Music signal conversion apparatus

Claim 1

Apparatus for converting an input music signal composed of sequential note signal envelopes having a relatively rapid rise time and a relatively slow fall time to an output music signal whose sequential note signal envelopes have a relatively slow rise time and a relatively rapid fall time, said apparatus comprising: an input port adapted to be coupled to a source for said input music signal; a relaxation oscillator means for producing an output signal composed of periodic signal elements of generally sawtooth shape in response to the application of electrical power to said oscillator means; each said signal element having an amplitude which increases with time; modulator means having a first input terminal coupled to said input port and having a second input terminal fed by said oscillator means; said modulator means having an output terminal coupled to said output port; electrically actuatable switch means positioned for selectively applying electrical power to said oscillator means; rectifying and low pass filtering means fed from said output port and having an output control signal indicative of the average value of output signal power at said output port; means for comparing said control signal with a predetermined reference signal; said comparing means being coupled to said switch means and being configured for actuating said switch means when said control signal exceeds said predetermined reference signal.