Artists, creatives, tech professionals, venues, fans, and stakeholders are reaching new creative heights through new technologies. As technology evolves, so do the ways to experience, create and perform music. We’ve gathered the most important technologies with the largest impact on the music industry and its future.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is computer-based. In short, AI brings extra computing power to recognize patterns within data fields that are too big for humans to process. Relying on an input (prompt) and a desirable output (result), AI optimises its result through machine learning. One of the best-known current AI tools is Open AI’s Chat GTP. This tool uses enormous data sets of text (large language models) to answer the user’s question (input) with a desired response (output).
However, multiple variations of AI and tools which leverage the underlying technology are making their mark. Spotify’s recommendation system is a fine example of such an adaptation.
Within Hybrid Music Vibes, technology partner Bureau Moeilijke Dingen teamed up with artist Julia Sabaté. Together, they explored how generative AI enhances a live show using the audience's input.
Enriched reality is the factual meaning of Augmented Reality (AR). AR places virtual/3D objects in real spaces so users can interact with them. Most likely, the exciting game Pokémon Go is the best example of AR. Combining the power of geo-location and AR, Pokémon Go enriches the real world with virtual Pokémon. Leaving players no other option than trying to catch ‘em all.
Arfected and Dutch Rose Media are experts in the field of Augmented Reality and valued tech partners of Hybrid Music Vibes. Partnered with Dutch indie bands Hiigo and De Toegift, they created some surprising AR experiences.
Unlike Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality (VR) doesn’t interact with real-life spaces. VR is entirely digital, making it a fully virtual experience. Through VR headsets like the Oculus, users are immersed in 100% virtual 3D worlds and spaces to experience and interact with.
Virtual Reality offers artists, creatives, and tech pros new opportunities to present their work even in places that are mere figments of imagination and technology.
Audio in 3D is called Spatial Audio, as it comes from a specific space. What is special about Spacial Audio is its ability to hit from any direction, making you the constant auditive centrepiece of the experience. No wonder Spatial Audio is crucial in gaming and immersive media like Virtual Reality.
For Hybrid Music Vibes, musician Max Frimout joined forces with technology partner Odio Media. This collab led to an app that utilises spatial audio, allowing users to create AR soundscapes.
Using a 360-degree video studio, volumetric video turns real-life objects into full 3D digital objects. Capturing the slightest movement, expression, and detail in the process. The emerging life-like virtual objects feel at home in all digital environments, virtual reality, augmented reality, and gaming worlds alike.
Tech partner 4DR Studios is The Netherlands' first and only volumetric video studio. Coupled with Hiigo, they turned the five band members into photorealistic virtual doppelgangers. In their augmented reality experience, Hiigo uses these lookalikes to welcome visitors to its virtual, tuneful home.