Using AI for mixing and mastering has lessened the burden of sound engineers and producers. Various tools developed for mixing and mastering have made it easier for audio artists and engineers to work better with human integration. The use of AI in music production is both an innovation and a debate. Does AI truly deliver the nuanced touch required in audio engineering? Let's find out if it actually works.
What is AI Mixing & Mastering?
AI mixing and mastering refers to using artificial intelligence to automatically do tasks such as balancing levels, applying compression, adjusting stereo, equalizing frequencies, and adding effects to music. It automates and optimizes combining and refining audio tracks for polished and professional sound.
Before music or any recorded audio reaches its targeted audience, it goes through mixing and mastering. It is done to remove unwanted sounds, add cohesiveness, and enhance the audio quality so that it does not sound jarring to the listener. However, they are not the same thing.
Mixing is a process to optimize the individual elements of a recording, such as vocals, instruments, and effects, so they blend harmoniously together to provide a crisp and clear sound. The parameters, such as volume levels, equalization, dynamic processing, etc., must be adjusted to elevate the audio quality and have a cohesive and balanced final product.
Meanwhile, mastering polishes the final mix and sets it for distribution or digital release. It requires techniques to balance frequencies, control dynamics, enhance stereo images, and apply creative effects to optimize the audio for various playback systems and formats. The aim is to enhance the quality of the sound and deliver a polished and consistent final product. The final product is ready for distribution, duplication, or online streaming and meets industry standards.
Does AI Mixing and Mastering Actually Work?
It can provide impressive results, but its effectiveness can vary based on the complexity of the audio and the specific preferences.
The AI algorithm analyzes audio tracks for mixing by identifying elements like vocals, instruments, frequencies, and dynamics. It precisely separates and processes each track through equalization, compression, and spatial effects to attain a balanced and harmonious blend. The system makes decisions on levels, panning, and effects using extensive datasets and learned patterns to craft a cohesive mix.
For mastering, the AI algorithm accesses the audio's characteristics, such as tonal balance, dynamics, stereo imaging, and more. The AI applies a series of processing steps, such as equalization, compression, stereo widening, and limiting, to refine the audio quality. It normalizes loudness and performs quality checks to rectify issues like clipping or imbalances. Also, it compares the output to reference tracks or styles to align with the desired sound.
Factors Influencing AI Mixing and Mastering
AI mixing and mastering is done to automate the process of sound mixing and mastering. Here are some factors that influence it.
Training Data
The data quality used to train AI models can significantly affect the performances. The data should be free from errors and inconsistencies. Accurate data means high-quality audio recordings representing professional mixing and mastering standards in music production.
Models trained on diverse datasets are known to provide better results. A diverse dataset includes music genres, styles, instruments, and recording conditions. AI models can learn from various examples to handle different types of music effectively.
Algorithm and Models
The performance of AI tools is hugely affected by the quality of their underlying algorithm. Some AI models can produce impressive results but often need human intervention. Different models, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) or recurrent neural networks (RNNs), handle audio signals differently. It impacts their ability to understand and replicate complex mixing and mastering techniques.
Audio material
The complexity of audio, like the number of instruments, vocals, and effects used, may influence the quality of AI processing. Some AI tools are limited to working with only specific music genres. AI models must extract relevant features from audio files to understand pitch, tempo, dynamics, and timbre.
User
Most AI tools require users to operate and guide them to produce a sound mix. Promising results are produced when the user is acquainted with the AI tools. Thus, professional sound engineers and producers shape the final sound.
Best AI Mixing and Mastering Tools
There are various AI tools available for mixing and mastering recorded audio. However, they work best under the supervision of sound experts, artists, and producers. Selecting the specific AI tool can provide an effective result depending on the nature of the work, artist preferences, and requirements. Here are some readily available AI tools.
LANDR
It offers detailed control over bass, vocal mixing, and reference mastering settings. With a user base exceeding 4 million musicians, LANDR has mastered over 20 million songs. Its quick mastering process takes under five minutes, and it can master entire albums with consistent settings. It allows preferences and settings to be saved and applied across multiple tracks.
iZotope Ozone
It includes intelligent EQ, spectral shaping, dynamic control, and vintage emulation. It has both manual and automated controls for better audio processing. The user experience is a blend of power and accessibility. The Master Assistant impressively provides a starting point for mastering with a single click. Tools like mix referencing enable comparisons between tracks to adjust elements accordingly. Its Clarity Module refines individual mix elements.
eMastered
It offers the ATOM Synth, a VST plugin with presets crafted by Grammy Award winners. It has a good UI for easily uploading and mastering tracks. You have the flexibility to tweak mastered tracks and can use reference tracks for better results. It enables the creation of presets for consistent mastering across multiple tracks.
AI tools have made great strides in mimicking human-like audio processing, though opinions among professionals about how effective they are still vary. These systems bring convenience, speed, and accessibility to the table. With technology advancing, AI holds the promise of delivering even better results. But right now, the most exciting outcomes come from teams where AI complements the skills of talented engineers rather than trying to take over their expertise completely.