Acoustic control device and acoustic control program

Abstract

An acoustic control device (1) which mixes a first musical piece and a second musical piece changes the magnitude relationship between the volume of the first musical piece in the low frequency band and the volume of the second musical piece in the low frequency band, by reducing the volume level of the first musical piece in the low frequency band and increasing the volume level of the second musical piece in the low frequency band in accordance with operations through operation elements (33A1, 33B1, 51) for adjusting the volume of the first musical piece and the volume of the second musical piece.

Description

Acoustic control device and acoustic control program

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

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

[0003] International Publication No. 2022 / 054263

[0004] However, when mixing music input to the first channel and music input to the second channel, if an inexperienced user such as a beginner operates the audio device, there is a problem that it is difficult to mix the music on the first channel and the music on the second channel without creating a sense of incongruity.

[0005] An audio control device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an audio control device that mixes a first song and a second song, and in response to operation of an operator that adjusts the volume of the first song and the volume of the second song, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first song is lowered and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second song is raised, thereby switching the magnitude relationship between the volume of the low-frequency band of the first song and the volume of the low-frequency band of the second song.

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

[0007] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an acoustic control device in a first embodiment. A schematic diagram showing a high-frequency band adjustment unit, a mid-frequency band adjustment unit, and a low-frequency band adjustment unit in the first embodiment. A block diagram showing a control unit in the first embodiment. A diagram showing changes in the overall volume of a first piece of music and changes in the overall volume of a second piece of music when the crossfader is operated in normal mode in the first embodiment. A diagram showing changes in the volume level of each frequency band of a first piece of music and changes in the volume level of each frequency band of a second piece of music when the crossfader is operated in normal mode in the first embodiment. A diagram showing changes in the volume level of each frequency band of a first piece of music and changes in the volume level of each frequency band of a second piece of music when the crossfader is operated in assist mode in the first embodiment. A diagram showing changes in the volume level of each frequency band of a first piece of music and changes in the volume level of each frequency band of a second piece of music when the set level of the low-frequency band of the first piece of music is 0.6 in the first embodiment. A diagram showing changes in the volume of the overall first piece of music when the first channel fader is operated in normal mode in the first embodiment, and changes in the volume of the overall second piece of music when the second channel fader is operated. A diagram showing changes in the volume levels of the high-frequency band and mid-frequency band of a first song and changes in the volume levels of the high-frequency band and mid-frequency band of a second song when each channel fader is operated in assist mode in the first embodiment. A diagram showing an example of changes in the volume level of the low-frequency band of a first song and changes in the volume level of the low-frequency band of a second song when each channel fader is operated in assist mode in the first embodiment. A block diagram showing a control unit provided in an acoustic control device in a second embodiment. A diagram showing an example of changes in BPM when playing back the first song and the second song in assist mode in the second embodiment. A diagram showing another example of changes in BPM when playing back the first song and the second song in assist mode in the second embodiment. A diagram showing an example of changes in BPM when playing back the first song and the second song in assist mode in the second embodiment. A diagram explaining an example of a first playback control process by a playback control unit in the second embodiment.

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

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

[0010] [Configuration of Channel Operation Unit] The two channel operation units 3 operate the playback state of music loaded on the corresponding channels. The two channel operation units 3 are a first channel operation unit 3A that operates the playback state of a first music piece loaded on the first channel, and a second channel operation unit 3B that operates the playback state of a second music piece loaded on the second channel. Each channel operation unit 3A, 3B has a jog dial 31, an equalizer adjustment unit 32, a channel fader 33, and a tempo slider 34.

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

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

[0013] The level adjustment section 321 adjusts the input level of the music to be input. The effect adjustment section 325 is an operator that adjusts the effect amount of the effect set in the corresponding channel operation section 3.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the high-frequency band adjustment unit 322, the mid-frequency band adjustment unit 323, and the low-frequency band adjustment unit 324. In FIG. 2, the high-frequency band adjustment unit 322, the mid-frequency band adjustment unit 323, and the low-frequency band adjustment unit 324 are each positioned at a value indicating "0.5." The high-frequency band adjustment unit 322 adjusts the volume level of the high-frequency band of the input music. The high-frequency band is, for example, a frequency band of 4649 Hz or higher. As shown in FIG. 2, the high-frequency band adjustment unit 322 adjusts the volume level within a range of 0 to 1. If the volume level set by the high-frequency band adjustment unit 322 is the set level, when the high-frequency band adjustment unit 322 is rotated to the counterclockwise limit, the set level of the high-frequency band becomes 0, and when the high-frequency band adjustment unit 322 is rotated to the clockwise limit, the set level of the high-frequency band becomes 1. That is, when high frequency band adjustment unit 322 is positioned to indicate "0", the set level of the high frequency band becomes 0, and when high frequency band adjustment unit 322 is positioned to indicate "1", the set level of the high frequency band becomes 1. Furthermore, when high frequency band adjustment unit 322 is positioned to indicate "0.5", the set level of the high frequency band becomes 0.5.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0022] [Configuration of the Crossfader] The crossfader 5 shown in FIG. 1 has a fader operator 51 that can move left and right and adjusts the balance between the volume of a first music piece loaded on a first channel and the volume of a second music piece loaded on a second channel. In a normal mode (described later), as the fader operator 51 is moved leftward, the proportion of the volume of the first music piece in the total volume output from the audio control device 1 increases. As the fader operator 51 is moved rightward, the proportion of the volume of the second music piece in the total volume output from the audio control device 1 increases. Specifically, when the fader operator 51 is positioned at the left end, the volume of the first music piece is maximized and the volume of the second music piece is minimized. When the fader operator 51 is positioned at the right end, the volume of the first music piece is minimized and the volume of the second music piece is maximized. Hereinafter, one of the two ends of the operable range RC of the fader operator 51 is referred to as a first end TC1, and the other end is referred to as a second end TC2. In this embodiment, the fader control 51 moves left and right, so the first end TC1 is the left end of the operable range RC, and the second end TC2 is the right end of the operable range RC.

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

[0024] The first playback unit 61 plays the first music piece loaded on the first channel. Specifically, the first playback unit 61 plays the first music piece at the BPM of the original music piece. Note that, if the BPM of the first music piece during playback is adjusted by the first tempo slider 34A, the first playback unit 61 plays the first music piece at the adjusted BPM during playback. The second playback unit 62 plays the second music piece loaded on the second channel. Specifically, the second playback unit 62 plays the second music piece at the BPM of the original music piece. Note that, if the BPM of the second music piece during playback is adjusted by the second tempo slider 34B, the second playback unit 62 plays the second music piece at the adjusted BPM during playback.

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

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

[0027] [Function of Volume Adjustment Unit] The volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the volume of the first music piece output from the first channel and the volume of the second music piece output from the second channel, and also adjusts the balance between the volumes of the first music piece and the second music piece, based on the positions of the fader operator 51 and each of the operators 33A1 and 33B1 acquired by the position acquisition unit 63. Specifically, the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the balance between the volumes of the first music piece and the second music piece according to the position of the fader operator 51. Furthermore, the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the volume of the first music piece according to the position of the first operator 33A1 of the first channel fader 33A, and adjusts the volume of the second music piece according to the position of the second operator 33B1 of the second channel fader 33B.

[0028] [Volume Adjustment Using the Crossfader in Normal Mode] Figure 4 shows the change in the overall volume of the first music piece and the change in the overall volume of the second music piece when the crossfader 5 is operated in normal mode. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in Figure 4 represents a numerical value indicating the relative position of the fader operator 51 acquired by the position acquisition unit 63. When the operating mode of the acoustic control device 1 is normal mode, the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the balance between the overall volume of the first music piece and the overall volume of the second music piece based on the position of the fader operator 51 of the crossfader 5 within the operable range. The overall volume of the first music piece refers to the total volume of the high-frequency band, mid-frequency band, and low-frequency band of the first music piece. The maximum volume of the first music piece is the first set volume V1st set by the first operator 33A1. The balance of the high, mid, and low frequency bands in the first music piece corresponds to the ratio of the set level H1lv of the high frequency band, the set level M1lv of the mid frequency band, and the set level L1lv of the low frequency band. The same applies to the volume of the entire second music piece, with the maximum volume of the entire second music piece being the second set volume V2st set by the second operator 33B1. The balance of the high, mid, and low frequency bands in the second music piece corresponds to the ratio of the set level H2lv of the high frequency band, the set level M2lv of the mid frequency band, and the set level L2lv of the low frequency band. As shown in FIG. 4 , the direction from the first end TC1 to the second end TC2 is defined as the +DC direction, and the direction from the second end TC2 to the first end TC1 is defined as the −DC direction.

[0029] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 , when the fader operator 51 is located at the first end TC1, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the overall volume of the first music piece to the first preset volume V1st and the overall volume of the second music piece to the second minimum volume V2min. As the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the first end TC1, the volume adjustment unit 65 lowers the overall volume of the first music piece and increases the overall volume of the second music piece. In other words, as the fader operator 51 is operated in the −DC direction from the second end TC2, the volume adjustment unit 65 increases the overall volume of the first music piece and decreases the overall volume of the second music piece. In other words, as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction, the proportion of the second music piece in the volume output from the audio control device 1 increases. As the fader operator 51 is operated in the −DC direction, the proportion of the first music piece in the volume output from the audio control device 1 increases.

[0030] When the fader operator 51 is located at the second end TC2, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the overall volume of the first music piece to the first minimum volume V1min and the overall volume of the second music piece to the second preset volume V2st. In this way, when the operating mode of the acoustic control device 1 is the normal mode, the overall volume of the first music piece and the overall volume of the second music piece are adjusted depending on the position of the fader operator 51 in the operable range RC. Then, by operating the fader operator 51 from the first end TC1 to the second end TC2, the music piece to be output is switched from the first music piece to the second music piece. By operating the fader operator 51 from the second end TC2 to the first end TC1, the music piece to be output is switched from the second music piece to the first music piece.

[0031] Here, the volume levels of each frequency band of each song when the crossfader 5 is operated in normal mode will be described. As described above, the volume of the entire song is determined by amplifying a high-frequency band signal with an intensity corresponding to the set level of the high-frequency band, a mid-frequency band signal with an intensity corresponding to the set level of the mid-frequency band, and a low-frequency band signal with an intensity corresponding to the set level of the low-frequency band, by an amplification factor corresponding to the position of the fader operator 331. In other words, when the position of the fader operator 331 is not changed, the volume level of each frequency band is changed with the set level as the upper limit, thereby adjusting the overall volume of each song and, ultimately, the volume balance of each song.

[0032] FIG. 5 shows changes in the volume levels of the frequency bands of the first music piece and the second music piece when the crossfader 5 is operated in normal mode. Specifically, the first row from the top of FIG. 5 shows the position of the fader operator 51, and the second row shows the volume levels of the high-frequency bands of the first music piece and the second music piece. The third row from the top of FIG. 5 shows the volume levels of the mid-frequency bands of each music piece, and the fourth row shows the volume levels of the low-frequency bands of each music piece. The horizontal axes of the graphs shown in the second, third, and fourth rows of FIG. 5 indicate values ​​that indicate the relative position of the fader operator 51. Although the set level H1lv and the set level H2lv are shown as the same value in FIG. 5, they do not necessarily have to be the same value. The same applies to the set levels M1lv and M2lv, and the same applies to the set levels L1lv and L2lv. As shown in Fig. 5, the volume adjustment unit 65 changes the volume level of each frequency band of each song in accordance with the position of the fader operator 51, thereby adjusting the overall volume of each song as shown in Fig. 4.

[0033] 5, the volume adjustment unit 65 changes the volume level of the high-frequency band of the first music piece within a range from a minimum level H1min to a set level H1lv inclusive, and changes the volume level of the high-frequency band of the second music piece within a range from a minimum level H2min to a set level H2lv inclusive, depending on the position of the fader operator 51 within the operable range RC. That is, as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the first end TC1, the volume adjustment unit 65 increases the volume level of the high-frequency band of the first music piece from the minimum level H1min up to the set level H1lv inclusive, and decreases the volume level of the high-frequency band of the second music piece from the set level H2lv inclusive, down to the minimum level H2min inclusive.

[0034] Similarly, as shown in the third and fourth rows of Figure 5, the volume adjustment unit 65 changes the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the first song in a range from a minimum level M1min to a set level M1lv, changes the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first song in a range from a minimum level L1min to a set level L1lv, changes the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the second song in a range from a minimum level M2min to a set level M2lv, and changes the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second song in a range from a minimum level L2min to a set level L2lv, depending on the position of the fader operator 51 in the operable range RC. That is, as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the first end TC1, the volume adjustment unit 65 increases the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the first music piece from the minimum level M1min up to the set level M1lv as an upper limit, and decreases the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the second music piece from the set level M2lv up to the minimum level M2min as a lower limit. Also, as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the first end TC1, the volume adjustment unit 65 increases the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece from the minimum level L1min up to the set level L1lv as an upper limit, and decreases the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece from the set level L2lv up to the minimum level L2min as a lower limit. In this way, the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the volume level of each frequency band of each song between the minimum level and the set level depending on the position of the fader operator 51, thereby adjusting the volume of the first song and the volume of the second song and adjusting the volume balance of each song.

[0035] [Volume Adjustment Using the Crossfader in Assist Mode] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing changes in the volume level of each frequency band of a first song and changes in the volume level of each frequency band of a second song when the crossfader 5 is operated in assist mode. More specifically, Fig. 6 is a diagram showing changes in the volume level of each frequency band of each song when the crossfader 5 is operated in assist mode. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in Fig. 6 indicates a numerical value representing the relative position of the fader operator 51. Although Fig. 6 shows the set level H1lv and the set level H2lv as the same value, the set level H1lv and the set level H2lv do not necessarily have to be the same value. The same applies to the set levels M1lv and M2lv, and the set levels L1lv and L2lv. When the operation mode of the acoustic control device 1 is the assist mode, the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the volume levels of the high-frequency band, mid-frequency band, and low-frequency band of the first music piece, and adjusts the volume levels of the high-frequency band, mid-frequency band, and low-frequency band of the second music piece, depending on the position of the fader operator 51 within the operable range RC of the fader operator 51, as shown in Fig. 6. In this way, the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the volume of each music piece depending on the position of the fader operator 51, and adjusts the volume balance of the respective music pieces.

[0036] In assist mode, the operable range RC of the fader controller 51 includes a first range RC1, a second range RC2, and a third range RC3. The first range RC1 is the range between the first position PC1 and the second position PC2. The second position PC2 is set in the +DC direction relative to the first position PC1. The second range RC2 is the range between the second position PC2 and the third position PC3. The third position PC3 is set in the +DC direction relative to the second position PC2. The third range RC3 is the range between the third position PC3 and the fourth position PC4. The fourth position PC4 is set in the +DC direction relative to the third position PC3. In this embodiment, the first position PC1 is set at the first end TC1, and the fourth position PC4 is set at the second end TC2. The first range RC1 is 1 / 3 of the range of the operable range RC from the first end TC1, the second range RC2 is 1 / 3 of the range of the operable range RC from the second position PC2, and the third range RC3 is 1 / 3 of the range of the operable range RC from the third position PC3.

[0037] When the operating mode is assist mode and the fader operator 51 is located at the first end TC1, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the volume levels of the wavelength bands of the first music piece to the preset levels H1lv, M1lv, and L1lv of the frequency bands of the first music piece, and sets the volume levels of the wavelength bands of the second music piece to the minimum levels H2min, M2min, and L2min of the frequency bands of the second music piece. As a result, the volume of the entire first music piece becomes the first preset volume V1st, and the volume of the entire second music piece becomes the second minimum volume V2min.

[0038] When the operating mode is assist mode and the fader operator 51 is positioned in the first range RC1, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the volume levels of each wavelength band of the first music piece to the preset levels H1lv, M1lv, and L1lv, and keeps the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece at the minimum level L2min. As the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction, the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece increase. That is, the volume levels that change in the first range RC1 are the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece. In the first range RC1, the volume level of the high-frequency band of the second music piece is changed from the minimum level H2min of the high-frequency band of the second music piece to the preset level H2lv. In the first range RC1, the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the second music piece is changed from the minimum level M2min of the mid-frequency band of the second music piece to the preset level M2lv.

[0039] When the fader operator 51 is positioned at the second position PC2, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the volume levels of each frequency band of the first song to the set levels H1lv, M1lv, and L1lv, and sets the volume level of the high frequency band of the second song to the set level H2lv, and the volume level of the mid frequency band of the second song to the set level M2lv, while keeping the volume level of the low frequency band of the second song at the minimum level L2min.

[0040] When the operating mode is assist mode and the fader operator 51 is positioned in the second range RC2, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the volume level of the high-frequency band of the first music piece to the set level H1lv, the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the first music piece to the set level M1lv, the volume level of the high-frequency band of the second music piece to the set level H2lv, and the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the second music piece to the set level M2lv, while decreasing the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece from the set level L1lv and increasing the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece from the minimum level L2min as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction. That is, the volume levels that change in the second range RC2 are the volume levels of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the low-frequency band of the second music piece. In the second range RC2, the volume level of the low frequency band of the first song is changed in a range from the minimum level L1min of the low frequency band of the first song to the preset level L1lv. In the second range RC2, the volume level of the low frequency band of the second song is changed in a range from the minimum level L2min of the low frequency band of the second song to the preset level L2lv.

[0041] If the set level L1lv of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the set level L2lv of the low-frequency band of the second music piece are the same, and the minimum level L1min of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the minimum level L2min of the low-frequency band of the second music piece are the same, when the fader operator 51 is positioned at the center of the second range RC2, the volume adjustment unit 65 matches the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece with the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece. Therefore, depending on whether the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction or the -DC direction with respect to the center of the second range RC2, the magnitude relationship between the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece is reversed, and ultimately the magnitude relationship of the volumes of the low-frequency bands of each music piece is reversed. That is, when the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction relative to the center position of the second range RC2, the volume of the low-frequency band of the second song becomes larger than the volume of the low-frequency band of the first song. On the other hand, when the fader operator 51 is operated in the -DC direction relative to the center position of the second range RC2, the volume of the low-frequency band of the first song becomes larger than the volume of the low-frequency band of the second song. Note that the center position of the second range RC2 coincides with the center position of the operable range RC.

[0042] In this embodiment, the rate of change in the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the rate of change in the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece in the second range RC2 are constant. Therefore, when the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the second position PC2, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece decreases at a constant rate, and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece increases at a constant rate. Furthermore, when the fader operator 51 is operated in the −DC direction from the third position PC3, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece increases at a constant rate, and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece decreases at a constant rate. However, this is not a limitation, and the rate of change in the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the rate of change in the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece in the second range RC2 do not have to be constant. For example, when the fader control 51 is operated in the +DC direction in the second range RC2, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece may be decreased in accordance with a predetermined curve, and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece may be increased in accordance with a predetermined curve. In other words, the rate of change in the volume level of the low-frequency band of each music piece may change in response to the operation of the fader control 51.

[0043] When the fader operator 51 is positioned at the third position PC3, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the volume level of the high frequency band of the first song to the set level H1lv, the volume level of the mid frequency band of the first song to the set level M1lv, the volume level of the high frequency band of the second song to the set level H2lv, and leaves the volume level of the mid frequency band of the second song at the set level M2lv, while setting the volume level of the low frequency band of the first song to the minimum level L1min and the volume level of the low frequency band of the second song to the set level L2lv.

[0044] When the operating mode is assist mode and the fader operator 51 is positioned in the third range RC3, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece to the minimum level L1min and keeps the volume levels of the high-frequency band, mid-frequency band, and low-frequency band of the second music piece at the preset levels H2lv, M2lv, and L2lv, respectively. As the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction, the volume adjustment unit 65 lowers the volume level of the high-frequency band of the first music piece from the preset level H1lv and lowers the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the first music piece from the preset level M1lv. That is, the volume levels that change in the third range RC3 are the volume levels of the high-frequency band and mid-frequency band of the first music piece. In the third range RC3, the volume level of the high-frequency band of the first music piece is changed within a range from the minimum level H1min of the high-frequency band of the first music piece to the preset level H1lv. In the third range RC3, the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the first music piece is changed within a range from the minimum level M1min of the mid-frequency band of the first music piece to a set level M1lv.

[0045] When the fader operator 51 is located at the fourth position PC4, i.e., when the fader operator 51 is located at the second end TC2, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the volume levels of the high-, mid-, and low-frequency bands of the first music piece to minimum levels H1min, M1min, and L1min, respectively, and sets the volume levels of the high-, mid-, and low-frequency bands of the second music piece to set levels H2lv, M2lv, and L2lv, respectively. As a result, the volume of the entire first music piece becomes the first minimum volume V1min shown in FIG. 4 , and the volume of the entire second music piece becomes the second set volume V2st, completing the mixing of the first music piece to the second music piece.

[0046] [Setting Minimum Levels] In the above description, the minimum levels H1min, M1min, L1min, H2min, M2min, and L2min of each wavelength band are set to 0 for convenience. However, this is not limiting, and at least one of the minimum levels H1min, M1min, L1min, H2min, M2min, and L2min does not have to be 0. For example, the minimum levels H1min, M1min, L1min, H2min, M2min, and L2min may be set according to the values ​​of the set levels H1lv, M1lv, L1lv, H2lv, M2lv, and L2lv. In a more detailed example, when the set level H1lv of the high frequency band of the first song is equal to or greater than 0 and equal to or less than 0.5, the minimum level H1min may be set to 0, and when the set level H1lv is greater than 0.5 and equal to or less than 1, the minimum level H1min may be set to a value obtained by subtracting 0.5 from the set level H1lv. Similarly, when the set levels M1lv, L1lv, H2lv, M2lv, and L2lv are equal to or greater than 0 and less than 0.5, the minimum levels M1min, L1min, H2min, M2min, and L2min are set.

[0047] FIG. 7 illustrates changes in the volume levels of the frequency bands of the first and second music pieces when the set level L1lv of the low-frequency band of the first music piece is 0.6 and the set level L2lv of the low-frequency band of the second music piece is 0.5. For example, if the low-frequency band adjustment unit 324 sets the set level L1lv of the low-frequency band of the first music piece to 0.6, the minimum level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece may be set to 0.1, as shown in FIG. 7 . Even in this case, the volume of the first music piece and the volume of the second music piece can be swapped by operating the fader operator 51. In particular, by operating the fader operator 51 in the second range RC2, the volume of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the volume of the low-frequency band of the second music piece can be swapped, regardless of the volume of the high-frequency and mid-frequency bands of each music piece. Note that the difference between the set level and the minimum level is not limited to 0.5 and can be changed as appropriate.

[0048] [Volume Adjustment Using Channel Faders in Normal Mode] Figure 8 shows an example of a change in the overall volume of the first music piece when the first channel fader 33A is operated in normal mode, and an example of a change in the overall volume of the second music piece when the second channel fader 33B is operated. When the operating mode of the acoustic control device 1 is in normal mode, the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the overall volume of the first music piece based on the position of the first operator 33A1 of the first channel fader 33A, and adjusts the overall volume of the second music piece based on the position of the second operator 33B1 of the second channel fader 33B, as shown in Figure 8. That is, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the first set volume V1st, which is the overall volume of the first music piece, between the first minimum volume V1min and the first maximum volume V1max, based on the position of the first operator 33A1. The volume adjustment unit 65 sets a second set volume V2st, which is the volume of the entire second music piece, between a second minimum volume V2min and a second maximum volume V2max based on the position of the second operator 33B1. Note that the first maximum volume V1max is the maximum volume of the entire first music piece that can be output from the audio control device 1, and the second maximum volume V2max is the maximum volume of the entire second music piece that can be output from the audio control device 1.

[0049] Hereinafter, one end of the operable range RA of the first operator 33A1 will be referred to as the first end TA1, and the other end will be referred to as the second end TA2. The direction from the first end TA1 to the second end TA2 will be referred to as the +DA direction, and the direction from the second end TA2 to the first end TA1 will be referred to as the −DA direction. The lower end of the operable range RB of the second operator 33B1 will be referred to as the first end TB1, and the upper end will be referred to as the second end TB2. The direction from the first end TB1 to the second end TB2 will be referred to as the +DB direction, and the direction from the second end TB2 to the first end TB1 will be referred to as the −DB direction. In this embodiment, since the +DA direction and the +DB direction are aligned upward, the first ends TA1 and TB1 are the lower ends of the operable ranges RA and RB, and the second ends TA2 and TB2 are the upper ends of the operable ranges RA and RB.

[0050] Specifically, when the first operator 33A1 is placed at the first end TA1, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the first set volume V1st to the first minimum volume V1min. As a result, the volume of the entire first piece of music becomes the first minimum volume V1min. When the first operator 33A1 is operated, the volume adjustment unit 65 changes the first set volume V1st. That is, when the first operator 33A1 is operated in the +DA direction, the volume adjustment unit 65 increases the first set volume V1st, thereby increasing the volume of the entire first piece of music. On the other hand, when the first operator 33A1 is operated in the -DA direction, the volume adjustment unit 65 decreases the first set volume V1st, thereby decreasing the volume of the entire first piece of music. In this way, the first set volume V1st is changed, and the volume of the entire first piece of music is changed. In the example of Figure 8, the rate of change of the volume of the first music piece as a whole is constant, and the amount of movement of the first operator 33A1 is directly proportional to the amount of change in the first preset volume V1st and the amount of change in the overall volume of the first music piece. However, this is not limiting, and the rate of change of the first preset volume V1st and the rate of change of the volume of the first music piece as a whole do not have to be constant. For example, they may change as the first operator 33A1 is operated in the +DA direction or the -DA direction. When the first operator 33A1 is positioned at the second end TA2, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the first preset volume V1st to the first maximum volume V1max. As a result, the volume of the first music piece as a whole becomes the first maximum volume V1max.

[0051] On the other hand, when the second operator 33B1 is positioned at the first end TB1, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the second set volume V2st to the second minimum volume V2min. As a result, the volume of the entire second music piece becomes the second minimum volume V2min. When the second operator 33B1 is operated, the volume adjustment unit 65 changes the second set volume V2st. That is, when the second operator 33B1 is operated in the +DB direction, the volume adjustment unit 65 increases the second set volume V2st in accordance with the position of the second operator 33B1, thereby increasing the volume of the entire second music piece. When the second operator 33B1 is operated in the -DB direction, the volume adjustment unit 65 decreases the second set volume in accordance with the position of the second operator 33B1, thereby decreasing the volume of the entire second music piece. At this time, although the rate of change of the second set volume V2st and the rate of change of the volume of the entire second music piece are constant in the example shown in FIG. 8 , they do not have to be constant. For example, the rate of change of the second preset volume V2st and the rate of change of the overall volume of the second music piece may each change as the second operator 33B1 is operated in the +DA direction or the −DA direction. When the second operator 33B1 is located at the second end TB2, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the second preset volume V2st to the second maximum volume V2max. As a result, the overall volume of the second music piece becomes the second maximum volume V2max. Therefore, for example, when the first operator 33A1 is located at the second end TA2 and the second operator 33B1 is located at the first end TB1, the music piece output from the acoustic control device 1 can be switched from the first music piece to the second music piece by operating the first operator 33A1 in the −DA direction and the second operator 33B1 in the +DB direction.

[0052] [Volume Adjustment Using Channel Faders in Assist Mode] Figure 9 shows changes in the volume levels of the high and mid frequency bands of the first music piece and the high and mid frequency bands of the second music piece when the channel faders 33A and 33B are operated in assist mode. When the operating mode of the acoustic control device 1 is in assist mode, the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the volume of the first music piece by adjusting the volume level of each frequency band of the first music piece depending on the position of the first operator 33A1 in the operable range RA. When the operating mode of the acoustic control device 1 is in assist mode, the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the volume of the second music piece by adjusting the volume level of each frequency band of the second music piece depending on the position of the second operator 33B1 in the operable range RB. As shown in Figure 9, a predetermined position between the first end TA1 and the second end TA2 of the first operator 33A1 in the operable range RA is designated as position PA1. Position PA1 can be set to a position 1 / 3 of the operable range RA from the second end TA2. The range from the first end TA1 to position PA1 is set to a first range RA1, and the range from position PA1 to the second end TA2 is set to a second range RA2. Furthermore, a predetermined position between the first end TB1 and the second end TB2 in the operable range RB of the second operator 33B1 is set to a position PB1. Position PB1 can be set to a position 1 / 3 of the operable range RB from the second end TB2. The range from the first end TB1 to position PB1 is set to a first range RB1, and the range from position PB1 to the second end TB2 is set to a second range RB2.

[0053] [Volume Adjustment in First Range of Channel Fader] As shown in FIG. 9 , the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the volume levels of the high-frequency and mid-frequency bands of the first music piece depending on the position of the first operator 33A1 in the first range RA1, and adjusts the volume levels of the high-frequency and mid-frequency bands of the second music piece depending on the position of the second operator 33B1 in the first range RB1. The first set volume V1st is set in advance based on the position of the first operator 33A1, and the second set volume V2st is set in advance based on the position of the second operator 33B1. For example, the first set volume V1st can be set to a volume corresponding to the position of the first operator 33A1 when the mode selector switch 4 is pressed and the mode selector 64 switches the operation mode to the assist mode. The second preset volume V2st can be set to a volume that corresponds to the position of the second operator 33B1 when the mode selector switch 4 is pressed and the operation mode is switched to the assist mode by the mode selector 64. However, this is not limiting, and the first preset volume V1st may be set in advance by another method or by another operator. The same applies to the second preset volume V2st.

[0054] In the assist mode, when the first operator 33A1 is located at the first end TA1, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the volume levels of the high-frequency band, mid-frequency band, and low-frequency band of the first music piece to minimum levels H1min, M1min, and L1min, respectively, and sets the volume of the entire first music piece to a first minimum volume V1min. When the first operator 33A1 is located in the first range RA1 and the first operator 33A1 is operated, the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the volume level of the high-frequency band of the first music piece between minimum level H1min and preset level H1lv, and adjusts the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the first music piece between minimum level M1min and preset level M1lv, depending on the position of the first operator 33A1, as shown in FIG. 9 , while keeping the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece at minimum level L1min. That is, when the first operator 33A1 is operated in the +DA direction within the first range RA1, the volume adjustment unit 65 increases the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece, and when the first operator 33A1 is operated in the -DA direction, the volume adjustment unit 65 decreases the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece. This changes the volume of the entire first music piece. Note that, although the rate of change of the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece is constant in the example of FIG. 9 , it does not have to be constant. For example, each rate of change may change as the first operator 33A1 is operated in the ±DA directions.

[0055] When the first operator 33A1 is located at position PA1, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece to the minimum level L1min, sets the volume level of the high-frequency band of the first music piece to the set level H1lv, and sets the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the first music piece to the set level M1lv. In this way, the change in volume of the first music piece when the first operator 33A1 is located in the first range RA1 is the same as the change in volume of the first music piece when the fader operator 51 is located in the third range RC3.

[0056] In the assist mode, when the second operator 33B1 is located at the first end TB1, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the volume levels of the high-frequency band, the mid-frequency band, and the low-frequency band of the second music piece to minimum levels H2min, M2min, and L2min, respectively, and sets the overall volume of the second music piece to a second minimum volume V2min. When the second operator 33B1 is located in the first range RB1, the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the volume level of the high-frequency band of the second music piece between the minimum level H2min and the preset level H2lv, and adjusts the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the second music piece between the minimum level M2min and the preset level M2lv, depending on the position of the second operator 33B1, as shown in FIG. 9 , while keeping the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece at the minimum level L2min. That is, when the second operator 33B1 is operated in the +DB direction within the first range RB1, the volume adjustment unit 65 increases the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece, respectively. When the second operator 33B1 is operated in the -DB direction, the volume adjustment unit 65 decreases the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece, respectively. This changes the volume of the entire first music piece. Note that, although the rate of change of the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece is constant in the example of FIG. 9 , it does not have to be constant. For example, each rate of change may change as the second operator 33B1 is operated in the ±DB directions.

[0057] When the second operator 33B1 is located at position PB1, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece to the minimum level L2min, sets the volume level of the high-frequency band of the second music piece to the set level H2lv, and sets the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the second music piece to the set level M2lv. In this way, the change in volume of the second music piece when the second operator 33B1 is located in the first range RB1 is the same as the change in volume of the second music piece when the fader operator 51 is located in the first range RC1.

[0058] [Volume adjustment in the second range of the channel fader] The volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the volume level of the low frequency band of the first song between the minimum level L1min and the set level L1lv, and adjusts the volume level of the low frequency band of the second song between the minimum level L2min and the set level L2lv, depending on the position of the first operator 33A1 in the second range RA2 and the position of the second operator 33B1 in the second range RB2.

[0059] Specifically, when the first operator 33A1 is located in the second range RA2 and the second operator 33B1 is located in the second range RB2, the volume adjustment unit 65 converts the numerical value indicating the position of the first operator 33A1 and the numerical value indicating the position of the second operator 33B1 acquired by the position acquisition unit 63. More specifically, the volume adjustment unit 65 converts the acquired numerical value indicating the position of the first operator 33A1 to a numerical value that is 0 when the first operator 33A1 is located at position PA1 and 1 when the first operator 33A1 is located at the second end TA2. Similarly, the volume adjustment unit 65 converts the acquired numerical value indicating the position of the second operator 33B1 to a numerical value that is 0 when the second operator 33B1 is located at position PB1 and 1 when the second operator 33B1 is located at the second end TB2. Next, the volume adjustment unit 65 divides the converted value indicating the position of the first operator 33A1 by the converted value indicating the position of the second operator 33B1 to obtain the resulting value. After that, the volume adjustment unit 65 obtains the volume levels of the first music piece and the second music piece that correspond to the converted value.

[0060] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the volume levels of the low-frequency bands of the first and second songs when the first and second operators 33A1 and 33B1 are operated in assist mode. In other words, Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating the content of level change information stored in a storage unit (not shown). The storage unit (not shown) pre-stores the graph shown in Fig. 10 . That is, the storage unit stores level change information indicating the volume levels of the low-frequency bands of each song corresponding to the numerical values ​​resulting from the division. More specifically, the storage unit stores, as the level change information indicating the volume level of the low-frequency bands of the first song, a function that approaches a minimum level L1min as the numerical value resulting from the division decreases and approaches a set level L1lv as the numerical value resulting from the division increases. The storage unit also stores, as level change information indicating the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece, a function that approaches the set level L2lv as the numerical value of the division result becomes smaller and approaches the minimum level L2min as the numerical value of the division result becomes larger. Note that the function stored in the storage unit as level change information may be a linear function as shown in Fig. 10 or a higher-order function such as a quadratic function.

[0061] Based on this level change information, the volume adjustment unit 65 acquires the volume level of the low-frequency band of each song and sets the volume level of the low-frequency band of each song to the acquired volume level. When the operators 33A1 and 33B1 are located in the second ranges RA2 and RB2, the volume levels of the high-frequency and mid-frequency bands of the first song are set to the preset levels H1lv and M1lv, respectively, and the volume levels of the high-frequency and mid-frequency bands of the second song are set to the preset levels H2lv and M2lv, respectively. Thus, when the first operator 33A1 is located in the second range RA2 and the second operator 33B1 is located in the second range RB2, the volume change of each song is the same as the volume change of each song when the fader operator 51 is located in the second range RC2.

[0062] [Switching Between the First and Second Music Pieces in the Output Music Pieces] When the operating mode of the acoustic control device 1 is the assist mode, the volume adjustment unit 65 adjusts the volume levels of the frequency bands of the first and second music pieces as described above. Thus, by operating the operators 33A1, 33B1 as follows, it is possible to switch the volume of the frequency bands of the first music piece with the volume of the frequency bands of the second music piece, in the same way as by operating the fader operator 51.

[0063] For example, suppose the first operator 33A1 is located at the second end TA2 and the second operator 33B1 is located at the first end TB1. In this case, the overall volume of the first music piece is the first preset volume V1st, and the overall volume of the second music piece is the second minimum volume V2min. From this state, if only the second operator 33B1 is operated in the +DB direction, while the second operator 33B1 is in the first range RB1, the volume level of the low frequency band of the second music piece remains at the minimum level L2min, and the volume level of the high frequency band and the mid frequency band of the second music piece increase, as shown in the graph of the volume levels of the high and mid frequency bands of the second music piece shown on the right side of FIG. 9 . Then, when the second operator 33B1 reaches position PB1, the volume level of the high frequency band of the second music piece reaches the preset level H2lv, and the volume level of the mid frequency band of the second music piece reaches the preset level M2lv. In this way, the volume of each of the high frequency band and the mid frequency band of the second piece of music can be adjusted in the same way as when the fader control 51 is operated in the first range RC1.

[0064] When only the second operator 33B1 is operated in the +DB direction from position PB1, the volume level of the high-frequency band of the second music piece remains at the set level H2lv, the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the second music piece remains at the set level M2lv, and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece increases from the minimum level L2min and decreases from the set level L1lv, as shown in FIG. 10 . Accordingly, the overall volume of the first music piece decreases from the first set volume V1st. Then, when the second operator 33B1 reaches the second end TB2, the first operator 33A1 is also located at the second end TA2, so the volume levels of the low-frequency bands of the second music piece and the first music piece become equal, as shown in FIG. 10 . Subsequently, when only the first operator 33A1 is operated in the -DA direction from the second end TA2, the volume level of the high-frequency band of the first song remains at the set level H1lv, the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the first song remains at the set level M1lv, and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second song decreases and increases, as shown in Figure 10. Then, when the first operator 33A1 reaches position PA1, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first song drops to the minimum level L1min, and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second song drops to the set level L2lv. Accordingly, the volume of the entire second song becomes the second set volume V2st. That is, the condition for the volume of the entire second song to reach the second preset volume V2st is that the second operator 33B1 is located at the second end TB2 and the first operator 33A1 is located at position PA, the first range RA1, or the first end TA1. Note that the condition for the volume of the entire first song to reach the first preset volume V1st is also the same.

[0065] When the first operator 33A1 is operated in the -DA direction from position PA1 while the second operator 33B1 remains positioned at the second end TB2, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece remains at the minimum level L1min, while the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece decrease from the preset levels H1lv and M1lv, as shown in the graphs of the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece shown on the left side of Figure 9. When the first operator 33A1 reaches the first end TA1, the volume level of the high-frequency band of the first music piece decreases to the minimum level H1min, the volume level of the mid-frequency band of the second music piece decreases to the minimum level M1min, and the overall volume of the first music piece decreases to the first minimum volume V1min. In this way, the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece are adjusted, similar to when the fader operator 51 is operated in the third range RC3.

[0066] As described above, by operating the second operator 33B1 in the second range RB2 and the first operator 33A1 in the second range RA2, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece can be lowered and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece can be increased. That is, with the volume levels of the high-frequency and mid-frequency bands of the first music piece set to the set levels H1lv and M1lv and the volume levels of the high-frequency and mid-frequency bands of the second music piece set to the set levels H2lv and M2lv, the volume levels of the low-frequency bands of the first music piece and the second music piece can be increased or decreased, thereby swapping the volumes of the low-frequency bands of the first music piece and the second music piece.

[0067] [Usefulness of Assist Mode] When the operating mode of the acoustic control device 1 is normal mode, to switch from a first music piece to a second music piece without any sense of discomfort, the user may operate the low-frequency band adjustment unit 324 of each channel operation unit 3A, 3B while moving the fader control 51 in the +DC direction from the first end TC1 to prevent the low-frequency band sounds (e.g., bass drum sounds) of each music piece from overlapping and becoming louder than the sounds of the other frequency bands. In other words, to switch from a first music piece to a second music piece without any sense of discomfort in normal mode, multiple operations are required. Such operations are difficult for inexperienced users, such as beginners, and it is difficult for inexperienced users to switch music pieces naturally and without any sense of discomfort.

[0068] In contrast, when the operating mode of the acoustic control device 1 is the assist mode, by operating the fader operator 51 or the operators 33A1, 33B1 at a constant speed as described above, when switching from the first song to the second song, the volume of the low-frequency band of the first song can be switched with the volume of the low-frequency band of the second song while maintaining the respective volumes of the high-frequency and mid-frequency bands of the first song and the high-frequency and mid-frequency bands of the second song. This prevents the low-frequency band sounds of the songs from overlapping and becoming louder than the sounds of the other frequency bands. Therefore, even an inexperienced user like the one described above can switch songs naturally and without any discomfort.

[0069] Effects of the First Embodiment The acoustic control device 1 according to the present embodiment described above provides the following effects. The acoustic control device 1 mixes a first piece of music and a second piece of music. When the fader operator 51 is positioned in the second range RC2, the volume adjustment unit 65 of the acoustic control device 1 lowers the volume level of the low frequency band of the first piece of music and raises the volume level of the low frequency band of the second piece of music in response to operation of the fader operator 51 in the +DC direction, thereby switching the magnitude relationship between the volumes of the low frequency band of the first piece of music and the low frequency band of the second piece of music. The fader operator 51 is an operator that adjusts the volumes of the first piece of music and the second piece of music. Note that a computer-readable acoustic control program that causes a computer to function as the acoustic control device 1 is recorded in the storage unit of the acoustic control device 1. The control unit 6 having the volume adjustment unit 65 reads the acoustic control program and controls the acoustic control device 1. With this configuration, when mixing the first and second songs, the low-frequency components of each song are swapped, so the total volume of the low-frequency components of the first and second songs can be maintained at approximately the same level as the total volume of the low-frequency components before mixing. This prevents the low-frequency components from sounding too strong during mixing, compared to when the entire first and second songs are mixed without adjusting the frequencies. This allows the first and second songs to be mixed without any awkwardness.

[0070] When the fader control 51 is operated in the +DC direction in the second range RC2, the volume adjustment unit 65 lowers the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and raises the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece, while maintaining the volume levels of the high-frequency band of the first music piece, the mid-frequency band of the first music piece, the high-frequency band of the second music piece, and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece. With this configuration, when the volume of the low-frequency band of each music piece is increased or decreased, the volume of the other frequency bands of each music piece is not changed, so only the volume of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the volume of the low-frequency band of the second music piece can be swapped. This prevents the low-frequency components of each music piece from sounding stronger than the other frequency components. This allows the first music piece and the second music piece to be mixed seamlessly.

[0071] The volume adjustment unit 65 swaps the volume of the low-frequency band of the first music piece with the volume of the low-frequency band of the second music piece when the volume levels of the high-frequency band of the first music piece, the mid-frequency band of the first music piece, the high-frequency band of the second music piece, and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece are at preset maximum levels H1lv, M1lv, H2lv, and M1lv, respectively. This configuration prevents the low-frequency components of each music piece from sounding stronger than the other frequency components, allowing the music pieces to be mixed together without any sense of incongruity.

[0072] When the fader control 51 reaches the middle position in the operable range RC, the volume adjustment unit 65 equalizes the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece. This configuration allows the user to intuitively grasp the position where the volume levels of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the low-frequency band of the second music piece are equalized. This makes it easier to adjust the volume levels of the low-frequency bands of each music piece.

[0073] When the fader operator 51 reaches the second end TC2 of the operable range RC, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the volume of the entire first music piece to the first minimum volume V1min. The second end TC2 corresponds to one end of the operable range RC. With this configuration, only the second music piece can be output by causing the fader operator 51 to reach the second end TC2. This not only enables the first music piece to be replaced with the second music piece, but also makes it easier for the user to grasp the point at which the first music piece and the second music piece switch.

[0074] When the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction, the volume adjustment unit 65 lowers the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece. The +DC direction corresponds to the first direction. When the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from position PC3, the volume adjustment unit 65 lowers the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece. Position PC3 is the position in the operable range RC where the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece is at its minimum. With this configuration, when the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece is at its minimum, and then the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece are lowered. Therefore, when switching from the first music piece to the second music piece, the volume of the low-frequency band of the first music piece is swapped with the volume of the low-frequency band of the second music piece, and then the volume of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece is lowered, allowing the first music piece to be switched to the second music piece without any awkwardness.

[0075] The volume adjustment unit 65 includes a crossfader 5 having a slidable fader operator 51. The crossfader 5 is an operator that accepts operations to adjust the volume of each song. With this configuration, the first song and the second song can be mixed seamlessly by operating the fader operator 51. Therefore, the operation to mix the first song and the second song can be performed more easily than when an operator for adjusting the volume of the first song and an operator for adjusting the volume of the second song are operated separately.

[0076] In the volume control unit 65, the operable range RC of the fader operator 51 includes a first range RC1, a second range RC2, and a third range RC3. The first range RC1 is the range between a first position PC1 and a second position PC2 located in the +DC direction from the first position PC1. The second range RC2 is the range between the second position PC2 and a third position PC3 located in the +DC direction from the second position PC2. The third range RC3 is the range between the third position PC3 and a fourth position PC4 located in the +DC direction from the third position PC3. The +DC direction is the first operation direction, which is the direction from the first end TC1 to the second end TC2 of the operable range RC.

[0077] When the fader operator 51 is positioned in the first range RC1, the volume levels of the high frequency band of the first song, the mid frequency band of the first song and the low frequency band of the first song are set at the set levels H1lv, M1lv and L1lv, respectively, and the volume level of the low frequency band of the second song is at the minimum level L1min, and the volume adjustment unit 65 increases the volume level of the high frequency band of the second song and the volume level of the mid frequency band of the second song as the fader operator 51 is slid in the +DC direction. When the fader operator 51 is positioned in the second range RC2, and the volume levels of the high-frequency band, mid-frequency band, high-frequency band, and mid-frequency band of the first music piece are at set levels H1lv, M1lv, H2lv, and M2lv, respectively, the volume adjustment unit 65 decreases the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and increases the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece as the fader operator 51 is slid in the +DC direction. Note that the set levels H2lv and M2lv are the maximum levels previously set for the high-frequency band and mid-frequency band of the second music piece, respectively.

[0078] When the fader operator 51 is positioned in the third range RC3, the volume levels of the high-frequency band, the mid-frequency band, and the low-frequency band of the second music piece are set to preset levels H2lv, M2lv, and L2lv, respectively, and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece is set to minimum level L1min. As the fader operator 51 is slid in the +DC direction, the volume adjustment unit 65 reduces the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece. The set levels H1lv, M1lv, and L1lv are maximum levels preset for the high-frequency band, the mid-frequency band, and the low-frequency band of the first music piece, respectively. The set levels H2lv, M2lv, and L2lv are maximum levels preset for the high-frequency band, the mid-frequency band, and the low-frequency band of the second music piece, respectively.

[0079] With this configuration, by moving the fader control 51 from the first end TC1 to the second end TC2, the volume of each of the high-frequency and mid-frequency bands of the second music piece is increased, the volume of the low-frequency band of the second music piece is swapped with the volume of the low-frequency band of the first music piece, and then the volume of each of the high-frequency and mid-frequency bands of the first music piece is decreased. This allows the first music piece to be switched to the second music piece without any sense of incongruity.

[0080] In the acoustic control device 1, the first position PC1 is the first end TC1, and the fourth position PC4 is the second end TC2. The first range RC1 is one-third of the operable range RC from the first end TC1, the second range RC2 is one-third of the operable range RC from the second position PC2, and the third range RC3 is one-third of the operable range RC from the third position PC3. With this configuration, the user can intuitively understand the first range RC1 in which the volume of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece is adjusted, the second range RC2 in which the volume of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the low-frequency band of the second music piece is adjusted, and the third range RC3 in which the volume of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece is adjusted. In other words, the user can intuitively understand the range in which the volume of each frequency band of each music piece is adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to easily operate the fader operator 51 when mixing the first music piece and the second music piece.

[0081] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The acoustic control device according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the acoustic control device 1 according to the first embodiment, but differs from the acoustic control device 1 according to the first embodiment in that it further includes a BPM setting section, a playback control section, etc. In the following description, parts that are the same or approximately the same as parts already described will be assigned the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0082] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit 6A included in the acoustic control device according to this embodiment. The acoustic control device according to this embodiment has the same configuration and functions as the acoustic control device 1 according to the first embodiment, except for the control unit 6A shown in FIG. 11 instead of the control unit 6 according to the first embodiment. Like the control unit 6, the control unit 6A controls the acoustic control device according to this embodiment and is configured with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that reads and executes an acoustic control program stored in a storage unit (not shown). In other words, the arithmetic processing circuit is a computer. The control unit 6A has the same configuration as the control unit 6, except for the first playback unit 61A and second playback unit 62A instead of the first playback unit 61 and second playback unit 62 according to the first embodiment, and further includes a BPM setting unit 66, an operation determination unit 67, a playback control unit 68, a position setting unit 69, and a position selection unit 70. That is, the control unit 6A includes a first playback unit 61A, a second playback unit 62A, a position acquisition unit 63, a mode switching unit 64, a volume adjustment unit 65, a BPM setting unit 66, an operation determination unit 67, a playback control unit 68, a position setting unit 69, and a position selection unit 70.

[0083] [Configuration of First Playback Unit and Second Playback Unit] The first playback unit 61A plays the first music piece loaded on the first channel, similar to the first playback unit 61. Specifically, when the operating mode of the sound control device is normal mode, if the playback BPM of the first music piece has been adjusted by the first tempo slider 34A, the first playback unit 61A plays the first music piece at the adjusted playback BPM, and if the playback BPM has not been adjusted, the first playback unit 61A plays the first music piece using the BPM of the original of the first music piece as the playback BPM of the first music piece. The second playback unit 62A plays the second music piece loaded on the second channel, similar to the second playback unit 62. Specifically, when the operation mode of the sound control device is normal mode, if the playback BPM of the second music piece has been adjusted by the second tempo slider 34B, the second playback unit 62A plays the second music piece at the adjusted playback BPM, and if the playback BPM has not been adjusted, the second playback unit 62A plays the second music piece with the BPM of the original of the second music piece as the playback BPM of the first music piece. Note that when the operation mode of the sound control device is assist mode, the first playback unit 61A plays the first music piece at the BPM set by the BPM setting unit 66, and the second playback unit 62A plays the second music piece at the BPM set by the BPM setting unit 66. In addition, the first playback unit 61A and the second playback unit 62A play the first music piece and the second music piece under the control of the playback control unit 68.

[0084] [Configuration of the BPM Setting Unit] The BPM setting unit 66 functions when the operation mode of the sound control device is the assist mode. The BPM setting unit 66 sets the BPM during playback of each of the first music piece and the second music piece in response to the operation of the crossfader 5.

[0085] [Setting the BPM during playback according to crossfader operation] The BPM setting unit 66 sets the BPM during playback of each song so that the BPM approaches from the BPM of the first song to the BPM of the second song as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction. The BPM setting unit 66 sets the BPM during playback of each song so that the BPM approaches from the BPM of the second song to the BPM of the first song as the fader operator 51 is operated in the -DC direction.

[0086] Note that, if the playback BPM of the first song is adjusted by the first tempo slider 34A, the BPM of the first song is the playback BPM after adjustment by the first tempo slider 34A. If the playback BPM of the first song is not adjusted by the first tempo slider 34A, the BPM of the first song is the BPM of the original version of the first song. Similarly, if the playback BPM of the second song is adjusted by the second tempo slider 34B, the BPM of the second song is the playback BPM after adjustment by the second tempo slider 34B. If the playback BPM of the second song is not adjusted by the second tempo slider 34B, the BPM of the second song is the BPM of the original version of the second song.

[0087] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the BPM during playback of the first and second songs in assist mode. Specifically, Fig. 12 shows changes in the BPM during playback of the first and second songs when the crossfader 5 is operated in assist mode when the BPM of the first song is 100 and the BPM of the second song is 120. Note that the horizontal axis of the graph shown in Fig. 12 is set with values ​​indicating the relative position of the fader operator 51. As shown in Fig. 12, the BPM setting unit 66 adjusts the BPM during playback of the first and second songs in accordance with the position of the fader operator 51.

[0088] More specifically, as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the first end TC1 toward the second end TC2, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each song so that the BPM approaches the BPM of the second song from the BPM of the first song. Then, when the fader operator 51 is positioned at the second end TC2 (fourth position PC4), the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each song to the BPM of the second song. In the example of FIG. 12 , the playback BPM of each song is set to 120. As the fader operator 51 is operated in the −DC direction from the second end TC2 toward the first end TC1, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each song so that the BPM approaches the BPM of the first song from the BPM of the second song. When the fader operator 51 is placed at the first end TC1 (first position PC1), the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each song to the BPM of the first song. In the example of Fig. 12, the playback BPM of each song is set to 100, which is the BPM of the first song.

[0089] When the fader operator 51 is positioned at the center of the operable range RC, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each song to an intermediate value between the BPM of the first song and the BPM of the second song. The rate of change of the playback BPM when the fader operator 51 is operated in the ±DC direction is constant in the example of FIG. 12 , but it does not have to be constant. For example, the rate of change may change as the fader operator 51 is operated in the ±DC direction. In this way, it is possible to more easily align the playback BPM of each song being mixed in response to the operation of the fader operator 51. This allows the songs to be mixed naturally and without any awkwardness.

[0090] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of changes in the BPM during playback of the first and second songs in assist mode. Specifically, FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of changes in the BPM during playback of each song when the crossfader 5 is operated in assist mode, with the first song having a BPM of 100 and the second song having a BPM of 120. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in FIG. 13 indicates a numerical value representing the relative position of the fader operator 51. The change in the BPM during playback when the fader operator 51 is operated does not have to be the same across the entire operable range RC. For example, as shown in FIG. 13 , when the fader operator 51 is located in the first range RC1 and the third range RC3, the BPM setting unit 66 may adjust the BPM during playback of the first and second songs depending on the position of the fader operator 51.

[0091] In this case, when the fader operator 51 is located at the first end TC1 (first position PC1), the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each of the first and second songs to the BPM of the first song. In the example of Fig. 12, the playback BPM of each song is set to 100, which is the BPM of the first song. When the fader operator 51 is located in the first range RC1, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each song according to the position of the fader operator 51, within a range between the BPM of the first song and the intermediate value between the BPM of the first song and the BPM of the second song. In the example of Figure 12, the BPM of the first song is 100, and the intermediate value between the BPM of the first song and the BPM of the second song is 110, so when the fader operator 51 is positioned in the first range RC1, the BPM during playback of each song is set to a value greater than 100 and less than 110.

[0092] When the fader operator 51 is located in the second position PC2, the second range RC2, and the third position PC3, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each of the first and second songs to the above-mentioned intermediate value. In the example of Fig. 13, the playback BPM of each song is set to 110. When the fader operator 51 is located in the third range RC3, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each of the first and second songs according to the position of the fader operator 51, within the range between the above-mentioned intermediate value and the BPM of the second song. In the example of Fig. 13, the BPM of the second song is 120, so the playback BPM of each song is set to a value greater than 110 and less than 120.

[0093] When the fader operator 51 is located at the second end TC2 (fourth position PC4), the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each of the first and second music pieces to the BPM of the second music piece. In the example of FIG. 13 , the playback BPM of each music piece is set to 120. Note that although the rate of change of the playback BPM in the first range RC1 and the third range RC3 is constant in the example of FIG. 13 , it does not have to be constant. For example, the rate of change may change as the fader operator 51 is operated in the ±DC direction. When the playback BPM of each music piece changes in this way, the BPM setting unit 66 can adjust the playback BPM of each music piece in accordance with the volume level adjustment of the high-frequency and mid-frequency bands by the volume adjustment unit 65 in response to the operation of the fader operator 51. This allows the music pieces to be mixed naturally and without any awkwardness.

[0094] [Setting the BPM during playback in response to channel fader operation] Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the BPM during playback of each of the first and second songs in assist mode. Specifically, Figure 14 illustrates changes in the BPM during playback of each song when the first operator 33A1 and the second operator 33B1 are operated in assist mode when the BPM of the first song is 100 and the BPM of the second song is 120. Note that the horizontal axis of the graph shown in Figure 14 represents values ​​indicating the relative positions of the fader operators 51. As shown in Figure 14, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the BPM during playback of each of the first and second songs in response to user operation of the first operator 33A1 of the first channel fader 33A and the second operator 33B1 of the second channel fader 33B.

[0095] In this embodiment, a storage unit (not shown) pre-stores the graph shown in FIG. 14 . That is, the storage unit stores BPM change information indicating the playback BPM corresponding to the numerical value obtained by dividing the numerical value indicating the position of the first operator 33A1 by the numerical value indicating the position of the second operator 33B1. As described above, the numerical value indicating the position of the first operator 33A1 is a numerical value between 0 and 1, and the numerical value indicating the position of the second operator 33B1 is a numerical value between 0 and 1. Specifically, the storage unit stores, as the BPM change information, a function in which the smaller the numerical value obtained by the division, the closer the BPM approaches the BPM of the second music piece, and the larger the numerical value obtained by the division, the closer the BPM approaches the BPM of the first music piece. The function stored in the storage unit as the BPM change information may be a linear function as shown in FIG. 14 or a higher-order function such as a quadratic function. Note that the storage unit (not shown) may store, instead of the BPM change information, BPM change information indicating a playback BPM corresponding to the numerical value obtained by dividing the overall volume of the first piece of music by the overall volume of the second piece of music. As described above, the overall volume of the first piece of music is set according to the position of the first operator 33A1, and the overall volume of the second piece of music is set according to the position of the second operator 33B1.

[0096] The BPM setting unit 66 obtains the numerical value resulting from the division based on the positions of the operators 33A1, 33B1 or the overall volume of each song, and obtains the playback BPM corresponding to the numerical value resulting from the division from the BPM change information. The BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each of the first song and the second song to the obtained playback BPM. This ensures that the playback BPMs of each song are consistent.

[0097] Based on this BPM change information, when the first operator 33A1 is located at the first end TA1 and the second operator 33B1 is located at the second end TB2, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each of the first and second music pieces to the BPM of the second music piece. In this case, in the example of FIG. 14 , the playback BPM of each music piece is set to 120. This arrangement of the operators 33A1 and 33B1 results in the overall volume of the first music piece being the first minimum volume V1min and the overall volume of the second music piece being the second maximum volume V2max. When at least one of the first operator 33A1 being operated in the +DA direction from the first end TA1 and the second operator 33B1 being operated in the −DB direction from the second end TB2 is performed, the BPM setting unit 66 changes the playback BPM of each music piece from the BPM of the second music piece to the BPM of the first music piece.

[0098] On the other hand, when the first operator 33A1 is located at the second end TA2 and the second operator 33B1 is located at the first end TB1, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each of the first and second music pieces to the BPM of the first music piece. In this case, in the example of FIG. 14 , the playback BPM of each music piece is set to 100. This arrangement of the operators 33A1 and 33B1 satisfies the condition that the overall volume of the first music piece is the first set volume V1st and the overall volume of the second music piece is the second minimum volume V2min. When at least one of the first operator 33A1 is operated in the −DA direction from the second end TA2 and the second operator 33B1 is operated in the +DB direction from the first end TB1, the BPM setting unit 66 adjusts the playback BPM of each music piece from the BPM of the first music piece to the BPM of the second music piece.

[0099] With this configuration, for example, when the first operator 33A1 is located at the second end TA2, the second operator 33B1 is operated from the first end TB1 to the second end TB2, and then the first operator 33A1 is operated from the second end TA2 to the first end TA1. As the volume adjustment unit 65 switches the output music from the first music piece to the second music piece, the BPM setting unit 66 can change the playback BPM of the second music piece from the BPM of the first music piece to the BPM of the second music piece as the volume of the second music piece increases, and can change the playback BPM of the first music piece from the BPM of the first music piece to the BPM of the second music piece as the volume of the first music piece decreases. As a result, when the proportion of the first music piece in the volume output from the sound control device that is accounted for by the first music piece is higher than that of the second music piece, each music piece can be played at a playback BPM that is closer to the BPM of the first music piece than the BPM of the second music piece. Furthermore, when the proportion of the second music piece in the volume output from the sound control device is higher than that of the first music piece, each music piece can be played back at a playback BPM closer to the BPM of the second music piece than to the BPM of the first music piece. Therefore, each music piece can be mixed with the same playback BPM without manually adjusting the playback BPM of each music piece.

[0100] [Configuration of Operation Determination Unit and Playback Control Unit] The operation determination unit 67 and playback control unit 68 shown in Fig. 11 function when the operating mode of the acoustic control device is in assist mode. The operation determination unit 67 determines the operation of the fader operator 51. Specifically, the operation determination unit 67 determines whether the speed of the fader operator 51 when it moves from one of the first end TC1 and the second end TC2 to the other is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In other words, the operation determination unit 67 determines whether the time it takes for the fader operator 51 to move from one of the first end TC1 and the second end TC2 to the other is less than a predetermined time.

[0101] The playback control unit 68 controls the playback state of the first music piece by the first playback unit 61A and the playback state of the second music piece by the second playback unit 62A in response to the operation of the fader operator 51 of the crossfader 5. Specifically, the playback control unit 68 controls the playback positions of the first music piece and the second music piece based on the determination result of the operation determination unit 67. If the playback control unit 68 determines that the speed of the fader operator 51 when it moves from one of the first end TC1 and the second end TC2 to the other is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it executes the first playback control process described below. If the playback control unit 68 determines that the speed is less than the predetermined value, it executes the second playback control process described below. In other words, if the playback control unit 68 determines that the time it takes for the fader operator 51 to move from one of the first end TC1 and the second end TC2 to the other is equal to or greater than a predetermined time, it executes the first playback control process described below. If the playback control unit 68 determines that the time it takes for the fader operator 51 to move from one of the first end TC1 and the second end TC2 to the other is less than the predetermined time, it executes the second playback control process described below.

[0102] Specifically, if the fader operator 51, which has moved away from one of the first end TC1 and the second end TC2, reaches the other end within a predetermined time, the playback control unit 68 executes the following second playback control process, and if the fader operator 51 has not reached the other end even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the playback control unit 68 executes the following first playback control process. Note that in either playback control process, if the fader operator 51 is located at the first end TC1 or the second end TC2, the playback control unit 68 does not control the playback of the first music piece by the first playback unit 61A or the playback of the second music piece by the second playback unit 62A.

[0103] [First Playback Control Process] The first playback control process is performed when the fader operator 51 is slowly operated from one of the first end TC1 and the second end TC2 to the other. The following description will discuss the case where the fader operator 51 is operated from the first end TC1 to the second end TC2. When the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the first end TC1, the playback control unit 68 moves the playback position of the first music piece to a predetermined first playback position and moves the playback position of the second music piece to a predetermined third playback position. Note that if playback of the second music piece by the second playback unit 62A has stopped, the playback control unit 68 causes the second playback unit 62A to start playback of the second music piece.

[0104] When the playback position of the first music piece moves to the first playback position, the playback control unit 68 loops playback between the first playback position and a predetermined second playback position that is a playback position after the first playback position. When the playback position of the second music piece moves to the third playback position, the playback control unit 68 loops playback between the third playback position and a predetermined fourth playback position that is a playback position after the third playback position. That is, when the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the first end TC1, the playback position of the second music piece moves to the third playback position, which is a playback position before the fourth playback position. When the fader operator 51 reaches the second end TC2, the playback control unit 68 terminates the loop playback of the first music piece by the first playback unit 61A and the loop playback of the second music piece by the second playback unit 62A. This allows the first music piece to be replaced by the second music piece and the second music piece to be played back to the fourth playback position.

[0105] [Specific Example of First Playback Control Processing] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first playback control processing by the playback control unit 68. Note that in FIG. 15, "Breakdown" is written as "Break." Next, a specific example of the first playback control processing will be described with reference to FIG. 14. In the example of FIG. 15, each of the first and second songs is a song in which song elements are connected in the following order: Intro, Breakdown 1, Buildup 1, Drop 1, Breakdown 2, Buildup 2, Drop 2, and Outro. In the example of FIG. 15, the start position of the outro is set as the first playback position of the first song, and the end position of the outro, i.e., the end position of the first song, is set as the second playback position of the first song. In the example of FIG. 15, a position midway through Buildup 1 is set as the third playback position of the second song, and the start position of Drop 1 is set as the fourth playback position of the second song.

[0106] For example, as shown in the top row of FIG. 15 , when the fader operator 51 is located at the first end TC1, the playback control unit 68 does not control the first playback unit 61A's playback of the first music piece and the second playback unit 62A's playback of the second music piece. Therefore, the first music piece is played by the first playback unit 61A at the BPM of the first music piece. As shown in the second row of FIG. 15 , when the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from the first end TC1, the playback control unit 68 moves the playback position PP1 of the first music piece to the start position of the outro (first playback position) and moves the playback position PP2 of the second music piece to a position midway through Build-Up 1 (third playback position). As described above, when playback of the second music piece is stopped, the playback control unit 68 causes the second playback unit 62A to start playback of the second music piece.

[0107] 15, when playback position PP1 of the first song moves to the start position of the outro of the first song, the playback control unit 68 causes the first playback unit 61A to repeat playback of the portion of the song between the start position of the outro of the first song and the end position of the outro (second playback position). At the same time, when playback position PP2 of the second song moves to a position midway through build-up 1, the playback control unit 68 causes the second playback unit 62A to repeat playback of the portion of the song between a position midway through build-up 1 of the second song and the position of drop 1 (fourth playback position).

[0108] As shown in the fourth row from the top of FIG. 15 , when the fader operator 51 is positioned at the second end TC2, the playback control unit 68 cancels repeat playback of the first track and repeat playback of the second track. As a result, playback of the first track by the first playback unit 61A ends when the outro of the first track finishes, while playback of the second track by the second playback unit 62A continues, and after a while, Drop 1 of the second track is played. As described above, when the fader operator 51 is positioned at the second end TC2, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the overall volume of the first track to the first minimum volume V1min and the overall volume of the second track to the second preset volume V2st. Furthermore, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of each track to the BPM of the second track.

[0109] The above describes the case where the fader operator 51 is operated from the first end TC1 to the second end TC2. However, the same applies when the fader operator 51 is operated from the second end TC2 to the first end TC1. That is, when the fader operator 51 is operated in the −DC direction from the second end TC2, the playback position PP2 is moved to the first playback position of the second song, and then the portion of the song between the first playback position and the second playback position is repeated. At the same time, the playback position PP1 is moved to the third playback position of the first song, and then the portion of the song between the third playback position and the fourth playback position is repeated. Then, when the fader operator 51 is placed at the first end TC1, the playback control unit 68 cancels the repeat playback of each song. In this way, the playback position of the first song and the playback position of the second song are controlled in accordance with operation from the first end TC1 and operation from the second end TC2 of the fader operator 51, thereby allowing the first song and the second song to be mixed naturally.

[0110] [Playback of music when end is reached] The playback control unit 68 described above cancels repeat playback of the music portion between the third playback position and the fourth playback position of the second music piece when the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction and reaches the second end TC2. In other words, although repeat playback of the second music piece is canceled, playback continues from the playback position when the fader operator 51 reaches the second end TC2. However, the playback control unit 68 may implement one of the following first and second patterns.

[0111] In the first pattern, the playback position PP2 of the second song is moved to the fourth playback position when the fader operator 51 reaches the second end TC2. In the example of Figure 14, drop 1 of the second song is played when the overall volume of the first song reaches the first minimum volume V1min, allowing the first song to be swapped with the second song naturally. In the second pattern, if the playback position PP2 of the second song has not yet reached a bar boundary when the fader operator 51 reaches the second end TC2, the playback position PP2 is moved to the fourth playback position when playback of the current bar ends. In the example of Figure 14, the playback position PP2 of the second song is moved to drop 1 at the bar boundary, allowing the songs to be mixed naturally without any sudden changes in composition.

[0112] [Second Playback Control Process] The second playback control process is executed when the fader operator 51 is momentarily moved from one of the first end TC1 and the second end TC2 to the other. Specifically, the second playback control process moves the playback position of the second music piece to the fourth playback position of the second music piece when the fader operator 51 is momentarily moved from the first end TC1 to the second end TC2, and moves the playback position of the first music piece to the fourth playback position of the first music piece when the fader operator 51 is momentarily moved from the second end TC2 to the first end TC1. In this case, the volume adjustment unit 65 sets the overall volume of the first music piece to the first minimum volume V1min, and the first music piece is not output. When the second playback control process is executed by the playback control unit 68 in the case where the second music piece shown in FIG. 14 is played by the second playback unit 62A, the playback position of the second music piece is moved to the start position of drop 1 without changing the playback position of the first music piece. When the playback of the second song by the second playback unit 62A is stopped, the playback control unit 68 causes the second playback unit 62A to start playing the second song. By performing this second playback control process, when instantly switching from the first song to the second song, the chorus of the second song can be instantly played back.

[0113] [Configuration of Position Setting Unit and Position Selection Unit] The position setting unit 69 shown in FIG. 11 sets points that can be set to the first, second, third, and fourth playback positions for each song in response to a user's operation. For example, a cue is one such point. Another example of such points is the start position of each element included in a song. Note that, as described above, elements include an intro, a drop, and an outro. The position selection unit 70 functions when the operating mode of the acoustic control device is the assist mode. The position selection unit 70 selects the first, second, third, and fourth playback positions for each song from the points set by the position setting unit 69 in response to a user's operation. The playback positions selected by the position selection unit 70 are used in the first and second playback control processes performed by the playback control unit 68. The position setting unit 69 and the position selection unit 70 allow the user to set and select each playback position at any position.

[0114] [Effects of the Second Embodiment] The acoustic control device according to the present embodiment described above has the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the acoustic control device according to the first embodiment. The control unit 6A of the acoustic control device according to the present embodiment includes a BPM setting unit 66. When the BPM of the first music piece is different from the BPM of the second music piece, and when the volume of the entire first music piece is the first set volume V1st and the volume of the second music piece is the second minimum volume V2min, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the BPM during playback of the second music piece to the BPM of the first music piece. As the fader operator 51 is operated in a direction that decreases the volume of the first music piece and increases the volume of the second music piece, the BPM setting unit 66 brings the BPM during playback of the second music piece closer to the BPM of the second music piece. Furthermore, the BPM setting unit 66 changes the BPM during playback of the first music piece from the BPM of the first music piece to the BPM of the second music piece as the first operator 33A1 is operated in a direction that decreases the volume of the first music piece, and changes the BPM during playback of the second music piece from the BPM of the first music piece to the BPM of the second music piece as the second operator 33B1 is operated in a direction that increases the volume of the second music piece. The first set volume V1st is a maximum value that is preset for the volume of the first music piece, and the second minimum volume V2min is the minimum value for the overall volume of the second music piece.

[0115] With this configuration, as the proportion of the second music piece in the volume output from the audio control device increases relative to the proportion of the first music piece, the BPM of the second music piece during playback approaches the BPM of the second music piece from the BPM of the first music piece. This allows the playback BPMs of the first and second music pieces to be matched according to the volume balance between the first and second music pieces. In other words, since each music piece is played at a BPM close to the BPM of the music piece that accounts for a larger proportion of the output volume, this reduces the sense of incongruity felt when mixing the first and second music pieces with widely differing BPMs. This allows the first music piece to be seamlessly replaced with the second music piece.

[0116] The BPM setting unit 66 of the acoustic control device according to this embodiment matches the playback BPM of the second music piece to the BPM of the second music piece when the overall volume of the first music piece reaches the first minimum volume V1min and the overall volume of the second music piece reaches the second preset volume V2st within the operable range RC. Specifically, when the fader operator 51 is positioned at the second end TC2, the BPM setting unit 66 sets the playback BPM of the second music piece to the BPM of the second music piece. The second preset volume V2st is a maximum value preset for the volume of the second music piece, and the first minimum volume V1min is the minimum value for the overall volume of the first music piece. With this configuration, once the replacement of the first music piece with the second music piece is complete, the playback BPM of the second music piece becomes the BPM set for the second music piece. This allows the second music piece to be played at the BPM set for the second music piece.

[0117] [Modifications of the Embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications and improvements within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention are included in the present invention. In the above-described embodiments, the fader operator 51 of the crossfader 5, the first operator 33A1 of the first channel fader 33A, and the second operator 33B1 of the second channel fader 33B are listed as the operators for adjusting the volume of the first music piece and the second music piece. However, this is not limited to this, and the operators for adjusting the volume of each of the first music piece and the second music piece simultaneously or individually do not have to be slidable operators and may be, for example, operating knobs that are rotatable around a rotation axis. In other words, the operators in the present invention may be other operators. Furthermore, the audio control device of the present invention may have only an assist mode as an operating mode. Furthermore, the audio control device of the present invention may have multiple operators, and when one of the multiple operators is operated, the volume adjustment unit 65 functions in normal mode, and when another operator is operated, the volume adjustment unit 65 functions in assist mode.

[0118] In the above embodiments, in the second range RC2 in which the volumes of the first and second music pieces are adjusted in assist mode, the volume levels of the high-frequency band of the first music piece, the mid-frequency band of the first music piece, the high-frequency band of the second music piece, and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece are maintained at the set levels H1lv, M1lv, H2lv, and M2lv. However, this is not limited thereto, and the volume levels of the high-frequency band of the first music piece, the mid-frequency band of the first music piece, the high-frequency band of the second music piece, and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece may be maintained at predetermined volume levels. For example, when the fader control 51 is operated in the +DC direction, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece may begin to increase before the volume levels of the high-frequency band of the second music piece and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece reach the set levels H2lv and M2lv, and the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece may begin to decrease before the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece reaches the minimum level L1min. The same applies when the first operator 33A1 and the second operator 33B1 are operated.

[0119] In the above embodiments, when the fader operator 51 is located at the middle position of the operable range RC, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece are made the same. However, this is not limiting, and the position of the fader operator 51 when the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece are made the same does not necessarily have to be the middle position of the operable range RC.

[0120] In the above embodiments, when the fader operator 51 reaches the first end TC1 of the operable range RC, the volume of the entire second music piece is set to the second minimum volume V2min, and when it reaches the second end TC2, the volume of the entire first music piece is set to the first minimum volume V1min. However, the position of the fader operator 51 when the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction to set the volume of the entire first music piece to the first minimum volume V1min does not have to be the second end TC2, but may be a position on the -DC side of the second end TC2. Similarly, the position of the fader operator 51 when the fader operator 51 is operated in the -DC direction to set the volume of the entire second music piece to the second minimum volume V2min does not have to be the first end TC1, but may be a position on the +DC side of the first end TC1. Furthermore, when the fader operator 51 reaches the first end TC1 of the operable range RC, the volume of the entire second music piece does not have to be set to the second minimum volume V2min, and when the fader operator 51 reaches the second end TC2, the volume of the entire first music piece does not have to be set to the first minimum volume V1min. The same applies when the first operator 33A1 and the second operator 33B1 are operated to the first ends TA1, TB1 and the second ends TA2, TB2.

[0121] In the above embodiments, when the fader operator 51 is operated further in the +DC direction from the third position PC3, where the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece is at the minimum level H1min, the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece are lowered. However, this is not limited to this. As described above, when the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction from a position −DC from the third position PC3, the volume levels of not only the low-frequency band of the first music piece but also the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first music piece may be lowered. The same applies to the volume level of the second music piece, and also when the first operator 33A1 and the second operator 33B1 are operated.

[0122] In the above embodiments, the operable range RC includes a first range RC1, a second range RC2, and a third range RC3. In the first range RC1, the volume adjustment unit 65 increases the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction when the volume levels of the high-frequency band, the mid-frequency band, and the low-frequency band of the first music piece are set to the preset levels H1lv, M1lv, and L1lv, respectively, and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece is set to the minimum level L2min. In the second range RC2, when the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of each song are set levels H1lv, M1lv, H2lv, and M2lv, respectively, the volume adjustment unit 65 decreases the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first song and increases the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second song as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +D direction. In the third range RC3, when the volume levels of the high-frequency band, the mid-frequency band, and the low-frequency band of the second song are set levels H2lv, M2lv, and L2lv, respectively, and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first song is set to minimum level L2min, the volume adjustment unit 65 decreases the volume levels of the high-frequency band and the mid-frequency band of the first song as the fader operator 51 is operated in the +DC direction. The set levels H1lv, M1lv, L1lv, H2lv, M2lv, and L2lv are maximum levels preset for the corresponding frequency bands. However, this is not limiting. For example, a portion of the first range RC1 and a portion of the second range RC2 may overlap, and a portion of the second range RC2 and a portion of the third range RC3 may overlap. The operable range RC may also be divided into more ranges. For example, a range for increasing or decreasing the volume of the high-frequency band of the first music piece may be separate from a range for increasing or decreasing the volume of the mid-frequency band of the first music piece. Similarly, a range for increasing or decreasing the volume of the high-frequency band of the second music piece may be separate from a range for increasing or decreasing the volume of the mid-frequency band of the second music piece.

[0123] In the above embodiments, the first range RC1 is one-third of the operable range RC from the first end TC1, the second range RC2 is one-third of the operable range RC from the second position PC2, and the third range RC3 is one-third of the operable range RC from the third position PC3. In other words, the ranges RC1 to RC3 are equally divided within the operable range RC. However, this is not limiting, and one of the first range RC1, second range RC2, and third range RC3 may be larger than the others.

[0124] In the above embodiments, the acoustic control program that is read and executed by the arithmetic processing circuit, which is a computer, is stored in a storage unit (not shown). However, this is not limiting. The acoustic control program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and read from the recording medium and executed when the acoustic control device 1 is in operation. The acoustic control program may also be provided from a provider device, such as a server, via a network, such as the Internet.

[0125] [Summary of the Invention] The following is a summary of the invention. [1] An audio control device that mixes a first music piece and a second music piece lowers the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and raises the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece in response to an operation of a control that adjusts the volume of the first music piece and the second music piece, thereby switching the magnitude relationship between the volume of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the volume of the low-frequency band of the second music piece. With this configuration, when mixing the first music piece and the second music piece, the low-frequency components of each music piece are swapped, so that the total volume of the low-frequency components of each music piece can be maintained at approximately the same level as the total volume of each low-frequency component before mixing. This prevents the low-frequency components from sounding too strong during mixing of the first music piece and the second music piece, compared to mixing the entire first music piece and the entire second music piece without adjusting the frequencies. Therefore, the first music piece and the second music piece can be mixed without creating a strange sound.

[0126] [2] The audio control device described in [1] maintains the volume levels of the high-frequency band of the first music piece, the mid-frequency band of the first music piece, the high-frequency band of the second music piece, and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece while lowering the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and raising the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece. With this configuration, when the volume level of the low-frequency band of each music piece is increased or decreased, the volume levels of the other frequency bands of each music piece are not changed, so only the volume of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the volume of the low-frequency band of the second music piece can be swapped. This prevents the low-frequency components of each music piece from sounding stronger than the other frequency components. This allows the first music piece and the second music piece to be mixed without creating a sense of incongruity.

[0127] [3] In the sound control device according to [1] or [2], the volume of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the volume of the low-frequency band of the second music piece are swapped when the volume levels of the high-frequency band of the first music piece, the mid-frequency band of the first music piece, the high-frequency band of the second music piece, and the mid-frequency band of the second music piece are all at a preset maximum level. This configuration prevents the low-frequency components of each music piece from sounding stronger than the other frequency components, allowing the music pieces to be mixed without sounding out of place.

[0128] [4] In the acoustic control device described in any one of [1] to [3], when the operator reaches an intermediate position in the operable range of the operator, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece are made equal. This configuration allows the user to intuitively grasp the position where the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the volume level of the low-frequency band of the second music piece become equal. This makes it easier to adjust the volume level of the low-frequency band of each music piece.

[0129] [5] In the audio control device according to any one of [1] to [4], when the operator reaches one end of the operable range of the operator, the volume of the entire first music piece is set to minimum. With this configuration, when the operator reaches the end, only the second music piece is output. This not only enables the first music piece to be replaced with the second music piece, but also makes it easier for the user to grasp the point at which the first music piece and the second music piece are replaced.

[0130] [6] In the acoustic control device described in any one of [1] to [5], when the operator is operated in a first direction, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece is lowered, and when the operator is further operated in the first direction from a position where the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece is minimum, the volume levels of each of the high-frequency band and mid-frequency band of the first music piece are lowered. With this configuration, when the operator is operated in the first direction, the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece is reduced after the volume level of the low-frequency band of the first music piece is reduced. Therefore, when switching from the first music piece to the second music piece, the volume of the low-frequency band of the first music piece is switched with the volume of the low-frequency band of the second music piece, and then the volume of each of the high-frequency band and mid-frequency band of the first music piece is lowered, allowing the user to seamlessly switch from the first music piece to the second music piece.

[0131] [7] In the audio control device according to any one of [1] to [6], the operator is a crossfader having a slidable fader operator. With this configuration, the first music piece and the second music piece can be mixed seamlessly by operating the fader operator. Therefore, the operation of mixing the first music piece and the second music piece can be performed more easily than when an operator for adjusting the volume of the first music piece and an operator for adjusting the volume of the second music piece are operated separately.

[0132] [8] In the acoustic control device described in [7], when a direction from a first end to a second end in an operable range of the fader operator is defined as a first operation direction, the operable range includes: a first range between a first position and a second position located in the first operation direction relative to the first position; a second range between the second position and a third position located in the first operation direction relative to the second position; and a third range between the third position and a fourth position located in the first operation direction relative to the third position, wherein when the fader operator is located in the first range, the volume levels of the high frequency band of the first music piece, the mid frequency band of the first music piece, and the low frequency band of the first music piece are at preset maximum levels, and the volume level of the low frequency band of the second music piece is at a preset minimum level, the volume levels of the high frequency band of the second music piece and the mid frequency band of the second music piece are increased as the fader operator is operated in the first operation direction, When the fader operator is positioned in the second range, with the volume levels of the high frequency band of the first song, the mid frequency band of the first song, the high frequency band of the second song, and the mid frequency band of the second song all at a preset maximum level, the volume level of the low frequency band of the first song is decreased and the volume level of the low frequency band of the second song is increased as the fader operator is operated in the first operating direction; when the fader operator is positioned in the third range, with the volume levels of the high frequency band of the second song, the mid frequency band of the second song, and the low frequency band of the second song all at a preset maximum level and the volume level of the low frequency band of the first song is decreased as the fader operator is operated in the first operating direction. With this configuration, by moving the fader operator from the first end to the second end, the volume of each of the high frequency band and mid frequency band of the second song is increased, and after the volume of the low frequency band of the second song and the volume of the low frequency band of the first song are swapped, the volume of each of the high frequency band and mid frequency band of the first song is decreased.Therefore, the first piece of music can be switched to the second piece of music without any awkwardness.

[0133] [9] [8] In the acoustic control device described in [8], the first position is the first end, the fourth position is the second end, the first range is one-third of the operable range from the first end, the second range is one-third of the operable range from the second position, and the third range is one-third of the operable range from the third position. With this configuration, a user can intuitively grasp the first range in which the volume of each of the high-frequency band and mid-frequency band of the second music piece is adjusted, the second range in which the volume of each of the low-frequency band of the first music piece and the low-frequency band of the second music piece is adjusted, and the third range in which the volume of each of the high-frequency band and mid-frequency band of the first music piece is adjusted. In other words, the user can intuitively grasp the range in which the volume of each frequency band of each music piece is adjusted. This makes it easier to operate the fader controls when mixing the first music piece and the second music piece.

[0134]

[10] In the audio control device described in any one of [1] to [9], when the BPM of the first music piece and the BPM of the second music piece differ, when the volume of the first music piece is at a preset maximum value and the volume of the second music piece is at a preset minimum value, the BPM during playback of the second music piece is set to the BPM of the first music piece, and as the operator is operated in a direction decreasing the volume of the first music piece and increasing the volume of the second music piece, the BPM during playback of the second music piece approaches the BPM of the second music piece. With this configuration, as the proportion of the second music piece in the volume output from the audio control device becomes greater than the proportion of the first music piece, the BPM during playback of the second music piece approaches the BPM of the second music piece from the BPM of the first music piece. Therefore, the BPM during playback of each music piece can be adjusted depending on the volume balance between the first music piece and the second music piece. That is, since each song is played at a BPM close to the BPM of the song that accounts for a larger proportion of the output volume, it is possible to reduce the sense of incongruity when mixing a first song and a second song that have widely different BPMs. Therefore, it is possible to switch from the first song to the second song without any sense of incongruity.

[0135]

[11] In the acoustic control device described in

[10] , when the volume of the first music piece reaches a minimum value and the volume of the second music piece reaches a preset maximum value within the operable range of the operator, the BPM during playback of the second music piece is made to match the BPM of the second music piece. With this configuration, when the replacement of the first music piece with the second music piece is completed, the BPM during playback of the second music piece becomes the BPM set for the second music piece. Therefore, the second music piece can be played at the BPM set for the second music piece.

[0136]

[12] An acoustic control program is recorded in a computer-readable format and causes the computer to function as the acoustic control device described in any one of [1] to

[11] . By having the computer execute such an acoustic control program, the same effects as those of the acoustic control device described above can be achieved.

[0137] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...acoustic control device, 33A...first channel fader, 33A1...first operator (operator), 33B...second channel fader, 33B1...second operator (operator), 5...crossfader, 51...fader operator, 6, 6A...control unit, 61, 61A...first playback unit, 62, 62A...second playback unit, 63...position acquisition unit, 64...mode switching unit, 65...volume adjustment unit, 66...BPM Setting unit, 67...operation determination unit, 68...playback control unit, 69...position setting unit, 70...position selection unit, PA1...position, PB1...position, PC1...first position, PC2...second position, PC3...third position, PC4...fourth position, RA, RB, RC...operable range, RA1, RB1, RC1...first range, RA2, RB2, RC2...second range, RC3...third range, TC1...first end, TC2...second end.

Claims

1. An audio control device for mixing a first piece of music and a second piece of music, In response to an operation of an operator for adjusting the volume of the first piece of music and the volume of the second piece of music, An acoustic control device characterized by swapping only the volume of the low frequency band of the first music piece with the volume of the low frequency band of the second music piece by lowering the volume level of the low frequency band of the first music piece and raising the volume level of the low frequency band of the second music piece.

2. 2. The acoustic control device according to claim 1, an acoustic control device that maintains the volume levels of the high frequency band of the first music piece, the mid frequency band of the first music piece, the high frequency band of the second music piece, and the mid frequency band of the second music piece while lowering the volume level of the low frequency band of the first music piece and increasing the volume level of the low frequency band of the second music piece.

3. 2. The acoustic control device according to claim 1, an acoustic control device which swaps the volume of the low frequency band of the first music piece with the volume of the low frequency band of the second music piece while the volume levels of the high frequency band of the first music piece, the mid frequency band of the first music piece, the high frequency band of the second music piece, and the mid frequency band of the second music piece are at predetermined maximum levels.

4. 2. The acoustic control device according to claim 1, An acoustic control device characterized in that, when the operator reaches an intermediate position in the operable range of the operator, the volume level of the low frequency band of the first music piece is made equal to the volume level of the low frequency band of the second music piece.

5. 2. The acoustic control device according to claim 1, 2. An audio control device comprising: a control unit for controlling a volume of the first piece of music to be minimized when the control unit reaches one end of an operable range of the control unit.

6. 2. The acoustic control device according to claim 1, When the operator is operated in a first direction, the volume level of a low frequency band of the first music piece is decreased, When the position of the operator is further moved in the first direction from a position where the volume level of the low frequency band of the first music piece is at a minimum level, the volume levels of the high frequency band and the mid frequency band of the first music piece are lowered.

7. 2. The acoustic control device according to claim 1, 11. The acoustic control device, wherein the operator is a crossfader having a slidable fader operator.

8. 8. The acoustic control device according to claim 7, When a direction from a first end to a second end in an operable range of the fader operator is defined as a first operation direction, the operable range is a first range between a first position and a second position located in the first operation direction relative to the first position; a second range between the second position and a third position located in the first operation direction relative to the second position; a third range between the third position and a fourth position located in the first operation direction relative to the third position, when the fader operator is located in the first range, in a state in which the volume levels of a high frequency band of the first music piece, a mid frequency band of the first music piece, and a low frequency band of the first music piece are at a preset maximum level and the volume level of the low frequency band of the second music piece is at a preset minimum level, the volume levels of the high frequency band of the second music piece and the mid frequency band of the second music piece are increased as the fader operator is operated in the first operation direction; when the fader operator is located in the second range, in a state in which the volume levels of a high frequency band of the first music piece, a mid frequency band of the first music piece, a high frequency band of the second music piece, and a mid frequency band of the second music piece are at preset maximum levels, the volume level of the low frequency band of the first music piece is decreased and the volume level of the low frequency band of the second music piece is increased as the fader operator is operated in the first operation direction; an acoustic control device characterized in that, when the fader operator is positioned in the third range, the volume levels of the high frequency band of the second music piece, the mid frequency band of the second music piece, and the low frequency band of the second music piece are at a predetermined maximum level, and the volume level of the low frequency band of the first music piece is at a minimum level, the volume levels of the high frequency band of the first music piece and the mid frequency band of the first music piece are reduced as the fader operator is operated in the first operating direction.

9. 9. The acoustic control device according to claim 8, the first location is the first end, the fourth location is the second end, the first range is a range of 1 / 3 of the operable range from the first end, the second range is a range of 1 / 3 of the operable range from the second position, The acoustic control device according to claim 1, wherein the third range is a range from the third position to ⅓ of the operable range.

10. The acoustic control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, When the BPM of the first piece of music is different from the BPM of the second piece of music, When the volume of the first music piece is a preset maximum value and the volume of the second music piece is a preset minimum value, the BPM during playback of the second music piece is set to the BPM of the first music piece; An acoustic control device characterized in that as the operator is operated in a direction in which the volume of the first music piece decreases and the volume of the second music piece increases, the BPM of the second music piece during playback is brought closer to the BPM of the second music piece.

11. The acoustic control device according to claim 10, An acoustic control device characterized in that, when the volume of the first song reaches a minimum value and the volume of the second song reaches a predetermined maximum value within the operable range of the operator, the BPM of the second song during playback is matched to the BPM of the second song.

12. An audio control program recorded in a computer-readable manner and causing a computer to function as the audio control device according to claim 1.