FiggyFighter of the night manChampion of the sunRegistered Userregular
edited January 2009
So I've heard some people saying that this software will spell doom for musicians everywhere. What do you think about that?
Excerpts:
That’s one very important thing..We’ve seen a lot of people on the web kind of mentioning this too.. Songsmith does not—absolutely does not—automatically create music.. and you have to provide the melody before it comes up with anything.
Its really that you have to provide the melody and really that’s the creative aspect of songwriting.. in no way are we trying to replace that.
Is there still work being done to improve its capabilities to deal with less-than-normal melodies or phrases?
Basically, they're now going to different trade shows to present the software, but they're looking at the feedback and what people want to see more of. He said they're constantly trying to add a larger database of chords as well as a more complex slider (6-way) to experiment with.
I think the general idea that I took away from the interview was that they don't think, in any rough way, shape, or form, that Songsmith will replace any aspect of the songwriting process. It's merely a tool to help you experiment with different chords without sitting there and strumming them out again and again. It can be a time-saving tool and provide an avenue to explore different possibilities using your melody.
For example, input your melody, lock down the chords you like.. play with the sliders some more... manually enter chords you know you want to change.. etc. Then, take the whole thing to your band and experiment.
Anyway, I'll link to the entire article here next week.
Man, when I write something, I just hum it, play it and play around to see what I can add to it. I don't need no compootah to help me! *shakes fist*
It's an interesting experiment, but it still seems to just be that right now - an experiment. If they're still really actively looking for feedback and they're still working on improving it, then why isn't this a beta, at least for a bit longer?
Cyvros on
0
FiggyFighter of the night manChampion of the sunRegistered Userregular
Man, when I write something, I just hum it, play it and play around to see what I can add to it. I don't need no compootah to help me! *shakes fist*
It's an interesting experiment, but it still seems to just be that right now - an experiment. If they're still really actively looking for feedback and they're still working on improving it, then why isn't this a beta, at least for a bit longer?
He mentioned that some musicians are able to match chords to a melody right away, but many need to sit down and experiment with an instrument and explore many avenues before finding the perfect fit. In that situation, Songsmith is a quick and easy way to test out chords.
I think they're pretty much done developing the software. They will improve it based on feedback (like every piece of software ever made.. there are always patches) but they're moving on to other music-based projects.
Man, when I write something, I just hum it, play it and play around to see what I can add to it. I don't need no compootah to help me! *shakes fist*
That's how several musicians I've known do it. One guy I knew in high school would get a melody in his head, call up his answering machine at home and hum into it so he could remember it later.
I don't think it hurts to have tools available, everyone gets in creative ruts and having options to get out of them is never bad.
I don't consider myself a musician, but I've been using my DS lately to prototype ideas then go home and figure them out on my guitar.
xzzy on
0
FiggyFighter of the night manChampion of the sunRegistered Userregular
edited January 2009
Vocal tracks run through songsmith to create new songs. These sound actually decent, contrary to some of the other ones run through I've heard.
Man, when I write something, I just hum it, play it and play around to see what I can add to it. I don't need no compootah to help me! *shakes fist*
It's an interesting experiment, but it still seems to just be that right now - an experiment. If they're still really actively looking for feedback and they're still working on improving it, then why isn't this a beta, at least for a bit longer?
He mentioned that some musicians are able to match chords to a melody right away, but many need to sit down and experiment with an instrument and explore many avenues before finding the perfect fit. In that situation, Songsmith is a quick and easy way to test out chords.
I mostly do ambient and experimental music, but I mess with more traditional songs, too (it's all just hobby stuff). I have no ear for key, so if I write a melody on its own rather than while playing guitar, I'm kind of shit at finding the chords to match it. A quick shortcut to point me in the right direction? I'll take it.
Mostly, though, it just seems like it would be fun to play with.
I could see this being a "serious" tool for sampling loops and the like. Make it a VST, feed it a melody, and it automatically spits out a progression.
The most impressive thing about those videos was the cleanness of the acappellas. Where the heck did he get the Marvin Gaye one, it's perfect? I want it for some mashups!
He mentioned that some musicians are able to match chords to a melody right away, but many need to sit down and experiment with an instrument and explore many avenues before finding the perfect fit. In that situation, Songsmith is a quick and easy way to test out chords.
I think they're pretty much done developing the software. They will improve it based on feedback (like every piece of software ever made.. there are always patches)
Fair enough. It's just the way I read the section about feedback in my head - I probably should wait for context next time.
That's how several musicians I've known do it. One guy I knew in high school would get a melody in his head, call up their answering machine at home and hum into it so they could remember it later.
Geez, that's fantastic. Makes me think of those people who walk around with tape recorders in their pockets in case they need to make a "note to self" or two.
Okay. The one thing I don't like about the Korg is that, as far as I know, anyway, there's no way to export the sequences to a separate piece of software (how, I'm not sure - most computer-based synths I've used only support MIDIs when importing sequences and MIDIs wouldn't capture the Kaoss Pad stuff). I can always record them into my computer, but it'd be nice to be able to start off on the DS and then move onto the computer for further editing.
but they're moving on to other music-based projects.
This intrigues me. Did he say anything in regards to this? I suddenly had visions of Microsoft making their own versions of Cakewalk and Sibelius.
Not specifically really.. just they might be related to songsmith but not necessarily. If they find new and exciting technology that would enhance the software, they'll definitely develop it.
The Marvin Gaye one works too til the chorus hits.
The first verse sounds decent, considering it's just a simple chord progression and standard drum loop.
The most impressive thing about those videos was the cleanness of the acappellas. Where the heck did he get the Marvin Gaye one, it's perfect? I want it for some mashups!
The Doobie Bros one actually sounded really good.
I got them from the original multitrack masters. I've been collecting them whenever I can find them for a long time now, because I do a lot of sampling for my own recordings. The Microsoft Songsmith thing is just a wacky experiment that seems to have drawn a lot of attention (the one I did of the Cars' "Just what I needed" was immediately DMCA'ed until I claimed fair use) but whatever.
My workflow is Ububtu server (playing back isolated vocal tracks in Audacity) -> OS X Macbook (running Parallels -> Windows XP running Songsmith).
I'm trying to put out one a day if I can. But I'm pretty busy the next few days, so we'll see. There are six so far, all of them here:
I think the only thing they need is a chorus. The Oasis song, for example, just kind of drones on.
The Doobie Brothers one is amazing though.
I agree, but the moment I start interfering with the Microsoft Robot Music Output, it's not... "automatic," and I might as well just do it all myself, right? Then it might actually sound "good."
The only time I intervene is when tempos go wildly in the wrong direction, and then I add a few tempo changes to the MIDI file. And yeah, I like the Doobie Bros.' one too, it's one of my favorite songs in the world.
And for guitarists, please don't forget the excellent Jam Sessions. For messing about with chords it is ace. Can actually function as an honest to god guitar-in-your-pocket if you have any sort of talent. I have no sort of talent, but this guy does:
Microsoft has been sending me emails telling me how impressed they are with how I'm using Songsmith.
They are very deluded.
To be honest, you seem like you put a fair amount of work into them(maybe you don't, I dunno) so they probably thought that you would enjoy getting an email like that.
JamesDM on
If you have any complaints about this poster then feel free to: Иди на хуй, Сучьи
Steam, PSN, XBL, Xfire and everything else JamesDM
Yeah, I agree with JamesDM. The stuff you've done is actually pretty cool, and i guess the more stuff like it that goes around the better for microsoft. Kinda cool that they emailed you about it.
Posts
Excerpts:
That’s one very important thing..We’ve seen a lot of people on the web kind of mentioning this too.. Songsmith does not—absolutely does not—automatically create music.. and you have to provide the melody before it comes up with anything.
Its really that you have to provide the melody and really that’s the creative aspect of songwriting.. in no way are we trying to replace that.
Basically, they're now going to different trade shows to present the software, but they're looking at the feedback and what people want to see more of. He said they're constantly trying to add a larger database of chords as well as a more complex slider (6-way) to experiment with.
I think the general idea that I took away from the interview was that they don't think, in any rough way, shape, or form, that Songsmith will replace any aspect of the songwriting process. It's merely a tool to help you experiment with different chords without sitting there and strumming them out again and again. It can be a time-saving tool and provide an avenue to explore different possibilities using your melody.
For example, input your melody, lock down the chords you like.. play with the sliders some more... manually enter chords you know you want to change.. etc. Then, take the whole thing to your band and experiment.
Anyway, I'll link to the entire article here next week.
It's an interesting experiment, but it still seems to just be that right now - an experiment. If they're still really actively looking for feedback and they're still working on improving it, then why isn't this a beta, at least for a bit longer?
He mentioned that some musicians are able to match chords to a melody right away, but many need to sit down and experiment with an instrument and explore many avenues before finding the perfect fit. In that situation, Songsmith is a quick and easy way to test out chords.
I think they're pretty much done developing the software. They will improve it based on feedback (like every piece of software ever made.. there are always patches) but they're moving on to other music-based projects.
I don't think it hurts to have tools available, everyone gets in creative ruts and having options to get out of them is never bad.
I don't consider myself a musician, but I've been using my DS lately to prototype ideas then go home and figure them out on my guitar.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=e1e_h1OJfS4
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=pbtlEPIlyfU
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=wOLjQhe7QqE
Mostly, though, it just seems like it would be fun to play with.
I could see this being a "serious" tool for sampling loops and the like. Make it a VST, feed it a melody, and it automatically spits out a progression.
The Doobie Bros one actually sounded really good.
This intrigues me. Did he say anything in regards to this? I suddenly had visions of Microsoft making their own versions of Cakewalk and Sibelius.
Geez, that's fantastic. Makes me think of those people who walk around with tape recorders in their pockets in case they need to make a "note to self" or two.
Cool. Mind if I ask what you're using on your DS for that? Is it a specific app or something like a recorder?
Well this is the Korg DS, retail:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yejsYE5uHnw
And this is Nitrotracker, homebrew:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmb66OXJc8c&feature=related
(Sorry to go offtopic)
Not specifically really.. just they might be related to songsmith but not necessarily. If they find new and exciting technology that would enhance the software, they'll definitely develop it.
The first verse sounds decent, considering it's just a simple chord progression and standard drum loop.
For comparison
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtUMa0FtuWY
I'm Jacob Wilson. | facebook | thegreat2nd | [url="aim:goim?screenname=TheGreatSecond&message=Hello+from+the+Penny+Arcade+Forums!"]aim[/url]
it is quite a terribly hilarious screen
I got them from the original multitrack masters. I've been collecting them whenever I can find them for a long time now, because I do a lot of sampling for my own recordings. The Microsoft Songsmith thing is just a wacky experiment that seems to have drawn a lot of attention (the one I did of the Cars' "Just what I needed" was immediately DMCA'ed until I claimed fair use) but whatever.
My workflow is Ububtu server (playing back isolated vocal tracks in Audacity) -> OS X Macbook (running Parallels -> Windows XP running Songsmith).
I'm trying to put out one a day if I can. But I'm pretty busy the next few days, so we'll see. There are six so far, all of them here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/azz100c
(had to register a new account since i couldn't remember my old one, haven't been here in maybe four years)
The Doobie Brothers one is amazing though.
This thread is about Songsmith, not music in general...
I agree, but the moment I start interfering with the Microsoft Robot Music Output, it's not... "automatic," and I might as well just do it all myself, right? Then it might actually sound "good."
The only time I intervene is when tempos go wildly in the wrong direction, and then I add a few tempo changes to the MIDI file. And yeah, I like the Doobie Bros.' one too, it's one of my favorite songs in the world.
Dude, you're gonna make them stomp off the stage in a huff.
OR GET PUNCHED IN THE FACE
http://www.houndbite.com/?houndbite=6924
And for guitarists, please don't forget the excellent Jam Sessions. For messing about with chords it is ace. Can actually function as an honest to god guitar-in-your-pocket if you have any sort of talent. I have no sort of talent, but this guy does:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL5G1a6Pymk
Never forget it.
I think making an interesting song out of all those other DS titles would be a much more demanding exercise.
"Hey. Hey, guys. Guys! Could you give me a minute? I need to get this sequence down."
So playing off-key is quite easy to do.
They are very deluded.
To be honest, you seem like you put a fair amount of work into them(maybe you don't, I dunno) so they probably thought that you would enjoy getting an email like that.
Steam, PSN, XBL, Xfire and everything else JamesDM
No. That take on Roxanne is seriously awesome. Like so awesome I want the straight audio from you so I can add it to my music library.
I'm Jacob Wilson. | facebook | thegreat2nd | [url="aim:goim?screenname=TheGreatSecond&message=Hello+from+the+Penny+Arcade+Forums!"]aim[/url]