Computer Concerts? Making Modern Music From A Classic Vibe

Reported April 2011

Raleigh, N.C. (Ivanhoe Newswire) --Artists from Beethoven to Count Basie to the Beatles have changed music, one song at a time, and found a permanent place in our culture. Even when the musicians are long gone, their fans will go to almost any lengths to keep the music alive. In 2011, that can mean sampling or even science.

At Joe Andris‘s urban DJ store, it’s all about the music. And vinyl-- even really old vinyl is alive and well.

“It’s a great medium as far as like audio quality, very collectible.” Joe Andris, Owner of Beatlab told Ivanhoe.

Andris says sampling unique sounds from old recordings can give a modern mix a classic vibe.

“The beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so with music it’s infinite,” Andris said.

Software engineer, Dr. John Q. Walker appreciates old recordings too. But in his North Carolina studio he doesn’t just borrow classic sounds— he reinvents them.

“What we focus on is representing exactly is how musicians perform,” John Q. Walker, Ph.D., Founder of Zenph Sound Innovations said.

Using signal processing, artificial intelligence, and acoustics, Walker’s company developed new computer software that can dissect any recording--note by note.

“If they’re playing the piano, how would they have pressed the keys, where would the pedal have been, how long would they have held it?” Dr. Walker said.

The new software lets a robotic piano precisely ‘re-perform’ musical classics, like a 19-80 performance by Oscar Peterson. There’s no one sitting at the piano bench, but every note you hear is authentically his,” Dr. Walker explained.

The technology can recreate, change the mood, even change the players on a classic recording the way you’d Photoshop a picture.

“It enriches it greatly for the listener. The listener can sit and put together you know fantasy football for music,” Dr. Walker added.

Played by a robotic piano, virtual saxophone or even virtual bass, it’s classic music seen and heard a whole new way.

“Yeah it takes a lot of science to get there, but the result all relates to goose bumps,” Dr. Walker concluded.

Dr. Walker has already staged robotic piano performances in front of some pretty big live audiences, recreating classic recordings at places like Carnegie hall. He’ll be performing at the Newport music festival in July. The first consumer software for piano files from Walker’s company Zenph sound innovations is set for release this summer.

The Acoustical Society of America contributed to the information contained in the TV portion of this report.

Click here to Go Inside This Science or contact:

Adriana V. Difranco
Director, Brand + Community
Zenph Sound Innovations, Inc
adrianad@zenph.com

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Artists from Beethoven to the Beatles have changed music, one song at a time. Even when they’re long gone, fans can recreate live performances on their computer.