To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=8243
13 messages

Tune recognition software!!

23 Dec 98 - 02:57 PM (#50695)
Subject: Tune recognition software!!
From: Bill D


23 Dec 98 - 09:06 PM (#50757)
Subject: RE: Tune recognition software!!
From: John in Brisbane

This will probably be my last posting for the year of 1998 - so I'll add some comments that are dear to my heart.

How can the many Mudcat readers actually contribute a tune to the DT with a minimum of effort on their behalf, and without unduly inconveniencing the wonderful handful of volunteers who make the whole Mudcat happen?

A full answer to this would probably require a thousand words or so. But to keep this brief, with our current technologies the first step (as we do it today) and arguably the hardest part, is to translate the music tune into a Midi file. There are lots of ways of doing this, but the feedback that we get in this forum is that there are lots of roadblocks for beginners in this process.

If you get the chance in the Christmas break, check out the shareware known as Melos at Simtel, or your favourite shareware site. It uses whistling as the input source. I haven't tried it out, but it MAY be an alternative option to create the Midi file.

http://www.simtel.net/simtel.net/win3/index-win3.html

I had tried another package known as Note Whistler (some time ago) but from memory they were after a sizeable amount of loot for the notation to midi conversion.

I would be keen to get your feedback in the New Year.

Regards
John


29 Dec 98 - 07:37 AM (#51226)
Subject: RE: Tune recognition software!!
From: Songbird

Why not try it and see??

Send any old WAV file which you could record form a record or CD, or even download from one. If you read the manual method (as opposed to WAV files) this would be useful to everyone here I guess.

I have heard of the principle they are using, and have a book (in the UK) which tries to do exactly this. It is called the Directory of Tunes and lists thousands of tunes using the first 15 notes in a sequence of U's D's and R's depending on the relative position to the proceeding note, it either goes Up, Down or Repeats.

The book has been very useful although geared primarily to the Classical side of music rather than the Folk side. I have had the book for about twenty years now so getting hold of it may be tricky. Perhaps they have an updated version.

Keep us posted on the results.


29 Dec 98 - 05:13 PM (#51299)
Subject: RE: Tune recognition software!!
From: Zorro

Tune recognition software? The next thing you know they'll be people going to the moon... H


30 Dec 98 - 12:51 AM (#51375)
Subject: RE: Tune recognition software!!
From: dick greenhaus

A major problem in developing tune recognition programs is that few of the folk sing it the same way twice. Or even once.


30 Dec 98 - 05:36 PM (#51459)
Subject: RE: Tune recognition software!!
From: Bill D

well, I have installed the Melos software...and my first impression is that it works better than I do....it allows you to whistle, sing, play, etc., into your microphone, and the notes you supposedly made appear on a staff on screen...then you can play it back or save it...but they DO say it takes practice..AMEN! I suspect that the sensitivity of your mic is important, along with all the settings for tempo, range...etc.

It says it will also take a mono .wav file as input, but I have not tried that yet...

I will try some other tests and post my opinion here...


07 Jan 99 - 12:41 AM (#52439)
Subject: RE: Tune recognition software!!
From: John in Brisbane

My first attempts last night at using Melos were far from brilliant. Tonight I'll give it another try. Any further thoughts Bill?

Regards
John


07 Jan 99 - 10:18 AM (#52528)
Subject: RE: Tune recognition software!!
From: MMario

I have had no luck getting anything recognizable from any input except the samples they provided. Anyone getting results?

MMario


07 Jan 99 - 11:34 AM (#52544)
Subject: RE: Tune recognition software!!
From: Bill D

I have a friend with darn good pitch trying it...we shall see..(perhaps this is a way to WRITE some new tunes..you whistle "Barbary Allen" at it and it gives you a variation of "Rosin, the Beau"


07 Jan 99 - 07:35 PM (#52644)
Subject: RE: Tune recognition software!!
From: John in Brisbane

I wasted some more time last night on Melos and NoteWhistler, without success. I checked out the ZDNet shareware site and see that there is a Win 95/98/NT package available for a registered cost of $20. Can't recall its name but I used the keyword 'whistle' to find it. I don't have Win 95, but a more intrepid soul might care to give it a go.

Regards
John


07 Jan 99 - 11:58 PM (#52707)
Subject: RE: Tune recognition software!!
From: MMario

John - can't find anything on ZDNet shareware site. Any chance you can recall the name??? whistle gives no hits for me...


08 Jan 99 - 07:57 PM (#52892)
Subject: RE: Tune recognition software!!
From: Jo Taylor

Just installed Melos, first reaction was do I really sound like that?!!!! After a few minutes practice it started getting better - it needs very regular notes, no ornaments, no grace notes, think digital - it's got no soul. Might be useful but I think it would be quicker to use a pencil and paper - remember them?


10 Jan 99 - 06:36 PM (#53237)
Subject: RE: Tune recognition software!!
From: John in Brisbane

MMario - here is the link you were chasing:

http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=000UPB&b=

Regards
John