Comments on: MS songwriting software: Terrifying or laughable?

By: mike_cornes

mike_cornes — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:54:34 +0000

It looks like an interesting concept.
I’m interested in it as a way of getting a starting point for music to suit melodies without spending hours finding chords on the keyboard, as I don’t have that level of musical knowledge/skill at the moment.
I’m keen to have a play with it to see what I can come up with, before I decide whether to slate it or not.
The results on the ad and on youtube are rather cringeworthy at best. And funny.

By: barryhunt

barryhunt — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:44:24 +0000

I said “It would be nice to hear a tune sung by someone tone-deaf, as the software constantly seeks a new key and chord pattern!!”

Looks like i got my wish!!!!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FhmjNDtM3vU

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:27:13 +0000

They do try to make it more worthy by describing the algorithm to musicians;
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/redmond/projects/songsmith/musicians.html

But I’ve had more fun listening to the ‘cover versions’ people have posted on YouTube…
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ypycpKQxXR0

By: Digital Media Art

Digital Media Art — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:05:59 +0000

Did anyone notice that Microsoft used a MacBook Pro with a flower stuck over the Apple? Oops.

Version 2 should have a plugin that writes the lyrics, composes the melody and sings it directly into Songsmith for you, leaving you free to get on with something else entirely.

By: hikersong

hikersong — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:02:05 +0000

I’m totally gobsmacked. That’s beyond awful. I was even more openmouthed when we found out that it was a major corporation like Microsoft that was responsible. Isn’t this a spoof itself?

By: barryhunt

barryhunt — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:46:07 +0000

I think it’s hilarious …. especially one or two of the spoofs done on youtube already ….. the new version of ‘Roxanne’ is a must see!!!

It would be nice to hear a tune sung by someone tone-deaf, as the software constantly seeks a new key and chord pattern!!

It’s nice to know that the nice people at Microsoft have still got a sense of humour!!