Apparatus, method and computer program for imparting tone effects to musical tone signals

A method for imparting tone effects to tone signals comprising:

• a step of receiving a music performance data signal containing tone effect control messages, each message including a tone effect selection code nominating a tone effect and a tone effect control parameter determining a property of said tone effect which tone effect with said property is available in a first rank of tone producing apparatus;
• a step of converting a particular tone effect selection code in said tone effect control message to another tone effect selection code than said particular one, in case said particular tone effect selection code nominates a tone effect which is not available in a second rank of tone producing apparatus;
• a step of converting a particular tone effect control parameter in said tone effect control message to another tone effect control parameter than said particular one, in case said particular tone effect control parameter is not adequate for the tone effect available in said second rank of tone producing apparatus;
• a step of providing tone effect conversion rules for converting a tone effect selection code available in said first rank of tone producing apparatus but not available in said second rank of tone producing apparatus to a tone effect selection code nominating another tone effect of similar nature available in said second rank of tone producing apparatus, and for converting a tone effect control parameter for said first rank of tone producing apparatus to a tone effect control parameter usable in said second rank of tone producing apparatus;
• wherein said tone effect control message converting device converts said particular tone effect selection code and said tone effect control parameter with reference to said tone effect conversion rules.

A computer program containing program instructions executable by a computer and causing said computer to execute:

• a process of receiving a music performance data signal containing tone effect control messages, each message including a tone effect selection code nominating a tone effect and a tone effect control parameter determining a property of said tone effect which tone effect with said property is available in a first rank of tone producing processing;
• a process of converting a particular tone effect selection code in said tone effect control message to another tone effect selection code than said particular one, in case said particular tone effect selection code nominates a tone effect which is not available in a second rank of tone producing processing;
• a process of converting a particular tone effect control parameter in said tone effect control message to another tone effect control parameter than said particular one, in case said particular tone effect control parameter is not adequate for the tone effect available in said second rank of tone producing processing;
• a process of providing tone effect conversion rules for converting a tone effect selection code available in said first rank of tone producing processing but not available in said second rank of tone producing processing to a tone effect selection code nominating another tone effect of similar nature available in said second rank of tone producing processing, and for converting a tone effect control parameter for said first rank of tone producing processing to a tone effect control parameter usable in said second rank of tone producing processing;
• wherein said process of converting said particular tone effect selection code and said tone effect control parameter with reference to said tone effect conversion rules.