Getting Google to recognize a song works pretty well these days. In this case, too, one of the omnipresent AIs is working in the background.
Let Google recognize a song – this is how it works
Who hasn't experienced this – you have a melody in your head, but you just can't think of the title. Thanks to artificial intelligence, the problem can now be quickly solved by letting Google recognize the song. And you don't have to do much:
- Once you have opened the Google app on your computer or the Google Assistant on your Android device, you can get started. First, select the “Recognize music” option in the Google app or tap the microphone symbol in the Google Assistant.
- Alternatively, say the magic words “What's the name of this song?” or, if you want to make it a bit more personal: “Hey Google, what's the name of this song?”
- Then you give it your all artistically. You sing, whistle or hum the song that you can't get out of your head. Depending on how “talented” you are, Google needs 15 to 30 seconds to recognize the song. Overall, Google already has a pretty high recognition rate.
- However, if Google does not recognize your song, try again in a few days. A comprehensive “song database” has been built up since 2017. Millions of songs are stored in the database and Google is constantly adding melodies to it.
Song recognition from Google – what's behind it
Artificial intelligence is developing at a rapid pace and is constantly learning. If you search for a specific melody, there is a high probability that Google will recognize the corresponding song – within seconds.
- To identify the song in question, the Google algorithm converts your performance into a number-based sequence. This sequence is also called the “fingerprint” of the melody.
- In this fingerprint of the melody, the algorithm has eliminated all details of the song, such as accompanying instruments, pitch of the voices or timbres. In the end, only the pure, number-based sequence of the melody remains.
- This number-based melody sequence is then compared at lightning speed with the songs in the database. The technology is also able to identify different interpretations and versions of a song.
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