What is a Virtual Band ?
There are a couple of ways to look at the phrase “virtual band.” One refers to the animated characters that appear on screen and seem to sing and play quality, complex pop and rock music. Many consider Alvin and the Chipmunks to be one of the earliest virtual bands. Of course, there are many, many more.
But this discussion is also about a different type of virtual band. In this case, virtual band is part of the process in using sequencing software. Most explanations state that this type of automatic accompaniment can be used to give professional-sounding backup music to a performance.
Once you have virtual band software, you simply patch in a style during sequencing. At this point you put in chord changes and other variations, play and produce the demos. This is part of what happens when animated video is combined with music that is produced separately. Technicians and musicians work together to produce separate tracks or patterns for drums, guitars and other instruments.
Based on these two definitions, there is some connection between the virtual band that appears to perform and the virtual band that is providing accompaniment to other performers. In fact, the virtual band software concept can be part of cartoon-character singing and playing. Individual musicians and singers can add different virtual-band styles to add flavor and sound variety to their recordings.
With a virtual band, in the animated sense, real musicians play and record the music but before the final product is presented it is altered and added to. Ross Bagdasarian, who created the Chipmunks concept in the late 1950s, sped up recordings of his own voice to create the chipmunk sound. Groups that have created the music and special sounds for other virtual bands have used unique recording methods and vocal mixing to achieve a sound that fits with the animated characters and their actions.
Category: Technology