Type A Learning Agency

Creativity and Digital Audio
Give music a rightful place in your digital lifestyle
by Arlo Leach

Intellectual property rights are a growing concern for anyone who makes a living from his or her creative work. But why does it seem like we hear about this issue as it relates to music more than any other form of media? For some reason, while we're encouraged to participate in the creation of other media, music has come to be considered a "read only" medium.

Recent software releases by Apple Computer highlight this problem. In keeping with its "digital hub" strategy, which provides tools that consumers can use to create and manage media assets, Apple has released a line of "i" applications for various media. iMovie lets you edit and publish videos that you record with your digital video camera. iPhoto provides tools for cataloguing and publishing the pictures you take with your digital still camera. And iTunes lets you copy songs from your music CDs, organize them, and sync them with your portable MP3 player.

Did you notice anything peculiar there? iMovie manages videos that you create. iPhoto manages photos that you create. iTunes manages songs that you … copy from commercial CDs.

That might make sense if iMovie were a tool for capturing clips from DVD movies, and iPhoto were a tool for scanning images from magazines. But in those media, you're expected to create your own assets. Only in music is it assumed that you'll be copying the work of others rather than creating your own.

Musicians may well be flattered that participation in their chosen field is apparently considered unattainable by nonprofessionals. But does music really deserve this special treatment? Wouldn't a music recording program get at least as much use as iMovie?

Among Type A's associates, we have an accountant who plays tuba, a marketing consultant who plays drums, and a graphic designer who plays accordion. Over half of our staff plays at least one instrument. And we know of several clients who play in bands on the side. An informal survey among all those people reveals that only three own a video camera, and only one has ever produced a movie.

So what's the hangup about music? Imagine if we had portable MP3 recorders, multitrack recording software that's as easy to use as iMovie, and sequencing software that allows even people who aren't technically proficient on an instrument to join the fun. When people went out to photograph a beautiful sunrise, they could also record the singing birds. High school sweethearts could write and record songs for each other rather than making compilations of worn-out radio mush. And die-hard music fans could go to concerts and make their own live recordings, ensuring that professional musicians at least earned the cost of a ticket.

Here's a digital hub strategy for you — treat music as a form of expression (or at least personal documentation) just like photography and video. Creating, after all, is more fun than copying. If you don't think this idea will sell, stop by the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago any weeknight. This cultural landmark is overflowing with people from all walks of life who clearly don't think that sitting and listening is enough.

P.S. to Apple. When you're ready to release your new audio recording program, here's our suggestion for its name: iRock.

UPDATE: On January 16, 2004, Apple plans to release an audio recording program as a part of its "iLife" suite. Check it out!

Arlo Leach is an accomplished musician with several several albums to his credit. He wouldn't mind owning an iPod, despite what this article might lead you to believe.