Let’s face it: sample libraries. They’re the black hole of music production. You start with a spark of inspiration, a killer riff, a beat that could move mountains. Three hours later, you’re buried under a mountain of vaguely-labelled WAV files, wondering where your life went wrong. Output, purveyors of sonic textures and the occasional existential crisis, claim they have a solution: Co-Producer.
Co-Producer, launching at $9.99/month (because of course it’s a subscription), is an AI-powered plugin designed to listen to your track and suggest samples that fit. The premise is simple: load it onto your master bus, feed it a four or eight bar loop, tell it the key (if you know it, no judgment), and maybe even a text prompt like “lofi sadboi vibes” or “brutal cyberpunk apocalypse.” Then, the AI does its thing, churning through Output’s sample library to find sounds that supposedly complement your masterpiece-in-progress.
The key selling point? No more endless scrolling. Output CEO Gregg Lehrman emphasizes that talking to thousands of writers and producers made it clear that endlessly scrolling for samples held back creativity. Which begs the question: is the solution a black box AI instead?
Here’s how it works: the plugin analyzes the rhythm and harmony of your track. You get a list of suggested samples, preview them in context, and drag-and-drop the ones you like into your DAW. You can even drop them into Output’s Arcade plugin to mangle them beyond recognition (because who uses samples straight these days?).
Spencer Salazar, Output’s Head of R&D, assures us that they’re “not using AI to generate audio—we’re using it to improve how music makers work.” This distinction is important. No AI-generated drivel here, just AI-assisted sample selection. Allegedly. The “musician-made results that are 100% free and clear to use” line is also reassuring, given the copyright minefield that AI-generated music can sometimes be.
Now, the elephant in the room: subscription fatigue. In a world already drowning in monthly fees for streaming services, software plugins, and gourmet pet food delivery, another $10 a month might feel like a digital papercut. Output argues that their unlimited access model is superior to credit-based systems like Splice. Maybe. It depends on how many samples you actually use. If you’re the type who sticks to a handful of go-to sounds, Co-Producer might be overkill. If you’re a sonic explorer with a penchant for the obscure and experimental, it could be a lifesaver.
So, is Co-Producer a genuine time-saver or just another shiny distraction? The answer, as always, is it depends. If you struggle with sample selection and are willing to embrace the AI overlords, it might be worth a try. Just remember: AI can suggest, but it can’t create. You still need to bring the inspiration, the skill, and the occasional happy accident. And maybe, just maybe, avoid getting lost in the endless rabbit hole of sonic possibilities. Your deadline (and your sanity) will thank you.
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