VOA科学技术2023--AI Method Creates Six Language Versions of K-Pop Song

AI Method Creates Six Language Versions of K-Pop Song

A South Korean music production company is using a method of artificial intelligence (AI) to create different language versions of pop music songs.

The company using the method is HYBE. The company represents and produces music for some of South Korea's top pop music performers. Korean pop music is also known as K-pop.

The AI method combines voice recordings¹ of South Korean pop stars with recordings of song lyrics² read by native speakers of other languages. The process aims to produce complete K-pop songs in multiple languages.

Officials at HYBE say the method does not change the singer's natural voice. Instead, it uses AI to produce different language versions of the same song.

In May, the AI method successfully created a song by K-pop singer MIDNATT in six languages – Korean, English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese. The 40-year-old artist, whose real name is Lee Hyun, recorded the song Masquerade in each language.

Chung Wooyong is the head of HYBE's interactive³ media department. He explained the creation process to reporters with Reuters news agency. He said the process involved dividing groups of sounds into separate elements. These included things like pronunciation, voice tone and sound level.

Wooyong added that the technical team's members then "used their imagination" to see what kind of results they could get from the technology. HYBE says the "deep learning" method permitted a first in the music industry – releasing the same song in multiple languages at the same time.

The song is the latest sign of the growing influence of AI in the music industry. AI-produced music has been flooding online music services and social media in recent months. The American-based Grammy Awards recently introduced new rules for AI-created music. In general, the rules aim to protect the music of "human creators" over works created by AI systems.

Wooyong said HYBE is currently considering how to use the AI method in its future music production operations. He noted⁴ the technology could be provided to other music creators and the public. Wooyong did not say whether the company would charge others to use the system in the future.

MIDNATT said using the AI method had given him a "wider spectrum⁵ of artistic⁶ expressions." He added, "I feel that the language barrier has been lifted and it's much easier for global fans to have an immersive experience with my music."

While the technology is not new, this method demonstrates a new way to use AI in music, said Valerio Velardo. He is the director of The Sound of AI, a Spain-based company that advises organizations on AI music and audio development.

Velardo added that he thinks such methods can help professional musicians and the general public in the future. "It's going to lower the barrier of music creation," he said. "It's a little bit like Instagram for pictures, but in the case of music."

For now, HYBE's AI method takes "weeks or months" to do its job, said Masquerade producer Choi Jin-woo, who also uses the name Hitchhiker. However, he noted that when the process speeds up, it could serve a wider range of purposes, such as interpreting languages in video conferences.

Words in This Story

lyrics – n. the words of a song

pronounce – v. to make the sound of a letter or word

tone – n. the quality of a sound, especially someone's voice

spectrum – n. all the different ideas, opinions, possibilities, etc. that exist

immersive – n. completely surrounding something

1 recordings   

n.记录( recording的名词复数 )；录音；录像；唱片

参考例句：

• a boxed set of original recordings 一套盒装原声录音带
• old jazz recordings reissued on CD 以激光唱片重新发行的老爵士乐

2 lyrics   

n.歌词

参考例句：

• music and lyrics by Rodgers and Hart 由罗杰斯和哈特作词作曲
• The book contains lyrics and guitar tablatures for over 100 songs. 这本书有100多首歌的歌词和吉他奏法谱。

3 interactive   

adj.相互作用的，互相影响的，（电脑）交互的

参考例句：

• The psychotherapy is carried out in small interactive groups.这种心理治疗是在互动的小组之间进行的。
• This will make videogames more interactive than ever.这将使电子游戏的互动性更胜以往。

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

5 spectrum   

n.谱，光谱，频谱；范围，幅度，系列

参考例句：

• This is a kind of atomic spectrum.这是一种原子光谱。
• We have known much of the constitution of the solar spectrum.关于太阳光谱的构成，我们已了解不少。

6 artistic   

adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的

参考例句：

• The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。
• These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。