AI in Music: Genuine innovation or misleading imitation?
The impact and risks posed by AI technology in the realm of music are rapidly expanding and cannot be underestimated. In this series, Local Spins will analyze this sometimes daunting technology with esteemed Michigan recording engineers.
The influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on the music industry is truly transformative, pushing boundaries and reshaping the landscape in unprecedented ways. The potential, the pitfalls, and the undeniable advantages of this rapidly evolving and world-altering tool have permeated virtually every aspect of our daily lives, online activities, and professional endeavors.
AI is swiftly providing us with intricate information and technical expertise at an astonishing pace, albeit sometimes riddled with errors. It is empowering individuals with limited expertise or understanding to gain almost instant proficiency in a subject, potentially displacing millions of workers in the process.
In the realm of music, AI’s capacity to generate “new” songs that captivate global audiences is remarkable: Approximately 50,000 newly AI-generated tracks are released on Spotify EACH DAY. Some of these songs have even climbed the ranks of the Billboard charts, including a number one country digital song sales track (“Walk My Walk” by Breaking Rust) and other compositions attributed to “AI artists” – entities devoid of flesh-and-blood performers or human creators.
However, these developments raise disquieting questions: Can the average listener, or even a discerning producer or musician, differentiate between an AI-generated track and a composition crafted by genuine musicians and songwriters? To test AI’s proficiency in crafting fully produced songs, I engaged with Suno, a leading AI music production platform known for its diverse options and cost-effectiveness.
In my experiment, I performed and recorded an original song on my keyboard, uploaded it to Suno, and specified a few musical styles (rock, Southern gothic) before triggering the creation process. In a matter of minutes, Suno delivered two distinct, fully produced versions of my song that initially impressed me. It felt as though renowned artist Chris Stapleton was belting out my creation, complemented by Nashville studio musicians.
While the results were polished and professional, they deviated from my intended vision for the track, diverging from the raw, edgy sound I had envisioned for my band. Nonetheless, the feedback I received suggested that the track sounded radio-ready, with one friend even mistaking it for a movie soundtrack until I disclosed its AI origin.
Subsequent attempts to alter the AI-generated track by suggesting different styles or instrumentation led to a further departure from my initial vision, resulting in a more convoluted and less engaging outcome. Despite my limited expertise in sound-mixing and audio technology, I recognized the potential for skilled users to elevate the track beyond my initial attempt.
However, the question remains: Does the AI-generated track capture the enchanting interplay between musicians and the distinct product of their creative synergy? The divergent experiences of musicians who contribute their original compositions to an AI platform versus users who merely suggest a basic melody highlight the evolving nature of music creation in the digital age.
To delve deeper into the ramifications of AI technology on the music industry, illustrious Michigan audio engineers and producers were consulted to provide insights on this transformative trend. Notably, Tommy Schichtel of Goon Lagoon in Grand Rapids, an old-school studio enthusiast, expressed skepticism towards AI and its applications in music production.
Schichtel’s fervent belief in the authentic creative process and his disdain for AI’s role in art underscore the complexities and nuances of integrating technology into music creation. As the series continues, we will explore the evolving landscape of AI in music and address critical questions surrounding AI-generated content, the future of the recording industry, and the implications for musicians and listeners alike.
Stay tuned for more in-depth analyses in our upcoming installments.
—
Copyright 2026, Spins on Music LLC.