Audio Harmonization Using Pitch Distribution-Based Pitch Shifts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Music software programs often require specialized knowledge to adjust musical components for harmonization, leading to frustrating user experiences for users without musical expertise.

Innovation Solution

An audio harmonization system that automatically adjusts the pitch distribution of audio samples to increase harmonic coherence by determining and applying a pitch shift based on the pitch distributions of two audio samples, allowing them to sound good together harmonically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If music software provides extensive control over musical components for harmonization, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharmonization precisionVSAvoiduser operation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically analyzes pitch distributions of audio samples and determines optimal pitch shifts without requiring user intervention. The computer executes algorithms that self-adjust musical components based on detected pitch characteristics, eliminating the need for users to manually control numerous harmonization parameters while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pitch parameter of audio samples based on detected pitch distributions. By automatically adjusting pitch values to achieve harmonic coherence between samples, the system provides precise harmonization control through a single automated parameter adjustment rather than requiring manual control of multiple musical parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If automatic pitch adjustment is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser operation simplicityVSAvoidharmonization accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system analyzes the pitch distribution of audio samples and uses this feedback to determine optimal pitch shifts. By continuously detecting pitch characteristics and adjusting based on detected patterns, the system achieves accurate harmonization automatically, maintaining high precision while simplifying user operation through intelligent feedback-driven adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment of pitch parameters with automated computational analysis. Computer algorithms substitute for manual musical expertise, automatically calculating optimal pitch shifts based on detected pitch distributions, thereby maintaining precision through computational accuracy rather than human skill.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3047480B1Automatic audio harmonization based on pitch distributions
Publication Date: 2017.07.19 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3047480B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3047480B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3047480B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Two audio samples and/or sets of audio samples are identified. The pitch distributions of the audio samples and/or sets of audio samples are identified, the pitch distribution of an audio sample or set of audio samples referring to how much of each of multiple pitches of notes is present in the audio sample or set of audio samples. Based on the pitch distributions of the audio samples and/or sets of audio samples, at least one pitch of one of the audio sample and/or set of audio samples can be automatically adjusted (but need not be, depending on the pitch distributions) to increase harmonic coherence of the audio samples and/or sets of audio samples.