Apparatus for reproducing audio signal

An apparatus for reproducing an audio signal comprising a reproducing unit wherein said digital audio signal data are reproduced at a variable .alpha.-time speed from a recording medium on which an analog audio signal was previously pulse code modulated at a predetermined sampling frequency Fs and recorded in the form of digital audio signal data;

• a pitch conversion unit for effecting a pitch conversion such that said digital audio signal data of the sampling frequency fs (=.alpha.Fs) obtained from said reproducing unit are written into a memory with a write clock generated from said digital audio signal data and are read out from said memory with a read-out clock corresponding to a frequency fp which is .beta. times said predetermined sampling frequency Fs, where .beta. is a selected variable;
• and a digital to analog converter for effecting a digital to analog conversion of the pitch-converted digital audio signal data for obtaining a reproduced analog audio signal.

An apparatus for reproducing an audio signal comprising a reproducing unit wherein audio signal data are reproduced at a variable .alpha.-time speed from a medium on which said audio signal data are previously recorded at a predetermined sampling frequency Fs, and a pitch conversion unit wherein a pitch conversion is effected in such a manner that said audio signal data of the sampling frequency fs (=.alpha.Fs) obtained from said reproducing unit are written into a memory with a write clock corresonding to said reproducing sampling frequency fs and are read-out from said memory with a read-out clock corresponding to an oscillating frequency fp (=.alpha.Fs) of a variable oscillator oscillating with a frequency which is .beta. times said predetermined sampling frequency Fs, where .beta. is a selected variable;

• and wherein the pitch conversion of the reproduced audio signal corresonding to the frequency ratio fp:Fp is effected independently of the reproducing speed at said reproducing unit.

An apparatus for reproducing audio signal comprising a pitch conversion processing section for effecting a pitch conversion of a reproduced audio signal at a desired pitch conversion ratio, and a pitch ratio control section for automatically setting said pitch conversion ratio of said pitch conversion processing section to a preset value on the basis of a signal indicating the starting or end of said reproduced audio signal.

An apparatus for reproducing an audio signal including cross-fade circuit means adapted for switching a first audio signal into a second, timebase adjusted, audio signal so as to derive a continuous signal therefrom, characterized by means for separating low-frequency components of said first and second audio signals, means for detecting zero-crossing points of said first audio signal, means for controlling said cross-fade circuit means in response to said detected zero crossing points so that said first and second audio signals are connected on the time base substantially at the low frequency zero-crossing points of said first audio signal.