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ByteDance, the creator of TikTok, steps into the realm of music creation with their new AI app, Ripple. Is this just an addition to their product suite or a strategic move to revolutionize the music industry?

ByteDance, the tech giant valued at $220 billion, has been an influential player in the music industry with its popular video-sharing app TikTok. Now, it plans to give aspiring creators the tools to craft the music for their short videos. ByteDance has constructed its own music app, leveraging its trained model to encourage creation.

As reported last month, ByteDance has been developing an AI music app designed to make the process of music creation more accessible. Today, it confirms the launch of a free-to-use music production app, Ripple, featuring two primary attributes: a 'Melody to Song' generator and a virtual recording studio.
The 'Melody to Song' generator allows users to sing or hum a melody into the app, which Ripple then expands into an instrumental accompaniment in various genres. The app matches the length of the generated music to the length of the inputted melody and currently, the model can only create instrumental music. Other adjustable features include the beats per minute and various effects.

The AI model that powers Ripple was trained using music licensed to or owned by ByteDance, as confirmed by the company, but was not trained on music from major record companies. Music produced in-house by ByteDance was also used to train the model.

A representative from ByteDance stated, "Ripple is designed to inspire musical creativity and help musicians, artists, and composers express themselves. We're excited to see how creators use Ripple to soundtrack their own short-form videos."

ByteDance's new app Ripple aligns with two key trends in music technology: the emergence of mobile music production apps aimed at hobbyist music makers and aspiring musicians, and the rapid development of AI-powered generative music models by tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Meta.
One notable competitor in this space is BandLab, based in Singapore, boasting over 60 million registered users on their social music-making app. The introduction of Ripple now presents BandLab with a formidable rival.

ByteDance's Ripple is scheduled to launch in the US on June 30 for a small group of beta testers, invited exclusively. The app, similar to other smart digital audio workstations, also features a virtual recording studio. ByteDance confirms that users will be able to share their music on TikTok and other social platforms, though the app doesn't currently support music distribution to the TikTok song library.

Last year, ByteDance introduced machine-learning-driven music-making app Mawf, and a music creation app in China called 'Sponge Band', geared towards improving audio effects and background music for short videos.

Warner Music Group and Polygon Labs venture into uncharted territory with their music accelerator program. But is the music industry ready for this blockchain-driven innovation, and what will it mean for artists and their fan communities?
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In an example of cross-industry innovation, Warner Music Group (WMG) and Polygon Labs have teamed up to launch a music accelerator program. This cutting-edge initiative targets the intersection of Web3 and music, hoping to support developers and music-oriented projects flourishing on the Polygon network.

This accelerator program is specifically designed to tap into the thriving ecosystem of companies and entrepreneurs operating where music, technology, and Web3 converge. It casts a wide net, covering a range of potential innovation areas. These include cultivating artist-fan communities, developing decentralized music production and distribution, reshaping ticketing solutions, exploring music-related merchandise, and blending music with interactive technology and gaming.

To qualify for the program, applicants need to bring more to the table than just an idea. They should demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the future of music, and their ideas should already have moved beyond the concept stage. The strongest candidates will be those already actively applying their concepts within the Polygon blockchain protocols.

If selected, the projects can expect to receive funding from WMG and Polygon Labs. But it doesn’t stop at financing; the selected initiatives will be in line for an array of support options including mentorship, strategic advising, networking, and marketing promotion.

Speaking on this venture, Oana Ruxandra, Chief Digital Officer and EVP, Business Development at WMG, stated, “WMG is focused on enabling its artists and songwriters to build, activate, engage, and monetize their communities in this next era of music creation and consumption.”

Echoing the same sentiment, Ryan Wyatt, President of Polygon Labs, added, “We’re delighted to join forces with WMG in our shared mission to bolster creativity and enterprise in music through new technology.”

One of the world’s biggest ever music catalog acquisition deals took place two years ago, when legendary songwriter Paul Simon sold his music publishing catalog to Sony for a price believed to be in the region of USD $250 million-plus.

Today, Simon has sold other valuable assets related to his catalog to BMG, for an undisclosed sum.

In other words: BMG will be paid Simon’s artist royalty share whenever Simon & Garfunkel’s classic recordings – which continue to be owned by Columbia/Sony Music – are streamed or purchased.

BMG will also, in future, be paid money previously paid to Simon when Simon & Garfunkel’s recordings are broadcast on TV or radio, or played in public spaces, around the world.

Thomas Scherer, BMG’s President, Repertoire & Marketing, Los Angeles and New York, said, “In any list of the true greats, Paul Simon stands as one of the pillars of popular music history.

“We will play our part to ensure his music continues to be honored and respected.”

BMG’s incoming CEO, Thomas Coesfeld, said, “We are delighted to have secured the agreement of Paul Simon for BMG to acquire his royalty interests in Simon & Garfunkel recordings and his neighboring rights income.

“This is a significant transaction. Our ability to secure this deal demonstrates once again that BMG provides the best home for the greatest artists.”