Computer Science and Music Technology

Computer Science and Music Technology

You’re a heavy-duty programming dude or computer grrl, but you also love music.  Is there any way to reconcile these two interests?  Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that computers and technology play a major role in the 21^st century music scene. Audio sequencers, MIDI and associated laptops are standard operating equipment for performers like Prince, Kraftwerk, OK Go, international deejay Paul Van Dyk or electronic music pioneer Thomas Dolby. Indeed, popular music today – from indie rock to hip-hop to house – would not be the same without innovations in computer science and technology. The following article is an exploration of the pioneering inventions and innovations in music technology that, through the use of computers, continue to define the musical experience of today.

Click to read more ...

Is remixing the new X-Factor?

Or Is remixing becoming the new X-Factor? Whatever you want to say about them, tv shows like the X-Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, America’s Got Talent, etc., are becoming the major way for kids to become pop stars. The temptation to audition for one of those shows is often too much for the budding singer, girl band, boy band, or guitarist, and when they finally reach the live shows, there’s the chance to get free publicity, exposure, critique of their style and ability. Even if they don’t make it all the way to the final, there’s always the chance of being signed by a record company, however well they can sing.

Click to read more ...

Behind Lady Antebellum

Need You Now, American Honey, Own The Night, Dancin’ Away With My Heart- these famous country songs are some of Lady Antebellum’s greatest hits. Lady Antebellum is an American country music band formed in 2006. This new band is composed by three talented artists namely Hillary Scott, the vocalist, Charles Kelley the background vocals, and Dave Haywood the guitar, piano, or mandolin player. This band was immediately recognized just within a year after performing. Their first recording debut which is a rendition of Jim Brickman’s “Never Alone” reached number 14 in the Billboard’s Adult contemporary chart. The band’s first album was released on April 15, 2008 and had reached number one on Billboard Top Country Music Albums.   

Click to read more ...

Are You A Gigging Musician Aged 55+?

Mick Jagger is 69 this year. Will the Stones hit the road once again?

Are aging baby boomers influencing the world of musical performance as they continue to develop their careers and craft well into their sixties and seventies? Do they have special interests and needs that we should identify, understand and cater to?

Click to read more ...

Suggestions for a Research Project

Dear Fellow Thinkers!

I am a 29 year old student studying for my bachelors degree in Audio Production. At the moment, I’m searching for a subject/thesis for my research paper and wanted to ask the good people at MTT if you might have any suggestions? I’m trying to find a subject which is relevant, applicable and which I can empiricly research. I am particularly interested in digital music distribution, even more narrowly - in the marketing aspect of digital music distribution. Can anyone at MTT think of a suitable topic - one which may be applicable and relevant to my chosen field? Any help at all would be sincerely and greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time!

Is Real Country Music Dead, Or Just Sleeping?

Yes, the face of country music has changed.

Yes, at the moment that face may be 16 years old. And, yes, maybe adolescent dollars have been waging a battle for control of country-music airwaves and concert-tour bookings.

Still, is this proud genre — which probably would try to reject George Jones and Loretta Lynn if they were coming up today — IS traditional country music doomed?

Click to read more ...

There Are No Standard Record Label Demo Submission Policies

Research Record Label Demo Submission Policies

There are tons of internet resources regarding the instructions on how to submit demos to a record label. I’m here to tell you that there are no standard record label demo submission policies. Labels, even those working primarily within the same genre of music, can be as different as the sub-genres they represent. Do your research and always go directly to the source.

Click to read more ...

Understanding phase

The phase of 2 waveforms is a very important aspect within the realms of audio engineering. I am writing this because I occasionally hear out of phase (or nearly out of phase) signals in the 2 track mix downs that I receive for mastering. It can be quite a serious problem as it has the potential to render the out of phase source silent if the mix is ever summed to mono. (and this might happen more often that one might think) The phase relationship of 2 signals can directly dictate the sonic quality of a 2 microphone recording or synthetic waveform. Initially I will explain phase by explaining the definition of mono and stereo recording in the traditional sense using microphones.

Click to read more ...

Finding Venues & Booking Gigs with In2ne

Bands want to perform at good venues, and venues want to bring in business by booking great bands, but the relationship between bands and venues is oftentimes strained at best.  This is in part due to the fact that there isn’t a good, central system in place that facilitates communication between the two sides.  In2ne, a new San Diego-based start up, aims to solve this problem for both musicians and music venues. In2ne is a new site that provides musicians with the tools they need to kick start their performing career, all entirely for free.

Click to read more ...

Getting Sick on Tour: Some Eastern Medicine Remedies

Let’s face it. Touring in a band is not the best, safest, healthiest thing to do. You’re stuck in a van with people and germs abound, you’re probably not getting enough rest, and you might be drinking way too much alcohol every night. At the same time, you’re depending on your good health to have strong vocals, be able to put on a killer show, and make it home in one piece. Here are some touring tips from the East on getting quick recovery:

Click to read more ...

BANDLOOT.COM - from musicians to musicians an app for band accounting

What started as a talk between co-workers at the company ”Earmaster” is now a free tool made by musicians, for musicians: bandloot.com

After a period of arguing with his band over financial confusion, an employee at Earmaster had an idea. An idea that his band – and everyone elses – could benefit from a tool to help keep the bandeconomy easy to handle. So after a talk during lunchbreak, a few co-workers started to develop an online app to keep tracks of the typical band finances. Who owes who, who payed for what, how much is left, etc.

Click to read more ...

Music Business Networking Tips and How to Handle the Food and The Drink

We hate talking to strangers and unfortunately this seems to be a key skill in business! Networking – love it or hate it – in business we have to do it. Here are some more tips following on from my last post.

Click to read more ...

An Indie Musician Wrote This Letter To Club Owners

This letter showed up in my e-mail today, and I thought I’d share it with everybody as I wondered if other indie artists felt the same way he did. I suppose this letter by indie musician Jodie Jones has already started to make its rounds, if it already spread to my e-mail and Facebook.

Spoiler alert: He doesn’t have good things to say about club owners

Click to read more ...

Why Is Europe Leading the World In Music Innovation?

Yesterday, I was on Google+ and I ran across a post from The Independent about how London is the global centre for music tech, which is very interesting because the last I checked the U.S. is still the number one music market in the world.

London has more concerts per year than anywhere in the world,” says Ian Hogarth, who co-founded the company in Shoreditch in 2007. “It’s also a place where there’s a density of people with a passion for technology – so it’s natural and organic that so many music technology companies have been founded in London.”

Europe and the UK especially, seem to have a higher respect and value for music versus us Americans and they seem to respect the art of music innovation more. Most of the entrepreneurs that I have spoken with from the U.S. are music geeks who saw a problem and wanted to create a solution – which is great! I see nothing wrong with that, but I think there needs to more of a balance between music geeks and great developers working in the music tech space in the U.S.

Click to read more ...