Acoustic control device and acoustic control program

Abstract

A sound control device (1) that mixes a first piece of music and a second piece of music comprises a volume adjustment unit (65, 65A) that adjusts the balance between the volume of the first piece and the volume of the second piece in accordance with the position of an operating element (51, 33A1, 33B1) operated by a user and a BPM setting unit (66) for setting the BPM for playback of the first piece and the BPM for playback of the second piece in accordance with the position of the operating element.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an acoustic control device and an acoustic control program. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there is known an audio device that mixes and outputs a plurality of pieces of music (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The audio device described in Patent Document 1 is a so-called mixer that mixes music pieces supplied from music supply devices such as a PC and a smartphone, and outputs an audio signal corresponding to the mixed music pieces to a speaker. The audio device includes controls such as a first channel fader, a second channel fader, and a crossfader. The first channel fader and the second channel fader each have controls that can be moved up and down, and the crossfader has a control that can be moved left and right. When the first channel fader is operated, the audio device adjusts the volume of the music input to the first channel from the music supply device, and when the second channel fader is operated, the audio device adjusts the volume of the music input to the second channel from the music supply device. When the crossfader is operated, the audio device also adjusts the balance between the volume of the first channel and the volume of the second channel. For example, as the crossfader control is moved to the left, the proportion of the first channel in the volume output from the audio device increases, and as the control is moved to the right, the proportion of the second channel in the volume output from the audio device increases. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 054263 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when mixing music input to the first channel with music input to the second channel, if a beginner or other inexperienced user operates the audio device, there is a problem in that it is difficult to mix the music on the first channel with the music on the second channel without creating a sense of incongruity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An audio control device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an audio control device that mixes a first piece of music and a second piece of music, and includes a volume adjustment unit that adjusts the balance between the volume of the first piece of music and the volume of the second piece of music according to the position of an operator operated by a user, and a BPM setting unit that sets the BPM when the first piece of music is played and the BPM when the second piece of music is played according to the position of the operator.

[0006] An acoustic control program according to a second aspect of the present invention is recorded in a computer-readable manner and causes a computer to function as the acoustic control device according to the first aspect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an acoustic control device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams showing a high-frequency band adjusting section, a mid-frequency band adjusting section, and a low-frequency band adjusting section in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing changes in the overall volume of a first piece of music and changes in the overall volume of a second piece of music when the crossfader is operated in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing changes in the volume level of each frequency band of a first piece of music and changes in the volume level of each frequency band of a second piece of music when the crossfader is operated in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of changes in BPM during playback of a first piece of music and a second piece of music in the assist mode according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7]5A and 5B are diagrams showing changes in the overall volume of a first piece of music when a first channel fader is operated, and changes in the overall volume of a second piece of music when a second channel fader is operated in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of changes in BPM during playback of a first piece of music and a second piece of music in the assist mode according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control unit included in an acoustic control apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing changes in the volume levels of each frequency band of a first song and a second song when the crossfader is operated in assist mode in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing changes in the volume levels of the respective frequency bands of the first and second music pieces when the set volume level of the low frequency band of the first music piece is 0.6 in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of changes in the BPM during playback of the first music piece and the second music piece when the crossfader is operated in assist mode in the second embodiment. [Figure 13] A figure showing the change in volume level of each of the high-frequency band and mid-frequency band of a first song when the first channel fader is operated in assist mode in the second embodiment, and the change in volume level of each of the high-frequency band and mid-frequency band of a second song when the second channel fader is operated. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of changes in the volume levels of the low frequency bands of the first and second music pieces when the first and second channel faders are operated in assist mode in the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a control unit included in an acoustic control apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a first regeneration control process according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [Configuration of sound control device] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an acoustic control device 1 according to this embodiment. The sound control device 1 according to this embodiment mixes multiple pieces of music. Specifically, the sound control device 1 mixes a first piece of music loaded into a first channel and a second piece of music loaded into a second channel, and outputs an audio signal corresponding to the mixed pieces of music. As will be described in more detail later, one of the features of the sound control device 1 is that it has a normal mode in which the first and second songs are mixed in accordance with multiple controls, and an assist mode in which the mixing of the first and second songs is assisted. As shown in Fig. 1, the sound control device 1 includes a housing 2, two channel operation units 3, a mode changeover switch 4, and a crossfader 5. Although not shown in Fig. 1, the sound control device 1 further includes a control unit 6 (see Fig. 3) that controls the operation of the sound control device 1.

[0009] [Case configuration] The housing 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and houses the control unit 6. The housing 2 has a top surface 21, an upper surface 22, a lower surface 23, a left side surface 24, a right side surface 25, and a bottom surface (not shown). On the top surface 21, two channel operation units 3, a mode changeover switch 4, and a crossfader 5 are arranged.

[0010] [Channel operation section configuration] The two channel operation units 3 operate the playback status of the music loaded on the corresponding channels. The two channel operation units 3 are a first channel operation unit 3A that operates the playback status of the first music loaded on the first channel, and a second channel operation unit 3B that operates the playback status of the second music loaded on the second channel. Each of the channel operation sections 3A and 3B has a jog dial 31, an equalizer adjustment section 32, a channel fader 33, and a tempo slider .

[0011] The jog dial 31 is rotatably mounted on the top surface 21 and is used to adjust the playback direction and playback speed of the music being played. The user can perform a scratch operation, which is unique to DJ performances, by combining changes in the rotation direction and speed of the jog dial 31.

[0012] The equalizer adjustment units 32 perform equalizer adjustment processing for the corresponding channels. Specifically, the equalizer adjustment unit 32 of the first channel operation unit 3A performs equalizer adjustment processing for the first channel, and the equalizer adjustment unit 32 of the second channel operation unit 3B performs equalizer adjustment processing for the second channel. Each equalizer adjustment unit 32 has a level adjustment unit 321, a high-frequency band adjustment unit 322, a mid-frequency band adjustment unit 323, a low-frequency band adjustment unit 324, and an effect adjustment unit 325. The level adjustment unit 321, the high frequency band adjustment unit 322, the mid frequency band adjustment unit 323, the low frequency band adjustment unit 324 and the effect adjustment unit 325 are rotary encoders having knobs that can rotate in one direction and the other direction around a rotation axis.

[0013] The level adjustment unit 321 adjusts the input level of the input music piece. The effect adjustment section 325 is a control that adjusts the effect amount of the effect set in the corresponding channel operation section 3 .

[0014] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing high frequency band adjusting unit 322, mid frequency band adjusting unit 323, and low frequency band adjusting unit 324. In Fig. 2, high frequency band adjusting unit 322, mid frequency band adjusting unit 323, and low frequency band adjusting unit 324 are each arranged at a position indicating "0.5." The high frequency band adjusting unit 322 adjusts the volume level of the high frequency band of the input music piece. The high frequency band is, for example, a frequency band of 4649 Hz or higher. 2, high frequency band adjustment unit 322 adjusts the volume level within a range of 0 or more and 1 or less. If the volume level set by high frequency band adjustment unit 322 is the set level, when high frequency band adjustment unit 322 is rotated to the limit counterclockwise position, the set level of the high frequency band becomes 0, and when it is rotated to the limit clockwise position, the set level of the high frequency band becomes 1. In other words, when high frequency band adjustment unit 322 is positioned to point to "0," the set level of the high frequency band becomes 0, and when high frequency band adjustment unit 322 is positioned to point to "1," the set level of the high frequency band becomes 1. Furthermore, when high frequency band adjustment unit 322 is positioned to point to "0.5," the set level of the high frequency band becomes 0.5.

[0015] Hereinafter, the set level of the high frequency band of the first music piece, set by the high frequency band adjustment section 322 of the first channel operation section 3A, will be referred to as the set level H1lv. The set level of the high frequency band of the second music piece, set by the high frequency band adjustment section 322 of the second channel operation section 3B, will be referred to as the set level H2lv. The set level H1lv is the volume level set by the user using the high frequency band adjustment section 322 of the first channel operation section 3A as the maximum level of the high frequency band of the first music piece. The set level H2lv is the volume level set by the user using the high frequency band adjustment section 322 of the second channel operation section 3B as the maximum level of the high frequency band of the second music piece. The minimum volume level of the high frequency band of the first song is set to minimum level H1min, and the minimum volume level of the high frequency band of the second song is set to minimum level H2min. The minimum level H1min is a value smaller than the set level H1lv, and the minimum level H2min is a value smaller than the set level H2lv. In the following explanation, the minimum levels H1min and H2min are set to 0 for convenience.

[0016] The mid-frequency band adjustment unit 323 adjusts the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the input music. The mid-frequency band is, for example, a frequency band exceeding 284 Hz and below 4649 Hz. 2, mid-frequency band adjustment unit 323 adjusts the volume level within the range of 0 to 1. The volume level setting by mid-frequency band adjustment unit 323 is similar to the volume level setting by high-frequency band adjustment unit 322. Hereinafter, the volume level set by the mid-frequency band adjustment unit 323 will be referred to as the set level. More specifically, the set level of the mid-frequency band of the first piece of music set by the mid-frequency band adjustment unit 323 of the first channel operation unit 3A will be referred to as the set level M1lv. The set level of the mid-frequency band of the second piece of music set by the mid-frequency band adjustment unit 323 of the second channel operation unit 3B will be referred to as the set level M2lv. The set level M1lv is the volume level set by the user using the mid-frequency band adjustment unit 323 of the first channel operation unit 3A as the maximum level of the mid-frequency band of the first piece of music. The set level M2lv is the volume level set by the user using the mid-frequency band adjustment unit 323 of the second channel operation unit 3B as the maximum level of the mid-frequency band of the second piece of music. The minimum volume level of the mid-frequency band of the first song is set to minimum level M1min, and the minimum volume level of the mid-frequency band of the second song is set to minimum level M2min. The minimum level M1min is a value smaller than the set level M1lv, and the minimum level M2min is a value smaller than the set level M2lv. In the following explanation, the minimum levels M1min and M2min are set to 0 for convenience.

[0017] The low frequency band adjustment unit 324 adjusts the volume level of the low frequency band of the input music. The low frequency band is, for example, a frequency band below 284 Hz. 2, low-frequency band adjustment unit 324 adjusts the volume level within the range of 0 to 1. The volume level setting by low-frequency band adjustment unit 324 is similar to the volume level setting by high-frequency band adjustment unit 322. Hereinafter, the volume level set by the low-frequency band adjustment unit 324 will be referred to as the set level. More specifically, the set level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece set by the low-frequency band adjustment unit 324 of the first channel operation unit 3A will be referred to as the set level L1lv. The set level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece set by the low-frequency band adjustment unit 324 of the second channel operation unit 3B will be referred to as the set level L2lv. The set level L1lv is the volume level set by the user as the maximum level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece using the low-frequency band adjustment unit 324 of the first channel operation unit 3A. The set level L2lv is the volume level set by the user as the maximum level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece using the low-frequency band adjustment unit 324 of the second channel operation unit 3B. The minimum volume level of the low frequency band of the first song is set to minimum level L1min, and the minimum volume level of the low frequency band of the second song is set to minimum level L2min. The minimum level L1min is a value smaller than the set level L1lv, and the minimum level L2min is a value smaller than the set level L2lv. In the following explanation, the minimum levels L1min and L2min are set to 0 for convenience.

[0018] 1 is a control that adjusts the volume output from the corresponding channel operation unit 3. Specifically, the channel fader 33 of the first channel operation unit 3A is the first channel fader 33A, which adjusts the volume output from the first channel operation unit 3A. The channel fader 33 of the second channel operation unit 3B is the second channel fader 33B, which adjusts the volume output from the second channel operation unit 3B. Each channel fader 33 has a fader operator 331 that can slide up and down. When the fader operator 331 is operated upward, the volume adjustment unit 65, which will be described later, increases the volume of the entire music output from the corresponding channel operation unit 3. When the fader operator 331 is operated downward, the volume adjustment unit 65 decreases the volume of the entire music output from the corresponding channel operation unit 3.

[0019] In the following description, the fader operator 331 of the first channel fader 33A will be referred to as the first operator 33A1, and the fader operator 331 of the second channel fader 33B will be referred to as the second operator 33B1. The first operator 33A1 adjusts the overall volume of the first music piece loaded to the first channel, and the second operator 33B1 adjusts the overall volume of the second music piece loaded to the second channel. Furthermore, the maximum volume of the entire first piece of music is the first preset volume set by the first operator 33A1, and the maximum volume of the entire second piece of music is the second preset volume set by the second operator 33B1. Changing the volume of the entire song according to the position of the fader operator 331 means increasing or decreasing the volume of each frequency band by amplifying the high-frequency band signal with an intensity according to the set level of the high-frequency band, the mid-frequency band signal with an intensity according to the set level of the mid-frequency band, and the low-frequency band signal with an intensity according to the set level of the low-frequency band by an amplification factor according to the position of the fader operator 331.

[0020] The tempo slider 34 shown in Fig. 1 is a control that adjusts the playback speed of a song by adjusting the BPM (Beats Per Minute) during playback of the song loaded to the corresponding channel. Note that the BPM of a song represents the tempo of the song, i.e., the number of beats per minute of the song. The original BPM of a song represents the original tempo of the song, i.e., the number of beats per minute of the original song, and the playback BPM represents the tempo during playback of the song, i.e., the number of beats per minute during playback of the song. The tempo slider 34 of the first channel operation section 3A is a first tempo slider 34A that adjusts the BPM during playback of the first music piece loaded on the first channel. The tempo slider 34 of the second channel operation section 3B is a second tempo slider 34B that adjusts the BPM during playback of the second music piece loaded on the second channel.

[0021] [Mode switch configuration] 1 is a switch for switching the operation mode of the acoustic control device 1. By pressing the mode switch 4, the operation mode of the acoustic control device 1 switches between a normal mode and an assist mode.

[0022] [Crossfader Configuration] 1 has a fader operator 51 that can move left and right and is an operator that adjusts the balance between the volume of a first music piece loaded to a first channel and the volume of a second music piece loaded to a second channel. In normal mode, which will be described later, as the fader operator 51 is moved to the left, the proportion of the volume of the first music piece in the total volume output from the audio control device 1 increases. As the fader operator 51 is moved to the right, the proportion of the volume of the second music piece in the total volume output from the audio control device 1 increases. Specifically, when the fader control 51 is positioned at the left end, the volume of the first song is at its maximum and the volume of the second song is at its minimum, and when the fader control 51 is positioned at the right end, the volume of the first song is at its minimum and the volume of the second song is at its maximum. Hereinafter, one end of the operable range RC of the fader operator 51 will be referred to as the first end TC1, and the other end as the second end TC2. In this embodiment, since the movement direction of the fader operator 51 is the left-right direction, the first end TC1 is the left end of the operable range RC, and the second end TC2 is the right end of the operable range RC.

[0023] [Controller configuration] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 6. The control unit 6 is configured with a circuit board having at least one processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and reads and processes an audio control program stored in a computer-readable manner in a storage unit (not shown). In other words, the processor constituting the control unit 6 is a computer, and the control unit 6 controls the operation of the audio control device 1 based on the audio control program. Specifically, the control unit 6 not only plays the music loaded on each channel, but also adjusts the mix state of the first music piece and the second music piece based on the operation of the crossfader 5 and the channel faders 33A and 33B. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 6 includes a first playback unit 61, a second playback unit 62, a position acquisition unit 63, a mode switching unit 64, a volume adjustment unit 65, and a BPM setting unit 66.

[0024] The first playback unit 61 plays the first music piece loaded onto the first channel. Specifically, the first playback unit 61 plays the first music piece at the BPM set by the BPM setting unit 66, which will be described later. The second playback unit 62 plays the second music piece loaded onto the second channel. Specifically, the second playback unit 62 plays the second music piece at the BPM set by the BPM setting unit 66, which will be described later. Note that the BPM of a first song, which will be described later, is the adjusted playback BPM if the playback BPM of the first song has been adjusted by the first tempo slider 34A, and is the original BPM of the first song if the playback BPM of the first song has not been adjusted by the first tempo slider 34A. Similarly, the BPM of a second song, which will be described later, is the adjusted playback BPM if the playback BPM of the second song has been adjusted by the second tempo slider 34B, and is the original BPM of the second song if the playback BPM of the second song has not been adjusted by the second tempo slider 34B.

[0025] The position acquisition unit 63 acquires the position of each operator. For example, the position acquisition unit 63 acquires the position of the fader operator 331 within the operable range of each channel fader 33, the position of each tempo slider 34 within the operable range, and the position of the fader operator 51 within the operable range of the crossfader 5. More specifically, the position acquisition unit 63 acquires a numerical value indicating the position of the first operator 33A1, where 0 is the value when the first operator 33A1 is located at a first end TA1 (to be described later) in the operable range of the first operator 33A1, and 1 is the value when the first operator 33A1 is located at a second end TA2 (to be described later). Similarly, the position acquisition unit 63 acquires a numerical value indicating the position of the second operator 33B1, where 0 is the value when the second operator 33B1 is located at a first end TB1 (to be described later) in the operable range of the second operator 33B1, and 1 is the value when the second operator 33B1 is located at a second end TB2 (to be described later). In addition, the position acquisition unit 63 acquires a numerical value indicating the relative position of the fader operator 51 with respect to the first end TC1 described later within the operable range of the fader operator 51, where 0 is set when the fader operator 51 is located at the first end TC1 described later, and 1 is set when the fader operator 51 is located at the second end TC2 described later.

[0026] The mode switching unit 64 switches the operation mode of the sound control device 1 between normal mode and assist mode in response to an input operation on the mode switching switch 4. As will be described in detail later, normal mode is a mode in which the sound control device 1 does not assist when mixing the first music piece and the second music piece. Assist mode is a mode in which the sound control device 1 assists when mixing the first music piece and the second music piece to ensure a natural mix.

[0027] [Volume control function] The volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the volume of the first music piece output from the first channel and the volume of the second music piece output from the second channel, and also adjusts the balance between the volumes of the first music piece and the second music piece, based on the positions of the fader operator 51 and each of the operators 33A1 and 33B1 acquired by the position acquisition unit 63. Specifically, the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the balance between the volumes of the first music piece and the second music piece according to the position of the fader operator 51. Furthermore, the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the volume of the first music piece according to the position of the first operator 33A1 of the first channel fader 33A, and adjusts the volume of the second music piece according to the position of the second operator 33B1 of the second channel fader 33B. The volume adjustment of each song when the fader operator 51 is operated, and the volume adjustment of each song when the operators 33A1 and 33B1 are operated will be described in detail later.

[0028] [BPM ​​setting function] The BPM setting section 66 sets the BPM at which the first music piece is played back by the first playback section 61, and also sets the BPM at which the second music piece is played back by the second playback section 62. Specifically, when the operating mode of the sound control device 1 is normal mode, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the BPM during playback of the first song in response to operation of the first tempo slider 34A, and also sets the BPM during playback of the second song in response to operation of the second tempo slider 34B. When the operation mode of the sound control device 1 is the assist mode, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each of the first and second music pieces according to the position of the fader operator 51. Furthermore, when the operation mode of the sound control device 1 is the assist mode, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of the first music piece according to the position of the first operator 33A1, and sets the playback BPM of the second music piece according to the position of the second operator 33B1. As described above, the first playback unit 61 plays the first music piece at the playback BPM set by the BPM setting unit 66, and the second playback unit 62 plays the second music piece at the playback BPM set by the BPM setting unit 66.

[0029] [Processing when operating the crossfader] 4 is a diagram showing the change in the overall volume of the first song and the change in the overall volume of the second song when the crossfader 5 is operated. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis of the graph is set with values ​​indicating the relative position of the fader operator 51 acquired by the position acquisition unit 63. The volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the balance between the overall volume of the first music piece and the overall volume of the second music piece based on the position of the fader operator 51 of the crossfader 5 within the operable range. The overall volume of the first music piece refers to the total volume of the first music piece, including the high-, mid-, and low-frequency bands. The maximum volume of the first music piece is the first preset volume V1st set by the first operator 33A1. The balance of the high-, mid-, and low-frequency bands in the first music piece corresponds to the ratio of the preset level H1lv of the high-frequency band, the preset level M1lv of the mid-frequency band, and the preset level L1lv of the low-frequency band. The same applies to the overall volume of the second music piece, where the maximum volume of the second music piece is the second preset volume V2st set by the second operator 33B1. The balance of the high frequency band, mid frequency band and low frequency band in the second piece of music corresponds to the ratio of the set level H2lv of the high frequency band, the set level M2lv of the mid frequency band and the set level L2lv of the low frequency band. The direction from the first end TC1 to the second end TC2 is defined as the +DC direction, and the direction from the second end TC2 to the first end TC1 is defined as the -DC direction.

[0030] When the fader operator 51 is positioned at the first end TC1, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the volume of the entire first song to the first preset volume V1st described above, and sets the volume of the entire second song to the second minimum volume V2min, as shown in FIG. The volume adjustment unit 65 decreases the overall volume of the first music piece and increases the overall volume of the second music piece as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the first end TC1. In other words, the volume adjustment unit 65 increases the overall volume of the first music piece and decreases the overall volume of the second music piece as the fader operator 51 is operated in the -DC direction from the second end TC2. That is, as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction, the proportion of the second music piece in the volume output from the audio control device 1 increases. As the fader operator 51 is operated in the -DC direction, the proportion of the first music piece in the volume output from the audio control device 1 increases.

[0031] When the fader operator 51 is located at the second end TC2, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the volume of the entire first song to the first minimum volume V1min and the volume of the entire second song to the second set volume V2st described above. In this way, the overall volume of the first music piece and the overall volume of the second music piece are adjusted according to the position of the fader operator 51 within the operable range RC. Then, by operating the fader operator 51 from the first end TC1 to the second end TC2, the music piece being output is switched from the first music piece to the second music piece. By operating the fader operator 51 from the second end TC2 to the first end TC1, the music piece being output is switched from the second music piece to the first music piece.

[0032] Here, the volume levels of each frequency band of each piece of music when the crossfader 5 is operated will be described. As described above, the volume of the entire music piece is determined by amplifying a high-frequency band signal with an intensity corresponding to the set level of the high-frequency band, a mid-frequency band signal with an intensity corresponding to the set level of the mid-frequency band, and a low-frequency band signal with an intensity corresponding to the set level of the low-frequency band, by an amplification factor corresponding to the position of the fader operator 331. In other words, when the position of the fader operator 331 is not changed, the volume level of each frequency band is changed with the set level as the upper limit, thereby adjusting the overall volume of each music piece, and ultimately the volume balance of each music piece.

[0033] FIG. 5 shows changes in the volume levels of the frequency bands of the first and second music pieces when the crossfader 5 is operated. Specifically, the top row of FIG. 5 shows the position of the fader operator 51, and the second row shows the volume levels of the high-frequency bands of the first and second music pieces. The top row of FIG. 5 shows the volume levels of the mid-frequency bands of each music piece, and the fourth row shows the volume levels of the low-frequency bands of each music piece. The horizontal axes of the graphs shown in the second, third, and fourth rows of FIG. 5 indicate values ​​that represent the relative position of the fader operator 51. While the set level H1lv and the set level H2lv are shown as having the same value in FIG. 5, they do not necessarily have to be the same value. The same applies to the set levels M1lv and M2lv, and the set levels L1lv and L2lv. As shown in FIG. 5, the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the overall volume of each song as shown in FIG. 4 by changing the volume level of each frequency band of each song in accordance with the position of the fader control 51.

[0034] 5, the volume adjustment unit 65 changes the volume level of the high-frequency band of the first music piece within a range from a minimum level H1min to a set level H1lv inclusive, and changes the volume level of the high-frequency band of the second music piece within a range from a minimum level H2min to a set level H2lv inclusive, depending on the position of the fader operator 51 within the operable range RC. That is, as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the first end TC1, the volume adjustment unit 65 increases the volume level of the high-frequency band of the first music piece from the minimum level H1min up to the set level H1lv inclusive, and decreases the volume level of the high-frequency band of the second music piece from the set level H2lv inclusive, down to the minimum level H2min inclusive.

[0035] 5, the volume adjustment unit 65 changes the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the first music piece within a range from a minimum level M1min to a set level M1lv, changes the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece within a range from a minimum level L1min to a set level L1lv, changes the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the second music piece within a range from a minimum level M2min to a set level M2lv, and changes the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece within a range from a minimum level L2min to a set level L2lv, depending on the position of the fader operator 51 within the operable range RC. That is, as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the first end TC1, the volume adjustment unit 65 increases the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the first music piece from the minimum level M1min up to the set level M1lv as an upper limit, and decreases the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the second music piece from the set level M2lv as a lower limit. Furthermore, as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the first end TC1, the volume adjustment unit 65 increases the volume level of the low frequency band of the first song from the minimum level L1min to a preset level L1lv as an upper limit, and decreases the volume level of the low frequency band of the second song from the preset level L2lv to a minimum level L2min as a lower limit. In this way, the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the volume level of each frequency band of each song between the minimum level and the set level depending on the position of the fader control 51, thereby adjusting the volume of the first song and the volume of the second song and adjusting the volume balance of each song.

[0036] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the BPM during playback of the first and second songs in assist mode. Specifically, Fig. 6 is a diagram showing changes in the BPM during playback of the first and second songs when the crossfader 5 is operated in assist mode when the BPM of the first song is 100 and the BPM of the second song is 120. Note that the horizontal axis of the graph shown in Fig. 6 is set with values ​​indicating the relative position of the fader operator 51 described above. When the operation mode of the sound control device 1 is the assist mode, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each song in accordance with the position of the fader operator 51, as shown in Fig. 6. The setting of the playback BPM by the BPM setting unit 66 in the assist mode will be described below.

[0037] As the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the first end TC1 toward the second end TC2, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the BPM during playback of each song so that the BPM approaches the BPM of the second song from the BPM of the first song. Then, when the fader operator 51 is placed at the second end TC2, the BPM setting section 66 sets the playback BPM of each song to the BPM of the second song. In the example of Fig. 6, the playback BPM of each song is set to 120. As the fader operator 51 is operated in the -DC direction from the second end TC2 toward the first end TC1, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the BPM during playback of each song so that the BPM of the second song approaches the BPM of the first song. Then, when the fader operator 51 is placed at the first end TC1, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each song to the BPM of the first song. In the example of Fig. 6, the playback BPM of each song is set to 100, which is the BPM of the first song.

[0038] When the fader operator 51 is placed at the middle position of the operable range RC, the BPM setting section 66 sets the playback BPM of each song to the middle value between the BPM of the first song and the BPM of the second song. 6, the rate of change of the playback BPM when the fader operator 51 is operated in the ±DC directions is constant, but it does not have to be constant. For example, the rate of change may change as the fader operator 51 is operated in the ±DC directions. In this way, the BPMs of the songs being mixed can be easily aligned during playback in response to the operation of the fader control 51. Therefore, the songs can be mixed naturally without any sense of incongruity.

[0039] [Processing when operating a channel fader] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing how the volume of the entire first song changes when the first channel fader 33A is operated, and how the volume of the entire second song changes when the second channel fader 33B is operated. In Fig. 7, the vertical axis of the graph on the left side has values ​​indicating the relative positions of the controls 33A1 and 33B1. As shown in FIG. 7 , the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the overall volume of the first music piece based on the position of the first operator 33A1 of the first channel fader 33A, and adjusts the overall volume of the second music piece based on the position of the second operator 33B1 of the second channel fader 33B. That is, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets a first preset volume V1st, which is the overall volume of the first music piece, between a first minimum volume V1min and a first maximum volume V1max based on the position of the first operator 33A1. The volume adjustment unit 65 sets a second preset volume V2st, which is the overall volume of the second music piece, between a second minimum volume V2min and a second maximum volume V2max based on the position of the second operator 33B1. The first maximum volume V1max is the maximum volume of the entire first music piece that can be output from the audio control device 1, and the second maximum volume V2max is the maximum volume of the entire second music piece that can be output from the audio control device 1.

[0040] Hereinafter, of the two ends of the operable range RA of the first operator 33A1, one end will be referred to as the first end TA1 and the other end will be referred to as the second end TA2. The direction from the first end TA1 to the second end TA2 will be referred to as the +DA direction, and the direction from the second end TA2 to the first end TA1 will be referred to as the -DA direction. Furthermore, one end of the operable range RB of the second operator 33B1 will be referred to as the first end TB1 and the other end will be referred to as the second end TB2. The direction from the first end TB1 to the second end TB2 will be referred to as the +DB direction, and the direction from the second end TB2 to the first end TB1 will be referred to as the -DB direction. In this embodiment, since the +DA direction and the +DB direction are aligned upward, the first ends TA1 and TB1 are the lower ends of the operable ranges RA and RB, and the second ends TA2 and TB2 are the upper ends of the operable ranges RA and RB.

[0041] Specifically, when the first operator 33A1 is placed at the first end TA1, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the first preset volume V1st to the first minimum volume V1min, as shown in Fig. 7. As a result, the volume of the entire first music piece becomes the first minimum volume V1min.

[0042] When the first operator 33A1 is operated, the volume adjustment unit 65 changes the first set volume V1st. That is, when the first operator 33A1 is operated in the +DA direction, the volume adjustment unit 65 increases the first set volume V1st, and when the first operator 33A1 is operated in the -DA direction, the volume adjustment unit 65 decreases the first set volume V1st. 7, the rate of change of the overall volume of the first music piece is constant, and the amount of movement of the first operator 33A1 is directly proportional to the amount of change in the first set volume V1st and the amount of change in the overall volume of the first music piece. However, this is not limiting, and the rate of change of the first set volume V1st and the rate of change of the overall volume of the first music piece do not have to be constant and may change, for example, as the first operator 33A1 is operated in the +DA direction or the -DA direction. When the first operator 33A1 is placed at the second end TA2, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the first preset volume V1st to the first maximum volume V1max, thereby setting the volume of the entire first music piece to the first maximum volume V1max.

[0043] On the other hand, when the second operator 33B1 is placed on the first end TB1, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the second preset volume V2st to the second minimum volume V2min, thereby setting the volume of the entire second music piece to the second minimum volume V2min. When the second operator 33B1 is operated, the volume adjustment unit 65 changes the second set volume V2st. That is, when the second operator 33B1 is operated in the +DB direction, the volume adjustment unit 65 increases the second set volume V2st according to the position of the second operator 33B1, thereby increasing the overall volume of the second music piece. When the second operator 33B1 is operated in the -DB direction, the volume adjustment unit 65 decreases the second set volume according to the position of the second operator 33B1, thereby decreasing the overall volume of the second music piece. While the change rates of the second set volume V2st and the overall volume of the second music piece are constant in the example shown in FIG. 7 , they do not have to be constant. For example, the change rates of the second set volume V2st and the overall volume of the second music piece may be constant, and may change as the second operator 33B1 is operated in the +DA direction or the -DA direction. When the second operator 33B1 is placed on the second end TB2, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the second preset volume V2st to the second maximum volume V2max, thereby setting the volume of the entire second music piece to the second maximum volume V2max. Therefore, for example, when the first operator 33A1 is positioned at the second end TA2 and the second operator 33B1 is positioned at the first end TB1, the music output from the sound control device 1 can be switched from the first music to the second music by operating the first operator 33A1 in the -DA direction and the second operator 33B1 in the +DB direction.

[0044] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the BPM during playback of the first song and the second song in assist mode. Specifically, Fig. 8 is a diagram explaining changes in the BPM during playback of the first song when the first operator 33A1 is operated in assist mode, and changes in the BPM during playback of the second song when the second operator 33B1 is operated, when the BPM of the first song is 100 and the BPM of the second song is 120. When the operation mode of the acoustic control device 1 is the assist mode, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of the first music piece according to the position of the first operator 33A1, and sets the playback BPM of the second music piece according to the position of the second operator 33B1, as shown in Fig. 8. More specifically, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each of the first music piece and the second music piece to a BPM according to the division result obtained by dividing the numerical value indicating the position of the first operator 33A1 by the numerical value indicating the position of the second operator 33B1.

[0045] Here, a storage unit (not shown) has stored in advance the graph shown in Fig. 8. That is, the storage unit stores BPM change information that indicates the BPM corresponding to the numerical value resulting from the division. More specifically, the storage unit stores, as the BPM change information, a function that approaches the BPM of the second song as the numerical value resulting from the division becomes smaller, and approaches the BPM of the first song as the numerical value resulting from the division becomes larger. Note that the function stored in the storage unit as the BPM change information may be a linear function as shown in Fig. 8, or a higher-order function such as a quadratic function. The volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the overall volume of the first piece of music based on the position of the first operator 33A1, and adjusts the overall volume of the second piece of music based on the position of the second operator 33B1. Therefore, a storage unit (not shown) may store, instead of the BPM change information, BPM change information indicating a BPM corresponding to a numerical value obtained by dividing the overall volume of the first piece of music by the overall volume of the second piece of music.

[0046] Based on such BPM change information, the BPM setting unit 66 obtains the BPM according to the division result, and sets the obtained BPM as the BPM of each piece of music. Therefore, for example, if the first operator 33A1 is located at the first end TA1 and the second operator 33B1 is located at the second end TB2, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each of the first and second songs to the BPM of the second song. In the example of Fig. 8, the playback BPM of each song is set to 120, which is the BPM of the second song. On the other hand, if the first operator 33A1 is located at the second end TA2 and the second operator 33B1 is located at the first end TB1, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each of the first and second songs to the BPM of the first song. In the example of Fig. 8, the playback BPM of each song is set to 100, which is the BPM of the first song.

[0047] As the first operator 33A1 is operated in the +DA direction or the second operator 33B1 is operated in the -DB direction, the BPM of each song approaches the BPM of the first song. Also, as the first operator 33A1 is operated in the -DA direction or the second operator 33B1 is operated in the +DB direction, the BPM of each song approaches the BPM of the second song.

[0048] [Usefulness of Assist Mode] Typically, DJs select songs with relatively similar BPMs and mix them together to create a seamless mix. However, beginners and other inexperienced DJs who are unfamiliar with the concept of BPM tend to select and mix songs that they like, which can lead to mixing songs with relatively different BPMs. In such cases, the difference in BPM between the previous and next songs can easily create a sense of incongruity. In contrast, by switching the operation mode of the sound control device 1 to assist mode and operating the fader operator 51 or the operators 33A1 and 33B1, it is possible to align the BPMs of the songs being played. This allows users to select and mix their favorite songs without worrying about the BPM of the songs, enabling inexperienced DJs to quickly enjoy DJ play.

[0049] Furthermore, operating controls such as the tempo slider 34 to adjust the BPM of each song while performing the operation to mix two songs using the fader control 51 or controls 33A1, 33B1 is difficult not only for beginners but also for experienced users. In contrast, when the operation mode of the acoustic control device 1 is switched to the assist mode, music mixing and BPM adjustment can be performed simultaneously by simply operating the fader operator 51 or the operators 33A1, 33B1. Therefore, the assist mode is useful not only for the inexperienced users mentioned above, but also for experienced users.

[0050] [Effects of the first embodiment] The acoustic control device 1 according to the present embodiment described above provides the following effects. The sound control device 1 mixes the first music piece and the second music piece. The sound control device 1 includes a volume adjustment unit 65 and a BPM setting unit 66. The volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the balance between the volume of the first music piece and the volume of the second music piece according to the position of at least one of the fader operator 51, the first operator 33A1, and the second operator 33B1 operated by the user. The BPM setting section 66 sets the BPM during playback of the first music piece and the BPM during playback of the second music piece according to the position of the operator. With this configuration, the user can simultaneously adjust the volume of each song and set the playback BPM in response to the user's operation of the controls. In other words, the user can adjust not only the volume of each song but also the playback BPM by operating the controls. This allows the first song and the second song to be mixed easily and seamlessly.

[0051] In the acoustic control device 1, the volume adjustment unit 65 decreases the volume of the first music piece and increases the volume of the second music piece as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the first end TC1 toward the second end TC2 of the operable range RC of the fader operator 51. The BPM setting unit 66 changes the BPM during playback of the first music piece and the BPM during playback of the second music piece from the BPM of the first music piece to the BPM of the second music piece as the fader operator 51 is operated in the direction from the first end TC1 toward the second end TC2 of the operable range RC of the fader operator 51. With this configuration, when switching from a first song to a second song output from the audio control device 1, operating the fader control device 51 in the +DC direction reduces the volume of the first song and increases the volume of the second song, and also brings the BPMs of the first song and the second song during playback closer to the BPM of the second song whose volume is increasing. This makes it possible to easily mix the first song and the second song without creating a sense of incongruity.

[0052] In the acoustic control device 1, when the fader operator 51 is positioned at the second end TC2, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the volume of the entire first song to the minimum volume V1min and the volume of the entire second song to the second set volume V2st. The second set volume V2st is the maximum volume of the entire second song set by the second operator 33B1. When the fader operator 51 is positioned at the second end TC2, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the BPM during playback of the first song and the BPM during playback of the second song to the BPM of the second song. With this configuration, when the fader control 51 is positioned at the second end TC2, the BPM of the second music piece can be set to the playback BPM of the second music piece at which the volume becomes the second preset volume V2st. Therefore, when the first music piece is replaced with the second music piece, the second music piece can be played at the BPM of the second music piece.

[0053] In the acoustic control device 1, when the fader operator 51 is positioned at the middle position in the operable range RC, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the BPM during playback of the first song and the BPM during playback of the second song to the middle value between the BPM of the first song and the BPM of the second song. This configuration makes it easier for the user to grasp the position where the playback BPM of the first song and the playback BPM of the second song are at the midpoint within the operable range of the fader operator 51. This makes it easier to operate the operator when adjusting the playback BPM.

[0054] In the sound control device 1, the operator operated by the user is a crossfader 5 having a slidable fader operator 51. With this configuration, the first music piece and the second music piece can be mixed seamlessly by operating the fader operator 51. Therefore, the operation to mix the first music piece and the second music piece can be performed more easily than when operating an operator to adjust the BPM during playback of the first music piece and an operator to adjust the BPM during playback of the second music piece.

[0055] An acoustic control program executed by a processing unit, which is a computer constituting the control unit 6, is recorded in a computer-readable format and causes the computer to function as the acoustic control device 1 described above. The above-mentioned effects can be achieved by having the processing unit of the sound control device 1 execute such a sound control program.

[0056] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The acoustic control device according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the acoustic control device 1 according to the first embodiment, but the operation of the volume control unit when the operating mode is the assist mode is different. In the following explanation, parts that are the same or approximately the same as parts already explained will be assigned the same reference numerals and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0057] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit 6A included in the acoustic control device according to this embodiment. The acoustic control device according to this embodiment has the same configuration and functions as the acoustic control device 1 according to the first embodiment, except that it has a control unit 6A shown in FIG. 9 instead of the control unit 6 according to the first embodiment. The control unit 6A, like the control unit 6, controls the acoustic control device according to this embodiment and is configured with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that reads and executes an acoustic control program stored in a storage unit (not shown). In other words, the arithmetic processing circuit is a computer. The control unit 6A has a volume adjustment unit 65A instead of the volume adjustment unit 65 according to the first embodiment, and other than that, has the same configuration as the control unit 6. That is, the control unit 6A has a first playback unit 61, a second playback unit 62, a position acquisition unit 63, a mode switching unit 64, a volume adjustment unit 65A, and a BPM setting unit 66.

[0058] [Volume control configuration] When the operation mode of the acoustic control device is the normal mode, the volume adjustment section 65A functions in the same way as the volume adjustment section 65 according to the first embodiment. When the operating mode of the acoustic control device is in assist mode, the volume adjustment unit 65A differs from the volume adjustment unit 65 according to the first embodiment in that it individually adjusts the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece and the volume of the low-frequency band of the first music piece, and also individually adjusts the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece and the volume of the low-frequency band of the second music piece. Specifically, the volume adjustment unit 65A individually adjusts the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece, thereby individually adjusting the volume of each frequency band of the first music piece. The volume adjustment unit 65A individually adjusts the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece, thereby individually adjusting the volume of each frequency band of the second music piece.

[0059] [Volume adjustment when operating the crossfader in assist mode] Fig. 10 shows changes in the volume level of each frequency band of the first music piece and changes in the volume level of each frequency band of the second music piece when the crossfader 5 is operated in assist mode. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in Fig. 10 indicates the relative position of the fader control 51. Although Fig. 10 shows the set level H1lv and the set level H2lv as having the same value, they do not necessarily have to be the same value. The same applies to the set levels M1lv and M2lv, and the same applies to the set levels L1lv and L2lv. In the assist mode, the operable range RC of the fader operator 51 includes a first range RC1, a second range RC2, and a third range RC3, as shown in FIG. The first range RC1 is the range between the first position PC1 and the second position PC2. The second position PC2 is set in the +DC direction with respect to the first position PC1. The second range RC2 is the range between the second position PC2 and the third position PC3. The third position PC3 is set in the +DC direction with respect to the second position PC2. The third range RC3 is the range between the third position PC3 and the fourth position PC4. The fourth position PC4 is set in the +DC direction with respect to the third position PC3. In this embodiment, the first position PC1 is set at the first end TC1, and the fourth position PC4 is set at the second end TC2. The first range RC1 is 1 / 3 of the operable range RC from the first end TC1, the second range RC2 is 1 / 3 of the operable range RC from the second position PC2, and the third range RC3 is 1 / 3 of the operable range RC from the third position PC3.

[0060] When the operating mode is assist mode and the fader control 51 is located at the first end TC1, the volume adjustment unit 65A sets the volume levels of each wavelength band of the first music piece to the preset levels H1lv, M1lv, and L1lv of each frequency band of the first music piece, and sets the volume levels of each wavelength band of the second music piece to the minimum levels H2min, M2min, and L2min of each frequency band of the second music piece, as shown in Fig. 10. As a result, the volume of the entire first music piece becomes the first preset volume V1st, and the volume of the entire second music piece becomes the second minimum volume V2min.

[0061] When the operating mode is assist mode and the fader operator 51 is positioned in the first range RC1, the volume adjustment unit 65A sets the volume levels of each wavelength band of the first music piece to set levels H1lv, M1lv, and L1lv, and keeps the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece at the minimum level L2min, while increasing the volume levels of the high-frequency band and mid-frequency band of the second music piece as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction. In other words, the volume levels that change in the first range RC1 are the volume levels of the high-frequency band and mid-frequency band of the second music piece. In the first range RC1, the volume level of the high frequency band of the second music piece is changed within a range from the minimum level H2min of the high frequency band of the second music piece to a set level H2lv. In the first range RC1, the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the second music piece is changed within a range from the minimum level M2min of the mid-frequency band of the second music piece to a set level M2lv.

[0062] When the fader operator 51 is positioned at the second position PC2, the volume adjustment unit 65A sets the volume levels of each frequency band of the first song to the set levels H1lv, M1lv, and L1lv, and sets the volume level of the high frequency band of the second song to the set level H2lv and the volume level of the mid frequency band of the second song to the set level M2lv, while leaving the volume level of the low frequency band of the second song at the minimum level L2min.

[0063] When the operating mode is assist mode and the fader operator 51 is positioned in the second range RC2, the volume adjustment unit 65A sets the volume level of the high-frequency band of the first music piece to the set level H1lv, the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the first music piece to the set level M1lv, the volume level of the high-frequency band of the second music piece to the set level H2lv, and the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the second music piece to the set level M2lv, and as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece is decreased from the set level L1lv and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece is increased from the minimum level L2min. In other words, the volume levels that change in the second range RC2 are the volume levels of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the low-frequency band of the second music piece. In the second range RC2, the volume level of the low frequency band of the first music piece is changed within the range from the minimum level L1min of the low frequency band of the first music piece to the set level L1lv. In the second range RC2, the volume level of the low frequency band of the second music piece is changed within the range from the minimum level L2min of the low frequency band of the second music piece to the set level L2lv.

[0064] If the set level L1lv of the low frequency band of the first song is the same as the set level L2lv of the low frequency band of the second song, and the minimum level L1min of the low frequency band of the first song is the same as the minimum level L2min of the low frequency band of the second song, when the fader operator 51 is positioned at the center position of the second range RC2, the volume adjustment unit 65A matches the volume level of the low frequency band of the first song with the volume level of the low frequency band of the second song. Therefore, depending on whether the fader control 51 is operated in the +DC direction or the -DC direction relative to the center position of the second range RC2, the magnitude relationship between the volume levels of the low frequency bands of the first and second music pieces is reversed, and ultimately the magnitude relationship between the volumes of the low frequency bands of each music piece is reversed. In other words, when the fader control 51 is operated in the +DC direction relative to the center position of the second range RC2, the volume of the low frequency band of the second music piece becomes higher than the volume of the low frequency band of the first music piece. On the other hand, when the fader control 51 is operated in the -DC direction relative to the center position of the second range RC2, the volume of the low frequency band of the first music piece becomes higher than the volume of the low frequency band of the second music piece. The center position of the second range RC2 coincides with the center position of the operable range RC.

[0065] In this embodiment, the rate of change in the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the rate of change in the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece in the second range RC2 are constant. Therefore, when the fader control 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the second position PC2, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece decreases at a constant rate, and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece increases at a constant rate. Also, when the fader control 51 is operated in the -DC direction from the third position PC3, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece increases at a constant rate, and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece decreases at a constant rate. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rate of change in the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the rate of change in the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece in the second range RC2 do not have to be constant. For example, when the fader control 51 is operated in the +DC direction in the second range RC2, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece may be decreased according to a predetermined curve, and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece may be increased according to a predetermined curve. In other words, the rate of change in the volume level of the low-frequency band of each music piece may change in response to the operation of the fader control 51.

[0066] When the fader operator 51 is positioned at the third position PC3, the volume adjustment unit 65A sets the volume level of the high frequency band of the first song to the set level H1lv, sets the volume level of the mid frequency band of the first song to the set level M1lv, sets the volume level of the high frequency band of the second song to the set level H2lv, and leaves the volume level of the mid frequency band of the second song at the set level M2lv, sets the volume level of the low frequency band of the first song to the minimum level L1min, and sets the volume level of the low frequency band of the second song to the set level L2lv.

[0067] When the operating mode is assist mode and the fader operator 51 is positioned in the third range RC3, the volume adjustment unit 65A sets the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece to the minimum level L1min and keeps the volume levels of the high-, mid-, and low-frequency bands of the second music piece at the set levels H2lv, M2lv, and L2lv, respectively, and decreases the volume level of the high-frequency band of the first music piece from the set level H1lv and decreases the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the first music piece from the set level M1lv as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction. In other words, the volume levels that change in the third range RC3 are the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece. In the third range RC3, the volume level of the high frequency band of the first music piece is changed within the range from the minimum level H1min of the high frequency band of the first music piece to the set level H1lv. In the third range RC3, the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the first music piece is changed within the range from the minimum level M1min of the mid-frequency band of the first music piece to the set level M1lv.

[0068] When the fader operator 51 is located at the fourth position PC4, i.e., when the fader operator 51 is located at the second end TC2, the volume adjustment unit 65A sets the volume levels of the high-, mid-, and low-frequency bands of the first music piece to minimum levels H1min, M1min, and L1min, respectively, and sets the volume levels of the high-, mid-, and low-frequency bands of the second music piece to set levels H2lv, M2lv, and L2lv, respectively. As a result, the volume of the entire first music piece becomes the first minimum volume V1min, and the volume of the entire second music piece becomes the second set volume V2st, completing the mixing of the first music piece to the second music piece.

[0069] [Minimum Level Settings] In the above explanation, for the sake of convenience, the minimum levels H1min, M1min, L1min, H2min, M2min, and L2min of each wavelength band are set to 0. However, this is not limiting, and at least one of the minimum levels H1min, M1min, L1min, H2min, M2min, and L2min does not have to be 0. For example, the minimum levels H1min, M1min, L1min, H2min, M2min, and L2min may be set according to the values ​​of the set levels H1lv, M1lv, L1lv, H2lv, M2lv, and L2lv. In a more detailed example, if the set level H1lv of the high frequency band of the first song is equal to or greater than 0 and equal to or less than 0.5, the minimum level H1min may be set to 0, and if the set level H1lv is greater than 0.5 and equal to or less than 1, the minimum level H1min may be set to a value obtained by subtracting 0.5 from the set level H1lv. Similarly, if the set levels M1lv, L1lv, H2lv, M2lv, and L2lv are equal to or greater than 0 and less than 0.5, the minimum levels M1min, L1min, H2min, M2min, and L2min are set.

[0070] FIG. 11 shows the changes in volume level of each frequency band of the first song and the changes in volume level of each frequency band of the second song when the set level L1lv of the low frequency band of the first song is 0.6 and the set level L2lv of the low frequency band of the second song is 0.5. For example, if the low frequency band adjustment unit 324 sets the preset level L1lv of the low frequency band of the first song to 0.6, the minimum level of the low frequency band of the first song may be 0.1, as shown in FIG. 11. Even in such a case, the volume of the first music piece and the volume of the second music piece can be swapped by operating the fader control 51. In particular, by operating the fader control 51 in the second range RC2, the volume of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the volume of the low-frequency band of the second music piece can be swapped, regardless of the volume of the high-frequency band and mid-frequency band of each music piece. The difference between the set level and the minimum level is not limited to 0.5 and can be changed as appropriate.

[0071] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing another example of changes in the BPM during playback of the first song and the second song in assist mode. Specifically, Fig. 13 is a diagram showing another example of changes in the BPM during playback of each song when the crossfader 5 is operated in assist mode when the BPM of the first song is 100 and the BPM of the second song is 120. Note that the horizontal axis of the graph shown in Fig. 12 is set with values ​​indicating the relative position of the fader operator 51 described above. As explained in the first embodiment, the BPM setting section 66 changes the playback BPM of each song in the same way across the entire operable range RC in response to the operation of the fader operator 51. However, this is not limiting, and for example, as shown in Fig. 12, when the fader operator 51 is positioned in the first range RC1 and the third range RC3, the BPM setting section 66 may adjust the playback BPM of each of the first song and the second song in response to the position of the fader operator 51.

[0072] In this case, when the fader operator 51 is located at the first end TC1 (first position PC1), the BPM setting section 66 sets the playback BPM of each of the first and second songs to the BPM of the first song. In the example of Fig. 12, the playback BPM of each song is set to 100, which is the BPM of the first song. When the fader operator 51 is positioned in the first range RC1, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each song in the range between the BPM of the first song and the midpoint between the BPMs of the first song and the second song, according to the position of the fader operator 51. In the example of Fig. 12, the BPM of the first song is 100 and the midpoint between the BPMs of the first song and the second song is 110, so when the fader operator 51 is positioned in the first range RC1, the playback BPM of each song is set to a value greater than 100 and less than 110.

[0073] When the fader control 51 is located at the second position PC2, the second range RC2, and the third position PC3, the BPM setting section 66 sets the playback BPM of each of the first and second songs to the intermediate value. In the example of Fig. 12, the playback BPM of each song is set to 110. When the fader operator 51 is positioned in the third range RC3, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each of the first and second songs in the range between the intermediate value and the BPM of the second song, depending on the position of the fader operator 51. In the example of Fig. 12, the BPM of the second song is 120, so the playback BPM of each song is set to a value greater than 110 and less than 120.

[0074] When the fader control 51 is located at the second end TC2 (fourth position PC4), the BPM setting section 66 sets the playback BPM of each of the first and second songs to the BPM of the second song. In the example of Fig. 12, the playback BPM of each song is set to 120. Note that the rate of change of the playback BPM in the first range RC1 and the third range RC3 is constant in the example of Fig. 12, but it does not have to be constant. For example, the rate of change may change as the fader operator 51 is operated in the ±DC direction. In this way, when the BPM of each song changes during playback, the BPM setting unit 66 can adjust the BPM of each song during playback in accordance with the volume level adjustment of the high-frequency and mid-frequency bands by the volume adjustment unit 65 in response to the operation of the fader control 51. Therefore, the songs can be mixed naturally without any sense of incongruity.

[0075] [Volume adjustment when operating the channel fader in assist mode] The following describes how the volume of each song is adjusted by the volume adjustment unit 65A when the operating mode of the acoustic control device is the assist mode and the controls 33A1, 33B1 of the channel faders 33A, 33B are operated. Note that the playback BPM settings of each song by the BPM setting unit 66 when the controls 33A1, 33B1 are operated in the assist mode are the same as the playback BPM settings of each song by the BPM setting unit 66 described in the first embodiment. When the operation mode of the sound control device 1 is the assist mode, the volume adjustment unit 65A adjusts the volume of each frequency band of the first music piece according to the range in the operable range RA where the first operator 33A1 is located. Also, when the operation mode of the sound control device 1 is the assist mode, the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the volume of each frequency band of the second music piece according to the range in the operable range RB where the second operator 33B1 is located.

[0076] Figure 13 shows the changes in the volume levels of the high frequency band and mid frequency band of the first song when each channel fader 33A, 33B is operated in assist mode, and the changes in the volume levels of the high frequency band and mid frequency band of the second song. When the operation mode of the sound control device 1 is the assist mode, the volume adjustment unit 65A adjusts the volume of the first music piece by adjusting the volume level of each frequency band of the first music piece according to the position of the first operator 33A1 within the operable range RA. When the operation mode of the sound control device 1 is the assist mode, the volume adjustment unit 65A adjusts the volume of the second music piece by adjusting the volume level of each frequency band of the second music piece according to the position of the second operator 33B1 within the operable range RB. 13, a predetermined position between the first end TA1 and the second end TA2 in the operable range RA of the first operator 33A1 is defined as position PA1. Position PA1 can be set to a position 1 / 3 of the way through the operable range RA from the second end TA2. The range from the first end TA1 to position PA1 is defined as first range RA1, and the range from position PA1 to the second end TA2 is defined as second range RA2. Furthermore, a predetermined position between the first end TB1 and the second end TB2 in the operable range RB of the second operating element 33B1 is defined as position PB1. Position PB1 can be set to a position 1 / 3 of the way through the operable range RB from the second end TB2. The range from the first end TB1 to position PB1 is defined as a first range RB1, and the range from position PB1 to the second end TB2 is defined as a second range RB2.

[0077] [Volume adjustment in the first range of the channel fader] As shown in FIG. 13, the volume adjustment unit 65A adjusts the volume levels of the high frequency band and the mid frequency band of the first song depending on the position of the first operator 33A1 in the first range RA1, and adjusts the volume levels of the high frequency band and the mid frequency band of the second song depending on the position of the second operator 33B1 in the first range RB1. The first pre-set volume V1st is set in advance based on the position of the first operator 33A1, and the second pre-set volume V2st is set in advance based on the position of the second operator 33B1. For example, the first pre-set volume V1st can be set to a volume corresponding to the position of the first operator 33A1 when the mode selector switch 4 is pressed and the mode switching unit 64 switches the operation mode to the assist mode. The second pre-set volume V2st can be set to a volume corresponding to the position of the second operator 33B1 when the mode selector switch 4 is pressed and the mode switching unit 64 switches the operation mode to the assist mode. However, this is not limiting, and the first pre-set volume V1st may be set in advance by another method or another operator. The same applies to the second pre-set volume V2st.

[0078] In the assist mode, when the first operator 33A1 is placed at the first end TA1, the volume adjustment unit 65A sets the volume levels of the high frequency band, the mid frequency band, and the low frequency band of the first song to minimum levels H1min, M1min, and L1min, respectively, and sets the volume of the entire first song to the first minimum volume V1min. When the first operator 33A1 is positioned within the first range RA1, the volume control unit 65A, while not shown in FIG. 13, maintains the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece at a minimum level L1min. As shown in FIG. 13, the volume control unit 65A adjusts the volume level of the high-frequency band of the first music piece between a minimum level H1min and a preset level H1lv, and adjusts the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the first music piece between a minimum level M1min and a preset level M1lv, depending on the position of the first operator 33A1. That is, when the first operator 33A1 is operated in the +DA direction within the first range RA1, the volume control unit 65A increases the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece. When the first operator 33A1 is operated in the -DA direction, the volume control unit 65A decreases the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece. This changes the overall volume of the first music piece. 13, the rate of change in the volume levels of the high frequency band and the mid frequency band of the first music piece is constant, but it does not have to be constant. For example, each rate of change may change as the first operator 33A1 is operated in the ±DA directions.

[0079] When the first operator 33A1 is placed at position PA1, the volume adjustment unit 65 keeps the volume level of the low frequency band of the first song at the minimum level L1min, sets the volume level of the high frequency band of the first song to the set level H1lv, and sets the volume level of the mid frequency band of the first song to the set level M1lv. In this way, the change in volume of the first music piece when the first operator 33A1 is positioned in the first range RA1 is the same as the change in volume of the first music piece when the fader operator 51 is positioned in the third range RC3.

[0080] When the second operator 33B1 is placed at the first end TB1 in the assist mode, the volume adjustment unit 65A sets the volume levels of the high frequency band, the mid frequency band and the low frequency band of the second song to the minimum levels H2min, M2min and L2min, respectively, and sets the volume of the entire second song to the second minimum volume V2min. When the second operator 33B1 is positioned within the first range RB1, the volume control unit 65A, while not shown in FIG. 13, maintains the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece at a minimum level L2min. The volume control unit 65A adjusts the volume level of the high-frequency band of the second music piece between a minimum level H2min and a preset level H2lv, and adjusts the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the second music piece between a minimum level M2min and a preset level M2lv, depending on the position of the second operator 33B1, as shown in FIG. 13. That is, when the second operator 33B1 is operated in the +DB direction within the first range RB1, the volume control unit 65A increases the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece. When the second operator 33B1 is operated in the -DB direction, the volume control unit 65A decreases the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece. This changes the overall volume of the first music piece. 13, the rate of change in the volume levels of the high frequency band and the mid frequency band of the second music piece is constant, but it does not have to be constant. For example, each rate of change may change as the second operator 33B1 is operated in the ±DB directions.

[0081] When the second operator 33B1 is placed at position PB1, the volume adjustment unit 65 keeps the volume level of the low frequency band of the second song at the minimum level L2min, sets the volume level of the high frequency band of the second song to the set level H2lv, and sets the volume level of the mid frequency band of the second song to the set level M2lv. In this way, the change in volume of the second music piece when the second operator 33B1 is positioned in the first range RB1 is the same as the change in volume of the second music piece when the fader operator 51 is positioned in the first range RC1.

[0082] [Volume adjustment in the second range of the channel fader] The volume adjustment unit 65A adjusts the volume level of the low frequency band of the first music piece between a minimum level L1min and a set level L1lv, and adjusts the volume level of the low frequency band of the second music piece between a minimum level L2min and a set level L2lv, depending on the position of the first operator 33A1 in the second range RA2 and the position of the second operator 33B1 in the second range RB2.

[0083] Specifically, when the first operator 33A1 is located in the second range RA2 and the second operator 33B1 is located in the second range RB2, the volume adjustment unit 65A converts the numerical value indicating the position of the first operator 33A1 and the numerical value indicating the position of the second operator 33B1 acquired by the position acquisition unit 63. More specifically, the volume adjustment unit 65A converts the acquired numerical value indicating the position of the first operator 33A1 into a numerical value that is 0 when the first operator 33A1 is located at position PA1 and is 1 when the first operator 33A1 is located at the second end TA2. Similarly, the volume adjustment unit 65A converts the acquired numerical value indicating the position of the second operator 33B1 into a numerical value that is 0 when the second operator 33B1 is located at position PB1 and is 1 when the second operator 33B1 is located at the second end TB2. Next, volume adjustment unit 65A divides the converted numerical value indicating the position of first operator 33A1 by the converted numerical value indicating the position of second operator 33B1, and obtains the numerical value resulting from the division. After that, the volume adjustment unit 65A obtains the volume levels of the first music piece and the second music piece that correspond to the numerical value resulting from the division.

[0084] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the volume levels of the low frequency bands of the first and second songs when the first and second operators 33A1 and 33B1 are operated in assist mode. In other words, Fig. 14 is a diagram explaining the content of level change information stored in a storage unit (not shown). Here, a storage unit (not shown) pre-stores the graph shown in FIG. 14. That is, the storage unit stores level change information indicating the volume level of the low-frequency band of each piece of music corresponding to the numerical value resulting from the division. More specifically, the storage unit stores, as level change information indicating the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first piece of music, a function that approaches the minimum level L1min as the numerical value resulting from the division decreases and approaches the set level L1lv as the numerical value resulting from the division increases. The storage unit also stores, as level change information indicating the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second piece of music, a function that approaches the set level L2lv as the numerical value resulting from the division decreases and approaches the minimum level L2min as the numerical value resulting from the division increases. Note that the function stored in the storage unit as level change information may be a linear function as shown in FIG. 14 or a higher-order function such as a quadratic function.

[0085] Based on such level change information, the volume adjustment unit 65A obtains the volume level of the low frequency band of each song, and sets the volume level of the low frequency band of each song to the obtained volume level. When the controls 33A1 and 33B1 are located in the second ranges RA2 and RB2, the volume levels of the high frequency band and the mid frequency band of the first song are set to the preset levels H1lv and M1lv, and the volume levels of the high frequency band and the mid frequency band of the second song are set to the preset levels H2lv and M2lv. In this way, when the first operator 33A1 is positioned in the second range RA2 and the second operator 33B1 is positioned in the second range RB2, the volume change of each song is the same as the volume change of each song when the fader operator 51 is positioned in the second range RC2.

[0086] [Swap the first and second songs in the output song] When the operation mode of the acoustic control device 1 is the assist mode, the volume adjustment unit 65A adjusts the volume levels of the frequency bands of the first and second music pieces as described above. As a result, by operating the controls 33A1 and 33B1 as follows, the volume of the frequency bands of the first music piece and the volume of the frequency bands of the second music piece can be swapped, just as by operating the fader control unit 51.

[0087] For example, if the first operator 33A1 is located at the second end TA2 and the second operator 33B1 is located at the first end TB1, the overall volume of the first music piece is the first preset volume V1st, and the overall volume of the second music piece is the second minimum volume V2min. From this state, if only the second operator 33B1 is operated in the +DB direction, as shown in the graph of the volume levels of the high and mid frequency bands of the second music piece shown on the right side of Fig. 13, while the second operator 33B1 is in the first range RB1, the volume level of the low frequency band of the second music piece remains at the minimum level L2min, while the volume levels of the high and mid frequency bands of the second music piece increase. Then, when the second operator 33B1 reaches position PB1, the volume level of the high frequency band of the second music piece reaches the set level H2lv, and the volume level of the mid frequency band of the second music piece reaches the set level M2lv. In this way, the volume of the high and mid frequency bands of the second music piece can be adjusted, just as when the fader operator 51 is operated in the first range RC1.

[0088] When only the second operator 33B1 is operated in the +DB direction from position PB1, the volume level of the high-frequency band of the second music piece remains at the set level H2lv, the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the second music piece remains at the set level M2lv, and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece increases from the minimum level L2min and decreases from the set level L1lv, as shown in Fig. 14. Accordingly, the volume of the entire first music piece decreases from the first set volume V1st. Then, when the second operator 33B1 reaches the second end TB2, since the first operator 33A1 is also positioned at the second end TA2, the volume level of the low frequency band of the second song and the volume level of the low frequency band of the first song become equal, as shown in FIG. 14. After that, when only the first operator 33A1 is operated in the -DA direction from the second end TA2, the volume level of the high frequency band of the first song remains at the set level H1lv, the volume level of the mid frequency band of the first song remains at the set level M1lv, and the volume level of the low frequency band of the first song decreases and the volume level of the low frequency band of the second song increases, as shown in Figure 14. When the first operator 33A1 reaches position PA1, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece reaches the minimum level L1min, and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece reaches the set level L2lv. Accordingly, the volume of the entire second music piece reaches the second set volume V2st. That is, the condition for the volume of the entire second music piece to reach the second set volume V2st is that the second operator 33B1 is located at the second end TB2, and the first operator 33A1 is located at position PA, the first range RA1, or the first end TA1. The same condition applies for the volume of the entire first music piece to reach the first set volume V1st.

[0089] When the first operator 33A1 is operated in the -DA direction from position PA1 while the second operator 33B1 remains positioned at the second end TB2, the volume level of the low frequency band of the first song remains at the minimum level L1min, and the volume levels of the high frequency band and mid frequency band of the first song decrease, as shown in the graph of the volume levels of the high frequency band and mid frequency band of the first song shown on the left side of Figure 13. When the first operator 33A1 reaches the first end TA1, the volume level of the high frequency band of the first music piece reaches the minimum level H1min, the volume level of the mid frequency band of the second music piece reaches the minimum level M1min, and the volume of the entire first music piece reaches the first minimum volume V1min. In this way, the volume levels of the high frequency band and the mid frequency band of the first music piece can be adjusted, just as when the fader operator 51 is operated in the third range RC3.

[0090] As described above, by operating the second operator 33B1 in the second range RB2 and the first operator 33A1 in the second range RA2, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece can be lowered and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece can be increased. That is, with the volume levels of the high-frequency and mid-frequency bands of the first music piece set to the set levels H1lv and M1lv and the volume levels of the high-frequency and mid-frequency bands of the second music piece set to the set levels H2lv and M2lv, the volume levels of the low-frequency bands of the first music piece and the second music piece can be increased or decreased, thereby swapping the volumes of the low-frequency bands of the first music piece and the second music piece.

[0091] [Effects of the second embodiment] The acoustic control device according to this embodiment described above can achieve the same effects as the acoustic control device 1 according to the first embodiment, and can also achieve the following effects. In the acoustic control device according to this embodiment, the operable range RC of the fader operator 51 includes a first range RC1, a second range RC2, and a third range RC3. The first range RC1 is the range between the first position PC1 and the second position PC2. The second position PC2 is located in the +DC direction relative to the first position PC1. The +DC direction corresponds to the first operation direction from the first end TC1 toward the second end TC2. The second range RC2 is the range between the second position PC2 and the third position PC3. The third position PC3 is located in the +DC direction relative to the second position PC2. The third range RC3 is the range between the third position PC3 and the fourth position PC4. The fourth position PC4 is located in the +DC direction relative to the third position PC3. As the fader operator 51 is moved in the +DC direction, the BPM setting section 66 brings the BPM during playback of the first music piece and the BPM during playback of the second music piece closer to the BPM of the second music piece. As the first operator 33A1 is moved in the -DA direction or the second operator 33B1 is moved in the +DB direction, the BPM setting section 66 brings the BPM during playback of the first music piece and the BPM during playback of the second music piece closer to the BPM of the second music piece. With this configuration, the playback BPM of each song can be changed so that it approaches the BPM of the second song, thereby simplifying the operations required to bring the playback BPM of each song closer to the BPM of the second song.

[0092] In the sound control device according to this embodiment, when the fader operator 51 is positioned in the second range RC2, the BPM setting section 66 does not change the BPM during playback of the first music piece or the BPM during playback of the second music piece. With this configuration, when the fader operator 51 is positioned in the second range RC2 where the first and second songs are easily audible, the first and second songs can be easily mixed without any sense of incongruity by not changing the BPM of each song when it is played.

[0093] In the acoustic control device of this embodiment, when the fader operator 51 is positioned in the second range RC2, while the volume levels of the high frequency band of the first song, the mid frequency band of the first song, the high frequency band of the second song, and the mid frequency band of the second song are at the set levels H1lv, M1lv, H2lv, and M2lv, the volume adjustment unit 65A decreases the volume level of the low frequency band of the first song and increases the volume level of the low frequency band of the second song as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction. As described above, the preset level H1lv is the volume level set by the user as the maximum level of the high frequency band of the first music piece using the high frequency band adjustment unit 322 of the first channel operation unit 3A. The same applies to the preset levels M1lv, H2lv, and M2lv. The +DC direction corresponds to the first operation direction. With this configuration, the total volume of the low-frequency components of the first and second music pieces can be maintained at approximately the same level as the total volume of the low-frequency components before mixing. This prevents the low-frequency components from sounding too strong when mixing the first and second music pieces, compared to when mixing the entire first and second music pieces without adjusting the frequencies. Furthermore, because each music piece is played at its median BPM, the first and second music pieces can be mixed seamlessly.

[0094] In the acoustic control device according to this embodiment, the first position PC1 is the first end TC1, and the fourth position PC4 is the second end TC2. The first range RC1 is 1 / 3 of the operable range RC from the first end TC1. The second range RC2 is 1 / 3 of the operable range RC from the second position PC2. The third range RC3 is 1 / 3 of the operable range RC from the third position PC3. This configuration allows the user to intuitively grasp the positions of the first range RC1, the second range RC2, and the third range RC3, making it easier to operate the fader operator 51 when mixing the first music piece and the second music piece.

[0095] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The acoustic control device according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the acoustic control devices according to the first and second embodiments, but differs from the acoustic control devices according to the first and second embodiments in that it further comprises an operation determination unit, a playback control unit, a position setting unit, and a position selection unit. In the following explanation, parts that are the same or approximately the same as parts already explained will be assigned the same reference numerals and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0096] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit 6B provided in the acoustic control device according to this embodiment. The acoustic control device of this embodiment has the same configuration and functions as the acoustic control devices of the first and second embodiments, except that it has a control unit 6B shown in Figure 15 instead of the control unit 6 of the first embodiment and the control unit 6A of the second embodiment. That is, although not shown in the figures, the acoustic control device according to this embodiment includes a housing 2, two channel operation units 3, a mode change switch 4, a crossfader 5, and also a control unit 6B shown in FIG. The control unit 6B, like the control units 6 and 6A, controls the acoustic control device according to this embodiment and is configured with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that reads and executes an acoustic control program stored in a storage unit (not shown). In other words, the processor is a computer. In addition to the components of the control unit 6A, the control unit 6B further includes an operation determination unit 67, a playback control unit 68, a position setting unit 69, and a position selection unit 70. Note that the operation determination unit 67 and the playback control unit 68 function when the operation mode of the acoustic control device is the assist mode.

[0097] [Configuration of operation determination unit] The operation determination unit 67 determines the operation of the fader operator 51. Specifically, the operation determination unit 67 determines whether the speed of the fader operator 51 when it moves from one of the first end TC1 and the second end TC2 to the other end is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In other words, the operation determination unit 67 determines whether the time it takes for the fader operator 51 to move from one of the first end TC1 and the second end TC2 to reach the other end is less than a predetermined time. More specifically, the operation determination unit 67 determines whether the fader operator 51 located at one of the first end TC1 and the second end TC2 has reached the other end within a predetermined time since it was moved toward the other end.

[0098] [Playback control unit configuration] The playback control unit 68 controls the playback state of the first music piece by the first playback unit 61 and the playback state of the second music piece by the second playback unit 62 in response to the operation of the fader operator 51. Specifically, the playback control unit 68 controls the playback positions of the first music piece and the second music piece based on the determination result of the operation determination unit 67.

[0099] If the playback control unit 68 determines that the speed of the fader operator 51 when it reaches from one of the first end TC1 and the second end TC2 to the other end is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it executes the following first playback control process, and if it determines that the speed is less than the predetermined value, it executes the following second playback control process. In other words, if the regeneration control unit 68 determines that the arrival time, which is the time it takes to travel from one of the first end TC1 and the second end TC2 to the other end, is greater than or equal to a predetermined time, it executes the following first regeneration control process, and if it determines that the arrival time is less than the predetermined time, it executes the following second regeneration control process.

[0100] Specifically, if the fader operator 51, which has moved away from one of the first end TC1 and the second end TC2, reaches the other end in less than a predetermined time, the playback control unit 68 executes the following second playback control process, and if the fader operator 51 has not reached the other end even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the playback control unit 68 executes the following first playback control process. In any of the playback control processes, if the fader operator 51 is located at the first end TC1 or the second end TC2, the playback control unit 68 does not control the playback of the first music piece by the first playback unit 61 or the playback of the second music piece by the second playback unit 62.

[0101] [First playback control process] The first playback control process is a process that is performed when the fader operator 51 is slowly operated from one of the first end TC1 and the second end TC2 to the other end. In the following explanation, a case where the fader operator 51 is operated from the first end TC1 to the second end TC2 will be described. When the fader control device 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the first end TC1, the playback control unit 68 moves the playback position of the first music piece to a predetermined first playback position and moves the playback position of the second music piece to a predetermined third playback position. Note that if playback of the second music piece by the second playback unit 62 has been stopped, the playback control unit 68 causes the second playback unit 62 to start playback of the second music piece.

[0102] When the playback position of the first music piece moves to the first playback position, the playback control unit 68 causes loop playback between the first playback position and a predetermined second playback position that is a playback position after the first playback position. Also, when the playback position of the second music piece moves to the third playback position, the playback control unit 68 causes loop playback between the third playback position and a predetermined fourth playback position that is a playback position after the third playback position. In other words, the playback position of the second music piece that is moved when the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the first end TC1 is the third playback position, which is a playback position before the fourth playback position. When the fader operator 51 reaches the second end TC2, the playback control section 68 stops the loop playback of the first music piece by the first playback section 61, and stops the loop playback of the second music piece by the second playback section 62. This allows the first song to be replaced with the second song, and the second song to be played back from the fourth playback position.

[0103] [Specific example of first regeneration control process] Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first reproduction control process by the reproduction control unit 68. In Fig. 16, "Breakdown" is written as "Break". Next, a specific example of the first regeneration control process will be described with reference to FIG. In the example of Fig. 16, each of the first and second songs is a song in which song elements are connected in the following order: Intro, Breakdown 1, Buildup 1, Drop 1, Breakdown 2, Buildup 2, Drop 2, and Outro. In the example of Fig. 16, the start position of the outro is set as the first playback position of the first song, and the end position of the outro, i.e., the end position of the first song, is set as the second playback position of the first song. In the example of Fig. 16, a position midway through Buildup 1 is set as the third playback position of the second song, and the start position of Drop 1 is set as the fourth playback position of the second song.

[0104] 16, when the fader operator 51 is located at the first end TC1, the playback control unit 68 does not control the playback of the first music piece by the first playback unit 61 or the playback of the second music piece by the second playback unit 62. Therefore, the first music piece is played by the first playback unit 61 at the BPM of the first music piece. 16, when the fader control device 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the first end TC1, the playback control unit 68 moves the playback position PP1 of the first song to the start position of the outro (first playback position), and moves the playback position PP2 of the second song to a position halfway through the build-up 1 (third playback position). As described above, when playback of the second song is stopped, the playback control unit 68 causes the second playback unit 62 to start playback of the second song.

[0105] 16, when playback position PP1 of the first song moves to the start position of the outro of the first song, the playback control unit 68 causes the first playback unit 61 to repeatedly play the part of the song between the start position of the outro of the first song and the end position of the outro (second playback position). At the same time, when playback position PP2 of the second song moves to a position halfway through Build Up 1, the playback control unit 68 causes the second playback unit 62 to repeatedly play the part of the song between a position halfway through Build Up 1 of the second song and the start position of Drop 1 (fourth playback position).

[0106] As shown in the fourth row from the top in FIG. 16 , when the fader operator 51 is placed at the second end TC2, the playback control unit 68 cancels repeat playback of the first song and repeat playback of the second song. As a result, playback of the first song by the first playback unit 61 ends when playback of the outro of the first song ends, and playback of the second song by the second playback unit 62 continues, and after a while, Drop 1 of the second song is played. As described above, when the fader operator 51 is placed at the second end TC2, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the volume of the entire first song to the first minimum volume V1min and the volume of the entire second song to the second preset volume V2st. Furthermore, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each song to the BPM of the second song.

[0107] The above has been described as to the case where the fader operator 51 is operated from the first end TC1 to the second end TC2. However, the same applies when the fader operator 51 is operated from the second end TC2 to the first end TC1. That is, when the fader operator 51 is operated in the -DC direction from the second end TC2, the playback position PP2 is moved to the first playback position of the second song, and then the portion of the song between the first playback position and the second playback position is repeated, and the playback position PP1 is moved to the third playback position of the first song, and then the portion of the song between the third playback position and the fourth playback position is repeated. Then, when the fader operator 51 is placed at the first end TC1, the playback control unit 68 cancels the repeat playback of each song. In this way, the playback position of the first song and the playback position of the second song are controlled in accordance with operation from the first end TC1 and operation from the second end TC2 of the fader operator 51, thereby allowing the first song and the second song to be mixed naturally.

[0108] [Play music when reaching the end] The playback control unit 68 described above cancels repeat playback of the portion of the second music piece between the third and fourth playback positions when the fader operator 51, operated in the +DC direction, reaches the second end TC2. That is, although repeat playback of the second music piece is canceled, playback continues from the playback position at the time the fader operator 51 reached the second end TC2. However, the playback control unit 68 may implement one of the following first and second patterns.

[0109] In the first pattern, the playback position PP2 of the second song is moved to the fourth playback position when the fader control 51 reaches the second end TC2. In the example of Fig. 16, Drop 1 of the second song is played when the volume of the entire first song reaches the first minimum volume V1min, so the first song can be replaced by the second song naturally. In the second pattern, if the playback position PP2 of the second song has not yet reached a bar boundary when the fader control 51 reaches the second end TC2, the playback position PP2 is moved to the fourth playback position when playback of the current bar ends. In the example of Fig. 16, the playback position PP2 of the second song is moved to drop 1 at the bar boundary, allowing the songs to be mixed naturally without causing any sudden changes in composition.

[0110] [Second playback control process] The second playback control process is performed when the fader operator 51 is momentarily operated from one of the first end TC1 and the second end TC2 to the other. Specifically, the second playback control process moves the playback position of the second music piece to a fourth playback position of the second music piece when the fader operator 51 is momentarily operated from the first end TC1 to the second end TC2, and moves the playback position of the first music piece to a fourth playback position of the first music piece when the fader operator 51 is momentarily operated from the second end TC2 to the first end TC1. In this case, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the overall volume of the first music piece to the first minimum volume V1min, so the first music piece is not output. When the second music piece shown in FIG. 16 is played by the second playback unit 62 and the second playback control process is executed by the playback control unit 68, the playback position of the second music piece is moved to the start position of drop 1 without changing the playback position of the first music piece. Note that, if playback of the second music piece by the second playback unit 62 is stopped, the playback control unit 68 causes the second playback unit 62 to start playing the second music piece. Note that, when the fader operator 51 reaches the second end TC2, the volume adjustment unit 65A described above sets the overall volume of the first music piece to its minimum value and the overall volume of the second music piece to its maximum value. Also, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each music piece to the BPM of the second music piece. By performing this second playback control process, when the first song is instantly switched to the second song, the chorus part of the second song can be instantly played back.

[0111] [Configuration of the position setting unit and position selection unit] The position setting unit 69 shown in Fig. 15 sets points that can be set to the first playback position, the second playback position, the third playback position, and the fourth playback position in each song in response to a user operation. For example, a cue can be one such point. Another example of such a point can be the start position of each element included in a song. Note that the element can be an intro, a drop, an outro, etc., as described above. The position selection unit 70 functions when the operating mode of the acoustic control device is in assist mode. The position selection unit 70 selects a first playback position, a second playback position, a third playback position, and a fourth playback position for each song from the points set by the position setting unit 69 in response to a user operation. The playback positions selected by the position selection unit 70 are used in the first playback control process and the second playback control process by the playback control unit 68 described above. By using the position setting unit 69 and the position selecting unit 70, the user can set and select each playback position at any position.

[0112] [Effects of the third embodiment] The acoustic control device according to this embodiment described above can achieve the same effects as the acoustic control devices according to the first and second embodiments.

[0113] [Modification of the embodiment] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications and improvements within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention are included in the present invention. In the above embodiments, the fader operator 51 of the crossfader 5, the first operator 33A1 of the first channel fader 33A, and the second operator 33B1 of the second channel fader 33B are given as operators for adjusting the volume and playback BPM of the first and second music pieces. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operators for adjusting the volume of each of the first and second music pieces simultaneously or individually do not have to be slidable operators, and may be, for example, operating knobs that are rotatable around a rotation axis. In other words, the operators in the present invention may be other operators. Furthermore, the audio control device according to the present invention may be provided with separate controls for adjusting the volume of each of the first and second songs, and for setting the BPMs of the first and second songs during playback. For example, the audio control device according to the present invention may be provided with separate fader controls for adjusting the volume of each song, and fader controls for setting the BPMs of the first and second songs during playback.

[0114] The acoustic control device of the present invention may also have only the assist mode as an operation mode. Furthermore, the acoustic control device of the present invention may have a plurality of operators, and when one of the plurality of operators is operated, the volume adjustment units 65, 65A and the BPM setting unit 66 function in the normal mode, and when another operator is operated, the volume adjustment units 65, 65A and the BPM setting unit 66 function in the assist mode.

[0115] In the above embodiments, the BPM of the first music piece is the adjusted playback BPM when the playback BPM of the first music piece is adjusted by the first tempo slider 34A, and is the original BPM of the first music piece when the playback BPM of the first music piece is not adjusted by the first tempo slider 34A. Similarly, the BPM of the second music piece is the adjusted playback BPM when the playback BPM of the second music piece is adjusted by the second tempo slider 34B, and is the original BPM of the second music piece when the playback BPM of the second music piece is not adjusted by the second tempo slider 34B. However, this is not a limitation, and the BPM of the first music piece may be the original BPM of the first music piece even when the playback BPM of the first music piece is adjusted by the first tempo slider 34A. Similarly, the BPM of the second music piece may be the original BPM of the second music piece even when the playback BPM of the second music piece is adjusted by the second tempo slider 34B.

[0116] In each of the above embodiments, when the fader operator 51 is positioned at the middle position in the operable range RC, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the BPM during playback of each of the first and second songs to the middle value. However, this is not limiting, and the position of the fader operator 51 when the volume of the low frequency bands of the two songs is the same does not necessarily have to be the middle position in the operable range RC. In the second embodiment described above, the position of the fader operator 51 when the volume adjustment unit 65A makes the volume of the low frequency band of the first song and the volume of the low frequency band of the second song the same does not necessarily have to be the middle position in the operable range RC.

[0117] In the above embodiments, when the fader operator 51 is located at the second end TC2, the volume adjustment unit 65, 65A sets the volume of the first music piece to its minimum value and the volume of the second music piece to its maximum value. Furthermore, when the fader operator 51 is located at the second end TC2, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of the first music piece and the playback BPM of the second music piece to the BPM of the second music piece. However, this is not limiting, and it is sufficient that the ratio of the volume of the second music piece to the output volume is maximized when the fader operator 51 is located at the second end TC2. Furthermore, when the volume of the first music piece is at its minimum value, the BPM setting unit 66 does not have to set the playback BPM of the first music piece to the BPM of the second music piece.

[0118] In the second embodiment, the operable range RC includes a first range RC1, a second range RC2, and a third range RC3. In the example shown in FIG. 12 , in the first range RC1, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of the first music piece and the playback BPM of the second music piece within a range from the BPM of the first music piece to an intermediate value between the BPMs of the first music piece and the BPM of the second music piece, depending on the position of the fader operator 51. In the second range RC2, the BPM setting unit 66 does not change the playback BPM of the first music piece and the BPM of the second music piece. In the third range RC3, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of the first music piece and the BPM of the second music piece within a range from the intermediate value to the BPM of the second music piece. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the BPM setting section 66 may also change the BPM during playback of each of the first and second music pieces in the second range RC2. In this case, the BPM setting section 66 may change the BPM during playback of each of the first and second music pieces at a rate of change different from that in the first range RC1 and the third range RC3. Furthermore, for example, a part of the first range RC1 and a part of the second range RC2 may overlap with each other, and a part of the second range RC2 and a part of the third range RC3 may overlap with each other.

[0119] In the second embodiment, when the fader operator 51 is located in the first range RC1, the volume adjustment unit 65A increases the volume levels of the high-frequency band, the mid-frequency band, and the low-frequency band of the first music piece as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction when the volume levels of the high-frequency band, the mid-frequency band, and the low-frequency band of the first music piece are set at H1lv, M1lv, and L1lv, respectively, and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece is set at L2min. When the fader operator 51 is located in the second range RC2, the volume adjustment unit 65 decreases the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction when the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece are set at H1lv, M1lv, H2lv, and M2lv, respectively. When the fader operator 51 is positioned in the third range RC3, the volume adjustment unit 65 lowers the volume levels of the high frequency band of the first song and the mid frequency band of the first song as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction while the volume levels of the high frequency band, mid frequency band, and low frequency band of the second song are set at the preset levels H2lv, M2lv, and L2lv, and the volume level of the low frequency band of the first song is at the minimum level L1min. However, the operable range RC is not limited to this and may be divided into more ranges. For example, the range for increasing or decreasing the volume level of the high frequency band of the first music piece may be set separately from the range for increasing or decreasing the volume level of the mid frequency band of the first music piece. Similarly, the range for increasing or decreasing the volume level of the high frequency band of the second music piece may be set separately from the range for increasing or decreasing the volume level of the mid frequency band of the second music piece.

[0120] In the second embodiment, the first range RC1 is 1 / 3 of the operable range RC from the first end TC1, the second range RC2 is 1 / 3 of the operable range RC from the second position PC2, and the third range RC3 is 1 / 3 of the operable range RC from the third position PC3. That is, the ranges RC1 to RC3 are equally divided within the operable range RC. However, this is not limiting, and one of the first range RC1, second range RC2, and third range RC3 may be larger than the others.

[0121] In the second embodiment, in the second range RC2 in which the volumes of the first and second music pieces are adjusted in assist mode, the volume levels of the high-frequency band of the first music piece, the mid-frequency band of the first music piece, the high-frequency band of the second music piece, and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece are maintained at the preset levels H1lv, M1lv, H2lv, and M2lv. However, this is not limiting. The volume levels of the high-frequency band of the first music piece, the mid-frequency band of the first music piece, the high-frequency band of the second music piece, and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece may be maintained at predetermined volume levels. For example, when the fader control 51 is operated in the +DC direction, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece may begin to increase before the volume levels of the high-frequency band of the second music piece and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece reach the preset levels H2lv and M2lv, and the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece may begin to decrease before the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece reaches the minimum level L1min. The same applies when the first operator 33A1 and the second operator 33B1 are operated.

[0122] In each of the above embodiments, when the fader operator 51 reaches the first end TC1 of the operable range RC, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each of the first and second music pieces to the BPM of the first music piece, and when it reaches the second end TC2, sets the playback BPM of each of the first and second music pieces to the BPM of the second music piece. However, the position of the fader operator 51 when the playback BPM of each music piece becomes the BPM of the second music piece when the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction does not have to be the second end TC2, but may be a position on the -DC side of the second end TC2. Similarly, the position of the fader operator 51 when the playback BPM of each music piece becomes the BPM of the first music piece when the fader operator 51 is operated in the -DC direction does not have to be the first end TC1, but may be a position on the +DC side of the first end TC1. The same applies when the first operating element 33A1 and the second operating element 33B1 are operated to the first ends TA1, TB1 and the second ends TA2, TB2.

[0123] In the above embodiments, when the fader operator 51 reaches the first end TC1 of the operable range RC, the volume of the entire second music piece is set to the second minimum volume V2min, and when it reaches the second end TC2, the volume of the entire first music piece is set to the first minimum volume V1min. However, the position of the fader operator 51 when the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction and the volume of the entire first music piece is set to the first minimum volume V1min does not have to be the second end TC2, but may be a position on the -DC side of the second end TC2. Similarly, the position of the fader operator 51 when the fader operator 51 is operated in the -DC direction and the volume of the entire second music piece is set to the second minimum volume V2min does not have to be the first end TC1, but may be a position on the +DC side of the first end TC1. Furthermore, when the fader operator 51 reaches the first end TC1 of the operable range RC, the volume of the entire second song does not have to be set to the second minimum volume V2min, and when it reaches the second end TC2, the volume of the entire first song does not have to be set to the first minimum volume V1min. The same applies when the first operating element 33A1 and the second operating element 33B1 are operated to the first ends TA1, TB1 and the second ends TA2, TB2.

[0124] In the above embodiments, when the fader operator 51 is operated further in the +DC direction from the third position PC3, where the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece is at the minimum level L1min, the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece are respectively reduced. However, this is not limited to this. As described above, when the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from a position -DC from the third position PC3, not only the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece but also the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece may be reduced. The same applies to the volume levels of each frequency band of the second music piece, and also when the first operator 33A1 and the second operator 33B1 are operated.

[0125] In the above embodiments, the acoustic control program that is read and executed by the arithmetic processing circuit, which is a computer, is stored in a storage unit (not shown). However, this is not limiting, and the acoustic control program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and read from the recording medium and executed when the acoustic control device 1 is in operation. The sound control program may also be provided from a provider device such as a server via a network such as the Internet.

[0126] [Summary of the present invention] The present invention will be summarized below. [1] An audio control device that mixes a first piece of music and a second piece of music, a volume adjustment unit that adjusts the balance between the volume of the first music piece and the volume of the second music piece in accordance with the position of an operator operated by a user; The device further includes a BPM setting section that sets a BPM during playback of the first music piece and a BPM during playback of the second music piece according to the position of the operator. With this configuration, the volume of each song and the BPM during playback can be adjusted simultaneously in response to the user's operation of the controls. That is, the user can adjust the volume and BPM during playback of each song by operating the controls. This allows the first song and the second song to be mixed easily and seamlessly.

[0127] [2] In the acoustic control device described in [1], the volume adjustment unit decreases the volume of the first music piece and increases the volume of the second music piece as the operator is operated in a direction from a first end to a second end in an operable range of the operator; As the operator is operated in a direction from the first end to the second end, the BPM setting unit changes the BPM during playback of the first song and the BPM during playback of the second song from the BPM of the first song to the BPM of the second song. With this configuration, when switching from a first song to a second song output from the audio control device, the volume of the first song is lowered and the volume of the second song is increased by operating the controller in a direction from the first end to the second end, and the BPMs of the first song and the second song during playback can be made closer to the BPM of the second song whose volume is being increased. This makes it possible to easily mix the first song and the second song without creating a sense of incongruity.

[0128] [3] In the acoustic control device described in [2], when the operator is placed on the second end, the volume adjustment unit sets the volume of the first music piece to a minimum value and the volume of the second music piece to a maximum value; When the operator is placed at the second end, the BPM setting section sets the BPM during playback of the first music piece and the BPM during playback of the second music piece to the BPM of the second music piece. With this configuration, when the controller is positioned at the second end, the BPM of the second song can be set to the BPM at which the volume of the second song is at its maximum when it is played back. Therefore, when the first song is replaced with the second song, the second song can be played back at the BPM of the second song.

[0129] [4] In the acoustic control device according to any one of [1] to [3], When the operator is placed at an intermediate position within the operable range of the operator, the BPM setting unit sets the BPM during playback of the first song and the BPM during playback of the second song to an intermediate value between the BPM of the first song and the BPM of the second song. This configuration makes it easier for the user to grasp the position within the operable range of the controls where the playback BPM of the first song and the playback BPM of the second song are at the midpoint, making it easier to operate the controls when adjusting the playback BPM.

[0130] [5] In the acoustic control device according to any one of [1] to [4], When a direction from a first end to a second end in an operable range of the operator is defined as a first operation direction, The operable range is: a first range between a first position and a second position located in the first operation direction relative to the first position; a second range between the second position and a third position located in the first operation direction relative to the second position; a third range between the third position and a fourth position located in the first operation direction relative to the third position, The BPM setting section brings the BPM during playback of the first music piece and the BPM during playback of the second music piece closer to the BPM of the second music piece as the operator is moved in the first operation direction. With this configuration, the playback BPM of each song can be changed so that it approaches the BPM of the second song, thereby simplifying the operations required to bring the playback BPM of each song closer to the BPM of the second song.

[0131] [6] In the acoustic control device described in [5], When the operator is positioned in the second range, the BPM setting section does not change the BPM during playback of the first music piece and the BPM during playback of the second music piece. According to this configuration, when the controls are arranged in the second range where the first music piece and the second music piece are easily audible, the first music piece and the second music piece can be mixed easily and without any sense of incongruity by not changing the BPM of each music piece when it is played.

[0132] [7] In the acoustic control device according to [5] or [6], When the operator is positioned in the second range, while the volume levels of the high frequency band of the first music piece, the mid frequency band of the first music piece, the high frequency band of the second music piece, and the mid frequency band of the second music piece are all at maximum levels, the volume adjustment unit decreases the volume level of the low frequency band of the first music piece and increases the volume level of the low frequency band of the second music piece as the operator is operated in the first operation direction. With this configuration, the total volume of the low-frequency components of the first and second music pieces can be maintained at approximately the same level as the total volume of the low-frequency components before mixing. This prevents the low-frequency components from sounding too strong when mixing the first and second music pieces, compared to when mixing the entire first and second music pieces without adjusting the frequencies. Furthermore, because each music piece is played at its median BPM, the first and second music pieces can be mixed seamlessly.

[0133] [8] In the acoustic control device according to any one of [5] to [7], the first location is the first end; the fourth position is the second end; the first range is a range of 1 / 3 of the operable range from the first end, the second range is a range from the second position to one-third of the operable range, The third range is a range from the third position to 1 / 3 of the operable range. This configuration allows the user to intuitively grasp the positions of the first, second, and third ranges, making it easier to operate the controls when mixing the first and second music pieces.

[0134] [9] In the acoustic control device according to any one of [1] to [8], The operator is a crossfader having a slidable fader operator. With this configuration, the first and second music pieces can be mixed seamlessly by operating the controls, making mixing the first and second music pieces easier than operating a control to adjust the BPM of the first music piece during playback and a control to adjust the BPM of the second music piece during playback.

[0135]

[10] The sound control program is recorded in a computer-readable format and causes the computer to function as the sound control device described in any one of [1] to [9]. By having a computer execute such an acoustic control program, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the acoustic control device described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0136] 1...acoustic control device, 33A...first channel fader, 33A1...first operator (operator), 33B...second channel fader, 33B1...second operator (operator), 5...crossfader, 51...fader operator (operator), 6, 6A, 6B...control unit, 61...first playback unit, 62...second playback unit, 63...position acquisition unit, 64...mode switching unit, 65, 65A...volume adjustment unit, 66...BPM setting unit, 6 7...operation determination unit, 68...playback control unit, 69...position setting unit, 70...position selection unit, PA1...position, PB1...position, PC1...first position, PC2...second position, PC3...third position, PC4...fourth position, RA, RB, RC...operable range, RA1, RB1, RC1...first range, RA2, RB2, RC2...second range, RC3...third range, TC1...first end, TC2...second end, +DC...direction (first operation direction).

Claims

1. In an audio control device that mixes a first piece of music and a second piece of music, a volume adjustment unit that adjusts the balance between the volume of the first music piece and the volume of the second music piece in accordance with the position of an operator operated by a user; an audio control device comprising: a BPM setting unit that sets a BPM during playback of the first music piece and a BPM during playback of the second music piece to the BPM set according to the position of the operator;

2. 2. The acoustic control device according to claim 1, the volume adjustment unit decreases the volume of the first music piece and increases the volume of the second music piece as the operator is operated in a direction from a first end to a second end in an operable range of the operator; The BPM setting unit adjusts the BPM during playback of the first song and the BPM during playback of the second song from the BPM of the first song to the BPM of the second song as the operator is operated in the direction from the first end to the second end.

3. 3. The acoustic control device according to claim 2, when the operator is placed on the second end, the volume adjustment unit sets the volume of the first music piece to a minimum value and the volume of the second music piece to a maximum value; The sound control device is characterized in that, when the operator is placed at the second end, the BPM setting unit sets the BPM during playback of the first song and the BPM during playback of the second song to the BPM of the second song.

4. The acoustic control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The BPM setting unit sets the BPM during playback of the first song and the BPM during playback of the second song to an intermediate value between the BPM of the first song and the BPM of the second song when the operator is positioned at an intermediate position within the operable range of the operator.

5. 2. The acoustic control device according to claim 1, When a direction from a first end toward a second end in an operable range of the manipulator is defined as a first operation direction, The operable range is: a first range between a first position and a second position located in the first operation direction relative to the first position; a second range between the second position and a third position located in the first operation direction relative to the second position; a third range between the third position and a fourth position located in the first operation direction relative to the third position, The BPM setting unit brings the BPM during playback of the first song and the BPM during playback of the second song closer to the BPM of the second song as the operator is moved in the first operation direction.

6. 6. The acoustic control device according to claim 5, The sound control device is characterized in that the BPM setting unit does not change the BPM during playback of the first song and the BPM during playback of the second song when the operator is positioned in the second range.

7. 7. The acoustic control device according to claim 5, When the operator is positioned in the second range, the volume adjustment unit decreases the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and increases the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece as the operator is operated in the first operation direction, while the volume levels of the high-frequency band of the first music piece, the mid-frequency band of the first music piece, the high-frequency band of the second music piece, and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece are all at maximum.

8. 7. The acoustic control device according to claim 5, the first location is the first end; the fourth position is the second end; the first range is a range of one-third of the operable range from the first end, the second range is a range from the second position to one-third of the operable range, The acoustic control device, wherein the third range is a range from the third position to one-third of the operable range.

9. 2. The acoustic control device according to claim 1, 10. The acoustic control device, wherein the operator is a crossfader having a slidable fader operator.

10. In the acoustic control device according to claim 1, the operators include a first operator and a second operator, The volume control unit adjusting the volume of the first music piece in accordance with the position of the first operator operated by the user; adjusting the volume of the second music piece in accordance with the position of the second operator operated by the user; The BPM setting unit sets the BPM during playback of the first song and the BPM during playback of the second song to a BPM corresponding to the division result obtained by dividing a numerical value indicating the position of the first operator by a numerical value indicating the position of the second operator.

11. An acoustic control program recorded in a computer-readable format, causing a computer to function as the acoustic control device according to claim 1.

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