The spotlight often shines on controversies like ‘Fake Drake,’ but it’s important to recognize that not all applications of artificial intelligence in music are problematic.
The buzz around artificial intelligence has reached heights reminiscent of the Terminator era. AI has touched upon everything from dating app interactions to doomsday scenarios. In the music industry, this excitement and anxiety have been intertwined. The emergence of AI-generated soundalikes has stirred discussions about the potential to revolutionize artistry and fandom, even as companies grapple with safeguarding their artists, copyrights, and revenue streams from this growing challenge.
It’s crucial to remember that not all applications of AI in music are as unsettling as the infamous “Fake Drake.” Many AI endeavors are far less perplexing.
Take, for instance, the recent revelation by Paul McCartney that he intends to employ artificial intelligence in creating the final Beatles song, complete with the vocals of the late John Lennon. This announcement initially caused quite a stir, with fans speculating that McCartney was using AI to resurrect Lennon’s voice, conjuring up entirely new recordings. McCartney, however, took to Twitter to clarify that nothing artificial was being created. Instead, he explained that AI was being used to enhance an old recording made by the band members while they were still alive, utilizing a process called “stem separation.”
Not every use of this emerging technology involves the instantaneous generation of computer-made songs or voices. While some AI applications undoubtedly raise pressing legal and ethical questions, numerous applications offer musicians and rights holders novel creative opportunities, transforming how music is created, released, and experienced.
Here are five ways AI is already making its mark on the music industry:
1. Revolutionizing Music Production
Advancements in technology have made it increasingly accessible for aspiring musicians to create professional-quality music. Even those with Apple products can kickstart their music journey with tools like GarageBand or explore “type beats” online, recording vocals with just a smartphone. However, the rise of AI-driven technology is breaking down the barriers between amateurs and professional musicians. Take the app Boomy, for instance, where users can choose from various options like Rap Beats or Global Groove to generate instrumentals within seconds, which can then be customized or used for vocal recording. Another example is BandLab’s SongStarter, which can create instrumentals based on specific lyrics and emojis. As BandLab put it when introducing SongStarter in May, “Writer’s block is real, and sometimes all you need is a little nudge in the right direction.”
2. Unveiling Music Stems with AI
AI technology not only helps budding artists create music from scratch, but it can also dissect songs into their core components, known as “stems.” These audio building blocks prove invaluable in scenarios such as when a movie wishes to feature an instrumental version of a track in a film trailer or when a brand aims to incorporate a vocal acapella into a commercial. Some musicians may have lost access to their stems over time, while others may have recorded albums before the advent of technology that allowed for the isolation of various elements. These albums may now be in the hands of catalog owners exploring fresh revenue opportunities.
A notable example is producer Rodney Jerkins, who used AI technology to extract audio of Wu-Tang Clan‘s Ol’ Dirty Bastard from a VHS tape, using it as a sample for a SZA track. This technology is poised for even greater popularity, especially as the music industry acknowledges younger listeners’ desire to manipulate audio independently, crafting homemade remixes that can go viral on platforms like TikTok. As Jessica Powell, CEO of Audioshake, which created the tech Jerkins used, aptly puts it, it’s not just about controlled reimagining within the industry. The next phase involves bringing fans, artists, and music closer together and empowering people to unleash their creativity with music.
3. The Music Industry Deluge
The traditional music industry was forged in a world where a limited supply of professional-grade music was predominantly controlled by a few major companies. However, as AI technology continues to advance, it has become possible to generate a deluge of music rapidly. This surge has sparked concerns among major labels, particularly regarding “market share dilution.” The question arises: If AI can significantly boost the production of music outside the major labels’ domain, could it impact their payouts within the streaming services’ pro-rata business model? Earlier this year, JP Morgan’s Sebastiano Petti posed this question to Warner Music Group’s new CEO, Robert Kyncl, highlighting the evolving landscape of the music industry. “Are you concerned about the dilution of music from AI-generated content?” Kyncl replied. “AI is probably one of the most transformative things that humanity has ever seen. It has so many different implications. Because of that, yes, I’m paying very close attention to it.”
4. Tailored Music Experiences
Innovative startups are pioneering the realm of adaptable music, which dynamically evolves in real-time to complement various activities in video games, virtual reality (VR), workouts, and even Snapchat filters. They harness cutting-edge technology, often referred to as “dynamic” or “personalized” music. Companies like Reactional Music, Life Score, Minibeats, and others utilize artificial intelligence not to instantly generate music but to rearrange the individual elements (known as “stems”) of pre-existing human-made music. This rearrangement results in entirely new compositions carefully tailored to enhance the user’s needs and actions, akin to how a film score enhances a memorable movie scene. Their innovative work sparks the intriguing question, “What if music not only played for us but also listened and responded to our experiences?” as pointed out by Philip Sheppard, co-founder and CEO of Lifescore.
5. AI-Powered Song Demos
In the music industry, certain songwriters and publishers are now exploring AI voice synthesis technology as a tool to assist them in placing their compositions with high-profile artists. In today’s landscape, securing “pitch records” – songs exclusively crafted by professional songwriters and later presented to artists for recording – can prove challenging. This is partly due to the increasing desire of artists to actively participate in the song creation process. Consequently, AI voice technology has emerged as a valuable resource for forward-thinking publishers and writers. It allows them to showcase to the artist’s team what the singer’s rendition might sound like on a track even before any recording takes place.
While the widespread adoption of this approach is still evolving, proponents argue that employing AI offers a cost-effective and precise alternative to the conventional practice of hiring demo singers with vocal styles resembling popular artists. This shift, however, does raise concerns among detractors who fear potential job losses for demo singers and the possibility of artists being deterred by the use of AI to replicate their voices.
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Fharnell M.
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