The Retrospective

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Microsoft Unveils Songsmith at CES – Now anyone can make mediocre music.

January 13th, 2009 by

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oGFogwcx-E

Before I go on a tirade about Microsoft’s new program Songsmith, let me just state that I am fully aware of the ever changing times, and how much technology has influenced the way we create, market, and consume music.  That being said, I still don’t think that it’s OK to completely remove the creative process that occurs when someone sits down with their guitar or piano, or whatever instrument to write a song.

Songsmith allows you to sing whatever melody you came up with, in or out of tune, and it automatically accompanies music to it, using an algorithm that some music loving, computer geek, rock star wannabe, thought up at Microsoft.  Whatever happened to saving the music? With this program, you don’t have to be able to read, write, or play any music whatsoever.  All you have to do is choose whether you want “happy” music or “sad” music(which is adjusted by a toggle bar, just like your typical volume control), pick a tempo, and decide on your genre or style of song you want to “create”(I wonder if screamo is an option?).  Write a sad song because you’re sad.  Not because the little toggle bar says sad, and the computer knows to adjust the key to E flat instead of D sharp.  Parents, please do your kids a favor by not buying them Songsmith, even if it is only $29.99.  In my opinion, if you want to make anything other than jingles and elevator music, my advice to you would be to stay far, far, away from Songsmith.

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1 response so far ↓

  • 1 Jerimiah Jan 25, 2009 at 8:10 pm

    Ah so true. I mean you got to put some more effort into it don’t you?

    But then, if there are some savant prodigies out there that manage to make great music, in spite or because they’re using this program then who are we to deny them.

    Anyway, as much as it does kinda suck. I’d give it a whirl. So I could feel minutely musical for even a minute.