I have applied lessons learned from using AI to arrange tracks in my previous album by taking a more human-centric approach to track arrangement in my latest release, Digital Dreams Awakening | A Synthwave-EDM Journey.
AI-Driven Track Arrangement: Lessons Learned from “Retro Future Pulse”
When I first released Retro Future Pulse: Echoes of a New Dawn | Cyberpunk Synthwave OST, I was excited to push the limits of what AI tools like ChatGPT-4 could do for music creation. One of the key ways I leveraged AI was by uploading the tracks to ChatGPT-4 and having it perform technical analysis of the music, such as duration, loudness (dBFS), and Estimated Tempo (BPM) to determine the optimal track arrangement.
BPM (Beats Per Minute) refers to the tempo of the song and how many beats occur within a minute, helping to measure the song’s speed. dBFS (decibels relative to full scale) is a unit of measurement for the loudness of audio signals, where 0 dBFS is the highest possible volume level in digital audio without distortion. The idea was to use these metrics to create a logical and seamless track order.
At the time, this seemed like an efficient way to streamline the arrangement process and I discussed this at length in my previous OpenAI Developer Community post:
From Concept to Completion: How ChatGPT 4o & 4 Helped Me Create My Synthwave Album
However, after listening to the final published album Retro Future Pulse: Echoes of a New Dawn | Cyberpunk Synthwave OST in order I noticed that some high-impact tracks that could have hooked listeners earlier were placed too late. This led to a noticeable drop in audience retention early on, which I didn’t foresee.
The Challenge: AI vs. Human Intuition
ChatGPT’s analysis and track ordering were based on a logical flow of tempo, loudness, and duration. But, listening to the album from start to finish, I realized that AI-generated sequencing should be more of a guideline than a fixed structure. Although the AI did a great job of analyzing audio properties, it couldn’t fully account for the emotional impact and energy shifts that come with track arrangement. As a result, my first album Retro Future Pulse saw only 21% of viewers still watching at the 1-minute mark—a steep drop that was below typical engagement.
Applying the Lesson to “Digital Dreams Awakening”
For my newest album, Digital Dreams Awakening | A Synthwave-EDM Journey I decided to adjust my approach. This time, without relying on technical audio analysis, I used ChatGPT-4o’s initial arrangement suggestions as a starting point rather than a rule. I then listened through the tracks multiple times, considering how each piece made me feel emotionally, how the energy would flow, and where it would best hook the listener. The goal was to place the tracks most likely to capture attention first.
This human input vastly improved the final arrangement. By carefully considering how each track would affect the listener emotionally, I was able to enhance the overall pacing and engagement.
The Results: A More Engaging Experience
Though Digital Dreams Awakening is still in its early days (released February 22, 2025), the early analytics are promising. 47% of viewers are still watching at the 1-minute mark, showing a significant improvement over Retro Future Pulse. While many factors contribute to these numbers, including genre and timing, the impact of intentional track placement is clear.
Key Takeaways for AI-Assisted Music Production
- AI as a Guide, Not a Dictator – AI recommendations, especially regarding track arrangements for an album, are incredibly useful but should be adapted based on human intuition and audience behavior.
- Hook Early, Retain Longer – First impressions matter. Placing the most engaging tracks at the start improves listener retention and keeps them invested.
- Leverage Data for Iteration – YouTube Studio analytics provide valuable feedback. Use AI for structure, but let real-world engagement metrics shape future decisions.
- AI + Human Collaboration = Best of Both Worlds – The most successful AI-assisted projects come from human refinement of AI insights. By combining the power of AI with emotional and intuitive decision-making, we can push the creative process to new heights.
Final Thoughts
The blend of AI’s analytical power and human emotional intuition is where the magic happens. As I continue refining my creative process, I’m excited to explore how AI and human collaboration can push music production even further.
Have you ever experimented with AI for track sequencing or music production? What insights have you gained from using both AI and human input? Let’s discuss! 
Final track arrangement for “Retro Future Pulse”:
AI Can Be Helpful, But Human Judgment Is Essential
AI Works Best When Provided Context, Not Just Raw Data
Driftwave: Nostalgia & Neon Noir,” I tested this approach, and ChatGPT 4o made a subtle but impactful suggestion. Here’s how it played out:
Potential Refinements (Optional)
If you want a more gradual descent into atmospheric mystery:
Mirage Pursuit
Apparition Loop
Fading Transmissions
Obsidian Glow (Ethereal interlude before deeper cyber elements)
Hollow Circuits (Darker cybernetic moment before the final fade-out)
Fading Echoes
Locking this in?
Digital Dreams Awakening | A Synthwave-EDM Journey,” I manually structured the tracklist to ensure variety and maximize listener engagement.
How about you?
AI can assist in track arrangement but shouldn’t replace human judgment.