Inspenet, June 19, 2023
The latest representation of the Beatles and Artificial Intelligence in the production of the “last song” of the mythical English band
The recent news shared by Paul McCartney on the BBC has once again sparked the fascination around the surprising use of the latest Beatles performance and Artificial Intelligence in the world of music. On this occasion, it is about the creation of an unpublished song by the Beatles thanks to the recovery of John Lennon’s voice through the power of this innovative technology. As the possibilities and challenges that AI presents in music unfold, McCartney has called this new composition “the last Beatles song” and identified it as a piece written in 1978 titled “Now And Then.” .
The renaissance of the music of the Beatles thanks to AI
What role has AI played in this outstanding achievement? McCartney himself has shared revealing details during a radio interview. The turning point came during the production of the acclaimed documentary “Get Back” directed by Peter Jackson. It was there that Emile de la Rey, a sound engineer and machine learning expert, used AI to train computers to recognize the Beatles’ distinctive voices, cleverly separating them from background noises and even the sounds of instruments that they themselves played. This process has created a “clean” listening experience and has allowed McCartney to virtually collaborate with Lennon during his recent tour, as well as making it possible to create new mixes of last year’s iconic Beatles album “Revolver.”
The revolutionary impact of AI in the music industry
Since 2019, the use of artificial intelligence to isolate, create and mix sounds has been debated, raising complex questions that range from the copyright of AI-generated works to the very definition of human creativity in contrast to that of the machines. Despite this, artists have enthusiastically embraced this new trend. Among them is Emilie de la Rey, who has been experimenting with different creative ways that embrace emerging technologies. It is undeniable that AI will continue to influence the way music is created, produced and enjoyed. Now, we find ourselves at a crucial crossroads for the music industry, where it will be necessary to find a balance between technological innovation and the preservation of the human essence in music.
The resurrection of Lennon’s voice thanks to AI
McCartney has admiringly shared the details of this amazing breakthrough made with the song “Now And Then.” “Jackson was able to extract John’s voice from a piece of low-quality tape,” McCartney explained. He then described the process used as follows: “On that tape we had John’s voice and a piano. We used artificial intelligence to separate them. Basically, we told the machine, ‘This is the voice. This is a guitar.’ Eliminate the guitar and isolate only the voice.'” In this way, the process of creating what will be the last Beatles album began.
However, McCartney has also expressed some apprehension about other AI applications in music. He acknowledges that there could be cases where people confuse AI-generated compositions with new songs performed by Lennon. Although this can be unsettling, he also finds excitement in this emerging reality, as it represents the future of music. It is uncharted territory we are heading into and only time will reveal where this evolution will take us.
The impact of this innovation transcends the mere recreation of Lennon’s voice. The AI’s ability to break songs down to their original elements and reconstruct them differently opens up an unprecedented range of creative possibilities. Giles Martin, renowned music producer and McCartney collaborator on this project, has used the metaphor of breaking down a cake into its basic ingredients, such as flour, eggs and sugar, and then combining them in novel ways. This raises fundamental questions about the authorship of AI-generated works and the limits of artistic creativity.
While some may be concerned about the increasing use of AI in music, artists seem to be showing no resistance. On the contrary, many are embracing these new technologies and exploring their potential to expand the horizons of their creativity. Emilie de la Rey and other musicians have already begun to merge their talents with artificial intelligence, exploring new forms of musical expression and pushing the traditional boundaries of creation.
As AI continues its unstoppable advance in the world of music, it is undeniable that its influence will continue to leave an indelible mark on the way music is created, produced and consumed. The challenge for the music industry and for all of us will be to embrace this new landscape, find a balance between technological innovation and the human essence in music, and reflect on what creativity really means in this new context.
The recreation of Lennon’s voice and the creation of the “last Beatles song” through AI invite us to reflect on the limits and possibilities of human creativity, as well as on our relationship with machines in the field artistic. We are witnessing a historic milestone in music, and only time will reveal the full dimensions and implications of this revolutionary collaboration between the legacy of The Beatles and artificial intelligence.
Source and Photos:
La Stampa / Indiehoy
https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-65891009
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