Podcast: What 10 Years of AI Taught an Engineer Behind Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy Projects
Artificial intelligence has entered music faster than almost anyone expected. But for Daniel Rowland, VP of Strategy & Partnerships at LANDR Audio, AI isn’t a sudden disruption. It’s something he’s been working with for more than a decade.
In this episode of the RealMusic.ai Podcast, we sit down with Daniel to talk about what actually changes when AI becomes part of real music workflows. Not theory. Not hype. Real experience from someone who has spent years in studios, classrooms, and music technology companies, working on projects connected to Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy recognition.
Rather than framing AI as a replacement for musicians, Daniel brings the conversation back to fundamentals: taste, judgment, and creative intent. He explains why tools alone never make great music, and why human decision-making still sits at the center of meaningful creative work.
AI Isn’t New, But the Conversation Is
Daniel shares how his perspective on AI has evolved over time. Early tools promised efficiency and automation, but experience revealed something deeper: the real value of AI shows up when it supports creative decisions rather than trying to make them for you.
We talk about the difference between finishing music and creating it, and how AI can help artists move through technical bottlenecks without stripping away identity or voice. From mastering workflows to production decisions, the episode explores where AI genuinely helps, and where it doesn’t.
Creativity Still Requires Taste
One of the recurring themes in this conversation is taste. Daniel explains why no amount of automation can replace the human ability to choose what feels right, what serves the song, and what connects emotionally with listeners.
As AI tools become more accessible, this distinction matters more than ever. The musicians who benefit most won’t be the ones who hand everything over to software, but those who understand how to use AI as an assistive layer within a broader creative process.
Key Topics Covered in This Episode
What a decade of working with AI teaches you about music creation
Why AI mastering is useful, but never the whole story
The difference between speed and creativity in modern workflows
How human judgment and taste shape meaningful music
Using AI without losing artistic identity
This episode is for producers, engineers, and working musicians who want clarity instead of noise. It doesn’t promise shortcuts or magic results. It offers perspective from someone who has seen multiple waves of technology come and go, and understands where AI fits realistically in music today.
Watch or listen to the full episode.
Video Episode: YouTube and Spotify
Audio Episode: Apple Podcast, Podbean, Amazon Music/Audible, iHeart Radio, Player FM, Spotify, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay
