Plus an exercise in creative limitations...Back in the 90’s when I was working as a product specialist for Roland, when I got a new piece of gear to demonstrate, my approach was to write new music for it which I would then play live in clinics and workshops. The specific challenge was to, in a… Continue reading Music from the golden age of MIDI
Category: Music & Technology
2025: My Year of Music
A full year of music discovery saved as an Apple Music playlist.As always it takes me a few months, but here is my 2025 Full Year Apple Music Discovery Playlist. For those that are new to this musical journey of mine, for each month of the year I create a new music discovery playlist which… Continue reading 2025: My Year of Music
Breaking the illusion.
Can we feel as strongly about AI music as we do for AI visuals?We are at an important moment in the human relationship with AI. In the world of visual media, we’re starting to see a strong negative reaction to purely AI-generated images and video, especially when they depict people. For me, when I see… Continue reading Breaking the illusion.
Know the past to Design The Future (part 1)
"Beyond reality" with the Roland RD-1000 In Japanese culture, the phrase 温故知新 or “onko chishin” translates to “learning new things by studying the old”. We talk about this concept a lot in Roland Future Design Lab- about seeing the work we are doing as living on a continuum which includes our history, the present, and… Continue reading Know the past to Design The Future (part 1)
152 years of music tech innovation.
And I've been around for more than half of this!Here’s a fun little timeline of influential music technologies I put together and have been thinking about:(-152 years) Microphone(-150 years) Phonograph(-128 years) Loudspeaker(-120 years) Vacuum Tube Amplifier(-94 years) Electric Guitar(-78 years) Sound-on-sound recording(-78 years) Vinyl LP(-71 years) Programmable Synthesizer(-70 years) Multitrack Tape Recording(-65 years) Drum Machine(-52… Continue reading 152 years of music tech innovation.
AI For Music (part 2)
A deep-dive into the Principles for Music Creation with AI.Part 1 of this story focused on the journey to AI For Music. This post will look at the principles themselves and offer some additional context and explanation from me. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this story are solely my own and do not… Continue reading AI For Music (part 2)
AI For Music (part 1)
The journey to a music industry-wide responsible AI initiative. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this story are solely my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer, colleagues, or any affiliated organizations. This post is intended to share a personal perspective from my experience working on this project. In November of… Continue reading AI For Music (part 1)
Deep Listening
A fundamental trait of true genius.Talent, insight, achievement, drive, and high IQ are the characteristics commonly used to define genius, and until very recently, I would have accepted these as complete. However, while in Japan I was fortunate to spend time with one of my super-mentors, Tadao Kikumoto-san, and have now added deep listening as… Continue reading Deep Listening
Can AI generate music with emotion? (part 2)
Part 2 of 2 (or more)In Part 1 of this story, I asserted that “can AI can generate music with meaning” is a better question, and suggested that for me the answer is no (at least not now). Part 2 will focus on whether meaning in music (or any art form) even matters, and this… Continue reading Can AI generate music with emotion? (part 2)
Can AI generate music with emotion? (part 1)
Part 1 of 2 (or more)...Let me start by saying that asking if AI can create music with emotion is not really the right question, however often it might appear right now. Emotion is a complex response to external stimuli, and as such can’t itself be directly embedded in media by anyone or anything. Better… Continue reading Can AI generate music with emotion? (part 1)