Vibrato Control in Electronic Musical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing musical tone control devices face challenges in accurately starting a vibrato effect at a desired pitch and in controlling the automatic application of vibrato, which can occur unexpectedly when the pitch bend wheel is stopped.
Innovation Solution
A musical tone control device with input, period signal generation, modulation signal generation, determination, and control means that suppresses or cancels periodic modulation based on a pitch parameter value within a specified range, allowing precise control over the application of vibrato effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automatic vibrato is applied when pitch bend wheel is stopped, then novice users can achieve vibrato effect automatically, but vibrato may be applied unexpectedly at undesired pitch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a determination step that checks whether the current pitch parameter value is within a predetermined range before applying vibrato. This parameter-based control mechanism ensures that vibrato is only applied when the pitch is at a desired level, preventing unexpected vibrato at undesired pitches while maintaining automatic vibrato functionality for novice users
2Productivity
If user operates first operation terminal to change pitch, then pitch can be gradually changed, but user cannot start vibrato at desired pitch without listening and determining
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a determination of whether the pitch parameter is within the desired range before applying vibrato. This preliminary check allows the system to automatically identify when the desired pitch has been reached and apply vibrato at that precise moment, eliminating the need for users to manually listen and determine when to start vibrato
3Extent of automation
If pitch bend wheel operation is stopped, then vibrato effect is automatically applied, but user cannot obtain desired altered pitch for certain period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the automatic vibrato activation condition by introducing a range check on the pitch parameter. Instead of applying vibrato whenever the pitch bend wheel is stopped regardless of pitch position, the system now checks whether the pitch parameter value falls within a predetermined range, ensuring vibrato is only applied at musically appropriate moments
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing a musical tone control device for carrying out appropriate control in user-performed operations. A pitch parameter value PB set by a pitch bend wheel may be loaded and a determination may be made whether the pitch parameter value PB is within a specified range. If the pitch parameter value PB is within the specified range, a time t may advance by 1, and a determination may be made whether the time t has reached t1. If the time t has reached t1, an amplitude value from a low frequency oscillator (LFO) table corresponding to the time t may be read out from the LFO table. The vibrato value VI may be calculated by multiplying the amplitude value and the vibrato depth. The pitch parameter value PB and the vibrato value VI may be added and transmitted to the sound source.