Artificial Intelligence is empowering aspiring musicians, disrupting the industry

Artificial intelligence (AI) is now influencing the music industry. Like other industries, AI is automating services, discovering patterns and insights in enormous data sets, creating efficiencies. Companies in this sector require to accept and prepare for how AI can transform business; those that will not be left behind.

Technology is reshaping businesses, and those in the music industry are no exception. A report by McKinsey reveals that 70% of companies will adopt at least one AI technology by 2030. AI promises that it will complement and augment human capabilities. As we make better choices and become more effective and efficient because of the insights and support AI offers, it can drive growth and innovation. Consequently, the creative process will likely transform.

AI is also influencing aspiring song artists by aiding them with recording songs, sending demos to A&R reps at record labels across the country. They no longer need to wait to get discovered by a record label to find success. Whether it’s through creating a strong YouTube following or by releasing original music through SoundCloud, music aspirants are finding new ways to break out on their own, turning the traditional music industry on its head.

AI is Disrupting the Music Industry

By using AI and computational creativity to create songs, artists can retain creative control on their music while using AI as a creative supplement to inspire their lyrics and melodies. Additionally, AI-based systems can open up the world of song creation to young musicians who may not otherwise possess the skills required to engage in this creative art form.

AI Algorithms Train Violinist

Researchers at Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, developed an AI algorithm that provides violin players with real-time feedback on their technique. They used the Myo gesture control armband in their research. The armband could track and record the exact movements made by a professional violinist when played. Audio of the performance was recorded simultaneously.

Once the movements were synchronized to the audio data of seven different bowing techniques, the researchers trained the algorithm to recognize which bowing methods matched that sound. The model correctly identified the technique during the testes to produce a given sound 94% of the time. The study was conducted as part of the Technology Enhanced Learning Performance of Musical Instrument (TELMI) project. The EU-funded project aimed to develop a suite of technological innovations to improve musical learning, including ‘interactive music learning prototypes.’

APP Transcribes Instrument Sounds

Frettable, a music start-up seeks to facilitate music-making through a mobile application. The technology allows users to produce sheet music easily and is aimed at musicians of all levels. Users don’t need to have any prior knowledge of music theory before using the application.

Greg Burlet introduced Frettable when he struggled to write songs with his long-distance bandmate. He began work on and experimented with the technology in 2015 with the possibility of a machine recognizing musical notes. Frettable uses technology similar to that used in speech recognition, with AI converting the sound into written music. The more the application is exposed to instrumental sounds, the better it gets at recognizing them.

AI Music Software Composes Music

Sony’s Flow Machine artificial intelligence software can generate pop songs that include lyrics created by a human composer, who also arranges AI-generated music. For instance, YouTuber Taryn Southern collaborated with AI Company, Amper to compose an AI-infused hit single.

Southern provided the beats per minute, rhythm, mood, and style, and the Amper software to create the music. He then used the inputs to compose the song. He wrote and recorded the vocal melodies and lyrics herself, and they were then mixed the Amper-produced music to bring the final product. Southern described the process as allowing her to spend more time concentrating on what she enjoys most and said that she got to spend more time doing more of what she loves- conducting AI to compose a great song, writing lyrics and vocal melodies, and making music videos.

As more emerging artists begin using AI programs or software to create songs and break into the industry on their own, it will be interesting to see how this new democratized process of making music impacts the traditional industry. No matter how AI changes this industry in the coming years, aspiring artists can look forward to accessing the process and creating music easier than ever before.