AI technology is progressing
Artificial intelligence technology & tools are progressing faster than I can catch up. I just started to use ChatGPT as an upgrade up from the standard Google. I can recall when I jokingly made a statement to a friend where I had said, "So using Google is like a 'Boomer' thing to do?" We were talking about how information was so readily available on TikTok, but other tools and websites are now popping up that have a step up from quick content platforms.
A friend had shown me a song that he created. It was a track with Future Bass-type elements and EDM feels. And it was good. I hadn't known my friend was a producer, but he had told our group chat he is pursuing it as a hobby. His track also featured a singer on it. I didn't recognize the singer's voice, but had wanted to ask how he got the vocals to sound so good. The singer was extremely talented, and included in the mix, he did a stellar job. He had then mentioned that it was an AI singer. I, for one at this point, didn't even know that kind of technology was readily available to the public. I never got the name of the AI tool he had used, but I figure this topic deserves to be discussed for the future of producers and DJ's.
The culture of DJ'ing is one that has static standards to an extent. For example, a feature like the SYNC button on a controller has never been so vehemently despised that if one uses it, they're practically a non-DJ.
I bought my first DJ controller in 2016. It was a Pioneer DDJ-200. I had bought it with the intention of learning how to DJ without the use of learning it without tutorials or another person's help. I wanted to learn in a vacuum. A social experiment of some sorts on the basis of originality. Eventually I did except help from others and from YouTube. But you had guessed it: The SYNC button was one of the first things I learned on it. And surprisingly, I landed my first gig and a few house parties by DJ'ing with the SYNC button. At this point, I had thought that all DJ's use the SYNC button. It was my first reality check by a local DJ, as he lectured me in my parents' garage. "Never use the SYNC button," he said. "Really? But why?" I asked. "Real DJ's never use the SYNC button. You have to get used to DJ'ing with the volume sliders. And leave the crossfader in the middle." I was dumbfounded.
There are technically multiple ways of doing the same things with a DJ controller. And with AI tools, there are different ways to have vocals on a studio track. AI technology will continue to progress. What the human touch will look like in the process of it all will shift as well over the course of time. For the future of DJ'ing, I say that it's at least wise to learn about these tools, even though I myself will not implement them for some extended period of time. I, now, am a traditionalist, ironically. The advancement of AI technology will continue to progress despite my personal hesitations; best to start learning.
Have any suggestions for AI tools for music production and DJ'ing? Leave a comment below!
