Natural Language Timbre Control via Conditional Variational Autoencoder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional synthesizers are difficult for beginners to operate due to numerous buttons and knobs, making it challenging to adjust timbre settings for desired musical instruments using waveform data and effect parameters.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device equipped with a processor that includes an input module for natural language input and a timbre estimation module using a trained model to output timbre data, allowing users to easily adjust timbre settings by inputting adjectives, which are processed through a conditional variational autoencoder to reconstruct effect parameters and waveform data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional synthesizers with numerous buttons and knobs are used, then timbre adjustment capability is available, but ease of operation deteriorates for beginners

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of timbre adjustmentVSAvoidnumber of buttons and knobs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical control system (buttons and knobs) with a natural language processing system. Users can input adjectives through text or voice, and the system automatically generates corresponding timbre data using trained models, eliminating the need for manual adjustment of multiple physical controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces natural language as an intermediary between the user and the complex timbre parameters. Instead of directly manipulating effect parameters and waveform data, users communicate their desired timbre characteristics through adjectives, which the system translates into appropriate technical parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If natural language input is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to trained models

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural language input capabilityVSAvoidtrained model processing system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-training models with large amounts of timbre data and adjective mappings before actual use. This training phase consolidates complex processing logic into ready-to-use models, so that during actual operation, the system only needs to perform relatively simple inference tasks based on user input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20230419932A1Information processing device and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2023.12.28 YAMAHA CORP

AI summary

An information processing device includes at least one processor configured to execute a plurality of modules including an input module into which natural language that includes an adjective is configured to be input by a user, and a timbre estimation module configured to output timbre data based on the natural language input by the user, by using a trained model configured to output the timbre data from the adjective.