Songwriting, recording, and performance have all been significantly impacted by the nexus of technology and music. The Beatles, a famed band, are still benefiting from technology in 2023, as seen by the recent publication of “Now and Then,” their first new song in decades. Modern AI technologies were used to revive old recordings, enabling this ground-breaking accomplishment. The thrilling segment? We’ll show you how to do it so you can too.
Exposing “Now and Then”: AI’s function
A significant historical event occurred with The Beatles’ release of “Now and Then.” Peter Jackson, the director of “Get Back,” the documentary about The Beatles, used machine learning to improve the tune. Jackson used the same methods for audio processing that were used in the documentary to elucidate talks between the band members that were not audible. John Lennon’s voice was separated from background noise using AI’s help, allowing audio experts to improve the vocal track. Even after several decades, The Beatles’ music is revitalized by this accomplishment.
The Beatles: Technologists in music
The Beatles were at the forefront of musical technology advancements over their whole existence. They continuously experimented with recording techniques and were early adopters of the Moog synthesizer. The Beatles demonstrated the possibilities of technology in music with techniques like double-tracking voice tracks (flanging) and using tape loops on songs like “Tomorrow Never Knows” and “Revolution 9.”
A journey of discovery: unearthing records from decades past
A musician, songwriter, and Beatles enthusiast set out to see if artificial intelligence could bring their own decades-old audio recordings to life after being inspired by The Beatles’ narrative. They recorded over 150 rock songs on a Tascam Portaone Ministudio in the mid-1980s due to their lack of other recording choices. One drawback was that each recording was ultimately split into two versions: a two-track mix-down version appropriate for regular cassette players and a four-track version that could only be played on the Tascam recorder.
The urge to remix those early tracks intensified years later. Removing the vocals from the 1986 album “Heywire” was one specific objective in an effort to enhance audio quality and accentuate the instruments. Unfortunately, remixing was not possible because the original Tascam recorder and four-track recording were lost.
AI-driven fixes: dividing tracks
The effort to revive “Heywire” was spurred on by The Beatles’ AI-assisted restoration, which resulted in the development of AI-powered tools that could distinguish vocal files from background music. While not perfect, a number of mobile apps and web tools use AI to accomplish this separation.
Online voice removal tool: Media.io
One such program is the web browser-accessible Media.io Online Vocal Remover. Vocals and background instruments are separated by an AI-driven process that users upload of their song. It’s not flawless, but it provides a workable answer. Users can test the service for free with some restrictions after registering, and the cost for additional use is time-based.
Bandlab’s splitter tool as a mobile app
Bandlab’s Splitter Tool is an easy-to-use tool for users that prefer mobile apps. This iOS and Android app divides audio files into tracks for vocals, drums, bass, and other elements. It permits additional track editing or exporting for remixing. Best feature? With no upload restrictions, it is completely free to use.
The revival of music in the future
Although AI-powered solutions for audio separation are not perfect, they are now reliable and available to the general public. These tools’ accuracy and functionality should increase as technology develops. Just as The Beatles did with “Now and Then,” musicians and fans can now investigate the possibility of bringing vintage recordings back to life.
For both musicians and music fans, the fusion of technology and music creates new and exciting opportunities. It preserves and honors the rich legacy of musical history by providing an opportunity to hear and improve the works of the past.
An encouraging example of how technology might bridge the gap between the past and the present in the music industry is the tale of how AI assisted The Beatles in recovering music that was recorded decades ago. Whether it’s a renowned band or an up-and-coming performer, the voyage of rediscovery offers new hope for the timeless beauty of tunes to be treasured for years to come.