# US 2014/0190335 A1 · Music and Sound that Varies from One Playback to Another Playback > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190335 A1 - Document ID: US20140190335A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/941,618 - Filed: 2013-07-15 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2001-11-06 - Inventors: James W. Wieder - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190335A1 ## CPC - G10H 1/0066: {using a MIDI interface} - G10H 1/0025: {Automatic or semi-automatic music composition, e.g. producing random music, applying rules from music theory or modifying a musical piece (automatically producing a series of tones G10H1/26)} - G10H 1/0041: {in coded form} - G10H 7/00: Instruments in which the tones are synthesised from a data store, e.g. computer organs - G10H 2210/115: using a random process to generate a musical note, phrase, sequence or structure - G10H 2210/141: Riff, i.e. improvisation, e.g. repeated motif or phrase, automatically added to a piece, e.g. in real time - G10H 2240/131: Library retrieval, i.e. searching a database or selecting a specific musical piece, segment, pattern, rule or parameter set - H04R 5/04: Circuit arrangements, {e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments (combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S)} - G10H: ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract A method and apparatus for the creation and playback of music and/or sound, so that sound sequences are generated that vary from one playback to another playback. In one embodiment, during composition creation, artist(s) may define how the composition may vary from playback to playback using visually interactive display(s). The artist's definition may be embedded into a composition dataset. During playback, a composition data set may be processed by a playback device and/or a playback program, so that each time the composition is played-back a unique version may be generated. Variability during playback may include: the variable selection of alternative sound segment(s); variable editing of sound segment(s) during playback processing; variable placement of sound segment(s) during playback processing; the spawning of group(s) of alternative sound segments from initiating sound segment(s); and the combining and/or mixing of alternative sound segments in one or more sound channels. MIDI-like variable compositions and the variable use of sound segments comprised of a timed sequence of MIDI-like commands are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-20. (canceled) ### Claim 21 Apparatus for music or sound, comprising: a memory or memories that store a plurality of groups of sound segments, including a first group and a second group; wherein each group is associated with a plurality of alternative sound segments; a processor or processors that: select at least one sound segment from said first group and select at least one sound segment from said second group; wherein at least one sound segment selected from said first group at least partially overlaps at least one sound segment selected from said second group; wherein different sound segments are selected from one playback to another playback; combine said selected sound segments; wherein sound segments that overlap in time are combined together; and wherein a sound sequence varies from one playback to another playback. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein, during playback, two or more sound segments are selected from one of said groups of sound segments. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein, during playback, two or more sound segments are selected from each one, of two or more of said groups of sound segments. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein said sound segments in said first group represent one part of a harmony, and said sound segments in said second group represent another part of said harmony. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein there are two or more harmony groups; and wherein each harmony group contains alternatives for one part of a two or more part harmony. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein a number of sound segments selected from one of said groups varies from one playback to another playback. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein a number of sound segments selected from one group is unique from another group or groups, and said number varies from one playback to another playback. ### Claim 28 (depends on 21) Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein a different number of sound segments is selected from each group, for each of two or more said groups. wherein the number of sound segments selected varies from one playback to another playback. ### Claim 29 (depends on 21) Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein parts of said sound segments that overlap in time are added or mixed together. ### Claim 30 (depends on 21) Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein one or more of said groups are initiated by one or more initiating sound segments. ### Claim 31 (depends on 21) Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein one or more of said sound segments selected from said first or second group, at least partially overlap with an initiating sound segment, and are combined with said initiating sound segment. ### Claim 32 (depends on 21) Apparatus as in claim 21 further including a rate-buffer wherein said processor provides digital samples to an input side of said rate-buffer at a non-uniform rate, while an output side of said rate-buffer provides digital samples to an output sound channel at a substantially uniform rate. ### Claim 33 (depends on 21) Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein a given selected sound segments is utilized at a defined placement location in time. ### Claim 34 (depends on 21) Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein some alternative sound segments were created by artist or artists: substantially simultaneously with creating a foundation sound segment, and/or substantially simultaneously with an audio playback of a previously recorded foundation sound segment to the artist or artists. ### Claim 35 (depends on 21) Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein said first group includes alternative sound segments for one voice part; and wherein said second group includes alternative sound segments for a second voice part. ### Claim 36 (depends on 21) Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein said first group includes alternative sound segments for one musical instrument(s) part; and wherein said second group includes alternative sound segments for a second musical instrument(s) part. ### Claim 37 (depends on 21) Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein said selected sound segments, vary from one playback to another playback, without requiring input(s) or action(s) by a user. ### Claim 38 (depends on 21) Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein at least one selected sound segment overlaps with and is combined with: a foundation sound segment or a baseline sound segment. ### Claim 39 A method for generating music or sound, comprising: storing, in a memory or memories, a plurality of groups of sound segments, including a first group and a second group; wherein each group is associated with a plurality of alternative sound segments; selecting, by processor or processors, at least one sound segment from said first group; selecting, by processor or processors, at least one sound segment from said second group; wherein at least one sound segment selected from said first group at least partially overlaps at least one sound segment selected from said second group; wherein different sound segments are selected from one playback to another playback; combining, by processor or processors, said selected sound segments; wherein sound segments that overlap in time are combined together; and wherein a sound sequence varies from one playback to another playback. ### Claim 40 One or more non-transitory computer-readable memories or storage media, not including carrier-waves, having computer-readable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by one or more processing devices, implement a method for generating music or sound, the method comprising: storing, in a memory or memories, a plurality of groups of sound segments, including a first group and a second group; wherein each group is associated with a plurality of alternative sound segments; selecting at least one sound segment from said first group; selecting at least one sound segment from said second group; wherein at least one sound segment selected from said first group at least partially overlaps at least one sound segment selected from said second group; wherein different sound segments are selected from one playback to another playback; combining said selected sound segments; wherein sound segments that overlap in time are combined together; and wherein a sound sequence varies from one playback to another playback.