Vocoder system and method for vocal sound synthesis

A method for generating a musical signal with a computer system comprising a detector, an input device, a frequency divider, and a processor, the method comprising:

• analyzing a first musical tone signal with the detector to detect formant characteristics of the first musical tone signal;
• inputting a second musical tone signal into the input device that corresponds to specified pitch information;
• generating new formant characteristics of the first musical tone signal based on the formant characteristics of the first musical tone signal, formant control information for generating the new formant characteristics from the formant characteristics, and the specified pitch information corresponding to the second musical tone signal;
• dividing the second musical tone signal with the frequency divider into a plurality of frequency bands, the respective center frequencies of which have been fixed;
• setting modulation levels with the processor, based on the new formant characteristics of the first musical tone signal, only at the fixed center frequency of each of the frequency bands of the second musical tone signal;
• and
• modulating with the processor a level of a signal of each of the frequency bands of the second musical tone signal based on the respective modulation level.

A vocoder system comprising:

• a formant detector for analyzing a first musical tone signal to detect formant characteristics of the first musical tone signal;
• an input device for inputting a second musical tone signal that corresponds to specified pitch information;
• a formant generator for generating new formant characteristics of the first musical tone signal based on the formant characteristics of the first musical tone signal, formant control information for generating the new formant characteristics from the formant characteristics, and the specified pitch information corresponding to the second musical tone signal;
• a divider connected to the input device for dividing the second musical tone signal into a plurality of frequency bands, the respective center frequencies of which have been fixed;
• a level setter for setting modulation levels, based on the new formant characteristics of the first musical tone signal, only at the fixed center frequency of each of the frequency bands of the second musical tone signal;
• and
• a modulator for modulating a level of a signal of each of the frequency bands of the second musical tone signal based on the respective modulation level set in the level setter.

A vocoder system comprising:

• formant detection means for analyzing a first musical tone signal to detect formant characteristics of the first musical tone signal;
• musical tone signal input means for inputting a second musical tone signal that corresponds to specified pitch information;
• formant generation means for generating new formant characteristics of the first musical tone signal based on the formant characteristics of the first musical tone signal, formant control information for generating the new formant characteristics from the formant characteristics, and the specified pitch information corresponding to the second musical tone signal;
• filtering means for dividing the second musical tone signal into a plurality of frequency bands based on respective fixed center frequencies;
• setting means for setting modulation levels, based on the new formant characteristics of the first musical tone signal, only at the fixed center frequency of each of the frequency bands of the second musical tone signal;
• and
• modulation means for modulating a level of a signal of each of the frequency bands of the second musical tone signal based on the respective modulation level set in the setting means.