In this article, you will learn about the 11 important practical uses of ChatGPT in music production. We have also shared the respective prompts that will help you get the best out of ChatGPT. These methods and prompts can assist you in your projects, bring a new perspective, and ease complex calculation and analytical work.
ChatGPT, a highly sophisticated artificial intelligence language model, presents an assortment of utilities that can be used to optimize the workflow of music producers. This piece discusses ten distinct methods through which ChatGPT can augment the music creation process, accompanied by practical examples for each strategy.
Suggestion for Chord Progression
Creating a compelling chord progression that resonates with a specific emotion or ambiance can often pose a challenge. ChatGPT makes this task easier by providing suggestions for chord progressions that are tailored to specific keys, modes, and musical styles, considering the producer’s unique taste and the intended feel of the piece.
It’s capable of dissecting popular chord progressions across a multitude of genres and recommending new sequences that align with the target audience’s preferences. This function is a great time-saver and also opens up a plethora of creative avenues for music producers.
Prompt
“Could you propose a chord sequence for a country tune in the key of G major?”
Developing Melodies and Patterns
Melodies and patterns are the vital core of any musical piece, yet expanding on them can be a complex task. ChatGPT possesses the capacity to enhance existing melodies or patterns by producing supplementary notes or variations, thereby enabling more complex and captivating compositions. By inputting a basic melody and asking for its expansion, ChatGPT can suggest modifications in rhythm, embellishments, or even counter-melodies that enrich the initial concept. This feature empowers producers to elevate their initial ideas and infuse greater depth into their compositions.
What’s the approach to submit a melody to ChatGPT for revision, given the absence of a file drop feature and the interaction being text-based only? When assigning a melody for ChatGPT to modify, it’s possible to portray the melody using the names of the notes along with their respective durations. Here is an instance of a melody structured in this manner:
C4 quarter, D4 eighth, E4 eighth, F4 quarter, G4 half
In this depiction, the melody is comprised of five notes, each with its specific duration:
C4 (middle C) as a quarter note
D4 as an eighth note
E4 as an eighth note
F4 as a quarter note
G4 as a half note
By utilizing a similarly formatted melody, you can present it to ChatGPT for development, then request variations or extra notes to enhance the initial melody.
Prompt
“Here’s a melody I came up with, can you suggest some variations or additional notes to develop it further?”
Music Analysis Assistance
Gaining an understanding of a song’s structure and its various elements is key for music producers. It empowers them to absorb insights from successful compositions and implement those learnings into their own creations. ChatGPT is capable of dissecting different facets of a song, including its key signature, tempo, chord progressions, and even its overall form.
By delineating these components, ChatGPT assists producers in uncovering the foundational structure of a song and the strategies used by its creator. This knowledge can then be incorporated into their own compositions, facilitating the creation of pieces that connect with their audience while preserving their unique artistic intent.
Prompt
“Could you dissect the chords and rhythm of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen?”
Understanding Frequency Concepts
The domain of music production frequently demands a robust grasp of technical ideas, like the correlation between Hz and frequency. At times, producers might find themselves needing to alter the pitch of single notes or entire song portions to attain the right sonic equilibrium.
ChatGPT has the capacity to provide solutions to technical inquiries concerning shifts in frequency and changes in octave, allowing producers to make educated choices about their pieces. Through the provision of exact frequency data, ChatGPT assists producers in refining their work, leading to a sound that is more refined and professional.
Prompt
“What is the frequency of a note that is two octaves above A440?”
“How much do I need to shift the frequency to go from a C3 to a G#3?”
Provoking Creativity through Visual Stimuli
Inspiration is often tricky to pinpoint, and music producers frequently require a catalyst to fuel their creativity. ChatGPT can suggest visual stimuli – such as specific images to search on Google – that harmonize with the producer’s intended style or mood, serving as a starting point for the creative journey.
By recommending images that correlate with certain musical genres, themes, or feelings, ChatGPT aids producers in discovering fresh concepts and sourcing inspiration from a wide range of influences. This could result in more inventive and captivating compositions that strike a chord with audiences.
Prompt
“Can you suggest some images to inspire me to produce ambient music?”
Harmonic Frequencies
Comprehending harmonic frequencies is vital for producing a balanced mix and ensuring the various elements within a composition work together harmoniously. ChatGPT can produce detailed technical information on harmonic frequencies, thus empowering producers to determine the values of specific harmonics grounded in a fundamental frequency.
Such insights aid producers in recognizing possible conflicts or resonances within their mixes, allowing them to make knowledgeable decisions regarding the arrangement and sound design. By supplying precise data on harmonic frequencies, ChatGPT plays a part in achieving a tidier and more unified final mix.
Prompt
“What are the first five odd harmonics of a 100 Hz fundamental?”
Genre-Specific Lyric Writing
Lyrics are instrumental in expressing the sentiments and motifs of a song, and formulating the perfect phrases can be a complex task, particularly when aiming for a specific genre or style. ChatGPT can aid the process of lyric creation by generating song words customized to a specific genre or style, considering the theme and the anticipated emotional resonance.
Through imitation of the writing style of renowned artists or incorporation of themes and imagery specific to a genre, ChatGPT assists producers in crafting lyrics that connect with their target audience and align with their artistic expression.
Prompt
“Can you write some lyrics for a rap song with a focus on social justice issues, using the style of Kendrick Lamar?”
Guidance on Synth Lead Creation
Synth leads are essential elements in many music genres, and designing the perfect synth sound can be a demanding task, especially when aiming to fit a certain genre or style. ChatGPT can assist in the synth design process by offering suggestions on synth parameters that can create desired sounds, considering the producer’s preference and the genre-specific conventions.
By referencing the sound design approaches of renowned artists or incorporating genre-specific timbres, ChatGPT enables producers to create synth leads that connect with their target audience and align with their artistic goals.
Prompt
“How can I create a supersaw lead sound like Porter Robinson in Serum?”
Blending Genres for Innovative Compositions
The fusion of genres or subgenres can yield novel and captivating musical pieces, though striking the right equilibrium between diverse styles can pose a challenge. ChatGPT can propose essential factors to consider when amalgamating genres, like the inclusion of particular rhythmic patterns, harmonic frameworks, or instruments that are characteristic of each style.
Through its guidance on synthesizing these elements, ChatGPT assists producers in crafting tracks that meld genres while preserving the core of both styles, thereby offering a unique auditory experience. This feature enables producers to break conventional boundaries and cultivate a unique musical persona.
Prompt
“What are some key elements to include in a track that combines breakbeat and deep house?”
Marrying Underground and Mainstream Elements through Genre Pairing
Constructing a song that harmoniously blends the authenticity of the underground with mainstream allure can be a sophisticated process. It entails the careful selection and fusion of genres or subgenres that work together seamlessly. ChatGPT can offer crucial support in this endeavor by proposing suitable genre or subgenre combinations that result in a unique amalgamation of underground and mainstream elements.
Through these personalized suggestions, ChatGPT equips producers with the capacity to explore varied combinations and uncover novel ways of merging styles. The outcome is a mesmerizing blend of music that appeals to a broad audience while preserving its unique essence.
Prompt
“What genres or subgenres could I combine to create a track that’s underground but still has mainstream appeal?”
Guidance on Custom Wavetable Creation
The creation of custom wavetables for synthesizers empowers music producers to generate unique sounds that distinguish their compositions. ChatGPT can assist producers in crafting custom wavetables that mimic a range of instruments or sounds, supplying detailed data about partials, inclusive of the order, relative amplitude, and phase positioning.
With these parameters, producers can explore various tones and harmonic sequences, producing an array of sonic textures. By aiding in the construction of custom wavetables, ChatGPT helps producers to develop a unique sound palette that boosts the uniqueness and attractiveness of their compositions.
Prompt
“Can you provide an example of partials with degree, volume, and phase position to create a synth wavetable that emulates the sound of a violin? Please include at least 10 partials, and specify the relative volume and phase position of each partial to ensure accurate emulation.”
Conclusion
To sum up, ChatGPT acts as an invaluable companion for music producers, extending invaluable support across multiple facets of the music production process, ranging from recommending chord progressions and elaborating melodies to dissecting music and delivering technical data. By leveraging the capabilities of AI and natural language processing, producers can optimize their workflow and tap into new wellsprings of inspiration and creativity.
One Response
Very interesting article. I don’t like the idea of of using AI as a crutch, but I can see that it will be very tempting to use it much more that I anticipated…