The robots are taking over the world. Today, you can do almost anything using artificial intelligence. You can write content and create movie extras. Heck, you can even go shopping without having to deal with one human staff member.

While AI is convenient, it also decreases employment opportunities. It is already affecting several service industries. What about the music industry?

People can use AI tools to generate music. It’s already hard to make money off music. Do we need robots further infringing on our space?

Well, worried musicians, I’m pretty sure that AI will never replace musicians. But it may have some impact on the music industry. And yes, I will elaborate.

How Do AI Music-Making Platforms Work?

There are a variety of AI music-making platforms, and they all work differently. But generally, you can input information such as the genre of music you’d like to create, the mood of the music, and the instruments you would like to include. The platform will then generate a variety of songs. You can choose the one you prefer. 

If you access premier services, you will get more customization tools. You can feed the tool notes and keywords to get the sound you are after.

Right now, AI is not impressive based on the content it creates. The songs sound generic. But the funny thing is, it learns. It will get better as time goes by. Are you scared yet?

AI as an Ideas Generator 

AI may be a threat to some musicians. But it can also be a blessing.

Have you ever dealt with writer’s block? Go to an AI program, enter your settings, and see what you find. You won’t want to use the actual song. But you can use it to inspire you to write your music.

What AI Music Generating Platforms are Out There?

There are several AI music-generating platforms available. Here are a few you can choose from.

• Vocaloid: Not the best singer? You can use AI to sing your songs. Give it lyrics and melodies, and it will sing your song. You can choose singers representing different styles, genders, genres, and languages.
• Descript: Descript provides transcripts for videos, but it can also be used for AI vocal creation. You must input the program with a model of your voice by talking for at least 30 minutes. It can also make a model of your voice for singing. If you pair it with a music tool, preferably one that creates vocal melodies, you can create a song.
• Chat GPT: Chat GPT can be used to generate lyrics. Ask it to generate lyrics on any subject, and it will comply.
• DALL.E2: Need artwork for an album? This tool will generate it for free. So, in addition to putting musicians out of work, AI can put artists out of work!
• Soundraw: Feed this platform the genre, instruments, and mood you prefer, and it will create the music for you.
• ORB Producer: ORB Producer can be considered an AI beatmaker. It creates endless melodies, patterns, and basslines.
• Landr Studios: This tool helps with mixing and mastering. It also creates AI music.
• BandLab Songstarter: Bandlab is similar to Sounddraw. Provide prompts, and it will create music for you. It is a songwriting companion.
• AudioModern Playbeat: Advertised as the “world’s smartest groove engine” this tool comes up with various groove variations.
• Google Tone Transfer: This tool allows producers to deconstruct musical sounds and transform them into original creations.
• Loudly: Enter your specifications into Loudly, and it will help you create royalty-free music.
• Focusrite Fast Verb: Focusrite Fast Verb adds depth to your voice and instruments to create a more natural sound.

Most of these services are free but also offer premium subscriptions.

How Will AI Negatively Affect the Music Industry? 

The music that AI creates is not high quality. No one is likely to listen to a record of this stuff, much less buy a ticket to see it in concert.

But it may have an impact on some people in the music industry. Here are some of the professionals it may negatively affect. 

People That Create Non-Relational Music 

Non-relational music is for background purposes. Examples include music that’s used as a background for YouTube videos, music, and corporate videos.

Once upon a time, people who produced these videos and films had to search music libraries to find the perfect song and pay artists for their services. Now, they can simply go to an AI site, enter the correct data, and get a song in seconds.

AI music may also be used in elevators, grocery stores, and even dance clubs. Musicians who once used platforms like Artlist to make money off background music may see reduced profitability thanks to AI.

Studio Musicians

Machine-generated music also poses a threat to studio musicians. Session musicians are hired to play on recordings. Their high skill level allows them to play music perfectly in just a few takes. 

Now artists can program machines to create music that replicates these tracks. While the music tends to sound machine-like, it can work in some genres, like hip-hop and disco. And the quality of AI-generated music will likely get better in time.

Mixing and Mastering

AI can be used to mix and master music. It may not eliminate the need for engineering. Rather, it will work as a second set of ears for artists. In doing so, it may replace professional services.

Music Teachers

Artificial intelligence may replace music teachers. It can come up with customized lessons that educate students. Some tools can even create jam sessions and interactive courses.

Can AI Benefit Musicians?

Most musicians see AI as a threat. But it can also help musicians and other industry members in the following ways.

 Songwriting

We previously discussed musicians using AI platforms for inspiration. But you can get even more specific in your songwriting needs.

As technology develops, you may be able to feed AI platforms your music. Doing so will help the platform get familiar with your sound and genre. 

Once the system has your information, it will generate songs that sound like yours. It’s up to you to decide which aspects of the music you want to use and which you should discard. But overall, it may help you get more ideas for your music and generate better songs.

AI won’t be great for people who write music for background purposes. But it will benefit artists interested in breaking boundaries and defining new genres.

Breaks Music Into Stems

AI can separate music into various components, also called stems. Every track of music is a stem.

Musicians and people who buy music can use this technology to use individual pieces of music for their purposes. For example, they can separate a vocal from a song and use it as an acapella piece for a movie or commercial. Rappers often use this technology to include samples in their songs.

Some people don’t like sampling music, but it increases money-making opportunities. It also makes it easier for musicians to collaborate.

To Pitch Music

Songwriters can use AI to pitch music to other artists, music supervisors, and more.

A songwriter may not have the means to get their song fully recorded by skilled musicians. They can use AI to show interested parties how their song would sound if it were recorded by great musicians and vocalists. The recording can be used to generate interest and income.

Sell Your Voice

Skilled vocalists can create voice samples that musicians can purchase through AI platforms. They will earn a percentage off each purchase. It can help musicians earn additional income.

Copyrights and Royalties

AI can scan massive music libraries to detect copyright infringement. YouTube often uses it to ensure account holders can’t profit off other people’s music. It ensures artists get paid for their work.

Music Analysis 

AI creates analytic reports of artist’s music. It provides them with information such as who is listening to their music, what countries are listening, and other demographics and trends. Artists can use this information to create effective marketing strategies and even to change their musical direction.

Live Performance and Visuals

AI can be integrated into live performances to make them sound and look better. Artists can use AI tools to play backing tracks and add instrumentation that could not otherwise be duplicated. Many musicians frown on backing tracks, but they can save money that may have been spent on hiring additional musicians and taking them on tour.

Musicians can also use AI to create visuals that make their performance captivating.

Music Restoration and Preservation

Vinyl is awesome, but old records and other forms of music media can wear down over time. AI can use algorithms to recreate old music and upgrade its sound. It can also remove noise on existing tracks. And because the music does not have a physical format, it will be preserved in the system.

The Great 78 Project specializes in restoring and preserving 78 formats. It partners with the Internet Archive to digitize vintage vinyl.

Improves Marketing and Promotion

AI collects marketing analytics so you can determine what’s working and what isn’t. It helps musicians improve their marketing strategies.

Teaching

Musicians have an opportunity to learn from AI platforms. Educational tools can create tailored lessons that help artists increase their music knowledge. Jam sessions and interactive courses are available.

Creates Curated Playlists

AI helps listeners create curated playlists. It considers the fan’s listening history. It develops suggested songs it thinks the listener may like.

It also pulls up playlists the listener may enjoy based on their musical tastes. It can increase exposure for artists.

Can You Make Money Off AI Music?

People make money from music they own the rights to. They copyright their music so it can be sold. They collect profits in the form of direct sales and royalties.

There are currently no copyright laws protecting AI music. Some countries are considering creating AI copyright laws, but currently, none exist.

So, can you make money off AI music? There are ways to do so, but you must get creative. Here are a few ideas.

Monetizing Through YouTube: You can use AI music as a backing track for a YouTube video. Add AI-generated and non-AI-generated images. Create AI playlists. If your video gets enough views, you can earn income from your channel.

Sell AI Music Through Stock Websites: You can post AI music on digital platforms like Bandcamp, Amazon Music, and iTunes. If someone purchases your music, you will earn a percentage. You can also post AI music on a site like AudioJungle. You can post music clips, songs, and sound effects. People have the option of buying your music. The offers you get will vary depending on the demand, genre, and quality.

Sell AI Music to People and Companies: If you become an expert in AI music creation, you may be able to sell your music to others. You can sell it to businesses that want to use it as background for their videos and commercials. Podcasters may be interested in using your music in their intros. You may also license your music which is similar to copyrighting it. If your music is licensed, you will make money every time it’s used.

AI and Copyright Infringements

The growing AI-generated music movement is raising questions concerning copyright infringements.

Recently, a new song many thought was created by Drake and the Weeknd hit streaming platforms. It spread like wildfire among fans.

However, it was soon discovered that the song was created by TikTok user Ghostwriter 997 with AI. So can the creator be sued for copyright infringement?

The video that featured the music was eventually removed from Spotify, TikTok, and other online platforms due to complaints by the artists’ record label, Universal Music Group. However, the AI creator was not fined or penalized.

The incident poses questions regarding how similar matters will be handled in the future. 

Did Ghostwriter infringe on the artists’ copyrights? And, is the music eligible for its copyright?

Currently, the answer to both these questions is no. However, laws may be developed to determine how similar situations will be handled in the future. Legal parties are weighing in.

Here are some questions and answers that offer insight into the matter. 

Can AI Music Be Copyrighted?

Under current law, you cannot copyright AI music. Only music created by a human can be copyrighted. However, one can argue that a human is involved in AI music creation. Laws could change with that consideration in mind.

Is AI Considered Derivative? 

Copyright law prohibits people from creating derivative work of an artist’s music. So if someone creates music that sounds like the artist, would that be considered derivative?

The answer is no because it’s not illegal to copy another artist’s musical style. However, it could be derivative if elements of another song appear in an AI piece.

If Ghostwriter997 Didn’t Break Any Laws, Why Was the Song Taken Down?

The case details were not made public, so it’s unclear what arguments were presented to get the song taken down. It’s likely the lawyers’ requests fell under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) which protects online content.

They may have argued that the song violated the DMCA because it used the producer tag Metro Boomin. He worked with those artists in the past.

They can also argue that the AI artist produced the song by feeding it Drake and Weeknd songs. Copying the songs to feed them to the system could be considered an act of infringement.

But the strongest argument they could make was one that has nothing to do with copyright laws. It claims musical impersonation which violates the right of publicity under state law.

What Arguments Can AI Artists Make?

AI artists can use several defenses to protect themselves from legal consequences if it comes down to it. They could say that they were protected by fair use which weighs against copyright infringement. They could also claim their First Amendment rights.

In a more general sense, they can simply state that they weren’t copying Drake or the Weeknd’s work.

Will There Be Changes to the Copyright Law in the Light of AI Music? 

Legal experts say it’s unlikely that changes will be made to copyright laws due to the growing AI movement thanks to complications with international treaties. But if a change does come, factors must be considered, such as whether AI can be an author, whether copying for AI purposes is fair use, and whether creating work in the style of an existing artist would be considered derivative.

Final Thoughts

AI music brings its share of benefits and disadvantages to the music industry. Musical performance artists are likely to benefit from it. It will help them enhance their songwriting skills and live shows, and it will never replace the emotional ties between fans and artists. 

On the downside, it can reduce opportunities for non-relational musicians, such as people who create songs for movies, commercials, and similar uses. How will it affect you moving forward?