How can vocalists utilize and benefit from AI?

Beyond well-known programs like Midjourney and ChatGPT, 2023 also saw a dramatic surge in AI tools for musicians. In particular, singers can use AI to alter their voices, replicate the voice of a famous singer, and even generate vocal melodies from text. And, these tools are accessible and affordable for independent musicians.

Some artists have fought back against the use of generative AI vocals, as seen in the case of the controversial song "Heart on My Sleeve." The collaboration between artists Drake and The Weeknd went viral instantly, despite one crucial detail — they had nothing to do with the track. The record labels representing the artists insisted all platforms remove the user-created song, which used AI to mimic their voices.

However, other musical artists have embraced the trend. For example, singer-songwriter Grimes licensed an AI copy of her voice, allowing anyone to use her voice in their music in exchange for a percentage of royalties. 

But AI can be used for much more than copying the vocal styles of other artists. In fact, singers can also use AI tools to generate entirely new voices, aid in the songwriting process, and even help streamline workflows.

Improved workflows and results

The process of recording vocals has become faster and easier with every advancement in tracking technology. Getting studio-quality vocals used to require a team of professionals manning the equipment, as well as a lengthy post-production process to mix and master the track. Now, with AI plugins you can use in your preferred software, it's easier than ever to get professional-grade vocal tracks. Take Izotope's Ozone plugin, for example. Even with issues in the original stems as recorded, the plugin uses a powerful AI to target individual tones in a mix. Ozone can also automatically detect parts of a track where the vocals should be boosted or softened. As a result, there's no need to go back over a completed mix for revisions.

Before pitch correction, vocal melodies could only be as precise as one could sing them in the booth. Even with digital pitch correction, the process is time-consuming and tedious. AI software now enables vocalists to effortlessly correct pitch and intonation issues. With a "trained" AI, the altered vocal stems can even emulate a singer's emotion and intensity.

AI doesn't just work to fix issues with existing tracks. Vocalists can also create harmonies that replicate their voices without even recording them. AI can also act as your personal sound engineer. After recording, AI tools can apply any vocal sound or effect to a track instantly, making precious studio time far more productive.

Specific AI enhancements you can use for vocal recording include:

AI-enabled DAWs

These digital workspaces are armed with an intuitive AI that can use text prompts to fill out vocal stems with effects like reverb and compression. WavTool's in-browser workstation uses a chatbot assistant called Composer, which can offer tips for a mix as well as transcribing from a recording and generating audio based on text prompts.

Voice conversion tools

Not only can AI transform one voice into another, but it can even convert a vocal line into MIDI to move individual notes around without losing any expressiveness or tone quality. Samplab allows users to convert audio to MIDI using AI to identify pitches and rhythms.

Stem separators

Stem splitters like Voice.ai allow vocalists to isolate individual lines or remove background noise with a simple prompt instead of meticulous, line-by-line editing.

Additional resources

Whether you're a seasoned vocalist or a producer looking for a way to get clean vocal tracks in your music, there's an AI tool that can help.

If you need the help of a musical professional, one of Fiverr's freelancers has exactly the skills and knowledge you're looking for:

• Step up your skills with our network of vocal instructors offering video tutorials and live vocal lessons for singers of all levels.
• Turn your raw recording into a distribution-ready hit with the help of an expert engineer to mix and master your track.
• Use the power of AI in your project without learning new software by hiring one of our AI services sellers to create any sound, from a clone of your own voice to a synthesized voice.

Not sure where to start? Learn the basics of AI or take an in-depth masterclass by visiting Fiverr's AI knowledge hub.