How far do you think developments in technology have changed the way the music industry operates?

As there has been a huge difference in technology and is increasingly developing, from this it has completely changed the way in which the music industry is. Resulting into new ways that have been created for artists to distribute their music to their audiences, as well as their listeners can get hold of this music.

Records and then later cassette’s used to be the only way to buy a song or album, or some people would have to wait until they heard their band or artist on the radio, or some people had to pay to listen to the music through a jukebox. After this the people were able to record and keep songs from the radio that they want making it cheaper for them to have and play music. After this the CD was introduced and from this developed a new way of purchasing music and being able to play it at home in a CD player or from a walkman. People are still continuing buying CD’s as they are still used and played today but there is a huge competition within this industry of buying music, as people are finding it easier to download music from the internet or itunes.

The use of new technology has changed in the way people get hold of music. As majority of listeners are now buying their music from the internet and get an instant download of the artist’s album or single. From this people can save their music on to a mp3 player or ipod, or even burn the album on to a disc. As this is being developing music can be streamed on to social sites such as Myspace, Facebook or Spotify.The new improvements from the technology increasing it is now opening doors for people to illegal download which is happening more and more often, as there are sites to give people the opportunity to do so such as Limewire or UTorrent where there is no pay needed. This is affecting the music industry as it is meaning the income tp the industry is becoming smaller number this is supported from the ‘Drowned in Sound’ website, the music industry only made 5% of their potential sales in 2008 due to illegal downloading. This is around a £48 billion loss in just one year. The technology has changed even the way people record or promote their music even when the artist is not very well –known as young artist don’t have the money or facilities to record into a studio. New software is being developed such as Logic or GarageBand on Mac computer. As the software can record their music although the quality of sound may not be it is in order to save their music and distribute it to social networking site or out to the public. A way of promoting music is from using sites such as Facebook, the artist can produce a page for fans so that they can post various, information about music updates, information about gigs or photos for the public to comment. Another way of promoting could be by filming videos and posting them on to YouTube this has been seen to be very effective as it produces huge recognition, as people have been discovered from sites such as YouTube and now are well-known in the public eye.

 Although technology has almost taken over the music industry in the way of how music is produced and promoted. There are still some traditional aspects of how it operates such as the ‘weekly number 1’ which is promoted into most magazines from heat to NME magazine. Another way of promoting music traditionally would be the radio and how it is being used more often due to being in people’s cars and mobiles. Technology has produced more channels by providing digital radio stations but from this the radio was not affected at all, it even enhanced the quality it gave to the listener.
In conclusion, it is clear that technology has had a huge impact on the music industry of how it is operating, due to the internet and downloading which have taken over and will eventually change more and more they way we buy and listen to music. Although the system of buying music from Itunes and downloading has become easier and will be never- ending.