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RWC Music Database


Contents:

AIST Annotation for the RWC Music Database is now available.

last update: 2012/08/01 (E-mail addresses were updated)
Guide to the RWC Music Database

Overview:

The RWC (Real World Computing) Music Database is a copyright-cleared music database (DB) that is available to researchers as a common foundation for research. It was built by the RWC Music Database Sub-Working Group of the Real World Computing Partnership (RWCP) of Japan. All the necessary copyrights and associated legal interests related to this database belong to Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), who have provided for an unprecedented level of sharing of this musical data within the research community. The database will be distributed to researchers at a nominal cost to cover only duplication, shipping, and handling charges (i.e., it is practically free).

The RWC Music Database is the world's first large-scale music database compiled specifically for research purposes. Shared databases are common in other fields of academic research and have frequently made significant contributions to progress in those areas. The field of music information processing, however, has lacked a common database of musical pieces or a large-scale corpus of musical instrument sounds. We therefore built the RWC Music Database which contains six original collections: the Popular Music Database (100 songs), Royalty-Free Music Database (15 songs), Classical Music Database (50 pieces), Jazz Music Database (50 pieces), Music Genre Database (100 pieces), and Musical Instrument Sound Database (50 instruments). For all 315 musical pieces performed and recorded for the database, we prepared original audio signals, corresponding standard MIDI files, and text files of lyrics (for songs). For the 50 instruments, we captured individual sounds at half-tone intervals with several variations of playing styles, dynamics, instrument manufacturers, and musicians. These collections will provide a benchmark that enables researchers to compare and evaluate their various systems and methods against a common standard. The database can also be used to stimulate research in corpus-oriented approaches that use statistical methods and learning techniques. In all cases, researchers can use the database for research publications and presentations without copyright restrictions. It is our hope that the RWC Music Database will make a significant contribution to future advances in the field of music information processing.

Structure:

Please see the References/Citations or the links given below for details on the contents of each database. Click on the name of the database for more information.

  1. Popular Music Database (100 songs) & Royalty-Free Music Database (15 songs)
    Piece Nos.: RWC-MDB-P-2001 No. 1 – 100, RWC-MDB-R-2001 No. 1 – 15
  2. Classical Music Database (50 pieces)
    Piece Nos.: RWC-MDB-C-2001 No. 1 – 50
  3. Jazz Music Database (50 pieces)
    Piece Nos.: RWC-MDB-J-2001 No. 1 – 50
  4. Music Genre Database (100 pieces)
    Piece Nos.: RWC-MDB-G-2001 No. 1 – 100
  5. Musical Instrument Sound Database (50 instruments, approximately 29.1 Gbytes)
    Instrument Nos.: RWC-MDB-I-2001 No. 01 – 50
Obtaining and Using RWC Music Database

Notice:
Obtaining and using the database:

The RWC Music Database can be used after an "Application for Use" has been submitted through both e-mail and FAX (including a signed Pledge and credit card payment form) in accordance with the following step-by-step instructions. Note that you must submit both the e-mail form AND the FAX form. The database is being distributed at-cost: The only expenses are for the distribution media — in essence, the database is being distributed for free. Given the volunteer nature of this offer, circumstances may occasionally delay the distribution of the database or responses to inquiries; we ask for your understanding and patience.

  1. Please download the following files:
  2. Please read the Pledge and, if you agree with all of its stipulations, enter the requested information in the Pledge e-mail form. You will not be able to use the database unless you agree to the Pledge.
  3. Once you have entered all the required information in the Application for Use e-mail form (including the Pledge), please e-mail the form to:
    E-mail address for orders: rwc-mdb-order-ml [at] aist.go.jp
    When completing the form, please select one of the following two delivery methods:
    1. Credit card payment of shipping charges: EMS (Express Mail Service: airmail from Japan) (ordinarily you would choose this option)
      The charges will be calculated using the EMS rate table.
    2. Shipping charged to a FedEx account: FedEx International Priority (only available to recipients with a FedEx account number)
      Please indicate your FedEx account number so that we may stipulate "Payment: Bill transportation charges to Recipient" . Individuals or organizations without a FedEx account number cannot select this option.
  4. The RWC Music Database Administrator will determine whether authorization to use the RWC Music Database may be granted.
  5. You will then receive e-mail notification of the total distribution media acquisition costs, including the shipping charges calculated for the delivery address. Please wait for this notification, which will be sent by the designated distribution company (C MUSIC Corporation), normally within two weeks of receiving the application. Payment of customs duties and other taxes due during customs clearance will be the responsibility of the recipient.
  6. Please download the following file:
  7. Please enter the information required for payment on the credit card payment FAX form. We recommend that you fill in this PDF Form using Adobe Acrobat Reader, then print out the completed form to be FAXed. For "Total Amount" (excluding customs duties and taxes), please enter the total costs from the e-mail notification you received. As payment must be made in Japanese yen, the currency exchange rate will be determined by the credit card company.
    Only VISA and MasterCard can be accepted. Please type in the credit card number, the expiration date, and the name of the cardholder as embossed on the credit card. Please also enter the address of the cardholder as the address at which credit card statements are received. The cardholder should then sign and date the form directly.
  8. Please enter the same information on the Pledge FAX form as was provided on the e-mail Pledge. You can again type this directly into the PDF file by using Adobe Acrobat Reader. The user and the person in charge should each sign the form in indicated spaces.
  9. Please send the Application for Use FAX form to the designated distribution company at following number:
    FAX number for sending forms:
    +81-3-3402-6280 (+81 is the country code for Japan)
    C MUSIC Corporation
    If you prefer, you can send the forms by mail to:
    Mailing address for sending forms:
    RWC Music Database Forwarding Agent
    C MUSIC Corporation
    4-4-16 Jingu-mae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan.
  10. The distribution media will be shipped after the designated distribution company has confirmed the credit card payment. Please note that distribution media may not be returned once opened.
  11. Standard MIDI Files (SMF) and lyrics text files can be downloaded from the Internet; you will receive separate notification of the necessary URL and password after the distribution media has been shipped. Should you receive no notification within two to three weeks (or if you need the files urgently), please let us know by e-mailing us at rwc-mdb-ml [at] aist.go.jp. Please be sure to identify the name of the user in your message.
Notes regarding use:
Distribution costs (excluding shipping charges):

Please remit payment in Japanese yen; the currency exchange rate will be determined by the credit card company. Shipping charges and customs duties are not included in the distribution media acquisition costs given below. The designated distribution company (C MUSIC Corporation) will notify you of the EMS shipping charges. Payment of customs duties and other taxes due during customs clearance will be the responsibility of the person/organization placing the order (recipient).

  1. RWC Music Database: Popular Music & Royalty-Free Music (8 CDs)
    9,000 Japanese Yen (about 90 US dollars or 69 Euros)
  2. RWC Music Database: Classical Music (6 CDs)
    8,000 Japanese Yen (about 80 US dollars or 62 Euros)
  3. RWC Music Database: Jazz Music (4 CDs)
    8,000 Japanese Yen (about 80 US dollars or 62 Euros)
  4. RWC Music Database: Music Genre (9 CDs)
    9,000 Japanese Yen (about 90 US dollars or 69 Euros)
  5. RWC Music Database: Musical Instrument Sound (12 DVDs)
    15,000 Japanese Yen (about 150 US dollars or 115 Euros)

The above rough estimates in US dollars and Euros are subject to currency exchange rates. Please note that the credit card payment should be made in Japanese yen.

Media included in each database:

Once you have completed the procedures for use, you will be sent the appropriate distribution media (music CDs and/or DVD-ROMs) listed below. You will also be able to download the Standard MIDI Files (SMF) and lyrics text files for each database you have been sent. The CDs being provided at the present stage are "Original Version" CDs; "Karaoke Version and Vocal-only Version" CDs are not included (those versions were recorded, but are not yet ready for distribution).

  1. RWC Music Database: Popular Music & Royalty-Free Music
    8 Music CDs
    • RWC-MDB-P-2001-M01
    • RWC-MDB-P-2001-M02
    • RWC-MDB-P-2001-M03
    • RWC-MDB-P-2001-M04
    • RWC-MDB-P-2001-M05
    • RWC-MDB-P-2001-M06
    • RWC-MDB-P-2001-M07
    • RWC-MDB-R-2001-M01
  2. RWC Music Database: Classical Music
    6 Music CDs
    • RWC-MDB-C-2001-M01
    • RWC-MDB-C-2001-M02
    • RWC-MDB-C-2001-M03
    • RWC-MDB-C-2001-M04
    • RWC-MDB-C-2001-M05
    • RWC-MDB-C-2001-M06
  3. RWC Music Database: Jazz Music
    4 Music CDs
    • RWC-MDB-J-2001-M01
    • RWC-MDB-J-2001-M02
    • RWC-MDB-J-2001-M03
    • RWC-MDB-J-2001-M04
  4. RWC Music Database: Music Genre
    9 Music CDs
    • RWC-MDB-G-2001-M01
    • RWC-MDB-G-2001-M02
    • RWC-MDB-G-2001-M03
    • RWC-MDB-G-2001-M04
    • RWC-MDB-G-2001-M05
    • RWC-MDB-G-2001-M06
    • RWC-MDB-G-2001-M07
    • RWC-MDB-G-2001-M08
    • RWC-MDB-G-2001-M09
  5. RWC Music Database: Musical Instrument Sound
    12 DVD-ROMs
    • RWC-MDB-I-2001-W01
    • RWC-MDB-I-2001-W02
    • RWC-MDB-I-2001-W03
    • RWC-MDB-I-2001-W04
    • RWC-MDB-I-2001-W05
    • RWC-MDB-I-2001-W06
    • RWC-MDB-I-2001-W07
    • RWC-MDB-I-2001-W08
    • RWC-MDB-I-2001-W09
    • RWC-MDB-I-2001-W10
    • RWC-MDB-I-2001-W11
    • RWC-MDB-I-2001-W12
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Conditions of use
Q: Is this a copyright-free database?
A: No, it is not. Users who have submitted the Pledge and received authorization may freely use the database for research purposes without facing the usual copyright restrictions, but all of the copyrights and neighboring rights connected with this database belong to the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and are managed by the RWC Music Database Administrator. Persons or organizations that have not submitted a Pledge and that have not received authorization may not use the database.
Q: Can I use the RWC Music Database simply for listening or as background music (in stores, in media, etc.)?
A: The database may not be used for such purposes. It can only be used for research.
Q: Can I make the contents of the database available on the Internet?
A: This is generally not permitted; as is stated in the Pledge, "The databases, copies thereof, or data enabling the reproduction thereof may not be sold, leased, published or distributed to any third party." When research requires, for instance, that excerpts be posted on the Internet for demonstration purposes, please consult with us in advance by sending the relevant information to rwc-mdb-ml [at] aist.go.jp (requests made for research purposes will usually be approved). Publicly broadcasting or redistributing entire pieces (entire data files) directly from the database is not permitted.
Q: May I modify the pieces/data recorded in the database?
A: Pieces/data may be freely modified for research purposes, as modification or processing for research purposes do not trigger identity retention rights or other personal rights of the authors. However, if the modified piece/data is to be transferred (redistributed or publicly transmitted) to a third party, you should consult with us in advance by sending an e-mail request to rwc-mdb-ml [at] aist.go.jp.
Q: May I play a piece from the database when demonstrating research results at an academic conference or exhibition? Can I use modified or processed pieces for such demonstrations?
A: In either case, there is no problem if such use is for research purposes. In the former case, for instance, a piece might be presented to the audience as an example of input for a music-information-processing system that is the topic of the research. In the latter case, a piece might be presented as an example of output from a music-information-processing system that modifies pieces.
Q: May I demonstrate our research results including music excerpts from the database on the Internet or on conference/workshop CDs or DVD-ROMs? (New)
A: When users who have submitted the Pledge and received authorization demonstrate their own research results with the help of those excerpts, it is permitted. Please indicate clearly that the RWC Music Database has been used on web pages, in demonstration movie clips, etc. Typical examples of such web pages are http://staff.aist.go.jp/m.goto/SmartMusicKIOSK/index.html and http://staff.aist.go.jp/m.goto/MIR/speech_if.html (if you use the excerpts in this way, you do not have to consult with us in advance). Please submit the usage report forms not only for published papers but also for web pages and CDs/DVD-ROMs including excerpts of the database.
Before using the RWC Music Database (acquisition)
Q: It is impractical to list the names of all potential users of a single database set acquired for joint use by multiple users at my research organization; what should I do?
A: The person in charge of the research organization (which could be a project, laboratory, department, school, or company) can list himself/herself as both the person in charge and the user. The database can then be accessed by the research organization personnel after the person in charge has informed all users of the conditions of use. Additional users that subsequently wish to access the database should also be informed of the conditions of use. This format for listing names is standard practice for university research laboratories.
Q: When only one user will actually be using the database, can this person be listed as both the person in charge and as the user?
A: As a general rule, you should determine the range of people within a particular organization that will use the database, and list the name of the person in charge of that group of database users. For a purchase by a university research laboratory, for instance, the person supervising the research laboratory (e.g., a professor) could be listed as the person in charge. When the user, even one belonging to an organization, will be the only person using the database and it would be inappropriate to list a superior or other person as the person in charge, then that user may be listed as both the person in charge and the user.
Q: Is it possible to place a bulk order if I wish to acquire several types of databases at the same time?
A: Yes. Please mark the check boxes by the names of all the databases you wish to use.
Q: Is it possible for a single person or a single organization to obtain multiple sets of the same database?
A: Yes. However, to prevent confusion in managing access, please ensure that each Pledge has at least one name — the user name, the name of the person in charge, or the name of the organization — that differs from those listed in the other Pledges submitted. A person who belongs to multiple organizations might, for example, list different organization names for the same user name, while different user names can be entered with the same person in charge when there are multiple users within the same organization. As our ordering system does not provide for bulk orders, we ask that you please submit each of these applications separately.
Using RWC Music Database
Q: As a university professor, I purchased the database for my research laboratory and listed my name as the person in charge; however, the student whose name was listed as the user is about to graduate. What should I do?
A: The user's supervisor (you) or the user should e-mail a Notification of Changes to User Contact Information form to rwc-mdb-order-ml [at] aist.go.jp to update the name of the user. The new user name might be that of the supervisor (your name) or of another student.
Q: We would like to discontinue use of the database because the research project for which it was being used has concluded (or the organization conducting the research project is closing); what should we do?
A: When discontinuing use of the database, you should either return all of the distribution media to the address for returning media (RWC Music Database Forwarding Agent, C MUSIC Corporation, 4-4-16 Jingu-mae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan), or dispose of it in a manner that prevents it from falling into the hands of a third party. The costs of acquiring the distribution media cannot be refunded.
Database contents
Q: While there are some high quality pieces, it seems that the database also contains pieces of less good quality.
A: The primary purpose of the database is not to provide pieces of high musical quality. Instead, the database offers collections that are freely available for shared and academic use to researchers engaged in research. There may be instances where quality deemed inferior for the musical genre in question has been naturally or even intentionally produced. For example, off-pitch singing occurs even in commercially available Japanese popular music CDs, making it an relevant topic of research.
Q: I am not satisfied with the quality and/or with certain selections; is it possible to have improvements made?
A: The media being distributed constitute a pre-packaged database offered as is; there are no plans to make future improvements. However, if you discover an error in the information provided about the pieces/data recorded, we would be grateful if you would let us know by e-mailing us at rwc-mdb-ml [at] aist.go.jp so that we may share this information with other database users.
Q: We have a variety of requirements regarding database contents, and we would like to build our own new database that meets these requirements. Is this permitted?
A: We certainly encourage such activities. We hope very much that our series of databases will serve as a starting point from which databases for music information processing will be compiled worldwide, sparking in turn greater progress in related fields of research. For the convenience of other database users, we would appreciate it if you would notify us when your database has been constructed, and allow us to set up mutual links.
References/Citations

Please see the following publications for more detailed information about the RWC Music Database. We ask that you use these listings as bibliographical references when citing the database in papers, etc.

Popular Music Database & Royalty-Free Music Database:
  1. Masataka Goto, Hiroki Hashiguchi, Takuichi Nishimura, and Ryuichi Oka: RWC Music Database: Popular, Classical, and Jazz Music Databases, Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Music Information Retrieval (ISMIR 2002), pp.287-288, October 2002.
    PDF

  2. Masataka Goto: Development of the RWC Music Database, Proceedings of the 18th International Congress on Acoustics (ICA 2004), pp.I-553-556, April 2004. (Invited Paper)
    PDF

Classical Music Database & Jazz Music Database:
  1. Masataka Goto, Hiroki Hashiguchi, Takuichi Nishimura, and Ryuichi Oka: RWC Music Database: Popular, Classical, and Jazz Music Databases, Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Music Information Retrieval (ISMIR 2002), pp.287-288, October 2002.
    PDF

  2. Masataka Goto: Development of the RWC Music Database, Proceedings of the 18th International Congress on Acoustics (ICA 2004), pp.I-553-556, April 2004. (Invited Paper)
    PDF

Music Genre Database & Musical Instrument Sound Database:
  1. Masataka Goto, Hiroki Hashiguchi, Takuichi Nishimura, and Ryuichi Oka: RWC Music Database: Music Genre Database and Musical Instrument Sound Database, Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Music Information Retrieval (ISMIR 2003), pp.229-230, October 2003.
    PDF
    POSTER

  2. Masataka Goto: Development of the RWC Music Database, Proceedings of the 18th International Congress on Acoustics (ICA 2004), pp.I-553-556, April 2004. (Invited Paper)
    PDF

Contact Information

Information on the RWC Music Database:
Contact regarding acquisition/use of RWC Music Database:

Please use the stipulated formats.

Inquiries (in English only):
RWC Music Database Sub-Working Group

The RWC Music Database Sub-Working Group operated under the RWC Intellectual Resources Working Group (Chair: Satoru Hayamizu) of the Real World Computing Partnership (RWCP) of Japan, and was the driving force behind construction of the RWC Music Database in fiscal 2000 and 2001.

At present the RWC Music Database Administrator (Masataka Goto, AIST) holds full authority over the management and operation of the RWC Music Database, and carries out all distribution activities.

RWC Music Database Sub-Working Group Committee (for fiscal 2000 and 2001)
RWC Music Database Administrator (General Manager):
RWC Music Database International Steering Committee

The RWC Music Database International Steering Committee is a volunteer committee that supports the distribution activities of the RWC Music Database. Since June 2003, it has been assisting the RWC Music Database Administrator in activities such as responding to technical inquiries.

RWC Music Database International Steering Committee Members:
Contact information:

The RWC Music Database International Steering Committee can be contacted at the following e-mail address:

E-mail address for contacting RWC Music Database International Steering Committee: rwc-mdb-ml [at] aist.go.jp

Please note that only inquiries in English can be accepted.

Acknowledgments

We thank everyone who has made this database project possible. We received considerable cooperation from Yuzuru Hiraga (Tsukuba University, formerly at the University of Library and Information Science) and Keiji Hirata (NTT Communication Science Laboratories) in deciding on the recorded contents of this database. Satoru Hayamizu (Gifu University, formerly at AIST), Hideki Asao (AIST), and Katsunobu Ito (Nagoya University, formerly at AIST) provided us with valuable advice and assistance at every stage of planning, constructing, and distributing the database. This project has also been supported by many parties involved in the RWC (Real World Computing) project of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (formerly the Ministry of International Trade and Industry), Japan. The C MUSIC Corporation (president: Kouji Miki) carried out the production of all the pieces and the recording of musical-instrument sounds. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all them.

Update History

File List: (Under http://staff.aist.go.jp/m.goto/RWC-MDB/)
Mail Address List: (Inquiries only accepted in English)
Back to:
Author (contents, page design, and distribution system design):
Masataka GOTO (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST))

All pages are copyrighted by the author. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.