Music software vs music technology
Composers often use notation software to create a score for musicians. Players might use electronic effects or samples, and listeners have many options for consuming music, including personal mp3 players and online streaming services.
A young man playing music
Music technology supporting musical activity
Music technology can support musicians in a number of ways, for example, by:
- Helping composers to develop musical ideas, using a notation or sequencer programme. This enables composers to try out ideas, review and refine them.
- Enabling musicians to work with new sounds via digital instruments. Adding effects and altering the pitch and speed of musical fragments is also possible.
- Facilitating the recording of musical compositions. Musicians can record their initial ideas for later development or collaboration with other musicians. They may want to record demos or create final versions for distribution.
An introduction to the basics of music technology