The Best AI Tools for Amateur Musicians (That Don’t Suck)
Let’s be real—making music is hard. Whether you’re stuck on lyrics, can’t find the right melody, or just don’t know how to mix your tracks, AI tools can be a game-changer. I’ve spent way too much time testing these things, and some are actually useful. Others? Not so much.
Here’s my no-BS breakdown of the best AI tools for musicians, from inspiration to final mastering.
Finding Your Muse
Ever stared at a blank DAW screen for an hour? Yeah, me too. These tools help kickstart creativity when your brain’s empty.
Suno (https://suno.com/)
- What it does: Type in a prompt (like “sad acoustic breakup song”) and Suno spits out a full track—vocals, instruments, everything.
- Who it’s for: People who want instant results without touching an instrument. Great for demos or inspiration.
- Downside: The free version limits track length, and some outputs sound… weird. (Ever heard an AI try to sing about existential dread? It’s something.)
- Price: $8-$24/month.
Udio (https://www.udio.com/home)
- What it does: Similar to Suno but with more control (sliders for “creativity” and “clarity”). Better for jazz/classical.
- Who it’s for: If Suno feels too random, Udio’s your fix.
- Price: $8-$24/month.
BandLab SongStarter (https://www.bandlab.com/songstarter)
- What it does: Generates riffs based on genre, lyrics, or even emojis (🎸🔥 = instant rock anthem?).
- Who it’s for: If you want to build a song, not just generate one.
- Price: Free (premium at $99/year).
Writing Lyrics (Without Sounding Like a Robot)
AI lyrics can be cringe, but these tools help avoid that.
Claude (https://claude.ai/)
- Why it’s good: Writes less robotic lyrics than ChatGPT. Feels like brainstorming with a (very patient) co-writer.
- Pro tip: Ask for “lyrics in the style of [artist]” for better results.
- Price: Free (Pro starts at $20/month).
LyricStudio (https://lyricstudio.net/songs)
- What it does: Real-time suggestions for rhymes, meter, and even chords.
- Who it’s for: If you start lyrics but get stuck.
- Price: $3.99-$9.99/month.
Melodies & Harmonies
Got lyrics but no tune? These tools help.
MelodyStudio (https://melodystudio.net/)
- What it does: Turns lyrics into MIDI melodies. Helps if you suck at music theory.
- Bonus: Exports MIDI for DAWs like FL Studio or Ableton.
- Price: $10.99/month.
AIVA (https://www.aiva.ai/)
- What it does: Generates instrumental tracks by mood (great for film scoring).
- Who it’s for: If you need background music fast.
- Price: Free (premium starts at €11/month).
Practice & Jamming
Moises (https://moises.ai/)
- What it does: Upload a song, and it splits vocals/instruments (like a free, AI-powered Audacity).
- Use case: Learn guitar solos by isolating tracks.
- Price: ~$1/month (region-based).
StemRoller (https://www.stemroller.com/)
- What it does: Same as Moises, but free/open-source.
- Catch: Less polished, but hey—free.
Mixing & Mastering
LANDR (https://www.landr.com/)
- What it does: AI mastering + distribution to Spotify/Apple Music.
- Who it’s for: If you want pro-sounding tracks without hiring an engineer.
- Price: ~$4/month.
iZotope Ozone (https://www.izotope.com/en/products/ozone.html)
- What it does: Advanced AI mastering (if you know what “multiband compression” means).
- Who it’s for: Serious producers. Overkill for casual use.
- Price: $49-$399.
Final Thoughts
AI won’t replace musicians, but it can save hours of frustration. My top picks?
– For quick songs: Suno/Udio
– For lyrics: Claude
– For practice: Moises
– For mastering: LANDR
Try a few and see what sticks. And if an AI writes a hit for you… cut me in, okay?