Patent ID: 6872878

Claim:
A musical tone signal generation apparatus accommodated for multiple users to play music in an ensemble, comprising: a main unit; a plurality of performance operators, each of which is physically separated from the main unit and is manually operated by each user to issue tone-generation instructions, wherein at least one of the plurality of performance operators is configured as a hold operator that is configured using a pressure sensor mounted on a base member and encapsulated in a hold member which is made by elastic material and is formed in around shape suited for grip of the user; a storage medium for storing performance data and tone color data with respect to at least a single musical tune constructed by a plurality of parts respectively corresponding to a plurality of tone colors; a tone color assignor for assigning the plurality of tone colors to the plurality of performance operators; a musical tone signal generator for generating musical tone signals based on the performance data stored in the storage medium so as to play automatic performance or for generating musical tone signals in response to the tone-generation instructions being issued from each of the plurality of performance operators so as to play manual performance using each of the tone colors assigned to the performance operators; and a plurality of speakers for producing musical tones corresponding to the musical tone signals of the automatic performance or manual performance, wherein the plurality of speakers are arranged on the main unit in connection with the plurality of performance operators respectively.