Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced a groundbreaking partnership with SoundLabs, an AI music tools company, to revolutionize vocal editing for UMG talent. This exciting collaboration will provide AI music editing tools, including a real-time personalized AI voice clone plug-in called “MicDrop.” With this new technology, UMG artists will have the ability to clean up their vocals, make changes, and even shape-shift their voices with a simple click of a button, all thanks to AI technology.
One of the key features of the partnership is the ability for UMG artists to create their own AI voice models using MicDrop. These custom models will be exclusive to the artists for their creative use and will not be available to the general public. This aligns perfectly with UMG’s “responsible” AI strategy, which was outlined by CEO and chairman Lucian Grainge at the beginning of 2024.
Grainge emphasized in a memo to staff that UMG views AI as an opportunity rather than a threat. He expressed his belief that AI technology can present new and exciting possibilities for the music industry, much like streaming did in the past. In order to fully embrace these opportunities, UMG has implemented a two-pronged approach.
The first prong involves lobbying for “guardrails” or public policies to protect artists' name, image, voice, and likeness from wrongful impersonation and other potential issues. The second prong focuses on forming groundbreaking partnerships with AI technology companies. This collaboration with SoundLabs is a significant step in this direction, as it allows UMG to work closely with innovators in the field to shape the development and monetization of AI products.
SoundLabs was co-founded by Grammy-nominated producer, composer, software developer, and electronic artist BT. With a 25-year career working with industry legends like David Bowie, Madonna, and Sting, BT has turned his attention to software development to create new music tools that help producers innovate. Together with his co-founders, Joshua Dickinson, Dr. Michael Hetrick, and Lacy Transeau, BT champions an “artist-first” approach to AI music tools. They are committed to helping artists retain creative control over their data and models, building a foundation of respect for intellectual property rights.
BT spoke of the tremendous honor it is to work with UMG, stating, “We believe the future of music creation is decidedly human. Artificial intelligence, when used ethically and trained consensually, has the promethean ability to unlock unimaginable new creative insights, diminish friction in the creative process and democratize creativity for artists, fans, and creators of all stripes. We are designing tools not to replace human artists, but to amplify human creativity.”
Chris Horton, the SVP of Strategic Technology at Universal Music, shared UMG’s commitment to placing artists at the center of their AI strategy. He emphasized that technology should serve artistry, not the other way around. With SoundLabs and BT’s expertise, UMG artists will be able to push creative boundaries using voice-to-voice AI. They can sing in languages they don’t speak, perform duets with their younger selves, restore imperfect vocal recordings, and explore countless other possibilities.
This collaboration between UMG and SoundLabs represents the cutting edge of AI technology in the music industry. By empowering artists and giving them greater control over their creative process, UMG is leading the way in harnessing the full potential of AI for the benefit of musicians and fans alike. The future of music creation is here, and it’s filled with limitless possibilities.
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