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RESEARCH PAPER / 2026-03-01

SyncTrack: Rhythmic Stability and Synchronization in Multi-Track Music Generation

Hongrui Wang, Fan Zhang, Zhiyuan Yu ...Full author list in the original paper.

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology · ICLR 2026

Affiliations: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Abstract

Multi-track music generation has garnered significant research interest due to its precise mixing and remixing capabilities. However, existing models often overlook essential attributes such as rhythmic stability and synchronization, leading to a focus on differences between tracks rather than their inherent properties. In this paper, we introduce SyncTrack, a synchronous multi-track waveform music generation model designed to capture the unique characteristics of multi-track music. SyncTrack features a novel architecture that includes track-shared modules to establish a common rhythm across all tracks and track-specific modules to accommodate diverse timbres and pitch ranges. Each track-shared module employs two cross-track attention mechanisms to synchronize rhythmic information, while each track-specific module utilizes learnable instrument priors to better represent timbre and other unique features. Additionally, we enhance the evaluation of multi-track music quality by introducing rhythmic consistency through three novel metrics: Inner-track Rhythmic Stability (IRS), Cross-track Beat Synchronization (CBS), and Cross-track Beat Dispersion (CBD). Experiments demonstrate that SyncTrack significantly improves the multi-track music quality by enhancing rhythmic consistency.

The following analysis is generated by AI and may contain errors. It is separate from the authors’ abstract and is not peer review.

Research summary

The paper presents SyncTrack, a novel model for synchronous multi-track music generation that significantly enhances rhythmic stability and synchronization. The technical contributions, including innovative architecture and evaluation metrics, position this work as a meaningful advancement in the field of machine learning for audio applications.

Methodology

The paper introduces SyncTrack, a novel architecture for multi-track music generation that effectively addresses rhythmic stability and synchronization through the integration of track-shared and track-specific modules. The use of cross-track attention mechanisms is innovative, allowing for both global and time-specific synchronization of rhythms across tracks. The proposed metrics for evaluating rhythmic consistency (IRS, CBS, CBD) are well-conceived and fill a significant gap in the assessment of multi-track music generation quality. The methodology is clearly articulated, with a logical flow from problem identification to solution proposal.

Results & evaluation

The experiments are comprehensive, utilizing both objective metrics (FAD, IRS, CBS, CBD) and subjective evaluations to validate the performance of SyncTrack against state-of-the-art baselines. The results demonstrate significant improvements in both rhythmic stability and synchronization, with clear statistical backing. The use of the Slakh2100 dataset is appropriate for the task, and the ablation studies provide insights into the contributions of different components of the model.

Reproducibility

The paper includes detailed implementation information, including training configurations, datasets, and evaluation metrics, which enhances reproducibility. However, the absence of a demo or project URL limits accessibility for other researchers wishing to replicate the work.

Limitations

While the proposed metrics are robust, the paper does not address potential limitations in the generalizability of SyncTrack across different musical genres or styles. Additionally, the reliance on specific datasets may introduce biases that affect the model's performance in broader applications.

Broader impact

The advancements in multi-track music generation have significant implications for the music industry, particularly in areas such as music production, remixing, and creative applications. By improving rhythmic stability and synchronization, SyncTrack could enhance the quality of generated music, making it more suitable for professional use. The paper presents SyncTrack, a novel model for synchronous multi-track music generation that significantly enhances rhythmic stability and synchronization. The technical contributions, including innovative architecture and evaluation metrics, position this work as a meaningful advancement in the field of machine learning for audio applications.

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