When we write music, we want to create ideas that play off each other. Sometimes, the struggle to find ideas can lead to blocks that make it seem that we’re going around in circles.
Thankfully, artificial intelligence-based music generation and music composition tools from projects such as Google Magenta Studio and Staccato can help musicians break through those creative blocks.
Both tools can help creators generate ideas based on the material they’ve written, though in different ways and on other platforms. Today, we’ll compare both to help you find the right tool for your workflow!
What is Google Magenta?
According to their website, Google Magenta is an open-source research project that explores the role of machine learning as a tool in the creative process. The Magenta team launched the application in 2016, offering various tools for artists to incorporate AI technology into their work. The project is open source, enabling anyone to utilize this technology and participate in its development. Google Magenta Studio, with its user-friendly demonstration of AI music technology, explores the creative potential of machine learning.
What is the Magenta AI Studio Plugin?
Part of the Magenta “suite” collection of products is the Magenta Studio Plugin designed for use within Ableton Live, allowing artists to exp
lore AI music generation right in the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).
Using the Magenta Studio Plugin
The Magenta Studio Plugin, a MIDI plugin for Ableton Live, was designed on Magenta's open-source tools specifically for use with MIDI tracks within Ableton Live’s Session View. Therefore, to utilize the Magenta models plugin, you will need to create or import a MIDI clip for it to key off. The plugin only works with monophonic lines and drum patterns. Once the plugin is loaded onto your MIDI track, you’ll have access to its five tool options,
· Continue: Make music based on an existing MIDI clip.
· Interpolate: Keys off of two MIDI clips to generate new music based on attributes of both.
· Generate: Create a part from scratch.
· Groove: Made for drum parts, taking the hits and playing with quantization to make them sound more human.
· Drumify: Create drum grooves based on a melody.
Since ‘Continue’ is Magenta’s flagship feature and is most similar to Staccato, we’ll be looking at that specifically.
The Continue function is accessible by loading the plugin and selecting it from the list of options. Once you do, a popup will appear, asking you to enter some parameters for input for the AI engine to work with. This includes the track and clip it will be creating off of, variations (how many different versions you would like it to generate), length (in bars), temperature (how much randomness the AI can incorporate), and the use of recurrent neural networks (RNN) for predictive power.
Once you’re done, click “Generate,” and the Magenta Studio Plugin will create the new MIDI files under the original clip. From there, you can play them as part of your session or edit them further in the MIDI editor.
What are its benefits?
Everything is done within one program.
Using these plugins within a DAW means you don’t need to go between different applications. Some people may prefer this workflow to importing and exporting MIDI files between programs.
No internet connection is required.
Since everything is contained on your computer (the plugin comes in at over 900 MB), you’re not dependent on being connected to use the technology.
It can generate multiple different ideas in one go.
You can decide how many variations of new sounds you want the AI to generate, all instantly accessible in your track. You can then audition several ideas quickly before deciding what to keep and discard.
It works well with drum beats.
The Magenta Studio Plugin could craft some interesting variations on a beat that was fed into the AI engine. The development team also thought to limit the notational range of the drum parts generated, avoiding MIDI data that is out of the notational range of most drum samplers.
What are its limitations?
The plugin only works with Ableton Live.
Excellent news if you use Ableton Live as one of your music-making applications. However, you’re out of luck if you primarily use other DAWs (such as Logic Pro, Reaper, Pro Tools, etc.).
You can only do melodies or drum patterns.
At the time of writing, the plugins generate beats or monophonic melody lines. It will not key off of, nor develop, parts with chords.
There is no AI lyrics assistant.
Music is half the art of writing a great song, the other being the lyrics. If you’re stuck on a lyrical idea, the Magenta Studio Plugin has no tools to help you.
Using Staccato
Staccato is entirely browser-based and accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Being a stand-alone application means it is not exclusive to any particular DAW, which will mean importing and exporting MIDI files between applications.
To enter MIDI data into the instrument, you can either:
1. Import an existing MIDI file;
2. Play it via mouse clicks on the piano roll; or
3. Use a MIDI controller.
Staccato also offers a selection of virtual instruments for added inspiration.
Once you have some MIDI data entered into the instrument, use the « Music to Music » function to access the AI music tools. You have options for:
Complexity: Determines how creative the AI engine is.
Cut-Off: Controls the number of choices the AI engine makes in creating a part.
Length.
Once set, hit “Generate” and watch the tool make music based on what was entered. You can then edit the MIDI data further in the instrument or export the MIDI part and import it into your DAW of choice.
Much like the Magenta Studio Plugin, the AI music generated went from results ranging from interesting to banal. If you’re unhappy with Staccato’s generated music, you can always readjust parameters and hit “Generate” again.
What are its benefits?
The app is not tied to a particular DAW.
Staccato is a self-contained program needing only a web browser to be accessible.
It’s accessible practically anywhere.
Staccato just needs a browser and an internet connection, meaning you can use it on your computer at home or on the go.
Most importantly, it can do chords.
Unlike the Magenta Studio Plugin, Staccato can generate monophonic and polyphonic ideas.
The interface is very familiar to those who have worked with various MIDI editors.
For someone wanting to dive in and generate music, Ableton Live’s interface takes some getting used to, especially for this author. Diving into the all-too-familiar piano roll makes the world of creating less daunting.
The AI Lyric tool is a bonus.
With Staccato’s intuitive interface and music creativity tools, you can work on complete song ideas, not just on music. Expanding the realms of music creation.
What Are Its Limitations?
You need an internet connection.
If you’re somewhere where you don’t have access to the web, you will not be able to load Staccato.
It doesn’t do drum parts (yet).
Magenta’s drumbeat generator works within a specific range of notes and sounds commonly used for MIDI drums. Staccato can’t currently generate drum beats within a specific range, but this feature is in the works.
Comparative Analysis
Both have their strengths and their weaknesses. While Magenta Studio can generate drums within a specific range, it lags behind Staccato regarding music creativity tools and possibilities, especially with lyrics and polyphony. Staccato is a more universally accessible application without exclusivity to any particular DAW.
In fact, anyone with a browser (whether on a computer, tablet, or mobile phone) and an internet connection can load up Staccato and start making music quickly and easily.
In conclusion
While Ableton Live users may want to try Google Magenta Studio for their music production, it is a shame that people using other DAWs cannot incorporate it into their creative process. It should be noted, however, that Staccato plans to release a plugin in the future that will be compatible with most DAWs on the market, allowing more users to utilize this tool during songwriting or music production.
Like with all other AI tools, they are there to help us in our creative process. Regardless of which program or platform you choose, always remember that no technology will ever replace the human element in creating art, though sometimes it just needs a little nudge to get going.
