New Features of Surprise
Surprise is the platform for artificial intelligence music generation that faces ongoing challenges from major labels. Alongside its competitor Suno, it has introduced two new updates, including a feature for AI style generation.
The new ‘Surprise Styles‘ feature enables users to create music that embodies the sound characteristics of existing tracks. On Monday (March 31), Surprise announced that this functionality would only be accessible with user-uploaded content that they own or control.
Both individual artists and commercial creators, who need to ensure consistency across projects, can utilize these styles. Users can upload sound samples to generate new compositions that maintain similar tools, tones, and sensations.
Applications and Feedback
The startup indicated that this feature can be utilized in advertising, film scoring, background music, and podcasting, where sound continuity is essential.
“The new UDIO styles make this process incredibly intuitive. You can input your musical ideas and immediately hear how they transform across various genres. This not only inspires but opens your mind to new opportunities and assists in your development as an artist,” stated Grammy Laureate Jordan Oriental Field.
“To protect artists and rights holders, the UDIO style feature only supports content uploads that users own or control.”
Surprise
Legal Context and Future Developments
These features are introduced less than a year after a group of recording companies, including Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group (UMG), and Warner Records Inc., filed a lawsuit against Udio and Suno, alleging that both companies trained their AI systems using copyrighted material without permission.
In August of the previous year, Udio and Suno argued that their use of copyrighted materials fell under the “fair use” exception pursuant to US Copyright Law and accused the recording companies of initiating lawsuits to stifle competition.
As a response to ongoing concerns regarding copyright use, Surprise emphasized: “To protect artists and rights holders, this link to the UDIO style supports only the uploading of content that users own or control.” However, the company did not clarify how compliance with this policy would be ensured.
Surprise also launched V1.5 Allegro, enhancing its existing AI model which, according to the startup, offers 30% faster performance without sacrificing quality or continuity.
Andrew Sanchez, co-founder of Udio, remarked, “These releases underscore our belief that artificial intelligence tools should enhance artistic expression. With styles, we empower creators to explore and expand their musical identity. And with V1.5 Allegro, we ensure they can do it more quickly without compromising quality.”
Udio, which went public in April 2024 with backing from music and tech investors including A16Z and Will.i.am, claims to currently have “millions of users worldwide.”
