- Rockin’ Patent: US Patent No. 9,304,988
- Filed: 28 August 2014
- In the name of: Landr Audio Inc. (assignee)
- Title: System And Method For Performing Automatic Audio Production Using Semantic Data
- What’s claimed: “A computer-implemented method for performing automatic audio production, comprising: receiving an audio signal to be processed via a semantic analysis module; receiving semantic information via the semantic analysis module, the semantic information comprising at least one of chromosomal features, classification features, and production features; determining at least one semantic-based rule using the received semantic information, the semantic-based rule comprising production data that defines how the audio signal to be processed should be produced; processing the audio signal to be processed using the production data via an audio processing module, thereby obtaining a produced audio signal, the production data comprising at least one of given audio processing actions to be performed and respective static characteristics for the given audio processing actions, a configuration for the audio processing actions, and target production features for the produced audio signal; outputting the produced audio signal via the audio processing module; wherein said determining the at least one semantic-based rule comprising production data comprises: accessing a database containing a plurality of reference records; identifying at least one reference record using the semantic information via the semantic analysis module; and assigning a value for the at least one of the given audio processing actions to be performed and the respective static characteristics for the given audio processing actions via the semantic analysis module, the configuration for the audio processing actions, and the target production features for the produced audio signal using the at least one identified reference record.”
- Why this patent rocks:
- This patent relates to automatic, online digital audio mastering. See the Wikipedia page on audio mastering here for more information if you’re not familiar with mastering.
- The patent describes this in more detail as follows: “In all fields of audio production (e.g. studio recording, live performance, broadcast) it is common to process the audio signals using a range of signal processing tools. This includes processing individual audio signals, e.g. mastering a finished mix; and processing and combining multiple audio signals that are produced by different acoustic sources, e.g. the component instruments within an ensemble. The objectives of this processing are to either improve the aesthetic characteristics of the resultant audio signal, e.g. to produce a high-quality mixture when combining multiple signals; or to adhere to some functional constraints in relation to the transmission, e.g. to minimise signal degradation due to data compression such as mp3, or to mitigate the effects of background noise on an airplane. At present, this work is done manually by skilled audio engineers, who are usually specialised in a specific area of production. The tasks that they perform can be very labour intensive, and for amateurs, there is a steep learning curve to enter the field, and often prohibitive costs in purchasing audio equipment. Therefore, there is a need for automatic audio production”.
- To understand how automated production is performed in accordance with this invention, this musicradar article, in which one of the Landr team explains how the product works, is an interesting read.
- This patent is also interesting as (see e.g. here) SoundCloud offered users free digital mastering using the Landr technology.
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The information above is for general interest and information only and does not constitute legal advice.
