Introduction to AI Music Generation Tools

Hello! Welcome to this AI music composition series.

Have you ever thought, "I'd love to create music, but..."? You don't need to know how to play piano or have studied composition. We're living in an era where AI can turn your imagination into music.

Just like asking ChatGPT to write something, you can ask AI music tools to "create a sad piano piece" and they actually will! Amazing, right? Today, I'll introduce you to these magical AI music generation tools.

What is AI Music Generation?

Before diving into the tools, let's briefly understand how AI music generation works.

Traditional composition used to work like this:

1. Study music theory (harmony, counterpoint...)
2. Build instrumental playing skills
3. Transfer ideas from your head to sheet music
4. Actually perform or record

But AI music generation is completely different:

1. Describe the music you want in words ("bright pop song with guitar accompaniment")
2. AI generates music using knowledge learned from millions of songs
3. Receive completed music within minutes

This is "prompt-based music generation." Just like asking ChatGPT questions, you describe the music you want to the AI composition tool. Simple, right?

The Big 3 AI Music Generation Tools

Today I'll introduce three main tools. Each has its pros and cons, so choose the one that fits your purpose.

1. Suno AI - The Beginner's Best Friend

Suno is currently the most popular AI music generation platform. Why is it so popular? Because it's "easy, fast, and produces great results."

Why is Suno good for beginners?

First, it's really simple to use. No complex settings—just type in text and you're done. Type "sad piano ballad" and it creates exactly that.

Second, it generates lyrics too. While other tools can only create instrumental music, Suno creates complete songs with vocals. It can even sing Korean lyrics naturally!

Third, it's fast. You can have 2 songs ready in the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee. You'll hear completed music in about 1-2 minutes.

Features:

• Generate high-quality music with just text prompts
• Generate both lyrics and melody (this is the real strength!)
• Support for various genres (pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop, ballads, and almost every genre)
• Free plan is sufficient (you can create about 5 songs per month)

Advantages:

• Intuitive interface (just click a button and wait)
• Fast generation speed (about 1-2 minutes to completion)
• High sound quality (as clean as studio recordings)
• Excellent vocal quality (sounds like real people singing)

How to use:

1. Visit suno.ai
2. Enter description of desired music in prompt box
3. Click "Create" button
4. 2 versions generated (you can choose)

2. Udio - The Pro-Oriented Platform

Udio is the other major AI music platform alongside Suno. If Suno is about "easy and fast," Udio focuses on "detailed and high quality."

How is it different from Suno?

The biggest difference is "editing freedom." With Suno, once you create something, that's it. But with Udio, you can keep modifying and extending the generated music.

Let me give you an example. Say you made a 30-second intro with Suno and want to make it longer. You'd have to start from scratch. But Udio has an "Extend" feature that naturally lengthens existing tracks. Like adding Lego blocks.

Also, Udio has richer musical detail. Even when creating the same "jazz piano," Udio produces more complex and delicate arrangements. People who know music will definitely notice this difference.

Features:

• High-quality music generation (professional sound)
• Fine-tuned style adjustment (various options)
• Music extension feature (lengthen tracks, add sections)
• Remix feature (transform existing tracks)

Advantages:

• High musical completion (even complex arrangements sound natural)
• Various editing options (partial modification, regeneration, etc.)
• Natural vocals (rich emotional expression)
• Active community (learn by browsing others' works)

How to use:

1. Visit udio.com
2. Write prompt (genre, mood, include lyrics)
3. Click "Generate"
4. Review results and additional editing

3. MusicGen (Meta) - The Developer's Friend

MusicGen is an open-source AI music generation model developed by Meta (Facebook). It has a different feel from the first two tools.

What makes it different from other tools?

The biggest difference is that it's "completely free." While Suno and Udio have free plans, they have limitations. There's a set number of songs you can make per month, and commercial use requires paid subscription.

But MusicGen is completely free. Create 100 songs a day and nobody cares. However, there are some constraints:

• Maximum length is 30 seconds (can't make long tracks)
• No vocals (instrumental only)
• Sound quality is slightly lower than Suno/Udio

So when do you use MusicGen? When you need "short background music (BGM)." YouTube video backgrounds, game sound effects, app sounds—you can create unlimited 30-second loop music!

Features:

• Open-source and completely free (no credit limits!)
• Can run locally (install on your computer)
• Text or audio-based generation (can create similar music based on reference)
• Easy to try on Hugging Face (use directly on web without installation)

Advantages:

• Completely free (really important point!)
• Customizable (freely modify if you can code)
• API provided (can add music generation features to your app)
• Commercial use possible (check license but mostly OK)

How to use:

1. Search for MusicGen in Hugging Face Spaces
2. Enter text description
3. Set generation length (max 30 seconds)
4. Click Generate

Tool Comparison

Feature	Suno	Udio	MusicGen
Price	Free/Paid	Free/Paid	Free
Vocal Quality	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐ (None)
Generation Speed	Fast	Medium	Fast
Track Length	Max 4 min	Extendable	Max 30 sec
Ease of Use	Easy	Easy	Medium
Commercial Use	Paid Plan	Paid Plan	Possible

Which Tool Should You Choose?

Now that we've covered all three tools, you're wondering "So which one should I use?" Let me make recommendations based on your situation.

Recommendations by Situation

🎵 "I've never made music but want to try" → Recommend Suno It's the easiest. You can start right away without anything complicated. Try making about 5 songs with the free plan and continue if you like it.

🎤 "I want to create song lyrics too" → Recommend Suno or Udio Skip MusicGen since it doesn't do vocals, and choose between Suno or Udio. Suno if you want speed, Udio if you want quality.

🎬 "I need background music for YouTube videos" → Recommend MusicGen Perfect for creating unlimited short BGM. Make several versions and choose the one that fits best.

🎼 "I want to create high-quality music" → Recommend Udio If you don't mind taking more time, Udio is the best. You can fine-tune to create exactly what you want.

💰 "I want to use it for free without limits" → Recommend MusicGen It's completely free so you can experiment as much as you want. Just keep in mind the 30-second limit and no vocals.

📝 Quick Summary

Suno Recommended For:

• Beginners starting with AI music (lowest barrier to entry)
• Creating songs with lyrics (K-Pop style songs possible too!)
• Getting results quickly (1-2 minutes to completion)

Udio Recommended For:

• Those wanting more detailed control (many editing options)
• Creating longer tracks (convenient extension feature)
• Those prioritizing musical completion (details come alive)

MusicGen Recommended For:

• Those needing background music (BGM) (perfect 30-second loops)
• Commercial use (free commercial use possible)
• Those wanting technical customization (open source for free modification)

Important Things to Know Before Starting

Before making music, knowing the legal aspects and practical tips will prevent future problems. Take a moment to read this!

1. Copyright Issues - Really Important!

Does AI-generated music have copyright? Yes, it does! But policies differ by platform.

Free vs Paid Plan Differences

Most platforms are divided like this:

• Free Plan: Personal use only (sharing with friends, SNS sharing, etc.)
• Paid Plan: Commercial use allowed (YouTube monetization, background music sales, etc.)

For example, to include music in a YouTube video and earn ad revenue? You need a paid plan. Just posting on Instagram? Free plan is fine.

Platform Policy Summary:

• Suno: Commercial use from paid plan ($10/month)
• Udio: Commercial use from paid plan ($10/month)
• MusicGen: Mostly free commercial use (but must check license)

Pro tip: Read each platform's Terms of Service before using. It's tedious but better than copyright headaches later!

2. Prompt Writing Tips - Secrets to Getting the Music You Want

When requesting music from AI, you need to "speak well" to get what you want. Let me share prompt writing tips.

Basic Formula: Genre + Instruments + Mood

Bad example: "good music" → AI doesn't know what to create

Good example: "bright pop music, acoustic guitar, exciting mood" → AI can understand exactly

Specific Tips:

1. Be clear about genre

   • Rather than "pop," say "upbeat pop" or "chill pop"
   • Rather than "jazz," say "smooth jazz" or "bebop jazz"

2. Use mood adjectives

   • Sad: melancholic, sad, emotional, heartbreaking
   • Exciting: energetic, upbeat, exciting, joyful
   • Calm: calm, peaceful, serene, relaxing

3. Specify instruments

   • "acoustic guitar"
   • "piano and strings"
   • "electronic synth"

Practical Example:

"Melancholic piano ballad, slow tempo, emotional, with gentle strings in background"
→ Emotional piano ballad, slow tempo, emotional, with soft string background

3. Setting Expectations - It's Okay Not to Be Perfect

Will AI-generated music always be perfect? No. And that's normal!

Realistic Expectations:

• Out of 5 attempts, 1-2 will be to your liking
• Sometimes strange notes might be mixed in
• Korean pronunciation might be awkward (especially difficult words)

Here's how to cope:

1. Generate multiple times - Don't expect perfection from the start
2. Use only the parts you like - It doesn't have to be the whole piece
3. Use editing programs - Refine with free editing tools like Audacity for better results

Words of encouragement: Even professional composers try dozens of times and revise to complete a piece. Same for you. Failure is just part of the process!

Summary of Today's Content

Well, today we took our first step into the world of AI music generation. Let's summarize.

Key Takeaways:

1. Three tools - Suno (for beginners), Udio (for pros), MusicGen (free BGM)
2. Copyright awareness - Paid plan needed for commercial use
3. Write good prompts - Be specific and clear
4. Realistic expectations - Try multiple times to find good results

Next Time Preview

We've learned enough theory, now it's time for practice! In the next post, we'll use Suno to create your first AI music. We'll start with simple melodies and gradually improve.

Preparation for Practice

Please prepare these by next time:

Required:

• Suno.ai account (can sign up in 1 minute with Google account)
• Computer or smartphone with internet connection

Optional:

• Udio.com account (create if you have time)
• Notepad (for writing ideas)

Most Important:

• Curiosity and passion for music! (This is all you need)

Last Advice Before Starting

Don't worry if you think "I don't know music..." This series is designed so anyone can follow along without knowing music theory.

You only need to do one thing: Imagine. Just think about what music you want to create, and AI will do the rest.

See you next time when we create your first piece together!

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TIP: All three tools can start for free, so try each one this week. You need to try them yourself to know which fits you best. I mainly use Suno to quickly test ideas, and use Udio when I want higher completion!