Roland claims new AI tool has "human intent at its core"

Roland has said that its new AI melody tool, Melody Flip, will put "human intent and creativity at its core".

The music hardware and software manufacturer announced the new tool via a statement last week (March 17), insisting that the software embodies "Roland’s vision of technology as a partner that coexists with the creative process."

Developed in collaboration with Sony Computer Science Laboratories (Sony CSL), Melody Flip works as a plug-in within major DAWs and will offer melody recommendations on audio files uploaded by users, based on an analysis of their "musical DNA".

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The tool's AI will pair elements such as structure, BPM, key, chord progression, genre and mood, with a "curated library" of 300 creative palettes, based on "musical style and tonal direction."

Roland insists that Melody Flip's "ideas" are "purely suggestions", with users able to tweak the track however they want. Roland refers to its policy on artificial intelligence as a founding partner of The Principles for Music Creation with AI, which pledges to use the tech to "enhance and empower human creativity without displacing it".

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“Melody Flip represents a significant step forward in the era of responsibly developed AI, introducing a future in which technology and people work together and elevate creativity," says Roland CEO and Representative Director Masahiro Minowa.

"As we move forward, Roland will continue to expand the boundaries of musical expression with innovative products and services that amplify creators’ instincts and connect human sensitivity with the full potential of technology," he continues.

Available on macOS and Windows, the tool can be accessed via the Roland Cloud manager, with a free trial of Melody Flip set to become available in May. 

For more information on Roland's Melody Flip, click here.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on X