Udio, a popular AI music generation platform, has just announced a new feature called "Audio Upload". This feature has received rave reviews from early testers, who emphasize that they have gained a whole new level of creative control.

For those unfamiliar with Udio, it is an AI music creation tool that has made waves in the industry. Founded by former Google DeepMind researchers in December 2023, it quickly gained attention since its launch in April 2024, thanks to its user-friendly approach and impressive output quality. The company has raised $10 million in seed funding from prominent investors in the tech and music industry, including a16z, will.i.am, Common, and Instagram co-founder and CTO Mike Krieger.

As the name suggests, Audio Upload allows users to upload their own audio clips to guide the rhythm, mood, and overall direction of a song. Think of it as "audio prompts". Currently, this feature is only available to paid users of the Standard and Pro versions.

So how does it work? Let's say you have a catchy guitar melody but are unsure how to turn it into a complete song. With the Audio Upload feature, you can upload this melody and let Udio work its magic. The platform will generate various exploratory and developmental directions based on your audio.

The process is simple: just upload your audio clip and choose to expand forward or backward. Udio's AI will then generate a unique musical composition based on your input, with a final track length of up to 15 minutes. This generous length allows creators to experiment, iterate, and improve to their heart's content.

One of the most exciting aspects of this feature is its ability to combine your unique sound with Udio's AI-generated content. This hybrid approach allows for more dynamic and personalized music creation. Whether you're an experienced musician or an amateur enthusiast, the Audio Upload feature opens up a world of possibilities, making it easier for your musical ideas to become a reality.

The potential applications of Audio Upload are wide-ranging. For example, if you have a captivating intro, you can use it as a starting point and let Udio's AI generate ideas for the rest of the song. Additionally, if you have a nearly finished mix but need a perfect transition or ending, the Audio Upload feature can help you find the missing piece. Furthermore, this feature is also a powerful tool for remixing and reinterpreting existing music, as you can upload snippets of songs and explore new directions.

It's important to note that currently, tracks generated using Audio Upload cannot be directly released on Udio, possibly due to potential copyright issues. However, you can still download your creations for personal use or further editing in your preferred music production software.

As with any AI-driven tool, using the Audio Upload feature responsibly and ensuring that you have full rights to use and distribute any audio you upload is crucial. Udio's terms of service provide guidance on this, and the company encourages users to reach out if they have any questions or concerns.

Udio's announcement comes at a time of increased competition in the AI music generation field, particularly from rival Suno. Earlier this week, Suno also hinted at launching a similar feature on its platform.