Has the internet changed the way people perform music? An in-depth look at how open source software has influenced music performance.

by

Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to expand the boundaries of our knowledge by exploring some relevant and factual information related to the impact of internet on music. The way to make and listen to music has changed with the use of technology. Technology is commonly associated with tools or things that facilitate our daily activities: household appliances, transportation, mass communication etc. Mankind has always sought to make life more simple and comfortable. Similarly, technology has also been utilized to explore some new dimensions of music. In this paper, the author has examined whether the internet and fast evolution of technology has changed the way people perform, produce and perceive music. This paper contains an in-depth analysis of how computer recording software, specifically open source music software, has influenced music performance around the world today.

Table of Contents

Introduction4

Discussion5

Impact of technology on the music industry5

The Technology of Musical Composition8

Impact of Open Source Software on Music Composition13

Musink14

Strong Notation14

Audacity14

Musescore14

Noteflight15

Rosegarden15

Wavepad15

Best Practice15

Musical Notes15

Reading Notes15

Audio Tuner16

Media Converter16

Pros of Computer Recording Software18

Cons of Computer Recording Software19

Opportunities Related to Computer Recording Software20

Conclusion22

References24

Has the internet changed the way people perform music? An in-depth look at how open source software has influenced music performance.

Introduction

Internet has changed the way humans learn, communicate, think and even method of consumption. The question that arises is that are the musicians nowadays creating sounds with the help of technology which could not have been possibly produced otherwise. Many different theories exist on how music overall has been impacted by the advent of technology and especially the invention internet along with the introduction of computer recording software like Pure Data, an open source software which allows all users easy access to professional recording and mixing. The fact that the music industry has irrevocably changed cannot be disputed, and the way music is composed has been re invented due to internet and emerging technology (Tanaka, 2005, pp. 191-198). The 'streaming culture' which allows for music enthusiasts and other internet surfers or fans to switch to a more attention catching beat with a single click of the mouse has certainly been affected. Ever since the 'age of machines' began, even before the advent of internet as a global base for users, in the 1950s, commonly referred to as the time when Stockhausen clashed with Pierre Schaeffer and his “musique concerte” in the Cologne, the Moogs and thermins technology with the help of 808s and auto tune had seeped into the way music was produced and had moulded it in a way which had become unrecognisable. However, it cannot be argued that internet has certainly managed to accelerate the culture of music online and glorified it, in process expanding the boundaries of the music industry to new heights. Nevertheless, it cannot be argued that today ...