The problem with putting MIDI music onto the web has been that you never know how it will sound on the listener's computer. The key advantage for the composer in using the BAE is that it provides a common platform on which to write and deliver music for the Internet. In addition to playing back linear audio formats such as MP3 and WAV, the engine provides a full software synth for playing back MIDI and RMF files, and you can even include your own samples. The attractive Beatnik Editor allows users to author their own RMF (Rich Music Format) files, potentially in concert with their favoured sequencer package.Īt the very heart of Beatnik is the Beatnik Audio Engine (BAE) a music synthesizer, sample player, effects processor, sample‑rate converter and stereo 64‑voice mixer rolled into one. Eighties pop master and music innovator Thomas Dolby Robertson has been interested in the possibilities of interactive music for many years, and this experience has culminated in the creation of Beatnik ( target='_blank), a platform for the delivery of interactive music on‑line, and also the name of his company.

Indeed, as web pages themselves become more visually impressive, dynamic and tailored to our needs, they are still, for the most part, like silent movies. Mark Wherry investigates Beatnik, a powerful way of adding interactive music content to your web site.ĭespite increasing computer performance, Internet connections and multimedia possibilities, most music on the web today is fairly static, if it is present at all.

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