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AI and Mixing: Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Engineers?

Metadata

title
AI and Mixing: Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Engineers?
description
AI was the buzz of NAMM 2023. I heard some bold claims, and wanted to weigh in on the future of mixing workflows, Waves' recent changes, and how Splice is approaching AI.
status
complete
date
2023-04-18
kind
solo
guestSlugs
listenUrl
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovemusicmore/episodes/AI-and-Mixing-Will-Artificial-Intelligence-Replace-Engineers-e22ijso
appleUrl
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-and-mixing-will-artificial-intelligence-replace/id1567355195?i=1000609504833&uo=4
spotifyUrl
https://open.spotify.com/episode/22QmXVOpfuL95ef19NJ5FT
topicsDiscussed
  • AI
  • Mixing
  • Creativity
  • Music production
  • Waves Innovations
  • Perspectives from NAMM 2023
hostNote
"Every mix shouldn't be the same; every vocal chain shouldn't be programmed by Dave Pensado." That's the line I kept returning to after NAMM 2023, where everyone had bold takes about AI replacing mix engineers. The gap between what top engineers said and what ML researchers said was striking, and it comes down to who's looking at the problem from the top down versus the bottom up. I weigh in on the "top 5% stays human, 95% gets automated" claim, what Waves' repeated subscription pivots actually signal about where the money is, and how Splice is approaching AI differently. Routine mixing getting automated is real, but routine mixing was never the interesting part. The question I care most about is where creative decisions live, and why outsourcing those to a model trained on consensus is a fundamentally different move than outsourcing gain staging.
selectedMoments
  • label
    Introduction and AI Buzz at NAMM
    startSec
    50
    note
    I discuss the buzz around AI at NAMM 2023 and its implications for audio engineering.
  • label
    Contrasting Views on AI and Engineering
    startSec
    92
    note
    I share thoughts on the different perspectives between top engineers and machine learning scientists.
  • label
    Waves and Monetization Issues
    startSec
    141
    note
    I critique Waves' move towards subscription models for their plugins.
  • label
    AI's Potential to Automate Mixing
    startSec
    272
    note
    I discuss how AI could change traditional mixing processes.
  • label
    Human vs AI in Mixing
    startSec
    360
    note
    I reflect on the statement that most mixing jobs might be replaced by AI.
  • label
    Creativity vs Automation
    startSec
    515
    note
    I emphasize the importance of keeping creativity at the center of mixing.
  • label
    Final Thoughts on AI in Music
    startSec
    990
    note
    I wrap up my thoughts on how AI can assist rather than replace creativity.
excerptQuotes
  • text
    Artificial intelligence and what it's going to do to audio engineering. So everybody had these really bold takes.
    startSec
    88
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    If you're at the top sometimes it's harder to see what all the people at the bottom are actually doing.
    startSec
    96
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    Waves makes, you know, virtual instruments, virtual reverbs, virtual versions of analog gear... But the funny thing about them is that they keep realizing that they aren't making enough money.
    startSec
    144
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    I'm going to let the AI look through this audio and go, 'Oh, this kind of sounds like a female vocalist.'
    startSec
    277
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    The top 5% will stay human; the rest, those 95%, will be AI versions of himself.
    startSec
    356
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    Mixing is highly creative. Allow me to still make my decisions, my creative decisions.
    startSec
    587
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    Every mix shouldn't be the same; every vocal chain shouldn't be programmed by Dave Pensado.
    startSec
    988
    reviewed
    true
faq
  • question
    Will AI replace audio engineers?
    answer
    I discuss the implications of AI on audio engineering jobs and argue that while automation can assist workflows, creativity should remain a central focus.
  • question
    How is Waves adapting to AI in audio mixing?
    answer
    I critique Waves for shifting to a subscription model for plugins and discuss their innovations in light of AI technology.
  • question
    What are the benefits and drawbacks of using AI in music production?
    answer
    I see potential for AI to ease certain tasks but warn against fully replacing human creativity in the mixing process.
transcriptPublished
false
draft
false

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