Conference mr1pst::music

634.0. "CD-ROM, Interactive Music and the Future" by MPGS::MARKEY (I think therefore I am paid) Fri Apr 29 1994 21:29

    Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, Todd Rundgren, the Beatles, Aerosmith.
    What do they have in common, besides the obvious musical connection?
    
    They are all artists who are either currently, or will soon be,
    featured on CD-ROM.
    
    The last media "adventure" for music was videos and MTv. For better or
    worse, video has changed the face of popular music forever. CD-ROM may
    be the next wave.
    
    The titles available so far reflect the infancy of CD-ROM as a medium
    for music and entertainment. The first music title was "Multimedia
    Beethoven", in which the music of Beethoven was presented along with
    graphics (which included some scores) and hypertext (which included
    biographical information and critical analysis of Beethoven's work).
    In this case, what we really have is a fairly ordinary hypertext
    application supplemented by multimedia (music and graphics). In the
    popular music front, the Beatles' CD-ROM follows the same course.
    
    The other approach is to make the music the central focus (which seems
    more natural, for obvious reasons, when dealing with the subject of
    music). Here, the multimedia and text are intended to provide other
    perceptive stimuli; but basically exist to enhance the aural
    experience. Both Todd Rundgren and Peter Gabriel have followed this
    route. However, in contrast, Rundgren has focused on the interactive
    possibilities of music itself far more than the Peter Gabriel CD-ROM
    does. Rundgren's "New World Order" allows the user to combine and mix
    portions of the music, whereas Gabriel's CD exploits interactivity in
    other multimedia and hypertext domains.
    
    In general, the idea of music as an interactive medium is largely
    unexplored. Pioneers such as Todd Machover of the MIT Media Lab and
    Roger Dannenburg of Carnagie Melon have been doing ground-breaking work
    for years, but there has not been a wholesale transition of the
    technology to consumer use. One startup company in New Hampshire is
    actually working on a sort of "air guitar" that will be used as a game
    controller. Aerosmith are reported to be involved with producing an
    interactive CD-ROM musical game which will match an upstart air
    guitarist against Joe Perry in a duel for riff superiority.
    
    The possibilities are endless. The band I play in has decided to take
    an alternative route to fame and fortune - instead of trying to make a
    name for ourselves purely as a musical act, our next product will
    actually be a CD-ROM (instead of just a CD). Interactive stories and
    graphics will be included with the music (the CD will also include a
    standard CD audio track). Multimedia will also play a large role in our
    stage presentation, with audience participation in the production of
    the music. I used to think that karaoke was a bad thing, and to a large
    extent I still do. But with new technology, the audience can
    participate in other ways, even to the extent that the audience can
    conduct the proceedings. (Since we're an instrumental ensemble anyway,
    we don't have to worry about people singing along badly. :-)
    
    Well, I've rambled (as usual). The whole point of this note is to
    invite discussion on emerging musical technologies, and what it will
    mean to musicians and audiences alike.
    
    Ciao.
    Brian

    Just a slight correction to that previous note, I believe the Todd
    Rundgren CD-ROM is actually called "No World Order". Musta had my old
    buddy Georgey Porgey on the mind...
    
    Brian

    And don't forget the Residents CD-i "Freak Show".
    
    - Dave

Doesn't Laurie Anderson have a CD-ROM out, too?  I thought I heard that she
did.  If she doesn't, she should.

    I saw an ad for a Bowie CD-ROM...anyone checked it out yet?   It's kind
    of fun being around when this stuff is in its infancy and the artists
    are just exploring what they can do with it.  Let's hope they do better
    with this than they did with videos 8^(
    
    							Brian

    Someone on CServe also said that Yes is coming out with a CD-ROM.