As the debate over artificial intelligence-generated tracks intensifies, and concerns about ethical usage of artists’ voices in AI creations persist, Arpeggi Labs has created an AI voice cloning and licensing platform backed by Steve Aoki, Lionel Richie and Wyclef Jean that has now achieved over 1 million audio clip conversions in just weeks since its launch.
Song Investment Platform MasterExchange Raises $2.74 Million
Stockholm-based song investment platform MasterExchange has announced a $2.74 million funding round to help expand its service. MasterExchange allows anyone to invest fiat currency in specific songs to receive a quarterly share of the music royalty payments. The platform also serves as an exchange to allow anyone to trade their shares of music royalties with other investors.
Source: Song Investment Platform MasterExchange Raises $2.74 Million
Copyright Royalty Board Upholds Rate Increase for Internet Radio
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled last week to uphold the Copyright Royalty Board’s Web V rate determination, published in the Federal Register on Oc. 27, 2021. That determination, which impacts non-interactive, programmed plays on digital radio like Pandora and iHeartRadio, set inflation-adjusted rates at $.0026 per paid subscription stream, up from $0.0024 cents. For ad-supported streams, the CRB set a rate of $0.0021, up from $0.0018 per play.Source: Copyright Royalty Board Upholds Rate Increase for Internet Radio
Writers Strike: AMPTP, WGA Set Meeting to Discuss Resuming Long-Stalled Contract Talks
The WGA informed its members of the outreach from AMPTP to Ellen Stutzman, the WGA’s chief negotiator, on Tuesday evening. Earlier in the day, industry insiders were buzzing about the possiblity of progress in the long-stalled WGA talks as word spread that the WGA’s contract negotiating committee called members to a meeting on short notice Tuesday afternoon.
Source: Writers Strike: AMPTP, WGA Set Meeting to Discuss Resuming Long-Stalled Contract Talks
27% of indie artists have used AI music tools, according to TuneCore study
In recent years, AI has found its way into the hands of independent artists. A study by digital music company Believe and its subsidiary, TuneCore, has found that AI is in an “early and rapid adoption phase” among indie artists. Believe and TuneCore have conducted a survey of close to 1,600 self-releasing artists from over 10 countries.
Source: 27% of indie artists have used AI music tools, according to TuneCore study
AIMS API adds ‘Prompt Search’ tool to make finding music easier
AIMS API is the latest startup tapping prompt engineering in a musical context. Having started with AI music search and tagging features, its new ‘Prompt Search’ tool will help people to find music within catalogues by typing in natural language prompts, rather than just keywords and tags. “Unlike other attempts at this type of music search, ours genuinely works,” said CEO Martin Nedved.
Source: AIMS API adds ‘Prompt Search’ tool to make finding music easier – Music Ally
Doc Filmmakers Debate Growing Use of AI in Non-Fiction Projects
Writers and actors aren’t the only people in Hollywood grappling with the impact generative artificial intelligence will have on the entertainment industry. Documentarians are also concerned about AI and what it means for the ethical standards and practices of nonfiction filmmaking. In addition to deepfakes, and AI-created photography and music, there’s also the issue of AI-generated “Frankenbiting,” which makes it easier than ever before to edit clips and/or dialogue out of sequence.
Source: Doc Filmmakers Debate Growing Use of AI in Non-Fiction Projects: ‘We Are Supposed to Be the Truth’
Hollywood’s Slo-Mo Self-Sabotage
To survey the film and television industry today is to witness multiple existential crises. Many of them point to a larger trend: of Hollywood divesting from its own future, making dodgy decisions in the short term that whittle down its chances of long-term survival. Corporations are no strangers to fiscal myopia, but the ways in which the studios are currently squeezing out profits indicate a shocking new carelessness.
Source: Hollywood’s Slo-Mo Self-Sabotage
ANote Music Announces €3.3M Funding, Institutional Expansion
Luxembourg-headquartered ANote Music, which bills itself as “Europe’s leading marketplace for investing in music royalties,” announced a funding milestone and an institutional-investor expansion. On the former front, “additional funding” has enabled the five-year-old blockchain business (which officially launched its platform in late July of 2020) to crack the initially mentioned €3.3 million ($3.64 million at the present exchange rate) in secured funding.
Source: ANote Music Announces €3.3M Funding, Institutional Expansion
Hollywood’s Fight: How Much AI Is Too Much?
