Exploring Stability AI's Innovative Text-to-Audio Tool: A New Chapter for Music Sampling

• AI Tool

Artificial intelligence continues to break new ground in various sectors, including entertainment and music. One such breakthrough has been witnessed in Stability AI's latest innovation, Stable Audio, a text-to-audio engine. Taking a step further from the Stable Diffusion model, Stability AI has now ventured into the realm of music, bringing generative AI technology to the fingertips of music enthusiasts and creators.

"Harnessing the power of AI, Stability AI breaks new ground in the music field with its innovative text-to-audio tool, Stable Audio, offering a fresh take on music sampling."

Understanding Stable Audio

Stable Audio is a cutting-edge tool that can generate short sound bites based on simple text prompts. Trained on content from the online music library AudioSparx, this AI model is touted to produce “high-quality, 44.1 kHz music for commercial use”. This frequency is renowned for being the standard in CD-quality audio, indicating a promising start for the tool in audio quality.

A free version of Stable Audio is accessible to the public, allowing users to generate and download 20 monthly tracks. However, these sound bites are limited to a 45-second runtime.

The Power of Text Prompts

What makes Stable Audio stand out is its use of text prompts. Whether it's a simple input like “Car Passing By” or a complex mix of Ambient Techno, an 808 drum machine, claps, a synthesizer, the word “ethereal,” 122 BPM, and a “Scandinavian Forest,” Stable Audio turns them into relevant sound bites. This flexibility caters to a broad range of creative inclinations and preferences.

The tool has been tested using prompts requesting the creation of a fast-paced garage rock song from the early 2000s. While messy, the result matched the style ordered, showcasing the engine's potential.

However, the tool has limitations. Stable Audio has been experiencing a significant surge in traffic, causing occasional issues with responsiveness. But with patience and repeated attempts, users can share the unique offerings of this tool.

Commercial Use and Professional Plan

Stable Audio has a free version that is useful for personal use. However, if you plan to use it for commercial purposes, you must subscribe to the Stable Audio Professional plan, which costs $12 monthly. This plan allows you to generate up to 500 monthly tracks, each lasting up to 90 seconds. If you need custom audio duration and more monthly allowances, you can opt for the Enterprise plan, which is available upon contacting Stability AI for setup.

Room for Improvement

While Stable Audio is undeniably a fascinating tool, it is not flawless. Some users have reported issues with mixing sounds, and the agency cannot generate vocals. However, Stability AI actively seeks feedback to improve the AI model, demonstrating a commitment to refining and enhancing the tool based on user experience.

Despite these shortcomings, Stable Audio is a promising tool that could revolutionize music sampling. For anyone looking to capitalize on this technology, it is recommended to pair it with the best audio editors of 2023 to rectify any potential flaws.

With the continuous evolution of AI technology, it's exciting to see what Stability AI will bring next to the table. For now, Stable Audio stands as a testament to the transformative power of AI in the music industry.