The Future of AI in Music Production
As a music producer, I can tell you firsthand that the process of creating a track can be both incredibly fulfilling and immensely frustrating. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of bringing your vision to life, but the reality is that the journey from idea to finished product is rarely a smooth one.
I’m sure most music producers would agree.
Today, I saw a social media post from a successful producer saying that even after 25 years of making music, they still find it difficult to finish new music.
There didn’t appear to be any one specific reason for his roadblock, but as music producers, I think we can all relate to this problem and the common things which grind our creative processes to a halt.
That’s why I believe that the future of AI in music production is going to be a game-changer for music producers, making the process of creating music easier – when needed – faster, and more efficient.
Here are some examples of what AI in music production might look like for producers, in the near future.
Actually, some of these AI tools already exist!
AI Synthesis
One of the biggest challenges that music producers face is finding the right sounds to bring their ideas to life. This can involve hours of searching through sample packs, tweaking synth presets, and layering drum samples to create the perfect timbres. With AI, all of that time-consuming work will be automatable, allowing you to realize your goal faster and with more accuracy. I’m not referring to music created in full by AI, but using AI to assist in the production process.
It has the potential to be the biggest shake-up in music production for decades, and would certainly help dig us out of those musical pot-holes, when inspiration is low.
AI will give you options, while leaving the creative decision in your hands
Have you ever been stuck while working out an arrangement for your track? It’s not uncommon to spend hours re-arranging the same few parts, trying to find the right flow and build. With AI, this process will be streamlined as well. AI-powered tools will be able to analyze your music and suggest arrangements that work well together, helping you make better decisions about how to structure your track. These tools could also help you optimize your mix, suggesting changes to levels, EQ, and compression that can take your track from good to great.
Discover completely new timbres
One of the most exciting applications of AI in music production will be the ability to generate new and unique sounds. This is something that was previously only possible through extensive programming knowledge and the use of synthesizers. With AI, however, new sounds could be generated on the fly, giving producers access to a limitless array of new and innovative sounds. This opens up a world of creative possibilities, allowing producers to push the boundaries of what’s possible in music.
Imagine describing your desired sound in text form and AI delivering it. The idea would still be yours, but AI has helped you in realizing it.
Automate your workflow
Another benefit of AI in music production is the ability to automate repetitive tasks. This may include everything from setting up plug-ins, to routing audio and automating mix parameters. With AI, these tasks could be completed quickly and accurately, freeing up more time for the creative side of production.
AI will also help producers save time by automating the tedious process of audio editing. With AI-powered tools, tasks like beat detection, time-stretching, and pitch-shifting could be performed quickly and accurately, saving producers countless hours of manual editing.
Generate Melodies, Basslines, Chords and more
Being able to generate musical parts such as melodies, basslines or chord progressions is going to play a huge role in how AI assists us with making music. Those who embrace these advances in technology, and utilize them to fill in the gaps in their own musical skill set, will reap the benefits.
Pilot Plugins, for example, uses various user input control knobs to generate melodies and other musical parts which are specific to the style of music being made. This results in a harmonious balance between AI generation and user control – which is vital for retaining a strong element of artistry.
So this type of AI music technology is already here, it’s delivering outstanding results and proving that it’s the future of making music.
An exciting time for music producers!
I believe that AI in music production is going to be an invaluable tool. AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we create music, making the process easier, faster, and more efficient. From finding the right sounds to automating tedious tasks, AI has the power to unleash our creativity and take our music to new heights. As a producer, I’m excited about the possibilities that AI brings, and I can’t wait to see how AI will continue to shape the future of music production.