System for learning and mixing music

A handheld apparatus for learning an isolated instrument audio track from a preselected piece of music, in which a user creates an educational audio file, the apparatus comprising:

• a processor;
• an input device comprising a microphone and a data input port, wherein the input device is operable to receive audio data for storage on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium;
• a database operable to store audio files on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium for access, the audio files including
• (i) a multi-track digital audio file of the preselected piece of music having an isolated instrument audio track containing only audio from the isolated instrument, and an emulation audio track consisting of the multi-track digital audio file having the isolated instrument audio track removed;
• (ii) a manually created and variable, audible timing reference track designed and provided for the user for the preselected piece of music, wherein the preselected piece of music was prerecorded, and the designing of the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track includes creating a tempo map having variable tempos, rhythms, and beats using notes from the preselected piece of music;
• and,
• (iii) an emulated instrument audio track created by the user;
• a transformation module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the transformation module is operable by the user to transform a multi-track digital audio file comprising an isolated instrument audio track and an emulation audio track into a select a variable gain ratio that includes a ratio of (i) an isolated instrument audio track volume to (ii) an emulation audio track volume to transform the audio tracks into clearly isolated tracks, or a mix of audio tracks, to assist the user in learning the isolated instrument audio track;
• an emulation recording module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the emulation recording module is operable by the user to record the user's emulated instrument audio track on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the recording of the emulated instrument audio track performed by the user following a tempo of the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;
• an integration engine embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the integration engine is operable by the user to combine the emulated instrument audio track with the isolated instrument audio track, the emulation audio track, the audible timing reference track, or a combination thereof, to transform the multi-track digital audio file into the educational audio file;
• and,
• an output module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the output module is operable to transmit audio data to an output device, the output device comprising a speaker and a graphical user interface, wherein the output device is operable to provide audio data to the user in the form of sound and graphics including music transcription and tablature data, wherein, the music transcription and tablature data is synchronized for the user to the preselected piece of music using the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;
• wherein,
• the processor, the input device, the database, the transformation module, the emulation recording module, the integration engine, the output module, and the output device compose at least a portion of the handheld device;
• and,
• the handheld apparatus functions to provide the user with the tools to (1) obtain the multi-track digital audio file;
• (2) transform the multi-track digital audio file by selecting the variable gain ratio;
• (3) emulate the preselected piece of music with a preselected musical instrument under a guidance of the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;
• (4) record the emulated instrument audio track;
• (5) combine the emulated instrument audio track with the isolated instrument audio track;
• the emulation audio track;
• the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;
• or a combination thereof;
• to transform the multi-track digital audio file into the educational audio file;
• (6) listen to the educational audio file;
• and, (7) repeat the emulating, recording, combining, and listening until the preselected piece of music has been learned to a satisfaction of the user.

A system for use by a user to learn an isolated instrument audio track from an original, multi-track work, the system comprising:

• a processor;
• an input device operable to receive audio data on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium;
• a database operable to store audio files for access on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the audio files including
• (i) a multi-track digital audio file of the original, multi-track work having an isolated instrument audio track containing only audio from the isolated instrument, and an emulation audio track that does not contain audio from the isolated instrument, the isolated instrument being clearly isolatable from the emulation audio track;
• (ii) a manually created and variable, audible timing reference track designed for the user for the preselected piece of music, wherein the preselected piece of music was prerecorded, and the designing of the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track includes creating a tempo map having variable tempos, rhythms, and beats using notes from the preselected piece of music;
• and,
• (iii) an emulated instrument audio track created by the user while following the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;
• a transformation module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the transformation module is operable by the user to select a variable gain ratio that includes a ratio of (i) an isolated instrument audio track volume to (ii) an emulation audio track volume to transform the audio tracks into clearly isolated tracks, or a mix of audio tracks, to assist the user in learning the isolated instrument audio track;
• an emulation recording module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the emulation recording module is operable by the user to record the user's emulated instrument audio track under a guidance of the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;
• an integration engine embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the integration engine is operable by the user to combine the emulated instrument audio track with the isolated instrument audio track;
• the emulation audio track;
• the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;
• or a combination thereof;
• and,
• an output module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the output module is operable to transmit audio, music transcription and tablature data to an output device, the output device operable to provide the data to the user, showing a bar or bars of the preselected piece of music to the user;
• wherein, the bar or bars are selected by the user through a transport state selection, the music transcription and tablature data are synchronized for the user with the preselected piece of music using the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;
• wherein, the system functions to provide the user with the tools to practice at least a desired bar or bars of the preselected piece of music.

A system for use by a user to learn an isolated instrument audio track that was subtracted from a preselected, original, multi-track work, the system comprising:

• a processor;
• an input device operable to receive audio data on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium;
• a database operable to store audio files for access on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the audio files including
• (i) a multi-track digital audio file of the original, multi-track work having an isolated instrument audio track that was subtracted from the multi-track digital audio file, and an emulation audio track that represents a remainder of the multi-track work after subtraction of the isolated instrument audio track;
• (ii) a manually created and variable, audible timing reference track pre-designed for the user for the preselected piece of music, wherein the preselected piece of music was prerecorded, and the designing of the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track includes creating a tempo map having variable tempos, rhythms, and beats using notes from the preselected piece of music;
• and,
• (iii) an emulated instrument audio track performed by the user;
• a transformation module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the transformation module is operable by the user to select any one or any combination of tracks in the original, multi-track work;
• an emulation recording module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the emulation recording module is operable by the user to record the user's emulated instrument audio track;
• an integration engine embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the integration engine is operable by the user to combine the emulated instrument audio track with the isolated instrument audio track;
• the emulation audio track;
• the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;
• or a combination thereof;
• to transform the multi-track digital audio file into an educational audio file;
• and,
• an output module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the output module is operable to transmit audio, music transcription and tablature data to an output device, the output device operable to provide the data to the user, wherein the music transcription and tablature data is synchronized for the user to the preselected piece of music using the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;
• wherein, the system functions to provide the user with the tools to isolate at least a bar or bars of a single track of the original multi-track work for playback.

A system for learning an isolated instrument audio track from an original, multi-track recording, the system comprising:

• a processor;
• a database operable to store audio files for access on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the audio files including an original, multi-track audio recording;
• an isolated instrument audio track from the original, multi-track recording;
• and a manually created and variable, audible timing reference track designed and provided for the user for the preselected piece of music, wherein the preselected piece of music was prerecorded, and the designing of the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track includes creating a tempo map having variable tempos, rhythms, and beats using notes from the preselected piece of music;
• and,
• a transformation module embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, wherein the transformation module is operable by the user to select a variable gain ratio that includes a ratio of (i) an isolated instrument audio track volume to (ii) an emulation audio track volume to transform the audio tracks into clearly isolated tracks, or a mix of audio tracks, to assist the user in learning the isolated instrument audio track by emulating the isolated instrument audio track, wherein the emulating includes following the manually created and variable, audible timing reference track;
• wherein, the system functions to provide the user with the tools to practice the isolated instrument audio track in the original, multi-track recording.