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Musicality VR

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Submitted By: Paul M. Christian

Elevator Pitch

Musicality VR

Play with abstract, musical concepts no differently than a toddler playing in a sandbox with toys.

Product Description

How It’s Innovative

Many music technology projects iterate on a proscriptive model of music, often tethered to the staff and piano keyboard. Of course the obvious benefit here is familiarity. But what if the staff is not the best place for developing musical ideas? If one takes an interest in extended just intonation, must this expanded gamut of tones be understood in relation to 7 pitch classes? Musicality VR anticipates that music of future generations may not be compatible with the common practice period.

See MIDI Innovation In Action

Most Inspiring Use Cases

– Remote music lessons where student and teacher are embedded in a space of living, tangible ideas.
– NINJAM style virtual-real-time online jamming where the backing track and instruments are constructed collaboratively in VR space.
– Playing a keyboard with a layout that morphs as part of the composition.
– Composing in a space where the entire “making-of” is self documenting.
– Build your own Harry Partch instrument!

Expansion Plans

Currently, it comprises a collection of several moving parts running on a high-end PC. One short-term goal is to package the experience into a standalone Meta Quest app with local LAN-based multiplayer, enabling real-time collaboration in a shared mixed-reality space. Each networked headset would act as a MIDI controller, with a server producing the sounds.

Mid-term, a synthesizer will be rewritten for some subset of the experience to run entirely self contained on a Quest headset. Multiplayer capabilities will be expanded to allow remote collaboration.

Commercialization

I am creating this project to inspire individuals to engage deeply with sound and to encourage seasoned musicians to re-evaluate their existing knowledge. My long-term vision is for this endeavor to evolve into a public good. At present, I am seeking crowdfunding, grants, and other forms of support to enable me to devote more time and energy to its development, free from the market pressures that demand conformity. This open-ended environment can be accessed affordably by anyone with a standalone VR headset, providing unique and valuable tools for music schools, universities, and sound therapy practitioners as well as musicians and casual audio explorers.

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