The network is abuzz with the new, currently free, program created by Microsoft Research called Songsmith. According the website, this software
generates musical accompaniment to match a singer’s voice. Just choose a musical style, sing into your PC’s microphone, and Songsmith will create backing music for you. Then share your songs with your friends and family, post your songs online, or create your own music videos.
This software is clearly targeted to amateurs and wannabes, and from all accounts it works pretty much as you expect, giving pedestrian, generally uninteresting accompaniment to one’s creations. Their commercial is an absolute hoot, and clearly demonstrates the “range” of the product.
But it turns out that serious musicians could use this software to to provide alternative arrangements to their classics. Well, not actually. But the geniuses on YouTube have taken the audio tracks from an impressive array of the artists and have seen what Songsmith can to them.
First up, Roxanne, by The Police.
Next we have We Will Rock You, by Queen.
And finally, a political/cultural statement.
