WO2000028434A2

WO2000028434A2 - Method and apparatus for mixing, archiving and delivering of sound and/or video generated at remote locations

Info

Publication number: WO2000028434A2
Application number: PCT/US1999/026739
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chris Beekman; Matthew Beekman
Original assignee: Chris Beekman; Matthew Beekman
Priority date: 1998-11-12
Filing date: 1999-11-12
Publication date: 2000-05-18
Also published as: WO2000028434A3; AU1523500A

Abstract

A method and apparatus for remote control based mixing, archiving and delivering, per customer's request, of sound and/or video of events distant from the physical location of a technician.

Description

Method and Apparatus for Mixing, Archiving and Delivering of Sound and/or Video Generated at Remote Locations

Related Applications

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial

No. 60/108,116, filed November 12, 1998, and of U.S. Provisional Application

Serial No. 60/134,146, filed May 14, 1999, the disclosures of which are

incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for remote mixing

of sound generated at a remote location, including remote mixing of sound and/or

video from live music performances. The invention is also directed to an

apparatus and method for archiving and delivering audio and video over the

Internet.

Background of the Invention

As is well known in the art, it is common for musicians and bands to give

live performances of their music at locations or venues throughout the world.

Such live performances are popular events, often eagerly anticipated and awaited by music fans. In many cases, fans attending the concert want to retain a record

or copy of the performance for years to come. Similarly, fans unable to attend

often wish to obtain or listen to a recording. Yet, estimates indicate that

approximately 97% of all live performances go unarchived. Accordingly, it is an

object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for mixing and

archiving such performances for retrieval for years to come.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus

for remote mixing of music and/or video from concerts or other performances.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for

remotely archiving live music performances.

In accordance with the present invention, apparatus and methods are

provided for archiving and delivering audio and video and associated data via a

computer network, preferably the Internet.

In accordance with the invention, a database is provided for archiving data

associated with audio and or video, for archiving the audio and/or video (the

"multimedia") itself. The database is connected to a multimedia distribution server for distribution of the multimedia to consumers over the Internet.

In a further aspect of the invention, live audio and/or video is collected and

archived from live performances (e.g. musical performances, sports performance,

etc.) and archived in a database for delivery to consumers over the Internet.

In a further aspect of the invention, remote units, such as kiosks, are

provided for accessing live and/or archived multimedia (and any data associated

with the multimedia, if desired) for playback in desired venues.

In a further aspect of the invention, multimedia (and any desired

associated data) is provided by musicians and others for storage in a database and

playback to consumers via the Internet.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent in conjunction with

the disclosure herein.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus is

provided for mixing sound at a remote location. In the preferred embodiments,

methods and apparatus are provided for mixing sound from live performances,

wherein the mixing of the sound from the performance is conducted by remote control by a sound technician located at a central headquarters distant from the

venue. In further embodiments, a central database of archived live performances

is created for access by purchasers, whether through standard distribution

channels or over the Internet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following

description of the preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the

accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the audio and video

equipment at the performance venue in accordance with the preferred embodiment

of the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the audio and video

equipment at the remote control location, where the data is received from the

performance venue, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the

invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the alternative configuration of the video

equipment at the performance venue;

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the alternative configuration of the audio

equipment at the performance venue;

Figure 5 is a flow chart of the multimedia archiving and delivering system; and Figure 6 is a list of components of the present invention and parts useful in one

preferred embodiment thereof.

Detailed Description the Preferred Embodiments and the Drawings

In accordance with the invention, a method and apparatus is provided for

remote control based mixing, archiving and delivering, per customers' request, of

sound and video of events distant from the physical location of a technician. In

one of the preferred embodiments, the methods and apparatus relate to the mixing

and recording of events such as live performances, allowing a sound technician to

access and manipulate the sound from a live performance regardless of where the

performance and the sound technician are each located. Further embodiments will

be apparent in conjunction with the disclosure provided herein.

As is well known in the art, it is common for musicians and bands to give

live performances of their music at widely scattered locations or venues

throughout the world. Such live performances are of notable value, but yet, are

generally unarchived and lost for posterity. Accordingly, it is an object of the

present invention to provide a method and apparatus for mixing and archiving

such performances for a later retrieval.

Musical events or live concerts are regularly conducted at locations or venues such as music clubs or auditoriums in any area of the world. Typically,

the concert is performed live with an audience which can range from a small

number of individuals to hundreds of thousands or even millions of fans.

In accordance with the invention, a remote control location or headquarters

is provided off site from the performance venue. The remote control location or

headquarters can be as distant from the venue as desired, whether located in a

separate city, or even in a separate country. As disclosed herein, this remote

control location or headquarters is configured for interacting with the venue to

receive data from and transmit data to the venue, including, but not limited to

sound and/or video, and for controlling the operation of equipment located at the

venue site. In further embodiments, the headquarters is configured as a

centralized location for interacting with multiple venues.

In accordance with the current state of the art, when a concert or

performance is conducted, a sound technician must be physically located at the

concert site to mix the sound coming off of each of the individual microphones

located on the stage. This sound technician is a professional skilled in the

manipulation of the sound coming from the individual microphones to combine or

mix the individual channels together while the musicians are performing to form a

stereo signal for instantaneous playing to listeners. Due to the requirement heretofore in the art that the sound technician be on-site, the technician has been

limited in the number of venues that he or she can mix in any one given day, due

to the physical limitations of travel from one venue to another. In contrast, in

accordance with the invention, a central headquarters is provided where a sound

technician can mix sound by remote control at venues located around the world.

In accordance with the invention, a receiving means is provided at a venue

for capturing live sound and/or video images at the venue. The receiving means is

connected to a transmitting unit for transmitting the sound and/or video to a

remote location, preferably over telecommunications lines. At the remote

location, a remote receiving unit is provided for receiving the sound and/or video.

A remote control unit, which, if desired, can be integral with the remote receiving

unit, is further provided for controlling the mixing of the sound and/or video.

Preferably, the remote control unit is configured for remote operation of mixing

equipment at the venue to allow the mixing equipment to mix the sound before

transmission to the headquarters. In a further embodiment of the invention, the

mixed sound is stored or archived for later playback.

As shown in Figure 1, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a

mixing or sound board is provided at a music venue. Alternatively, the mixing or

sound board may be placed at the remote location, as will be described later. One example of a suitable mixing or sound board is the Promix, which is a 16 track

board. In alternative embodiments, other sound boards can be used such as, but

not limited to 32-track (or higher) boards, if desired. Since the figures adequately

describe the system in the manner that would be understood by one skilled in the

art, reference numeral have not been employed as they would lessen the teaching,

i.e the drawings, of the invention.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the sound board at the

music venue is configured with software allowing control of the sound board's

functions by use of a personal computer. For example, the Promix can be

configured with SAMM, a software product manufactured by IQ Soft, which

allows all of the Promix's functions to be controlled using a standard PC (such as

a 166 MHz Pentium) running Windows 95. In addition to SAMM, the PC is

provided with the appropriate card to control the sound board. One such suitable

card is an OTEC 2 channel MIDI card which is inserted into a slot in the PC. As

an alternative to the use of Windows 95 as the operating system disclosed herein,

Windows 98 or any other suitable operating system can be utilized.

As shown in Figure 1 , at the venue, each of the microphones on the

concert stage will have a line connected to a microphone preamplifer or preamp.

As is standard in the art, the microphone preamps are in turn connected to the sound board. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the microphone

preamps are connected to a computer as well, wherein the computer is running

appropriate software allowing control of the preamps using the personal computer.

One such configuration is a DOS PC running the software program Mic Talk. In

the embodiment shown in Figure 1, in place of two separate computers (a first

computer for controlling the sound board and a second computer for controlling

the microphone preamps), one computer is provided for controlling both. In such

an embodiment, for example, a program could be provided for running both the

microphone preamps and the sound board in Windows 95.

At the music venue, the data from the computer running the sound board

and the sound signals coming out of the sound board are routed over an

appropriate network to a remote location, as is known in the art. As shown in

Figure 1, data from the computer is sent to a hub which forwards it to a router for

transmission over the network to the remote headquarters. Preferably,

transmission is conducted using a Tl or other high bandwidth line to enable the

realtime transmission of CD quality sound and/or video. Alternatively, an ATM,

A-DSL or wireless transmission may be used. The sound signal from the sound

board is preferably compressed and decompressed at the venue and remote

headquarters, respectively, using a suitable music codec to enable the desired

realtime transmission. Any desired video can be transmitted using suitable video codecs, such as those manufactured by Picture Tel.

As shown in Figure 2, at the remote location, another computer is

configured for monitoring the settings on the sound board at the music venue and

likewise for controlling the settings on the sound board to vary the sound mix.

Similarly, a computer is configured for controlling the microphone preamps.

In the preferred embodiment, shown in Figure 2, the same computer at the

headquarters controls both the microphone preamps and the sound board. In one

such embodiment, the computer at headquarters and the computer for controlling

the sound board each have PC Anywhere software installed thereon, allowing the

computer at headquarters to remotely control the operation of the first computer at

the venue. Likewise, it is preferred that the second computer at the venue also

have PC Anywhere installed thereon. In one variation of this embodiment, the

remote computer controls the first computer at the venue, and the first computer

controls the second computer using PC Anywhere, to enable the remote computer

to control the second computer via the first computer. In a second variation of

this embodiment, the remote computer directly controls the second computer

using PC Anywhere.

As shown in Figure 2, after transmission from the venue, multimedia data from the network is forwarded to a router at headquarters for forwarding to a hub,

to a music codec, and to a video codec.

As shown in Figure 2, data from the router which is forwarded to a hub at

headquarters is then forwarded on to the remote computer for controlling

operation of the sound board. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, one remote

computer, as discussed above, controls the operation of the sound board at the

venue, to remotely control the sound mix, and another remote computer controls

the operation of a video board at the venue, as will be explained later. Although

preferred, it is not necessary to have separate computers controlling audio and

video boards.

Data is also forwarded by the router to a music codec which decompresses

the sound signal into CD quality audio. This signal is then split, with the signal

forwarded to a memory storage device, such as a personal computer, Internet

server, MP3 player or any other memory storage device known in the art, for

archiving the music from the venue in real time, while the signal is

simultaneously forwarded to a DAT player and then to an amplifier and a set of

high quality audio speakers (whether wall speakers or headphones) for real time

play to the sound technician, allowing him to monitor the mixed sound. In a further preferred embodiment, video data is also captured at the venue

and compressed using a video codec for transmission over a network to the

headquarters. This video signal from the venue provides the sound technician

with visual information as to the events transpiring at the venue to allow the

technician to visually monitor the show. This video data is also forwarded from

the router, but is forwarded to a video codec to decompress a video signal for

playback to the video technician.

In this preferred embodiment, as an alternative to, or in addition to, the

mixing of sound at a remote location, video can be mixed as well. For example, a

series of video cameras can be located at a remote location, and, using the present

invention, the video from the individual cameras can be very inexpensively

combined. Such video can be combined without the expensive hardware and

satellite feeds commonly provided in the prior art. As shown in Figures 2-4,

multiple cameras at the Performance Space capture video of the event. These

cameras have the capability of panning, tilting and zooming in on the subject

matter. These features are controlled via a PC through RS232, RS422, or Midi

control standards. This PC is then remotely controlled via the high speed network

connection between the Performance Space and the Control Studio.

Each camera's signal is fed into a distribution amplifier that breaks the signal into three. One signal is sent to a Multiplexor (which is called a QUAD if

we are dealing with four images, but there are ones for as many as 16 inputs). The

Multiplexor takes each of the individual inputs and tiles them into one output.

This multi-image of all of the cameras is then sent to a PC with Video Capture

Card and software-based video codec. The tiled image from the Multiplexor is

broadcast back to the remote studio for the video engineer, who can then

determine which camera to send to the High End Video Codec. The second signal

is sent to a Capture and Time stamp (SMPTE) device that can record each distinct

video signal for the purpose of post-production. By time-stamping the video,

post-production engineers are able to synchronize all of the video with the

recorded audio to create a high quality audiovisual product from the event. The

third signal is sent to the Video Switch.

Alternative configurations of the performance venue are shown in Figures

3 and 4. As shown in Figure 3, multiple cameras at the Performance Space

capture video of the event. These cameras also have the capability of panning,

tilting and zooming in on the subject matter. There is a MCU or multipoint control

unit (video bridge) on the same network as all of the Control and Capture PCs that

are attached to each distinct camera. Each PC can feed an H.323 encoded video

signal to a conference call on the MCU. A video engineer located at the Control

Studio is able to individually control each camera through RS232, RS422, or Midi control standards. The engineer can simultaneously view images from each

individual camera via the conference call in which the Video Control PC is

participating.

Each camera's signal is fed into a distribution amplifier that breaks the

signal into two. One signal is sent to a Capture and Time stamp (SMPTE) device

that can record each distinct video signal for the purpose of post-production. By

time stamping the video post-production engineers can synch up all of the video

with the recorded audio to create a high quality audiovisual product from the

event. The second signal is sent to the Video Switch.

When a signal from a particular camera is chosen for broadcast by the

video engineer in the Control Studio, it is then selected with the Video Switch and

fed to the High End Video codec. The image from the Video Switch is encoded

into either serial data to be passed on to the IMUX/CSU/DSU, or to IP (Ethernet)

data for transmission to the far end Control Studio. At the studio, the video is

then decoded, presented to video production engineers, archived, and made

available for live broadcast.

In a further embodiment, the video transmission over the network is two-

way to allow the sound technician at headquarters to engage in two-way communications with personnel at the venue.

In operation, a remote computer at headquarters is used to operate the

sound board, the video switch, video distribution amplifier and microphone

preamps at a performance venue. The equipment settings are attached to a

computer or computers at the venue, and a remote computer controls the preamps,

distribution amplifier, video switch and the sound board using appropriate

software. The mixed sound and/or video from the venue are also compressed and

transmitted over a network for decompression and monitoring in real time by a

technician who controls the settings on the equipment using the remote computer.

At the same time, the mixed sound and/or video is also saved to a personal

computer for permanent archiving.

In the alternate embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4, the sound

from the microphone preamps is directly transmitted over the network (with

appropriate compression and decompression of the signal using a suitable codec)

for feeding into a soundboard at the remote headquarters where the music is

mixed using a conventional soundboard at headquarters. Alternatively, of course,

the music can be mixed using a personal computer hooked up to a sound board at

the headquarters. This sound board at headquarters is likewise hooked up to

speakers, in the conventional fashion, to allow the technician to listen to and vary the mix. This embodiment may be used to enable the sound technician at the

remote location to directly use a sound board in the manner in which he or she is

accustomed, without the need to use an intervening computer or manipulate a

mouse.

In further embodiments of the invention, the sound and/or video archived

on the personal computer can then be retrieved at any later time, as desired. In

one embodiment, the multimedia signal can be played back to listen to the concert

or to segments thereof. In another embodiment, the multimedia or portions

thereof can be saved onto an appropriate storage medium, such as a compact disk

(CD), DVD, tape, etc. for further distribution and sale. Thus, the entire concerts

or particular tracks can be sold on disk. In a further embodiment, the archived

data can be further transmitted from the archive to consumers, e.g. over the

Internet. This transmitted data can then be played by consumers, or saved by the

consumer onto an appropriate storage medium, whether a hard drive, CD, MP3

player or so forth. In this manner, artists can distribute copies of music from live

performances and can further generate royalties from their performances.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,

apparatus and methods are provided for archiving and delivering multimedia and

associated data. Such multimedia can include audio (for example, music), and video, such as sports performances, or so forth. The multimedia and any

associated data are preferably archived on a server accessible over the Internet.

By accessing the server, consumers can obtain feeds of the multimedia located

thereon.

Currently, the method utilized in the art for archiving and delivering

multimedia suffers from significant disadvantages. For example, when it is

desired to deliver music via the Internet, the desired music is encoded from a CD

directly onto an audio distribution server. Any desired data is concurrently

directly encoded as well. If an error is made, under the present system, however,

the entire CD has to be re-encoded. Accordingly, the present system suffers from

the considerable disadvantage that small errors in the encoding of a long

multimedia selection may require time consuming reencoding of the entire

selection.

In accordance with the present invention, a new apparatus and system is

provided for improving the method for encoding, storing and delivering audio

and/or video. In accordance with the system of the invention, when encoding

audio and any other associated data, the data (and the audio itself as well, if

desired) is encoded directly into a database. See, Figure 5. This database is used to

store and index a plurality of multimedia selections, i.e. to create a catalog, such as a music and/or video catalog.

As is well known in the art, multimedia selections are usually associated

with various information related thereto. For example, in the case of a musical

selection, such information is usually located on the jacket of a music CD or

cassette. The associated information can include, for example, the title of the

song, the name of the recording artist(s), the name of the songwriter(s), the

copyright date, the name of the record label, the lyrics, the musical notes, the

engineering information, graphics, and any other information which could

potentially be on an album jacket.

In a preferced embodiment shown in Figure 5, a series of webpages is

provided, referred to herein as the Multimedia Juicer, which is used to create and

modify the information associated with the multimedia (e.g. the information

typically on the CD jacket) to create and modify the multimedia catalog. The

database is connected to the Multimedia Juicer, and is used to coordinate all of the

data and the audio and/or video associated with the multimedia selection.

Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a CD Juicer is

provided, which consists of a webpage or series of webpages accessible over the

Internet. When it is desired to create or modify a multimedia selection (e..g a musical selection in the catalog), an authorized user accesses the CD Juicer and

inputs any of the desired information which is desired to be associated with the

selection.

Similarly, the multimedia desired is likewise stored and archived by an

authorized user on the system. This multimedia can be stored by any desired

method, whether by archiving the audio and/or video off of a CD or DVD, feeding

the audio and or video over the Internet from a desired location or a live

performance, or inputting the audio and/or video using the Multimedia Juicer. In

one preferred embodiment, some of the music and/or video is collected from live

performances, as disclosed above. Although the audio and/or video is preferably

stored on an audio distribution server and/or a video distribution server, it can,

alternatively, be stored in another location, if desired.

In accordance with the invention, the database is used to coordinate and

pull together the desired information associated with the multimedia selection, as

shown in Figure 5. This information, including the multimedia itself and the

associated data is delivered to the distribution server for distribution to a

consumer.

Accordingly, as shown in Figure 5, when a consumer wishes to obtain music, for example, over the Internet (or other audio and/or video), the consumer

begins by accessing a website which itself is connected to the distribution server.

In one embodiment of the invention, this website is an online jukebox or radio

station. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the website is an online

store for selling CDs or other products.

At the website, the consumer can access a catalog of available multimedia

selections, e.g. musical selections and video selections. When accessing the

catalog, the consumer can view the list of selections available, and associated

data, such as the name of the recording artist or so forth. This information is

provided to the consumer from the database previously described.

In the case of music, for example, the consumer can then request or create

a play-list of the songs he or she wishes to hear or wishes to buy. When the

consumer selects a song, a query is forwarded to the database for the song in

question. The database then coordinates gathering all of the desired information,

and connects with the audio distribution server. The music which is stored on the

audio distribution server (or, alternatively, which is also stored in the database) is

then associated with the relevant data associated with that music so that the music

and data can both be provided as a unit to the user. The songs or other multimedia (preferably including both the audio and/or

video and the associated data) can be provided to the user in a variety of forms. In

one form, the multimedia (in any desired sequence of selections) is streamed over

the Internet, as if the song, for example, were being played from a radio station,

wherein the user is scheduling his or her own programming. This streaming

multimedia is provided for the user to play and/or to record onto a storage

medium (such as a CD, MP3 player or DVD). Alternatively, the songs, or any

desired combination of multimedia, can be downloaded and then recorded for the

user (e.g. burned onto a CD or DVD) by the company operating the website, for

shipment of the CD (or DVD) to the user. By CD, the present application refers

to any physical product having music thereon, whether a CD, a DVD, a minidisk,

a cassette, or so forth.

In this manner, songs and other multimedia can quickly be entered into a

system for archiving and delivering that multimedia to consumers. Moreover,

when it is necessary to correct errors in the material input, such errors can quickly

be corrected without the need to reencode the entire material onto the distribution

server. Similarly, multimedia can easily be updated or modified, as necessary.

Thus, in accordance with the invention, multimedia such as music and/or video

can easily be updated, modified and/or corrected via the Multimedia Juicer. In a further aspect of the invention, remote units can be provided, such as

kiosks or "jukeboxes", for accessing live and/or archived audio and/or video (and

any data associated with the audio and/or video, if desired) for playback in desired

venues. For example, a kiosk can be provided in a bar or other venue, and songs

and/or video selections can be selected from the catalog over the Internet for

playback in the bar. Such uses can therefore be on a pay per selection basis, on a

subscription basis, or so forth.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, live performances can be

streamed to a desired location, whether a personal computer, or a kiosk or another

computing device. Preferably these live performances are captured using the

embodiments described above. These live performances can also be archived,

like any other song, further to the methods and apparatus of the present invention,

as disclosed above.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the audio and/or

video, and any desired associated data, is provided by musicians and/or any others

for input into the system, e.g. from a physical product, or via the Internet or other

telecommunications medium, or directly from a performance. For example,

music can be provided by an amateur or professional band, which is then sold or

provided to users over the Internet. Thus a band can give the operator of the website (whether it be a radio, a music store or so froth) audio and the website can

then easily and directly put then place that audio "on the radio" and/or into the

jukebox and/or the store. Any user accessing this radio, jukebox or store can then

create their own musical and/or video programming.

The present system can be used with Liquid Audio, RealAudio, A2V, or

any other delivery platform. In the preferred embodiment, it uses database

software and computer hardware as currently known in the art. Such software and

hardware is configured to provide a database which is connected to an audio

distribution server and which coordinates the association of information in the

database with particular music (either on an audio distribution server or also in the

database) to provide catalogs to the user which can be accessed to request delivery

of the music and associated data, as described above.

After associating the data and the music, the database (or a second

database, or other webpage on the website) can be used to further coordinate any

other information or steps desired in the process or transaction. For example, the

database or webpages can be used to process billing and shipping information, or

to check the status of orders, or so forth.

Further details as to components of the present invention and to parts useful in one preferred embodiment thereof, are attached hereto. See, Figure 6.

Having described this invention with regard to specific embodiments, it is

to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitation since further

variations or modifications may be apparent or may suggest themselves to those

skilled in the art. It is intended that the present application cover such variations

and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. A method for remote manipulating of sound and/or video, comprising the

steps of:

a. capturing said sound and/or video at a performance venue;

b. transmitting said sound and/or video captured at said performance

venue to a remote location;

c. receiving at said remote location of said sound and/or video

transmitted from said performance venue; and

d. remotely controlling and mixing of said sound and/or video using a

remote control unit located at said remote location.

2. A method for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

claim 1, further comprising the step of recording said mixed sound and/or

video.

3. A method for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

claim 1 , wherein said step of remotely controlling and mixing said sound

and/or video further comprises the step of controlling and mixing said

sound and/or video using a personal computer.

4. A method for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

claim 3, wherein said personal computer is located at said remote location.

5. A method for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

claim 3, wherein said personal computer is located at said performance

venue.

6. A method for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

claim 1 , further comprising a step of amplifying said sound and/or video

before said sound and/or video is transmitted to said remote location.

7. A method for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

claim 6, wherein said step of amplifying said sound and/or video is

controlled by a personal computer.

8. A method for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

claim 7, wherein said personal computer is located at said remote location.

9. A method for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

claim 7, wherein said personal computer is located at said performance venue.

10. A method for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

claim 1 further comprising the step of archiving said sound and/or video

on a memory storage device.

11. A method for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 10, wherein said memory storage device is a personal computer.

12. A method for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 10, wherein said memory storage device is a server.

13. A method for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 10, wherein said memory storage device is an MP3 player.

14. A method for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 10, wherein said memory storage device is a compact disc.

15. A method for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 10 further comprising the step of transmitting said archived sound

and/or video to a listener.

16. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and or video comprising:

a. receiving means located at a sound and/or video performance

venue, said receiving means being configured to capture the sound

and/or video at said performance venue;

b. transmitting means connected to said receiving means, said

transmitting means being configured to transmit said sound and/or

video generated at said performance venue to a remote location;

c. a remote receiving unit located at said remote location, said remote

receiving unit being configured to receive said sound and/or video

from said transmitting means; and

d. a remote control unit located at said remote location, said remote

control unit being configured to control and mix said sound and/or

video received by said receiving means from said performance venue.

17. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 16 further comprising a recording means connected to said remote

control unit, said recording means being configured to record said sound

and/or video.

18. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in Claim 16, wherein said transmitting means is transmitting said sound and/or

video generated at said performance venue over telecommunication lines.

19. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 16, wherein said remote control unit is integral with said remote

receiving unit.

20. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 16 further comprising a mixing means located at said sound and/or

video performance venue, said mixing means being controlled by said remote

control unit.

21. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 20, wherein said mixing means is a mixing board.

22. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 21, wherein said mixing board is Promix.

23. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 20, wherein said mixing means is configured with software allowing

control of said mixing means by use of a personal computer.

24. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 23, wherein said personal computer is provided with a sound and/or

video card to control said mixing means.

25. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 20 further comprising an amplifier connected to said receiving means

and to said mixing means, wherein said sound and/or video is transmitted

from said receiving means to said amplifier and then to said mixing means.

26. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 25 further comprising at least one personal computer, wherein said

personal computer is programmed to control said amplifier.

27. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 26, wherein said personal computer is located at said sound and/or

video performance venue.

28. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 26, wherein said personal computer is located at said remote location.

29. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 26, wherein said personal computer is programmed to control said

mixing means.

30. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 29, wherein said personal computer is located at said sound and/or

video performance venue.

31. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 29, wherein said personal computer is located at said remote location.

32. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 25 further comprising a first personal computer and a second personal

computer, wherein said first personal computer is programmed to control said

amplifier and wherein said second personal computer is programmed to

control said mixing means.

33. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 32, wherein said first personal computer is located at said sound and/or

video performance venue and said second computer is located at said remote

location and wherein said second computer is capable of controlling said first computer.

34. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 10 further comprising a memory storage device, wherein said memory

storage device is configured to archive said sound and/or video.

35. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 34, wherein said memory storage device is a personal computer.

36. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 34, wherein said memory storage device is a server.

37. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 34, wherein said memory storage device is an MP3 player.

38. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 34, wherein said memory storage device is a compact disc.

39. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 20 further comprising a memory storage device, wherein said memory

storage device is configured to archive said sound and/or video.

40. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 39, wherein said memory storage device is a personal computer.

41. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 39, wherein said memory storage device is a server.

42. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 39, wherein said memory storage device is an MP3 player.

43. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 39, wherein said memory storage device is a compact disc.

44. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 16, wherein said receiving means is a microphone.

45. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 16, wherein said receiving means is a video camera.

46. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 45, wherein said video camera is capable of panning, tilting and zooming in on the subject matter.

47. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 16 further comprising a first codec located at said performance venue,

said first codec being configured for compressing said sound and/or video

before said sound and/or video is transmitted to said remote location.

48. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 47, wherein said first codec is an audio codec.

49. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 47, wherein said first codec is a video codec.

50. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 47 further comprising a second codec located at said remote location,

said second codec being configured for decompressing said compressed sound

and or video after said compressed sound and/or video is received at said

remote location.

51. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and or video as claimed in

Claim 50, wherein said first codec is an audio codec.

52. An apparatus for remote manipulating of sound and/or video as claimed in

Claim 50, wherein said first codec is a video codec.

53. A method for archiving and delivering of sound and/or video, comprising the

steps of:

a. storing audio and/or video from an event;

b. entering data associated with said audio and/or video into a computer

database;

c. providing a distribution server for delivering said audio and/or video to

a user via the World Wide Web; and,

d. delivering said audio and/or video to a user, wherein said database

coordinates the delivery of said data from said database, and the

delivery of said audio and or video from said distribution server, both

to the user over the World Wide Web.

54 . A method for archiving and delivering of sound and/or video as claimed in

claim 53 further comprising a step of indexing said data associated with said

audio and/or video stored in said computer database.

55. A method for archiving and delivering of sound and/or video as claimed in claim 53, wherein said step of delivering said audio and/or video to a user

further comprises streaming said audio and/or video to said user.

56. A method for archiving and delivering of sound and/or video as claimed in

claim 53, wherein said step of delivering said audio and/or video to a user

further comprises downloading and recording said audio and/or video on an

appropriate medium.

57. A method for archiving and delivering of sound and/or video, comprising the

steps of:

a. capturing said sound and/or video at a performance location;

b. encoding said sound and/or video;

c. transmitting said encoded sound and/or video to a remote location;

d. storing said transmitted sound and/or video;

e. entering data associated with said audio and/or video into a computer

database;

f. providing a distribution server for delivering said audio and/or video to

a user via the World Wide Web; and,

g. delivering said audio and/or video to a user, wherein said database

coordinates the delivery of said data from said database, and the

delivery of said audio and/or video from said distribution server, both to the user over the World Wide Web.

58. A method for archiving and delivering of sound and or video as claimed in

claim 57 further comprising a step of indexing said data associated with said

audio and/or video stored in said computer database.

59. A method for archiving and delivering of sound and/or video as claimed in

claim 57, wherein said step of delivering said audio and or video to a user

further comprises streaming said audio and/or video to said user.

60. A method for archiving and delivering of sound and/or video as claimed in

claim 53, wherein said step of delivering said audio and/or video to a user

further comprises downloading and recording said audio and/or video on an

appropriate medium.

61. A method for archiving and delivering of sound and/or video, comprising the

steps of:

a. storing audio and/or video from an event;

b. entering data associated with said audio and/or video into a computer

database;

c. providing a distribution server for delivering said audio and/or video to a user via a network;

d. providing a remote access unit for accessing said distribution server

and said computer database remotely;

e. accessing said distribution server from said remote access unit; and

f. delivering said audio and or video and said associated data from said

distribution server and said computer database to said remote access

unit, wherein said database coordinates the delivery of said data from

said database, and the delivery of said audio and/or video from said

distribution server.