The Best AI Tools For Music Production in 2024

Creating music using generative AI is a bit of a hot topic. Some people don’t like it because it can copy other artists, doesn’t always need talent, and might not convey any meaningful emotions. However, if you steer clear of those problems, it can be a useful tool for unleashing creativity, helping with tasks, or making experimentation more straightforward. Let’s discuss best AI Tools For Music Production.

Relying too much on AI might not make others take you seriously. Use it wisely.

AI music tools currently have two main applications: as plug-ins or complete production suites. However, there are also middle-ground tools available, and the last two on our list are good examples of this.

WavTool is an online music maker with a built-in helper called MIDI sequence assistant. You can create music by adding notes, or let the assistant suggest new ones. There’s also a chatbot called Conductor that not only helps with music questions but can also make changes to your music.

To clarify, when we say “complete,” we mean that you can do everything from recording to mastering and exporting, and you can also create beats and samples from text prompts. Additionally, you have the option to turn recorded audio into MIDI. Although there are some limitations compared to tools like Logic or Pro Tools, you still have a wide range of capabilities.

WavTool’s free version lets you work on projects with 8 tracks, each having a maximum of 384 beats. You can use up to 5 Conductor prompts every 8 hours and only apply one custom plug-in. The export option is limited to WAV files. To enjoy unlimited features, like adding MP3 to your export choices, you’ll need to subscribe to the Pro plan for $20 per month. In the future, this plan will also offer a VST plug-in for third-party DAWs.

Magenta, owned by Google, is currently only supported as a free plug-in for Ableton Live, with no updates for its standalone version. The plug-in consists of five MIDI tools: Continue, Generate, Interpolate, Groove, and Drumify.

Continue extends an input melody or drum beat to 32 measures, considering factors like timing and key signatures. Generate uses similar technology to produce a 4-bar phrase without any input. Interpolate connects any two melodies or inputs.

Drumify and Groove function differently. Drumify creates a drum section to match a bassline, melody, or tapped-out rhythm. Groove takes an input drum clip and adjusts its timing and velocity to simulate the feel of a real-world drummer.

AIVA is like a music software, but it can create whole songs from nothing in more than 250 styles, like EDM, lo-fi, folk rock, and old-school rap. You can even make your own styles by uploading audio or MIDI files for inspiration.

You have the freedom to tweak the tracks you make. Unless you want a basic soundtrack for a YouTube video or corporate presentation, it’s a good idea to make some changes. Our next two options have you covered for that.

If you’re using the free AIVA version, keep in mind that Aiva Technologies owns the copyrights, and you can only download three MP3 or MIDI files each month, each lasting up to 3 minutes. For complete copyright control, the ability to make money from your music, and more file formats, you’ll need to get a Pro plan. It costs €49 per month or €396 per year, unless you’re eligible for a student or enterprise discount. Even with the discount, you’re still limited to 300 downloads per month, each with a maximum duration of 5:30. So, no long ambient pieces for you, in other words.

Loudly isn’t a complete DAW, and it might seem a bit simple, but it allows you to create entire tracks using AI, and there are some interesting features. You can use text prompts or a visual interface. The latter lets you choose things like Instruments, Tempo, Duration, Key, and Genre Blend. In the future, you should also be able to ask Loudly to analyze a video and find a suitable soundtrack. The main purpose of the tool is background music.

Free users can download up to five MP3s each month, but the licensing only covers social media. To get better licensing, monetization, WAV downloads, and five stem packs per month, you’ll need to switch to a Personal plan. Pro subscribers enjoy benefits like unlimited downloads, 10 stem packs per month, and more extensive licensing coverage.

Soundful, much like Loudly, is designed specifically for making background music. It caters to various needs, from social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube to live streams and movies. The tool offers a range of mood, genre, and theme templates, covering everything from “meditation” and “road trip” to “hip hop,” “EDM,” and even “real estate” (though what real estate sounds like is a bit unclear).

The free version of Soundful provides 3 downloads and 1 stem pack per month, along with a bit over 25 templates. However, this is limited to personal or non-profit use. For more extensive usage, you might consider opting for a Content Creator subscription, which, despite being relatively inexpensive, gives you 100 downloads, more templates, and better licensing terms. It’s worth noting that the music you create can be used by other Soundful users.

If you’re looking for even more features, the top subscription tier is Music Creator Plus. This tier includes 300 downloads and 10 stem packs per month, exclusive licensing, and the option to purchase full copyright for your tracks.