DIA: Do It A Cappella

Idea / Premise

a visual feedback system for a cappella singers to use alone or together as an ensemble
a learning tool to train the voice and the ears

a large population of amateur a cappella singers who lack the necessary ear training to effectively self-correct
the need for an objective method of performance evaluation to eliminate confusion over "who's hearing it right"
a desire to explore basic real-time audio information retrieval techniques

an application for the real-time visualization of musical properties of one or more singers
a network application allowing multiple singers to use laptops to see personalized visualizations provided by a host computer
a vocal training application providing both real-time visualization of error and post-performance reports of achievement statistics
a music learning tool for people who can't read music

Multi-track MIDI file loaded on start-up, to which voices are to be compared
Multiple inputs connect to one host computer (Server/Director)
Networked client computers can connect to the Server
Clients will receive channel-specific data from the server
Clients may also listen in on data from other users
Performance error will be calculated with respect to deviation from MIDI arrangement
Pitch information will be determined by implementing a version of the YIN pitch detection algorithm

the harmonics, a stanford a cappella group, will be able to put DIA through comprehensive, rigorous testing
effectiveness of execution will be judged based on the final product's ability to provide accurate and useful visual feedback to the user

 - Charlie Forkish
 - Jay Bhat

DATE 1: 11/15 - accurate and robust implementation of YIN pitch detection algorithm with one input and playback of midi files
DATE 2: 12/4 - support for multiple inputs and polished visual feedback
DATE 3: 12/10 - distribution to multiple client computers over network and statistics report