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[e-head]

I kind of like the "genius" playlist feature in iTunes so I attempted to do something similar, but leveraging last fm's similar artists and similar tracks. I call it "SmartAss".

Just wondering if anyone was interested in this? Either in using it or working on it (expanding it).
I'm a little uncomfortable with my C# skills so I have not shared it in the plugin section, but if someone wants to fiddle with it let me know. If it doesn't blow up my computer after a couple of weeks I'll consider posting it.

Here is a screenshot:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/3011495784_1ba618222e_o.jpg

Hysterically I misspelled "similiar". Time to rebuild.
Just like "genius" in iTunes it's results are wildly unpredictable.
Anyone know of any other web services with useful music information?
I was thinking Amazon.com possibly (the "people who bought this also bought this..." data would be good to use).

Of course, this won't work dynamically on the iPod (the new iPod's can supposedly create a genius list on the iPod itself).

[Doof]

How does this differ from MC's Radio mode?

[e-head]

I believe so. Radio mode is more or less random, isn't it?

The idea behind iTunes "genius" playlist is to queue up a bunch of similar tracks. How well it does this is debatable.
iTunes determines "similarity" based on listening and purchasing habits apparently. Sometimes it's genius playlists are spot on, other times wildly divergent.
Unfortunately iTunes doesn't make this info available via web services. My plugin uses Last FM web services, which will give you a list of similar tracks for any track, as well as a list of similar artists. Once again, results vary.

The difference between my plugin and Last FM DJ is his just queues one song at a time, then does the next "similarity" match on that song. Because of the principle of 6 degrees of seperation, after a while, you can have shifted over into something entirely different than what you started with, which of course can be fun (like Radio mode). His also will auto stream and save songs for you, which is tremendously cool.

Mine queues all the songs in one wack, based on the currently playing track. It's more for making playlists I guess you could say. You can "merge" with another track later if you like, for building more varied mixes.


Here's an example, so you'll see what I mean:

>>> Looking up "When We Get Famous" by Math And Physics Club
Merging with current Playlist

Found 149 Similar tracks according to Last FM
Found track: Mars by The Lucksmiths
Found track: Young and Dumb by The Lucksmiths
Found track: Get It Right by The Fairways
Found track: Twee by Tullycraft
Found track: Leaders of the New School by Tullycraft
Found track: Emblematic by Pipas
Found track: Run Run Run by Pipas
Found track: Popkiss by Blueboy
Found track: Talulah Gosh by Talulah Gosh
Found track: One Two Three Four by Acid House Kings
Found track: Springtime Sunshine by The Shermans
...


Or... Here's something more mainstream:

>>> Looking up Devil's Haircut by Beck

Found 174 Similar tracks according to Last FM
Found track: Fight Test by The Flaming Lips
Found track: Caring Is Creepy by The Shins
Found track: Do You Realize?? by The Flaming Lips
Found track: Such Great Heights by The Postal Service
Found track: Blister in the Sun by Violent Femmes
Found track: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel
Found track: Holland, 1945 by Neutral Milk Hotel
Found track: Chicago by Sufjan Stevens
Found track: Changes by David Bowie
Found track: Casimir Pulaski Day by Sufjan Stevens
Found track: The Way We Get By by Spoon
Found track: Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie
Found track: Needle in the Hay by Elliott Smith
Found track: July, July! by The Decemberists
Found track: Like a Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan
Found track: All Apologies by Nirvana
Found track: Don't Panic by Coldplay
Found track: Come as You Are by Nirvana
Found track: Black Dog by Led Zeppelin
Found track: Say Yes by Elliott Smith
Found track: Pink Moon by Nick Drake
Found track: Sexy Boy by Air
Found track: Money by Pink Floyd
...
Found 72 Similar artists according to Last FM
Found artist: The Flaming Lips
Found artist: Radiohead
Found artist: The White Stripes
Found artist: Sonic Youth
Found artist: Cake
Found artist: Soul Coughing
Found artist: Thom Yorke

...
SmartAss Playlist contains 137 files


As you can see, some of these similar tracks are kind of wild calls. So, the results shouldn't be taken too seriously. Of course, Beck is a bad example, because everyone listens to Beck.

[Doof]

That does sound cool. I'd give it a whirl.

[neFAST]

Could be cool to suggest an option to LastFMDJ instead of "forking" it.
Don't you think so?

[e-head]

Yeah, the ideas are sort of similar. His plugin is great is you are sitting at the computer listening to your music. Mine is more for people who want to generate a playlist to load on their iPod. It does seem like they could be combined somehow perhaps, though I don't know if he wants to change his plugin. I believe I read in his thread that he is pretty busy right now too.

I've been comparing my plugin with iTunes genius, and I have to say Last FM's data is just as good (if not better) than iTunes data.

I'll test this thing for another week or two, tweak it a bit, and then post a link.

[neFAST]

Ok I got it! Can't wait to try it.

[davjand]

Hey ehead

This was one of the features that I wanted to build into my LastFmDj plugin but I ran out of time in the summer. I'm hoping that at christmas I may have some time.

I've uploaded the source (see the thread) if you want to have a look at. Infact the majority of the code needed to generate a playlist is there - it retrieves a long list of tracks (either via similar artists/top tracks, just similar tracks or just similar artists), cross references them with the database but then only selects one from a list. It wouldn't be very difficult asside from adding some additional modes to the enumerations and understanding the program structure to build in playlist generation.

Obviously then you can utilize the additional modes that I have built into my plugin and other perks such as the radio which is what I was hoping to do. I had a few other ideas to make it more user friendly as well that I was hoping to build in.

Good luck with your plugin anyway!

[e-head]

Hey davjand, I'll take a look at your plugin's src. Thanks.

I pretty much finished up mine, and am going to upload it here for some reckless people to try out.


I may hack on yours a bit too.
Cheers

[e-head]

Okay, I pretty much have this finished.

Here is a link to the install file:
http://www.mediafire.com/?oj4dmxxgx9j

Thanks Mr. Chriz and Matt for the template plugin.

Let me know what you think, and if you can recommend any changes/improvements.

I think this thing is probably safe. I don't call any routines except for playlist management ones, so I'm thinking the worst that can happen is it would write over a playlist. You probably don't have a playlist called "SmartAss" though.


I'll upload the source too if there is any interest.

[Mr. Odd]

The link's dead. Is this still available? Looks pretty cool!

[lucian.jp]

I agree, the idea is good. Would have been cool to try it, but link to screenshot and link k to program are dead.

[D.gaump]

hi i want to get a plugin for maya that imports the motion capture file and apply it on the root joint in maya 7,,,, one day i remember i was searching somethin but at a site i read that thing in three lines but after i am still missing that link...............
is there any one who knows this plugin?

[JimH]

hi i want to get a plugin for maya that imports the motion capture file and apply it on the root joint in maya 7,,,, one day i remember i was searching somethin but at a site i read that thing in three lines but after i am still missing that link...............
is there any one who knows this plugin?

Try the Third Party Plug-in board here.

[craft]

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