Improve the quality of low-cost music production through AI
By LANDR | Published on March 11, 2022
Problem and objectives
Problem
- Using the services of a sound engineer can be time-consuming and costly for musical artists;
- Difficulty in knowing whether the sound quality of a piece will be the same after being uploaded to a distribution platform;
- Accessibility of musical creation tools.
Objectives
- Homogenize mastering and make it accessible to all types of artists;
- Allow songwriters to listen to their songs before uploading them to distribution platforms;
- Reduce production and post-production costs for users.
Proposed solution
Solution
LANDR is a Montréal-based company that offers a variety of products to help musical artists. Their product lines include creation, mastering and distribution tools. The company aims to help artists, whether they are new or well-known on the world stage, to create pieces that can be listened to by everyone in any context.
Principle
LANDR offers a multitude of tools to help create music. One of the company’s best-known technologies is a mastering tool. This music post-production process is handled by sound engineers, among others. Depending on the need, the process can be both lengthy and costly. LANDR has created a mastering tool that replicates the process typically carried out by a sound engineer. This provides artists with faster and more affordable results, and even allows them to make changes to their music after the mastering phase, if necessary. The technology that has been developed facilitates access to music production and homogenizes mastering for artists starting out in the field.
User experience
The LANDR mastering tool allows users to upload their recording to the platform. With a few clicks, they get a mastered version that can be modified if needed. The tool also offers the possibility of listening to the piece as if it were on the various music streaming platforms to ensure that the various sound aspects are optimal.
Role of AI
LANDR’s artificial intelligence (AI) models help speed up and facilitate the music creation and post-production process. Some of the techniques optimized by the company include:
- Algorithms;
- Classification models;
- Custom recommendations;
- Platform;
- Monitoring model quality.
Impacts
Main outcomes
- Homogenizing the mastering process;
- Lower costs for artists;
- Faster transition from production to distribution;
- Facilitating collaboration between artists.
Generation and dissemination of new knowledge
Patents held for sound processing technologies.
Economic development
- Reduced costs for artists and easier entry into the music scene;
- Partnerships with music distribution platforms.
Challenges takled
- Data quality issues for model development;
- Process for managing research and its integration into production;
- Access to skilled AI labour applied to sound processing.
Conditions for success
Team mobilised
LANDR’s AI team consists of 5 employees in the following occupations:
- Data analysts;
- Data scientists;
- Data engineers;
- Software developers.
Funding received
Since its inception, LANDR has received support from several financial angels, private equity funds and financial institutions.
Project stages
Definition of objectives and needs;
Development of simulations;
Development of a prototype within 8 weeks;
User interviews to improve the prototype;
Adjustments and delivery of the finished solution.
Analysis of user behaviours and modifications made to the platform accordingly.
Context of the solution
Use cases
Examples of tools from the LANDR platform for artists:
- Fast and affordable mastering;
- Help with music distribution;
- Creation of remote collaboration sessions (high sound quality maintained by the platform at all times);
- Availability of creation tools.
Customers
The LANDR platform is intended for musical artists and record labels. Their services can be accessed through a monthly subscription or “à la carte,” which enables creators to use the LANDR tools based on their needs.
The LANDR platform is available to artists and allows them to produce music at a reduced cost. So it’s used by musicians around the world.