Method and apparatus for dynamic reproduction of transient and steady state voices in an electronic musical instrument

• US 4,502,361 A
• Filed: 12/08/1983
• Issued: 03/05/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Musicco, LLC
• Original Assignee: Allen Organ Company
• Inventors: Whitefield, John T., Viitanen, Jouko O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Witkowski, Stanley J.
• Application Number:
  US06/559,585
• Time in Patent Office: 453 Days
• Field of Search: 84/1.13, 84/1.26
• US Class Current: 84/627
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/02 Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decay; Means for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 7/045 using an auxiliary register or set of registers, e.g. a shift-register, in which the amplitudes are transferred before being read

Abstract

A method and apparatus for reproducing the complete attack transient and steady state portions of a waveform is disclosed. In an electronic musical instrument providing a means for detecting the depression and release of a key switch, a means for storing a complete attack transient of the waveform and a predetermined number of full cycles of the steady state of the waveform, a means for generating addresses for selectively causing the reading from the storage means the complete attack transient of the waveform and the predetermined number of full cycles of the steady state of the waveform and for generating addresses for selectively causing the repeated reading from the storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, a number of cycles of the steady state of the waveform until release of the depressed key switch, and means for generating addresses for selectively causing the continued repeated reading from a storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, a number of cycles of the steady state of the waveform during the decay transient of the waveform until audio ceases. The waveform contains envelope characteristics and is of an harmonically and non-harmonically varying content changing with time. Upon the detection of the completion of the reading of the complete waveform the continued depression of the key switch a number of cycles of the steady state of the waveform are continued to be read from the storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, until release of the depressed key switch. The repeated reading of the number of cycles is a recirculation of the steady state portion of the waveform and is controlled by a switch means which limits the generated address to a predetermined address or the randomly generated addresses to a predetermined range. The amount of recirculation of the steady state portion of the waveform may also be controlled by incorporating the voice memory data of the first address location of the first cycle of the attack transient portion of the waveform a digital coding limiting the randomly generated addresses to a predetermined range.

Claims

1. In an electronic musical instrument having a greater number of selectively actuable key switches than tone generators to cause the production of sounds corresponding to the notes in a musical scale, an apparatus for reproducing the complete attack transient and steady state portions of a waveform comprising:

means for detecting the depression and release of a key switch;

means for storing a complete attack transient of a waveform and a predetermined number of full cycles of the steady state of said waveform, said waveform containing envelope characteristics and being of an harmonically and non-harmonically varying content changing with time;

means for generating addresses for selectively causing the reading from said storage means the complete attack transient of the waveform and the predetermined number of full cycles of the steady state of said waveform, and for generating addresses for selectively causing the repeated reading from said storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, a number of cycles of the steady state of said waveform until release of the depressed key switch;

means for generating addresses for selectively causing the continued repeated reading from said storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, a number of cycles of the steady state of said waveform during the decay transient of the waveform until audio ceases.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claims 1 or 2 further comprising an attack/decay processing means for generating an envelope amplitude for the waveform in response to a signal having a value indicative of attack or decay, wherein said envelope amplitude abruptly goes to full scale on the occurrence of a signal having a value indicative of attack to allow the stored attack transient of the waveform containing envelope characteristics to be read out without limitation and, on the occurrence of a signal having a value indicative of decay to control the envelope amplitude in a predetermined pattern.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claims 1 or 2 further comprising:

means for storing a complete decay transient of a waveform, said waveform containing envelope characteristics and being of an harmonically and non-harmonically varying content changing with time;

means for generating addresses for selectively causing the reading from said storage means the complete decay transient of the waveform until audio ceases.

2. In an electronic musical instrument having a greater number of selectively actuable key switches than tone generators to cause the production of sounds corresponding to the notes in a musical scale, an apparatus for reproducing the complete attack transient and steady state portions of a waveform comprising:

means for detecting the depression and release of a key switch;

means for storing a complete attack transient of a waveform and a predetermined number of full cycles of the steady state of said waveform, said waveform containing envelope characteristics and being of an harmonically and non-harmonically varying content changing with time;

means for generating a set of addresses for selectively causing the reading from said storage means each cycle of the attack transient of the waveform and each cycle of the steady state of the waveform, said each cycle comprising a group of amplitude samples;

means for detecting the completion of the reading of the complete waveform and the continued depression of the key switch for selectively causing the continued reading from said storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, a number of cycles of the steady state of the waveform until release of the depressed key switch, said repeated reading of the number of cycles being a recirculation of the steady state portion of the waveform;

means for generating addresses for selectively causing the continued repeated reading from said storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, a number of cycles of the steady state of said waveform during the decay transient of the waveform until audio ceases.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 further comprising:

means for controlling the amount of recirculation of the steady state portion of the waveform by setting switch means for limiting the generated address to a predetermined address.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 further comprising:

means for controlling the amount of recirculation of the steady state portion of the waveform by setting switch means for limiting the randomly generated addresses to a predetermined range.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 further comprising:

means for controlling the amount of recirculation of the steady state portion of the waveform by incorporating in the voice memory data of the first addressed amplitude sample of the first cycle of the attack transient portion of the waveform means for limiting the randomly generated addresses to a predetermined range.

8. In an electronic organ having a greater number of selectively actuable switches than tone generators to cause the production of sounds corresponding to the respective notes of a musical scale, an apparatus for reproducing the complete attack transient and steady state portions of a waveform comprising:

means for detecting the depression and release of a key switch;

means for storing a complete attack transient of a waveform and a predetermined number of full cycles of the steady state of said waveform, said waveform containing envelope characteristics and being of an harmonically and non-harmonically varying content changing with time;

means for generating addresses for selectively causing the reading from said storage means the complete attack transient of the waveform and the predetermined number of full cycles of the steady state of said waveform, and for generating addresses for selectively causing the repeated reading from said storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, a number of cycles of the steady state of said waveform until release of the depressed key switch;

means for generating addresses for selectively causing the continued repeated reading from said storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, a number of cycles of the steady state of said waveform during the decay transient to the waveform until audio ceases.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claims 8 or 9 further comprising an attack/decay processing means for generating an envelope amplitude for the waveform in response to a signal having a value indicative of attack or decay, wherein said envelope amplitude abruptly goes to full scale on the occurrence of a signal having a value indicative of attack to allow the stored attack transient of the waveform containing envelope characteristics to be read out without limitation and, on the occurrence of a signal having a value indicative of decay to control the envelope amplitude in a predetermined pattern.

14. Apparatus in accordance with claims 8 or 9 further comprising:

means for storing a complete decay transient of a waveform, said waveform containing envelope characteristics and being of an harmonically and non-harmonically varying content changing with time;

means for generating addresses for selectively causing the reading from said storage means the complete decay transient of the waveform until audio ceases.

9. In an electronic organ having a greater number of selectively actuable switches than tone generators to cause the production of sounds corresponding to the respective notes of a musical scale, an apparatus for reproducing the complete attack transient and steady state portions of a waveform comprising:

means for detecting the depression and release of a key switch;

means for storing a complete attack transient of a waveform and a predetermined number of full cycles of the steady state of said waveform, said waveform containing envelope characteristics and being of an harmonically and non-harmonically varying content changing with time;

means for generating a set of addresses for selectively causing the reading from said storage means each cycle of the attack transient of the waveform and each cycle of the steady state of the waveform, said each cycle comprising a group of amplitude samples;

means for detecting the completion of the reading of the complete waveform and the continued depression of the key switch for selectively causing the continued reading from said storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, a number of cycles of the steady state of the waveform until release of the depressed key switch, said repeated reading of the number of cycles being a recirculation of the steady state portion of the waveform;

means for generating addresses for selectively causing the continued repeated reading from said storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, a number of cycles of the steady state of said waveform during the decay transient of the waveform until audio ceases.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 further comprising:

means for controlling the amount of recirculation of the steady state portion of the waveform by setting switch means for limiting the generated address to a predetermined address.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 further comprising:

means for controlling the amount of recirculation of the steady state portion of the waveform by setting switch means for limiting the randomly generated addresses to a predetermined range.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 further comprising:

means for controlling the amount of recirculation of the steady state portion of the waveform by incorporating in the voice memory data of the first addressed amplitude sample of the first cycle of the attack transient portion of the waveform means for limiting the randomly generated addresses to a predetermined range.

15. In an electronic musical instrument having a greater number of selectively actuable key switches than tone generators to cause the production of sounds corresponding to the notes in a musical scale, a method for reproducing the complete attack transient and steady state portions of a waveform comprising the steps of:

detecting the depression and release of a key switch;

storing a complete attack transient of a waveform and a predetermined number of full cycles of the steady state of said waveform, said waveform containing envelope characteristics and being of an harmonically and non-harmonically varying content changing with time;

providing means for generating addresses for selectively causing the reading from said storage means the complete attack transient of the waveform and the predetermined number of full cycles of the steady state of said waveform, and for generating addresses for selectively causing the repeated reading from said storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, a number of cycles of the steady state of said waveform until release of the depressed key switch;

providing means for generating addresses for selectively causing the continued repeated reading from said storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, a number of cycles of the steady state of said waveform during the decay transient of the waveform until audio ceases.

20. A method in accordance with claims 15 or 16 further comprising the step of providing an attack/decay processing means for generating an envelope amplitude for the waveform in response to a signal having a value indicative of attack or decay, wherein said envelope amplitude abruptly goes to full scale on the occurrence of a signal having a value indicative of attack to allow the stored attack transient of the waveform containing envelope characteristics to be read out without limitation and, on the occurrence of a signal having a value indicative of decay to control the envelope amplitude in a predetermined pattern.

21. A method in accordance with claims 15 or 16 further comprising the steps of:

storing a complete decay transient of a waveform, said waveform containing envelope characteristics and being of an harmonically and non-harmonically varying content changing with time;

generating addresses for selectively causing the reading from said storage means the complete decay transient of the waveform until audio ceases.

16. In an electronic musical instrument having a greater number of selectively actuable key switches than tone generators to cause the production of sounds corresponding to the notes in a musical scale, a method for reproducing the complete attack transient and steady state portions of a waveform comprising the steps of:

detecting the depression and release of the key switch;

storing a complete attack transient of a waveform in a predetermined number of full cycles of the steady state of said waveform, said waveform containing envelope characteristics and being of an harmonically and non-harmonically varying content changing with time;

providing means for generating a set of addresses for selectively causing the reading from said storage means each cycle of the attack transient of the waveform and each cycle of the steady state of the waveform, said each cycle comprising a group of amplitude samples;

providing means for detecting the completion of the reading of the complete waveform and the continued depression of the key switch for selectively causing the continued reading from said storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, a number of cycles of the steady state of the waveform until release of the depressed key switch, said repeated reading of the number of cycles being a recirculation of the steady state portion of the waveform;

providing means for generating addresses for selectively causing the continued repeated reading from said storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, a number of cycles of the steady state of said waveform during the decay transient of the waveform until audio ceases.

17. A method in accordance with claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

controlling the amount of recirculation of the steady state portion of the waveform by setting switch means for limiting the generated address to a predetermined address.

18. A method in accordance with claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

controlling the amount of recirculation of the steady state portion of the waveform by setting switch means for limiting the randomly generated addresses to a predetermined range.

19. A method in accordance with claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

controlling the amount of recirculation of the steady state portion of the waveform by incorporating in the voice memory data of the first addressed amplitude sample of the first cycle of the attack transient portion of the waveform means for limiting the randomly generated addresses to a predetermined range.

22. In an electronic organ having a greater number of selectively actuable switches than tone generators to cause the production of sounds corresponding to the respective notes of a musical scale, a method for reproducing the complete attack transient and steady state portions of a waveform comprising the steps of:

detecting the depression and release of a key switch;

storing a complete attack transient of a waveform and a predetermined number of full cycles of the steady state of said waveform, said waveform containing envelope characteristics and being of an harmonically and non-harmonically varying content changing with time;

providing means for generating addresses for selectively causing the reading from said storage means the complete attack transient of the waveform and the predetermined number of full cycles of the steady state of said waveform, and for generating addresses for selectively causing the repeated reading from said storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, a number of cycles of the steady state of said waveform until release of the depressed key switch;

providing means for generating addresses for selectively causing the continued repeated reading from said storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, a number of cycles of the steady state of said waveform during the decay transient of the waveform until audio ceases.

27. A method in accordance with claims 22 or 23 further comprising the step of providing an attack/decay processing means for generating an envelope amplitude for the waveform in response to a signal having a value indicative of attack or decay, wherein said envelope amplitude abruptly goes to full scale on the occurrence of a signal having a value indicative of attack to allow the stored attack transient of the waveform containing envelope characteristics to be read out without limitation and, on the occurrence of a signal having a value indicative of decay to control the envelope amplitude in a predetermined pattern.

28. A method in accordance with claims 22 or 23 further comprising the steps of:

storing a complete decay transient of a waveform, said waveform containing envelope characteristics and being of an harmonically and non-harmonically varying content changing with time;

generating addresses for selectively causing the reading from said storage means the complete decay transient of the waveform until audio ceases.

23. In an electronic organ having a greater number of selectively actuable switches than tone generators to cause the production of sounds corresponding to the respective notes of a musical scale, a method for reproducing the complete attack transient and steady state portions of a waveform comprising:

detecting the depression and release of a key switch;

storing a complete attack transient of a waveform and a predetermined number of full cycles of the steady state of said waveform, said waveform containing envelope characteristics and being of an harmonically and non-harmonically varying content changing with time;

providing means for generating a set of addresses for selectively causing the reading from said storage means each cycle of the attack transient of the waveform and each cycle of the steady state of the waveform, said each cycle comprising a group of amplitude samples;

providing means for detecting the completion of the reading of the complete waveform and the continued depression of the key switch for selectively causing the continued reading from said storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, a number of cycles of the steady state of the waveform until release of the depressed key switch, said repeated reading of the number of cycles being a recirculation of the steady state portion of the waveform;

providing means for generating addresses for selectively causing the continued repeated reading from said storage means, either randomly or in a predetermined pattern, a number of cycles of the steady state of said waveform during the decay transient of the waveform until audio ceases.

24. A method in accordance with claim 23 further comprising:

controlling the amount of recirculation of the steady state portion of the waveform by setting switch means for limiting the generated address to a predetermined address.

25. A method in accordance with claim 23 further comprising:

controlling the amount of recirculation of the steady state portion of the waveform by setting switch means for limiting the randomly generated addresses to a predetermined range.

26. A method in accordance with claim 23 further comprising:

controlling the amount of recirculation of the steady state portion of the waveform by incorporating in the voice memory data of the first addressed amplitude sample of the first cycle of the attack transient portion of the waveform means for limiting the randomly generated addresses to a predetermined range.