AI Vocals and Legacy Artists — Pop/Indie Production Notes

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AI Vocals and Legacy Artists — Pop/Indie Production Notes

Diplo's AI Vocal Statement and What It Means

Diplo made a public statement about AI vocals recently. Said he can get the best voice from AI and doesn't need anyone to sing anymore. This feels like a significant signal. When A-list producers openly endorse AI vocals like this, the industry tide seems to be shifting.

Tools like Synthesizer V and LALAL.AI have reached a decent level for demo work. Tried them for backing vocals and sketch stages, and they worked pretty well. Live performance and authentic emotion delivery still need humans though.

Apparently pop producers are already using AI vocals from the demo stage. Indie artists still have some resistance, but honestly it's worth trying for demo purposes. Useful for harmony work or melody testing.

Splice's AI Variations — Creator Compensation Intact

Splice launched their new Variations AI tool. Takes one existing sample and generates five different versions while maintaining royalty payments to the original creator. You can specify key, tempo, and complexity levels too.

This seems like an ethical approach. Using AI while protecting original creator rights. Tested it with some vocal chops and melodic loops I use regularly, and it generated decent variations for different song sections.

For pop production, this could work for taking a chorus loop and creating verse or bridge variations. Indie artists could generate electronic variations of acoustic samples for hybrid sounds.

Creator Workflow Discussions

Saw active discussions on Reddit about waiting for inspiration vs regular work habits. Musicians seem to be thinking more about professional approaches to creativity.

The consensus was that doing something daily, even 15 minutes, helps. Recording voice memos, working out chord progressions, sketching lyrics. Starting regardless of inspiration levels. This seems to stem from streaming economics requiring consistent releases.

Tried this approach myself and the idea sketch folder builds up. Going back later, there's usually something usable. But there's also discussion about creative frustration during the process. The 30-minute timer approach seems solid — save everything before time runs out regardless of quality.

Billy Corgan's Coachella Appearance — Legacy Artist Strategy

Billy Corgan made his first Coachella appearance as a collaboration with Sombr. Even with the mic malfunction, this represents how legacy artists are accessing younger audiences now.

Featured appearances with contemporary acts seem more effective than direct headlining slots. Festival demographics have shifted toward pop/electronic music, creating this strategic collaboration pattern.

Pop and indie artists could leverage this by reaching out to 90s/2000s alternative rock artists for collaborations. Gains credibility and cross-audience appeal. Could work as remix collaborations or festival guest spots.

Key takeaways:

  • AI vocals: Practical for demos/backing. Main vocals still need humans
  • Splice AI: Sample variations expand arrangements. Ethical approach is good
  • Workflow: Don't wait for inspiration. Regular work habits with 15-minute daily minimum
  • Legacy collabs: Strategic featuring for younger audience access

These shifts will likely continue in pop/indie. Using technology while maintaining human elements seems to be the direction.

References

  • [Splice launches generative AI tools that fairly compensate sample creators](https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/splice-launches-generative-ai-tools-that-fairly-compensate-sample-creators)
  • ["I can get the best voice from AI. I don't need anybody to sing the song anymore": Diplo urges musicians critical of AI to "adapt or just give up and become an Uber driver"](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/i-can-get-the-best-voice-from-ai-i-dont-need-anybody-to-sing-the-song-anymore-diplo-urges-musicians-critical-of-ai-to-adapt-or-just-give-up-and-become-an-uber-driver)
  • [Waiting for Inspiration vs pursuit through perspiration](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/comments/1sl9132/waiting_for_inspiration_vs_pursuit_through/)
  • [Do You Ever Get Angry When Making Music?](https://www.reddit.com/r/makinghiphop/comments/1snp0u1/do_you_ever_get_angry_when_making_music/)
  • ["Is it cool if I bring some rock royalty on the stage right now?": Billy Corgan suffers mic malfunction as he makes his first ever appearance at Coachella alongside Sombr to sing a Smashing Pumpkins classic](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/is-it-cool-if-i-bring-some-rock-royalty-on-the-stage-right-now-billy-corgan-suffers-mic-malfunction-as-he-makes-his-first-ever-appearance-at-coachella-alongside-sombr)