Could AI Actually Be Good for Musicians?
The rise of Artificial Intelligence in music has sparked a heated debate: is AI a creative partner or an existential threat? While concerns about AI’s impact on artists are valid, it’s worth looking at how AI can actually empower musicians and improve their creative process.
AI is advancing quickly, raising questions about copyright, content creation, and the future of music. For example, The Velvet Sundown, an AI-generated band, recently attracted over 400,000 monthly Spotify listeners. Meanwhile, legal decisions have started to favor AI companies using copyrighted material for training. This dynamic has intensified calls within the music industry for greater transparency from digital streaming platforms regarding AI-generated content.
How AI Can Improve and Streamline Music-Making
Mixing and Mastering
Recording music at home has become accessible to almost anyone, but not every musician has the skills to polish tracks professionally. AI tools like Dolby Track Mastering and LANDR offer automatic mixing and mastering that can significantly improve your sound when you don’t have the experience or resources.
While AI mastering isn’t flawless, it provides a solid starting point. As these tools develop, expect more customization options, giving artists control over the final mix without needing expert knowledge.
Stem Separation
AI can now isolate different elements within a track, such as vocals or instruments. This is useful for sampling, remixing, or studying song structure. Tools like LALAL.AI and Moises.ai offer this functionality. Though not perfect—some audio artifacts may leak in—the results usually blend well once integrated into a full mix.
Sample Management
Organizing samples can be tedious and disrupt creative flow. AI can automatically detect and tag samples, sorting them into folders and categories that are easier to browse. For instance, Ableton has integrated automatic sample-tagging into its DAW, streamlining the workflow for producers.
How AI Could Spark Human Creativity
Finding Inspiration
Starting a new project is often the hardest part for creatives. AI can serve as an idea generator or brainstorming partner. You can ask AI to suggest prompts, write lyrics, or offer song concepts. The value lies in using AI to spark your own creativity, not to replace it.
Chatbots like Google Gemini and ChatGPT are good for lyric ideas, while tools like AIVA and Soundraw provide musical suggestions with adjustable settings.
Building the Band
Not every musician has access to a full band or the resources to hire session players. AI-driven virtual players can fill in the gaps, adding drums, bass, or other instruments to your recordings. Programs like EZ Drummer or Apple’s session players let you control dynamics, keeping the human feel intact.
Some AI session tools can even analyze your recordings to perform in a style that fits your song. For solo artists, this can break creative and logistical barriers.
Balancing Concerns and Opportunities
The concerns about AI’s impact in music are real and deserve attention. Issues like unauthorized use of artists’ work, copyright infringement, and fair compensation remain unresolved. Musicians should have control over whether their creations are used in AI training, and AI producers must respect these rights.
That said, AI also offers new tools that can empower musicians to create more efficiently and explore ideas they might not have tried otherwise. Independent artists already face challenges like increased competition and a crowded digital marketplace. AI could be another tool to help navigate these challenges if used responsibly.
It’s crucial to approach AI with a “human-in-the-loop” mindset—where AI assists rather than replaces human creativity. This approach could foster innovation while preserving the value and integrity of human-made music.
For artists interested in learning more about AI tools and how to integrate them into their workflow, resources like Complete AI Training offer courses tailored to creative professionals exploring AI technologies.
Your membership also unlocks:
