Kaiber (AI video generator) Experiments & Original Song (Creatures)

This video features (1) Creatures—the latest song in my music series—and (2) my experiments using the Kaiber AI video generator (kaiber.ai/create),

I’ve always struggled to find video footage to go along with the songs on my main YouTube music channel. I have tried taking videos of dancers, using screen captures of music visualizers, using video footage I took while travelling, making montages of street art photos and collaborating with an underwater dancer. For this video, I experimented with Kaiber, an AI video generator that is useful for producing dream-like videos with evolving imagery.

Download the song

Creatures is the 45th song in my Free Background Music Series. It is a laidback piece that is largely created from loops, with the core piano coming from a promotional collaboration between Landr and Pantone (PANTONE Color of the Year 2020: The Classic Blue 19-4052), with additional parts played on a Korg M50 synthesizer. As with the other songs in the series, this work can be used for free in non-commercial projects and in YouTube monetized videos (that are otherwise non-commercial in nature) as long as credit is provided (‘music by longzijun’). For more information, you can refer to the detailed Terms of Use. The song can be downloaded from:

• MP3 file 320 kbps, 48 khz (Box)
• MP3 file 320 kbps, 48 khz (Google Drive)
• MP3 file 320 kbps, 48 khz (OneDrive)
• WAV file (Google Drive)
• WAV file (OneDrive)

The music was recorded, mixed and edited using Cakewalk by Bandlab (which is free), and I did the mastering in Magix Audio Cleaning Lab.

About the Kaiber AI video generator

With Kaiber (kaiber.ai/create), you can choose from three main animation methods:

1. Flipbook: This is Kaiber’s signature style; it creates a somewhat jittery video in which the imagery evolves in a dream-like manner. You can control the amount of change via the ‘Evolve’ setting, but even if you use the very lowest setting, the main character’s facial features, hairstyle and clothes will still gradually change. Most of the shots in the above video were generated using this mode.
2. Motion: This is a relatively new feature. The animated clips are between 3 and 4 seconds long, but they have smoother motion. If you select a high ‘evolve setting’ you can get interesting transitions.
3. Transform a video: With this method, you upload an existing video and tell Kaiber’s AI what you want to do with it. In this mode, if you set ‘Transformation’ to a low value (1 is the minimum and 10 is the maximum), the effect is more like a filter, with only slight changes to things like the color and amount of detail. If the setting is near the maximum, you can completely change the look of the main subject(s) and the whole environment. In principle, it works similarly to rotoscoping or motion capture. At the moment, if you are using Kaiber, this mode is the only way to get realistic movements like running, walking or dancing.

Intro Theme 08: Orchestral Sunset (13 seconds)

Orchestral Sunset is the eighth track in the Short Instrumental Themes series. It was mainly played on a Korg M50 synthesizer. There is also a drumless version:

Intro Theme 07: Soft & Hard (33 seconds)

Intro Theme 07 (Soft & Hard) is made up of two sections: the first part is electronic (synthesizer and percussion) while the second part is more like rock (guitar and drums).

Intro Theme 06 (19-21 seconds)

This intro theme, the sixth in the Free Short Instrumentals series, combines electronic and orchestral sounds to create a sweeping, epic feel.

Intro Theme 05 (14 seconds)

Intro 05 is a short electronica theme.

Intro Theme 04: Love & Time (24 seconds)

Love & Time is the fourth track in the Free Short Instrumentals series. It is a solo piano instrumental that has a nostalgic feel. The song was played on a Korg M50 synthesizer.

Intro Theme 03: Just Be (Reggae 40 seconds)

Just Be is the third song in the Free Short Instrumentals series. It is a reggae instrumental.

Intro Theme 02: Happy Virus (36 seconds)

Intro Theme 02 (Happy Virus) is has an EDM and Trance feel to it. The song was played on a Korg MicroX synthesizer. 

Intro Theme 01 (12 seconds)

This electronica intro song was created using a Korg MicroX synthesizer.

Free Background Music 4: Snacks and Watches

This is the fourth song in the free background music series. The instrumental features synthesizer, piano, acoustic bass, guitar, strings, flute, an Asian fiddle, drums and percussion. There are quite a few different sections with slightly different feels to them.

There are two different versions of the song. The short version (4:42) is the video shown above. The longer version (7:21) of the song has an extended intro with a clockwork-like feel and a longer coda at the end. Here is the long version:

Tempo: 120 bpm
Duration (short version): 4:42
Duration (long version): 7:21

Free Background Music 11: Safe Harbor

Safe Harbor is the 11th song in the Free Background series. This is minimalist. loop-based song with orchestral instrumentation (e.g., piano, cello, acoustic bass, harp, flute, French horn. clarinet, drums). There are two versions. The second version, which is shorter and which is without drums, is shown below.

Tempo: 80 bpm
Duration (Main Version): 5:12
Duration (Version without Drums): 3:48

Safe Harbor – Drumless Version

Short Piano Instrumentals by Jessica Yip

This video features the two piano songs in the Free Short Instrumental Themes series. They are both by featured guest artist Jessica Yip: Untitled (Track 26), which 62 seconds long and The Mercury Tale Track 15), which is 53-seconds long. These piano instrumental are suitable for opening sequences and end credits.

Intro 26. Untitled by Jessica Yip (62 seconds)

Intro 15. The Mercury Tale by Jessica Yip (53 seconds)

Free Background Music 43: The Sea Withdrew

1. The Music

The Sea Withdrew is the 43rd song in my Free Background Music series. It is a quiet and gentle piano instrumental that switches between major and minor keys. The song was played on Korg M50 Synth. The composition was inspired by all the problems we have been facing during 2020. It has a sad and somber feel, but includes key changes to major keys in order to show a feeling of hope. The song starts in the key of C minor and ends in C major.  

Free Background Music 42: Drifting

1. The Music

This video features Drifting, the 42nd song in the Free Background Music series. Drifting is a two-minute song built from loops (for the guitar, zither, cello and percussion parts) and tracks I played on a Korg M50 keyboard (the strings, bass, woodwinds and synth parts). It drifts between C minor and it’s relative major (E flat). In this composition, I am mainly focusing on the gentle rhythmic interplay between the instruments. If you like this track, you should check out another of my songs: Ravenchanter (Track 29). It has a similar laid-back acoustic vibe.

Intro Themes 13 (Dramatic) and 14 (Mysterious)

Here are tracks 13 and 14 in the Free Short Instrumentals series.

Intro Themes 17-24: Free Short Instrumentals for Intros, Outros and Credits

This video features the 17th to 24th songs in the Free Short Instrumental Themes series. The songs in the video range in length from 6.5 seconds to 34 seconds and are suitable for use in intros, credits, outros and very short videos. These tracks are mostly synthesizer-based compositions. For each song. two versions are available. For most of the songs, the second version is a little faster and is one semi-tone higher. The tracks are listed below:

• Intro 17 (synth & beat) 0:34 & 0:32
• Intro 18 (gentle & melodic) 0:10 & 0:09
• Intro 19 (bubbly synth) 0:07.5 & 0:07
• Intro 20 (aggressive: piano, guitar, war drums) 0:13 & 0:12
• Intro 21a (perky synth & percussion) 0:08
• Intro 21b (perky synth) 0:08
• Intro 22 (techno attack) 0:09 & 0:08
• Intro 23 (evolving sounds) 0:20 & 0:18
• Intro 24 (synth & drums) 0:17 & 0:16

Hokkaido Travel Diary: Photos, Video & Free Background Music 41

1. The Music

This video features the 41st song in the Free Background Music Series and is the second video in my Travel Diary series.

As with the other songs in the Background Music series, this instrumental work can be used for free in non-commercial projects and in YouTube monetized videos (that are otherwise non-commercial in nature) as long as credit is provided (‘music by longzijun’). For more information about the terms and conditions for using the music, you can refer to the detailed Terms of Use.

Tokyo Video, Photos and BIXIE (Free Background Music 44)

1. The Music

BIXIE is the 44th song in my Free Background Music Series. It is a lively piece that is influenced by swing, Latin jazz and electronic music.

Free Background Music 5: Mime This

Mime This is the 5th song in the Free Background Music series. It is an alt-rock instrumental featuring electric guitar, bass, synthesizer, drums and percussion. The song is probably best known as the theme song of a popular Dota 2 gameplay channel.

Tempo: 140 bpm
Duration: 2:27

Free Background Music 40: Tale of the Forgotten Forest Kingdom by Kate Kwok

This beautiful and lyrical original piano instrumental is composed and performed by Kate Kwok. It is the 40th song in the Free Background Music series.