Originally posted on June 22, 2024 @ 11:00 pm

Introduction to AI in Sound Engineering

AI is poised to revolutionise sound engineering, offering tools that enhance creativity, improve efficiency, and democratise access to high-quality production.

Today, AI-driven tools and technologies are the best shot in transforming how sound is created, mixed, and mastered digitally, leading to unprecedented levels of efficiency, creativity, and precision in our sound and music production.

Therefore, our intention is to help you explore the needs on the future of digitalised mix through the lens of Artificial Intelligence (AI), pointing to the followings;

• Its Historical context with importance of maintaining the human element
• Relevance of AI in sound and music production
• Transformative potentials of AI in sound engineering
• Resources for effective deployment of AI in sound and music production is explained
• Examples of AI Solutions that is frequently used in Live Concerts and Events
• Practical Tips to implement AI solutions in your sound and music production; Simpler than you could think
• My Thought on AI in sound engineering

However, if you desire to push the boundaries of what is possible in advanced digitalised mix by powering AI tools and models, exploring the Resources for Effective Deployment of AI in sound engineering should be your goal.

But I am quite sure you may not grab all the idea from this article unless you first visit our previous article on Sound Engineering: Tips for mastering digitalized mix which will broaden your knowledge on the need and beauty of a digital mix.

Its Historical Context in Sound Engineering

The journey of sound and music production has been marked by significant technological advancements that have revolutionised the industry.

From the era of analog recording to the digital revolution and now the integration of AI, each of these phases has brought unique innovations in its own way.

Understanding this historical context is crucial in appreciating the current landscape [AI] and maintaining the essential human element [that is, despite its digital capabilities, successful production still required human creativity and judgment] in music production.

• The Analog process which was highly manual, requiring skilled engineers and musicians to achieve the desired sound with integral collaboration often working in the studio.
• Next, the introduction of digital sound and music production brought about a paradigm shift. Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) like Pro Tools emerged and some other tools

The Digital technology allowed for precise editing, layering, and manipulation of sound.

• Now, the emergence of AI technologies began to be integrated into music production tools and processes. BUT HOW?

1. AI-driven plugins and software gives room for advanced functionalities such as automated mixing, mastering, and sound design.
2. Musicians, sound engineers and music producers are adapting to the new tools, incorporating digital techniques while striving to retain the organic feel of music.

Relevance of AI in Sound and Music Production

First, it is necessary to open up a broader perspective to you our reader on the future of sound engineering with AI, making it highly relevant and informative thereby delving into the latest trends and technologies

Some of its unwavering relevance are;

1. Contemporary theme of digitalisation that provide insights into the cutting-edge advancements that are transforming the field of sound engineering
2. With AI’s tools, there is so much enhancement in sound and music production for mastering digitalised mixes
3. AI opens new possibilities for artists and producers e.g. Amper Music platforms that sets parameters, aiding a more robust creative process for all
4. AI allows musicians and sound engineers to focus more on the artistic aspects of their work.
5. Its impact on the music industry will spontaneously grow, fostering innovation and expanding the horizons to more advanced digital productions.
6. AI helps in generating chord progressions, melodies, and harmonies, expanding creative possibilities.

6 AI’s Transformative Potential in Sound and Music Production

1. Automated audio editing and correction.
2. AI can assist in live sound settings, adapting to acoustical changes and optimising audio in real-time.
3. AI can analyze and adjust levels ensuring a polished mix with little of human intervention
4. AI is used in interactive art installations to process and generate sound in response to audience movement and interaction
5. It is accessible to novice producers, enabling high-quality production with less technical expertise.
6. Preservation of audio quality without degradation over time.

5 Major Resources for Effective Deployment of AI in Sound and Music Production

By leveraging these resources to be discussed here, musicians, sound engineers and music producers can effectively deploy AI in sound and music production, enhancing creativity, automation, and quality in the industry. The resources are as follows;

1. AI Frameworks and Libraries: Are software tools that provide developers with pre-built functions and structures.

They efficiently build, train, and deploy artificial intelligence models for various applications. E.g TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras

2. Datasets and Data Sources: They are audio recordings and associated metadata used to train AI models for tasks such as audio classification, sound synthesis, and music generation. E.g. MIDI files

3. Cloud Computing Services: Available in the delivering of computing resources like sound and music software, AI tools over the internet.

E.g. AWS AI services, Google cloud AI platform, Microsoft Azure AI.

4. AI-powered Tools and Software: Application programs equipped with AI capabilities, designed to automate tasks, perform complex operations like music composition.

E.g Open AI Jukebox, LANDR, AIVA

5. Community and Educational Resources: These are necessary for integrating AI in sound engineering.

Why?

They provide essential knowledge, collaborative opportunities, skill development, and access to tools and ethical guidelines, fostering innovation and effective application of AI technologies.

E.g. AI and music conferences (ISMIR), online courses and tutorials (Coursera, edX, Udacity), GitHub repositories

Moreover, it is been proven that one of the primary reasons for integrating AI into your sound and music production is to transform sound engineering, thereby making complex tasks more efficient and opening up new creative possibilities.

SOME Examples of AI Solutions being used in Live Concerts and Events

• Google’s WaveNet developed by DeepMind – A speech and audio recognition software for identifying, isolating and processing speech elements.

• OpenAI’s MuseNet – An AI model that helps generate music in various styles and instruments. It therefore uses deep learning to compose original pieces that is generated

• iZotope’s Ozone – A Recognized AI-powered mastering software. It automatically analyses audio tracks and suggest adjustments to equalization, compression, and other effects to achieve a professionally polished sound mix

Practical Tips – How to implement AI in sound engineering.

1. Input and Analysis: The audio file is input into the AI system, which performs speech recognition and source separation to identify and isolate different elements.
2. Processing: The isolated elements are processed individually with AI-driven tools for noise reduction, EQ, and compression.
3. Mixing: The processed elements are recombined, with AI providing real-time adjustments to maintain balance and clarity.
4. Output: The final mix is exported with metadata tags generated by the AI for easy reference and further processing.

MY THOUGHT ON AI IN SOUND ENGINEERING

By understanding and embracing these technologies, sound engineers can leverage on AI, the faster your accomplishment, fulfillment and achievements thereby ensuring that you stay at the forefront of an ever-evolving industry.

Originally posted on March 13, 2024 @ 12:36 pm

The coverage of this topic which focuses on proven tips to mastering your mix for digitalized sound production.

It is for every aspiring sound engineer and music producer for gainful, valuable insights and techniques to achieve productive and commendable digital sound/music production from your digitalized mix

Structural Concept of Digitalized Mix

This aspect forms the mastering foundation for organizing and managing audio elements within a digital audio project,establishing a creative expression.

The lack of understanding of the structural aspect is the missing link in mastering that desired quality sound production.

But you have come to that end as you take a bend for proper enlightenment with proven tips and become a successful and productive sound engineer.

First, know your equipment(s) that is most relevant in setting up a professional audio sound system according to experts. They are as follows;

Electrical Equipment

Console Mixer:  It is the mixing board that helps to control all related connections of the other equipment used during your setup.

The pleasure in mastering sound production is determined by how knowledgeable you are with a console mixer.

Powered Amplifier: The Amplifier generates the signal waves that enter into your speakers. The volume level of your speaker is majorly defined by the volume level of your amplifier

Processors (Speaker Management System): This is a digital device that comprises of Equalizer (EQ), Compressor, Gates and Dynamic Threshold. It is a refined version of the traditional processor because speaker management system is an all in one built

Speakers (Non-Electrical Equipment)

Loud Speakers: This kind of speakers are known as Front of House (FoH) that plays output sound to the audience and are usually light weight production such as vocals, keyboard, lead guitar, drum sets expect for your drum kick

Monitor Speakers: They are usually smaller speakers that are connected to specific instrument, vocal, or even the stage.

It does not allow general mix output from the speaker

Sub-woofer Speakers: They are heavy weight speakers that mainly produce the bass-like sound such as from drum kick, bass guitar, talking drums

Power Devices

Grounding Device – It ensures safety, minimizes noise, preserves signal integrity, and protects audio equipment, contributing to high-quality audio performance in professional audio systems.

Load Manager -This serve as a crucial component that manages electrical loads, optimizing signal flow, and protecting audio equipment from damage, thereby ensures reliable and high-quality audio performance.

Direct Injection Box (DI-Box) – It convert high impedance unbalanced signals into low impedance balanced signals on instruments such as lead & bass guitars, keyboard

Physical Requirement

Room Acoustics: This component is a major requirement that helps to minimize reflections and unwanted noise as well as soundproofing

Accessories

Copper speaker cable, Speakon, signal cable, cannon head (male, female), Jack plugs,

When the above equipment is available for your sound setup, be assured that the dynamic concept on mastering your digitalized sound production will become an enjoyable ride for a quality sound production.

Dynamic Concept of Digitalized Mix for Quality Sound Production

Now, establishing the fact that our structural setup is completed as mentioned above.

In this context, the dynamic concept expresses how your routing should be configured and mastered on the mixing console for its best performance.

Let us also re-emphasis that the rating of your sound production is not based on the loudness of your sound mix but sorely on clarity, balance and dynamics

Digital mixing platforms support collaborative workflows, allowing multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously, share mix settings and presets, and collaborate in real-time, fostering dynamic teamwork and creativity in sound production.

These dynamic aspects of digitalized sound mixing enable mix engineers and sound designers to achieve greater control, creativity, and precision in shaping audio content for various applications and contexts.

Here is a few of them but most important aspect of achieving a quality digital production

UNDERSTANDING THE 4 STAGES OF DYNAMIC DIGITALIZED MIX

Ring out the Hall/Auditorium

Using a measuring Mic (RTA) allows you to set the best equalization for the space you have and thus helping to locate peaks and dips that should be cut out of your mix.

Steps involved in connecting your devices for ringing a hall –

1. Connect your Loud/Sub Speaker to Amplifier
2. Take your Signal Cable and connect from the amplifier to your Speaker Management System
3. From there, connect from Speaker management system to the Mixer
4. At the front panel of your speaker management system, connect your RTA Mic
5. Finally, position the RTA Mic at the middle of your Left & Right Speaker; usually not more than 10 meters away from the speakers.

Steps to Ring out the Hall/Auditorium using the Speaker Management System

1. Click the wizard button on the management system
2. Set the pink noise on the preferred performance level
3. Click on Next button; the EQ will tune the speakers to the room
4. Wait until your auto-EQ is complete and Click NEXT until you save
5. Rename the scene name to your desired name.

Dynamic Range Compression

Compression is a vital aspect in sound production; it helps to cut unwanted sound waves.

Here are some important points

1. The compression section helps to cut of the excesses in vocals and only allow the sound waves that the speaker as an output can accommodate and releases such to the audience.
2. Some heavy weight instruments such as Drum Kick, Bass Guitar are configured not to distort or send feedback noise that can disrupt your sound mix

Advantages –

1. It preserves your overall equipment from damage
2. It keeps your mix neat, clear and desirable by the listeners

Here is a quick link that teaches best approach to dynamic compression –

Dynamic Effects Processing

Digital mixers provide a wide range of dynamic effects processing options, including time-based effects in song ministrations

However, do not overdo Effects as too many effects in individual input mix can lead to unpleasant sound;

Use effects like reverb, delay, and modulation sparingly and purposefully to avoid overwhelming the mix.

Learn dynamic effect processing an easy steps with so much impact

Real-time Adjustments

This is the most enjoyable section that requires full concentration; it takes place after your configuration is complete.

For me, “I have called this the Gift of the combination of the Hand, Eyes and Ears”.

What is it about?

To adjust audio levels, EQ settings, effects, and other parameters during ministrations or playback, allowing on-ground modifications based on feedback.

How is it Possible?

1. Use your ears as the final judge of sound quality.
2. You Train yourself to recognize subtle nuances and make decisions based on what sounds best.

BENEFITS OF MASTERING DIGITAL SOUND MIX

Dynamic Mixing – 

It makes room for different recording and saved them respectively without altering either of the mix. Multiple scenes are created to accommodate your mix.

Your saved scenes can be copied into a removable storage device and used elsewhere provided it is same product of digital mixer.

Interactive Control Interfaces – 

Most digital mixer comes with loveable features such as touchscreens, motorized faders, rotary encoders, and assignable buttons.

With Digital mixers, you can dynamically control various parameters, facilitating fluid mixing workflows.

Non-destructive Editing –

You can edit your settings and re-save with a different scene name that can be used in future without altering the scenes initially saved into the mixer thereby it facilitates creativity

Parallel Processing –

Dynamic digital mixers have the ability to process individual input channel independently, blend all the input channel together dynamically for a pleasurable production for your listeners

Finally, as a sound Engineer or prospective sound Engineer, apply these tips and continuously refining your skills for digitalized mix

You have no excuse not to strive for digitalized sound production with perfection and creating high-quality recordings that standout

Stay updated with the latest techniques, tools, and trends in digital sound production through online resources, courses, and workshops.

Also you can contact us if there are further explanation as required by us.