Loop Data Forming Section for Precise Tempo Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording and playback devices, such as loopers, face challenges in creating loop data with an exact tempo due to difficulties in starting and stopping recordings at precise timing, leading to inaccuracies in rhythm patterns.
Innovation Solution
A recording and playback device comprising a sound data acquiring section, a loop data forming section, and a repeat playback section, which acquires sound data exceeding a threshold amplitude, forms loop data by connecting these segments, and performs repeated playback, allowing for precise tempo control through user-set parameters like BPM and meter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual recording start/stop operation is used in existing loopers, then the device can record rhythm patterns, but the tempo accuracy deteriorates due to difficulty in achieving precise timing
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects silent periods and determines recording start/stop points without user intervention. The automatic tempo calculation unit computes tempo based on detected silent periods, eliminating the need for manual timing operations while achieving precise tempo accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from amplitude detection to identify silent periods, then uses this information to automatically set recording boundaries. The tempo calculation feedback ensures accurate rhythm pattern creation by continuously monitoring and adjusting based on detected silent periods.
2Reliability
If recording is performed without automatic silent period detection, then the device structure remains simple, but unintentional recording occurs and tempo accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The recording process is segmented into distinct phases: silent period detection, recording execution, and playback. The amplitude detection unit divides the audio signal into segments based on silent periods, allowing precise control over what is recorded while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of silent periods before actual recording begins. This preliminary action identifies the exact boundaries for recording, preventing unintentional recording and ensuring tempo accuracy before the main recording function is executed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed time-length recording is used, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to capture exact rhythmic patterns deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The recording duration is made dynamic rather than fixed. The recording start/stop timing automatically adapts to the detected silent periods, allowing the system to capture rhythmic patterns of varying lengths while maintaining a simple device structure through automated control.
Data Source
AI summary
In a recording and playback device of the present invention, when input data exceeding a threshold value is supplied, the CPU records input data for an amount of time corresponding to a single beat in an area specified by syllable number SPLIT in an input buffer IB of the RAM, and after incrementing the syllable number SPLIT, waits until the recorded data becomes silent. The CPU repeats this series of processing until the value of the incremented syllable number SPLIT reaches “4”, and thereby stores input data recorded for an amount of time corresponding to a single beat in each input buffer IB(1) to IB(4) corresponding to syllable numbers SPLIT1 to SPLIT4. Then, the CPU copies the input data to the recording area of the RAM such that these input data are sequentially connected and formed into loop data for an amount of time corresponding to a single bar.