BARBEATQ is an automatic cue point detection algorithm. It analyzes the content of the source signal and outputs a sequence of time stamps, identifying the most prominent boundaries between musical sections.
BARBEATQ can be operated in two modes:
With Beat Information
In this mode, BARBEATQ operates more precisely. Since rhythm and structure are intertwined, an accurate beatgrid helps BARBEATQ identify points of structural change more accurately. The beatgrid is not used to simply "snap" results to the closest beat marker. zplane’s AUFTAKT beat tracking SDK integrates seamlessly with BARBEATQ, or it can work with beat information from another source such as a fixed beat grid.
Without Beat Information
In this mode, BARBEATQ creates considerably more cue points and musical structure sections, of which the accuracy is less consistent than when beat information is provided.
In either mode, BARBEATQ is an offline process, so it requires the complete audio file as an input. It only outputs the resulting cue point sequence once the file has been processed in its entirety.