AI and Mastering, or Human vs. LANDR with Riley Knapp (Stemport)
Love Music More · hosted by Luke F. Walton
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Topics discussed
Host note
Riley Knapp is a mastering engineer and co-founder of Stemport, the audio software company he built to fix how engineers organize and label stems. He also runs an EPIC program of his own and has run direct shootouts pitting his mastering against LANDR, the AI mastering tool.
We talk about what it's like to lose real business to LANDR and adapt anyway. "I'm so lucky that I got into the game when I did," he says, while admitting it has already taken a real chunk of his work. Riley walks through how AI is changing listening habits, where he still finds room to add something a tool can't, and what Stemport solves for engineers stuck in workflow problems.
The conversation widens at the end into music's outsized pull on economics and culture, and why Riley keeps adopting the tools that threaten his own business while still defending what a human ear adds.
Selected moments
- Discussion on AI challenges 2:57 Riley expresses the mixed feelings he has about AI mastering, specifically its impact on jobs and creative decisions.
- AI's effect on audio quality 5:28 He highlights how changes in music listening habits have come about due to the rise of AI tools.
- Innovations in music production 8:31 Riley explains the concept behind Stemport and how it addresses common workflow issues for audio engineers.
- The role of AI tools 21:51 He reflects on using AI creatively, emphasizing the importance of maintaining human agency in the production process.
- Future of AI in music 31:31 Riley discusses the potential of generative AI in revolutionizing music workflows and enabling greater creativity.
- Understanding music's role in society 38:44 He articulates how music can influence economic systems and cultural change.
Selected excerpts
I think there are going to be a lot of jobs that are replaced... it's going to change the way that people hear music and enjoy music.
It's important to understand it, to recognize that it's happening... and I always respond the same: listen, you enjoy this... I think I can add a new element to this.
I'm so lucky that I got into the game when I did... at the end of the day, there's no denying that it's already taken a significant amount of my business.
Music has had this very, very oversized impact on the way that economics happens, and I think music's gonna have an outsized impact on this whole thing.
Music is one of the most human experiences that we can all have. So experiment with it, you know, listen to it, enjoy it, play around with it and just engulf in it.
FAQ
What is Riley Knapp's view on AI mastering tools?
Riley discusses the impact of AI tools like LANDR on jobs in the mastering industry and his approach to integrating these technologies into his workflow.
How does Stemport change audio production?
Stemport aims to streamline the organizing and labeling of audio stems, making the work of audio engineers more efficient.
Why is the conversation about AI in music important?
The conversation is vital as it addresses the balance between technological advancement and preserving the human touch in music creation.
These pages are host notes, not a full transcript. An automatic transcript is on the Spotify episode.