Technology has always been a huge driving force in the music industry, but never more so than in the last decade or so with the increase in digital music programs that enable anyone to make decent music, streaming apps that make listening to music and discovering new artists much simpler, and of course mp3 players and smartphones that changed the way we buy and store music forever.
Technology has had a profound impact on the music industry, from the way music is created and distributed to the way it is consumed. Here are a few of the most notable ways that technology has changed music:
- The creation of music: Technology has made it easier than ever for musicians to create music. In the past, musicians needed to have access to expensive recording studios and equipment. Today, with the advent of digital audio workstations (DAWs), musicians can create high-quality music in their own homes.
- The distribution of music: Technology has also made it easier to distribute music. In the past, musicians had to rely on record labels to distribute their music. Today, musicians can distribute their music directly to fans through online platforms like Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music.
- The consumption of music: Technology has also changed the way people consume music. In the past, people would listen to music on the radio or on physical media like CDs and records. Today, people can listen to music on demand through streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.
Overall, technology has had a positive impact on the music industry. It has made it easier for musicians to create and distribute music, and it has made it easier for fans to discover and listen to music.
How Technology Has Improved Everything
In the coming months and years, we can expect technology to keep changing music in a myriad of ways. Here are some of the most interesting changes that we’re likely to see soon:
CDs Will Rule Again
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Okay, so this isn’t exactly high-tech, but just as vinyl has made a comeback in recent years, many people in the industry are predicting that CDs will become popular again in the next decade as more people look upon them as nostalgic collectibles. Well, they do arguably have better sound than music downloads and streamed songs.
Virtual Reality Videos
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Do you enjoy music videos? You’ll probably enjoy them a whole lot more in the future when they’re all VR compatible. Some musicians, such as Bjork, with her Stonemilker video, have already released 360-degree immersive videos that make you feel like you’re right there in the thick of the action and they’re pretty wonderful.
Music Composed By Artificial Intelligence
Right now, there are millions of people using tools like GarageBand to create their own music using nothing more than a computer, tablet or smartphone. In the coming years, we are likely to see technology not only being used to create music but actually doing the creating altogether with technology like Amper Music leading the way.
This might not seem good news for those of you who are budding musicians – no one wants to be replaced by a robot – but actually, even though AI can and will compose music, it will probably be a while before it can do so without any input from human hands (and ears) at all, and there is always going to be a place for people who know their crotchets from their quavers and understand the practical applications of enharmonic equivalents as well as how to weave a more memorable melody, for example. I think it’s safe to say that real humans who can read music and respond to it are still going to trump the robots, for now, at least.
Holographic Musicians
Have you ever heard of Hatsune Miku? If not, look her up because she quite possibly represents the future of the popstar. What makes her so different from Miley Cyrus or Justin Bieber, for example? Well, there’s the fact that she’s a hologram! Made by Crypton Future, the teen pop sensation was created from just two software applications, which is pretty impressive really! Again, I doubt this tech will totally replace the human touch, but chances are we’ll see more of this kind of things in the future.
How do you think tech will change music in the future? Which of these trends are you most excited about?
