AI and the Future of the Music Industry

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been rapidly advancing and integrating into our lives over recent years whether we see it or not. It is leaving an indelible mark on multiple industries and revolutionizing not only the way see the world around us, but opens up Technological advancements and possibilities that we could only imagined 20 years ago. For the Music Industry, AI has brought an ever expanding set of tools that which, in the hands of creative musicians, that will change how we Educate, Create, Record and Market music in the future.

The influence of AI on the music industry is multifaceted and continually progressing, opening up a realm of unlimited possibilities for the future. Let’s take a look into five specific areas where AI is playing a crucial role in shaping the future of the music industry: music creation, distribution, consumption and Marketing.

The Bottom line is the fact that AI is here! It will continue to advance and affect our lives in ways we can only imagine right now. If we are going to be able to guide it’s development in the future we CANNOT IGNORE AI, we need to understand the good and the bad this technology will bring to music industry, so we can as an industry find it’s proper place and usage as collaborative tools.

The Composer/Songwriter

When we talk about the intersection of AI and music, the impact on Songwriting is often the first thing that comes to mind. Of all the area’s of the music industry that AI has made inroads in, this is the one that is the most volatile hot button issues for most of the industry. Now, I understand the hesitantancy of the part of the industry that has always been this mystical craft of melody and lyrics to give up any part of the process to machine learning. AI is not meant to replace the process of songwriting, it is a collaborative tool that gives the songwriter access to an extensive and ever growing dataset of experiences and ideas. The bottom line is the fact that these tools are out there, they are getting better and they will become part of the process as we move into the future. Whether you accept or reject them is irrelevant, they will become tools that will drive the future of the music industry.

Yes, this technology will be abused in the future, much like the drum machine and MIDI did during the late 70s with producers creating dance music without musicians using sequencers, synths, Drum Machines, Samplers, etc. When they first emerged, the uproar in the music industry was as loud, if now louder, about how this new technology will destroy music as we know it. Today, MIDI and Drum Machines, are now valuable tools for artists, Songwriters and producers.

Music is the language of emotional communication that catalogues the human condition, AI is nothing more than a set of collaborative tools that will allow a skilled musician/Songwriter to tap into a massive database of experience and knowledge to find unique and interesting ways to create that can touch the human spirit.

We view AI as an opportunity to innovate, and help our songwriter, composer and music publisher members do the same. – ASCAP

The advent of AI tools has ushered in a new era for musicians, enabling them to create music in ways that were previously unimaginable. Innovative platforms like Amper Music, Aiva, Bandlab Songstarter,  are making music production available irrespective of their level of musical expertise, to craft original music using AI algorithms. For the Songwriter AI has brought some interesting tools to help with writer lyrics from AI Versions of tools that we all know and love such as Rhymewave or AI Generative writing tools such as ChatGPT or Bored Humans Lyric Generator.

One of the technologies that has been widely adopted by the songwriter is the cell phone for capturing and developing song ideas. So, this is an obvious platform for new apps that use AI to help the songwriter. Adoir has a FREE suite of tools for IPhones/Androids such as Quick Lyrics AI, Rhyme lines AI, AI Lyrics Assistant, Lyrics to Music AI, AI Music Magic, AI Music Builder. Then you have the new Updated SongwritersPAD which now has AI integrated into the app. Songwriters Pad, which is also free, includes a collaborative AI lyric Generator, AI Idea Generator, Song Block Editor, rhyme Lookup, Audio Recorder, Song Management and with a desktop App you can sync all your writing between different devices!

You need to look at AI as a collaborative tool not a replacement tool.

Music Production

AI  Mixer assistant

AI is also making strides in mixing tracks. It can analyze the spectral content and dynamic range of each track in a mix and make adjustments to volume, pan, and EQ settings, ensuring a balanced and harmonious mix. This can help reduce the workload of human sound engineers, allowing them to focus on more creative aspects of the recording process. One of the leaders in AI based mixing and Mastering tools has been Izotope (recently merged with Native Instruments) with their Neutron 4 and Nectar 4 for AI based Mixing and Vocal processing respectively.

AI as a Mastering Engineer

Mastering is a process that ensures the final track sounds polished and balanced across different listening devices. Traditionally, this task required a trained ear and years of experience. However, AI is now capable of mastering tracks, making this once time-consuming process quicker and more accessible. AI mastering tools analyze a song’s frequency spectrum and dynamic range, making adjustments to ensure the final product is the best it can be.

One of the leaders in AI based mixing and Mastering tools has been Izotope (recently merged with Native Instruments) with their Neutron 4 and Nectar 4 for AI based Mixing and Vocal processing respectively. For the Mastering you have Ozone 11 with a suite of tools and AI Analyze engine that helps create a finished mastered file quickly and cost effectively. I have been a user of Izotope products for over 20 years in my studio, and I can honestly say they used on every project. One of the great aspect of these plugins is they break down the AI settings into separate modules which is a great learning experience on how to properly mix and master and how to get that great sounding recording.

Stem Separation and Remixing

By now we are all in amazement that the remaining members of the Beatles was able to take a rough cassette recording of John Lennon and separate his vocals from the recording and allow it to be processed and used to create a “New Beatle Song”. This technology is now available to anyone with companies like Sound Studio. To give you an example .. Below is a Spotify song from Mike Zito and sample tracks that were extracted from the mp3 file from this recordings. I even took Mike Zito’s Original Vocal and transformed it into “Grimes” (a Female Vocal version, Sorry Mike). Which Makes for some interesting listening! You can use the speaker Icons on the left side to mute each track individually.

Listen to the Stem Separations here

Music Distribution/Consumption

The role of AI extends beyond the creation of music to its distribution. Record labels and artists are harnessing the power of AI algorithms to make more informed, data-driven decisions about when and where to release new music to maximize reach and impact. In an industry where timing can significantly influence a song’s success, AI’s ability to analyze and predict trends is invaluable.

These types of tools are already being used by the music industry! Take Spotify’s Discover Weekly feature as an example. This AI-powered tool analyzes a user’s listening habits, taking into account factors like genre, artist, and song preferences, and suggests new music that aligns with their taste. This level of personalization is changing the dynamic between artists and listeners, making the distribution process more targeted, efficient, and ultimately, more successful. AI is reshaping the music distribution landscape, making it more intuitive and audience-centric.

The way we consume music is also undergoing a radical transformation thanks to AI. Smart speakers and voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home have become a staple in many households, changing how we discover and engage with music. Gone are the days of manually searching for songs or albums. We can now interact with our devices to play the music we want, when we want it.

AI-powered recommendation systems, like those used by Spotify and Apple Music, offer a highly personalized listening experience. These systems analyze our listening habits and preferences to curate playlists that align with our musical tastes. Additionally, AI is powering immersive experiences like virtual concerts, offering unique and engaging ways to enjoy our favorite music. These developments are fundamentally reshaping our interaction with music and broadening the scope of our musical experiences.

Marketing With AI

Artificial Intelligence technologies, notably machine learning and predictive analytics, are revolutionizing the marketing frontier for musicians on an unprecedented scale. These cutting-edge technologies have the capacity to meticulously analyze a myriad of individual user data points, encompassing their music listening habits, favored genres, and intricate patterns of interaction on various social media platforms. This in-depth analysis allows for the prediction of the type of music a listener might enjoy in the future.

This incredibly targeted approach enables musicians to refine their marketing strategies with a higher degree of precision. They can ensure that their creative output is directed towards the most appropriate audience, increasing the likelihood of their music being appreciated and enjoyed.

For the Indie Artist it is important to identify and engage your current and potential fanbase. AI can streamline this task significantly giving the indie artist the ability to maximize their marketing budget to target fans that are most likely to engage with their content and advance through their marketing funnel and be monetized.  Many of the aggregators are incorporating AI tools to help indie artists with their marketing and distribution of their music such as CD Baby‘s new collaboration with SymphonyOS which brings a good basic set of tools to the artist for their marketing needs.

Moreover, AI’s capabilities extend beyond just predictive analysis. It can significantly automate and optimize various promotional activities such as email marketing campaigns, scheduling and tailoring of social media posts, among other things. This reduces the amount of time and effort musicians would traditionally need to invest in marketing their work.

This combined effect of precise targeting and automation provided by AI not only enhances the effectiveness of marketing efforts but also allows musicians to focus more on their creative process, knowing that their work will reach the right audience.

Music Education

AI can enhance music education by providing personalized learning experiences. Adaptive learning platforms powered by AI can assess a student’s strengths and weaknesses, tailoring lessons to their individual needs. For example, apps like Yousician, Overture Games and Simply Piano use AI to listen to users play an instrument and provide real-time feedback, making it easier for beginners to learn at their own pace. Additionally, AI can provide unlimited practice sessions, making it a patient and tireless teacher.

Conclusion

No matter whether you use AI or not, whether you want to accept it or not, the fact that AI is here is not going to to change. Berkley School of Music in Boston is adding AI to it’s classes, ASCAP is exploring AI based startup companies and how they apply to the future of the industry. The train is barreling down the track and it will be a case of “Get on Board or get out of the way”.

AI is and will be playing a pivotal role in the future of the music industry. Its influence stretches from music creation to distribution and consumption, and its impact will be profound for the indie artist and their fans. There is no doubt that AI technology will continue to evolve and mature and we can expect even more exciting innovations in the near and far future. The fusion of AI and music has entered a stage of exploration, and it’s clear that it will continue to shape the music industry’s landscape in the future. This is not just a change; it’s a revolution – one that promises to continue the tradition of music while reinventing how we create, distribute, and enjoy it.

It will be up to us as artist as to how these tools will be used to create the music that will catalouge the human condition and touch the soul of our fans. 

Buy Us a Cup of Coffee!

Join the movement in supporting Making a Scene, the premier independent resource for both emerging musicians and the dedicated fans who champion them.

We showcase this vibrant community that celebrates the raw talent and creative spirit driving the music industry forward. From insightful articles and in-depth interviews to exclusive content and insider tips, Making a Scene empowers artists to thrive and fans to discover their next favorite sound.

Together, let’s amplify the voices of independent musicians and forge unforgettable connections through the power of music

You can donate directly through Paypal!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter