Genx Notes

Category: Making Beats

  • Beatmaking in the AI Era: The Importance of Beat Arrangers

    Beatmaking in the AI Era: The Importance of Beat Arrangers

    The world of music production is undergoing significant changes due to the advancement of AI. Particularly in genres like hip-hop and electronic music, AI is being actively utilized in beatmaking. However, just because AI can create beats doesn’t mean that human roles will become obsolete. In fact, in the coming AI era, the existence of beat arrangers may become more important than beatmakers.

    Current State of AI Beatmaking

    Currently, numerous tools that use AI to create beats are emerging. These tools analyze vast amounts of data, learn patterns, and can generate original beats. The beats created by AI are of comparable quality to those made by humans, and the production time can be significantly reduced.

    The Role of Beat Arrangers

    However, the beats created by AI are merely “raw materials.” In music production, what’s important is how these materials are combined and arranged. This is where the role of beat arrangers comes into play.

    Beat arrangers skillfully edit the beats generated by AI and optimize them to fit the composition of the song. Rather than simply repeating loops, they vary the beats according to each part of the song, such as the intro, verse, chorus, bridge, and outro, adding musical ups and downs. They also consider the balance with other instruments and vocals, producing the overall sound.

    Human Creativity

    Even with the development of AI beatmaking, human creativity remains essential. Beat arrangers utilize their own musical sense and experience to create unique arrangements that AI cannot imitate. Through communication with artists, they understand the worldview and message of the song and can express it through music.

    Conclusion

    In the AI era of beatmaking, the existence of beat arrangers is indispensable. By editing and arranging AI-generated beats with human creativity, more refined musical works will be born. In addition to skills as a beatmaker, developing abilities as an arranger will be a crucial factor in the future music production scene.

  • Why You Can’t Go Back Once You Start Making Beats with AI

    Why You Can’t Go Back Once You Start Making Beats with AI

    In the world of music production, the use of AI is rapidly expanding. Particularly in beat-making, more and more people are being captivated by the convenience and possibilities that AI brings. However, once you start making beats with AI, many find it difficult to return to the old manual methods. Let’s explore the reasons behind this.

    1. Increased Efficiency

    Making beats with AI is significantly more efficient compared to manual work. Since ideas can be instantly brought to life, the speed of production increases dramatically. Once you experience this convenience, it becomes challenging to go back to the tediousness of manual work.

    2. Endless Possibilities

    AI has a vast database, which stimulates the user’s creativity. Many producers are fascinated by AI’s ability to propose patterns and sounds that humans alone might not think of. When faced with these endless possibilities, creating beats using only your own resources may feel inadequate.

    3. Learning and Growth

    By utilizing AI, you can also enhance your musical knowledge and skills. Analyzing the beats proposed by AI and arranging them in your own way leads to new discoveries and learning experiences. After going through this process of learning and growth, you may find it unsatisfying to create beats without AI.

    4. The Joy of Collaboration

    Making beats with AI can be seen as a kind of collaboration. The fusion of your ideas and AI’s suggestions can lead to unexpectedly interesting results. Once you experience the joy of this human-AI collaboration, working alone might feel boring.

    Of course, this doesn’t mean that all producers should rely on AI. The value of making beats manually will never be lost. However, it’s true that many people find it difficult to return to their original production style after experiencing the convenience and possibilities of AI. Whether to start making beats with AI or not is a decision that each producer must make by confronting their own style, but there is a significant possibility of being captivated by its charm.

  • Disadvantages of Publishing Music on SoundCloud

    Disadvantages of Publishing Music on SoundCloud

    SoundCloud is a fantastic platform for artists and music creators to share their music with the world. However, to continuously publish and deliver music to listeners, artists must subscribe to a paid plan, which can be a disadvantage for them.

    Limitations of the Free Plan

    SoundCloud’s free plan has limitations on the number of tracks that can be uploaded and the number of plays. This prevents artists from sufficiently promoting their music. Additionally, the free plan does not include convenient features such as the ability to download tracks or access detailed statistics.

    Necessity of Paid Plans

    To continuously publish music and reach a large audience, artists must subscribe to one of SoundCloud’s paid plans. Paid plans remove upload limitations and provide access to useful features like track downloading and detailed statistics. However, the monthly cost of paid plans, ranging from $7 to $15, can be a financial burden for artists.

    Comparison with Other Platforms

    Compared to SoundCloud, other music platforms like Bandcamp and YouTube allow artists to publish and deliver music to listeners for free. These platforms also enable artists to sell their music and generate revenue. While selling music is possible on SoundCloud, the high commission fees are a significant issue.

    Impact on Artists

    The requirement to subscribe to a paid plan to continuously publish music on SoundCloud is a substantial burden, especially for unknown artists or those in difficult financial situations. Artists who cannot afford the paid plan fees may find it challenging to continue promoting their music on SoundCloud.

    Need for Improvement

    SoundCloud needs to make several improvements to become a more user-friendly platform for artists. For example, by relaxing the limitations of the free plan or reducing the cost of paid plans, more artists will be able to use SoundCloud. Additionally, lowering the commission fees for music sales will make it easier for artists to generate revenue on SoundCloud.

    Conclusion

    While SoundCloud is an attractive platform for music creators, the need to subscribe to a paid plan to continuously publish music can be a disadvantage for artists. The cost of paid plans is a significant burden, particularly for unknown artists or those in challenging financial situations. To encourage more artists to use the platform, SoundCloud needs to make improvements such as relaxing the limitations of the free plan, revising the pricing of paid plans, and reducing commission fees for music sales. By doing so, SoundCloud can become a more appealing and accessible platform for artists.

  • Individuality Shines Through in the New Style of Composing with Prompts

    Individuality Shines Through in the New Style of Composing with Prompts

    In recent years, a new style of composition has been gaining attention, where composers write prompts to generate musical output. In this method, the composer provides prompts (instructions) to an AI, which then generates music based on those prompts. At first glance, it might seem like the composer’s individuality could be lost in this process.

    However, in reality, the composer’s individuality is strongly reflected in the process of writing the prompts. The choice of prompts, the words used, and the desired musical qualities all reveal the composer’s own sensibilities, aesthetic preferences, and thoughts about music.

    For example, one composer might write a prompt like “create a melancholic piano ballad expressing the pain of unrequited love,” while another might write, “compose an energetic hard rock piece that excites the listener.” The content of the prompts is unique to each composer, reflecting their individual style.

    Individuality in Evaluating the Output

    When composing music by writing prompts, the composer’s individuality also shows in how they evaluate the AI-generated output. Some composers might use the AI-generated music as-is, while others might treat the AI’s output merely as a reference and add their own arrangements to it.

    Moreover, the quality standards that composers demand from the output also vary. Some composers might seek perfection in the AI-generated music, while others might prioritize originality and freshness, even if the output is a bit rough around the edges.

    These differences in evaluation criteria clearly reflect the composer’s individuality. What kind of music they consider ideal and what kind of expression they aim for are influenced by each composer’s values and aesthetics.

    Individuality in the Relationship Between Prompts and Output

    When composing music by writing prompts, it’s also worth noting the relationship between the prompts and the output. Some composers might emphasize providing detailed prompts and having the AI faithfully follow them. In contrast, others might intentionally keep the prompts abstract, allowing more room for the AI’s creativity.

    The perceived distance between the prompts and the output also reflects the composer’s individuality. How they choose to collaborate with the AI, how much they leave up to the AI, and at what point they inject their own sensibilities—these judgments vary from composer to composer.

    Conclusion

    Even in the new style of composing music by writing prompts, the composer’s individuality is fully expressed. The content of the prompts, the evaluation criteria for the output, and the relationship between the prompts and the output all reflect each composer’s unique sensibilities, aesthetic preferences, and thoughts about music.

    Therefore, when venturing into this prompt-based composing style, it’s essential to cherish your own individuality. Collaborate effectively with the AI while pursuing your unique expression. By doing so, you’ll create one-of-a-kind music filled with your personal touch.

  • The Importance of Marketing Remains Unchanged in the Era of AI-Assisted Music Production

    The Importance of Marketing Remains Unchanged in the Era of AI-Assisted Music Production

    In recent years, the remarkable development of artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly lowered the barriers to music production. Particularly, even non-musicians can now easily create music using AI, bringing about a significant change in the music industry. However, just because music production has become easier with AI, it doesn’t mean that your music will automatically reach a large audience. The importance of marketing remains unchanged even today.

    The Current State of AI-Assisted Music Production

    Currently, there are numerous music production tools that utilize AI. With these tools, users can easily create melodies and chord progressions without any knowledge of music theory. There are also services that automatically compose music, allowing users to obtain original songs by simply specifying the genre and mood.It is true that the development of AI has greatly lowered the hurdles to music production. However, this doesn’t mean that anyone can easily achieve success.

    The Importance of Marketing

    Precisely because music production has become easier, more people than ever are creating music. As a result, the music market has become saturated, making it difficult for individuals to get their music heard.This is where marketing becomes crucial. No matter how good your music is, if you don’t effectively promote it, no one will listen to it. You need to utilize various methods to spread your music, such as leveraging social media, performing live, and getting featured in media outlets.

    Pursuing Originality and Quality

    While AI has made music production easier, there are concerns about the decline in originality and quality. Songs created by AI tend to resemble existing songs, making it difficult to showcase one’s individuality.Therefore, it is essential to incorporate your own ideas while utilizing AI and pursue originality. It is also important not to rely too heavily on AI and to create high-quality music while valuing your own sensibilities.

    Conclusion

    It is true that the development of AI has lowered the barriers to music production. However, this doesn’t mean that anyone can easily achieve success. The importance of marketing remains unchanged even today. Incorporating your own ideas, pursuing originality and quality, and conducting effective promotion are the keys to succeeding in music.

    Utilizing AI is a powerful tool in music production. However, it alone is not enough. The approach required in the current music scene is to effectively use AI while valuing your own uniqueness and putting effort into marketing.

    AI can be a great asset in music production, but it is not a magic wand that guarantees success. By combining AI with your own creativity, focusing on quality, and investing in effective marketing strategies, you can increase your chances of standing out in today’s crowded music landscape. Remember, while AI has made music creation more accessible, it is still up to you to put in the work and make your voice heard.

  • Creating an Album Using AI is Like a DJ Curating the Perfect Playlist

    Creating an Album Using AI is Like a DJ Curating the Perfect Playlist

    The world of music is constantly evolving. With advancements in technology, the methods of music production have also undergone significant changes. The advent of AI (artificial intelligence) has revolutionized music production. Creating music using AI and producing an album is akin to a DJ curating the perfect playlist. In this article, we will delve into this process and its allure.

    The Fusion of AI and Music Production

    AI excels at analyzing vast amounts of data and identifying patterns. By leveraging this capability, AI can play a significant role in music production. For instance, AI can analyze data from past hit songs to learn what melodies and rhythms resonate with audiences. As a result, AI can autonomously generate new music.

    DJ Curation and AI Music Generation

    When DJs create playlists for clubs or events, they read the crowd’s reactions and atmosphere to select the best tracks. This is a highly skilled process based on experience and intuition. Similarly, AI can generate optimal music by analyzing extensive data. However, the crucial point here is that humans select and decide whether to include AI-generated tracks in an album, much like a DJ curates a playlist.

    Selecting AI-Generated Tracks

    Not all AI-generated tracks are perfect. Some may not resonate with listeners or fit the album’s concept. This is where the human role becomes essential. Just as DJs sift through numerous tracks to find the best ones, artists and producers select AI-generated tracks to decide which ones to include in the album.

    A New Approach to Album Production

    Using AI for music production introduces a new approach to album creation. Traditionally, artists had to manually craft each track. However, with AI, it is possible to produce many tracks in a short period. By selecting the best tracks from these, artists can create high-quality albums.

    Collaboration Between AI and Humans

    While AI plays a crucial role in music production, human creativity is indispensable. Artists can take AI-generated tracks and add arrangements or lyrics to create more unique and captivating music. This process is similar to a DJ remixing selected tracks. The collaboration between AI and humans expands the possibilities of music production infinitely.

    Conclusion

    Creating music using AI and producing an album is akin to a DJ curating the perfect playlist. By selecting and deciding which AI-generated tracks to include in an album, high-quality music is born. The fusion of AI’s data analysis capabilities and human creativity results in unprecedented new music. The future of music production will become richer and more diverse through the cooperation of AI and humans. As music fans, we can look forward to the exciting developments in the music scene.

  • Letting Go of Perfectionism: Smart Use of Generative AI Tools

    Letting Go of Perfectionism: Smart Use of Generative AI Tools

    In recent years, generative AI tools like Suno and Udio have gained significant attention in the music production industry. These tools are incredibly convenient for creators, allowing them to generate high-quality music in a short amount of time. However, the pursuit of perfection can lead to repeated attempts and excessive use of credits, which can be counterproductive. This article explores the importance of letting go of perfectionism and how it impacts mental health, physical health, and spending habits.

    The Trap of Perfectionism

    Impact on Mental Health

    Perfectionism often leads to stress and anxiety as one constantly strives for the best possible outcome. When using generative AI tools, repeated attempts can lower self-esteem and result in a lack of satisfaction. Over time, this can make the creative process itself feel burdensome and less enjoyable.

    Impact on Physical Health

    Poor mental health can also affect physical health. Stress and anxiety can lead to sleep deprivation, loss of appetite, and even a weakened immune system. When using generative AI tools, it’s crucial to take adequate breaks and avoid overexertion.

    Impact on Spending Habits

    Generative AI tools often operate on a credit system, and repeated attempts can lead to unnecessary consumption of credits. This can become a financial burden, affecting other important expenditures. Seeking perfection at the cost of increased spending is counterproductive.

    Tips for Letting Go of Perfectionism

    1. Set Clear Goals

    First, clarify what you want to achieve. Instead of striving for a perfect piece, set realistic goals to reduce unnecessary retries.

    2. Celebrate Small Successes

    Building self-esteem through small successes is essential. Even if the work created with generative AI tools isn’t perfect, find the good points and celebrate them.

    3. Set Limits

    When using generative AI tools, set limits on the number of retries and the amount of credits used. This helps prevent unnecessary consumption and allows for more efficient work.

    4. Take Breaks

    Taking adequate breaks helps maintain mental and physical health. Continuing to work in a tired state can reduce efficiency and lead to more retries.

    Conclusion

    Generative AI tools are incredibly useful, but falling into the trap of perfectionism can negatively impact mental health, physical health, and spending habits. By letting go of perfectionism, setting realistic goals, celebrating small successes, and taking adequate breaks, you can continue a healthier creative process. Use generative AI tools wisely to prevent unnecessary consumption and enjoy the music production process.

  • The Rise of Generative AI Tools: Demo Singers Are No Longer Needed in Music Recording

    The Rise of Generative AI Tools: Demo Singers Are No Longer Needed in Music Recording

    The music industry has always evolved with technological advancements. Recently, generative AI tools like Suno and Udio have gained significant attention. These tools have the potential to drastically simplify and streamline the music production process. As a result, the role of demo singers (also known as scratch vocalists) has become redundant. In this article, we will explore why this is the case.

    The Evolution of Generative AI Tools

    Generative AI tools utilize artificial intelligence to create music and vocals. Suno and Udio are prime examples, offering features such as:

    • Automated Composition: AI generates melodies and chord progressions.
    • Voice Synthesis: AI mimics human voices to perform singing.
    • Real-Time Editing: Allows for real-time music editing and adjustments.

    These tools support the entire music production process, from the initial stages to the final product, significantly reducing the workload for producers and composers.

    The Changing Role of Demo Singers

    Traditionally, demo singers played a crucial role in the early stages of music production by recording demo tracks. However, with the advent of generative AI tools, this role has undergone a significant transformation. Here are the reasons why demo singers are no longer necessary:

    • Cost Reduction: Hiring demo singers is no longer required, allowing budgets to be allocated elsewhere.
    • Time Efficiency: Creating demo tracks can be done quickly, drastically shortening production schedules.
    • Flexibility: Various styles and vocal qualities can be easily experimented with, increasing creative freedom.

    Benefits of Generative AI Tools

    The advantages of generative AI tools are numerous:

    • High-Quality Voice Synthesis: AI can replicate human voices with remarkable realism.
    • 24/7 Availability: AI can work around the clock, enabling music production anytime, anywhere.
    • Consistency: AI provides consistent performance, eliminating quality variations.

    The Future of Demo Singers

    With the rise of generative AI tools, the role of demo singers has significantly changed. In the future, demo singers may take on new roles such as:

    • Providing Training Data for AI: Using their voices as training data for AI models.
    • Creative Direction: Offering feedback and direction on AI-generated music.
    • Live Performances: Excelling in live performance areas where AI still falls short.

    Conclusion

    The rise of generative AI tools has rendered the role of demo singers in music recording obsolete. AI offers high-quality voice synthesis, cost savings, time efficiency, and increased flexibility. Demo singers will need to find new roles to maintain their presence in the music industry. Embracing technological advancements while adapting to new roles will lead to further growth and innovation in the music industry.

  • How Struggling Beatmakers Can Thrive: Using Generative AI to Become Music Producers

    How Struggling Beatmakers Can Thrive: Using Generative AI to Become Music Producers

    The music industry is constantly evolving, and technological advancements are accelerating these changes. Building a career as a beatmaker is not easy, but the advent of generative AI has opened up new possibilities. This article will explore how struggling beatmakers can leverage generative AI to thrive as music producers.

    1. What is Generative AI?

    Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that can create new content based on existing data. In the music field, tools like Suno and Udio are gaining attention. These tools help beatmakers bring their ideas to life and create unique tracks.

    2. Benefits of Using Generative AI

    2.1 Expanding Creativity

    Generative AI can suggest new beats and melodies that beatmakers might not have thought of. This significantly expands creativity, allowing for the creation of more diverse tracks. Moreover, AI can provide techniques and sounds that were previously beyond the skill level of individual beatmakers, thereby enhancing the overall quality of the music.

    2.2 Saving Time

    Creating tracks using traditional methods requires a lot of time and effort. However, by leveraging generative AI, high-quality tracks can be produced in a shorter time. This allows beatmakers to take on more projects and advance their careers more efficiently.

    2.3 Facilitating Collaboration

    Generative AI makes it easier to collaborate with other artists and producers. By using AI-generated beats and melodies, beatmakers can work together with other creators to produce tracks, reaching a wider audience with their music.

    3. The Path to Becoming a Music Producer Using Generative AI

    3.1 Choosing the Right Tools

    First, it is crucial to select the right generative AI tools. While Suno and Udio are prominent examples, many other tools are available. Compare the features and functionalities of each tool to find the one that best suits your style.

    3.2 Learning and Practicing

    To master generative AI tools, you need to learn how to use them. Many tools offer online tutorials and guides, which can help you grasp the basics. After that, create tracks and refine your skills through trial and error.

    3.3 Creating a Portfolio

    Compile the tracks you create using generative AI into a portfolio. This will allow you to showcase your work to other artists and producers. It is essential to widely share your portfolio using online platforms and social media.

    3.4 Embracing the Role of a Music Producer

    To evolve from a beatmaker to a music producer, you need to develop the skills to produce entire tracks using generative AI. Here are the steps to follow:

    1. Generating Lyrics: Use generative AI to create lyrics. Customize the AI-generated lyrics to match your style and message.
    2. Generating Vocals: Use AI to generate rap or singing vocals. This allows you to complete tracks without hiring vocalists.
    3. Arranging the Track: Arrange the entire track using the beats and melodies provided by generative AI. This includes adding instruments and adjusting effects.
    4. Mixing and Mastering: Finally, use generative AI for mixing and mastering to enhance the quality of the track.

    By following these steps, you can create not just beats but high-quality, “finished songs.” Additionally, you can later recreate the same songs with human artists if desired.

    4. Strategies for Success Using Generative AI

    To succeed using generative AI, implement the following strategies:

    4.1 Continuous Learning and Updates

    Generative AI technology is constantly evolving. Stay updated with new features and tools, and incorporate them into your work. This will help you differentiate yourself from other beatmakers.

    4.2 Utilizing Feedback

    Actively seek feedback on the tracks you create using generative AI. Incorporate opinions from friends, colleagues, and online communities to improve the quality of your music.

    4.3 Marketing and Promotion

    Effective marketing and promotion are essential to get your tracks noticed. Use social media and music distribution platforms to actively share your music. Additionally, consider submitting your tracks to playlists and music blogs.

    5. Conclusion

    Leveraging generative AI opens up new avenues for struggling beatmakers to thrive as music producers. By maximizing the benefits of expanded creativity, time savings, and easier collaboration, and by choosing the right tools, learning and practicing, and implementing successful strategies, you can build a successful career. Generative AI offers new possibilities in the music industry. Embrace it and take the first step towards becoming a music producer.

  • How Struggling Rappers Can Succeed: Creating Unique Tracks with Generative AI

    How Struggling Rappers Can Succeed: Creating Unique Tracks with Generative AI

    The music industry is constantly evolving, with new technologies emerging all the time. Among these, generative AI (artificial intelligence) is particularly noteworthy. By leveraging generative AI, even struggling rappers can create unique tracks and expand their opportunities. This article will delve into how tools like Suno and Udio can be used to craft original songs and pave the way to success.

    1. What is Generative AI?

    Generative AI refers to technology that uses artificial intelligence to create new content. In the realm of music, it can generate melodies, beats, and lyrics automatically. This provides artists with a powerful tool to bring their ideas to life.

    2. Introduction to Suno and Udio

    Suno

    Suno is a music-generating AI that excels in creating professional-quality beats and lyrics. Users can easily generate high-quality beats and lyrics with minimal effort, saving significant time and energy. It is particularly effective in the rap and hip-hop genres.

    Udio

    Udio is another AI tool capable of generating professional beats and lyrics. It supports rappers in creating beats and lyrics that match their style. With Udio, even when inspiration is lacking, high-quality beats and lyrics can be generated quickly.

    3. Steps to Creating Music with Generative AI

    Step 1: Discovering Ideas

    First, clarify what kind of song you want to create. Consider the theme, message, and style of the beat. At this stage, it can be helpful to reference other artists’ songs.

    Step 2: Generating Beats

    Next, use Suno or Udio to generate beats. These tools have intuitive interfaces that are easy to use, even for beginners. Adjust the tempo and mood of the beat to match your style.

    Step 3: Generating Lyrics

    Once the beat is ready, use Suno or Udio to generate lyrics. By inputting themes or keywords, these AIs can suggest lyrics based on your input. Fine-tune the generated lyrics to align with your style, adding originality.

    Step 4: Recording and Editing

    With the beat and lyrics in place, the next step is recording. Here, you have three options: recording your own voice, having the AI sing, or recreating the AI-generated vocals yourself.

    1. Recording Your Own Voice:
      Set up a simple home recording environment with a microphone and audio interface. After recording, use a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to edit and enhance the sound quality.
    2. Having the AI Sing:
      Use AI vocal generation tools to have the AI sing your lyrics. This allows for professional-quality vocals to be generated quickly.
    3. Recreating AI-Generated Vocals:
      First, have the AI sing the lyrics, then use the AI-generated vocals as a reference to record your own version. This method allows you to maintain originality while achieving high-quality vocals.

    4. Benefits of Using Generative AI

    Saving Time and Costs

    Using generative AI eliminates the need to create beats and lyrics from scratch, saving significant time and costs.

    Enhancing Creativity

    AI-generated ideas can sometimes be innovative and unexpected, allowing you to experiment with new styles and approaches, thereby enhancing creativity.

    Professional Quality

    Generative AI can produce professional-quality beats and lyrics, enabling even beginners to create high-quality tracks.

    5. Promotion Strategies Using Generative AI

    Leveraging Social Media

    Share the tracks created with generative AI on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to spread your music.

    Collaboration

    Collaborate with other artists to reach a wider audience. Generative AI allows for quick creation of tracks, facilitating collaboration.

    Live Performances

    Performing the tracks created with generative AI live can deepen connections with fans. Combining live performances with online promotion can effectively spread your music.

    6. Conclusion

    By leveraging generative AI, struggling rappers can create unique tracks and expand their opportunities. Tools like Suno and Udio allow for the creation of professional-quality music while saving time and costs. Additionally, social media, collaborations, and live performances can help spread your music. Utilize generative AI effectively and aim for success in the music industry.