Avid Technology Limited

Paul A Vercellotti

Steven Hollister Milne

Edward Jones

Martin Kloiber

David M Tremblay

Robert E Majors

Robert Boyer

Kyle M Splittgerber

Timothy H Claman

Christopher M Winsor

Karl M Mueller

Jeffrey A Lomicka

An audio signal processing graph is automatically recomposed to optimize its properties by reassigning and instantiating its nodes on available locales such that the number of inter-locale connections is minimized and latency between inputs, such a performer's live input, and outputs, such as a monitored recording mix, is minimized. The recomposition exploits associative, commutative, and decomposition properties of certain node types, including mixer nodes. A graph recomposition may decompose a mixer node into a first stage instantiated by a software plug-in hosted by a computer running a digital audio workstation in a first locale, and a second stage assigned to an audio processing device in a second locale. Automatic signal graph recomposition occurs when the system is initialized, the graph is reconfigured, a new desired behavior of the graph is specified, or the available network resources are changed.

Optimizing audio signal networks using partitioning and mixer processing graph recomposition

Near real-time collaborative media production by parties located remotely from each other is facilitated by the described methods. Automated dialog replacement with voice talent, editing system operator, and director located remotely from each other is supported by generating synchronized near real-time feeds for the operator and director. Pre-recorded media played back from the editing system is streamed without delay to the talent. A pre-recorded media feed is also delayed to synchronize it with the incoming talent stream, which was recorded in sync with the pre-recorded media stream when received by the talent. The synchronized feed is output to the operator and streamed to the director. Talkback channels and webcam video with appropriate synchronization delays support communication among the parties. Other methods support automatic punch-in and punch-out of remotely recorded dialog replacement, and automatic contextual switching and overlaying of inter-party communication video based on the state of the media editing application.

Near real-time collaboration for media production

A user-configurable modular audio control surface comprises master modules for controlling global surface properties and channel modules for controlling one or more individual audio channels. The modules are disposed in a two-dimensional spatial arrangement such that any module can occupy a location within the control surface not occupied by another module. The modules are connected to each other and to external platforms hosting media applications and plug-ins via a network. Control surface users can interact with external applications via remote graphical user interfaces displayed on modules within the surface, and can automate multiple external applications using an automation system built into the surface. Automation line graphs and metadata for both internal and external applications are displayed over the corresponding waveform displays that can include audio ahead of a current playback location.

Modular audio control surface

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Albany, CA, United States of America

Paul A Vercellotti