processing system and a second mixing bus which is the second signal processing system; The parameters are divided into a first parameter corresponding to the first operator and a second parameter corresponding to the second operator; the first signal processing system controls the processing unit to process the sound signal output from the first input channel to the first mixing bus in accordance with the first parameter; the second signal processing system controls the processing unit to process the sound signal output from the second input channel to the second mixing bus in accordance with the second parameter; In the second mode, the plurality of input channels and the plurality of mixing buses are treated as a single signal processing system, controlling the processing unit to process sound signals to be output from the plurality of input channels to the plurality of mixing buses in accordance with the parameters in the same signal processing system; Audio mixer.

2. the control unit is configured to accept an operation on the first parameter from an external device and to accept an operation on the second parameter only from the second operator.

10. The audio mixer of claim 1.

3. Equipped with a display, the control unit causes the display unit to display in a first display mode when an operation for the first parameter is accepted by the first operator, and causes the display unit to display in a second display mode when an operation for the second parameter is accepted by the second operator; 3. An audio mixer according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A storage unit is provided, The control unit accepts a first store operation for storing the first parameter in the storage unit as a first scene memory, and a first recall operation for reading the first parameter stored as the first scene memory from the storage unit and setting it in the first signal processing system; accepts a second store operation for storing the second parameters in the storage unit as a second scene memory, and a second recall operation for reading the second parameters stored as the second scene memory from the storage unit and setting them in the second signal processing system; 4. An audio mixer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the first signal processing system and the second signal processing system perform sound processing in accordance with common signal processing parameters that are common to each of the first signal processing system and the second signal processing system; the storage unit stores the common signal processing parameters; the control unit stores the common signal processing parameter in the storage unit in both the first store operation and the second store operation, and reads out the common signal processing parameter from the storage unit in both the first recall operation and the second recall operation, and sets the common signal processing parameter in the first signal processing system and the second signal processing system.

5. The audio mixer of claim 4.

6. a backup memory for temporarily storing setting information of the audio mixer, including the first parameter and the second parameter; The control unit accepting a switching operation between the first signal processing system and the second signal processing system; when a switching operation between the first signal processing system and the second signal processing system is received, the setting information is temporarily stored in the backup memory.

6. An audio mixer according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the control unit accepts a copy operation to copy first signal processing settings for the plurality of first input channels among the first parameters to second signal processing settings for the plurality of second input channels among the second parameters, or to copy second signal processing settings for the plurality of second input channels among the second parameters to first signal processing settings for the plurality of first input channels among the first parameters; 7. An audio mixer according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. When the control unit receives the copy operation, accept a gain compensation setting that maintains the gain setting of either the first signal processing setting or the second signal processing setting when an operation to change the gain of the other signal processing setting is accepted; 8. The audio mixer of claim 7.

9. the number of the first input channels is different from the number of the second input channels; the number of the first mixing buses is different from the number of the second mixing buses; An audio mixer according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. a first section including a first operator that accepts an operation of a parameter; a second section including a second operator that accepts an operation of the parameter; an operation panel having a processing unit that processes sound signals to be output from a plurality of input channels to a plurality of mixing buses in accordance with the parameters; a control unit that controls the operation of the processing unit; 1. A method for controlling an audio mixer comprising: The control unit In the first mode, dividing the plurality of input channels into a first input channel that is a first signal processing system and a second input channel that is a second signal processing system; dividing the plurality of mixing buses into a first mixing bus which is the first signal processing system and a second mixing bus which is the second signal processing system; The parameters are divided into a first parameter corresponding to the first operator and a second parameter corresponding to the second operator; the first signal processing system controls the processing unit to process the sound signal output from the first input channel to the first mixing bus in accordance with the first parameter; the second signal processing system controls the processing unit to process the sound signal output from the second input channel to the second mixing bus in accordance with the second parameter; In the second mode, the plurality of input channels and the plurality of mixing buses are treated as a single signal processing system, controlling the processing unit to process sound signals to be output from the plurality of input channels to the plurality of mixing buses in accordance with the parameters in the same signal processing system; A method for controlling an audio mixer.

11. the control unit is configured to accept an operation on the first parameter from an external device and to accept an operation on the second parameter only from the second operator. The method for controlling an audio mixer according to claim 10.

12. Equipped with a display, the control unit causes the display unit to display in a first display mode when an operation for the first parameter is accepted by the first operator, and causes the display unit to display in a second display mode when an operation for the second parameter is accepted by the second operator; 12. The method for controlling an audio mixer according to claim 10 or 11.

13. A storage unit is provided, The control unit accepts a first store operation for storing the first parameter in the storage unit as a first scene memory, and a first recall operation for reading the first parameter stored as the first scene memory from the storage unit and setting it in the first signal processing system; accepts a second store operation for storing the second parameters in the storage unit as a second scene memory, and a second recall operation for reading the second parameters stored as the second scene memory from the storage unit and setting them in the second signal processing system; 13. A method for controlling an audio mixer according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

14. the first signal processing system and the second signal processing system perform sound processing in accordance with common signal processing parameters that are common to each of the first signal processing system and the second signal processing system; the storage unit stores the common signal processing parameters; the control unit stores the common signal processing parameter in the storage unit in both the first store operation and the second store operation, and reads out the common signal processing parameter from the storage unit in both the first recall operation and the second recall operation, and sets the common signal processing parameter in the first signal processing system and the second signal processing system. The method for controlling an audio mixer according to claim 13.

15. a backup memory for temporarily storing setting information of the audio mixer, including the first parameter and the second parameter; The control unit accepting a switching operation between the first signal processing system and the second signal processing system; when a switching operation between the first signal processing system and the second signal processing system is received, the setting information is temporarily stored in the backup memory. A method for controlling an audio mixer according to any one of claims 10 to 14.

16. the control unit accepts a copy operation to copy first signal processing settings for the plurality of first input channels among the first parameters to second signal processing settings for the plurality of second input channels among the second parameters, or to copy second signal processing settings for the plurality of second input channels among the second parameters to first signal processing settings for the plurality of first input channels among the first parameters; A method for controlling an audio mixer according to any one of claims 10 to 15.

17. When the control unit receives the copy operation, accept a gain compensation setting that maintains the gain setting of either the first signal processing setting or the second signal processing setting when an operation to change the gain of the other signal processing setting is accepted; 17. The method for controlling an audio mixer according to claim 16.

18. the number of the first input channels is different from the number of the second input channels; the number of the first mixing buses is different from the number of the second mixing buses; A method for controlling an audio mixer according to any one of claims 10 to 17.

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