Friday, July 22, 2011

The Internet's Influence On Music Libraries Evolution

By Eric James


Everything in a society changes as the overall technology in that society grows, and music is no exception. The internet, the fastest growing form of communication, was bound to become intertwined with music, the most historic form of artistic communication. As the internet continues to advance, it has become an important portion of the media industry, such as music libraries.

Illegal downloading and trading of copyrighted music lead to those in the music business to resent the boundless internet. Publishers and artists alike were afraid that their livelihood and only source of income would diminish if their works were so easily obtained through illegal downloading. However, it wasn't long before the music industry adopted the web as a valid opportunity for profit.

In the beginning, only a few producers viewed the web with such hope and promise, so much so that they invested in making online stores to sell and distribute their merchandise. Soon these small sites grew as more and more bands signed deals with them to sell their works on their sites. With the ability for many small bands to post their creations on these sites, the development of sub-genres grew to form their own recognized groupings.

People's libraries are now full of the most diverse, unique, and avant-garde music in history, combining cultures and styles that no business analysis would have predicted people would like. Although most of western civilization takes part in illegal downloading or streaming of music, it has exposed them to bands that would never have seen success otherwise. Businesses now show profits from these internet discoveries, when thousands of fans from the internet show loyalty by buying merchandise, concert tickets, MP3s of the band's music and videos, and supporting traffic on the music label's website.

Apple's iTunes Store has developed along side the web to better serve their clients. The iTunes Store is an online, one stop shopping center for all of a person's musical needs. Everything from entire CD albums to individually priced songs are available to the public. Not only has iTunes expanded their music library by allowing small bands to upload their creations to their database, but they have also recently added the ability to rent and buy movies and shows.

Connection to the world-wide-web has also made the library itself a variable tool. In years past, there was only the default music player that came equipped in the software of the computer itself, but now many different programs compete for the most popular install online. Some provide the music in stores, connect to a portable device like an iPod, burn disks, shrink file sizes, organize, and find all information for an untitled MP3. These programs have also inspired easier creation of independently made music from home that can be quickly shared with the world with a simple click of the mouse.

The internet has proved itself to be a guaranteed source of endless possibilities for many people and industries. The transformation of music collections from a physical library of records, cassettes and CDs, to an intangible virtual form has the web to thank. Even though there are those who see the online virtual music libraries as a deviation from the norm, there is no doubt that internet connection will continue to change how people use them.




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