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Synthwave in the Age of AI:
- Retro Sonya
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Can You Copyright Your AI-Enhanced Tracks?
As synthwave artists, we're all about blending retro aesthetics with futuristic innovation. And now, that future includes AI—specifically tools like Lalals that help us generate melodies, chords, and even vocals in seconds. But with great tools come great questions: Can you copyright your song if you used AI? Can you sell it? And do you need to give the AI credit?
Let’s clear it up, neon warriors. 🌌🚀
🚀 The Breakdown: Human vs AI Creation
Here’s the basic legal truth: only human-created elements are copyrightable under U.S. law. AI-generated content—on its own—can’t be copyrighted (yet). But that doesn’t mean you can't use AI in your creative process. It just means you need to be clear about what parts you made.
Check the official U.S. Copyright Office guidance here:
A Real-World Synthwave Example:
Let’s say you made a song like this:
You wrote the lyrics (human-authored)
The melody and chords were generated by Lalals AI
You created the MIDI data and arrangement based on the AI's output
What can you claim as yours?
Lyrics ✅ Totally tubular and fully yours, dude!
Melody & chords ❌ Not yours, not copyrightable (AI-generated).
MIDI arrangement ❓ Maybe yours, if you added gnarly creative flair!
🎓 Copyrighting Your Song: What to Register
When you go to register your track with the U.S. Copyright Office:
Register the lyrics and your MIDI/arrangement
In the form, exclude the AI-generated melody and chords from your claim
This is totally valid. Many producers use samples or reference material and only claim the original aspects they added. This is no different. Don’t get bogus with your claim—keep it radical and honest. 🎉
💳 Can You Sell It? YES, with the Right License!
Heck yeah, you can sell your synthwave jam that includes AI-generated parts. But only if you have the proper license. Lalals allows commercial use (including selling, streaming, and sync licensing) if you’re on a paid plan.
That means:
Sell on Bandcamp or iTunes? ✅ Bodacious!
Upload to Spotify or YouTube? ✅ Righteous!
License it for a film or game? ✅ Cowabunga, yes!
Just don’t pretend the AI-generated parts are fully original to you, and you're golden.
📍 Do You Need to Credit Lalals?
Not legally, but ethically it’s worth considering. Lalals doesn't require attribution under its commercial plans, but if you're using an AI-generated celebrity voice, you must not mislead listeners into thinking the real artist was involved. That would be totally bogus. 🚫
Simple credit line if you choose to be transparent:
"Melody generated using Lalals AI. Lyrics and arrangement by [Your Name]."
What about Unison's AI-generating MIDI tools? Such as MIDI Wizard or Bass Dragon?
Great question! When it comes to using AI-generated MIDI content from platforms like UNISON, and especially if you’re modifying the notes, there are a few important things to understand legally and creatively. Consider this:
🎹 What Is UNISON Doing?
UNISON often provides MIDI packs that are either:
Human-created and sold royalty-free (most common), or
AI-assisted, which may or may not be clearly stated.
Most of UNISON’s content is intended for royalty-free use, meaning once you purchase or download it, you can use it in your music commercially, including modifying, layering, or even reselling as part of your own compositions.
🧠 If It's AI-Generated MIDI:
Even if the MIDI was AI-generated:
UNISON still owns the rights to the original files unless they license them to you (which they do, usually with royalty-free licensing).
You don’t automatically “own” the original melody unless your modifications transform it enough to be considered an original derivative.
But the key factor is: UNISON licenses you the right to use it. So you’re legally in the clear as long as you follow their terms.
🛠️ Modifying the MIDI Notes:
If you modify the AI-generated MIDI significantly, especially:
Changing chord progressions
Altering melodies or rhythms
Integrating your own motifs and structures
…then your version can qualify as a new, original creative work, and you can typically copyright your arrangement, lyrics, and sound recording, though not necessarily the original unaltered MIDI melody (if UNISON retains rights).
Still, you wouldn’t need to credit UNISON or get a license beyond their original royalty-free agreement, unless you're doing something like redistributing their MIDI content directly.
✅ What You Can Do:
✔️ Use and modify UNISON’s MIDI for your own songs.
✔️ Sell your music commercially that uses these MIDI files.
✔️ Register your song with the Copyright Office as your original work, especially if you've transformed it creatively.
❌ Don’t redistribute or resell UNISON’s raw MIDI packs or files.
💡 Pro Tip:
Always keep a record of:
Your modifications (DAW project files, etc.)
The license or EULA from UNISON
Any songwriting notes to show originality
This keeps your rights secure if you ever need to prove your work was transformed and original.
Need help with some music ideas for professional music production? If you want to check out UNISON (btw, I love it and use it to help generate ideas myself), you can check it out here:
✅ Your MIDI + Human Contribution = Potentially Copyrightable
What if you made the MIDI data but it was based on the AI-generated chords, but with added loops you made to go with it?
That’s a great question — and this scenario gets into the gray area where human creativity interacts with AI-generated material. Here's how copyright generally applies:
If you:
Used AI-generated chords as a starting point, Then created your own MIDI arrangements (e.g., rhythm, instrumentation, expression), And added loops or layers that you composed or programmed yourself,
➡️ That composition and arrangement is likely copyrightable, because it reflects your creative authorship, even if the harmonic foundation came from AI.
🎵 Analogy:
Think of AI chords like a public domain chord progression (e.g., C–G–Am–F). Just because the chords are generic or machine-suggested doesn't prevent your performance and arrangement from being original.
📝 Copyright Considerations:
The AI chord progression itself isn’t copyrightable.
Your MIDI file — if it includes original melodic, rhythmic, and expressive decisions — can be.
Your loops (if not stock or pre-made from third parties) also fall under your authorship.
⚠️ Caveats:
If you use pre-made loops or samples from a library, ensure you have the right to use them (they’re usually licensed, not copyrightable by you).
Be cautious if your arrangement is a near-exact rendering of what the AI gave you; that may weaken your claim of originality.
✔️ Summary:
Yes, MIDI music you create based on AI-generated chords — with added original loops and arrangement — can be copyrighted, assuming you contributed meaningful creative input.
How to make your song more "copyright-safe" using AI tools:
Here’s a practical checklist to make your song more “copyright-safe” when it’s based on AI-generated material, especially for MIDI and loops:
✅ 1. Document Your Creative Role.
Keep a record of what came from AI and what you added:
Save the original AI output (chords, melodies, etc.).
Save your modified or arranged version (MIDI files, DAW project).
Use version control or timestamps if possible.
This creates a paper trail showing your creative contribution.
✅ 2. Ensure Originality in the MIDI.
To claim copyright in your MIDI:
Don’t just use block chords — add human touch: Original rhythms, syncopation, or arpeggiation, inversions or voicing changes, humanized velocity, timing, or automation.
Even if the chord progression is AI-generated or common, the expression and arrangement can be original.
✅ 3. Loops Must Be Yours or Licensed.
If you use loops:
Create your own in a synth, sampler, or live recording = fully copyrightable.
If you use sample packs, make sure they’re royalty-free and check their terms (some disallow re-licensing).
Don’t use loops that are:
Copyrighted by others (e.g., commercial tracks)
AI-generated without clear licensing or authorship
✅ 4. Transform the AI Output.
To strengthen your copyright claim:
Change the melody, chord rhythm, or instrumentation.
Add new sections (bridge, counterpoint, harmony lines)
Use the AI idea as a seed, not the final product.
✅ 5. Register the Work (Optional but Powerful)
Once your song is ready:
In the U.S., register with the U.S. Copyright Office.
List yourself as the author and describe the AI's role (e.g., “used AI-generated chords as a base; original arrangement and instrumentation created by the author”).
If there’s ever a dispute, this gives you strong legal standing.
🎉 Final Thoughts: Embrace the Tools, Respect the Rules!
Synthwave is about evolution. AI is just another synth in your rig—one that needs to be used responsibly. Understand your rights, protect your work, and keep creating.
Whether you're dropping neon-drenched bangers or cinematic outrun scores, you can use AI and still own your art.
For more information you can visit the Top Music Attorney's YouTube channel. She's got a lot of juicy information on the subject I'm sure will help you on your music journey!
Need help registering your track? Or want a credits line that nails it? Drop a comment or message me. The retro future is here—let’s ride it right. 🌟🏋️♂️
Don't forget to sign up for the "Retro Sonya Synthwave Newsletter" below to get your 2 free 80s-inspired songs, below! Catch you on the flip side, legends!
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