AI and Music
The rapid development of AI tools in the realm of music creation has sparked debate around creativity, originality, copyright, ethics, and the role of technology. AI technology now offers tools with unprecedented capabilities which can be useful for composers and creatives. However, these tools currently lack human nuance and authenticity brought to music by live instruments. In this blog post, we will explore ways to set your music apart from AI-generated music, as well as explore some of the ways machine learning is being used in music production.
AI is already being utilized at different levels in the music industry. Music producers have the option of using AI tools to fast-track mundane tasks such as streamlining the mixing and mastering process.
Streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify are using machine learning to suggest new music to listeners based on their habits on the platform.
AI-generated music has created both excitement and concern within the music community. While some view AI as a valuable tool for sparking creativity and saving time, others doubt its potential to replace or reduce human involvement in music production.
How AI is being used in music
AI is changing the music industry across various areas, from composition to production, recommendation, and copyright management. The efficiency and innovation of AI is undeniable. It can be a useful tool for composers and producers looking to streamline their workflow. Here are some of the ways AI is being used:
Music Composition
AI is creating original music. Tools like Amper Music and OpenAI's MuseNet analyse massive datasets of existing compositions to learn musical patterns and structures. These tools then create models to generate new music in the different styles and genres it has learnt.
Music Production
In music production, tools like Ozone and Neutron from Izotope are transforming the process of mixing and mastering. Izotope’s products utilize audio processing and machine learning to analyse and enhance audio tracks, applying various audio processing techniques to improve their quality within seconds. Izotope says they want to help musicians and audio producers focus on their craft rather than the technology behind it.
Music Recommendation
AI powers the recommendation systems of streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. By analysing users' listening habits, AI algorithms generate personalized suggestions and playlists, enhancing the overall music discovery experience for listeners and introducing them to music they might not have otherwise found.
Music Copyright Management
AI plays a crucial role in managing copyright by automatically detecting and addressing copyright infringement on platforms like YouTube. Content ID, an AI-powered copyright management tool, scans uploaded videos to identify copyrighted content and takes action, creating takedown requests or monetization options for copyright holders.
AI vs. Human Artistry
AI offers efficiency and convenience, but it's important to acknowledge the potential negative impact. We as an industry need to make sure steps are taken so that AI enhances rather than replaces human creativity and artistry.
The introduction of new technology can cause panic among those who are potentially affected. Autotune, for example, was originally intended to help singers maintain pitch accurately but unintentionally became a very popular effect in rap and pop music. Examples like this permeate music history. The industry evolves, adapts and develops with technology.
The potential application of AI in music creation is vast, including assisting in the mixing and mastering process, composition creativity assistance, voice editing, and more.
It is important to remember that AI will never be able to replace human creativity. Instead, think of AI as a tool, which in the hands of skilled composers and producers, has the potential to open up a whole new realm in songwriting, sound design, and music production.
Limitations of AI
While AI has made remarkable strides in the field of music production, it still falls short in capturing realism and emotion. AI-generated compositions will often sound robotic and lack the authenticity that live instruments and performances provide.
Orchestral music is known for its intricate design and emotional connection. Crafting an orchestral piece requires extensive knowledge of musical theory, instrumentation, and the art of orchestration. It takes years of training for a composer or orchestrator to understand the nuances of each instrument, how to get the best performances, and to understand how they pair together and interact within the ensemble. AI in its current state is not able to replicate this understanding and the inherent human emotion behind it.
Creating realism in orchestral music is already difficult to do within a mock up.
The task involves capturing the subtle nuances of human performance, from the delicate phrasing of individual instruments to the dynamic interplay between different sections. This demands a level of human sensitivity that current iterations of AI struggle to recreate convincingly.
Embrace Creativity
While AI technology will have its place in music composition, there's no substitute for human authenticity and realism. By embracing live instruments composers can elevate their compositions and stand out. AI should be used as a way of enhancing and aiding in the creation of music and not a means of removing the human element, after all the ability for music to make people feel something unspoken is a shared human experience.
Live recordings offer a level of realism and authenticity that is not achievable with the AI tools and music generators that are currently available. The warmth of a string section, the power of a brass ensemble, or the emotional connection of a solo piano, live recordings are not easy to duplicate realistically. AI-generated music has a way to go before it can compete in realism and authenticity. While AI can be a valuable tool for a composer, it is human creativity which will create music that stands apart.
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