How Shape of Sound Uses Generative AI

Shape of Sound uses generative AI selectively and transparently. It is not used to generate the audio output of its plugins or the music released as This Fractured Mind. It has been used in parts of software development, visual production and editorial work.

Shape of Sound has two main creative areas: its music Plugins and the music released as This Fractured Mind In both cases, the audio is created without generative AI. The plugins use conventional, offline DSP algorithms, so their audio output is algorithmic rather than generated by an online AI system.

Generative AI is used in other areas:

Coding

In 2026, Shape of Sound released multiple plugins with roots in XY and XYZ pad apps such as Sketch Synth 3D, Sketch Synth 2 and Sketch Synth FX. Those apps were written in C#, with some JavaScript and native Objective-C. Bringing those ideas across to the AUv3 format required Swift development, and AI coding tools assisted with parts of that work.

The website is primarily handwritten, with some elements added using AI coding tools. Blog articles include disclosures describing the degree of AI assistance used in their creation.

Music

The music released as This Fractured Mind was created without generative AI. In a few cases, iZotope mastering plugins were used to assist with technical decisions such as EQ settings. These tools were used for mastering assistance, not for generating the music.

Art Assets

Much of the Shape of Sound artwork, including logos and splash images, was produced by the late Jack East in 2013. Later assets, such as some icons, use generative AI, while newer splash screens have also been colourised or modified from the 2013 artwork.

'This Fractured Mind' single covers and videos were made with generative AI, but the audio was not.