Earlier this year Splice launched a new mobile app called CoSo that used AI to build what it calls “Stacks” collections of samples that are supposed to work well together. Slowly but surely elements of that app have made their way to Splice proper under the banner of Create. But it was always just a complete roll of the dice. You picked a style and Splice spit out four loops. You can swap out individual samples if you don’t like them. But that’s about the extent of your ability to curate.
The latest update to Create allows you to start a Stack from any loop in the Splice library. (Well, almost. Currently Create only works with loops of eight bars or less, which generally works out to under 25 seconds.) As you’re browsing around the site or the desktop apps you’ll see a new option when you hover over a sample giving you the option to create a Stack. This opens up a side bar with a fresh Stack featuring the sample you were just eyeing.
Here you can swap out samples you don’t care for, add more layers or tweak the mix. You can also change the BPM if you want to hear what the loops would sound like slowed down. Perhaps more interesting though, is the ability to change the style informing the AI’s selections. This is great hearing what a sample might sound like in a less obvious context. Sure, that tasty Rhodes lick sounds great over mid tempo breakbeat, but how does it fair when placed against a 140bpm distorted kick drum and thick synth bass?
In general this new approach feels a lot more useful than the original CoSo and Create AI features. I tend to use Splice one of two ways. Either, specifically to find drum loops (I am not a drummer, don’t own a drum set and my drum programming skills need work), or to dig up something unexpected (percussive or melodic) as a jumping off point. And I’m usually looking for an undiscovered gem buried in the nether regions of the Splice library.
The new ability to start a Stack based on (almost) any loop in the Splice library adds an additional layer of abstraction to this process. It’s another thread to pull at in my effort to turn up something unique or ear catching. The use of AI in the creation of works of art, whether that be images or music, is definitely a controversial topic at the moment. But it seems like Splice has figured out a rather innocuous way to use AI to aid in the creative process, without actually stepping on the toes of the creator. After all, what makes an artist is not necessarily their technical skill or willingness to spend valuable hours digging for diamond in the rough, but their taste.
The new Create feature will be available even to free users, though it still hasn’t made its way to the mobile apps just yet.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/splice-create-uses-ai-to-find-samples-that-work-with-any-loop-that-catches-your-ear-160029462.html?src=rss