Roland have announced the upcoming launch of a new generative AI tool created in collaboration with Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc. (Sony CSL). Said to merge Sony’s longstanding music-creation research with Roland’s expertise in developing intuitive creative tools, Melody Flip will be able to generate melodic ideas based on user-provided audio and a built-in library of musical styles.
The plug-in will allow users to import an audio file, and will automatically analyse its ‘musical DNA’, detecting the likes of structure, BPM, key, chord progression, genre, mood and more. The analysis will be paired with an onboard library equipped with over 300 ‘creative palettes’ — a collection of pre-defined musical styles and tonal directions. It will then present users with a set of melodic ideas intended to serve as a starting point for new ideas, and offers a set of tools that allow them to be picked, tweaked, chopped or rebuilt in any way the user sees fit.
Roland say that the tool will not only offer a new way to come up with ideas, but will also help users develop a visual understanding of important songwriting elements such as structure and key. As with the company’s other software products, Melody Flip will be available via Roland Cloud.
“Roland have always been committed to supporting the evolution of music culture through electronic musical instruments and production tools. Melody Flip represents a significant step forward in the era of responsibly developed AI, introducing a future in which technology and people work together and elevate creativity. As we move forward, Roland will continue to expand the boundaries of musical expression with innovative products and services that amplify creators’ instincts and connect human sensitivity with the full potential of technology.” - Masahiro Minowa, CEO and Representative Director, Roland
Roland say that they are committed to the responsible development of AI experiences that enhance and empower human creativity without displacing it, and that they are a founding supporter of (and adhere to) The Principles for Music Creation with AI.
Compatibility
Melody Flip will be supported on Windows and macOS systems, and Roland say that all major DAW plug-in formats will be supported.
Pricing & Availability
Pricing information for Melody Flip is yet to be confirmed, although a free trial version is set to launch in May 2026.
