How Will AI Affect the Music Industry? | Future of Music with AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the music industry, including various genres. While discussions often center on pop and electronic music, AI's impact differs across genres. People often overlook progressive, grunge, metal, and rock, despite their distinct sound and strong songwriting.

This article examines how AI is transforming these genres, focusing on the benefits and challenges. It also looks at the future prospects of these genres compared to mainstream genres like pop.

Pop Music: The Ideal Candidate for AI

Pop music, with its repetitive chord progressions and consistent 4/4 beats, is an ideal playground for AI. The genre's predictability allows AI to easily analyze and replicate patterns, producing similar-sounding tracks with efficiency. AI tools can churn out catchy melodies and harmonies that fit the pop formula, making the genre highly susceptible to AI-driven production.

"One day, we may wake up to find that all of the world's pop songs were not written by human beings."

Rock, Grunge, and Progressive Music: The Complexity Challenge

In contrast, genres like rock, metal, grunge, and progressive music present a more complex challenge for AI. These genres are characterized by their intricate structures, unconventional time signatures, unpredictable chord changes, and greater emphasis on instrumental prowess and dynamic changes. The variability and complexity inherent in these genres require a deeper understanding of musicality that goes beyond simple pattern recognition. For instance, the unique riffs and solos in rock, the raw, unpolished emotion in grunge, and the experimental approach of progressive music all demand a nuanced touch that AI struggles to fully replicate.

Pop Music: High Risk of Job Displacement

Predictability and Repetition

In genres like pop, where production is heavily formulaic, AI's ability to generate music quickly and efficiently could lead to job displacement. Songwriters, producers, and session musicians in the pop industry may find themselves competing with AI-generated compositions, which can be produced at a fraction of the cost and time.

Automation of Songwriting and Production

In pop music, AI's ability to automate songwriting and production processes can significantly reduce the need for human songwriters and producers. Platforms like Amper Music and Jukedeck can create complete pop tracks, offering labels and artists a cost-effective alternative to hiring professional songwriters and producers. This efficiency, while beneficial for production costs, poses a threat to the job security of those working in the pop music industry.

Market Saturation

With AI-generated music flooding the market, the distinctiveness of individual artists may diminish. This could lead to increased competition and job insecurity for pop musicians who struggle to stand out in an AI-dominated landscape. The ease of creating music with AI might also lower the entry barriers, leading to market saturation and making it harder for human artists to maintain a competitive edge.

Rock and Metal Music: Lower Risk of Job Displacement

Complexity and Nuance

Genres like alternative, rock, and metal stand out due to their intricate compositions, unique riffs, complex solos, and emotional intensity. These genres prioritize unconventional time signatures and instrumental mastery, elements that AI-generated music finds challenging to authentically replicate. The human creativity and nuanced artistry essential to these genres remain difficult for AI to fully capture.

Artistic Expression and Authenticity

The essence of alternative, rock, and metal music lies in the personal expression and authenticity of the artists. Fans of these genres value the raw emotion, individuality, and the unique experiences that musicians bring to their performances. AI-generated music, which may lack the emotional depth and authenticity of human-created compositions, is less likely to resonate with these audiences.

Live Performances

Live performances are a critical aspect of alternative, rock, and metal music. The energy, interaction, and spontaneity of live shows are what draws their fans in. Musicians in these genres often build their careers on live performances, where their skills and stage presence play a crucial role.

Current AI Tools for Music

AI tools are transforming music creation and production across various genres. Amper Music helps users create custom music tracks by selecting mood, style, and instrumentation, ideal for generating background music or initial compositions. AIVA (Artificial Intelligence Virtual Artist) specializes in composing complex pieces, useful for classical and symphonic music. Magenta Studio by Google offers plugins that generate melodies, rhythms, and harmonies, integrating well with DAWs like Ableton Live for diverse genres. LANDR provides AI-driven mastering and distribution, ensuring high-quality sound for independent artists. Melodyne by Celemony allows precise pitch correction and melodic manipulation, enhancing vocal and instrumental recordings. Orb Composer assists in creating intricate compositions with advanced harmonic and melodic structures, ideal for progressive music. These tools not only streamline the production process but also inspire creativity, allowing musicians to explore new artistic possibilities.

Conclusion

The prospect of AI displacing musicians largely depends on the genre. In pop music, where predictability and repetition are common, AI poses a significant threat to job security. The ability of AI to automate songwriting and production processes can lead to job displacement for songwriters, producers, and session musicians. Conversely, in alternative genres like rock and metal, the risk posed by AI of causing job losses is much lower. The complexity, nuance, and emotional depth required in these genres are challenging for AI to replicate. The importance of live performances and the value placed on authenticity and artistic expression further ensure that this niche is largely unaffected by AI.