Greetings all,
I hope this post finds you well. Yes, another post about genAI, specifically about its role in music production and my thoughts on it.
Preface: I don’t hate AI
I purposely stay engaged in this topic via social media post interactions because we are in a weird (but not unusual) time of how AI tools, in general., are perceived. That said, I say it’s not unusual because it is very similar to time where new technologies were introduced and met with uncertainty, change, and even fear based on the unknown. Using genAI to create music is no different but is met with a very similar both-sides-of-the-fence kind of feeling as other new technologies that have emerged that affect how art is created and produced.
Since,. I’ve blogged about this before, in regards to where I stand, I wont wax philosophically but will simple say I, based on my musical journey as a musician/songwriter/film composer/producer/studio owner dating back to the late 70’s, do not support the use of genAI to create prompt-driven music, nor do I support the use of genAI for artowork, despite the fact that some of what I see is very interesting and compelling.
One thing I’ve recently had to deal with is my colleague/music production partner/long time friend and college roommate has began to use genAI to create song artwork out of convenience vs what I would do to obtain such artwork for our past releases as a songwriting/production group, as well as using that same approach for my own releases. The difference here is he wants to release and EP he’s passionate about but attach our name to it. Suffice it to say, I know I don’t agree with that approach but he IS creating all the music (for the most part). As of now, I’ll just let it be.
At the end of the day. I stand firm on my approach in this area, despite what everyone else decides to do with genAI.
Have a great night.
Oceans of rhythm…
Fresh!
Thanks for writing this, Fresh. Your point about being comfortable with the discomfort is one I don’t hear enough — the whole “everyone else is doing it” pressure is real, and your decision to stand firm on your approach is refreshing. From my side, I find the interesting middle ground is practical, non-generative tools: for example, being able to pull a MIDI file out of an audio recording to study a part or re-voice an idea is a workflow assist, not a replacement for musical judgment. Either way, respect for staying true to your own creative path. Oceans of rhythm back at you!
The useful question is becoming less whether generative systems will exist and more where responsibility remains human. In music production I find the distinction especially important: a tool can accelerate options, but selection, context, authorship and the decision to stop still belong to the person making the work.
I don’t think there has ever been a question as to whether they will exist or not. As for generative options, yes, which is really no different that the many options available still without the use of genAI in music production.
Zhiyong, thanks for your comment. I’m aware of your product, it’s a useful tool.