With technology being an ever present in all industries in the commercial world, it is little wonder that digital media is having an influence on the music scene. Back when fractals were giving background ambience to electronic groups from the romantic era, technology has increasingly become synonymous with music.
With artists such as Daniel Bedingfield who created his chart topping single Gotta Get Thru This using just a computer and a microphone in the comfort of his bedroom, to Gnarls Barkley’s Crazy which topped the UK Singles Chart purely from downloads; using technology to create and promote music is now a staple.
Digital Music Platforms to Play With
There are simply hundreds of software packages and online gadgets available giving music makers a complete set of tools to create, edit, produce and promote their efforts. This is far from an exhaustive list of what is on the market today; the following is a snapshot of all that is available for music industry enthusiasts.
A large portion of digital music software addresses the need to record and edit audio and video. There is a range of applications available to create a complete digital studio experience. WavePad is one such application that allows you to edit one of many music file formats, add effects, analyse speech and sound and with their add-ons, one has access to a vast library of options.
Looplabs have created a set of applications for specialist creators aside from their main business of developing music campaigns for large multinational companies such as Coca-Cola, Microsoft and ESPN. Their online interactive music platform includes a host of features for adapting and modifying music.
DJ’s can choose from a number of software applications that can be used to modify tracks for specific purposes. Virtual DJ, one of the most well known digital DJ packages available lets you mix and scratch to create complete sets. With added applications such as VJS which allows you to add images to your music and Turntablist which provides a traditional and authentic vinyl experience with digital music. Rocket Pro DJ is another application providing DJ mixing and jukebox software which is used globally in nightclubs, restaurants and hotels.
MixMeister Express is a DJ program with a difference. While Virtual and Rocket Pro provide a digital dj-ing experience akin to traditional turntables, MixMeister basically does all the hard work for you. In 24th February 2010 Bullz-eye.com article “MixMeister Express 7: A potential death knell to the art of mixing, but a hell of a time saver”, David Medsker describes, “the way MixMeister analyzes songs and plots transitions from one song to the next is, well, ridiculously smart. In a matter of hours, I had assembled an 80-minute mix, and not a single train wreck in sight.” He continues “Populating the database is a breeze, and adding songs to your mix is as simple as clicking and dragging.”
No where has digital media made a more innovative impact to musicians than online collaboration sites such as eJamming. This revolutionary platform enables “musicians to play together in real time as if in the same room even if they are far from one another.” As the company’s description on their Facebook page suggests “Your drummer’s in New York, your lead guitar is in Germany, your bass player's in Japan, and you want to play, sing or rehearse. No problem. eJamming connects you together.” As the Cnet article describes “eJamming: Skype for musicians”
Online Connectivity Making Music More Accessible
Online sites are also providing novel innovations for music lovers. Songkick is website where music fans can track their favourite bands and have greater access to tickets for upcoming gigs or festivals.
Other examples include MixAlbum.com, a website that caught the attention of Dragons’ Den’s Deborah Meaden. The site offers fitness instructors an online application that allows you to choose your favourite dance tracks and at the click of a button, create a complete mix for your exercising needs.
Music Making Use of Social Media
When music met social media, accessing music via the online community saw the advent of present day monsters YouTube and MySpace. It is now a must for bands and solo artists to promote through a profile on MySpace and most if not all music videos can be viewed at YouTube. Some artists even found the rise to fame via social media.
Lily Allen, now famous British solo artist, started out posting her compilations on MySpace towards the end of 2005. With views into the tens of thousands, she signed to Regal Recordings in 2006. Her career has continued to increase including hosting her own TV show on BBC Three entitled Lily Allen and Friends.
Yet there is more available for musicians than just posting on YouTube of MySpace. Bands and solo artists are also creating new uses for social media in order to promote their wares.
Pendulum’s new single Witchcraft found that Facebook could give the band a greater audience with its 500 million users. As such the Pendulum Withcraft Facebook App was born, providing an opportunity for fans old and new to engage with the band. Garnering such a presence, the band’s innovative use of digital media saw the App scooping up a BT Digital Music Award for Best Music App.
It comes as no surprise that through creative development, digital media has become an integral part of the music industry as a whole. The exciting is thing is what the next innovation is going to produce for us to enjoy.
Anthony Rimmer - Anthony has a lot of life experience, working in a variety of jobs, in many countries around the world. He has lived in South Korea, South ...
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