How does Shazam work?

(perthirtysix.com)

95 points | by datadrivenangel 2 days ago

13 comments

  • thakoppno 34 minutes ago
    Perhaps obviously this is the same technique that enables ACR on TVs.

    It occurs to me that Shazam has such a better reputation online because the intent and consent of the user is honored.

    It makes me wonder if there couldn’t be an implementation on TVs that is similar and actually is a net positive for consumers. Basically would customers actually like TV ACR if the data wasn’t just going to sell more ads?

    • krustyburger 26 minutes ago
      So the value-add would be the consumer would get to find out the name of the show or movie that’s playing, the same info that also pops up if they hit the pause button?
      • thakoppno 6 minutes ago
        I was thinking more like interactive content. Do you remember when VH1 had a pop-up music video show?

        Shows could synchronize additional content that’d be visible when Shazam mode enabled.

  • swyx 56 minutes ago
    related comments from Shazamers

    - OG shazam paper https://www.ee.columbia.edu/~dpwe/papers/Wang03-shazam.pdf (he has a talk on youtube btw look it up if really care)

    - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18069968 shazam employee blogpost

    - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38538996 shazam cofounder endorsed explainer

    - go algo repro https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41127726

    as with all ML things... the code is much less % of the value than the data...

  • Animats 56 minutes ago
    Recognizing a recording isn't hard to do, because, for the same recording, the chords follow each other with precisely repeatable timing. That's been around for well over a decade. Recognizing a different recording, say, a, cover version, of the same song, is much more work.

    Audible Magic claims to be able to recognize multiple performances of the same songs, and even parodies.[1] Using, of course, "AI technology" and much more compute.

    [1] https://www.audiblemagic.com/2024/02/07/identifying-cover-so...

    • bitexploder 55 minutes ago
      20 years at least. I remember seeing how Gracenote worked back in the day when I was consulting for them.
    • andai 44 minutes ago
      Why is this harder than "delete timing information" ?
  • G_o_D 28 minutes ago
    Out of curiosity is it possible to prevent shazam like app from detecting maybe by adding noise or any technique ?
  • dataviz1000 46 minutes ago
    Add to my list of projects. Dinosaur game but with audible clucks to jump.
  • krishna_dam 24 minutes ago
    Surprised to see how that got it worked with out all the "AI" bluff
  • cellular 1 hour ago
    I did this for a science project in 1986 on an Apple ][c computer !
  • gnabgib 1 hour ago
    Again? Oh I see.. SCP (this domain is sus)

    From CameronMacLeod (2022) - and much more complete analysis (587 points, 2023, 155 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38531428

    Or Slate (2009) (50 points, 16 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=893353

    • BLKNSLVR 1 hour ago
      Forgive my ignorance, but what does SCP mean in this context? (my normal go-to of 'secure copy' doesn't fit).

      Thanks for the other links, the question in this title is one I've day-dreamily thought about on occasion, but never dug into. Will have a read of all three.

      • eichin 5 minutes ago
        probably the HN-specific "Second Chance Pool" for resurfacing links
      • Animats 1 hour ago
        Vaguely relevant pop-culture reference.[1]

        [1] https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/glossary-of-terms

        • BLKNSLVR 46 minutes ago
          I seem to have wandered into a parallel universe.

          I think it'll take me longer to understand WTF SCP is than it will to understand how Shazam works.

      • downboots 22 minutes ago
        embodied strange occurrence
    • cyral 1 hour ago
      The interactive parts of this post are very cool though
  • flyuk 18 minutes ago
    Nice article - enjoyed reading!
  • blackjackfoe 30 minutes ago
    No "AI" required!
  • yawpitch 22 minutes ago
    This has been explained so many times… a wizard imbued the kid with the powers of Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury.
  • wood_spirit 32 minutes ago
    Reminds me of Roy Van Rijn’s prototype that got a cease and desist letter! Lots of community disappointment at the time!

    https://hn.algolia.com/?q=royvanrijn

  • dackdel 44 minutes ago
    voodoo