Max Shafer on building Just for Noise, raising VC in music tech, and where AI really fits in the creative process.
Show Notes
Josh sits down with Max Shafer, co-founder of Just for Noise, on building an AI foundation model for drum and sample generation. Max shares the origin story — from a drum machine that wouldn't turn on and 20 minutes lost hunting for a single kick, to reframing the problem as generating samples on the fly. We get into designing an intuitive interface beyond the "empty prompt box," building a proprietary dataset by ripping drum machines in studios across LA, New York, Berlin and London, and the pivot from plugin company to a licensable infrastructure/API layer.
Max also opens up on the funding journey — contacting ~170 investors over three months at roughly a 1-in-100 yes rate — why he preferred VCs over angels, and his candid caution that raising isn't right for every company. Plus the music-tech landscape, community-driven beta testing born in the Audio Programmer Discord, and how AI can support rather than replace the creative process.
Guests: Max Shafer
What is The Audio Programmer Podcast?
Real conversations with the engineers, entrepreneurs, and creators building the future of music technology. From VST development and DSP to AI in audio, game sound, and the business of plugins, we go deep on the craft, the code, and the careers that make it all happen. Whether you're writing your first JUCE project or running an audio software company, this is your inside track. Hosted by Joshua Hodge, Founder of The Audio Programmer.