Indie Folk Vocal Production: How to Use Kits AI Singing Voice Generators

Unleash the Power of AI Technology in Organic Music Production

When you think of Indie Folk as a genre, you might not consider incorporating AI technology, given its organic and acoustic nature. AI singing voice generators might initially seem more suited for electronic genres like house or EDM, where entire compositions are routinely created on a laptop. On the flipside, organic genres like indie folk lean into more traditional acoustic approaches for songwriting and production.

This article explores how surprisingly easy it is to blend AI technology with organic styles and productions. By selecting the right voice model, production approach, or even training an AI model with sophisticated voice conversion technology, AI singing might be just the ticket for helping to write and produce your next indie folk song. Additionally, using one of Kits’ Verified Voice Models ensures you’ll have an exceptional singing partner while helping the original vocalist earn passive income. AI technology can also enhance the overall sound of indie folk tracks, ensuring clarity and balance among all musical elements.

Embracing Modern Tech Within Traditional Songwriting

Sitting down with an acoustic guitar and a blank page has been the traditional starting point for many songwriters. Aligning artistic vision in the music creation process is crucial, as it ensures that the final product truly reflects the intended creativity and message. Not all talented singers are songwriters, and the opposite is also true; not all songwriters are talented singers (myself included!). This is where using Kits.ai can be a true game changer for writing songs for other artists.

An AI voice generator can revolutionize the traditional processes of making music by enabling users to create songs quickly. Often an embarrassing display, showing a singer a song I had written without having the voice to do it justice can hurt the chances of an artist seeing the song’s full potential. Now, I can upload my vocal stem and have it converted into one of the many world-class singers offered by Kits.ai. Additionally, with permission from the singer you’re working with, you can even clone a model of that specific singer’s voice, making the pitching process easier than ever by allowing users to train and blend different vocal styles.

Discovering the Perfect Harmony

Whether it’s your ode to Simon & Garfunkel or a more modern approach like Fleet Foxes, vocal harmonies have been an essential tool used in the folk genre. Harmonies can increase perceived power and add a sonic richness to a song. This is especially true when the harmonies are recorded with different singers than the lead vocalist (the Beach Boys and the Beatles are classic examples).

Composing a Duet With the Help of an AI Singing Voice Generator

A modern indie folk classic is “Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, a male and female duet that emphasizes the narrative of the lyrics uniquely. Using an AI Voice Generator during the writing process can help a songwriter write for a duet by building out parts and phrases in ways that were never possible before. Regular introduction of new songs and tools for generating unique music experiences can significantly enhance creativity.

Maybe you want to trade verses and come together for a powerful chorus, using Kits.ai, you can choose from a wide selection of voices to find a great match for your vocal partner. Kits.ai offers a range of voice models, but two of my favorites for indie folk are Female Singer-Songwriter and Female Bedroom Pop. These models bring a fresh, authentic feel to your production, seamlessly blending AI capabilities with the heartfelt essence of folk music, while exploring new sounds and ideas to enhance musical creativity.

How to Tailor AI Vocal Models to Organic Vocal Track Productions

Incorporating an AI singer into a modern indie folk production involves some engineering techniques to help the vocal fit within the genre, which often draws inspiration from the recordings of its 60’s folk ancestors. This collaboration between technology and artists in the music industry also brings ethical considerations and the importance of artist consent.

EQ

Kits.ai’s voice models come with basic EQ and compression from the original data set they were trained on. To fit within the indie folk genre, a light touch of additional EQ from a unit like the Pultec EQP-1A can create the perfect vintage vibe. Try rolling off the highs and adding a bit of warmth by attenuating a touch of 10k and gently boosting at 100k. Pultec’s unique design allows for boosting and cutting simultaneously, which can smooth things even while maintaining presence in the mix of various other instruments.

Tube Compression

Using hardware tube compression or a plugin based on classic designs can control dynamics and impart a lovely color and warmth. The Teletronix LA-2A, first released in the early 1960’s, became a staple for vocal production. Universal Audio’s plugin version captures the original’s vibe and tubey goodness. Apply a gentle amount of peak reduction in the range of 1-2 dB and adjust to taste.

Tape Saturation

Imparting a bit of saturation via a tape simulator can reference the original sound of the sixties folk movement and provide additional dynamic control and warmth. Pushing “tape” into the red produces a pleasing saturation unique to the “analog tape” sound. Though there are many great options on the market, Softube’s Tape offers models of three different tape machines worth exploring.

Reverb

Choosing the right reverb is essential for getting your AI voice model to work within the context of an indie folk production. To capture the vibe, try a reverb based on a plate or spring. Valhalla VintageVerb has an incredible Plate setting at an attractive price point. Achieving a balance in vocal processing is crucial to ensure the vocal track is polished without sounding artificial.

Conclusion

Using AI Voice Generators during both the writing and production process can unlock possibilities that were never possible before. Don’t let the tech fool you; there are incredibly organic ways these tools can be used. Whether writing a song for another singer, adding harmonies to a chorus, or singing a duet, Kits.ai can support your creativity along all steps of the process.

-SK

Sam Kearney is a producer, composer, and sound designer based in Evergreen, CO.