When Your Computer Can?
Jimmy Russell
With the advancement of technology, digital media put the tools of production into the hands of the everyday computer, thus making it incredibly easy to produce a fair standard within a relativity short period of time. So with these creative tools simply placed into the lap of what most would call “amateurs” what will the future bring? What exactly is computer generated music and who are some of the artists that have used this technique to make it big and how? How has the internet and social networking websites helped influence artists and what will happen to the professionals and highly skilled artists in the business.
It is not until we examine Computer Music, which since the creation of the personal computer and growth of home recording has helped, that we can find this technique is sometimes used to describe any music that has been created using computing technology (Encyclopaedia, 2009). Commonly penned as Computer Music, the term that describes a field of study relating to the applications of computing technology in music composition also includes the theory and application of new and existing technologies into the music production. This includes, sound synthesis, acoustics and sound design. As this term can be traced back to the early origins of electronic music, the very first experiments and innovations with electronic instruments were not noticed until the 20th century. However, it is not until examine both groups that we can distinguish the differences. .
Computer generated music, which we will be discussed, is music composed by, and or with the extensive aid of, a computer and programs. Although most music requires a computer for editing and added details, the exact phase does not relate to this but more the music which has been created solely from a computer. To further go into detail, this generated music can then be seen in two groups, created on a computer for human performance and music composed and performed by computers. But for this essay, the human interaction side will be examined.
Unlike other computer generated artists, when a live performance is conducted, Calvin does not simply hide behind his decks. A full complete band is displayed on the stage. “Compared to going to go on as a DJ, I think we're a lot louder and a lot more danceable than it would be if it was me in front of the machinery, and obviously it's a more interesting spectacle for the people watching rather than just me behind some decks, because everyone's seen that a million times before.” (Slomowicz, 2007) This highlights the fact that though he has created computer generated music, he still produces live, highly intense and energetic live show, a rarity with modern day “DJ’s”
With a similar history to Disco Creator, the Swedish singer, producer and Bass Creator Basshunter is another big name in the field of computer generated music. With a completely different genre to promote, Jonas Altberg created his own MySpace and website eight years ago simply to show off his talents using the Fruity Loops program. With hundreds of songs, taking years to create, the unknown Basshunter exploded in the Eurodance scene and was instantly signed to a record label and has since toured the world (Basshunter.eu, 2008) While using his Mac book with Logic and Fruity Loops installed, changing his sound is the last thing he wishes to do.
“Today it’s so easy to produce music, anyone can, actually. There is, for example, the Nexus VST plug-in, pre-made sounds, you don’t have to touch it, it just sounds perfect from the beginning. The only thing you need is to know how to use the program and produce some beats. You need to have an ear as well. To be honest the best thing to do is to try and make something that no one else has done before. Make it as simple as possible and as catchy as possible. If you do that, and do it in a good way of course, everyone will be able to sing along” – Basshunter
Both artists openly admit to using programs to create music, unlike “real” musicians who use instruments, one of the main highlighting reasons they have excelled is simply due to the fact that they had been discovered on social networking sites and personal home pages. The certified gold album that is I Created Disco would possibly not be where it was however without the then added influence of social networking websites. “I like to think that there was some way that I could have been heard by someone if it hadn't been through MySpace but, you know, maybe not” (Slomowicz, 2007). Basshunter further adds to this thought by claiming “Look at me; without the internet and downloads I would be a fart in the wind” (Dolphin, 2009)
So does that mean that one day computer generated music will became the norm as music with actual instruments are becoming less popular? In my opinion, I’d stand by a strong no. With electronic dance music (widely created on computers – see artists above) mainly created for the purpose to be used in an environment that is centred upon dance based entertainment, this genre has vast and unreal strength and popularity behind it, but only from its targeted audience. To the ones that appreciate this genre, the electronic scene will never die, but as everyone holds a different taste and personality, the uprising of computer generated music will not be as powerful as expected.
It is estimated that…
•20 million people can play guitar in the USA
• 43% of adults can play an instrument
• Young adults aged between 18 and 34 are more likely to play an instrument than any other age.
• A staggering 43% of guitar players are aspiring professionals
• 41% are just hobbyists
• And, 54% of households hold at least one member who can play an instrument
Source: Google Answers - http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/720968.html (20th May 2006)
we humans are capable of transmuting
emotion into music."
~ Carlos Santana ~
Basshunter. (2008). Biography. Retrieved October 2009, from Basshunter.Eu: http://www.basshunter.eu/biography
Calvin Harris. (2009). Biography. Retrieved October 2009, from Calvin Harris: http://calvinharris.co.uk
Dolphin, D. (2009, May 3). Jonas Erik Altberg (Basshunter) Interview. Retrieved October 2009, from Skynet Blogs: http://pf.skynet.ie/blog/63/jonas-erik-altber-basshunter-interview/
Google Answers. (2006, May 20). How Many People In The United States Play Guitar. Retrieved October 2009, from Google Answers: http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/720968.html
Owyang, J. (2008, January). Social Network Stats. Retrieved October 2009, from Web Stategist: http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/2008/01/09/social-network-stats-facebook-myspace0reunion-jan-2008/
Slomowicz, D. R. (2007, January 14th). Calvin Harris Interview. Retrieved October 2009, from About.Com: http://dancemusic.about.com/ob/remixersproducers/a/CalvinHarrisInt.htm
The Free Dictionary. (2009). Computer Music Definiton. Retrieved October 2009, from The Free Dictionary: http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/computer+music











































