Abstract: A computer-readable medium stores a data structure that encodes an audio performance for interactive playback. The data structure includes a virtual instrument pool, which encodes an interactive part of the audio performance. Audio content of the interactive part is encoded at least in a sequence of synthesizer control data. Each datum in the synthesizer control data specifies a digital sample of the audio content to be played back. The data structure also includes a global accompaniment pool, which encodes non-interactive portions of the audio performance. The global accompaniment pool includes timing information to synchronize the playback of the audio performance.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium stores a data structure that encodes an audio performance for interactive playback. The data structure includes a virtual instrument pool, which encodes an interactive part of the audio performance. Audio content of the interactive part is encoded at least in a sequence of synthesizer control data. Each datum in the synthesizer control data specifies a digital sample of the audio content to be played back. The data structure also includes a global accompaniment pool, which encodes non-interactive portions of the audio performance. The global accompaniment pool includes timing information to synchronize the playback of the audio performance.

Abstract: A computer readable medium stores a multipart data file. The multipart data file includes an interactive virtual instrument object and a global accompaniment object. The global accompaniment object includes at least a first synthesizer control file and at least a first sound recording file.

Abstract: A method for playing a multipart data file on an interactive karaoke system includes receiving a multipart data file from a source. This multipart data file includes an interactive virtual instrument object and a global accompaniment object. The global accompaniment object includes at least a first synthesizer control file and at least a first sound recording file. This method generates at least one virtual instrument required to process the multipart data file and prompts the user of at least one virtual instrument to provide an input stimuli to the virtual instrument input device associated with that virtual instrument. This generates a performance for that virtual instrument. The method then combines at least one performance with information contained in the global accompaniment object to generate a hybrid performance signal. The virtual instrument is a software object that maps the input stimuli provided by the user to specific notes specified in the interactive virtual instrument object.