Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Virtual Concert

On September 14th the Liverpool Philharmonic will present a concert in Second Life. Reports of this event focus on the novelty of it, and I'll admit that a full symphony concert is a probably a first for SL.

How does a symphony put on a concert in a virtual world like SL? It's actually quite simple. Like most live SL musical events, the audio is simply streamed in (like an internet radio station) and in this case, live video will be streamed as well. In a sense it's like watching TV on your computer.

In SL it's very difficult (due to syncing issues) to coordinate music in-world. Usually it consists of a short audio clip that's paired with a "pose ball" (which is a device that animates your character). A few instrument makers have built solo instruments with simple interfaces that allow one to enter in melodies (like using a MIDI keyboard). Until the technology develops it is unlikely that we will hear an av *create* music live in SL in the traditional sense. Luckily these issues matter less for more avant-garde sound situations.

Maybe I'll arrange a scratch orchestra performance someday soon....

3 Comments:

Blogger Liana said...

Wow, Prof. Twombley - very exciting.

We haven't talked in ages (it's Annie, although I believe it'll show Liana)

How are you doing? You can comment on my blog if it's easier...

8/29/2007 10:11 AM  
Blogger Liana said...

Kris-
Is there a way to email you?

8/29/2007 2:27 PM  
Blogger CKH said...

Guy Garnett and his students at the U of IL were working on ways to explore music in Second Life; I don't know whether they're still at it, but I think they achieved some interesting results.

I'm going to school at the U of MN, but I'd be happy to take a spin out in your direction–what's going on in St. Cloud? I still remember your Yuasa analysis at Music of Japan Today 2003 fondly!

9/22/2007 6:16 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home

Counter
Web Counter