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The only problem though with using a strict pattern system is that it will, I believe, more than likely miss the nuances which a brilliant songwriter can weave

The only problem though with using a strict pattern system is that it will, I believe, more than likely miss the nuances which a brilliant songwriter can weave into a structure. The song might be 90% as good, which makes a lot of difference I think. Max Martin is an absolute genius in this regard, and his years of success reflect that. He's also a musician, though he is truly making his living as a songwriter/producer. Here's a great break-down of "Shake It Off" from a songwriting perspective, which kind of reveals the simplicity is deceptive in some ways: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5EWn6s65o8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5EWn6s65o8

foobarian 11y ago
The other day I was listening to some random pop song (maybe Demi Lovato, not sure) and it was sounding eerily Max Martinesque. I go to look it up, and there he was in the credits. There is just something there that stands out; I don't know if it can be trained into an AI, but my money is on no.
- 6stringmerc 11y ago
  One thing you might be subconsciously catching on to is that Max Martin is committed to "balanced lines" when it comes to vocals. It's obious in "Hit Me Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears and his fingerprints on "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry. Here's a great review and comment piece featuring 30 songs by Max Martin, in order to better study the guy's techniques which seem to work so well: http://www.stereogum.com/1788251/30-essential-max-martin-songs/franchises/ultimate-playlist/ http://www.stereogum.com/1788251/30-essential-max-martin-son... Also, I forgot to mention that the weird thing about music is that it follows trends just long enough to want a new one. Thus, whatever formula might win out for a period of time would likely be usurped by a variation or counter-intuitive trend. A funny thought in this line is that a hit-making, successful "Hair Metal Pop" AI would be going great until the "Grunge Rock Pop" AI started getting traction. Humans are fickle!

foobarian 11y ago

The other day I was listening to some random pop song (maybe Demi Lovato, not sure) and it was sounding eerily Max Martinesque. I go to look it up, and there he was in the credits. There is just something there that stands out; I don't know if it can be trained into an AI, but my money is on no.

6stringmerc 11y ago
One thing you might be subconsciously catching on to is that Max Martin is committed to "balanced lines" when it comes to vocals. It's obious in "Hit Me Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears and his fingerprints on "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry. Here's a great review and comment piece featuring 30 songs by Max Martin, in order to better study the guy's techniques which seem to work so well: http://www.stereogum.com/1788251/30-essential-max-martin-songs/franchises/ultimate-playlist/ http://www.stereogum.com/1788251/30-essential-max-martin-son... Also, I forgot to mention that the weird thing about music is that it follows trends just long enough to want a new one. Thus, whatever formula might win out for a period of time would likely be usurped by a variation or counter-intuitive trend. A funny thought in this line is that a hit-making, successful "Hair Metal Pop" AI would be going great until the "Grunge Rock Pop" AI started getting traction. Humans are fickle!