Music software

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The generic term music software different is software to music GENERATION, uptake and postprocessing, propagation, management, and playback summarized. Such programs are often integrated in a digital audio workstation .

Overview and interaction

The term music software describes various areas of application:

Since these areas can overlap and mix as a result of the media opening (key words “hybridization of software”, “ media convergence ”), a clear distinction between software types is difficult.

With the mouse , the computer keyboard or a master keyboard , tones can be entered into music software as required. Depending on what the music is needed for, a suitable program from the desired genre is used. Notation programs are used to create notes with the help of the computer. They are the musical counterpart to a word processing program . The sheet music can be printed out or translated into a MusicXML file. This represents a machine-readable sheet of music or a score . The MIDI standard is used to play the notes . In the MIDI format, the individual notes are stored as short commands that can be interpreted by the computer. Most music notation programs can play MIDI. A so-called sequencer is required for further processing of a MIDI file . This helps when arranging many sound tracks into a whole. Various editing options are available. There are two basic technologies for a more realistic reproduction: The stored tones can be played either with a software synthesizer or a sampler . The music generated in this way can be played directly via the computer's sound card or translated into an audio file . Audio files can be further edited with audio editors or DJ software . Completely edited pieces of music can be published in various ways and then played back and listened to with a media player . Music learning programs or music information retrieval systems can help with the analysis or transcription of the audio being played .

Data exchange

Communication interfaces

In order to facilitate communication between the different types of music software, manufacturers and developers have defined some interfaces that enable standardized data exchange and thus allow the modular use of plug-ins .

The VST standard from Steinberg and RTAS (recently AAX ) from Avid , which are implemented on all common systems, have established themselves for communication between samplers and plug-in-based sound generators or sound filters . LV2 is also used under Linux . Under Mac OS X you will find the AU format. ReWire from Propellerhead of communication used between non-modular applications (including Microsoft Windows and Mac OS ). Using Rewire , for example, the playback of two different music programs can be synchronized. JACK manages audio routes between music programs under Linux. The interfaces can be expanded for modern audio applications by implementing the ARA standard . ARA was developed by Celemony and Presonus and introduced in 2011.

Data formats

The created content is saved in the file format of music software . In principle, a separate (proprietary) data format is specified for each software, i. That is, files created with the software can usually only be opened and edited with the software itself. However, some open or at least standardized formats for music software have become established. An open format is a published specification for storing data in digital form. A standardized format has also been published, but is not necessarily free because the developer companies sometimes charge license fees for patents containing the format (→ see e.g. MP3 ).

The following formats have established themselves in music software:

Genres of music software

Sequencer

A sequencer or tracker is software used to record, play back, and manipulate data to create music. The historical origin and thus also the main area of ​​application lies in the recording and processing of MIDI tracks.

Audio editors

Audio editors are application programs for PCs that can be used to digitally record and edit sounds via the sound card or a connected digital interface. In contrast to the sequencer, the historical origin of an audio editor lies in the recording and processing of audio tracks. In mastering software is specialized for mastering audio editors.

Audio effects

Audio effects are small music programs of their own for changing the sound, which are usually integrated as VST plugins in sequencers or audio editors.

Software instruments

A software instrument is used for software-based sound generation (also percussive sounds - drum computers ) in a sequencer, audio editor or music notation program. A distinction is made between two basic technologies, the synthesizer and the sampler.

Software synthesizer

In a software synthesizer (also called soft synth or synth for short ), the sound is generated by means of sound synthesis . The tones are generated in the software. Using coupled oscillators, you can create your own sounds (→ electronic music ) or reproduce familiar sounds. The advantage of synthesis is the small amount of memory required. The disadvantage, on the other hand, is the mostly poor sound fidelity ( transparency ) compared to the imitated instrument.

Software sampler

In contrast to the software synthesizer, the sampler only plays individual, previously recorded sound "snippets" instead of generating them specifically. A so-called sound library with extensive instrument collections is required for this. The more comprehensive the collection of recorded sounds, the more realistic the sound impression becomes. The sampler manages these "sound libraries". He can z. B. can be integrated into another music program for sound enhancement via VST or MIDI.

DJ software

A DJ program is music software that simulates the mixing previously carried out by a disc jockey on turntables or CD players and a mixer on a PC and also offers the user additional options for interaction, e.g. for creating remixes.

Notation software

Notation software is used to create notes using a computer. The focus of the range of functions is usually the aesthetic print image, with many functions for playback and listening via MIDI also being available. In addition, modern music programs provide support through a variety of automatisms and editing functions.

In the German-speaking countries, the commercial programs Finale (in publishing), Sibelius (with arrangers and composers), PriMus (with music teachers and church musicians) and Capella (in private households) dominate. Free alternatives are MuseScore or LilyPond . There are a large number of other programs of this genre (→ see lists of music notation programs )

Composition software

Composition software is available in two versions:

The first is supportive, i.e. That is, it provides the composer with tools for his work. The tools can relate to sound synthesis, but also to arrangement or recording. Depending on the composer's preferences and goals, a sequencer, audio editor or music notation program can serve as the composition software. Hybrid programs often offer helpful automatisms such as recognizing the tone supply of an instrument or calculating chords. Sound generators such as Max / MSP , Pure Data, etc. a. can basically be used for composing, for example electronic music ( algorithmic composition ).

The second creates pieces of music itself, so it "composes" largely independently. The choice in this area is small because the musicological background is demanding. There are hardly any usable scientific bases for the (more or less) automatic generation of music.

The following is a list of software that masters "semi-automatic" composition in a given style:

Distribution software

Distribution software helps with the publication of music, be it for commercial distribution or free publishing. Most of the solutions in this area come as interactive media websites and see themselves as SaaS applications. In such online portals, musicians or music lovers can make their music public, sell it or discuss it with other users.

Belong to them

u. v. m.

Media player

With the help of a media player , media content such as audio data , but also videos and individual images, can be played on a computer. In addition to standard functions such as start , stop , pause ... a media player can usually also display metadata , create playlists and manage media libraries. The best-known representatives of this genre include iTunes , Windows Media Player , Winamp and the VLC media player .

Music tutorial

Music tutorials exist in a variety of ways, including: B. for:

A largely new field is software to aid in learning a musical instrument.

Music analysis software

Well-known music analysis software mostly comes from the field of music information retrieval . It deals with the mood analysis of music (→ see e.g. Mufin-Player ) or the similarity search (→ see e.g. iTunes Genius ). Various manufacturers have also specialized in automatic music transcription with their software .

Music management software

Music management software helps organize your own music collection. There are two variants:

The first is used to manage your own audio files (e.g. MP3 files). A well-known representative of this genre is iTunes .

The second is used to organize, sort and catalog your own physical sound carriers (e.g. CDs , records ). Such programs usually have extensive music databases that allow users to add their own sound carriers using barcodes or other information.

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Celemony: ARA - A groundbreaking extension for audio plug-in interfaces. 2011, accessed January 23, 2012 .

Web links