AI-generated voiceovers have been around for a while, but I recently came across some fascinating insights about the next big frontier: AI-created music. Eleven Labs, a name some of you might recognize for their work in voice technology, is diving deep into this space with an ambitious missionโto build the most comprehensive audio platform in the world that seamlessly blends voice and music.
A few of Eleven Labs favorite samples
Check out a few of their favorite songs generated by the ElevenLabs team thus far:
Echoes of Midnight
Prompt: โDreamy, psychedelic, slow Indie Rock, reverb-soaked vocals, retro keys, catchy chorus, analog, phased guitars, liminal, nostalgic feeling, anthem.โ
Obsidian
Prompt: โExtremely dark, tense and powerful, cinematic sound design, electronic hybrid, trailer music, evil, braam, braam horns, impacts, boom, rising tension, completely instrumental.โ
Wanderer of the Moor
Prompt: โA young english girl singing an old english folk song, stunning, lonely, thoughtful and almost haunting, fiddle and english folk instrumentation, reverb, short song.โ
Donโt Let Me Go
Prompt: โA very retro track from the 1950s with an old crooner male vocalist, charming, vintage, classic, nostalgic, golden oldies, vinyl crackle, catchy vocal hooks.โ
What really grabbed my attention was how Eleven Labs is addressing the demand from creators who want more than just voicesโthey need entire soundtracks as background to elevate their projects. It makes perfect sense. Whether youโre crafting a podcast, video game, or any media production, having a tailored soundtrack thatโs both high quality and legally cleared is a game-changer.
Bridging AI with music licensing: the IP challenge
One of the biggest hurdles in AI-created music is intellectual property rights. I found it intriguing how Eleven Labs tackles this head-on by securing licenses upfront. Theyโre not just generating music in a vacuumโrather, their models are trained based on agreements with music rights holders.
Currently, theyโve partnered with notable digital rights agencies like Merlin Network, which represents thousands of independent labels, and Kobalt Music Group, with its vast roster of songwriters. These partnerships are crucial because they already open the door to a vast catalog of music styles for AI to draw from responsibly.
But what about the major labelsโthe giants like UMG, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music? While talks havenโt fully materialized there yet, Eleven Labs is hoping to expand partnerships with these big players. This potential future step could unlock even broader commercial licensing, especially important for enterprises in gaming, media, and entertainment.
โThe model is both extremely high quality and fully licensed, built in collaboration with labels, artists, and publishers.โ
Scaling creativity: whoโs using Eleven Labsโ platform?
The growth numbers I saw were impressive. Eleven Labs recently crossed $100 million in company value and continues to grow steadily, powering over 5 million creators who interact with their platform every month. These users span from individual musicians looking to iterate quickly to large enterprises developing conversational voice agents and creative soundscapes.
The platform isnโt just about automationโitโs empowering creators to experiment with genres, tweak tracks, and visualize music production more dynamically. Although specific musician partnerships are still being finalized, thereโs clearly excitement from artists eager to explore AI-assisted music creation, inspired by trailblazers like Grimes, who have publicly embraced new royalty-sharing models tied to AI music uses.
So far, Eleven Labs is focused on solidifying their current product line with their established licensing partners and perfecting their offerings. But with millions of creators on board and a growing enterprise clientele, this platform is carving out a unique position in the AI audio ecosystem.
Building for the long run: independence and innovation
In the tech world, thereโs often speculation about startups joining bigger firms, especially with all the buzz around AI mergers and acquisitions. Interestingly, Eleven Labs is charting its own course. They aim to remain independent and build a generational company focused on making technology more accessible through voice and audio.
This ambition isnโt just about survivingโitโs about thriving. Eleven Labs plans to keep innovating across voices, languages, and now music, potentially acquiring complementary companies along the way and positioning themselves for an eventual IPO. Itโs a bold vision that speaks to a confidence in the value of specialized expertise and the unique space theyโre creating.
โWe are building a company to become the voice of technology, making computer speech and audio creation accessible across languages and industries.โ
For anyone interested in AIโs role in transforming music and audio, watching how Eleven Labs navigates licensing, scales creativity, and pursues independence offers valuable lessons. Theyโre not just creating toolsโtheyโre crafting an entire ecosystem that respects intellectual property while pushing technological boundaries.
Key takeaways
- AI-generated music requires carefully negotiated IP rights; Eleven Labsโ approach with independent label networks sets a new standard.
- Demand from millions of creators shows a massive appetite for AI-powered music and voice tools within both creative and enterprise spheres.
- Independent growth focus signals a long-term commit to innovation, aiming to become a generational leader in AI audio technology.
Iโll definitely be keeping an eye on how Eleven Labs continues to evolve, especially as they potentially expand major label partnerships and announce artist collaborations. The future of AI in music is sounding pretty exciting.
๐ง Ready to create with AI-powered voices and music?
Join the millions of creators using Eleven Labs to elevate their content with cutting-edge audio toolsโfully licensed, endlessly creative.
๐ Try Eleven Labs here and start building your next soundtrack with the future of audio.
