Article
A Real-Time Pulse Tracking Audio Plugin for Controlling DAW Parameters (de)
* Presenting author
Abstract:
Predominant Local Pulse (PLP) estimation is a well-known approach for deriving beat positions and other periodic pulse information from audio signals. In recent work, we have developed an online variant of PLP for use in real-time applications. In this contribution, we introduce an audio plugin for real-time pulse tracking in a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) that makes use of the online PLP output, including beat stability, beat look-ahead, and local tempo. Our plugin takes an audio signal as input, analyzes the input with PLP in real time and outputs a pulse curve that can be used as a Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO). In this way, we provide a device for controlling different DAW parameters based on the pulse information of an input track. Additionally, our plugin has educational value in giving insight into the underlying principles that drive PLP, namely the local sinusoidal tempo kernels that overlap and change over time. As a result, the rhythmic structure of an audio signal becomes visible in the form of a moving PLP curve that is updated in real time. Our plugin may encourage musicians, mixing engineers and sound designers to explore the rhythmic nature of audio in a familiar mixing environment.