Show Notes: AI for Lifelong Learners - Larry Seyer Interview

Welcome back, everyone. You’re listening to AI for Lifelong Learners!

Today, I’m joined by my friend and mentor, Larry Seyer. Larry is a Grammy-winning engineer, producer, and musician, as well as the creator and host of The Larry Seyer Show.

We’re going to talk about where performance meets engineering and audience interaction.

We discuss Larry’s creative instincts, his live format, and how his home-built tools come together, and what AI actually does in his pipeline. Larry brings a reality to building your own tools with your own creative flow.

Larry WELCOME to the show …

What You Will Learn in This Show

* How to integrate AI tools into live music performance without losing authenticity and spontaneity

* Practical applications of Claude Code for building custom broadcasting tools

* Which AI platforms excel at specific creative tasks (coding vs. lyrics vs. current events)

* How to automate production elements while maintaining focus on musical performance

* Strategies for building interactive audience experiences using AI-generated content

* The importance of maintaining “feel” as the primary driver when choosing between human and automated elements

Who This Episode Helps

* Solo performers looking to enhance their live shows with automated production elements

* Musicians and content creators interested in leveraging AI without sacrificing their unique creative voice

* Live streamers wanting to broadcast simultaneously across multiple platforms

* Audio engineers and producers curious about integrating AI into their workflow

* Anyone interested in practical, real-world applications of AI in creative fields

Key Points and Takeaways

Live Performance Energy

* Live audience interaction creates a feedback loop that elevates performance energy beyond what’s possible in studio settings

* Larry broadcasts simultaneously to YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Rumble using Restream

* Interactive elements like live chat keep performances dynamic and engaging

Show Switcher Innovation

* Custom-built module for Bitfocus Companion that automates camera switching during live performances

* Randomly selects camera angles at varied intervals, allowing the performer to focus on playing

* Available free on GitHub for other performers to use

* Solves the challenge of being a solo performer who can’t manually switch cameras while playing

AI Tool Recommendations by Purpose

* Claude Code (CLI): Best for programming and custom software development

* ChatGPT: Excellent for lyrics, text content, and creative writing

* Grok: Best for current events and less biased news information

* Gemini: Fast but unreliable in Larry’s experience

* Zencoder: Good for coding within CLion IDE but had reliability issues

Creative AI Integration

* AI helps generate weekly show themes based on current events or seasons

* Movie trivia and quotes generated by AI for audience engagement

* Jukebox Hero feature lets audience vote on song selections

* Automated scrolling quotes related to show themes

OTTO Project (Organic Trigger Timing Orchestrator)

* AI-assisted drummer software in development

* Creates dynamic drum patterns that adjust to song sections (verse, chorus, bridge)

* Incorporates human-like timing variations (slightly ahead on chorus, behind on verse)

* Part of Grimm for Reaper project

Maintaining Authenticity

* “Feel is always number one” - choose whatever serves the emotion of the music

* Use loopers to maintain spontaneity within structured performances

* Create flexible song arrangements that allow for extended solos or reordered sections

* Prepare playlists to avoid dead air while maintaining creative freedom

Practical Tips for Musicians

* Start small: Use AI to help refine lyrics without replacing your creative voice

* Maintain the human element: AI should enhance, not replace, performance energy

* Test reliability: Some AI tools have bugs that can disrupt live performance

* Layer automation gradually: Add one automated element at a time

Resources

* Show Switcher: Available free on Larry’s GitHub profile

* Bitfocus Companion: Control software for video switchers

* Quantiloop Pro: iPad looper app for flexible song arrangements

* Restream: Multi-platform streaming service

* Larry’s Sample Libraries: Free on PianoBook

* Claude Code: Command-line interface for AI coding assistance

* ATEM Mini Switchers: Hardware video switchers for production

Connect

* Website: LarrySeyer.com

* Live Show: The Larry Seyer Show - Thursdays at 7:00 PM Central Time

* Platforms: YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Rumble

* GitHub: https://github.com/larryseyer Larry’s profile for free tools and software

Past Episodes: Available on YouTube for replay

Larry Seyer brings over 60 years of experience as a Grammy-winning engineer, producer, and musician to his innovative approach to AI-assisted live performance. His Thursday night shows demonstrate how technology can enhance rather than replace the human element in music. See and hear him at http://larryseyer.com

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