AI music is no longer a joke

[lars]

After watching a recent Rick Beato video on AI, I decided to test out Suno's V4 AI system. We musicians are in trouble, because this sounds straight up sick:
https://suno.com/song/08e584da-4c7d-4da3-af31-caf56d3ad829?sh=6LbxuoHh8OlPGVGV

[jessenator]

I'll admit it's impressive. It's just lacking in ...humanity.

Maybe because djent's not really my thing, but I need some imperfection in there. I mean, the generative programming coming up with that whole thing is definitely an impressive feat. But the sound/tone is like DOOM_E1M1.MID with some hi-fi MIDI instrumentation.

Full disclosure, I really despise what music production has become over the last 20 years—I hate saying that because it makes me feel old. Gridded drums, or really everything, micro-tuned vocals, crispy highs. I'm not saying we let slide crap like Morrisey's vocals (I only listened a whole album about a year ago and I had to shut it off because he was so out of tune). But there's got to be a happy medium.

I know, I sound like a luddite. Maybe I need to get with the program. I'm sure there's some irony in your post that gets lost in textlation, so I might be missing the point. I'm good at that, at least.

[BricksnBeatles]

Ehhhhhh hard disagree.

[gordo]

Very impressive, but I'd argue it's not really music.  Then again I'm old so music tends to need a melody or a hook of some sort.  Having come thru the Mahavishnu Orchestra only to need to play Sex Pistols and Ted Nugent to audiences to get paid I suppose it's skewed my perception.  I can certainly appreciate it but if that's music then what I do isn't.

And certainly no offense intended.  I love that new mediums are being explored.  The fact that I have a "real job" makes me more judgmental, in that I was never able to sustain myself in a musical career.  I hate to think what my younger self would think of this stuff.
 

[lars]

*dumped*

[Aleph Null]

I feel like there was a similar panic among studio musicians in the 80's when synths and drum machines hit the scene. Yes; some people did loose their jobs in music, but new jobs were created. We're in the "naive optimism/existential terror" phase of a new technology where the popular belief is that it will "revolutionize the field". Creative and forward thinking people are beginning to explore the possibilities. I imagine in ten years, we'll treat AI like we do synths or drum machines; they are useful in some contexts and not in others. We have synths, but people still hire orchestras. We have drum machines, but many drummers are still employed.


...and honestly, there hasn't been any money in music for decades. People keep making music as a means of self expression, even if they can't sell it afterwards. At worst, commercial music will die, not music in general.

[TNblueshawk]

To this day I despise drum machines and will not purchase any music if I know in advance they are being used. The word 'soulless' comes to mind and you can hear the lack of it. I have never liked synth sounds. Hated it when I first heard it and hate it today. I suppose a disclaimer is that I tolerate it with some of the iconic folks, Stevie Wonder during his iconic 70's phase but still wish he would switch back to 'regular' keys in the middle of a song, Chick Corea etc... But I would never identify them as synth players when describing them. I guess my point is that while I agree we are on the extremes of emotions with this new tech I will go to my grave despising AI 'created music'. I know I can't stop it. I know it will do what it will do but at the end of the day none of that means I have to like it. I actually find it very sad.

For me there is no question AI will eventually destroy humanity over time. Hell civility has been getting destroyed presently and I equate the two on some level. When you lose one you lose the other. What I find is that some people embrace it as they are enamored with technology constantly moving forward and don't see the issue. Some just don't care one way or the other. Me, I care a hell of a lot but know that and $3 gets me a coffee so I just shrug my shoulders, keep doing what I'm doing (building analog stuff, buying CD's so an artist can at least get .50cents I guess) until I fade off into the sunset. I've always said for decades that because something is new it doesn't necessarily mean it's better. Regardless, I'll just keep plugging away enjoying my life.

[lars]

There was a time when cryptocurrency wasn't considered "real money" because you couldn't loose it in your couch cushions. Aren't you glad you didn't invest? Those "idiots" who made millions off of it should have continued to hate on technology and I'm sure they regret the decision. They had no idea what they were excited about.

[TNblueshawk]

There was a time when cryptocurrency wasn't considered "real money" because you couldn't loose it in your couch cushions. Aren't you glad you didn't invest? Those "idiots" who made millions off of it should have continued to hate on technology and I'm sure they regret the decision. They had no idea what they were excited about.

Dude I still don't understand it! I had a couple of guys explaining it to me and I kept asking questions and they kept answering them and I kept saying that doesn't really help or answer my question     Don't get me wrong. I know for a fact it's me. As soon as I can buy my 6 pack with some at Publix thought I'm in !!!

[djaaz]

Suno, as a piece of tech is immensely impressive. I fed him some audio with a odd time sig that it used and must have transformed to a virtual instrument somehow sounding close to the original guitar sound.
But ultimately it took a crappy sounding piece of music i liked and made a glorious sounding song i thoroughly disliked.
As a piece of tech impressive, as a music creator not there yet in my opinion.
But what do i know, i still don't own any bitcoin.

[Willybomb]

A friend of mine (who is actually an excellent keyboard player), has an AI powered band on YT and Spotify.  He writes the lyrics and band member bios and it sounds great - but not unique.  It certainly doesn't have the X factor.

I remember when Bitcoin first came out and I tossed around the idea of buying one, but AUD$60 was too rich for me at the time...