Abstract: A device and/or method controls playback of digital multimedia data and comprises, at least in part, at least one touch-sensitive graphical user interface for data input and data output. The device is configured for displaying data input, data output, a representation of at least a part of the multimedia data, and at least one marker for indicating a position within the multimedia data for starting playback, wherein at least a part of the at least one marker has assigned a region of the representation, and for playing back, in response to a touch gesture, the multimedia data, where the touch gesture contacts a region, and where the playback starts from a position indicated by the marker, which has assigned the contacted region.

Abstract: This is a method and installation in which a time-domain digital audio signal is split into a plurality of narrow-band time-domain digital audio signals confined to specific frequency bands, short-term segments of which are temporarily stored in memory. The method comprises the use of signal processing algorithms for extracting multiple signal features from said short-term segments in a fixed sequence or upon request from a decision-making algorithm. Said decision-making algorithm makes tentative or final decisions about the type of occupancy of frequency bands resulting from the extracted features. Said decision-making algorithm may request from said signal processing algorithms further specific feature extractions from specific short-term segments and make further tentative or final decisions about the type of occupancy of frequency bands resulting from the requested features.

Abstract: A system is described that permits identified musical phrases or themes to be synchronized and linked into changing real-world events. The achieved synchronization includes a seamless musical transition—achieved using a timing offset, such as relative advancement of an significant musical “onset”, that is inserted to align with a pre-existing but identified music signature, beat or timebase—between potentially disparate pre-identified musical phrases having different emotive themes defined by their respective time signatures, intensities, keys, musical rhythms and/or musical phrasing. The system operates to augment an overall sensory experience of a user in the real world by dynamically changing, re-ordering or repeating and then playing audio themes within the context of what is occurring in the surrounding physical environment, e.g. during different phases of a cardio workout in a step class the music rate and intensity increase during sprint periods and decrease during recovery periods.

Abstract: Sound alignment techniques that employ timing information are described. In one or more implementations, features and timing information of sound data generated from a first sound signal are identified and used to identify features of sound data generated from a second sound signal. The identified features may then be utilized to align portions of the sound data from the first and second sound signals to each other.

Abstract: A unified digital media player control apparatus automatically reproduces (i.e., renders) gapless transitions, as suitably adjoined or concurrently-overlapping events, between a discrete first media file (e.g., sound recording) and a discrete second media file. One embodiment is implemented on a computing device with a graphical user interface and access to a library of digital media files. Logic can distinguish between the production sound design of recordings which have a desirable “creative content” duration (i.e., interval) that will resolve either abruptly or with a gradual fade. Responsive to media file content assessments, and without operator actions or media file preparation, the invention can use at least one programmatically-addressable event timer object to robotically assign discrete player reproduction timing instructions enabled to cause the system's associated media player objects to consistently interoperate with natural, optimally-timed transitions.

Abstract: A multimedia processing apparatus, method, and non-transitory tangible computer readable medium thereof are provided. The multimedia processing apparatus of the present invention includes an interface and a processing unit. The interface receives an audio stream continuously, wherein the audio stream is defined with a time line. The processing unit performs the following operations every a predetermined time interval: (a) deciding a first portion of the audio stream with reference to a time instant of the time line, (b) calculating an energy of the first portion of the audio stream, and (c) calculating a difference between the energy and a previous energy. The processing unit decides a plurality of second portions of the audio stream and decides a beat point for each of the second portions by selecting the time instant that corresponds to the maximum difference within the second portion.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing patterns in the relationships of notes of an input piece of music. The method comprises generating a set of the most frequently occurring note pitches in ascending pitch order that matches an interval pattern, and detecting out-of-key pitches that lie outside of this interval pattern. One or more potential key sequence bifurcations are identified which represent a list of possible key sequences according to forwards and backwards analysis. By finding patterns of repetition in the chordal sequences that may be generated according to these key sequence bifurcations, a key sequence that allows the most frequently recurring chord sequences may be chosen. Chord sequences may be analyzed by using ghost chords, temporary harmonic structures that are created, updated and finalized over time according to a combination of essential and inessential note fragments. The method further comprises identifying non-harmony pitches according to the analyzed chord sequence.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for generating and storing a database that may be searched for music upon a user's request, and a method and apparatus for searching for music corresponding to the user's request. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of melodies are divided based on phrase breaks and are stored, and a number of melodies which are similar to the user's request are detected from the stored melodies.

Abstract: Provided are a musical performance-related information output device and a musical performance system capable of superimposing musical performance-related information on an audio signal without damaging the general versatility of the audio signal. The musical performance-related information output device includes a musical performance-related information acquiring section that is adapted to acquire musical performance-related information related to a musical performance of a performer, a superimposing section that is adapted to superimpose the musical performance-related information on an analog audio signal such that a modulated component of the musical performance-related information is included in a band higher than the frequency component of the analog audio signal generated in accordance with the musical performance manipulation of the performer, and an output section that outputs the analog audio signal on which the superimposing section superimposes the musical performance-related information.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and visualizing valid tihais conforming to a predetermined framework using a rhythm engine, mechanical or software/firmware controlled, to control an interrelationship of a set of dynamic indicators.

Abstract: Among other things, techniques and systems are disclosed for detecting musical structures, such as downbeats. In one aspect, a method performed by a data processing device includes receiving an input audio signal. The method includes detecting a meter in the received audio signal. Detecting the meter includes generating an envelope of the received audio signal; generating an autocorrelation phase matrix having a two-dimensional array based on the generated envelope to identify a dominant periodicity in the received audio signal; and filtering both dimensions of the generated autocorrelation phase matrix to enhance peaks in the two-dimensional array. The meter represents a time signature of the input audio signal having multiple beats. Additionally, the method includes identifying a downbeat as a first beat in the detected meter.

Abstract: A performance-information processing apparatus processes performance information entered thereto. When the performance information is entered in a time interval between (i) a starting time point, at which performance information of one note starts entering and (ii) a first timing, that is a certain time after another performance information of a note has been entered after the performance information of said one note was entered, a tempo determining unit determines a tempo of the performance information, based on the performance information entered in the time interval, and a meter determining unit which determines a meter of the performance information based on the tempo determined by the tempo determining unit.

Abstract: A portable music player for the playback of a digital audio file comprises a memory for storing a plurality of digital audio files; an audio output; a control for setting a desired change in pitch or tempo; and a digital signal processor configured to process a digital audio file and recover an audio signal therefrom, perceptibly alter one of the pitch and the tempo of the audio signal in response to the desired change in pitch or tempo without perceptibly altering the other of the pitch and tempo, and output the altered audio signal to the audio output.

Abstract: Computer-based methods infer a metrical grid from music that has been input without a predetermined time signature or tempo, enabling such free rhythm input to be annotated with the inferred grid, and stored and transcribed as a musical score. The methods use Bayesian modeling techniques, in which an optimal metrical grid is inferred by identifying the metrical grid that best explains the given sequence of notes by maximizing the posterior probability that it represents the note sequence. Prior musical input from a given user as well as explicit information about the musical style of the input may be used to improve the accuracy of the transcription.

Abstract: An accompaniment data generating apparatus has a phrase waveform data storing portion for storing sets of phrase waveform data each indicative of a phrase of accompaniment tones preformed at a reference tempo and each corresponding to a different reference note. The accompaniment data generating apparatus obtains a reproduction tempo, obtains the first reference note, selects a set of phrase waveform data corresponding to the second reference note whose tone pitch is different from a tone pitch of the first reference note, and reads out the selected phrase waveform data set at a speed by which the tone pitch of the second reference note of the selected phrase waveform data set agrees with the tone pitch of the first reference note of a case where a set of phrase waveform data corresponding to the first reference note is reproduced at the reference note.

Abstract: The invention generally pertains to a hand-held computing device. More particularly, the invention pertains to a computing device that is capable of controlling the speed of the music so as to affect the mood and behavior of the user during an activity such as exercise. By way of example, the speed of the music can be controlled to match the pace of the activity (synching the speed of the music to the activity of the user) or alternatively it can be controlled to drive the pace of the activity (increasing or decreasing the speed of the music to encourage a greater or lower pace). One aspect of the invention relates to adjusting the tempo (or some other attribute) of the music being outputted from the computing device. By way of example, a songs tempo may be increased or decreased before or during playing. Another aspect of the invention relates to selecting music for outputting based on tempo (or some other attribute). For example, the computing device may only play songs having a particular tempo.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for facilitating improving health of a user. In accordance with some applications, a first physiological variable, which is indicative of a voluntary action of the user, is received. A second physiological variable, which is not entirely under the direct voluntary control of the user, is received. Responsive to the first and second variables, the second physiological variable is changed in a desired manner, by using circuitry to direct the user to modify a parameter of the voluntary action, by generating an output signal. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A music application guides a user with some musical experience through the steps of creating and editing a musical enhancement file that enhances and plays in synchronicity with an audio signal of an original artist's recorded performance. This enables others, perhaps with lesser musical ability than the original artist, to play-along with the original artist by following melodic, chordal, rhythmic, and verbal prompts. The music application accounts for differences in the timing of the performance from a standard tempo by guiding the user through the process of creating a tempo map for the performance and by associating the tempo map with MIDI information of the enhancement file. Enhancements may contain MIDI information, audio signal information, and/or video signal information which may be played back in synchronicity with the recorded performance to provide an aural and visual aid to others playing-along who may have less musical experience.

Abstract: The embodiments herein provide a beat counter device for sampling a plurality of voice samples by differentiating tempos from each other in a selected rhythm. The beat counter device comprises a seven segment indicator, a display unit, at least one directional key, an adjustment wheel, a volume button, an ON/OFF button, a microphone, a microphone port and a head phone port. The pressing operation of the ON/OFF button results in the microphone to perform a sampling of voices samples by separating a tempo from another tempo associated with a selected rhythm. The seven-segment indicator counts the number of tempos in the selected rhythm in each multi-measure time signature. The sampled voices are outputted through the headphone port.

Abstract: A personal music mixing system with an embodiment providing beats and vocals configured using a web browser and musical compositions generated from said beats and vocals. Said embodiment provides a plurality of beats and vocals that a user may suitably mix to create a new musical composition and make such composition available for future playback by the user or by others. In some embodiments, the user advantageously may hear a sample musical composition having beats and vocals with particular user-configured parameter settings and may adjust said settings until the user deems the musical composition complete.

Abstract: Methods for automatically analyzing and/or performing music are described. One embodiment concerns a method for assigning chords to a musical score indicative of a sequence of time segments, each time segment comprising at least one note, the method comprising assigning a chord to each time segment responsive to consonance/dissonance relationships between the assigned chord and the notes of at least two of the time segments. Optionally, consonance/dissonance relationships include existence of a dissonant between a chord assigned to a time segment and a note of the time segment and existence of resolution to said dissonant.

Abstract: The embodiments herein provide a beat counter device for sampling a plurality of voice samples by differentiating tempos from each other in a selected rhythm. The beat counter device comprises a seven segment indicator, a display unit, at least one directional key, an adjustment wheel, a volume button, an ON/OFF button, a microphone, a microphone port and a head phone port. The pressing operation of the ON/OFF button results in the microphone to perform a sampling of voices samples by separating a tempo from another tempo associated with a selected rhythm. The seven-segment indicator counts the number of tempos in the selected rhythm in each multi-measure time signature. The sampled voices are outputted through the headphone port.

Abstract: Methods for beat synchronization between media assets are described. In one embodiment, beat synchronized media mixes can be automatically created. By way of example, a beat synchronized event mix can be created by selecting a plurality of media assets, arranging the media assets into an unsynchronized media mix, determining the a profile of each of the media assets in the media mix, automatically beatmatching the beats of adjacent media assets in the media mix, and automatically beatmixing the beats of adjacent beatmatched media assets to create the beat-synchronized media mix. The media assets that can be used include both audio and video media. Media assets are selected based on a specific set of media asset selection criteria, which can include music speed or tempo, music genre, music intensity, media asset duration, user rating, and music mood.

Abstract: A tempo detecting device 100 includes an envelope detecting means 1 that detects an envelope of musical composition data, a frequency-component detecting means 2 that performs a discrete Fast Fourier Transform processing on the detected envelope to thereby detect a frequency spectrum, and a tempo detecting means 3 that detects, based on a characteristic of the detected frequency spectrum, a tempo of the musical composition data.

Abstract: Provided is a device for playing audio with improved convenience, wherein music can be played such that oneness with the actions of the user can be obtained at all times, without giving the user any unnaturalness whatsoever such as unpleasant sensations. After starting playing of music data through such as an audio signal output processing unit 31, action tempo of the user is detected by an exercise information analyzing circuit 23, based on detection output from an exercise information sensor 24, and in the event that the difference between the detected action tempo of the user and the tempo of the music data being played is not a predetermined range, music data with a tempo of which the difference as to the action tempo of the user is within the predetermined range is searched by searching means such as a music playing data generating device unit 22, and a control unit 10 changes the music data to be played so as to play this searched music data.

Abstract: A small compact easy to handle device with disc-jockey functionality is proposed, comprising a housing, loudspeaker system output means (23) for providing a loud-speaker sound output to at least one loudspeaker system, a display (13), means for 5 providing at least a first channel or at least a second channel as the loudspeaker sound output said computing device being characterized in that the housing is dimensioned to be handheld by a user and that it comprises—selection means (13) for selecting one of the first and second channel 10—control means (14, 18) comprising an input means for controlling at least one characteristic of the selected channel selected from the group of bend and play-back speed—cross-fading means (16) for cross-fading between the first and the second channel independently of the selected channel, said cross-fading means ena- 15 bling cross-fading by using one input means.

Abstract: A computer implemented method allows a user to collectively adjust tracks in a digital workstation. The method includes causing the display of at least one internal track and at least one external track. The method then allows the collective adjusting of the tempo, tempo and pitch, or tuning of each internal track and each external track in response to receiving a command. The adjusted tempo and/or adjusted tuning value can be displayed.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the appropriate tempo for early music, which may have originally lacked metronome-based time values, and for playing musical instruments according to the same. One example of such early music is the various piano works of Johann Sebastian Bach. The appropriate tempo is determined according to a number of indicators or parameters within the music score including the common time mode, the time signature, the fastest note type, and the absence or presence of any tempo words. Tempos are based around a common time beat value of 71 beats per minute and a cut-time beat value of 80. Other beats are derived using the parameters based on either of these two base values. An electronic device and/or software application may be provided for determining the appropriate tempo according to the illustrative system and displaying it according to an audio and/or visual queue.

Abstract: Provided is a device for playing audio with improved convenience, wherein music can be played such that oneness with the actions of the user can be obtained at all times, without giving the user any unnaturalness whatsoever such as unpleasant sensations. After starting playing of music data through such as an audio signal output processing unit 31, action tempo of the user is detected by an exercise information analyzing circuit 23, based on detection output from an exercise information sensor 24, and in the event that the difference between the detected action tempo of the user and the tempo of the music data being played is not a predetermined range, music data with a tempo of which the difference as to the action tempo of the user is within the predetermined range is searched by searching means such as a music playing data generating device unit 22, and a control unit 10 changes the music data to be played so as to play this searched music data.

Abstract: Performance interface system includes a motion detector provided for movement with a performer, and a control system for receiving detection data transmitted from the motion detector and controlling a performance of a tone in response to the received detection data. State of a performer's motion is detected via a sensor of the motion detector, and detection data representative of the detected motion state is transmitted to the control system. The control system receives the detection data from the motion detector, analyzes the performer's motion on the basis of the detection data, and then controls a tone performance in accordance with the analyzed data. With this arrangement, the performer can readily take part in the tone performance in the control system.

Abstract: CPU 11 reads from RAM 13 pitch information of each of musical notes composing the music, fingering information for playing the musical notes, and time information of the musical notes, thereby calculating a difficulty level of music. CPU 11 calculates a fingering difficulty level concerning fingering of playing adjacent musical notes based on the pitch information and fingering information, a rhythm difficulty level concerning musical-note duration and timing of key playing based on the time information, and a key difficulty level concerning a key of music based on the pitch information. Further, CPU 11 calculates the whole difficulty level of music based on the fingering difficulty level, rhythm difficulty level and key difficulty level.

Abstract: State information of a user is detected via a biometric information sensor and is stored, in a nonvolatile memory, in association with a content identifier of content that is being reproduced for the user when the state information is detected. An information request, including the state information of another user at another terminal apparatus, is generated and transmitted. Provided information transmitted in response to the information request is received and provided to the user. When an information request is received by the user, information is extracted from the nonvolatile memory based on the state information of another user. Provided information that is based on the extracted information is transmitted to another user.

Abstract: The invention generally pertains to a hand-held computing device. More particularly, the invention pertains to a computing device that is capable of controlling the speed of the music so as to affect the mood and behavior of the user during an activity such as exercise. By way of example, the speed of the music can be controlled to match the pace of the activity (synching the speed of the music to the activity of the user) or alternatively it can be controlled to drive the pace of the activity (increasing or decreasing the speed of the music to encourage a greater or lower pace). One aspect of the invention relates to adjusting the tempo (or some other attribute) of the music being outputted from the computing device. By way of example, a songs tempo may be increased or decreased before or during playing. Another aspect of the invention relates to selecting music for outputting based on tempo (or some other attribute). For example, the computing device may only play songs having a particular tempo.

Abstract: A timer may be for timing a current time period corresponding to an amount of time since a previous operation of an operator. Circuitry may be for processing data to carry out a performance based on a set tempo. The circuitry may be configured to change a position of the performance to a specified position of the performance in a case where the operator is operated and the current time period equals or exceeds a specified time period. The circuitry may be configured to change the tempo based on the current time period in a case where the operator is operated and the current time period is less than the specified time period.

Abstract: A performance apparatus capable of reproducing music pieces while making changeover between the music pieces without disturbing the rhythm of exercise, dance, or the like performed by a user to the rhythm of music. A beat position is acquired that will appear in a preceding performance data for the first time after a preparatory time required for changing the reproduction of the preceding music piece to the reproduction of a subsequent music piece elapses from when a music selection instruction is given. The reproduction of the subsequent music piece is started at the same time when the music is reproduced up to the acquired beat position.

Abstract: Content is selected on the basis of changes of a walking tempo. The walking tempo is detected (S5). In a state determination process (S7), it is determined whether the walking tempo tends to increase, be constant, or decrease. A walking tempo corrective coefficient is calculated on the basis of the determined result and a corrective walking tempo is calculated with the walking tempo corrective coefficient (S9). It is determined whether or not music is changed on the basis of the corrective walking tempo rather than the actually detected walking tempo (S11). When music is changed, relevant music content is searched. Controls are performed in such a manner that when the walking tempo is decreasing, the foregoing state is kept for a while, when the walking tempo is increasing, music is quickly selected according to the increase of the walking tempo, and when the walking tempo is stable, music is not selected.

Abstract: A computer implemented method allows a DAW to adjust a variable tempo of an audio file independent of a global tempo. The method includes causing the display of a musical arrangement having a global tempo. The musical arrangement includes an audio file having a variable tempo which is independent of the global tempo. The method includes adjusting the variable tempo of the audio file, wherein the variable tempo begins at an initial tempo and adjusts to an end tempo over a set length of time. The method can also include outputting the audio file having the variable tempo in response to a command to play the musical arrangement.

Abstract: Disclosed is an audio device that adjusts the cadence of played songs. A user sensor determines cadence data based on movement of the user. A desired cadence is determined based on the cadence data received from the sensor. The cadence of songs is determined by low pass filtering digital representations of the songs and determining the period (T) of the back beat of the songs. An adjustment of the period (T) of the songs is then determined such that the adjustment of the period (T) of the songs results in the songs having the desired cadence. The period (T) of the back beat of the subsequent songs are then adjusted.

Abstract: Disclosed is an audio device that adjusts the cadence of played songs. All songs in a playlist may be adjusted to match the cadence of a particular song. First, the desired cadence of a reference song is determined by low pass filtering a digital representation of the reference song and determining the period (T) of the back beat of the reference song. The cadence of subsequent songs is then determined by low pass filtering digital representations of the subsequent songs and determining the period (T) of the back beat of the subsequent songs. An adjustment of the period (T) of the subsequent songs is then determined such that the adjustment of the period (T) of the subsequent songs results in the subsequent songs having the desired cadence (i.e., the cadence of the reference song). The period (T) of the back beat of the subsequent songs are then adjusted.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for automatically converting audio input signal data into musical score representation data. Embodiments of the invention identify a change in frequency information from the audio signal that exceeds a first threshold value; identify a change in amplitude information from the audio signal that exceeds a second threshold value; and generate a note onset event, each note onset event representing a time location in the audio signal of at least one of an identified change in the frequency information that exceeds the first threshold value or an identified change in the amplitude information that exceeds the second threshold value. The generation of note onset events and other information from the audio input signal may be used to extract note pitch, note value, tempo, meter, key, instrumentation, and other score representation information.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an audio processing apparatus and method. In an embodiment, if a playing mode that abruptly changes the level of audio being played has been input, the data of the audio is processed to mitigate the abrupt change in the level of the audio and converted into analog signals, and the analog signals are output. In an embodiment, if a playing mode that causes a jump from the current track of the audio being played to another track is input, the audio data is divided by an exponential function of 2 before the jump to the another track is completed. In another embodiment, if a playing mode that rapidly moves a playing position to another location on the same track has been input, the audio data is divided by a specific exponential function, and is then multiplied by the exponential function after the playing mode has been completed.

Abstract: Method for providing an overview of pieces of music, comprising: providing at least two pieces of music; determining at least two sections of said pieces of music, wherein one of said sections is determined from one of said pieces of music and another of said sections is determined from another of said pieces of music; and arranging said sections in a sequence.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying similar songs are provided. In accordance with some embodiments, methods for identifying similar songs are provided, the methods comprising: identifying beats in at least a portion of a song; generating beat-level descriptors of the at least a portion of the song corresponding to the beats; comparing the beat-level descriptors to other beat-level descriptors corresponding to a plurality of songs. In accordance with some embodiments, systems for identifying similar songs are provided, the systems comprising: a digital processing device that: identifies beats in at least a portion of a song; generates beat-level descriptors of the at least a portion of the song corresponding to the beats; and compares the beat-level descriptors to other beat-level descriptors corresponding to a plurality of songs.

Abstract: A music reproduction device for recommending music suitable for a taste of a user is provided. When the music reproduction device reproduces music, a motion of the user is measured. A range of a tempo in which a tempo of music is matched with a tempo of the motion of the user is determined as a range of a preferred tempo of the user. Pieces of music to be recommended for the user are selected based on the determined range of the tempo. Thus, it is possible to accurately recommend pieces of music suitable for the taste of the user without an additional input for generating a recommendation list by the user.

Abstract: A musical performance processing apparatus that provides better assistance for student's practice. The apparatus includes a main unit in which music data including performance information of right- and left hand parts is stored, and a performance terminal having a keyboard divided into two key ranges by a split point. Each key range is set as a tapping or normal performance key range. The main unit generates a musical tone when input with performance information generated by depression of a key in the normal performance key range, and automatically reproduces performance information of designated part of music data for the number of beats corresponding to key depression, when input with performance information generated by depression of a key in the tapping performance key range. Sounding is stopped, if there is a deviation between a tempo of teacher's tapping performance and timing of student's performance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for a clip-beat aligner that identifies musical beats in an audio file. An editing mode is provided to associate the audio file with a media segment according to a timeline. The clip-beat aligner aligns a boundary of the media segment with a musical beat on the timeline. Upon performing an editing operation, the clip-beat aligner maintains that the boundary of the media segment is aligned with any one of the musical beats. To align a boundary of each media segment with a musical beat, the clip-beat aligner identifies a musical beat that is proximate to the position of the media segment's boundary. The clip-beat aligner then aligns the media segment's boundary with the proximate musical beat by, if necessary, automatically trimming the media segment's duration such that the media segment's boundary occurs at the same moment in time as the proximate musical beat.

Abstract: A musical piece correction apparatus corrects a sounding timing (note-on timings) of a sound constituting apart of a musical piece. First, the musical piece correction apparatus reads, from storage means, music performance data indicating sounding timings in the musical piece. Next, the musical piece correction apparatus sets a plurality of reference timings (grids) in a performance period of the musical piece, and sets, for each reference timing, a reference period (area) including said each reference timing. At this point, from among sounding timings included in the reference period, a nearest sounding timing to said each reference timing is selected, and the selected sounding timing is corrected so as to coincide with said each reference timing.

Abstract: A CPU of a game machine compares the predicted number of samples in a streaming reproduction and the actual number of samples during execution of the reproduction of sequence data of the BGM in a step S41 in response to a beat signal detected in a step S35. When the compared error is positive, it is considered that the reproduction of sequence data of the BGM lags behind to increase a tempo of the sequence data reproduction in a step S47. When the error is negative, it is considered that the MIDI reproduction leads to decrease the tempo of the sequence data reproduction in a step S49.

Abstract: A method for humanizing a music sequence (S), the music sequence (S) comprising a multitude of sounds (s1, . . . , sn) occurring on times (t1, . . . , tn) comprises the steps generating, for each time (ti) a random offset (oi), adding the random offset (oi) to the time (ti) in order to obtain a modified time (ti+oi); and outputting a humanized music sequence (S?) wherein each sound (si) occurs on the modified time (ti+oi). According to the invention, the power spectral density of the random offsets has the form 1 f ? . wherein 0<?<2.

Abstract: The recommended playlist creating section generates several recommended candidate playlists having different reproduction orders as recommended candidate playlists each indicating a recommended reproduction order when one or more contents are sequentially reproduced. The evaluating section evaluates how each of the recommended candidate playlist is close to the ideal fluctuation stored in the ideal fluctuation storing section. The recommended playlist creating section selects a recommended playlist from among the recommended candidate playlists based on a result of evaluation by the evaluating section. This present invention is applicable to a content reproducing unit having a playlist creating function.