AI technology, while still evolving, holds immense potential in creating new and exciting music experiences for listeners. Founder Joey Dolan first delved into AI by using it to emulate the jazz rhythms of Chick Corea. In its early stages, the technology faced significant limitations, including constraints on track duration, mix quality, and overall output. However, what began with modest capabilities has rapidly advanced over the past year, unlocking new possibilities. These advancements now allow for expanded rhythmic patterns, layered instrumental melodies, and even the inclusion of vocals to create original songs across various genres.

Throughout 2023 and 2024, Dolan explored AI’s ability to capture the essence of past musical eras. In the rap genre, for example, pioneers like NWA, Afrika Bambaataa, and others created sounds that were deeply reflective of their time. Recreating those sounds often relied on dated equipment and methods to evoke the same sense of new discovery that listeners felt when these original works were released. With AI, however, many of the defining elements of these styles can be reproduced without the constraints of physical equipment or the limitations posed by the loss of the original artists. While the process draws heavily from previous creations, the result is a body of work that reawakens the emotions and energy of the era, offering fans the thrill of discovering “new” music that could have existed during that time—a powerful emotional connection generated by AI.

This journey of experimentation led Dolan to test prompts, blend genres, and refine the elements that AI understands to develop what he envisions as a “band” that could theoretically exist, even though it’s entirely composed of digital sensors, circuitry, and software. The process involves time, financial investment, and countless hours of development, testing, and creative exploration to produce streamable audio that captures the essence of the moment. Some tracks are outstanding, some come close, and others will never be heard because they simply didn’t work. That’s one of the current limitations of AI. Moreover, each creation is a one-shot endeavor—if there’s a minor flaw, the entire track may be compromised. The input must be precise, with no spelling errors, punctuation mistakes, or misdirections in musical flow or spacing. Even a perfect track can be undone by a single typo, as AI delivers exactly what it’s instructed to. Regenerating the track results in a completely different output—at this stage, you can’t replicate it twice. This is the fascinating, yet challenging, world of AI.

By taking the time now to explore the avenues available and push on the boundaries, Dolan looks to develop potentials and bring awareness to what the new technologies can provide for enthusiastic music fanatics.

A message from Syncro-Sound founder Joey Dolan:

“As a lifelong musician, bassist, and songwriter, I am a strong advocate for learning music and understanding its intricacies to create timeless, unique works. I do not view AI technology as a replacement for the traditional learning and creation of music. However, as technology continues to advance and integrate into our daily lives—Spotify has already incorporated AI into its business model, with others sure to follow—it’s crucial to engage with this technology, explore its capabilities, and document its progress every step of the way. If we don’t capture these genres and moments now, their potential for expression may be lost as future developments take center stage, leaving these early explorations forgotten.

With this project, I aim to seize and develop these moments so that they may be appreciated both now, while they’re fresh, and later, as pivotal steps in the evolution of music. Time is fleeting, and one day I, along with the elements of production I’m creating here, will be gone. My hope is that these moments will be remembered, offering a glimpse into the world before the future fully arrived. Today, some musicians may view my work as blasphemous—creating what they perceive as heartless sounds—but when AI music evolves into what it will ultimately become, perhaps I’ll be seen as someone who was overlooked now but learned from later. And you know what? I can live with that. Let’s make some AI music.”

~ Joey Dolan