In today’s world of AI, there’s a lot of talk about authenticity regarding what a song sounds like. But what does that actually mean? That’s what we’re deciphering today.
The meaning of Authenticity
Authenticity typically means that a quality is genuine or real. In music, this means your artistic choices stand out and that the song sounds like it belongs to you.
This is more important than ever due to tools like Suno and Udio. While these tools can generate songs that sound “good,” they often lack an authentic feel. The reason is that they are generated based on existing music; therefore, it’s never truly your artistic choice that shines through, but the choices of others.
How do you get an Authentic sound?
To achieve an authentic sound, it’s important to take more control over the creation process. This can be done in several ways:
- Move Beyond Prompting: Don’t just prompt a song. Use a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to gain more agency over the creation process.
- Avoid Over-Quantizing: Don’t snap every note perfectly to the grid. Add slight rushes and drags that happen naturally in a human performance.
- Vocal Recordings: Don’t chase a “perfect” pitch. If a vocal has a slight expressive crack or a “blue note,” keep it as that is often what creates a deeper emotional connection.
- Live Instruments: If you record live instruments, use the natural reverb of the room in addition to digital reverb to capture the actual reflections of your space.
- Layering Real-World Textures: Layering subtle textures, like the creak of a piano pedal or the faint hum of a room, can make a recording feel more grounded in reality.
How do I ensure it sounds authentic before release?
After you’ve created your song, you still have one important step: ensuring it sounds authentic and consistent across all streaming platforms and speakers.
One way to do that is by using Masterchannel. With Masterchannel, your song will:
- Meet the latest requirements for all digital streaming platforms.
- Sound great on every system, from car speakers and phones to club systems.
- Be adjusted “as little as possible and as much as necessary,” mimicking the nuanced touch of a human mastering engineer.
Try it out: You can test Masterchannel today by uploading your song directly into the player window.
