Electronic musical instrument and performance data editing device

Abstract

This electronic musical instrument is provided with: a speed sensor for detecting, with regard to each of sound-producing operation pieces, an operation piece speed at which the relevant operation piece was operated; a pressure sensor for detecting an operation piece pressure applied to the operation pieces; a controller for controlling the electronic musical instrument; and a sound source circuit. The controller converts the operation piece speeds to a key velocity, which is a digital value established in a performance data standard, and converts the operation piece pressures to an aftertouch, which is a digital value established in the performance data standard, and if the key velocity is a maximum value established in the performance data standard, executes a control in which, in addition to the most intense sound in a dynamic range indicating the intensity range of sound outputted from the sound source circuit that is preset, a limit-break sound that has an intensity corresponding to the relevant aftertouch and is even more intense than the most intense sound is outputted from the sound source circuit.

Description

Electronic musical instrument and performance data editing device

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic musical instrument and a performance data editing device.

[0002] MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface: registered trademark) is known as a standard for transferring and sharing performance data of electronic musical instruments between devices. The MIDI standard uses "key velocity" as a parameter that indicates the strength of a sound. Key velocity is generated by detecting the keystroke speed for each key (note) and converting that keystroke speed into key velocity. Key velocity is expressed as a value between 0 and 127, with the higher the value, the stronger the sound that is output. In other words, when the key velocity value is 127, a musical note is produced at the strongest sound within the set dynamic range.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses, as an example of a volume data conversion device conforming to the MIDI standard, an electronic volume data musical instrument that creates a conversion table based on the key velocity indicated by a conversion characteristic input key, stores it in memory, and when a key velocity is input, refers to the conversion table, reads out and outputs playback sound data corresponding to the input value of the key velocity.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-292883

[0005] In electronic musical instruments that conform to the MIDI standard, if you want to play a louder sound, you need to press the keys faster, i.e., increase your keystroke speed. However, the keystroke speed detected by the sensor is converted into a key velocity expressed as a number between 0 and 127, so no matter how fast you press a key, you cannot express a sound with a louder intensity that exceeds the upper limit of key velocity, which is 127. In other words, under the MIDI standard, the expression of sound intensity is limited to the upper limit of key velocity, which is 127.

[0006] However, when professional performers play acoustic instruments such as upright pianos or grand pianos, in addition to the normal keystrokes, they can also locally strike the keys as hard as possible, which causes the hammers to strike the piano wires more strongly, producing a momentary loud sound. Therefore, there is a demand for performance data that conforms to the MIDI standard to be able to express the intensity of sounds like those of acoustic instruments, without being restricted by the upper key velocity limit of 127.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an electronic musical instrument and a performance data reproducing device that expands the degree of freedom in expressing sound intensity in the MIDI standard.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an electronic musical instrument comprising, for each sound-producing operator, a velocity sensor that detects the operator velocity at which the operator is operated, a pressure sensor that detects the operator pressure applied to the operator, a controller that controls the electronic musical instrument, and a sound source circuit, wherein the controller converts the operator velocity into a key velocity that is a digital value defined in a performance data standard, and converts the operator pressure into an aftertouch that is a digital value defined in the performance data standard, and if the key velocity is the maximum value defined in the performance data standard, executes control to cause the sound source circuit to output, in addition to the strongest sound in a dynamic range that indicates the range of strength of the sound output from the sound source circuit, a limit-breaking sound that has a strength corresponding to the aftertouch and is even stronger than the strongest sound.

[0009] Preferably, the controller obtains the peak value of the aftertouch obtained by converting the pressure on the operator within a predetermined time period from the start of operation when the key velocity on the operator is operated at the maximum value specified in the performance data standard, and outputs the limit-breaking sound from the sound source circuit with a strength corresponding to the peak value.

[0010] The present invention also provides a performance data editing device comprising a controller and a sound source circuit, wherein when the controller acquires performance data including a key velocity obtained by converting into a digital value the velocity at which a control of an electronic musical instrument is operated, if the key velocity is the maximum value defined in the performance data standard and the peak value of an aftertouch obtained by converting into a digital value the pressure of the control applied to the control within a predetermined time from the time the key velocity data is acquired is 1 or greater, the controller executes control to cause the sound source circuit to output, in addition to the strongest sound in a dynamic range indicating the range of strength of the sound output from the preset sound source circuit, a limit-breaking sound whose strength corresponds to the aftertouch and is even stronger than the strongest sound.

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic musical instrument and a performance data reproducing device that expands the degree of freedom in expressing sound intensity in the MIDI standard.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the transmission and reception state of performance data using the MIDI standard between electronic keyboard instruments to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the transmission and reception state of performance data using the MIDI standard between an electronic keyboard instrument to which the present invention is applied and a personal computer. FIG. 3 is a side view in the key longitudinal direction of an electronic keyboard instrument. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in the key width direction of an electronic keyboard instrument. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a controller mounted on an electronic keyboard instrument. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a limit breakthrough program installed in an electronic keyboard instrument according to this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing during performance of an electronic keyboard instrument according to this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the sound intensity when key velocities are from 1 to 127. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the sound intensity when limit breakthrough is activated.

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to designate the same parts, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0014] The electronic musical instrument and performance data editing device according to this embodiment aim to more closely resemble the performance of a real acoustic instrument. In other words, most real acoustic instruments are capable of producing eye-opening, loud performances when played at full volume, even beyond the dynamics (range of loudness and softness) of "normal performance." However, in MIDI-compliant electronic musical instruments, sound volume is defined by key velocity, so performances above the upper key velocity limit cannot be reflected as sound volume. Therefore, the electronic musical instrument according to this embodiment is characterized by its ability to achieve the above-mentioned "eye-opening, loud performances." Examples of instruments to which this embodiment can be applied include almost all acoustic instruments, with the exception of harpsichords and organs (which inherently do not vary sound volume based on keystroke strength) and some sound-effect percussion instruments that are not played at full volume. Particularly preferred are keyboard instruments such as pianos, percussion instruments such as drums and xylophones, string instruments such as guitars, bowed instruments such as cellos, and brass and woodwind instruments, which allow professional and advanced performers to express themselves in a more intense way than is normally possible. Therefore, in this embodiment, an electronic keyboard instrument will be used as an example. Therefore, the keys correspond to the controls that the performer operates to produce sound.

[0015] Fig. 1 shows the transmission and reception of performance data using the MIDI standard between electronic keyboard instruments to which the present invention is applied. Fig. 2 shows the transmission and reception of performance data using the MIDI standard between an electronic keyboard instrument to which the present invention is applied and a personal computer. The MIDI standard is an example of a performance data standard.

[0016] The electronic keyboard instrument 10 shown in Fig. 1 has a keyboard 12, a MIDI output terminal 13, and a MIDI input terminal 14 on the surface of a housing 11. Like the electronic keyboard instrument 10, the electronic keyboard instrument 20 shown in Fig. 1 also has a keyboard 22, a MIDI output terminal 23, a MIDI input terminal 24, and a volume button (not shown) on the surface of a housing 21, and these functions are the same as those of the electronic keyboard instrument 10. Therefore, in the following, the explanation of the electronic keyboard instrument 10 also applies to the configuration of the electronic keyboard instrument 20, so duplicate explanations will be omitted.

[0017] The MIDI standard is based on one-way communication. Therefore, when transmitting and receiving MIDI signals between two devices, the MIDI output terminal 13 of the electronic keyboard instrument 10 is connected to the MIDI input terminal 24 of the electronic keyboard instrument 20 as shown in Figure 1, and the MIDI signal is sent from the electronic keyboard instrument 10 to the electronic keyboard instrument 20. Furthermore, to enable two-way communication, the MIDI output terminal 23 of the electronic keyboard instrument 20 is connected to the MIDI input terminal 24 of the electronic keyboard instrument 10, and the MIDI signal is sent from the electronic keyboard instrument 20 to the electronic keyboard instrument 10. The MIDI signal corresponds to performance data, as it is data that indicates the performance status of the electronic keyboard instruments 10 and 20.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the electronic keyboard instrument 10 can also be connected to a personal computer 30 on which the Limit Break program of the present invention has been installed. In this case, to transmit and receive MIDI signals between the electronic keyboard instrument 10 and the personal computer 30, the MIDI output terminal 13 of the electronic keyboard instrument 10 is connected to the MIDI input terminal (not shown) of the personal computer 30, and the MIDI signal is sent from the electronic keyboard instrument 10 to the personal computer 30. The personal computer 30 can, for example, receive and edit the MIDI signal from the electronic keyboard instrument 10, and then process the edited MIDI signal internally or output it to another MIDI device. Therefore, the personal computer 30 corresponds to a performance data editing device.

[0019] 3 is a side view of a key of the electronic keyboard instrument 10. When the key 12n is pressed (when the performer plays the key 12n), the key 12n rotates around the fulcrum 17. A key pressure sensor 18 is provided below the fulcrum 17. The key pressure sensor 18 detects the pressure when the key 12n is pressed, more specifically, the pressure when the key 12n is pressed further after being pressed all the way down. Based on the output signal of the key pressure sensor 18 at this time, the value is converted into an aftertouch value indicating the pressure with which the key 12n is pressed. The pressure detected by the key pressure sensor 18 corresponds to the manipulator pressure. The configuration in which the key pressure sensor 18 is provided at the fulcrum 17 is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this example.

[0020] The aftertouch used in this embodiment may be monophonic aftertouch, i.e., channel pressure, which provides an effect for each MIDI channel, or polyphonic aftertouch, i.e., key pressure, which provides an effect for each individual key 12n. When monophonic aftertouch is used, a single aftertouch information is provided that is common to all keys, thereby reducing the processing load and data volume. When polyphonic aftertouch is used, individual aftertouch data is provided for each key, which increases the amount of information and makes the electronic musical instrument heavier, but each has the advantage of allowing for more detailed performance expression.

[0021] 3, a shutter 40 is provided below the key 12n, and a keystroke speed sensor 50 is provided on the upper surface of the shelf board 16 opposite the shutter 40. The shutter 40 and the keystroke speed sensor 50 are used to convert the keystroke speed of the key 12n into a key velocity value.

[0022] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic piano in the key width direction. As shown in Figure 4, the key striking velocity sensor 50 includes an upper optical sensor 51 and a lower optical sensor 52, which are spaced a predetermined distance apart in the vertical direction. The upper optical sensor 51 has a light emitter 51e and a light receiver 51r arranged to face each other in the left-right direction. The lower optical sensor 52 has a light emitter 52e and a light receiver 52r arranged to face each other in the key's short side direction (the left-right direction in Figure 4).

[0023] When the key 12n is pressed, first the upper optical sensor 51 is blocked from light, then the lower optical sensor 52 is blocked from light. Conversely, when the key is released, first the lower optical sensor 52 is switched to a light-receiving state, then the upper optical sensor 51 is switched to a light-receiving state. In this embodiment, the key velocity, which indicates the key depression speed, is detected based on the output signal of the key depression speed sensor 50.

[0024] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a controller 100 mounted on the electronic keyboard instrument 10. The controller 100 shown in Fig. 5 detects the key press / release timing and key press speed from the light blocking state of the key press speed sensor 50, calculates the key velocity based on this, and further detects the key press pressure after key press from the output signal of the key press pressure sensor 18 to calculate the aftertouch.

[0025] The controller 100 includes a CPU 101 , a RAM 102 , a ROM 103 , a HDD 104 , a panel switch (SW) 105 , a sensor interface (I / F) 106 , a timer 107 , and a sound source circuit 108 , which are connected to one another via a bus 109 .

[0026] The CPU 101 is a processor that controls each part of the device.

[0027] The RAM 102 is used as a storage area for control data used in the control performed by the CPU 101 .

[0028] The ROM 103 stores a limit breakthrough program used by the CPU 101 .

[0029] The HDD 104 is a storage medium that stores control data and MIDI data in a non-volatile manner.

[0030] The panel SW 105 is a group of panel switches made up of various operating elements.

[0031] The sensor I / F 106 outputs to the CPU 101 a signal corresponding to the light reception state of the upper optical sensor 51 and the lower optical sensor 52 provided for each keystroke velocity sensor 50. In this case, the CPU 101 recognizes which key 12n has been operated based on the signal supplied from the sensor I / F 105, and calculates the key velocity from the light blocking timing. Furthermore, when the CPU 101 receives a signal from the keystroke velocity sensor 50 via the sensor I / F 105, it recognizes key-on and key-off timing based on this signal. The CPU 101 then generates MIDI data for each event from the performance data.

[0032] The sensor I / F 106 also outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the pressure detected by the key depression pressure sensor 18 to the CPU 101. In this case, the CPU 101 calculates aftertouch, which indicates the pressure applied to the key 12n, and generates MIDI data. The aftertouch-enabled electronic keyboard instrument 10 immediately and continuously transmits the MIDI data "aftertouch" upon detecting the key depression pressure after the key is struck, regardless of the velocity.

[0033] The tone generator circuit 108 synthesizes musical tone signals in response to MIDI data supplied from the CPU 101. Tones are selected using various switches on an operation panel (not shown), and a musical tone waveform corresponding to the selected tone is selected. The musical tone signals generated by the tone generator circuit 108 are supplied to an audio output device 110, such as a speaker, headphones, or earphones, and are then emitted as musical tones. There are two types of tone generator devices: one that plays waveform files recorded from live musical instruments, and another that generates and produces piano-like waveforms, like a synthesizer, rather than using stored waveform files. While the present invention is applicable to both types, the present embodiment is described with the former waveform sample file playback type in mind.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the limit breakthrough program installed in the electronic keyboard instrument according to this embodiment.

[0035] A limit breakthrough program 200 is installed in the ROM 103 or HDD 104 of the controller 100. The limit breakthrough program 200 includes a key velocity conversion unit 210, an aftertouch conversion unit 220, a limit breakthrough activation determination unit 230, and a limit breakthrough execution unit 240. The CPU 101 loads the limit breakthrough program 200 into the RAM 102 and executes it to realize the functions of each of these units. Details of the functions of each unit will be explained in the processing flow of FIG. 7.

[0036] A limit breakthrough sound file storage unit 250 that stores limit breakthrough sound files is formed in a partial area of ​​the ROM 103 or HDD 104. Normal sound files are also stored in a partial area of ​​the ROM 103 or HDD 104.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing during playing of the electronic keyboard instrument according to this embodiment.

[0038] When the main power supply of the electronic musical instrument is turned on (S01), the key depression speed sensor 50 and the key depression pressure sensor 18 start sensing (S021, S022).

[0039] The key velocity conversion unit 210 converts the detected key depression speed (analog value) into a key velocity consisting of a digital value from 1 to 127 (S031). Similarly, the aftertouch conversion unit 220 converts the detected key depression pressure (analog value) into an aftertouch consisting of a digital value from 1 to 127 (S032).

[0040] A sound having an intensity corresponding to the key velocity is output from the sound source circuit 108 to the audio output device 110 (S04).

[0041] 8 is a graph showing the intensity of sounds when the key velocity is between 1 and 127. When the key velocity is between 1 and 127, musical tones are generated with intensities corresponding to the key velocity within the dynamic range.

[0042] If the key velocity is 127 (S05: Yes), the limit breakthrough activation determination unit 230 starts measuring time with the timer 107. If the key velocity is not 127 (S05: No), the timer 107 does not operate.

[0043] Aftertouch information is always sent whenever the key pressure sensor 18 detects a key pressure, regardless of the key velocity. The limit breakthrough activation determination unit 230 starts monitoring the aftertouch information flowing from the aftertouch conversion unit 220 at the same time as the timer 107 starts, and holds the peak value within 0.02 seconds from the start of the timer 107 (S06).

[0044] In other words, aftertouch information is sent to the limit breakthrough activation determination unit 230 whenever key depression pressure is detected, not just when a key is struck hard, but the limit breakthrough activation determination unit 230 does not collect aftertouch information unless the key velocity is 127 and it occurs within 0.02 seconds after the key is struck. The reason for recording the "peak" of aftertouch is that the aftertouch continuously increases the more pressure is applied after the key is struck, decreases the more the pressure is released, and becomes 0 when the pressure is reduced to 0, so in this embodiment, the peak is detected at a predetermined time after the key is struck.

[0045] In this embodiment, the predetermined time from key depression to judgment is set to 0.02 seconds, but this is one suitable example obtained by experimentally determining an interval that does not feel unnatural as a time lag between the issuance of a sound reproduced at the maximum dynamic range intensity corresponding to the upper limit value of key velocity of 127 and the further reproduction of a musical sound at a limit-breaking volume, and is not limited to 0.02 seconds. However, if the time is too long, the musical sound at the maximum dynamic range reproduced corresponding to the upper limit value of key velocity of 127 is perceived for a certain period of time before being replaced by a limit-breaking sound, which gives an unnatural impression, while if it is too short, there is no time to allow the performer to express aftertouch with their finger movements, so in this embodiment, 0.02 seconds is set.

[0046] In addition, in this embodiment, the activation condition for the limit breakthrough activation determination unit 230 is set to "only when the key velocity value is 127," but this does not exclude the possibility that the activation key velocity condition may be set flexibly to "120 or more," etc., taking into account the characteristics of various musical instruments to be simulated.

[0047] The limit breakthrough activation determination unit 230 stops collecting aftertouch information 0.02 seconds after the timer 107 is activated and determines whether or not to activate the limit breakthrough program. If the peak value (1 to 127) recorded up to that point is greater than 0 (S07: Yes), the peak information is transmitted to the limit breakthrough execution unit 240.

[0048] If the recorded peak value is 0 (S07: No), the reproduction of the musical tone of the maximum dynamic range sounded for the upper limit value 127 of the already sounded key velocity is maintained, the determination process ends, and the next determination opportunity is awaited.

[0049] When the limit breakthrough execution unit 240 receives a limit breakthrough execution determination from the limit breakthrough activation determination unit 230, it begins a process of attenuating (fading out) (S08) the musical sound of the maximum dynamic range that was already generated for the upper limit value of 127 of the key velocity that has already been generated, to silence over a further 0.02 seconds. At the same time, based on the recorded peak value of the aftertouch received from the limit breakthrough activation determination unit 230, it determines which of three strength levels (limit break-strong, limit break-medium, limit break-weak) to play (the file of the strength). The sound file to be played is read from the limit breakthrough sound file storage unit 250, and output to the sound source circuit 108 so that it gradually increases (fade-in) (S08) from silence to the specified volume (100%) over 0.02 seconds. The musical sound of the strength indicated by the sound file corresponding to the peak value of the aftertouch is then faded in (gradually increased) from the sound source circuit 108 to the audio output device 110. The three volume levels for breaking through the limit in this embodiment are merely an example, and the number of levels may be increased or decreased. This allows multiple levels of breakthrough to be supported even after the limit has been broken.

[0050] A normal sound generated at a key velocity of 127 is faded out over 0.02 seconds and stopped, and a limit-breaking sound corresponding to the peak value of the aftertouch is generated while fading in over 0.02 seconds, so that the reproduced sounds can be interchanged without creating a sense of incongruity (crossfade) (S08).

[0051] In this embodiment, the time required for the fade-out and fade-in (fade time or lead time) is set to 0.02 seconds, but this is an optimum value observed in this embodiment and is not limited to 0.02 seconds.

[0052] FIG. 9 is a graph showing the intensity of the sound when a limit break is activated. When the key velocity value is 127, three levels of limit break sounds are reproduced according to the peak value, except when the peak value of the aftertouch detected within 0.02 seconds of keystroke is 0. In the example of FIG. 9, a keystroke sound with the maximum dynamic range intensity is produced immediately after keystroke initiation. Then, 0.02 seconds after keystroke initiation, a limit break determination is made and forced attenuation (Fade Out: gradual decrease in volume to 0%) begins, and simultaneously, forced interrupt playback of the limit break sound (Fade In: gradual increase in volume from 0% to 100%) begins. In the example of the limit break sound in this embodiment, when the peak value of the aftertouch detected within 0.02 seconds of keystroke initiation is 1 to 42, the sound corresponds to a limit break "weak," when the aftertouch is 43 to 85, the sound corresponds to a limit break "medium," and when the aftertouch is 86 to 127, the sound corresponds to a limit break "strong."

[0053] It should be noted that the sound volume and decay curves shown in Figure 9 are merely conceptual illustrations; in reality, 0.02 seconds after keystroke is typically the playback stage of the sound's rise process, before natural decay begins. The fact that the actual phenomenon differs from the curves in Figure 9 does not constitute a claim that the effects of the present invention differ. Even if the actual sound generation and decay curves differ from those in Figure 9, any device that uses aftertouch to generate a limit-breaking sound falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0054] The forced attenuation of the keystroke sound and the forced interruption of the limit-breaking sound each take 0.02 seconds from the start of processing to simultaneously attenuate (fade out) and interrupt (fade in). As a result, the forced attenuation of the maximum sound and the forced interruption of the limit-breaking sound (collectively called the crossfade) are completed simultaneously a total of 0.04 seconds after keystroke, including the 0.02 seconds it takes to determine aftertouch. This crossfade ends the playback of the previously maximum keystroke sound in a very natural auditory sense, and completes its replacement with the more powerful limit-breaking sound.

[0055] Thereafter, if necessary, the key velocity and aftertouch values, as well as other performance information, are recorded as MIDI data (S09). This allows the performer's performance operations to be recorded as performance data conforming to the MIDI standard. The processing in this step is executed if the performance record button (not shown) is turned ON before the performance. If it is OFF, this step is skipped since no performance data will be saved.

[0056] The process returns to step S02 and continues until the main power supply is turned off (S10: No). When the main power supply is turned off (S10: Yes), the process ends.

[0057] The playback process of MIDI data including limit breakthrough data according to this embodiment will be described below. The MIDI data including limit breakthrough data according to this embodiment maintains upward and downward compatibility with existing technologies as follows.

[0058] (Upward compatibility) (Acceptance of existing performance data) Devices equipped with the Limit Break mechanism of the present invention are upwardly compatible and can accept general MIDI data (performance data) up to key velocities of 127 that have been created and completed using conventional methods on existing devices. Since general MIDI performance data does not contain aftertouch information, the Limit Break function does not naturally activate, and the data can be played back with the exact same dynamics as on existing devices. In fact, if aftertouch information with a strong attack is recorded in the performance data, the Limit Break function will be activated, and the "expression beyond the limits" intended by the present invention will be reproduced, even if the data is a conventional recording or production.

[0059] Even if aftertouch data is intentionally mixed into existing MIDI performance data, the technology in question is unlikely to malfunction because it only detects aftertouch within 0.02 seconds of the note being played and the velocity value for each note is 127 (the strongest note). Even if it malfunctions, the strongest note may sound even louder, and the impact on the song is limited. The Limit Break function can also be turned off, eliminating any impact.

[0060] (Backward compatibility) (Reproducibility on existing devices) Conversely to the above, MIDI performance data with limit breakthrough information (key velocity 127 + aftertouch) recorded and created using the limit breakthrough program of this embodiment can be accepted almost without inferiority by electronic musical instruments and electronic devices that do not have the limit breakthrough program of this embodiment installed.

[0061] MIDI performance data with aftertouch information input as a Limit Breakthrough on an electronic musical instrument or electronic device equipped with the Limit Breakthrough program according to this embodiment will have the aftertouch information ignored by existing devices that do not have the Limit Breakthrough program, and will simply be played back as a key velocity of 127 (maximum sound). Naturally, Limit Break (sound replacement) will not be activated, but the existing device will be able to play back without any problems with the maximum dynamics (range of strength and weakness) possible.

[0062] Although it is a rare case, if aftertouch is assigned to another function on an existing device (an electronic musical instrument or electronic device that does not have the limit breakthrough program according to this embodiment), there is the effect of that other function being activated, but the aftertouch data for limit breakthrough according to this embodiment lasts for an extremely short time, within 0.02 seconds after keystroke, and since aftertouch is universally data that "returns to 0 when you release your hand" (according to the MIDI standard), the impact is limited.

[0063] In other words, the advantage is that only electronic musical instruments and electronic devices equipped with the limit-breaking program of this embodiment can gain additional advantages while maintaining high affinity and compatibility with existing MIDI devices and MIDI performance data.

[0064] Conventionally, the MIDI standard adjusted sound intensity only with key velocities ranging from 0 to 127, so no matter how fast a player struck a key, any keystrokes above a key velocity equivalent to 127 were converted to key velocity 127, preventing the player from producing a sound with a strength greater than the maximum value of the dynamic range, limiting performance expression. According to this embodiment, the pressure applied to the key within a specified time after reaching key velocity 127 is detected, and a sound that is stronger in one or multiple stages is generated according to the peak value, making it possible to produce sounds with a strength that exceeds the limit of key velocity 127, thereby broadening the range of performance expression.

[0065] The above-described embodiments do not limit the present invention, and modifications that do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, as an example of breaking through the limits, the sound reproduced when a key is pressed is replaced with a sound (file) that is louder than the upper limit of the dynamic range. However, instead of replacing the sound, an additional sound may be added to the sound reproduced at the upper limit of the dynamic range, i.e., another sound may be produced. Alternatively, instead of replacing the sound, a method may be used in which the sound volume of the upper limit of the dynamic range is simply temporarily increased.

[0066] The sound materials to be replaced or added to achieve a stronger performance sound to break through the limits can be files with stronger sounds recorded, acoustic difference data to add strength, or simulated sounds that are electronically generated and processed.

[0067] The present invention can be widely used in sound source playback / generation programs and devices that accept tapping input information, such as computer sampler applications (e.g., Kontakt (Native Instruments, Germany)), electronic pianos, electronic musical instrument programs, etc. Furthermore, the electronic musical instrument of the present invention does not only refer to musical instruments alone. Specifically, electronic musical instruments include "instruments that function as a single musical instrument in conjunction with devices such as computers. Furthermore, devices such as computers (smartphones) that function as musical instruments through software or apps are included in the category of electronic musical instruments."

[0068] The structure, system, program, and the like of the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0069] For example, two or more members can be combined into one, or conversely, one member can be made up of two or more separate members and connected together.

[0070] Furthermore, the above embodiment is merely one of the best modes currently available.

[0071] Furthermore, the control may be performed by a higher-level control section, or by a lower-level control section.

[0072] Furthermore, the order of control can be changed as appropriate as long as it has a predetermined effect.

[0073] 10: Electronic keyboard instrument 11: Housing 12: Keyboard 12n: Key 13: MIDI output terminal 14: MIDI input terminal 16: Shelf 17: Fulcrum 18: Key pressure sensor 20: Electronic keyboard instrument 21: Housing 22: Keyboard 23: MIDI output terminal 24: MIDI input terminal 30: Personal computer 40: Shutter 50: Keystroke speed sensor 51: Upper optical sensor 51e: Light emitter 51r: Light receiver 52: Lower optical sensor 52e: Light emitter 52r: Light receiver 100: Controller 101: CPU 102: RAM 103: ROM 104: HDD 105: Sensor I / F 106 : Sensor I / F 107 : Timer 108 : Sound source circuit 109 : Bus 110 : Audio output device 200 : Limit breakthrough program 210 : Key velocity conversion unit 220 : Aftertouch conversion unit 230 : Limit breakthrough activation determination unit 240 : Limit breakthrough execution unit 250 : Limit breakthrough sound file storage unit

Claims

1. An electronic musical instrument comprising: a velocity sensor for detecting, for each sound-producing operator, the velocity at which the operator is operated; a pressure sensor for detecting the operator pressure applied to the operator; a controller for controlling the electronic musical instrument; and a sound source circuit, wherein the controller converts the operator velocity into a key velocity which is a digital value defined in a performance data standard, and converts the operator pressure into an aftertouch which is a digital value defined in the performance data standard, and, if the key velocity is the maximum value defined in the performance data standard, controls the sound source circuit to output, in addition to the strongest sound in a dynamic range indicating the dynamic range of sounds output from the sound source circuit, a limit-breaking sound which has a strength corresponding to the aftertouch and is even stronger than the strongest sound, in addition to the strongest sound in the dynamic range which is preset to be output from the sound source circuit.

2. An electronic musical instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein preferably the controller obtains a peak value of the aftertouch obtained by converting the pressure on the operator within a predetermined period of time from the start of operation at which the key velocity is operated at the maximum value defined in the performance data standard for the operator, and outputs the limit-breaking sound of a strength corresponding to the peak value from the sound source circuit.

3. A performance data editing device comprising: a controller; and a sound source circuit, wherein when performance data including a key velocity, which is the speed at which a control of an electronic musical instrument is operated, is converted into a digital value, the controller executes control to cause the sound source circuit to output, when the key velocity is a maximum value defined in the performance data standard and the peak value of an aftertouch, which is the digital value of the control pressure applied to the control within a predetermined period of time from the time the key velocity data is acquired, to output from the sound source circuit, in addition to the strongest sound in a dynamic range indicating the strength range of the sound output from the preset sound source circuit, a limit-breaking sound whose strength corresponds to the aftertouch and is even stronger than the strongest sound.

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