As our AI underlords get smarter and smarter (and perhaps one day become our overlords and take over our lives ala SkyNet), many music plugin developers are dipping their toes into the space, discovering fun new ways to combine the emerging tech of AI with music creation.
One such plugin, MIDI Agent (currently in beta) is emerging as one of the most exciting new plugins within that space, combining artificial intelligence with the art of MIDI sequencing to empower musicians, producers, and developers alike.
Its promise is rooted in its ability to translate natural language instructions into detailed and musically coherent MIDI data—a powerful concept that may very well help lower the barrier to music creation and experimentation by removing technical complexities traditionally associated with MIDI programming.
The Vision Behind MIDI Agent
At its core, MIDI Agent is designed to serve as an intermediary that bridges the gap between creative ideas and the technical execution of those ideas in the form of MIDI data. The vision for the tool is ambitious: to provide an interface where users communicate musical ideas as they would in a natural conversation, and have an AI-driven engine translate those ideas into dynamic, playable MIDI compositions.
In discussions with me, the developer has openly stated that the current beta version represents only about 10% of the final vision. This indicates that while the product is in its infancy, it is being actively and iteratively refined with frequent updates and enhancements and changes to the AI model — valuing community feedback while constantly pushing to reach it’s ultimate goal.
Personal Beta Testing Experience
Thanks to the developer of MIDI Agent, I had the chance to test an early beta version of the plugin, and my experience has been nothing short of encouraging so far. Here are some detailed insights from that period:
Interactivity and Workflow
Chat-Like Interaction: Much like modern AI chat models, MIDI Agent features an interactive chat window. This design allows users to simply type commands in natural language. During my testing, I could articulate complex musical ideas—ranging from specifying chord progressions, and rhythmic patterns, to dynamic textural changes—and receive MIDI outputs that aligned closely with my descriptions. It was worth noting that the best output came from prompts that leaned more toward descriptive vs vague. Something like “alternative rock” would often be too broad, but if I went in depth as to what I was wanting from that prompt, MIDI Agent would more often than not, come close to it.
Command Precision: The plugin’s ability to understand detailed commands and create accurate outputs at such an early stage was particularly impressive. Although some generated results required minor adjustments, the system’s responsiveness in parsing natural language instructions and delivering usable MIDI sequences was a highlight. It does take a small bit of time for it to process the MIDI after the chat command is sent, but this is bound to speed up over time.
Rapid Iteration: During the testing phase, frequent updates were rolled out, showcasing not only bug fixes but also new functionalities that enhanced the overall user experience. These rapid iterations underscored a commitment to refining even the smallest details, making the overall workflow smoother for creative exploration.
AI Model Recommendations and Integration
Recommended AI Models: While evaluating the beta, the subscription allowed me access to a wide range of AI Models to choose from. However, within the instruction guide that was emailed to me, I was given recommendations on the one to use, as some older models were “laughably bad” at generating music. They’re still provided to use, but not recommended. I found the recommended models (Claude 3.7 Sonnet ou Gemini 2.5 Pro) to perform decently well so, a good look out from the developer on that one!
Compatibility with Production Tools: MIDI Agent is designed to integrate seamlessly with popular digital audio workstations (DAWs). After completing the output, you’re able to drag the midi right into the DAW and get to work.
During my testing, I noticed something curious and a tad strange. Logic had installed this as a MIDI FX plugin instead of a VST plugin. Unaware of this, it led me to question its installation for about 5-10 minutes, and I even restarted Logic a few times to ensure it had installed correctly until I found it.
That said, I don’t think this was MIDI Agent’s fault, but rather a side effect of Apple’s occasional quirks. Once I found the plugin’s location, it was a breeze to use.
Key Features and Functional Capabilities
Intuitive Interaction: As I mentioned earlier, of the primary strengths of MIDI Agent is its natural language interface. Users do not need to communicate via musical terminology—instead, they communicate their ideas as they would in everyday conversation. This significantly lowers the learning curve for non-technical musicians.
Customization and Flexibility: By providing detailed commands, users can control various parameters such as tempo, key, style, and instrumentation. The plugin interprets these commands to generate a MIDI sequence that fits the specified criteria, providing a versatile platform for ideation and experimentation.
Rapid Prototyping: MIDI Agent excels in helping musicians quickly convert conceptual ideas into tangible musical outputs. This rapid prototyping capability is ideal for brainstorming sessions, where generating multiple iterations of a musical idea can spark further creativity.
Future-Proof Design: As technology in both AI and music production evolves, MIDI Agent, by design, is poised to incorporate new AI advancements and new MIDI specifications, ensuring the plugin remains relevant as both fields progress.
Broader Implications for AI in Music
The early success of MIDI Agent is part of a larger trend where AI is increasingly being woven into the fabric of creative industries. There’s a few people who are disgusted by the idea of AI entering the music scene, but I can see apps like MIDI Agent providing some good. Here are a few reasons why:
1.) Democratization of Music Creation: By lowering technical barriers, tools like MIDI Agent make music composition accessible to a broader audience. Musicians who might struggle with traditional ways of crafting music now have the opportunity to express their creativity more freely.
2.) Collaborative Creativity: The integration of natural language processing with music generation fosters a more collaborative creative process. The system can serve as a creative partner—a tool that not only executes commands but also inspires new ideas through its unique interpretations.
3.) Innovation in Music Production: The continuous evolution of AI capabilities in music is likely to transform production processes, prompting new workflows that blend human creativity with machine precision. MIDI Agent is at the forefront of this revolution, demonstrating how early-stage technology can pave the way for radical changes in how music is composed and produced.
The Road Ahead: Future Prospects
The current iteration of MIDI Agent, while still in its early beta phase, is a strong indicator of the potential breakthroughs we can expect in the near future.
The active development and frequent updates observed during the beta testing phase suggest that MIDI Agent will continue to evolve at a rapid pace. Each update addresses previous shortcomings and introduces new features, hinting at a future version that could be exponentially more powerful and refined.
Plus, the iterative nature of the development process means that community feedback is not only welcomed but actively incorporated. This symbiotic relationship between the developers and early adopters is crucial for tailoring the plugin to real-world use cases and ensuring that it meets the diverse needs of its user base.
And of course, as AI research continues to progress, future iterations of MIDI Agent are likely to incorporate even more sophisticated models—possibly drawing from innovations in deep learning and neural networks. These advancements could further enhance the natural language understanding and musical output quality of the plugin.
Réflexions finales
MIDI Agent represents a promising new chapter in the integration of AI with music technology. My experience with the early beta confirmed that even at only 10% of its envisioned final functionality, the plugin is capable of delivering usable and creative MIDI sequences based on natural language commands.
We are just scratching the surface of what AI can do within the realm of musical creativity. The promising start of this tool paves the way for a future where the creative process is enhanced by intelligent assistance—one that is not only responsive and interactive but also deeply attuned to the artistic needs of its users.
For anyone curious about exploring the intersection of AI and music, joining the early adopters of MIDI Agent promises a firsthand look at the evolution of creative technology.
TRY MIDI AGENT HERE.
Découvrez d'autres avis sur les plugins ici!
