New Avenues for Recording and Distribution in the Digital Age

November 9, 2011

Recording and distribution in the digital age requires a greater understanding of how markets, consumers, and fans can be reached and appealed to through the Internet and the various forms of communication the Internet has created. The Internet has allowed for unimaginable access to not only information, but to other people as well. Someone sitting in their home can use computer equipment to record, edit, and distribute a piece of original music and can even make money doing so. While the mainstream recording industry may not always make it easy for smaller groups to break into the business, technology has made up for such failings.

Certain websites have even been created with the express purpose of allowing musical performers to spread the word about themselves through social networking. While these sites may have become popular among non-musicians as well, they still exist and can certainly be used as a way for someone to spread their work and image to new markets and people. Internet websites can be used to host music clips, video footage from concerts, and allow even people who are still practicing in a garage for a first gig to create a website for their band. Recording and distribution in the digital age is about thinking beyond what was possible before, and creating something new that will catch people’s attention and make them want to know more about a group or performer. Things like blogs, forums, and podcasts can all be used to allow someone to get their music and image out to the public and interact with new musical communities.

Because computer technology has allowed for the creation of professional quality home recording studios, a person can form a band and start recording music without the help of a major label within the record industry. With the possibilities opened up through webhosting of sites, streaming audio, and group information, a performer can now distribute his or her music to the masses as well. While someone can easily burn a CD to distribute, the physical process can be skipped completely and music can be recorded digitally then distributed digitally as well. The entire process has been potentially simplified and has allowed artists to relate and interact directly with the fans who buy the music, allowing the record industry to be bypassed nearly completely. Though the full potential for recording and distribution in the digital age has not necessarily been fully explored, the possibilities that are already available are quite impressive.