Daqarta
Data AcQuisition And Real-Time Analysis
Scope - Spectrum - Spectrogram - Signal Generator
Software for Windows
Science with your Sound Card!
The following is from the Daqarta Help system:

Features:

Oscilloscope

Spectrum Analyzer

8-Channel
Signal Generator

(Absolutely FREE!)

Spectrogram

Pitch Tracker

Pitch-to-MIDI

DaqMusiq Generator
(Free Music... Forever!)

Engine Simulator

LCR Meter

Remote Operation

DC Measurements

True RMS Voltmeter

Sound Level Meter

Frequency Counter
    Period
    Event
    Spectral Event

    Temperature
    Pressure
    MHz Frequencies

Data Logger

Waveform Averager

Histogram

Post-Stimulus Time
Histogram (PSTH)

THD Meter

IMD Meter

Precision Phase Meter

Pulse Meter

Macro System

Multi-Trace Arrays

Trigger Controls

Auto-Calibration

Spectral Peak Track

Spectrum Limit Testing

Direct-to-Disk Recording

Accessibility

Applications:

Frequency response

Distortion measurement

Speech and music

Microphone calibration

Loudspeaker test

Auditory phenomena

Musical instrument tuning

Animal sound

Evoked potentials

Rotating machinery

Automotive

Product test

Contact us about
your application!

DaqMusiq

DaqMusiq is somewhat like KaleidoSynth, but without feedback or (usually) even an Input signal. Instead, a random noise source replaces the Input. That source is equivalent to the White Noise source in the Daqarta Generator, but is independent and runs when the Generator is off.

Since DaqMusiq does not require active Inputs, it will continue to work even after the Daqarta trial period expires... it's absolutely free.

The random source is used to create a stream of random or semi-random frequencies. These are applied internally to the Left Out channel for Spectrum Curve adjustments, if any, then routed to the Pitch Tracker. The resultant Pitch Track notes are used as the raw input for the Pitch-to-MIDI process.

You can start DaqMusiq at any time by using a Macro that comes installed with Daqarta: Hit the F8 key, followed by the 'd' key. This forces Input and Generator off, Sgram/PT and Pitch Track on, prompts you to select a .DQM MIDI setup file (hit Esc or click Cancel to use the default setup), and starts Pitch-to-MIDI. A message will appear below the trace area that says "DaqMusiq with Data Source". (Here the "Data" is usually random.)

Just because DaqMusiq uses a random source, that doesn't mean the MIDI output sounds like the proverbial monkey-at-the-keyboard (unless you want it to). Instead, you specify the nature of the music performance by selecting Scales and Note Ranges, Velocity Patterns and Chord Patterns, perhaps preset Note Patterns for bass and rhythm tracks, and maybe a background Percussion pattern.

Most importantly, you use MIDI Changes script commands to tell Daqarta how to adjust parameters during the performance, to keep the listener's attention and interest. Besides the above-mentioned parameters, you can change things like which instruments are playing, the basic Tempo, the note-to-note timing variability (for a more "human" performance), pan position, whether the notes of a chord will be played in unison or arpeggiated (strummed), and much more.

You can use Buffer commands to grab sequences of input notes to form basic themes for melody, bass, or rhythm lines, then copy them with modifications, and play the modified sequences in various patterns.

Changes can take place at preset times (after specified numbers of beats), or can be controlled based upon oscillators, random numbers, computer key presses or mouse position, or even the pitch input itself.

Although the default random source is effectively White, you can use Spectrum Curves to define any spectral shape you want, either by creating a plain text file, or saving a spectrum as a .CRV file. (Note that you should apply the chosen Curve to the Left Out channel.)

Standard Curves are provided to create Pink (Tilt-3dB.CRV) or "brown" (Tilt-6dB.CRV) responses. Long-term spectrum averages of normal music are said to have a pink spectrum. The default white noise source will produce "brighter" DaqMusiq than pink, and brown noise will produce "darker".

Alternatively, you can use the normal Generator (with everything else the same as random-source DaqMusiq) to create the random stream, with the raw Generator output muted so you only hear the MIDI sound. This allows you to experiment easily with alternative sources like Pink or Band-Limited noise, or even Play an existing .WAV file as the source. (See below.)

Note: Vista and Windows 7 or later do not allow the Wave output from the Generator to be muted (or even have its volume controlled) independently from the MIDI output. See "Vista/7/8/10/11 and DaqMusiq" under Vista / 7 / 8 / 10 / 11 Issues in the Troubleshooting section for work-around alternatives.

You are not limited to random signals as inputs; you can use any signal that the Generator can produce. Of course, a simple constant tone will just supply a constant pitch... probably not too useful on its own. But you can use various modulation schemes like FM, Burst, and Sweep to stir the pot.

You can even load the Composer.GEN setup so the Generator creates "Oriental" music on its own, then use that as the Pitch-to-MIDI input.

Or set Play Wave mode and use an existing .WAV file as the signal input. At first blush, you might imagine that the Pitch Tracker would follow the melody and cause Pitch-to-MIDI to reproduce the original song. But the Pitch Tracker can only follow a simple single-voice recording, because it just tracks the strongest pitch at any instant. In most real musical performances, the strongest pitch is constantly varying among instruments, including percussion instruments and vocal lines.

The result is that Pitch-to-MIDI may produce a stream of notes only vaguely related to the original performance. This is not a bad thing, if handled properly: You get a totally new performance! (See DaqMusiq From WAV Files for detailed instructions.)

The best way to get started with DaqMusiq is to load one of the example MIDI setups (.DQM files). All assume the default random (white) source, so if you use the Generator instead, make sure you set that first... you can load WhiteMute.GEN to do it automatically. Then toggle Pitch-to-MIDI on and listen to the output.

(The AirBand.DQM and AirGuitar.DQM setups can use the default random source, but they are specifically designed for voice control.)

Study the Changes script and try simple modifications. Be sure to save your modified setup under a different name, if you want to keep it, so you can easily get back to the original.

If you want to try out completely different ideas, you can load !NewSetup.DQM to start from an empty setup.

Note that even though any given segment of a DaqMusiq performance may sound pleasing, it may set up listener expectations for a "resolution" that doesn't come automatically from a simple semi-random process. This is another area for exploration with Changes scripts.

Besides creating music "from scratch", you can enter Velocity, Note, and Chord Patterns to perform existing songs... then use Changes to mutate them in interesting ways. (Or in hilarious ways, such as by randomly choosing new instruments every few measures.) Try loading the FrJacques.DQM, Joshua.DQM, and Saints.DQM examples to get started.


See also KaleidoSynth, Getting Started With Pitch-to-MIDI, Getting Started With Pitch Track, Pitch Track Toolbox - Overview, Spectrogram / Pitch Track Controls, Spectrogram / Pitch Track (Sgram/PT)


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