With this post I want to present an old idea that finally I’ve been developing and starts to work as a web version:

https://dubart.integral.tools/en

It is a new audiovisual format between music-video and video-game, where the spectator can become a dub/remix artist. The audio tracks (instruments or musicians) of each song are still separate and the users can do their own remix (or dub version) in a visual way like in a game, or play other remixes (and modify them live). It’s about fostering the Art of Remixing for everyone, without any need to be a musician or technician.

Every instrument is represented by an agent or animated character, that moves in sync with the notes played (VIM animation), and any user can manipulate those agents easily, hiding/showing tracks (mute), shooting effects, changing volumes and stereo panoramic, both live and also record her/his own version (and edit it) and then share it around (counting views and likes).

Nowadays is a Web version with 2D graphics that works on many modern browsers and devices, but it can be tuned for low CPU devices (disabling available effects, reducing the graphics resolution, etc). In the future it can be done like an App, video-game platforms, in 3D, virtual reality, etc.

The invention is not attached to any musical or graphic style, there are many possibilities. Initially I think the first potential users are the ones that already know and love Dub or the art of remixing, but is also interesting as a didactic/ludic tool for music learning, and it has potential in other sectors:

Can be interesting for musicians and labels as a new interactive format to publish on. The recording studios should be involved because they have the separate tracks, and graphic artists to do the synced animations (I can offer this service), the backgrounds and the icons, etc.

Also it can be interesting for DJ’s and VJ’s that can use it live (visual dub show). Actually the easiest way to play is in a computer, with one hand in the numeric keyboard controlling the mutes (in/out) of each track and the other hand on the mouse picking effects and shooting them to the animated agents, or dragging the agents on the scene.

The fact that each user can record his/her own version and share it (counting views and likes) can create an interesting network of online ‘remixers’, where everybody is welcome to participate. Recording a live remix, when finished you can edit each key-frame produced to adjust and polish imperfections, preview the results and save your remix.

The development of this web version is open-source, collaborators wanted! Any bug you find or improvements you want can be reported in gitlab or just using telegram.