A ground-breaking development for both amateur and professional musicians, Elk LIVE is a software and hardware solution that mitigates latency to allow artists, musicians, producers, and educators in different locations to collaborate and play together as if they are in the same room. The plug and play solution features the Elk LIVE Bridge, a high-performance audio network hub, and the Elk LIVE smart app with video chat and monitoring controls. The results are described by Elk as being able "to deliver an immersive studio experience that enhances the hybrid experience of music production and performance in multiple ways. Elk LIVE delivers outstanding lossless clarity, ensuring important cues such as hearing breaths, shifts in tempo, and expressive variation are in sync, offering a transformative audio and visual experience."
Over 2020, Elk LIVE has been in big demand from beta testers around the world who have been testing and successfully using the platform within hybrid curriculums and remote rehearsals. This includes the San Francisco Opera, whose current season would not have been able to go ahead as planned, had they not been able to use Elk LIVE to prepare and practice together whilst apart. These classical musicians were amazed that even their highly-trained ears couldn’t detect any notable latency and essential performance cues, such as hearing a singer breathe, could be heard and responded to in real-time.
Elk LIVE has also been used by musicians to create singles during the pandemic, including Jazz musicians Robert Ikiz and Conny Bloom who created their single, Björkhagen Boogie, while apart using Elk LIVE. The platform has also provided a desperately sought solution for some of the world's top schools, including Royal College of Music, Musicians Institute, UC Irvine and more, who have been incorporating Elk LIVE into their curricula in order to achieve a more accessible, hybrid method of education.
“The dream to connect artists and instruments across geographical boundaries and borders in the world of music has always been there, but it was not achievable until today,” comments Michele Benincaso, founder and director, Elk Audio. “Elk LIVE brings music into the hyper-connected world, allowing us to be more spontaneous and engage with one another when creativity strikes, regardless of where we are. It offers an unrivaled, immersive experience that compliments the moments when we do play together in person.”
Elk LIVE lets users connect up to five people within a 620 mile / 1000 km radius. The onboard mixer gives users total control of the Elk LIVE Bridge and lets users send two channels of audio and receive the same from each player. Users are able to visually connect to see important queues and communications, while Elk’s proprietary Perceived Latency Compensation tools allow users to manipulate physics and play over even longer distances.
The Elk LIVE Bridge device, connects to the Internet via a standard Gigabit Ethernet router, and features onboard A/D and D/A converters (24-bit/192kHz), while still allowing users to connect external high-end studio converters for recording. “You can easily connect your microphone and instrument and have that ultra low-latency experience you need for a great music experience thanks to the Elk Audio OS,” Benincaso adds. When not used for playing live, the Elk LIVE Bridge functions like a standard class-compliant USB audio interface with two inputs and four outputs, making it a perfect tool for both online and offline musical adventures. Power (5V, 3A, 15W) is supplied via USB type C.
The Elk LIVE smart app service costs $15.99 USD / 13.99 EUR per month, while the hardware interface Elk LIVE Bridge retails for $399 USD / 329.00 EUR. Users can access the Elk LIVE app on smartphones, tablets and computers over high-speed internet and 5G networks. The Elk LIVE solution is available for pre-order (20% discount) in the US, Canada, and Europe at www.elk.live
