Abstract: Packet rate control methods and related systems are disclosed for interactive music systems. In certain embodiments, an interactive music client system combines captured audio data from audio inputs with audio input data from one or more peer interactive music client systems within an interactive music session and outputs the combined audio data to an audio output subsystem. The interactive music client system further determines performance parameters associated with the interactive music sessions and adjusts audio input/output packets based upon the performance parameters. The performance parameters can include, for example, session packet rates or other parameters. Adjustments can include aggregating audio frames, reducing packet rates, and adjusting audio frames within a jitter queue receive buffer. The jitter queue receive buffer, for example, can be adjusted so that is contents are reduced towards zero and/or to zero within a predetermined time duration. Other variations can also be implemented.

Abstract: Network connection server systems and related methods are disclosed for interactive music systems. In certain embodiments, a network connection server system communicates network packets with interactive music client systems associated with music sessions and communicates directly with one or more ISPs to facilitate network packet communications for the music sessions. A plurality of network interfaces can also be provided, and latency determinations can be used to select communication paths. A plurality of server devices and related interfaces can also be used. Peer-to-peer connections can also be used and selected based upon latency determinations. The network connection server system can also be used to aggregate audio frames, to mix audio data, to download mixed audio data, to store recordings of mixed audio data, to broadcast mixed audio data, and/or for other purposes to facilitate communication of network packets associated with the interactive music sessions. Other variations can also be implemented.

Abstract: Distributed metronomes and related systems and methods are disclosed for interactive music systems. In certain embodiments, an interactive music client system captures audio data for one or more audio inputs, processes the captured data to generate audio output data, receives audio input packets from one or more peer interactive music client systems within an interactive music session, and communicates with the one or more peer interactive music client systems to generate a distributed metronome for the interactive music session synchronized with a common reference clock. Audio input data from the received audio input packets can also be combined with the captured audio data, and combined audio data can be output to an audio output subsystem. Audio for a local metronome can also be generated and played along with the combined audio data through the audio output system. Other variations can also be implemented.

Abstract: Capability scoring server systems and related methods are disclosed for interactive music systems. In certain embodiments, an interactive music server system communicates network packets with interactive music client systems associated with one or more interactive music sessions and determines operational parameters associated with the interactive music client systems. The operational parameters can include, for example, latency score results for network latency testing for the interactive music client systems. The latency score results can be used for a variety of purposes including predicting latency score results, controlling access to interactive music sessions, filtering lists of interactive music client systems, and/or other purposes. The operational parameters can also include, for example, internal capabilities information for the interactive music client systems.

Abstract: Packet rate control methods and related systems are disclosed for interactive music systems. In certain embodiments, an interactive music client system combines captured audio data from audio inputs with audio input data from one or more peer interactive music client systems within an interactive music session and outputs the combined audio data to an audio output subsystem. The interactive music client system further determines performance parameters associated with the interactive music sessions and adjusts audio input/output packets based upon the performance parameters. The performance parameters can include, for example, session packet rates or other parameters. Adjustments can include aggregating audio frames, reducing packet rates, and adjusting audio frames within a jitter queue receive buffer. The jitter queue receive buffer, for example, can be adjusted so that is contents are reduced towards zero and/or to zero within a predetermined time duration. Other variations can also be implemented.

Abstract: Distributed recording server systems and related methods are disclosed for interactive music systems. In certain embodiments, an interactive music server system communicates network packets with two or more interactive music client systems associated with an interactive music session, receives recorded music tracks for the interactive music session through the network packets, and stores audio data associated with the music tracks in one or more data storage systems. The interactive music server system can also mix the music tracks to generate a session recording as the audio data. In addition, timestamps or other techniques can be used to align the music tracks. In addition, the interactive music server system can receive high quality music tracks captured as audio input at the interactive music client systems and generate a high quality master mix of the music session. Other variations can also be implemented.

Abstract: Track based music management server systems and related methods are disclosed for interactive music systems. In certain embodiments, a server system communicates with interactive music client systems, stores a plurality of packaged tunes with each packaged tune track-level recordings of a musical performance, and allows client systems to access and download the packaged tunes for playback. R recorded tracks can include vocal or instrumental components, and packaged tunes can include a recorded master mix of the musical performance as well as meta data about the packaged tune. User information can also be stored including information concerning downloaded/purchased packaged tunes, skill levels, and/or other information. The server system can use the stored information to organize and manage current or schedule music sessions, including session matchmaking, as well as for other purposes. Users are also allowed a variety of playback options and music session options. Other variations can also be implemented.