Launch a new single in six days. Perform it live. Let the crowd decide.
Humans vs Hybrids — a music-tech hackathon where builders team up with artists for a song-seed → studio → streaming → stage sprint. Build tools, finish a song, earn votes, and compete at the Final Four concert.
Registration closes March 20 · Space is limited
Your spot is confirmed once you pay. There is no separate approval step.
Supported by industry leaders
THE FORMAT
A music tech-stack hackathon where every team races to finish a song and perform it live.
Humans vs Hybrids
Compete in one of two tracks — Humans (no generative AI) or Hybrids (AI-assisted). Same goal, different rules.
Builders + Artists
Hackers, producers, developers, and makers team up with an artist or band. Up to 10 per team.
Song-Seed to Stage
Six days to write, build, record, and release a song — plus build tools that supercharge the band's workflow.
Votes + Live Finals
Earn fan votes and judge scores to reach the Final Four concert. Judges reward bold demos, great songs, and innovations woven into the live show.
THE WEEK
Six days. Three phases. From first idea to live stage.
Song-to-Stage Sprint
Teams write, build, record, and ship a release-ready song with their creative and technical crew.
Voting & Selection
Fan votes and judge scores determine which teams advance to the live finals stage.
Final Four Concert
Winning teams perform the song they built during the week and compete for top honors.
YOUR TOOLS
Every team gets access to cutting-edge AI tools from our partners — no licenses needed, just build.
Flamingo
NVIDIAMultimodal AI model for understanding and generating across audio, text, and music concepts.
Fugatto
NVIDIAFoundation audio model capable of generating and transforming music, sounds, and speech on demand.
VocalNet
Session LoopsReal-time vocal processing and synthesis powered by deep learning.
Voice Swap
Voice Swap AITransform your voice into any artist style with state-of-the-art voice conversion.
Staccato AI
StaccatoTurn raw ideas and prompts into MIDI sequences ready for your DAW.
Songscription
SongscriptionAutomatically transcribe any audio track into professional sheet music.
RoEx
RoExAI-powered mixing and mastering that understands your sonic intent.
Veena Studio
VeenaAn interactive, browser-based DAW built for collaborative music creation.
Aiode
AiodeIntelligent stem separation and generation for producers and remixers.
Musiversal
MusiversalReal-time collaboration with world-class session musicians — available on demand throughout the week.
YOUR SUPPORT
Workshops, mentors, and hands-on support from our partners — here to help you build something great.
Remote Intro Workshop
Jeff (Co-founder)Introduction to AI-assisted composition with Staccato — hands-on walkthrough of the platform.
Getting Your Music Distribution-Ready
RoEx TeamWorkshop on mixing and mastering for release, plus direct mentoring during the event.
How to Use Humanable
Humanable TeamIn-person session at Houston Station for human-track teams — learn the certification workflow.
Everything You Need to Know About IP
Paul McGrady (Co-founder & IP Attorney)Intellectual property deep-dive at Houston Station — protecting your work in the age of AI.
Creative Talk / Workshop
Vltra VioletCreative session exploring the intersection of art, music, and technology.
Jake Handy
Senior Product Manager at Vobile / Pex
Virtual, 1hr/day
Jonathan Wyner
Head of Artistic Technology Initiatives at Berklee College of Music
Virtual, 1hr/day
Marissa DeVito
Music Industry Consultant
Virtual, 1hr/day
Rithik Kundu
General Partner at Joker Deck
Virtual, 2hr/day
Live session musicians on demand — Musiversal product support available for every team throughout the week.
Platform support for participants throughout the event — hands-on help with AI-native music production.
Distribution support plus free distribution on the ONCE platform after participants create their song.
WHAT YOU'RE PLAYING FOR
The grand prize is fixed. Everything else is pulled live from confirmed sponsor, partner, and mentor profiles.
Winning Teams Only
Grand Prize Stack
Win your track and artist level, then go head-to-head at the Final Four Concert for these prizes.
Santa Cruz Guitar
Handcrafted excellence - Grand Prize
1-Year Bounce.fm Subscription
Bounce.fm - $1,500
Music Tectonics Conference Pass
Music Tectonics - $500
Musiversal Unlimited Subscriptions
Musiversal
VocalNet NFR Codes
Session Loops - $1,000
Annual Pro subscription
Staccato
Three-month Pro subscriptions
Staccato
For Every Participant
Perks & Subscriptions
Humanable Human Track Perk BundleHumans track only
Free Humanable memberships and song certifications for human-track teams, plus two in-person sessions at Houston Station and a sponsored social after Upload Night.
Humanable - $3,000+
Free 1-Month Platform Access
One month of free Recoupable platform access for every participant.
Recoupable
One-month Pro subscription
Free one-month Pro subscription per team.
Staccato
10 prizes live from partner profiles
WHO SHOULD JOIN?
MCM teams combine the band and the builders. Solo artists, partial crews, and full teams of up to 10 are all welcome.
Singer-Songwriters
Bring the hooks, lyrics, and point of view.
Producers & Engineers
Shape the sonics and get the song across the finish line.
Instrumentalists
Session players and performers who bring the track to life.
Developers & Technologists
Build software, automations, and tools for the band.
AV & Visual Artists
Create live visuals, stage design, and performance moments.
Music Operators
Managers, marketers, and organizers who mobilize fans.
VOTE IN REAL TIME
When the lights hit the stage, the power shifts to you. Every performance is scored by fans in the crowd and expert judges — combined for the most transparent, exciting music competition ever.
NOW PERFORMING
Neon Velocity
"Digital Heartbeat"
GET INVOLVED
Whether you're a creator, industry expert, or forward-thinking brand, there's a place for you at the Make-A-Thon.
Artists & Teams
Build a single in six days. Develop tech to streamline pre-production and promotion of the song, perform it live, compete for the crown.
Register NowJudges & Mentors
Shape tomorrow's music industry by evaluating cutting-edge innovation.
Join the PanelSponsors & Partners
Gain visibility, access emerging talent, and support ethical AI in music.
Partner With UsREADY TO BUILD?
Six days. One song. Tools, mentors, and a live stage waiting for you.
Registration closes March 20 · Space is limited