System for learning and mixing music

• US 7,902,446 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2009
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jammit, Inc.
• Original Assignee: OEM, Incorporated
• Inventors: Humphrey, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Qin; Jianchun
• Application Number:
  US12/390,393
• Publication Number:
  US 20090255395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 844/70.R, 846/15
• US Class Current: 84/470.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/00 Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism healthcare informatics G16H
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 15/00 Teaching music metronomes G04F5/02
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0041 in coded form
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0066 using a MIDI interface
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/056 for extraction or identification of individual instrumental parts, e.g. melody, chords, bass; Identification or separation of instrumental parts by their characteristic voices or timbres
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/061 for extraction of musical phrases, isolation of musically relevant segments, e.g. musical thumbnail generation, or for temporal structure analysis of a musical piece, e.g. determination of the movement sequence of a musical work
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/385 Speed change, i.e. variations from preestablished tempo, tempo change, e.g. faster or slower, accelerando or ritardando, without change in pitch
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/015 Musical staff, tablature or score displays, e.g. for score reading during a performance
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/091 Graphical user interface [GUI] specifically adapted for electrophonic musical instruments, e.g. interactive musical displays, musical instrument icons or menus; Details of user interactions therewith
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/135 Musical aspects of games or videogames; Musical instrument-shaped game input interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/005 Data structures for use in electrophonic musical devices; Data structures including musical parameters derived from musical analysis

Abstract

The teachings described herein are generally directed to a system for learning an isolated instrument audio track within a prerecorded and original, multi-track recording. The system can include a processor, and a database to store audio data for processing by a user, a transformation module, an emulation recording module, and an integration engine. The audio data for processing can include (i) a multi-track digital audio file of an original, multi-track work having an isolated instrument audio track and an emulation audio track, the isolated instrument being clearly isolatable from the emulation audio track by the user using a variable gain volume control; (ii) a manually created and variable, audible timing reference track designed for the user for the preselected and prerecorded piece of music, and, (iii) an emulated instrument audio track created by the user while following the tempo of the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track.

Claims

1. A system for learning an isolated instrument audio track from a preselected piece of music, in which a user creates an educational audio file, the system comprising:

a processor;

an input device operable to receive audio data on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium;

a database operable to store audio files for access on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the audio files including

(i) a multi-track digital audio file of the preselected piece of music having an isolated instrument audio track containing only audio from the isolated instrument, and an emulation audio track consisting of the multi-track digital audio file having the isolated instrument audio track removed;

(ii) a manually created and variable, audible timing reference track designed and provided for the user for the preselected piece of music, wherein the preselected piece of music was prerecorded, and the designing of the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track includes creating a tempo map having variable tempos, rhythms, and beats using notes from the preselected piece of music; and

,

(iii) an emulated instrument audio track created by the user;

a transformation module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the transformation module is operable by the user to select a variable gain ratio that includes a ratio of (i) an isolated instrument audio track volume to (ii) an emulation audio track volume to transform the audio tracks into clearly isolated tracks, or a mix of audio tracks, to assist the user in learning the isolated instrument audio track;

an emulation recording module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the emulation recording module is operable by the user to record the user'"'"'s emulated instrument audio track on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the recording of the emulated instrument audio track performed by the user with guidance from the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;

an integration engine embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the integration engine is operable by the user to combine the emulated instrument audio track with the isolated instrument audio track;

the emulation audio track;

the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;

or a combination thereof;

to transform the multi-track digital audio file into the educational audio file; and

,

an output module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the output module is operable to transmit audio data to an output device, the output device operable to provide audio data to the user, wherein the audio data assists the user in learning a preselected piece of music;

wherein,

the system functions to provide the user with the tools to (1) obtain the multi-track digital audio file;

(2) transform the multi-track digital audio file by selecting the variable gain ratio;

(3) emulate the isolated instrument audio track with a preselected musical instrument under a guidance of the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;

(4) record the emulated instrument audio track;

(5) combine the emulated instrument audio track with the isolated instrument audio track;

the emulation audio track;

the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;

or a combination thereof;

to transform the multi-track digital audio file into the educational audio file;

(6) listen to the educational audio file; and

, (7) repeat the emulating, recording, combining, and listening until the preselected piece of music has been learned to a satisfaction of the user.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the notes are MIDI notes that were manually created using transients.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the output module transmits music transcription and tablature data to a graphical user interface, the music transcription and tablature data synchronized for the user to the preselected piece of music using the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the multi-track digital audio file of the preselected piece of music is an original, multi-track recording or a re-creation of the original, multi-track recording.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the output device comprises a graphical user interface that displays a looping page showing a bar or bars of the preselected piece of music for repeated playback, wherein the bar or bars are selected by the user for the repeated playback through a transport state selection, the transport state selection indicating a position in the piece of music according to the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the transport state selection includes tempo speed control.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the transport state selection further allows the user to isolate a beat.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a data exchange module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the data exchange module is operable to exchange data with an external non-transitory computer readable storage media.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is contained in a hand-held device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is operable to function as a particular machine or apparatus directed to learning music and having the additional function of telecommunications, word processing, or gaming.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is operable to function as a particular machine or apparatus directed to learning music and not having other substantial functions.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the variable gain ratio is not limited to a ratio of audio tracks that are in either an off or on state.

12. A handheld apparatus for learning an isolated instrument audio track from a preselected piece of music, in which a user creates an educational audio file, the apparatus comprising:

a processor;

an input device comprising a microphone and a data input port, wherein the input device is operable to receive audio data for storage on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium;

a database operable to store audio files on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium for access, the audio files including

(i) a multi-track digital audio file of the preselected piece of music having an isolated instrument audio track containing only audio from the isolated instrument, and an emulation audio track consisting of the multi-track digital audio file having the isolated instrument audio track removed;

(ii) a manually created and variable, audible timing reference track designed and provided for the user for the preselected piece of music, wherein the preselected piece of music was prerecorded, and the designing of the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track includes creating a tempo map having variable tempos, rhythms, and beats using notes from the preselected piece of music; and

,

(iii) an emulated instrument audio track created by the user;

a transformation module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the transformation module is operable by the user to transform a multi-track digital audio file comprising an isolated instrument audio track and an emulation audio track into a select a variable gain ratio that includes a ratio of (i) an isolated instrument audio track volume to (ii) an emulation audio track volume to transform the audio tracks into clearly isolated tracks, or a mix of audio tracks, to assist the user in learning the isolated instrument audio track;

an emulation recording module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the emulation recording module is operable by the user to record the user'"'"'s emulated instrument audio track on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the recording of the emulated instrument audio track performed by the user following a tempo of the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;

an integration engine embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the integration engine is operable by the user to combine the emulated instrument audio track with the isolated instrument audio track, the emulation audio track, the audible timing reference track, or a combination thereof, to transform the multi-track digital audio file into the educational audio file; and

,

an output module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the output module is operable to transmit audio data to an output device, the output device comprising a speaker and a graphical user interface, wherein the output device is operable to provide audio data to the user in the form of sound and graphics including music transcription and tablature data, wherein, the music transcription and tablature data is synchronized for the user to the preselected piece of music using the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;

wherein,

the processor, the input device, the database, the transformation module, the emulation recording module, the integration engine, the output module, and the output device compose at least a portion of the handheld device; and

,

the handheld apparatus functions to provide the user with the tools to (1) obtain the multi-track digital audio file;

(2) transform the multi-track digital audio file by selecting the variable gain ratio;

(3) emulate the preselected piece of music with a preselected musical instrument under a guidance of the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;

(4) record the emulated instrument audio track;

(5) combine the emulated instrument audio track with the isolated instrument audio track;

the emulation audio track;

the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;

or a combination thereof;

to transform the multi-track digital audio file into the educational audio file;

(6) listen to the educational audio file; and

, (7) repeat the emulating, recording, combining, and listening until the preselected piece of music has been learned to a satisfaction of the user.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is operable to function as a particular machine or apparatus having the additional function of telecommunications, word processing, or gaming.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is operable to function as a particular machine or apparatus not having other substantial functions.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is a cellular device.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is an I-PHONE.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is a handheld video gaming console.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the variable gain ratio is not limited to a ratio of audio tracks that are in either an off or on state.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, the device further comprising a transport state selection operable to allow the user to select an isolated beat, bar or bars of the preselected piece of music, the transport state selection indicating a position in the piece of music according to the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track.

21. A system for use by a user to learn an isolated instrument audio track from an original, multi-track work, the system comprising:

a processor;

an input device operable to receive audio data on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium;

a database operable to store audio files for access on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the audio files including

(i) a multi-track digital audio file of the original, multi-track work having an isolated instrument audio track containing only audio from the isolated instrument, and an emulation audio track that does not contain audio from the isolated instrument, the isolated instrument being clearly isolatable from the emulation audio track;

(ii) a manually created and variable, audible timing reference track designed for the user for the preselected piece of music, wherein the preselected piece of music was prerecorded, and the designing of the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track includes creating a tempo map having variable tempos, rhythms, and beats using notes from the preselected piece of music; and

,

(iii) an emulated instrument audio track created by the user while following the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;

a transformation module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the transformation module is operable by the user to select a variable gain ratio that includes a ratio of (i) an isolated instrument audio track volume to (ii) an emulation audio track volume to transform the audio tracks into clearly isolated tracks, or a mix of audio tracks, to assist the user in learning the isolated instrument audio track;

an emulation recording module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the emulation recording module is operable by the user to record the user'"'"'s emulated instrument audio track under a guidance of the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;

an integration engine embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the integration engine is operable by the user to combine the emulated instrument audio track with the isolated instrument audio track;

the emulation audio track;

the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;

or a combination thereof; and

,

an output module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the output module is operable to transmit audio, music transcription and tablature data to an output device, the output device operable to provide the data to the user, showing a bar or bars of the preselected piece of music to the user;

wherein, the bar or bars are selected by the user through a transport state selection, the music transcription and tablature data are synchronized for the user with the preselected piece of music using the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;

wherein, the system functions to provide the user with the tools to practice at least a desired bar or bars of the preselected piece of music.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the apparatus is a cellular device.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the apparatus is an I-PHONE.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the apparatus is a handheld video gaming console.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the transport state selection further allows the user to isolate a beat.

26. A system for use by a user to learn an isolated instrument audio track that was subtracted from a preselected, original, multi-track work, the system comprising:

a processor;

an input device operable to receive audio data on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium;

a database operable to store audio files for access on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the audio files including

(i) a multi-track digital audio file of the original, multi-track work having an isolated instrument audio track that was subtracted from the multi-track digital audio file, and an emulation audio track that represents a remainder of the multi-track work after subtraction of the isolated instrument audio track;

(ii) a manually created and variable, audible timing reference track pre-designed for the user for the preselected piece of music, wherein the preselected piece of music was prerecorded, and the designing of the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track includes creating a tempo map having variable tempos, rhythms, and beats using notes from the preselected piece of music; and

,

(iii) an emulated instrument audio track performed by the user;

a transformation module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the transformation module is operable by the user to select any one or any combination of tracks in the original, multi-track work;

an emulation recording module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the emulation recording module is operable by the user to record the user'"'"'s emulated instrument audio track;

an integration engine embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the integration engine is operable by the user to combine the emulated instrument audio track with the isolated instrument audio track;

the emulation audio track;

the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;

or a combination thereof;

to transform the multi-track digital audio file into an educational audio file; and

,

an output module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the output module is operable to transmit audio, music transcription and tablature data to an output device, the output device operable to provide the data to the user, wherein the music transcription and tablature data is synchronized for the user to the preselected piece of music using the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;

wherein, the system functions to provide the user with the tools to isolate at least a bar or bars of a single track of the original multi-track work for playback.

27. A system for learning an isolated instrument audio track from an original, multi-track recording, the system comprising:

a processor;

a database operable to store audio files for access on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the audio files including an original, multi-track audio recording;

an isolated instrument audio track from the original, multi-track recording; and

a manually created and variable, audible timing reference track designed and provided for the user for the preselected piece of music, wherein the preselected piece of music was prerecorded, and the designing of the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track includes creating a tempo map having variable tempos, rhythms, and beats using notes from the preselected piece of music; and

,

a transformation module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the transformation module is operable by the user to select a variable gain ratio that includes a ratio of (i) an isolated instrument audio track volume to (ii) an emulation audio track volume to transform the audio tracks into clearly isolated tracks, or a mix of audio tracks, to assist the user in learning the isolated instrument audio track by emulating the isolated instrument audio track, wherein the emulating includes following the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;

wherein, the system functions to provide the user with the tools to practice the isolated instrument audio track in the original, multi-track recording.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the notes are MIDI notes that were manually created using transients.

29. The system of claim 27 further comprising an output module, output device, and transport state selection, wherein the output device comprises a graphical user interface operable to display a looping page showing a beat, bar or bars of the isolated instrument audio track for repeated playback, wherein the beat, bar or bars are selected by the user for the repeated playback through the transport state selection, the transport state selection indicating a position in the piece of music according to the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track.