WO1988008190A1

WO1988008190A1 - Multi-track audio recording and process for making same

Info

Publication number: WO1988008190A1
Application number: PCT/US1988/001221
Authority: WO
Inventors: Louis Tubman
Original assignee: Louis Tubman
Priority date: 1987-04-16
Filing date: 1988-04-18
Publication date: 1988-10-20

Abstract

A multi-track audio recording, and a process for making a multi-track audio recording which is structured so as to permit various portions of the lyrics and musical accompaniment of a lyrical composition to be selected and intermixed according to need, to facilitate the learning and the performing process. At least two parallel, discerte recording tracks (11, 12) are provided such that one of the tracks (11) is provided with lyrics, preferably in the form of vocal promptings, but not musical accompaniment, and another of the tracks (12) is provided with musical accompaniment, but not vocal promptings. The resulting multi-track audio recording, which may be provided on any of a variety of recording media, is then capable of being played back in an appropriate playback device so that the various recordings may be selected and mixed using the operating controls of the playback device.

Description

MULTI-TRACK AUDIO RECORDING AND PROCESS FOR MAKING SAME

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to multi- track audio recordings, and in particular, to multi-track audio recordings which are useful as a learning tool as well as a performing aid.

There has recently been a marked interest in learning to perform lyrical compositions by non- professionals, for purposes of relaxation and personal entertainment. Often, these efforts are made in private, solely for the entertainment of the person involved. However, other settings have recently come into vogue which permit non-professionals to perform in a semi-public setting such as a recording studio, or even a public setting such as a structured competition.

Irrespective of the reasons for wishing to per¬ form a lyrical composition, there is universally presented a need to learn the lyrical composition, and to then prac¬ tice and perfect one's skills in performing the learned piece. Of course, this can be accomplished by repeatedly listening to a particular lyrical composition, to learn the lyrics and musical accompaniment, and to thereafter practice (sing along) the learned lyrical composition. However, this learning technique is somewhat limited, particularly for those with lesser skills or motivation, since it essentially constitutes basic rote learning. This becomes particularly important when con¬ sidering that the primary reason for wanting to learn a lyrical composition is entertainment. Also to be con¬ sidered is that once the lyrical composition has been learned, it becomes desirable to perform the lyrical com¬ position without interference from the originally recorded version, i.e., with musical accompaniment only. This capability is unavailable when using conventionally pre¬ pared recordings, since the lyrics cannot be separated from the accompaniment.

It therefore became desirable to develop a tech¬ nique which facilitates the ability to learn and sub¬ sequently perform desired lyrical compositions, and which is adaptable to the abilities of the performer as the per¬ former progresses through the various stages of learning and presentation (privately or publicly).

Summary of the Invention It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a technique for facilitating the learning, as well as the performing of lyrical com¬ positions.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a technique for facilitating the performance of lyrical compositions after they have been learned.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a technique for learning and performing lyrical compositions in a simplified manner which is entertaining and easy to use.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide multi-track audio recordings for use in connection with the improved learning/performing technique of the ^• present invention.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide multi-track audio recordings having the foregoing capabilities, and which are readily adaptable to different applications and lyrical compositions.

These and other objects are achieved in accor¬ dance with the present invention by providing a technique for learning lyrical compositions which varies the con¬ figuration of the lyrical/musical composition which is presented to suit the various stages of learning, and sub¬ sequent performing of the composition. For example, in initially learning a particular lyrical composition, it is of interest to listen to a lyrical composition as it is intended to be performed to not only learn the lyrics, but also the manner in which the lyrics are combined with the musical accompaniment (timing, inflection, style, etc.). . After this initial learning process, it is then desirable to take steps to practice presentation of the learned lyrical composition, to improve one's technique. This may take the form of musical accompaniment together with the original lyrics provided at a reduced volume. Alternatively, this may take the form of musical accom¬ paniment with so-called vocal promptings, i.e., inserted lyric narratives. Either of these techniques may be used to practice the lyrical composition, with sufficient input to provide necessary assistance, but without being so structured as to hinder independent effort. Eventually, after perfecting one's technique to an appropriate degree, it is then often desirable to provide musical accom¬ paniment without lyrics or promptings, to enable the learned musical composition to be performed without inter¬ ference from the recorded medium. Alternatively, in per¬ formance a singer could, with the aid of a hidden speaker or ear-piece, repeat the lyrics or lyric prompts and sing the lyrics of the recorded lyrical composition in a manner that would suggest the illusion that the performer was singing the lyrics from memory.

These various stages of learning are accomplished in accordance with the present invention by providing a multi-track audio recording which is structured so as to permit various portions of the lyrics and musical accom¬ paniment to be selected and intermixed according to need, depending upon the stage of the learning process. In a preferred embodiment, two parallel tracks are provided with recordings in two separate segments. A first segment of the recording is provided with lyrics on a first track and musical accompaniment on a second track. The second segment of the recording is provided with vocal promptings on a first track and musical accompaniment on a second track. The resulting multi-track audio recording, which may be provided on any of a variety of recording media including magnetic recording tape, compact disc, or equivalent, is then capable of being played back in an appropriate playback device so that the various segments and tracks of the multi-track recording may be selected and mixed using the operating controls of the playback device. For example, selection between the lyrics/ accom¬ paniment recording (first segment) and the promptings/ accompaniment recording (second segment) is readily accomplished by varying the starting point of the playback device. Selection between the lyrics and accompaniment of the first segment, and the promptings and accompaniment of the second segment, is accomplished making use of the pan- speaker system (fader control) of the playback unit. To this end, the fader control may be used either to select between the available recordings (lyrics or accompaniment, promptings and accompaniment), or to selectively intermix the available recordings as desired depending upon the needs of the student. Other combinations (simpler or more complex) of recordings are also possible, including dif¬ ferent recordings within a two-track system, as well as recordings in other multi-track systems such as three- track or four-track systems and the like.

For further detail regarding the learning tech¬ nique of the present invention, and the audio recordings which may be provided to facilitate this learning tech¬ nique, reference is made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the following illustrations. Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a first alternative embodiment audio recording in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a second alternative embodiment audio recording in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of yet another alternative embodiment audio recording in accordance with the present invention, involving a four-track recording.

In the several views provided, like reference numerals denote similar structure.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate several audio record¬ ings 1, 10, 20 in accordance with the present invention. In each case, the audio recording 1, 10, 20 is applied to an appropriate medium, generally represented at 2, so as to develop a plurality of discrete tracks as will be described more fully below. Any of a variety of different recording media may be used to provide audio recordings in accordance with the present invention. This may include audio tape recordings such as reel-to-reel, cassette or cartridge recordings, compact disc (laser disc) record¬ ings, digital recordings, etc. All that is necessary is for the recording media selected to be capable of receiving discrete tracks of recorded information as will be described more fully below, so that the recordings may be replayed on appropriate equipment having controls for locating and selecting between the various tracks provided on the selected recording medium.

Figure 1 shows a simple audio recording in accor¬ dance with the present invention. In this example, the recording medium 2 includes a pair of discrete recording tracks 3, 4. One of the tracks, for example the track 3, is provided with lyrical prompts. These lyrical prompts are preferably the sung lyrics of a song, performed in a rapid, prompting, a capella manner, immediately preceeding the musical phrase which complements the recited lyrics. The remaining track, for example the track 4, is provided with the appropriate musical accompaniment.

In replaying such a recording on an appropriate playback device, the operator is permitted to select be¬ tween several different recording combinations. Initially, the promptings recorded on the track 3 may be used to learn the lyrics of the song. The lyrics may be studied (memorized) either with or without the musical accom¬ paniment, by using the fader control which is conven¬ tionally provided on two-track (stereo) playback devices to select the track 3, or a mixed combination of the tracks 3, 4, as desired. After the lyrics have been learned, the song may be practiced making use of the prompts on the track 3, together with the musical accom¬ paniment on the track 4. The extent of the prompting may again be controlled (increased and decreased) using the fader control of the playback device. Eventually, the fader control may be used to completely eliminate the vocal promptings on the track 3, leaving the musical accompaniment on the track 4 for use in performing the learned lyrics. Of course, the promptings and musical accompaniment may be played and replayed, as desired, using the forward/reverse controls of the playback device. A more versatile recording 10 in accordance with the present invention again makes use of two tracks 11, 12, each of which is divided into two segments 13, 14. The track 11 of the first segment 13 of the recording medium 2 is provided with original lyrics, sung as origi¬ nally intended and composed. The corresponding track 12 of the segment 13 is provided with a recording of the music which accompanies the lyrics provided on the track 11. Following the transition from the segment 13 to the segment 14, the original lyrics provided on the track 11 are replaced with lyric prompts of the same lyrics as ori¬ ginally presented on the track 11, but which are presented in a rapid, narrative style (with or without a staccato solo piano or organ melody accompaniment) . The musical accompaniment provided on the segment 13 of the track 12 is again repeated on the track 12 in the segment 14, appropriately synchronized to the lyric prompts provided on the track 11 in the segment 14.

In replaying such a recording on an appropriate playback device, the operator is again permitted to select between a variety of different recording combinations. For example, the tracks 11 and 12 of the segment 13 com¬ bine to reproduce the original lyrical composition. Thus, the track 11 of the segment 13 may be used to learn the lyrics, either with or without the musical accompaniment of the track 12 of the segment 13. This is accomplished using the fader control of the playback device. By advancing the recording medium 2 to the segment 14, the operator is permitted to select between lyric prompts and musical accompaniment, as desired. Combining the lyric prompts on the track 11 of the segment 14 and the musical accompaniment on the track 12 of the segment 14 can be used to practice and perfect one's technique. Again, the lyric prompts may be increased or decreased, as desired, using the fader control of the playback unit. Once the lyrics have been learned and appropriately practiced, the operator may select the musical recording provided on the track 12, either within the segment 13 or the segment 14 of the recording medium 2, to perform the lyrical com¬ position without interference from the original lyrics or lyric prompts provided on the track 11 of the recording medium 2.

In replaying such a recording on an appropriate playback device, the operator is permitted to select be¬ tween several different recording combinations. Initially, the promptings recorded on the track 3 may be used to learn the lyrics of the song. The lyrics may be studied (memorized) either with or without the musical accom¬ paniment, by using the fader control which is conven¬ tionally provided on two-track (stereo) playback devices to select the track 3, or a mixed combination of the tracks 3, 4, as desired. After the lyrics have been learned, the song may be practiced making use of the prompts on the track 3, together with the musical accom¬ paniment on the track 4. The extent of the prompting may again be controlled (increased and decreased) using the fader control of the playback device. Eventually, the fader control may be used to completely eliminate the vocal promptings on the track 3, leaving the musical accompaniment on the track 4 for use in performing the learned lyrics. Of course, the promptings and musical accompaniment may be played and replayed, as desired, using the forward/reverse controls of the playback device. A more versatile recording 10 in accordance with the present invention again makes use of two tracks 11, 12, each of which is divided into two segments 13, 14. The track 11 of the first segment 13 of the recording medium 2 is provided with original lyrics, sung as origi¬ nally intended and composed. The corresponding track 12 of the segment 13 is provided with a recording of the music which accompanies the lyrics provided on the track 11. Following the transition from the segment 13 to the segment 14, the original lyrics provided on the track 11 are replaced with lyric prompts of the same lyrics as ori¬ ginally presented on the track 11, but which are presented in a rapid, narrative style (with or without a staccato solo piano or organ melody accompaniment). The musical accompaniment provided on the segment 13 of the track 12 is again repeated on the track 12 in the segment 14, appropriately synchronized to the lyric prompts provided on the track 11 in the segment 14.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate two-track recordings in accordance with the present invention. However, the learning technique of the present invention is also adap¬ table to other multi-track recordings, such as four-track recordings. The additional tracks provide an opportunity to enhance the variations which may be developed in accor¬ dance with the present invention, to facilitate the learning, practice and performance of a desired lyrical composition. One such example of a four-track recording in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings. The four-track recording 20 includes a pair of tracks 21, 22 for receiving musical accompaniment, and a pair of tracks 23, 24 for receiving formatted lyrics. For example, the musical tracks 21, 22 may be used to provide a stereo reproduction, preferably to the rear of the operator, or two different versions (arrangements) of the musical accompaniment for the lyri- cal composition to be learned. The lyric tracks 23, 24 may similarly be provided with original lyrics or lyric prompts, either in a stereo format which, is preferably to the front of the operator, or in two different formats. As an example of the latter, the lyric track 23 may be provided with lyrics recorded in their original con¬ figuration, while the lyric track 24 is provided with lyric prompts as previously described. In any event, the operator is permitted to select between different arrange¬ ments of the musical accompaniment (or to intermix a stereo recording) by selecting between the tracks 21, 22, to select between different lyric presentations (or to intermix a stereo recording) by selecting between the tracks 23, 24, and to select between and intermix lyrics and accompaniment, as desired, depending upon the available recordings. Thus, any of a variety of presen¬ tations may be devised to facilitate the different stages of learning of a particular lyrical composition.

It will therefore be seen that the audio record¬ ings 1, 10, 20 serve to satisfy the several objectives previously set forth, providing a versatile means for teaching a lyrical composition and for improving one's technique in performing the learned composition. It will also be understood that the audio recordings 1, 10, 20 are only illustrative of many different combinations which may be provided in accordance with the present invention to facilitate such activities, and that other combinations may be devised, if desired. Alternatively, the com¬ binations described in connection with the illustrative embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 3 may be switched and moved between the various tracks and segments illustrated depending upon the combinations which are desired, and the playback equipment which is being used, to obtain ver¬ satile combinations of original lyrics, lyric prompts and musical accompaniment, as desired.

It will therefore be understood that various changes in the details, materials and arrangement of parts which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A multi-track audio recording for aiding in the learning and performing of a lyrical composition including lyrics and musical accompaniment, said recording comprising at least two parallel, discrete recording tracks which are separately accessible by a playback device, one of said recording tracks having a recording of said lyrics but not said musical accompaniment, and another of said recording tracks having a recording of said musical accompaniment but not said lyrics.

2. The recording of claim 1 wherein said lyrics are lyric prompts, recorded as a rapid narrative.

3. The recording of claim 2 wherein said recording tracks are timed so that said lyric prompts are combined with said musical accompaniment such that a prompt of said lyric prompts is coupled with a corresponding phrase of said musical accompaniment.

4. The recording of claim 3 wherein said lyric prompts immediately precede said corresponding phrase.

5. The recording of claim 1 wherein said recording is divided into two segments, and wherein in a first of said segments, one of said recording tracks has a recording of original lyrics and another of said recording tracks has a recording of said musical accompaniment, and wherein in a second of said segments, one of said recording tracks has a recording of lyric prompts and another of said recording tracks has a recording of said musical accompaniment.

6. The recording of claim 5 wherein, in said first segment, said lyrics are timed to said musical accompaniment, and in said second segment, said lyric prompts are timed to said musical accompaniment.

7. The recording of claim 1 wherein said playback device has fader means for mixing and separating between said recording tracks, to select between the recording of said lyrics and the recording of said musical accompaniment, and to intermix said recordings.

8. The recording of claim 7 wherein said recording is segmented, and wherein said playback device has means for advancing said recording to positions within said segments to access different portions of said record¬ ings.

9. The recording of claim 1 wherein said recording is comprised of four parallel, discrete recording tracks which are separately accessible by said playback device.

10. The recording of claim 9 wherein two of said recording tracks have recordings of said lyrics.

11. The recording of claim 10 wherein the record¬ ings of said lyrics are in stereo.

12. The recording of claim 10 wherein the record¬ ings of said lyrics are in different formats.

13. The recording of claim 9 wherein two of said recording tracks have recordings of said musical accom¬ paniment.

14. The recording of claim 13 wherein the record¬ ings of said musical accompaniment are in stereo.

15. The recording of claim 13 wherein the record¬ ings of said musical accompaniment have different arrange¬ ments.

16. The recording of claim 1 wherein said playback device has fader means for mixing and separating between said recording tracks, to select between record¬ ings of said lyrics and recordings of said musical accom¬ paniment, and to intermix said recordings.

17. A process for making multi-track audio- recordings for aiding in the learning and performing of a lyrical composition including lyrics and musical accom¬ paniment, comprising the steps of: developing at least two parallel, discrete recording tracks on a recording medium which are sepa¬ rately accessible by a playback device; recording said lyrics, but not said musical accompaniment, on one of said recording tracks; and recording said musical accompaniment, but not said lyrics, on another of said recording tracks.

18. The process of claim 17 wherein said lyrics are lyric prompts, recorded as a rapid narrative.