With technology changing so rapidly, when working in the creative industries, you have to keep up with the current trends and changes and how these affect our work. When it comes to Music Production, there have been a vast array of technological advances that have transformed the way we not only produce, but listen and work with music.
Digital software has arguably been the biggest game changer in the production of music, allowing musicians of all abilities to write, record and produce their own songs to a reasonable quality. Digital audio workstation (DAW) software such as Avid Pro Tools or Apple’s Logic Pro – the engine-rooms of most recording studios – allow users to simultaneously edit more than 100 audio tracks, adjust pitch and timing and add an infinite variety of effects.
Since MIDI came along, you no longer need to bring in a full brass band to get that effect on a track. Songwriters can now compose elaborate arrangements through synthesisers and music production software's, offering artists more creative freedom and the ability to work with instruments they may not have had access to or the skills to use previously.
Digital Streaming services such as Spotify, Soundcloud and YouTube have allowed us to listen to a wide variety of styles and genres of music anywhere, at any time. Musicians can upload music in a click of a button and have people listen to their songs from all over the world without the need for a distributor or record label. The availability of these technologies finally takes music out of the hands of record labels and into the hands of the musicians if they know how to promote themselves. However, there are downsides to this instantaneous streaming, including artists earning less from their music- a battle that has changed the landscape of the music industry.
Nobody can tell you exactly what will happen to the way we produce music with technology constantly changing, but we can make some good guesses With the entry of such easy-to-use technology into the industry, many people are questioning the need for Sound Production experts and Audio Engineers. However, a producer can really help make or break a musicians studio sound and can be the crucial objective viewpoint of someone not emotionally invested in the material. Furthermore, just mixing your music using DAW software isn’t enough; you also have to make sure the track is mastered properly to create a smooth and finished sound. Professionals who possess these skills are so important in today’s industry to keep the high production value and quality alive in a time where DIY is rife and musicians that opt for professional advice can really stand out against the crowd.
