Comment by mco | Hacker News Reader

Comment by mco | Hacker News Reader

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On one hand this is impressive, and I've been wondering when something like this would appear. On the other hand, I am -- like others here have expressed -- saddened by the impact this has on real musicians. Music is human, music theory is deeply mathematical and fascinating -- "solving" it with a big hammer like generative AI is rather unsatisfying.

The other very real aspect here is "training data" has to come from somewhere, and the copyright implications of this are beyond solved.

In the past I worked on real algorithmic music composition: algorithmic sequencer, paired with hardware- or soft- synthesizers. I could give it feedback and it'd evolve the composition, all without training data. It was computationally cheap, didn't infringe anyone's copyright, and a human still had very real creative influence (which instruments, scale, tempo, etc.). Message me if anyone's still interested in "dumb" AI like that. :-)

Computer-assisted music is nothing new, but taking away the creativity completely is turning music into noise -- noise that sounds like music.

> "solving" it with a big hammer like generative AI is rather unsatisfying.

The reason is greed. They jump on the bandwagon to get rich, not to bring art. They don't care about long term effects on creativity. If it means that it kills motivation to create new music, or even learn how to play an instrument, that's fine by these people. As long as they get their money.

If our sole goal was to get rich we would have pivoted to some b2bsaas thing as many suggested to us. What we’ve actually seen is so much new creativity from people who otherwise would never have made music.

Nothing was stopping them from making music before other than laziness.

I’m so sick of hearing this excuse. “I can’t draw so I use AI,” as if the people who can draw were born that way.

No, they spent countless hours practicing and that’s what makes it art. Because it’s the product of hours of decision making and learning. You can not skip ahead in line. Full stop.

This just sounds like gatekeeping.

I think it's the opposite. They are not saying "those people shouldn't draw [using AI]", they are saying "those people should've been drawing all this time".

Many people may not have the time, talent, and/or dedication, but I still think they should get to make music.

Describing music to an AI is not "making music" the same way that hiring a musician and asking them to write you a rock song about a breakup is not "making music"

They can do so anytime they pick up an instrument. But plugging things into AI is not making music.

> Message me if anyone's still interested in "dumb" AI like that. :-)

Not sure how to reach out, but I'm definitely interested in reading about procedural methods in music synthesis. Any links describing your approach?

Added a link in my profile that leads to a brief demo and description. Not posting here as it'd crumble under too much load. :-/

You mean like how real pianists suffered when the automated piano came, or how live music died when the record player came?

Actually, noise that sounds like music is some of the best music there is: electroacoustic music.

A lot better than most music on the radio. ;-)

> Message me

I don't see any contact info in your profile, but I have an email in mine. I am interested in hearing more about your process and if you have music for sale anywhere, I like to support electronic artists doing interesting stuff.

same here

I added a link in my profile if you're curious.

hey the idea looks super cool, is the stream ever online anymore or is it a dead project??

Anyone with ears can find music satisfying. You don't need an artist's backstory or blessing for that. By all means use slow AI to get the same point fast AI can get to, but don't ask me to value it differently.

I have many times watched guitar players at their work, and gone home to try and do the same thing. I definitely value that differently.

And AI doesn’t make satisfying music. Music is partially derivative in the human sector, but only derivative in AI. That’s why it sounds like shit to reasonable ears.

It’s less than worthless.

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