Pitch Distribution Harmonization for Coherent Audio Sample Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Music software programs often require specialized knowledge to adjust various aspects of music, leading to frustrating user experiences for users without musical expertise, as they struggle to achieve harmonically coherent audio combinations.

Innovation Solution

An audio harmonization system that analyzes pitch distributions of two audio samples and automatically adjusts their pitches to increase harmonic coherence, using a pitch modification module to determine the appropriate shifts and an audio combining module to create harmonically compatible audio outputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users independently adjust numerous different aspects of music using software programs, then control over music composition is improved, but user experience deteriorates for users without specialized musical knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol over music compositionVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic pitch distribution analysis and harmonization without requiring user intervention. The computer automatically analyzes pitch distributions of multiple audio samples, determines optimal pitch shifts, and applies harmonization, enabling the system to serve itself rather than requiring specialized user knowledge

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically adjusts pitch parameters of audio samples based on analyzed pitch distributions. By changing pitch parameters programmatically rather than requiring manual adjustment, the system maintains versatility in music composition while eliminating the need for specialized musical knowledge from users

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If users manually adjust pitch and harmony of audio samples, then harmonic coherence can be improved, but time and effort required deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharmonic coherenceVSAvoidtime to achieve harmonization

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary pitch distribution analysis on all audio samples before combining them. By analyzing pitch distributions in advance and determining optimal pitch shifts beforehand, the system achieves high harmonic coherence without requiring time-consuming manual adjustment during the composition process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment of pitch and harmony with automated computational analysis. The computer automatically calculates pitch distributions, determines optimal shifts, and applies harmonization, substituting the mechanical process of manual adjustment with an automated computational system that achieves both precision and efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9257954B2Automatic audio harmonization based on pitch distributions

Publication Date: 2016.02.09 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

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.