AES: Audio Engineering Society

We're taking a different turn today and we're going to focus more on the Audio Industry, recent news, and primarily discussing Game Audio.

Today, I will be speaking about the Audio Engineering Society. A couple months ago they had completed their elections for the new 2010-2011 officers, with Jan Abildgaard Pedersen being elected President.

Now, there are a lot of different sections to my industry: different people doing different things. The Music Industry is taking a lot of hits right now, primarily because of illegal downloading. They have been doing more marketing through live music and merchandise, along with the help of iTunes’ bonus tracks and pre-order packages. However, at the same time, the Game Industry is thriving and because of this the Game Audio Industry is thriving.

Quality audio for video games is a must. There was a time when 8-bit, computer generated audio was acceptable but we are in the 21^st century and you can’t play “Call of Duty: Black Ops” or “Halo: Reach” with 8-bit audio (however, some bloggers believe there could still be a use for low-bit audio for phones, Wi-Fi, etc.). Games today have full quality, lossless audio and pay well to those who design it.

After reading a blog about the Game Audio/Music Composition industry, I learned quite a bit about finding work and the two career paths that one can take.

In New York, a couple years ago, the AES’ 127^th convention was held. They discussed the latest achievements in Game Audio and Music Composition through a number of various workshops. Also, there was a lot of attention that focused on interactive music [something that I’ve been known to have interest in].

There are usually two options if you pursue a career in Game Audio. You can either be an Audio Programmer or a Sound Designer. Most of these jobs are found through studio websites, Game Industry forums, and the all-powerful networking. As a Programmer, it is often necessary to have a Bachelors degree but as a Sound Designer, you may not need a degree at all (though it helps). With Sound Design, you start as an intern (like in any studio) and work your way up.

The Fall... or The Future?

On December 25, 2010, The Fall was released over the internet. The Fall is a full length album recorded by the Gorillaz. Why is this album so important? Because it is the first full length album to be recorded and released by a mainstream artist.

The Fall is a fifteen track album that was recorded while the Gorillaz were on tour. Damon Albarn (founder) recorded the album with the use of twenty applications. A number of songs were named after the cities in which they had been recorded in.

The importance of this is that it continue to prove my point. There was a time when touring was part of the year and recording was the rest. Now that has changed. The two can go hand in hand. With the use of the iPad, anyone is able to write music whenever they want.

It had been predicted that more and more known artists will begin to experiment with the iPad and use it as part of their recording process. We will see how this new & fast way of making music will progress over the coming years. The iPad will most likely be the way that we get a lot of things done: not just recording albums.

The iPad is not nearly as developed and evolved as it is meant to be, but it has already begun to change the way we live our lives. 

An Apple A Day...

Apple is working with Major Labels is start creating Interactive Albums for consumers (supposedly working with EMI, Sony, Warner, Universal). They're rumored to be putting together lyric sheets, arts, etc. As I always say, interactive albums may one day become the norm.

This is the best way to begin increasing album sales, which is their goal. Some believe that this will be ill-fated however it is more likely that this move with bring a positive change to the industry.

The truth is that people need a reason to buy an album right now. Anyone can download Transmission on their mac and begin torrenting rapidly. So interactive albums will probably be the best way to raise album sales.

However this needs to come to the point that songs can be custom. Being able to customize your favorite tunes will definitely raise album sales.

If you want to know more about these ideas then you should check out my first blog: The Future of Music.
It goes into much more detail of these ideas.


http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/apples_cocktail_to_inspire_better_bands.php

The iPad: Music to My Ears

Friends, Bloggers, Viewers, lend me your ears!

The future is upon us and I have said it before: anyone can be a producer these days. Do you have an iPad? Well, if you do, then you can be a producer too. It's honestly as easy as downloading a few applications. That’s right: the iPad is releasing a bundle of new music production applications.

The first app is a basic synthesizer/keyboard. It works via midi and comes with 40 built in instruments. This synth is also capable of recording samples. This is great for anyone starting up his or her own home studio. On top of all of this… the synth can record directly into Garage-Band and Logic. So you will be able to plug the iPad synth right into your MacBook Pro and record it into your Apple DAW (Logic/Garage-Band). It can also be connected into other mixers as well. All of this for only one dollar!

Now, our next app is StudioTrack. This one is a little bit pricier. I’m just kidding… it’s forty dollars. StudioTrack is a multi-track recorder exclusive to the iPad. It also has a metronome, dynamic/time-based effects, 16/44.1 recording, and even Wi-Fi syncing so that you will be able to import your tracks to any software that supports Wav. You are able to record 8 tracks at once. You are able to mix the tracks and bounce your mix as well. You can bounce from one track to the other. So you are not limited to only 8 tracks. Every channel has an effects rack also which makes this all the more enjoyable. The effects are an EQ, compressor, reverb, and delay.

There are more new iPad applications for music production/creation here:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/194194/ipad_music_production_apps_music_meets_multitouch.html

Enjoy.

Here’s a little bit of interesting information. Damon Albarn from the Gorillaz and Blur has been recording the next Gorillaz album exclusively on the iPad. He hopes to release it before Christmas. Whether you know the music or not, I advise you to listen to the album. This is a big step in the industry.

The Future: Do It Yourself

Right now a really big thing on the Smartphone and iPad is making music. That's right. YOU can make your own music now.

We are in a time where everyone is a producer. You can make a great song just by dragging loops together in Garage Band. Along with that, on the smart-phones, you are able to get apps where you can DJ a song or even make the music for a song. In some of theses apps you are able to create a beat, write the music, and produce it.

Although it will not change much, this is certainly not helping the music industry: even ProTools is being sold at Toys R Us now.. It's steadily becoming easier and easier for everyone to produce their own music as technology advances.

How much easier will it get to create and produce your own music?

The Future of Music

Over time music has gone through many phases and changes in performance, recording, and listening – from live recitals, to operas, to concerts, to festivals, to vinyl, cassette, CD, digital, iPads, iPhones, etc. However, the question that constantly eats at us is where will music be going? What is the next step? Well, I will tell you the next step and here’s an exciting thought: We’re almost there.

So, where is music going, you ask again?

It’s going to be interactive.

Now, we already have interactive music with Rockband but what I’m talking about is listening to a song on your iPod and being able to choose from a variety of bass-lines, drum tracks, guitar riffs, piano noodles, etc. Yes, I am saying that you will be able to customize the song with given tracks.

Take a look at “I’ve Seen Enough” by Cold War Kids.

http://coldwarkids.toolprototype.com/

Imagine a word where everyone can get what they want out of their music (to a certain extent).

Not only is this innovative and exciting, it could help improve the music industry economically. Even less people would illegally download music. People want music their way and they will pay for it. People love to feel like they have control and are being creative.

Primarily, these interactive albums would be available to SmartPhone users as the number of people who have them has been growing substantially.

Honestly, it seems that the only downside is that studios would also have to spend more money on studio time and it would cost more for the artists because of the time it takes to record an album but let’s be honest… more and more bands are starting to self-produce.

So who will be the first band to start instating this idea?

I’m sure we’re all voting Radiohead or Nine Inch Nails.

Let’s not forget: not everyone adapts well to change. So if interactive audio is to come into practice, it may be a good idea for the band to also release a CD of how their intended the album to be. In fact, this could make them more money. You can buy their CD and also download their app on your cell-phone and customize your own.

The future of music and the possibilities it holds is becoming more and more exciting.

Music Music Music

This is my blog. I will be talking about everything music from the industry, to different genres, production, composition, etc.