Karn Watcharasupat: Once a band kid, now a pioneer in music

Karn presents her Georgia Tech audio research in an exhibition hall.
Photo: Karn Watcharasupat
Karn Watcharasupat, center, explains her research poster.
January 14, 2024

Karn Watcharasupat is a pioneer when it comes to algorithms that isolate individual instruments from complex audio mixes. 

 

A Music Technology Ph.D. student at Georgia Tech’s School of Music, Watcharasupat is making (sound) waves in both academic circles and the tech industry. Her work has earned the Google Ph.D. Fellowship in Machine Perception and the IEEE Signal Processing Society Scholarship, cementing her reputation as a rising star in the field.

 

But this story of advanced algorithms and machine learning models begins with music—because, as she would tell you, it’s her passion.

Innovative Research in Audio Source Separation

Watcharasupat’s current research focuses on audio source separation, a crucial area in music technology. In simple terms, audio source separation involves isolating individual sounds from a mixture of audio—whether it’s extracting the guitar riff from a live rock band recording or isolating vocals from a mixed track. It’s a problem that has significant implications for everything from music production to film post-production.

 

“I’m developing algorithms that can extract individual instruments from complex audio mixes,” Watcharasupat explains. While many existing algorithms focus on isolating vocals and basic instruments like drums and bass, she wants to push the boundaries by enabling the extraction of a wider range of sounds, without predefined constraints. Her goal is to develop methods that offer more flexibility and precision in isolating musical elements.

 

Her work is not only theoretical but also informed by her experiences in the industry. As an intern at Netflix, Watcharasupat worked directly on audio separation systems used in film production. She also helped develop algorithms that improved audio workflows for film soundtracks. She will soon get to collaborate with the acoustics team at Apple during an internship that starts this Summer.

A Band Kid Turned Engineer

Karn gives a lecture about brass instruments to a classroom full of Music Technology students
Photo: Karn Watcharasupat
Watcharasupat speaks about brass instruments to a classroom full of Georgia Tech students

Before diving into the world of research and technology, Watcharasupat was simply a “band kid”—the kind of person who spent her high school years playing an instrument and dreaming of musical performances. Growing up in Thailand and later moving to Singapore, she was deeply involved in her school’s band programs, where she developed a love for both music and mathematics.

 

“I loved music even more than math,” she recalls with a laugh, though she admits that a knee injury eventually shifted her path. That injury, which dashed her dreams of marching band, ended up being a turning point. She discovered that her aptitude for math far surpassed her musical abilities—though it certainly didn’t quell her love for music. 

 

“I realized I was actually better at math than music,” she says, smiling at the memory of that decision. It was this realization that pushed her toward electrical engineering at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, where she saw an opportunity to blend her passion for music with a practical, technical field. “I found out that most audio technology was actually based on electrical engineering, so I went with that,” she explains.

 

Although she put aside her dreams of performing on stage, Watcharasupat’s drive to marry music and technology never faded. She eventually made her way to Georgia Tech, where she now conducts cutting-edge research that lies at the intersection of music, math, and technology.

Awards That Validate Hard Work and Vision

Karn stands in front of her Georgia Tech audio research presentation in an exhibition hall.
Photo: Karn Watcharasupat
Watcharasupat stands in front of her Georgia Tech audio research presentation in an exhibition hall.

Watcharasupat’s contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed. In addition to her academic pursuits, she’s been recognized by industry leaders for her achievements. This year, she received the Google Ph.D. Fellowship in Machine Perception, a highly competitive award that supports outstanding graduate students pursuing research in fields like machine learning and computer science. “The fellowship is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders at Google, especially with their teams working on music technology,” she shares. 

 

In addition, Watcharasupat was honored with the IEEE Signal Processing Society Scholarship, one of just 45 recipients worldwide. “These awards have lifted a huge financial burden from me, which allowed me to focus more on my research,” she says. The recognition from these prestigious organizations is a testament to the impact of her work and her potential to shape the future of music technology.

 

Looking to the Future

Looking ahead, Watcharasupat envisions a career that merges the worlds of academia and industry. While her passion for research at Georgia Tech is undeniable, she’s also excited about the opportunities for collaboration with companies at the forefront of music technology. "Industry is very different from academia, and even companies within the industry operate in different ways. I hope these experiences will make me a better researcher and engineer,” she says.

 

Her time at Netflix has shaped her perspective on the broader music tech industry. But her true passion lies in revolutionizing how music is created, shared, and consumed. “I want to make a lasting impact on the music industry, particularly in how audio technology can enhance music creation and distribution,” she says. 

 

As for the future, Watcharasupat dreams of continuing to explore the intersection of machine learning, signal processing, and music—creating tools that empower musicians, producers, and sound engineers alike.