Musical sound control system

Abstract

To provide a musical sound control device, a musical sound control system and a musical sound control program that can control a musical sound and also change musical sound control modes without any switching operation while configured to control the musical sound by moving a musical instrument.SOLUTION: A musical sound control device comprises a force sensor which detects tension generated between an electric guitar and a guitar strap, and a control part. The control part executes switching processing to switch the output mode of signals between a first mode and a second mode according to whether a detected value from the force sensor changes as specified. The musical sound control device can control a musical sound and also switch the control mode of the musical sound as the player intentionally tenses the guitar strap and so on without separately providing switching equipment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to ,easy a sound control system Mu .

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique has been proposed in which a sensor or the like is incorporated between a musical instrument and a strap for a player to hold the musical instrument, and the force generated when the player pulls the strap is detected by the sensor or the like, and a signal for controlling musical sound is output according to the detected value. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a portable electronic musical instrument in which a pressure sensor or an elongation detection sensor is incorporated in a strap. In this portable electronic musical instrument, by moving the musical instrument to apply pressure to the strap or cause elongation, a signal for controlling musical sound is output according to the detected value of the sensor, and control of pitch bend, modulation amount, volume, etc. can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to control musical sound while holding the musical instrument with both hands without performing a switching operation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Regarding the control of musical tones, for example, in an effects pedal connected between a guitar and an amplifier, it is sometimes necessary to control various parameters within the effects pedal, as well as to switch the effects pedal itself on and off or switch to a different type of effects pedal. However, with the portable electronic musical instrument described in Patent Document 1, while it is possible to control the musical tones while holding the instrument with both hands, it was not possible to switch the control mode of the musical tones, such as switching the effects pedal itself on and off. Therefore, it was necessary to provide a separate switching device and perform the switching operation to switch the control mode of the musical tones.

[0005] This invention provides a configuration that allows for the control of musical tones by moving an instrument, while also enabling the switching of musical tone control modes without requiring a switching operation. Easy Sound control system Mu The purpose is to provide it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A musical tone control system according to one aspect of the present invention is: A first control device that detachably connects one end to an instrument and detachably connects the other end to an instrument holder, Musical instruments and The aforementioned It has a first detection unit and a first control unit that detect the tension generated between the instrument holder and the instrument, and the detection value detected by the first detection unit Wirelessly to the outside A first control device that outputs, a pressable part that can be pressed down, and a second detection unit that detects the pressing operation of the pressable part. An electrical signal input unit to which the signal output from the aforementioned musical instrument is input, and an input unit to which the detected value output from the first control device is input via wireless communication. and a second control unit , enter According to the detected value The signal input from the aforementioned electrical signal input unit The device includes a second control device for controlling a signal, and when the second detection unit detects a downward operation of the press-button, the second control unit performs a switching process to switch the control mode of the signal between a first mode and a second mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, while providing a configuration that allows control of musical tones by moving the instrument, it is possible to switch the control mode of the musical tones along with the control of the musical tones without performing a switching operation. EasySound control system Mu can be provided.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing a performance system in which the musical sound control device according to the first embodiment is used. [Figure 2] It is an enlarged perspective view of the musical sound control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] It is an exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of the musical sound control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the musical sound control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] It is an example of a waveform satisfying a predetermined change in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing the sensor processing executed by the control unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a schematic diagram showing a performance system in which the musical sound control device according to the second embodiment is used. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart showing the sensor processing executed by the control unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a schematic diagram showing a performance system in which the musical sound control system according to the third embodiment is used. [Figure 10] It is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the first control device in the third embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the second control device in the third embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the sensor side control unit in the third embodiment. [Figure 13] It is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the stomp side control unit in the third embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. In a performance system 1A shown in FIG. 1, a tone control device 10 according to the first embodiment is provided in a form of connecting between an electric guitar (musical instrument) 200 and a guitar strap (musical instrument holder) 210 that a performer (user) wears on the shoulder to hold the electric guitar 200. The electric guitar 200 is connected to a strap pin 15 (see FIG. 2) provided on one end side (head side) of the body, and the guitar strap 210 is connected to a strap pin (not shown) provided on the other end side of the body. When the electric guitar 200 is being played, the electric guitar 200 is connected to a known sound processor (effect device) 100 via a shield cable 220 or the like.

[0012] The sound processor 100 is a multi-effect, and includes an electric signal input unit 110, an effect unit 120, an electric signal output unit 130, a first control signal input unit 140A, a second control signal input unit 140B, and the like. The electric signal input unit 110 receives an electric signal output from the electric guitar 200. The electric signal output unit 130 is connected to a known guitar amplifier 300 and outputs the electric signal to the guitar amplifier 300. The effect unit 120 applies various effects such as modulation to the electric signal output from the guitar amplifier 300 and changes the parameters of the effect according to a control signal from the tone control device 10 described later.

[0013] The first control signal input section 140A is an input section to which an expression pedal is connected, for example, to which an expression pedal input is received, and the first receiving device 80A is connected. The first receiving device 80A operates in the same way as a standard jack on a known expression pedal, outputting the detected value as a voltage value to the sound processor 100, and is connected to the first control signal input section 140A. The second control signal input section 140B is an input section to which MIDI messages such as program change messages and pitch bend messages are input, for example, when a MIDI device is connected. The sound processor 100 has a program change number pre-set in program change mode.

[0014] Communication between the musical sound control device 10 and the first receiving device (receiving device) 80A is performed by wireless communication means such as BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy®). The wireless communication means is not limited to BLE, and may also be WiFi, FM transmitter, or infrared communication. The first receiving device 80A receives the control signal output from the musical sound control device 10 by the above wireless communication means and inputs it to the first control signal input section 140A of the sound processor 100 as the operation value of the expression pedal.

[0015] Next, the configuration of the musical sound control device 10 will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the musical sound control device 10 is a vertically elongated rectangular box. In the following description, the musical sound control device 10 is connected between the electric guitar 200 and the guitar strap 210, and the performer is wearing the guitar strap 210 over their shoulder. The side of the guitar strap 210 (shoulder side, upper left in Figure 2) will be referred to as the upper side, and the opposite side (guitar side, lower right in Figure 2) as the lower side. The headstock side of the electric guitar 200 (performer's left hand side, upper right in Figure 2) will be referred to as the left side, and the opposite side (performer's right hand side, lower left in Figure 2) as the right side. The front side of the electric guitar 200 (front side in Figure 2) will be referred to as the front side, and the opposite side as the back side.

[0016] The musical sound control device 10 comprises a box-shaped case 20 which is the main body of the device, a connection button portion 11 connected to the upper side of the case 20, and a connection ring portion 12 connected to the lower side of the case 20. The connection button portion 11 is a short, substantially flat plate member and is connected to one end of a first shaft 31 exposed from the upper side of the case 20 via a first connection shaft 31d (see Figure 3). The connection button portion 11 is rotatably connected around the shaft axis of the first shaft 31 and also rotatably connected around the axis of the first connection shaft 31d. A connection button 11a is provided on the front side of the upper end of the connection button portion 11, and the musical sound control device 10 and the guitar strap 210 are connected by fastening the connection button 11a to a circular opening (not shown) on a slit 211 provided at one end of the guitar strap 210.

[0017] The connecting ring portion 12 is a short, flat plate member that extends in a substantially flat shape, and is connected to one end of the second shaft 32, which is exposed from the lower side of the case 20, via a second connecting shaft 32d (see Figure 3). The connecting ring portion 12 is rotatably connected around the shaft axis of the second shaft 32 and also rotatably connected around the axis of the second connecting shaft 32d. A connecting opening 12a is provided in the approximate center of the connecting ring portion 12, and the connection between the musical sound control device 10 and the electric guitar 200 is established when a strap pin 15 provided on one end of the body of the electric guitar 200 is fitted into the connecting opening.

[0018] As shown in Figure 3, the main body of the device, case 20, has a front case 21 that constitutes the front part of case 20 and a rear case 22 that constitutes the rear part of case 20, with various components housed between the front case 21 and the rear case 22. The front case 21 has an annular inclined portion 21a with a C-shaped chamfer on the outer circumference of the edge of its front surface 21c. The upper half of the inclined portion 21a (a roughly U-shaped area) is an indicator portion 21b made of a translucent material. In addition, the upper part of the front surface 21c of the front case 21 is provided with four button openings 21d for exposing four button portions 42, which will be described later, to the outside.

[0019] A circuit board 40 is housed inside the front case 21. On the circuit board 40 are nine LEDs (notification section, first notification section) 41, which are provided at equal intervals in locations corresponding to the indicator section of the front case 21, four button sections 42, which are provided in locations corresponding to the button openings 21d of the front case 21, and a control unit 50. The light emission pattern of each LED 41 is controlled by the control unit 50. The light emitted from each LED 41 is transmitted through the indicator section 21b and can be seen by the performer or others.

[0020] Each button section 42 is configured to accept a press operation by the performer. Each button section 42 is assigned various functions when pressed, such as turning the power of the musical sound control device 10 on or off, accessing the Bluetooth® pairing function, inverting the phase of the musical sound, and setting the MAX value, which will be described later.

[0021] The force sensor (detection unit, first detection unit) 30 is housed inside the rear case 22. A battery compartment (not shown) is also provided on the rear side of the rear case 22. The battery compartment houses a battery 25 for supplying power to the musical sound control device 10, and the battery compartment is closed by attaching a battery cover 22b.

[0022] The force sensor 30 consists of a load cell 38, a first sheet metal 33, a second sheet metal 34, a first shaft 31, and a second shaft 32. The load cell 38 is made of a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped metal strain-generating body and is positioned at the lower inside of the rear case, extending in the left-right direction. Sensor equipment such as a strain gauge (not shown) is provided at the center of the load cell 38 in the left-right direction. The first sheet metal 33 is made of a sheet metal member that is roughly S-shaped in side view, and its right lower surface is in contact with and fixed to the upper surface of the right end of the load cell 38. The second sheet metal 34 is similarly made of a sheet metal member that is roughly S-shaped in side view, and its left upper surface is in contact with and fixed to the lower surface of the left end of the load cell 38. The left portion of the first sheet metal 33 and the right portion of the second sheet metal 34 face each other across the center of the load cell 38 in the left-right direction.

[0023] The first shaft 31 is a substantially cylindrical shaft-like member and is positioned above the first sheet metal 33, extending in the vertical direction. The upper end of the first shaft 31 is exposed above the rear case 22 and is rotatably connected to the first connecting shaft 31d around the axis of the first connecting shaft 31d. The lower end of the first shaft 31 is rotatably connected to the left portion of the first sheet metal 33 around the axis of the first shaft 31. The second shaft 32 is a substantially cylindrical shaft-like member and is positioned below the second sheet metal 34, extending in the vertical direction. The lower end of the second shaft 32 is exposed below the rear case 22 and is rotatably connected to the second connecting shaft 32d around the axis of the second connecting shaft 32d. The upper end of the second shaft 32 is rotatably connected to the right portion of the second sheet metal 34 around the axis of the second shaft 32.

[0024] Here, the tension generated between the electric guitar 200 and the guitar strap 210 is applied to both the first shaft 31 and the second shaft 32 via the connecting button portion 11 and the connecting ring portion 12. The load cell 38 is positioned with its longitudinal direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the first shaft 31 and the second shaft 32. Therefore, when tension is applied between the first shaft 31 and the second shaft 32, such as when a performer tenses the guitar strap 210, a sensor device provided on the load cell 38 measures the amount of elongation of the load cell 38, and this is processed by a control unit (not shown) included in the load cell 38 and converted into a tension value (detected value). In this way, the force sensor 30 can detect the tension generated between the electric guitar 200 and the guitar strap 210.

[0025] Next, the electrical configuration of the musical sound control device 10 will be described with reference to Figure 4. The musical sound control device 10 is controlled and managed as a whole by a control unit 50 mounted on a circuit board 40. The control unit 50 includes an arithmetic processing unit 51 which is composed of a computer such as a CPU. The arithmetic processing unit 51 is connected to a notification processing unit 52, a storage unit 53, an input unit 54, an instruction receiving unit 55, an output processing unit 56, a first decision processing unit 57, a second decision processing unit 58, a switching processing unit 59, and the like.

[0026] The notification processing unit 52 is configured to notify the performer of various information through the indicator unit 21b by controlling the light emission pattern of each LED 41. Specifically, the notification processing unit 52 performs notification processing to inform the performer of information by changing the light emission color, light emission intensity, and light emission interval of the LEDs 41, or by changing the light emission position of the nine LEDs 41. For example, it can light up blue light when a weak tension is applied to the force sensor 30, light up green light when a moderate tension is applied, and light up red light when a strong tension is applied. This allows the performer to be notified of the amount of tension applied to the force sensor 30. The notification processing unit 52 may also have a built-in speaker to notify the performer of information.

[0027] The memory unit 53 consists of an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) that stores programs for controlling the CPU, and a flash memory that temporarily stores various data 53B. The memory unit 53 stores a program (musical tone control program) 53A for executing sensor processing, which will be described later. The memory unit 53 also stores data 53B such as a neutral value, a MAX value (a predetermined threshold), and a Δt value (a predetermined time), which will be described later.

[0028] The input unit 54 is configured to receive the detection signal (detection value) output from the force sensor 30 described above. The instruction receiving unit 55 is configured to receive various instructions from the performer by pressing the button unit 42.

[0029] The output processing unit 56 outputs a signal (hereinafter referred to as "control signal") to the first receiving device 80A for controlling the musical sound according to the detection value of the force sensor 30. The control signal is output according to the currently set output mode. The output modes referred to here include, for example, an output mode that outputs a control signal (first mode) (hereinafter referred to as "output ON state"), an output mode that does not output a control signal regardless of whether or not the force sensor 30 detects anything (second mode) (hereinafter referred to as "output OFF state"), an output mode that outputs a MIDI message related to program change (first mode) (hereinafter referred to as "program change mode"), and an output mode that outputs a MIDI message related to pitch bend (second mode) (hereinafter referred to as "pitch bend mode"). In the musical sound control device 10 according to the first embodiment, the output mode of the control signal is set to either the output ON state or the output OFF state. The currently set output mode of the control signal is notified to the performer by the illumination pattern of the LED 41.

[0030] The first decision processing unit 57 determines whether or not there has been a change in the detected value of the force sensor 30. The second decision processing unit 58 determines, if there has been a change in the detected value of the force sensor 30, whether or not the change is a predetermined change that fits, for example, the waveform W shown in Figure 5. The switching processing unit 59 switches the output mode of the control signal in the output processing unit 56 if the change in the detected value of the force sensor 30 is a predetermined change.

[0031] Here, the calibration of the musical sound control device 10 will be explained. Calibration, as referred to here, is an operation to pre-correct for variations in the detected values ​​of sensors, which vary due to various factors such as individual variations in the force sensors 30, the weight of the electric guitar 200 connected to the musical sound control device 10, and the way the performer applies force. This calibration is performed when the power of the musical sound control device 10 is turned on for the first time, and when the performer instructs the musical sound control device 10 to perform calibration by operating the button section 42. The operation of the button section 42 to perform calibration is not particularly limited; for example, it may be performed by pressing and holding a specific button section 42 (for example, for 3 seconds or more).

[0032] During calibration, the control unit 50 gives instructions to the performer by changing the light emission pattern of the LED 41 or by emitting sound through the built-in speaker. Once calibration is performed, the control unit 50 instructs the performer not to apply force to the electric guitar 200. After the state of not applying force is maintained for several seconds, the control unit 50 stores the average value of the force sensor 30 detected during that time as the neutral value in the storage unit 53. The neutral value is the detected value when the performer is carrying the electric guitar 200 on their shoulder and not applying force to the electric guitar 200, and only the weight of the electric guitar 200 is detected.

[0033] Next, the control unit 50 instructs the performer to apply the maximum force they want to use as performance data to the electric guitar 200 while playing it. The maximum force here does not necessarily mean applying the absolute limit of force, but rather the force that the performer can comfortably apply while playing. When this maximum force is maintained for several seconds, or when the performer presses the button 42 which is assigned the function of setting the MAX value while applying the maximum force, the control unit 50 stores the average value of the force sensor 30 detected during that time as the MAX value in the storage unit 53. The MAX value is the detected value when the performer applies the maximum force they want to output as the detected value. With the above operations, calibration is completed.

[0034] Next, an example of a waveform that satisfies the predetermined change described later will be explained with reference to Figure 5. The waveform that satisfies the predetermined change here is a waveform that satisfies all of the conditions required by the second decision processing unit 58 of the control unit 50 when it determines that there is a "predetermined change". Specifically, the neutral value, MAX value, Δt value, etc. shown in waveform W in Figure 5 are referenced by the second decision processing unit 58 as criteria for determining whether or not there is a "predetermined change". In Figure 5, the vertical axis shows the detected value (volts) detected by the force sensor 30, and the horizontal axis shows time (milliseconds). Waveform W shows the neutral value and MAX value set in the calibration described above. Waveform W represents an example of a waveform in which the detected value of the force sensor 30 goes from the neutral value state, exceeds the MAX value, and then falls below the MAX value within Δt milliseconds. Δt is, for example, 500 (0.5 seconds). The value of Δt may be pre-set in the musical sound control device 10, or it may be set as appropriate by the performer.

[0035] Waveform W is an example of a waveform generated by a series of actions in which the performer momentarily applies a force exceeding the MAX value to the force sensor 30 by, for example, lifting the electric guitar 200 and then releasing it to a position restricted by the guitar strap 210, or by pushing the electric guitar 200 downwards or upwards, and then immediately returning to a state where no force is being applied to the electric guitar 200. The control unit 50 of the musical sound control device 10 determines that the change in the detected value of the force sensor 30 is a predetermined change when the performer intentionally performs such a series of actions represented by waveform W, and executes the switching process described later.

[0036] In the musical sound control device 10 of this embodiment, when a performer moves the electric guitar 200 during a performance, tension is applied between the connection button portion 11 and the connection ring portion 12. The force sensor 30 detects this tension, and a process (hereinafter referred to as "sensor processing") is executed to control the output mode of the control signal. The sensor processing executed by the control unit 50 of the musical sound control device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 6. Sensor processing is started when the power of the musical sound control device 10 is turned on. In sensor processing, the control unit 50 first performs the calibration described above (step S10). Once the calibration is completed, the control unit 50 moves on to step S12.

[0037] In step S12, the first decision processing unit 57 of the control unit 50 determines whether or not there has been a change in the detected value of the force sensor 30, based on the detected value of the force sensor 30 input to the input unit 54 (first decision processing). Specifically, the first decision processing unit 57 compares the previously input detected value of the force sensor 30 with the currently input detected value of the force sensor 30. If there is a change from the previously input detected value, the first decision processing unit 57 determines that there has been a change in the detected value (S12: YES) and proceeds to step S14. If the change in the detected value exceeds the MAX value read from the storage unit 53, the control unit 50 counts the elapsed time since the value exceeded the MAX value. Then, if the detected value changes to a value below the MAX value after the change in the detected value exceeded the MAX value, the control unit 50 terminates the count of the elapsed time and stores the counted elapsed time in the storage unit 53.

[0038] On the other hand, if there is no change from the previously input detected value, the first decision processing unit 57 determines that there has been no change in the detected value (S12: NO) and repeatedly executes the process in step S12. The period in which the first decision processing unit 57 repeatedly executes the process in step S12 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, at intervals of a few milliseconds.

[0039] In step S14, the second decision processing unit 58 of the control unit 50 determines whether the change in the detected value of the force sensor 30 is a predetermined change that conforms to the waveform W shown in Figure 5 (second decision processing). Specifically, if all of the following conditions are met, (1) the previously input detected value is greater than the MAX value read from the storage unit 53, (2) the currently input detected value is less than the MAX value read from the storage unit 53, and (3) the elapsed time read from the storage unit 53 is less than or equal to Δt, then the second decision processing unit 58 determines that it is a predetermined change (S14: YES) and proceeds to step S16. If any one of the above conditions is not met, the second decision processing unit 58 determines that it is not a predetermined change (S14: NO) and proceeds to step S24.

[0040] In step S16, the switching processing unit 59 of the control unit 50 determines whether the output mode of the control signal is in the output ON state or not. If the output mode of the control signal is in the output ON state (S16: YES), the switching processing unit 59 switches and sets the output mode of the control signal to the output OFF state (switching process) (step S18) and proceeds to S20. If the output mode of the control signal is not in the output ON state, i.e., if the output mode of the control signal is in the output OFF state (S16: NO), the switching processing unit 59 switches and sets the output mode of the control signal to the output ON state (switching process) (step S22) and proceeds to step S20. When the output mode of the control signal is switched, the notification processing unit 52 of the control unit 50 notifies the performer of the newly set output mode by changing the illumination pattern of the LED 41.

[0041] In step S24, the control unit 50 determines whether the output mode of the control signal is in the output ON state. If the output mode of the control signal is in the output ON state (S24: YES), the output processing unit 56 of the control unit 50 outputs a control signal according to the detected value of the force sensor 30 that was input in step S12 (output processing) (step S26), and proceeds to step S20. If the output mode of the control signal is not in the output ON state, that is, if the output mode of the control signal is in the output OFF state (S24: NO), the control unit 50 proceeds to step S20.

[0042] In step S20, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the power to the musical sound control device 10 has been turned off. If the control unit 50 determines that the power to the musical sound control device 10 has been turned off (S20: YES), it terminates the sensor processing. If the control unit 50 determines that the power to the musical sound control device 10 has not been turned off (S20: NO), it returns to step S12 and executes the processing in step S12. The musical sound control device 10 performs sensor processing in this manner.

[0043] As described above, in the musical sound control device 10 according to this embodiment, when a performer tenses the guitar strap 210 during performance, etc., generating tension between the electric guitar 200 and the guitar strap 210, a control signal that controls the musical sound according to the detected value detected by the force sensor 30 is output to the sound processor 100. Furthermore, when the change in the detected value detected by the force sensor 30 is a predetermined change that satisfies the above-mentioned conditions, the output mode of the control signal switches between an output-on state and an output-off state. Therefore, by intentionally changing how the performer pulls the guitar strap 210, the performer can switch the output mode of the control signal between an output-on state and an output-off state at any timing. In this way, with the musical sound control device 10, the performer can control the musical sound and switch the control mode of the musical sound by intentionally pulling the guitar strap 210, etc., without providing a separate switching device.

[0044] Furthermore, in the musical sound control device 10, the switching process performed by the control unit 50 changes the output mode to the output off state when the output mode is in the output on state, and changes the output mode to the output on state when the output mode is in the output off state. This allows the performer to intentionally pull the guitar strap 210 or otherwise cause a change in the detected value of the force sensor 30 to a predetermined value, thereby switching between the output on state and the output off state alternately.

[0045] Furthermore, in the musical sound control device 10, if the control unit 50 determines that the change in the detected value of the force sensor 30 is not a predetermined change, the output processing unit 56 outputs a control signal in the output ON state, provided that the output mode is in the output ON state, and outputs a control signal in the output OFF state, provided that the output mode is in the output OFF state. This ensures that even if the detected value of the force sensor 30 is changed by accidentally or intentionally pulling the guitar strap 210 when the output is OFF, a control signal will not be output.

[0046] Furthermore, in the musical sound control device 10, the first mode, the output ON state, is an output mode in which a control signal is output, and the second mode, the output OFF state, is an output mode in which no control signal is output. This makes it possible to realize a specific configuration for switching the output mode between the output ON state and the output OFF state.

[0047] Furthermore, in the musical sound control device 10, the control unit 50 determines that a predetermined change has occurred if the value detected by the force sensor 30 changes to a value smaller than the MAX value within Δt seconds after changing to a value greater than the MAX value. This makes it possible to provide specific conditions required to satisfy a predetermined change.

[0048] Furthermore, the musical sound control device 10 is equipped with an LED 41 that notifies the performer when tension is generated, and the control unit has a notification processing unit 52 that performs notification processing that changes the notification mode according to the detected value of the force sensor 30 and notifies the LED 41. As a result, the performer can visually recognize the changes in the control signal of the musical sound and the changes in the output mode of the control signal of the musical sound according to the detected value of the force sensor 30.

[0049] Furthermore, the musical sound control device 10 can communicate wirelessly with the first receiving device 80A, which is connected to the sound processor 100 that applies effects to the musical sounds of the electric guitar 200. This provides a concrete configuration for realizing a performance system 1A using the musical sound control device 10.

[0050] Furthermore, the program 53A stored in the memory unit 53 of the control unit 50 causes the calculation processing unit 51 of the musical sound control device 10, which is equipped with a force sensor 30 that detects the tension generated between the electric guitar 200 and the guitar strap 210, to execute a switching process that switches the output mode of the control signal between a first mode and a second mode depending on whether the change in the detected value detected by the force sensor 30 is a predetermined change. This provides specific processing that the program should execute in order to realize a configuration in which the player can switch the control mode of the musical sound along with the control of the musical sound by intentionally pulling the guitar strap 210, etc.

[0051] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. In the description of the second embodiment, the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the output mode of the control signal that can be switched in the sensor processing. As shown in Figure 7, in the performance system 1B according to the second embodiment, a second receiving device (receiving device) 80B is connected to the second control signal input unit 140B. In addition, the output processing unit 56 in the control unit 50 of the musical sound control device 410 outputs a MIDI message (signal) based on the detection value of the force sensor 30 to the second receiving device 80B.

[0052] Communication between the musical sound control device 410 and the second receiving device 80B is performed by wireless communication means such as the BLE / MIDI (MIDI over Bluetooth LE) protocol. The second receiving device 80B receives MIDI messages output from the musical sound control device 10 by the above wireless communication means and inputs them to the second control signal input unit 140B. The MIDI messages output from the musical sound control device 10 include, for example, program change messages for increasing or decreasing the program change number in program change mode and pitch bend messages in pitch bend mode for outputting continuous values. In the musical sound control device 410 according to the second embodiment, the output mode of MIDI messages is set to either program change mode or pitch bend mode.

[0053] In MIDI, program change messages are primarily used to specify a timbre number. For example, if a device such as a keyboard with a built-in GM sound module (General MIDI sound module) receives a program change message with the parameter set to 1, the device will set its own timbre number to 1 (acoustic grand piano timbre). If the parameter is 41, the device will set its own timbre number to 41 (violin timbre). Thus, program change mode is a mode for setting timbre numbers.

[0054] In multi-effects units, program change messages are often used to switch between the so-called patch numbers of the effects. A patch is a combination of multiple effects. For example, let's say patch number 1 is set to a combination of three effects (distortion, wah, and noise gate). Let's say patch number 2 is set to a combination of three effects (clean) (compressor, chorus, and equalizer).

[0055] When a multi-effects unit receives a program change with the parameter set to 1, it sets the distortion patch to patch number 1. Next, when the multi-effects unit receives a program change with the parameter set to 2, it changes the patch from the distortion patch to the clean patch to patch number 2. In this way, a guitarist can use program change messages during a performance to switch the guitar's tone from a distorted sound to a clean sound.

[0056] In the program change mode of this embodiment, the patch number of the multi-effects unit is increased or decreased. Specifically, 1 is added to the patch number stored as data 53B of the musical sound control device 410, and the updated patch number is sent to the sound processor 100, which is the multi-effects unit, as a program change parameter, or 1 is subtracted from the patch number, and the updated patch number is sent to the sound processor 100 as a program change parameter.

[0057] On the other hand, a pitch bend message in MIDI is a message that continuously changes the pitch of a musical note. The pitch bend message transmits and receives the pitch change achieved by operating a control called a pitch bend wheel (also called a bender or pitch bend) located on a keyboard, such as a synthesizer. The pitch bend message controls pitch changes in steps from -8192 to 0 to +8191 using 14-bit parameters. The range of pitch change is set by a separate MIDI message called a bend range message.

[0058] Pitch bending was originally devised to achieve the effect of guitar bending (known as "bending" in English) on a keyboard. Therefore, with a guitar, a certain degree of pitch bending effect can be obtained through playing technique. Many multi-effects units have an effect called a pitch shifter. Using a pitch shifter, while guitar bending can raise the pitch by at most two tones, it is possible to raise the pitch further, and even lower it.

[0059] In the pitch bend mode of this embodiment, the pitch shift amount of the multi-effector's pitch shifter is controlled by a pitch bend message. That is, the output value of the force sensor 30 is assigned to a number between -8192 and +8191, and this is sent to the sound processor 100, which is the multi-effector, as a parameter of the pitch bend message. Upon receiving the pitch bend message, the processor of the sound processor 100 sets the pitch value of the pitch shifter to a value corresponding to the parameter of the received pitch bend message.

[0060] Referring to Figure 8, the sensor processing performed by the control unit 50 of the musical sound control device 410 according to the second embodiment will be described. In the sensor processing, the control unit 50 first performs calibration (step S210). The calibration performed by the control unit in step S210 is the same as the calibration performed by the control unit 50 in step S10 in the first embodiment. Next, the control unit 50 outputs a program change message with a default program change number (patch number) as a parameter (step S211). This is to match the patch number set in the sound processor 100 and the musical sound control device 410. Hereinafter, the program change number, which is a parameter of the program change message, will be referred to as the "patch number". When the processing in step S211 is completed, the control unit 50 moves on to step S212.

[0061] Steps S212 and S214 in the sensor processing are the same as steps S12 and S14 in the first embodiment, respectively, so their explanation will be omitted. The second decision processing unit 58 of the control unit 50 proceeds to step S216 if it determines in step S214 that a predetermined change has occurred (S214: YES), and proceeds to step S224 if it determines that it has not occurred (S214: NO).

[0062] In step S216, the switching processing unit 59 of the control unit 50 determines whether the output mode of the MIDI message is program change mode or not. If the output mode of the MIDI message is program change mode (S216: YES), the switching processing unit 59 switches and sets the output mode of the MIDI message to pitch bend mode (switching process) (step S218), and proceeds to S220. If the output mode of the MIDI message is not program change mode, i.e., if the output mode of the MIDI message is pitch bend mode (S216: NO), the switching processing unit 59 switches and sets the output mode of the MIDI message to program change mode (switching process) (step S222), and proceeds to step S20. When the output mode of the MIDI message is switched, the control unit 50 notifies the performer of the newly set output mode, as in the first embodiment.

[0063] In step S224, the control unit 50 determines whether the output mode of the MIDI message is program change mode. If the output mode of the MIDI message is program change mode (S224: YES), the output processing unit 56 of the control unit 50 outputs a program change message according to the detected value of the force sensor 30 that was input in step S212 (output processing) (step S226), and proceeds to step S220.

[0064] The program change message parameter output by the output processing unit 56, i.e., the patch number, is the patch number output in step S211 and subsequently updated in this process, with the patch number incremented or decremented. Specifically, the control unit 50 adds or subtracts 1 from the current patch number and stores the resulting patch number in the storage unit 53 as the new patch number, and also outputs it.

[0065] The control unit 50 determines whether to increment or decrement the patch number based on the value detected by the force sensor 30 due to the performer's operation. In this embodiment, if the detected value remains greater than the neutral value for a certain period of time (e.g., 1 second), such as when the guitar 200 is pressed down, the control unit 50 performs an increment operation. Similarly, if the detected value remains less than the neutral value for a certain period of time (e.g., 1 second), such as when the guitar 200 is lifted, the control unit 50 performs a decrement operation. In other words, the control unit 50 converts the value detected by the force sensor 30 into one of two discrete values: a value corresponding to increment and a value corresponding to decrement, and outputs a program change message with the patch number increased or decreased according to whichever of the two converted values ​​is used as a parameter.

[0066] If the output mode of the MIDI message is not program change mode, that is, if the output mode of the MIDI message is pitch bend mode (S224: NO), the output processing unit 56 outputs a pitch bend message according to the detected value of the force sensor 30 that was detected in step S212 (output processing) (step S228), and proceeds to step S220.

[0067] Specifically, the detected value from the force sensor 30 is converted into a digital value by an AD converter (not shown), and then that value is converted to a numerical value within the parameter range of the pitch bend message, i.e., -8192 to 8191. For example, if the AD converter is 16-bit precision, the pitch bend parameter value is 14 bits, so the conversion to the parameter value is 2 14 × Detected value / 2 16It can be calculated using -8192. Alternatively, a conversion table may be used, or a calculation formula that incorporates a correction such that the pitch bend parameter becomes 0 when the detected value of the force sensor 30 is near the neutral value may be adopted. Any other conversion method can be used. The output processing unit 56 outputs a pitch bend message using the converted detected value of the force sensor 30 as a parameter.

[0068] In step S220, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the power to the musical sound control device 410 has been turned off. If the control unit 50 determines that the power to the musical sound control device 410 has been turned off (S220: YES), it terminates the sensor processing. If the control unit 50 determines that the power to the musical sound control device 410 has not been turned off (S220: NO), it returns to step S212 and executes the processing in step S212. The musical sound control device 410 performs sensor processing in this manner.

[0069] As described above, in the musical tone control device 410 according to the second embodiment, when a performer tenses the guitar strap 210 during performance, etc., generating tension between the electric guitar 200 and the guitar strap 210, a MIDI message controlling the musical tone is output to the sound processor 100 according to the detected value detected by the force sensor 30. Furthermore, when the change in the detected value detected by the force sensor 30 is a predetermined change that satisfies the above-mentioned conditions, the output mode of the MIDI message switches between the program change mode state and the pitch bend mode state. Therefore, by intentionally changing how the performer pulls the guitar strap 210, the performer can switch the output mode of the MIDI message between the program change mode state and the pitch bend mode state at any timing.

[0070] The first embodiment, program change mode, is a mode that can control discrete values ​​such as patch numbers. In the second embodiment, the patch number is increased or decreased, but it is also possible to control states by turning them on or off. For example, MIDI control change message 65 turns the portamento effect on or off. In the first embodiment, if control change message 65 is output, a switching operation such as turning portamento on when the guitar is pressed down and off when the guitar is lifted can be achieved without providing a separate control.

[0071] The second embodiment, pitch bend mode, is a mode that can control changes in continuous values ​​such as pitch (strictly speaking, since it is digital processing, the numerical values ​​are discrete in this case as well, but in contrast to cases where numbers such as 1 and 2 are controlled, like in program change mode, it is expressed as a "continuous value"). In the second embodiment, a pitch bend message was output, but any MIDI message that takes a continuous value as a parameter can be used. For example, the modulation depth of control change number 1 or the volume of control change number 7 could be used to control the modulation depth or volume value.

[0072] In this way, the musical sound control device 410 can switch between a musical sound control operation that increases or decreases the number parameter or switches the state on or off by the performer intentionally pulling the guitar strap 210, without the need for a separate switching device, and a musical sound control operation that uses a continuous numerical value.

[0073] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 13. In the description of the third embodiment, the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified. In the performance system 3A shown in Figure 9, the musical sound control system 510 according to the third embodiment includes a first control device CD1 and a second control device CD2. The first control device CD1 has the same configuration as the musical sound control device 10 in the first embodiment, except for the electrical configuration of the sensor-side control unit (first control unit) 550 provided inside. The first control device CD1 is a strap-type sensor with a force sensor 30 housed inside, and is provided to connect the electric guitar (instrument) 200 and the guitar strap (instrument holder) 210 that is worn over the shoulder by the performer (user) to hold the electric guitar 200.

[0074] The second control unit CD2 is a so-called stompbox-type effect unit and is placed at the performer's feet. The second control unit CD2 comprises a box-shaped enclosure 620, connection jacks 622 provided on both the left and right sides of the enclosure 620, four roughly circular switch sections (press-down parts) 630 provided on the lower front of the enclosure 620, and four volume knobs 640 provided on the upper front of the enclosure 620. The second control unit CD2 also has a power switch (not shown). Above each switch section 630, four stompbox-side LEDs (second notification sections) 630L are provided at locations corresponding to each switch section 630. Each switch section 630 is press-down, and this operation is performed, for example, by the performer stepping on it with their foot. Each volume knob 640 is rotatable, and this operation is performed, for example, by the performer pinching it with their fingers.

[0075] Each connection jack 622 is connected via a shielded cable 220 or the like, with one end connected to the electric guitar 200 and the other to the guitar amplifier 300. The second control unit CD2 receives the electrical signal output from the electric guitar 200 and outputs the received electrical signal (hereinafter referred to as the "output signal") to the guitar amplifier 300. The guitar amplifier 300 outputs the output signal from the second control unit as musical sound.

[0076] Communication between the first control unit CD1 and the second control unit CD2 is performed by wireless communication means such as BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy®). The wireless communication means is not limited to BLE and may be other wireless communication means. The signal related to the detection value of the force sensor 30 (hereinafter referred to as the "detection value signal") output (transmitted) from the first control unit CD1 is input (received) by the second control unit CD2. The second control unit CD2 adds various effects to the output signal and changes the parameters of the effect added to the output signal according to the detection value signal from the first control unit CD1.

[0077] Next, the functions of each switch section 630 of the second control device CD2 will be described. The switches 630, from left to right, are the effect switch 632, the lock switch 634, the wah switch 636, and the volume switch 638. The effect switch 632 is a switch that, when pressed down, switches whether or not to apply various effects to the output signal. Specifically, the effect switch 632 switches between a control mode in which an effect is applied to the output signal according to the detected value signal from the first control device CD1 (first mode) (hereinafter referred to as "effect on state") and a control mode in which no effect is applied (second mode) (hereinafter referred to as "effect off state"). When the effect is on state, the stomp-side LED 630L corresponding to the effect switch 632 lights up.

[0078] The lock switch 634 is a switch that, when pressed down, switches whether or not to hold the detected value signal. Specifically, the lock switch 634 switches between a control mode (first mode) (hereinafter referred to as the "lock-on state") in which the detected value signal is held at the time of the press-down operation and the output signal is controlled regardless of changes in the detected value signal output from the first control device CD1, and a control mode (second mode) (hereinafter referred to as the "lock-off state") in which the output signal is controlled in accordance with changes in the input detected value signal without holding the input detected value signal. When in the lock-on state, the stomp-side LED 630L corresponding to the lock switch 634 lights up.

[0079] The wow switch 636, when pressed, switches whether or not to apply a wow effect, i.e., a frequency-specific filter effect corresponding to the detection value of the force sensor 30, to the output signal. The volume switch 638, when pressed, switches whether or not to change the envelope of the output signal (volume of the musical sound) according to the detection value of the force sensor 30. Here, the wow switch 636 and the volume switch 638 are switches that operate mutually exclusively, with one always being in the off state and the other in the on state. When one is in the off state, pressing down on the other will turn the other on and the other off, and when one is in the on state, pressing down on the other will turn the other on and the other off.

[0080] Specifically, when the wow switch 636 is ON, the volume switch 638 is OFF, and the control mode (first mode) (hereinafter referred to as the "wow effect application mode state") changes the frequency band of the output signal (musical tone) according to the detected value signal from the first control device CD1. On the other hand, when the volume switch 638 is ON, the wow switch 636 is OFF, and the control mode (second mode) (hereinafter referred to as the "volume control mode state") changes the envelope of the output signal (volume of the musical tone) according to the detected value signal from the first control device CD1. In the musical tone control system 510 according to the third embodiment, the control mode of the musical tone is set to either the wow effect application mode state or the volume control mode state.

[0081] Next, the functions of each volume knob 640 of the second control device CD2 will be explained. From left to right, the volume knobs 640 are the sense volume 642, tone volume 644, frequency volume 646, and minimum volume adjustment volume 648. The sense volume 642 adjusts the sensitivity of the detection value of the force sensor 30 input from the first control device CD1. Specifically, turning the sense volume 642 in one direction increases the sensitivity of the detection value being reflected in the effect of the output signal, and turning it in the other direction decreases the sensitivity of the detection value being reflected in the effect of the output signal. By decreasing the sensitivity, it is possible to add effect effects for subtle changes.

[0082] The Tone Volume 644 adjusts the timbre of the output signal. Specifically, turning the Tone Volume 644 in one direction reduces the high frequencies, resulting in a rounder tone, while turning it in the other direction results in a brighter tone that includes high-frequency components.

[0083] The frequency volume 646 adjusts the center frequency in the wow effect. In the wow effect, the resonant frequency of the bandfilter is shifted around the set center frequency. Specifically, turning the frequency volume 646 in one direction lowers the center frequency, and turning it in the other direction raises the center frequency.

[0084] The minimum volume adjustment knob 648 sets the minimum volume when the device is in volume control mode. This setting corresponds to the volume when the force sensor 30 detects a value of 0. Specifically, when the minimum volume adjustment knob 648 is turned all the way in one direction, the minimum volume is set to 0, and in this state, no sound is output when the force sensor 30 detects a value of 0. Each of the volume knobs 640 described above can be adjusted in advance by the performer before they perform.

[0085] Next, the electrical configuration of the first control device CD1 will be described with reference to Figure 10. The first control device CD1 is controlled and managed as a whole by a sensor-side control unit 550 located inside it. The sensor-side control unit 550 includes an arithmetic processing unit 551, which is composed of a computer such as a CPU. The arithmetic processing unit 551 is connected to a sensor-side notification processing unit 552, a sensor-side storage unit 553, a sensor-side input unit 554, a sensor-side instruction receiving unit 555, a sensor-side communication unit 556, a startup processing unit 557, and the like. The sensor-side input unit 554 and the sensor-side instruction receiving unit 555 have the same configuration as the input unit 54 and instruction receiving unit 55 in the first embodiment, respectively, and their description will be omitted. In this embodiment, the LED provided on the first control device CD1 side is referred to as the sensor-side LED (first notification unit) 41L in order to distinguish it from the stomp-side LED 630L provided on the second control device CD2 side.

[0086] The sensor-side notification processing unit 552 is configured to notify the performer of various information by controlling the light emission mode of each sensor-side LED 41L. For example, it can illuminate a red light when the currently set control mode for applying an effect is in the effect-on state, and illuminate a blue light when the effect is in the effect-off state (first notification processing). This allows the performer to be notified of which information (application information) is currently set regarding the application of an effect to the output signal. In addition, for example, the nine sensor-side LEDs 41L can be illuminated with green light, like a level meter, according to the envelope length (volume of the musical sound) of the currently set output signal (second notification processing). This allows the performer to be notified of the currently set volume information (volume information) of the musical sound.

[0087] The sensor-side storage unit 553, like the storage unit 53 in the first embodiment, is composed of an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) for storing programs that control the CPU, and a flash memory for temporarily storing various data 553B. The sensor-side storage unit 553 stores programs 553A for executing each process performed by the sensor-side control unit 550.

[0088] The sensor-side communication unit 556 outputs (transmits) a signal related to the detection value of the force sensor 30 as a detection value signal to the second control unit CD2. The sensor-side communication unit 556 also inputs (receives) information regarding the application of currently set effect effects and information regarding the volume of the currently set musical sound output from the second control unit CD2. The sensor-side communication unit 556 also inputs (receives) a signal (start signal) to turn on the power of the first control unit CD1 output from the second control unit CD2. The sensor-side communication unit 556 also outputs (transmits) information regarding the remaining battery capacity of the first control unit CD1 (remaining capacity information) to the second control unit CD2 (fourth output processing). The remaining capacity information may be output to the second control unit CD2 at predetermined intervals, or it may be output to the second control unit CD2 when the remaining capacity falls below a predetermined value.

[0089] The startup processing unit 557 executes a startup process to turn on the power of the first control unit CD1. Specifically, in the first control unit CD1, when the power is off, the CPU of the sensor-side control unit 550 is put into a sleep state, and only the sensor-side communication unit 556 is powered on. Then, if the power of the first control unit CD1 is off, the sensor-side communication unit 556 executes the above startup process on the condition that it has received a signal (startup signal) from the second control unit CD2 to turn on the power of the first control unit CD1.

[0090] Next, the electrical configuration of the second control device CD2 will be described with reference to Figure 11. The second control device CD2 is entirely controlled and managed by a stomp-side control unit 650 located inside it. The stomp-side control unit 650 includes an arithmetic processing unit 651 composed of a computer such as a CPU. The arithmetic processing unit 651 is connected to a stomp-side notification processing unit 652, a stomp-side storage unit 653, a stomp-side input unit (second detection unit) 654, a stomp-side instruction receiving unit 655, a stomp-side communication unit 656, an effect unit (timbre control unit) 657, an output unit (audio signal output unit) 658, a switching processing unit 659, and the like. The electrical circuits constituting the stomp-side control unit 650 may be implemented in an analog manner, or they can be implemented digitally using a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

[0091] The stomp-side notification processing unit 652 is configured to notify the performer of various information in a manner that allows the performer to determine whether each switch unit 630 is on or off by controlling the illumination pattern of each stomp-side LED 630L. For example, when the battery capacity of the first control device CD1 is low, all four stomp-side LEDs 630L can be illuminated red at predetermined intervals, and when sufficient battery capacity remains, all four stomp-side LEDs 630L can be illuminated blue at predetermined intervals (third notification processing). This allows the performer to be notified of the remaining battery capacity of the first control device CD1.

[0092] The stomp-side storage unit 653, like the storage unit 53 in the first embodiment, is composed of an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) for storing a program to control the CPU, and a flash memory for temporarily storing various data 653B. The stomp-side storage unit 653 stores a program 653A for executing each process performed by the stomp-side control unit 650. The stomp-side storage unit 653 also stores flags related to the on / off state of the effect switch 632 (hereinafter referred to as the "effect flag"), a flag related to the on / off state of the lock switch 634 (hereinafter referred to as the "lock flag"), and a flag related to the switching state of the wah switch 636 and the volume switch 638 (hereinafter referred to as the "wah / volume switching flag").

[0093] The stomp-side input section 654 is configured to detect the pressing operation of each switch section 630. The stomp-side instruction receiving section 655 is configured to receive various instructions from the performer by rotating each volume knob section 640.

[0094] The stompbox-side communication unit 656 receives (inputs) a detected value signal output from the first control device CD1. The stompbox-side communication unit 656 also outputs (transmits) information regarding the currently set effect application to the first control device CD1 (first output processing). The stompbox-side communication unit 656 also outputs (transmits) information regarding the currently set volume of musical tones to the first control device CD1 (second output processing). The stompbox-side communication unit 656 also outputs (transmits) a signal to turn on the power of the first control device CD1 (startup signal) to the first control device CD1 (third output processing). The stompbox-side communication unit 656 also receives (inputs) information regarding the remaining battery capacity of the first control device CD1 output from the first control device CD1 (remaining capacity information).

[0095] The effect unit 657 applies the various effects described above to the output signal and changes the parameters of the effect effect according to the detected value signal from the first control device CD1. The output unit 658 is connected to a known guitar amplifier 300 via the connection jack unit 622 and outputs the output signal to the guitar amplifier 300. When the stompbox-side input unit 654 detects that each switch unit 630 has been pressed down, the switching processing unit 659 switches the control mode to control the output signal (musical sound) according to the detected value signal from the first control device CD1, according to the function of the pressed switch unit 630.

[0096] Next, referring to Figure 12, the process until the power of the first control device CD1 is turned on, and the processes executed by the sensor-side control unit 550 of the first control device CD1 will be explained. As described above, when the power of the first control device CD1 is off, the CPU of the sensor-side control unit 550 is in a sleep state, and only the sensor-side communication unit 556 is powered on and the device is in standby mode. In this state, when the button 42 for turning on the first control device CD1, which is provided on the first control device CD1, is manually pressed down and the power of the first control device CD1 is turned on (S310:YES), the startup processing unit 557 turns on the sensor-side control unit 550, and the sensor-side control unit 550 executes the process in step S316.

[0097] On the other hand, if the button 42 for turning on the first control device CD1 is not pressed (S310: NO), and a start signal is input from the second control device CD2 to the sensor-side communication unit 556 (S312: YES), the power to the first control device CD1 is turned on (startup process) (S314), the startup processing unit 557 turns on the sensor-side control unit 550, and the sensor-side control unit 550 executes the process in step S316. If the button 42 for turning on the first control device CD1 is not pressed and no start signal is input (S312: NO), the process returns to step S310, and the standby state of the first control device CD1 is maintained.

[0098] In step S316, the sensor-side control unit 550 performs calibration. Once calibration is complete, the sensor-side control unit 550 proceeds to step S318, and if tension is detected by the force sensor 30, outputs the detected tension value as a detection value signal to the second control device CD2 (S318). Subsequently, the sensor-side control unit 550 proceeds to step S320 to determine whether or not the power to the first control device CD1 has been turned off. If the sensor-side control unit 550 determines that the power to the first control device CD1 has been turned off (S320: YES), it terminates the process. If the sensor-side control unit 550 determines that the power to the first control device CD1 has not been turned off (S320: NO), it returns to step S318 and outputs a detection value signal corresponding to the detected value from the force sensor 30. The first control device CD1 performs the process in the manner described above.

[0099] Next, the switching process performed by the stompbox-side control unit 650 of the second control device CD2 will be described with reference to Figure 13. The switching process begins when the power switch of the second control device CD2 is pressed down and the power is turned on. Immediately after the power of the second control device CD2 is turned on, the effect flag is in the effect off state, the lock flag is in the lock off state, and the wah / volume switching flag is in the volume control mode state. In the switching process, the stompbox-side control unit 650 first determines whether or not the effect switch 632 has been pressed down (step S410). If the stompbox-side control unit 650 determines that the effect switch 632 has been pressed down (S410: YES), it proceeds to step S420. If the stompbox-side control unit 650 determines that the effect switch 632 has not been pressed down (S410: NO), it proceeds to step S412.

[0100] In step S420, the stomp-side control unit 650 determines whether the effect flag stored in the stomp-side memory unit 653 is in the effect-on state. If it is determined in S420 that the effect flag is not in the effect-on state (S420: NO), the switching processing unit 659 of the stomp-side control unit 650 switches the effect flag to the effect-on state and stores it in the stomp-side memory unit 653 (switching process) (step S424), and proceeds to step S418. As a result, the control mode in which the second control device CD2 controls the musical sound in accordance with the detected value signal from the first control device CD1 is set to the effect-on state. On the other hand, if it is determined in S420 that the effect flag is in the effect-on state (S420: YES), the switching processing unit 659 switches the effect flag to the effect-off state and stores it in the stomp-side memory unit 653 (switching process) (step S422), and proceeds to step S418.

[0101] In step S412, the stomp-side control unit 650 determines whether or not the lock switch 634 has been pressed down. If the stomp-side control unit 650 determines that the lock switch 634 has been pressed down (S412: YES), it proceeds to step S430. If the stomp-side control unit 650 determines that the lock switch 634 has not been pressed down (S412: NO), it proceeds to step S414.

[0102] In step S430, the stomp-side control unit 650 determines whether the effect flag stored in the stomp-side memory unit 653 is in the effect-on state. If it is determined in S430 that the effect flag is not in the effect-on state (S430: NO), the stomp-side control unit 650 proceeds to step S418. On the other hand, if it is determined in S430 that the effect flag is in the effect-on state (S430: YES), the stomp-side control unit 650 proceeds to step S432 and determines whether the lock flag stored in the stomp-side memory unit 653 is in the lock-on state.

[0103] If it is determined in step S432 that the lock flag is not in the lock-on state (S432: NO), the switching processing unit 659 of the stomp-side control unit 650 switches the lock flag to the lock-on state and stores it in the stomp-side storage unit 653 (switching process) (step S436), and proceeds to step S418. As a result, the control mode in which the second control device CD2 controls the musical sound in accordance with the detected value signal from the first control device CD1 is set to the lock-on state. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S432 that the lock flag is in the lock-on state (S432: YES), the switching processing unit 659 switches the lock flag to the lock-off state and stores it in the stomp-side storage unit 653 (switching process) (step S434), and proceeds to step S418.

[0104] In step S414, the stomp-side control unit 650 determines whether or not the wow switch 636 has been pressed down. If the stomp-side control unit 650 determines that the wow switch 636 has been pressed down (S414: YES), it proceeds to step S440. If the stomp-side control unit 650 determines that the wow switch 636 has not been pressed down (S414: NO), it proceeds to step S416.

[0105] In step S440, the stompbox control unit 650 determines whether the effect flag stored in the stompbox memory unit 653 is in the effect-on state. If it is determined in step S440 that the effect flag is not in the effect-on state (S440: NO), the stompbox control unit 650 proceeds to step S418. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S440 that the effect flag is in the effect-on state (S440: YES), the stompbox control unit 650 proceeds to step S442, where it determines whether the wah / volume switching flag stored in the stompbox memory unit 653 is in the wah effect mode state.

[0106] If step S442 determines that the wah / volume switching flag is not in the wah effect application mode state (S442: NO), the switching processing unit 659 of the stomp-side control unit 650 switches the wah / volume switching flag to the wah effect application mode state and stores it in the stomp-side storage unit 653 (switching process) (step S444), and proceeds to step S418. As a result, the control mode in which the second control device CD2 controls the musical sound in accordance with the detected value signal from the first control device CD1 is set to the wah effect application mode state. On the other hand, if step S442 determines that the wah / volume switching flag is in the wah effect application mode state (S442: YES), the switching processing unit 659 maintains the wah effect application mode state without performing the switching process and proceeds to step S418.

[0107] In step S416, the stomp-side control unit 650 determines whether or not the volume switch 638 has been pressed down. If the stomp-side control unit 650 determines that the volume switch 638 has been pressed down (S416: YES), it proceeds to step S450. If the stomp-side control unit 650 determines that the volume switch 638 has not been pressed down (S416: NO), it proceeds to step S418.

[0108] In step S450, the stompbox control unit 650 determines whether the effect flag stored in the stompbox memory unit 653 is in the effect-on state. If it is determined in step S450 that the effect flag is not in the effect-on state (S450: NO), the stompbox control unit 650 proceeds to step S418. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S450 that the effect flag is in the effect-on state (S450: YES), the stompbox control unit 650 proceeds to step S452, where it determines whether the wah / volume switching flag stored in the stompbox memory unit 653 is in the volume control mode state.

[0109] If step S452 determines that the wow / volume switching flag is not in volume control mode (S452: NO), the switching processing unit 659 of the stomp-side control unit 650 switches the wow / volume switching flag to volume control mode and stores it in the stomp-side storage unit 653 (switching process) (step S454), and proceeds to step S418. As a result, the control mode in which the second control device CD2 controls the musical sound in accordance with the detected value signal from the first control device CD1 is set to volume control mode. On the other hand, if step S452 determines that the wow / volume switching flag is in volume control mode (S452: YES), the switching processing unit 659 maintains the volume control mode state without performing the switching process and proceeds to step S418.

[0110] Furthermore, the process by which the stomp-side communication unit 656 outputs information regarding the currently set effect to the first control device CD1 can use the determination results of steps S420, S430, S440, and S450, which determine the on / off state of the effect flag, and can be executed immediately following the processing of each step. Also, the timing at which the stomp-side communication unit 656 outputs information regarding the application of effect is not limited to immediately after the execution of steps S420, S430, S440, and S450, but can be at any time after the determination of the on / off state of the effect flag has been made. In addition, the process by which the stomp-side communication unit 656 outputs information regarding the currently set volume of the musical sound to the first control device CD1 can be executed when the volume control mode state is turned on, for example after steps S452 and S454.

[0111] In step S418, the stomp-side control unit 650 determines whether or not the power to the second control device CD2 has been turned off. If the stomp-side control unit 650 determines that the power switch of the second control device CD2 has been pressed down and the power has been turned off (S418: YES), it terminates the switching process. If the stomp-side control unit 650 determines that the power to the second control device CD2 has not been turned off (S418: NO), it returns to step S410 and executes the process of step S410. In the musical sound control system 510, the switching process is executed in the manner described above.

[0112] As described above, in the musical tone control system 510 according to this embodiment, the detected value from the force sensor 30 of the first control device CD1 is input to the second control device CD2, and the musical tone is controlled according to the input detected value. Furthermore, the control mode of the musical tone is switched by the performer pressing down each switch section 630 of the second control device CD2 during performance, etc. Therefore, the performer can reliably switch the control mode of the musical tone by pressing down each switch section 630 with their foot, etc., while controlling the musical tone by changing the way they pull the guitar strap 210, etc. Furthermore, since the performer can perform away from the second control device CD2 except when switching the control mode of the musical tone, they are not restricted by the performance location, can concentrate more on their performance, and can enhance the performance effect.

[0113] Furthermore, in the musical sound control system 510, the first mode, the effect-on state, is a control mode in which an effect is applied to the musical sound, and the second mode, the effect-off state, is a control mode in which no effect is applied to the musical sound. This makes it possible to realize a specific configuration for switching the control mode of the musical sound between the effect-on state and the effect-off state.

[0114] Furthermore, in the musical tone control system 510, the first mode, the lock-on state, is a control mode in which the musical tone is controlled by holding the input detected value, and the second mode, the lock-off state, is a control mode in which the musical tone is controlled in accordance with changes in the input detected value without holding the input detected value. This makes it possible to realize a specific configuration for switching the musical tone control mode between the lock-on state and the lock-off state.

[0115] Furthermore, in the musical tone control system 510, the first mode, the wow effect application mode, is a control mode that changes the frequency band of the musical tone according to the detected value, and the second mode, the volume control mode, is a control mode that changes the volume of the musical tone according to the detected value. This makes it possible to realize a specific configuration for switching the musical tone control mode between the wow effect application mode and the volume control mode.

[0116] Furthermore, in the musical sound control system 510, the first control device CD1 is equipped with a sensor-side LED 41L that notifies information regarding whether or not to apply an effect to the musical sound, the stomp-side control unit 650 performs a first output process that outputs the application information to the first control device CD1, and the sensor-side control unit 550 performs a first notification process that changes the notification mode according to the input application information and notifies using the sensor-side LED 41L. As a result, the performer can recognize whether or not an effect is applied to the musical sound by looking at the sensor-side LED 41L.

[0117] Furthermore, in the musical tone control system 510, the first control device CD1 is equipped with a sensor-side LED 41L that notifies volume information as volume information of musical tones output from the electric guitar 200, based on information regarding the trajectory of the detected value signal. The stomp-side control unit 650 performs a second output process that outputs the volume information to the first control device CD1. The sensor-side control unit 550 performs a second notification process that changes the notification mode according to the input volume information and notifies using the sensor-side LED 41L. As a result, the performer can recognize the volume information of the musical tones by looking at the sensor-side LED 41L.

[0118] Furthermore, in the musical sound control system 510, the stomp-side control unit 650 performs a third output process that outputs a start signal to the first control device CD1 to turn on the power of the first control device CD1, and the sensor-side control unit 550 has a start processing unit 557 that, if the power of the first control device CD1 is off, performs a start process that turns on the power of the first control device CD1 on the condition that a start signal has been input. As a result, the performer can turn on the power of the first control device CD1 by operating the second control device CD2, which is located at the performer's feet, without directly operating the first control device CD1. Generally, it is easier to operate a device at the feet than to operate a switch attached to the guitar strap, so operability is improved. Alternatively, the second control device CD2 may output a start signal to the first control device CD1 in conjunction with the power of the second control device CD2 being turned on.

[0119] Furthermore, in the musical sound control system 510, the second control device CD2 is equipped with a stomp-side LED 630L that notifies remaining battery capacity information of the first control device CD1, the sensor-side control unit 550 performs a fourth output process that outputs the remaining capacity information to the second control device CD2, and the stomp-side control unit 650 performs a third notification process that changes the notification mode according to the input remaining capacity information and notifies the stomp-side control unit 650. As a result, the performer can recognize the remaining battery capacity of the first control device CD1 by looking at the stomp-side LED 630L.

[0120] The embodiments described above are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and essence of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents.

[0121] For example, in each of the above embodiments, a configuration was shown in which the sound processor 100 and the musical sound control device 10 communicate via wireless communication. However, instead of the sound processor 100, a configuration may be used in which the musical sound control device 10 communicates via wireless communication with a smartphone or PC on which an effect application is installed. When a PC is used, the receiving device may be connected via USB. In this case, the effect application may be wirelessly connected to a speaker, and the effect application may apply an effect to the musical sound emitted from the speaker in response to a control signal from the musical sound control device 10.

[0122] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the second judgment processing unit 58 determines that a "predetermined condition" is met when the detected value of the force sensor 30 exceeds the MAX value from a neutral state and falls below the MAX value within Δt milliseconds. However, the conditions required to satisfy the "predetermined condition" are not limited to this. In addition, the system may be configured so that the performer can arbitrarily set the conditions required to satisfy the "predetermined condition".

[0123] Furthermore, while the first embodiment described above illustrates a configuration in which the output mode of a control signal switches between an output-on state and an output-off state, and the second embodiment described above illustrates a configuration in which the output mode of a MIDI message switches between a program change mode state and a pitch bend mode state, the output mode of the signal that switches by the switching process of the present invention is not limited to these.

[0124] Furthermore, while the third embodiment described above illustrates a configuration in which the lock-on state and lock-off state are switched each time the lock switch is pressed down, the lock-on state may be maintained only while the lock switch is pressed down, and the lock-off state may be maintained when the press is released. Also, while the third embodiment described above illustrates a configuration in which each switch part is a circular switch, each switch part may be a rectangular pedal-type switch that is easy to press with the foot. Also, while the third embodiment described above illustrates a configuration in which one second control device is connected to one electric guitar, the configuration may be in which multiple second control devices are connected to one electric guitar depending on the type of effect to be applied to the musical sound. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 1A, 1B Performance System 10 Musical Sound Control Device 10 Musical sound control device 11 Connection button section 11a Connection button 12 Connection ring 12a Connection opening 15 Strap pin 20 Cases 21 Front Cases 21a Inclined section 21b Indicator section 21c Front 21d Button opening 22 Rear case 22b Battery cover 25 Batteries 30 Force Sensors 31 First shaft 31d First connecting shaft 32 Second shaft 32d Second connecting shaft 33 First sheet metal work 34 Second sheet metal work 38 load cells 40 circuit boards 41 LED 42 Button section 50 Control Unit 51 Arithmetic Processing Unit 52 Notification Processing Unit 53 Memory Unit 53A Program 53B Data 54 Input unit 55 Instruction reception unit 56 Output processing unit 57 First decision processing unit 58 Second decision processing unit 59 Switching processing unit 80A First receiving device 80B Second receiving device 100 Sound Processor 110 Electrical Signal Input Section 120 Effect section 130 Electrical signal input section 140A First control signal input section 140B Second control signal input section 200 Electric Guitars 210 Guitar Straps 211 Slit 220 Shielded Cable 300 Guitar Amplifier 410 Musical Sound Control Device 510 Musical sound control system 550 Sensor-side control unit 551 Calculation processing unit 552 Sensor-side notification processing unit 553 Sensor-side memory unit 553A Program 553B Data 554 Sensor side input section 555 Sensor-side instruction reception unit 556 Sensor-side communication unit 557 Startup Processing Unit 620 Chassis 622 Connection jack section 630 Switch section 630L Stomp-side LED 632 Effect switch 634 Lock switch 636 Wah switch 638 Volume switch 640 Volume knob 642 Sense Volume 644 Tone Volume 646 Frequency volume 648 Minimum volume adjustment volume 650 Stomp-side control unit 651 Arithmetic processing unit 652 Stomp-side notification processing unit 653 Stomp-side storage unit 653A Program 653B Data 654 Stomp-side input section 655 Stomp-side instruction reception section 656 Stomp-side communication unit 657 Effect unit 658 Output section 659 Switching section CD1 First control unit CD2 Second control unit W waveform

Claims

1. A first control device that detachably connects one end to an instrument and detachably connects the other end to an instrument holder, comprising: a first detection unit for detecting tension generated between the instrument and the instrument holder; and a first control unit, the first control device for wirelessly outputting the detected value detected by the first detection unit to an external device; The device comprises a pressable part, a second detection unit for detecting the pressing operation of the pressable part, an electrical signal input unit for receiving a signal output from the instrument, an input unit for receiving the detected value output from the first control unit via wireless communication, and a second control unit which controls the signal input from the electrical signal input unit according to the input detected value. The second control unit is, When the second detection unit detects a downward operation of the press-button, it executes a switching process to switch the control mode of the signal between the first mode and the second mode. A musical sound control system characterized by the following features.

2. The first embodiment is a control mode that applies an effect to the signal, The second embodiment is a control mode in which no effect is applied to the signal. The musical tone control system according to feature 1.

3. The first embodiment is a control mode that holds the input detected value and controls the signal, The second embodiment is a control mode in which the signal is controlled in accordance with the change in the input detection value without holding the input detection value. The musical tone control system according to feature 1.

4. The first embodiment is a control mode in which the frequency band of the signal is changed according to the detected value, The second embodiment is a control mode in which the signal encapsulation path is changed according to the detected value. The musical tone control system according to feature 1.

5. The second control device is A tone control unit that controls the tone of the signal according to the detected value, The system includes an audio signal output unit that outputs a signal controlled by the tone control unit, The musical tone control system according to feature 1.

6. The first control device is One end of the aforementioned instrument has a connecting ring portion for connecting to the instrument's strap pin, On the other end, there is a connection button for connecting to the opening of the instrument holder, A musical tone control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by having the following features.

7. The first control device includes a first notification unit that notifies information regarding whether or not to apply an effect to the signal, The second control unit performs a first output process that outputs the assigned information to the first control device. The first control unit performs a first notification process in which the notification mode is changed according to the input information and the first notification unit notifies accordingly. The musical tone control system according to feature 1.

8. The first control device includes a first notification unit that notifies the volume information of musical tones output from the instrument, based on information relating to the signal's circumferential path. The second control unit performs a second output process that outputs the volume information to the first control device. The first control unit performs a second notification process in which the notification mode is changed according to the input volume information and notification is made by the first notification unit. The musical tone control system according to feature 1.

9. The second control unit performs a third output process that outputs a startup signal to the first control unit for turning on the power of the first control unit. The first control unit has a startup processing unit that, when the power to the first control device is off, performs a startup process to turn on the power to the first control device, provided that the startup signal is input. The musical tone control system according to feature 1.

10. The second control device includes a second notification unit that notifies remaining battery capacity information of the first control device, The first control unit performs a fourth output process to output the remaining amount information to the second control unit. The second control unit performs a third notification process in which the notification mode is changed according to the input remaining amount information and the notification is made by the second notification unit. The musical tone control system according to feature 1.

Images