Let’s Build! hackathon series drives AI instruments plugins creation

Let’s Build! is a hackathon series hosted by Audiotool that aims to teach people how to create virtual instruments, plugins and music education tools. The event runs from 11 May to 6 July. The programme combines online activity with in-person gatherings to provide multiple participation options for entrants.

Online participation takes place on Audiotool’s Dev Discord, while real-life events will be held at partnering organisations. Organisers say the series will welcome community members, music-loving developers and artists as participants, and the initiative has been described as a first step toward the transformation of music via AI code assistants.

The hackathon runs in collaboration with institutions including Berklee and NYU.

The Let’s Build! hackathon series, organized by Audiotool, is a comprehensive event designed to explore the creation of virtual instruments, plugins, and tools for music education. It takes place over two months, beginning on 11 May and concluding on 6 July. The series is structured to allow participation both online and in person. Online activities are hosted on Audiotool’s Dev Discord server, providing an accessible platform for participants to collaborate and develop their projects remotely. Additionally, there are real-life events scheduled at partnering organisations, facilitating a blend of digital and physical interaction.

The hackathon is carried out in collaboration with prominent academic institutions, including Berklee College of Music and New York University (NYU), enhancing its educational impact. It also benefits from significant support from leading technology entities such as OpenAI, Base44, and ElevenLabs. These collaborations and endorsements underscore the hackathon’s objective to innovate in the music technology space, with a particular focus on using AI code assistants to redefine creative possibilities. The event is open to community members, developers, and artists, inviting a wide range of participants with diverse skill sets and interests.

Andreas Jacobi said, “the first step in what promises to be the complete transformation of music into a flexible world where everyone can play thanks to AI code assistants. If you can describe it, you can now build it. We can’t wait to see what community members, music-loving developers, artists, really anyone who’s excited about coding, come up with.”

Manon Dave said, “I’m super excited to be invited to judge the Let’s Build! hackathon. I started out making tunes in my bedroom and hacking away on software similar to Audiotool, trying to find a unique sound for my music, so I know how powerful it is when you’re given the chance to get under the hood and bring your ideas to life. What Audiotool is doing here is opening that up even further, bringing creativity and coding together so people can build entirely new ways of making music. I’m excited to see what people create when you have the space to experiment.”

People named in the source who are relevant to the Let’s Build! hackathon series include Manon Dave, Andreas Jacobi, will.i.am, and Idris Elba. Manon Dave is listed as a member of the event’s judging panel. Andreas Jacobi is quoted in the source about the initiative; his specific organisational role is not stated in the provided content. will.i.am and Idris Elba are mentioned in the source.

Companies and organisations mentioned in the source include Audiotool, BBC Research & Development, OpenAI, Base44, ElevenLabs, MusicTech, Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup, WHO Youth Council, Berklee, and NYU. Audiotool is identified as the event host, and Berklee and NYU are named as collaboration partners. OpenAI, Base44, and ElevenLabs are listed as supporters of the hackathon.

Products and concepts referenced in the source include the NEXUS SDK, virtual instruments, plugins, music education tools, AI code assistants, Audiotool’s Dev Discord, and in-person events at partnering organisations.

The Let’s Build! hackathon, organized by Audiotool, is formatted to engage participants through both online and in-person activities, catering to a wide audience. Participants have the opportunity to join the event online via Audiotool’s Dev Discord server, which facilitates real-time collaboration, communication, and project development remotely. Simultaneously, in-person events are held at partnering organisations, offering attendees the chance to directly engage and network in a physical setting, thus enhancing the collaborative experience.

The hackathon places strong emphasis on community involvement, welcoming music enthusiasts, developers, and artists to participate, regardless of their geographical location. This community-focused approach not only fosters inclusivity but also breaks down traditional barriers to collaboration. By integrating various formats of participation, the hackathon encourages a diverse group of participants to come together, share ideas, and innovate collaboratively.

Moreover, the event aims to eliminate obstacles that hinder effective collaboration by leveraging AI code assistants. This technological integration is intended to transform the music creation process, enabling participants to more freely express their creativity and build upon each other’s ideas without the usual technical barriers, thus opening new possibilities in music technology.

CONCLUSION

The Let’s Build! hackathon series engages participants through both online and in-person formats to develop virtual instruments, plugins and music education tools. The organisers describe the initiative as a first step toward transforming music through AI code assistants, emphasising the role of these tools in enabling new development workflows. The programme runs with collaboration from academic and industry partners and includes a panel of judges to evaluate entries. The format provides technical resources and collaborative spaces intended to enable community-driven innovation among developers, artists and other participants. The outcomes of the series are expected to demonstrate how AI-assisted coding can broaden approaches to music creation and education.