Consumers..? Prosumers..? What does it mean?

Music is evolving at such a rate that the music industry is struggling to keep up with some of the changes. There are many factors which are affecting the industry, but this one I had only took into account after my Political Economy lectures in University. This particular factor is how producers and consumers of music are merging together since the advancement of technology. What this means is that people aren't just purchasing music, they are making it for themselves by buying softwares such as: Protools and Logic. As well as hardware like Launchpads and mixing desks. They are semiprofessional artists. The term which has been used to describe these producers and consumers is: Prosumers. Makes sense right? Prosumers have the ability to create their own recording studios and record their own music from the comfort of the homes without the need of record labels and publishers. They can produce music for themselves and publish it however and wherever they please. This has only been an option since the internet an technology.

The rise in technology as helped people become more creative when making music. There are lots more options available now for everyone; you don’t have to be a professional musician to create good music. There are thousands of songs available to listen to today and hundreds more being created every day. They are also free to listen to on sites such as: Sound Cloud and YouTube, making semiprofessional music more accessible to everyone.

Now that people are creating music rather than simply consuming it, the music industry is going to have to adapt to survive the changes. A reason for this is because services like record labels and publishers are less needed now people can produce, promote and distribute music for themselves while still gaining revenue. I believe the music industry could adapt by having A&R representatives specifically for finding new talent online on websites such as YouTube. This would help record labels find lots more music and keep up with the current trends. It would also allow musicians to create a better revenue and gain more promotion, as well as gain more experience about music and the industry. Another way the industry could adapt is by having recording studios release their own line of equipment for home studios. This would allow recording studios to gain money while also help musicians who want to record music in their own homes. They could also give paid lessons and online tutorials on how to use certain equipment and Digital Audio Softwares etc. which would again benefit both parties. By doing this, the industry is still gaining money but in an evolved way; it would also promote recording studios.

The industry needs to find new ways, perhaps such as these, to find ways of surviving and adapting to the change. The music industry and Prosumers will have to work together to advance and keep the industry alive.

#musicandthefuture