Projects

Shifterr is designed to let people interact with the music they already listen to – changing key, slowing tempo, looping passages and seeing musical structure – without relying on file uploads, desktop software or specialist technical skills.

The project addresses a clear gap in music technology. Day-to-day listening happens on mobile devices and streaming platforms, but the tools for learning from that music have not kept pace. Existing transcription and practice tools are often fragmented, screen-heavy or built around workflows that do not match how people actually access music. Shifterr proposes a simpler, more immediate alternative.

At the heart of the concept is a dedicated hardware device that listens locally to streamed music and provides visual feedback in real time. The device combines audio analysis, accessible controls, and an intuitive interface so users can change key and tempo, explore musical structure and practice in the flow of listening. The aim is to support musicians, educators, beginners, and visual learners alike.

Developed by Sonalux, the project builds on an existing alpha prototype and will refine the technology, enclosure, user experience and testing model into a stronger minimum viable product (MVP). With support from musicians and educators, Shifterr aims to become a new category of music-learning device: one that makes streamed music more interactive, more accessible and more useful for creative work.

The Shifterr project is one of six SME-led projects awarded funding from the MusicFutures Innovation Funding Call to develop and scale new products, services or experiences across the music sector in the Liverpool City Region.