What are AI-sounding beats? And how can you get rid of the AI-like feel?

What are “AI-sounding” beats?

The term “AI-sounding” beats refers to those that possess the following characteristics when compared to human-created beats:

• Perfect rhythm and timing: AI can generate beats with flawless precision. This can result in an overly mechanical feel, lacking the subtle nuances of human-produced rhythms.
• Lack of surprise and originality: AI often draws upon existing data to compose beats. This can lead to them feeling predictable, following established patterns rather than offering unique elements.
• Limited emotional expression: As AI struggles to understand and replicate human emotions, AI-sounding beats often feel emotionally flat and may not resonate with listeners on a deeper level.
• Blurred genre lines: Because AI isn’t limited by genre conventions, it can generate beats that lack clear genre markers, resulting in a somewhat generic sound.

How to reduce the “AI-ness” of beats

To make AI-generated beats sound more human, consider these techniques:

• Introduce groove: Intentionally adding slight timing imperfections or rhythmic variations can create the natural groove that’s often missing in AI beats.
• Experiment with sounds and fills: Enrich the beats by adding human-inspired sound choices or creative fills. This injects personality and can enhance emotional expression.
• Combine multiple AIs: Use a variety of AI tools in tandem. This leverages their individual strengths and can lead to more original and diverse beats.
• Human touch for final edits: Let a human producer have the final edit on the AI’s output. This allows for the addition of human musicality while retaining some of the AI’s interesting quirks.

Key Takeaway

AI presents a powerful tool for music creation, but relying solely on it can result in sterile “AI-sounding” beats. To craft genuinely captivating music, it’s essential for human musicians to collaborate with AI, adding their own creativity and understanding.