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This AI changes music production forever

Science & Technology


Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of music production, advancements in artificial intelligence are revolutionizing how artists and producers create music. Currently, platforms like Udio and Sunno allow users to generate full songs from simple text prompts. However, what if you want more control over the individual elements of your compositions? Imagine an AI that can generate each instrument separately based on a reference track, enabling you to mix and master tracks according to your creative vision.

Enter DiffeoRiff, a groundbreaking project developed by Sony Computer Science Labs, designed to offer an exciting new tool for music creators. In today’s article, we will take an early look at this innovative AI that generates audio stems aligned with a reference track, enhancing the music production process.

Getting Started with DiffeoRiff

To illustrate how DiffeoRiff works, I reached out to the developers for access to their preliminary interface, which I will demonstrate. Here’s how it operates in a few simple steps.

First, you’re presented with a straightforward interface where you can upload your base track. For this demonstration, I used a sequence of Rhodes piano chords as the foundation of my composition.

After uploading the track, it’s time to add additional instruments. Previously, this would require manually recording each instrument. No longer! With DiffeoRiff, I can upload an audio clip of a reference instrument, or even use a text prompt to indicate the desired instrument, such as “bass.”

Generating Tracks

Let’s say I want to add a bass track. I uploaded a reference bass audio clip that provides a simple and clean bassline as a guide. The tool then processes this input to generate a new bass track that harmonizes with the chord sequence I provided.

Moreover, DiffeoRiff allows you to manipulate how much influence your uploaded audio has in comparison to any textual prompt. By adjusting this slider, you could focus solely on the audio or find a balance between both. After generating the audio, you can listen to the output. If it doesn’t meet your expectations, it’s easy to hit the refresh button to get a new variant.

After satisfactory results are achieved, the AI-generated bass track can be downloaded and imported into a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) for further editing and enhancement.

Adding More Instruments

The same process can be repeated for other instruments, such as drums. After uploading a drum sample, DiffeoRiff generates a new drum track that aligns perfectly with your bass and chord progressions. Continuing the layering process, additional instruments, including acoustic guitars and synthesizers, can be similarly incorporated to create a fuller sound.

A highlight of DiffeoRiff is its capability to generate sound purely from text prompts. For instance, typing “grand piano” or “synth” prompts the AI to create sounds, eliminating the need for reference audio clips.

Mixing and Mastering

Once all the individual tracks are generated, mixing and mastering take center stage. The DAW you choose to use—be it Cakewalk, Ableton, FL Studio, or others—allows you to arrange your tracks, adjust volumes, and blend sounds to create a polished final product.

The Future of Music Production

DiffeoRiff remains in its preliminary stages, and there's potential for future integration into DAWs as a plugin. This tool has the potential to offer a streamlined approach to music production, where musicians can focus less on performance and recording and more on composition and creative direction.

As music producers begin to leverage AI in their workflows, the way music is created is poised for transformation. This innovative approach raises important questions about the future of musical artistry and recording processes.


Keyword

Keywords: DiffeoRiff, AI music generation, music production, Sony Computer Science Labs, audio stems, digital audio workstation, mixing, mastering, reference track, musical composition.


FAQ

1. What is DiffeoRiff?
DiffeoRiff is an AI tool developed by Sony Computer Science Labs designed to generate separate music tracks (stems) aligned with a reference audio track.

2. How does DiffeoRiff work?
DiffeoRiff allows users to upload a base track and then generate additional instrument tracks based on uploaded audio clips or text prompts.

3. Is DiffeoRiff available to the public?
Currently, DiffeoRiff is in its preliminary interface phase and has not been released publicly, but future integration into DAWs could be possible.

4. Can DiffeoRiff generate sounds from text alone?
Yes, DiffeoRiff can create instruments purely from text prompts, allowing for a versatile range of generated sounds.

5. What platforms can I use to mix and master tracks generated by DiffeoRiff?
You can use various Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) such as Cakewalk, Ableton, FL Studio, and more to mix and master the generated audio tracks.