This article has been causing quite a stir on the 'net and even sparked a few lively debates within our office. In it Steve Jobs airs his thoughts on Digital Rights Management (DRM), the iTunes store, the iPod, and music. He makes some good points and it's definitely worth a read.
I like the article because it abolishes the popular misconception that somehow Apple is the prime mover behind the iPod and iTunes store being a closed system. Using a DRM—in this case FairPlay—was simply the only way Apple could convince the major record labels to let them license their music for sale through the iTunes store.
I was shocked to discover that if Apple's FairPlay DRM encoding is hacked, Apple only has a short amount of time to fix it or the labels can pull out of the iTunes store without any recompense. Yikes.
Another point which Steve Jobs did not address is that the iTunes store and the music it sells don't make Apple any money. The music sold through iTunes is a loss leader for Apple, something they carry simply so they can sell iPods while avoiding the record label's wrath.
This excellent article by the esteemed Eliot Van Buskirk puts forth the proposition that soon all music will go DRM-free MP3 anyway. It's only a matter of time.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Monday, February 5, 2007
Indie Is The Future
This excellent article by the talented Eliot Van Buskirk neatly summarizes the state of the whole major label versus indie label dynamic as it exists today.
I think there are some really great changes taking place that will reshape America's musical landscape for the better: More creativity and diversity with less marketing and posturing. That's just my take on the situation, but it's always nice to find out someone agrees with you, right?
As with every situation, there's another side of the coin. With the muscle these independent record labels are suddenly finding through organizations like Merlin, A2IM, and the Association of Independent Music (AIM), who's to stop them from consolidating and moving right into the void left by the collapse of the major record labels? That little bit of postulation is complete conjecture, but it's not unreasonable either. Hopefully musicians, music lovers, and consumers in general have learned a little about letting giant corporations control their art and culture. With some luck and faith we just might come out of this mess with a bit of balance between music, creativity, and commerce.
I think there are some really great changes taking place that will reshape America's musical landscape for the better: More creativity and diversity with less marketing and posturing. That's just my take on the situation, but it's always nice to find out someone agrees with you, right?
As with every situation, there's another side of the coin. With the muscle these independent record labels are suddenly finding through organizations like Merlin, A2IM, and the Association of Independent Music (AIM), who's to stop them from consolidating and moving right into the void left by the collapse of the major record labels? That little bit of postulation is complete conjecture, but it's not unreasonable either. Hopefully musicians, music lovers, and consumers in general have learned a little about letting giant corporations control their art and culture. With some luck and faith we just might come out of this mess with a bit of balance between music, creativity, and commerce.
Friday, February 2, 2007
iTunes issues for early Vista adopters
Some early reports indicate that Windows users upgrading to Vista may experience some clashing between iTunes and the minty-fresh OS. It seems music, movies, and television shows purchased from iTunes can't be authorized on a Vista PC.
The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs has a particularly funny take on the situation.
Thankfully Apple just released the fix. Good luck to all the iTunes and Vista people out there.
The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs has a particularly funny take on the situation.
Thankfully Apple just released the fix. Good luck to all the iTunes and Vista people out there.
Fight the power!
Okay, I realize I probably can't say that with quite the conviction of Chuck D and his boys in Public Enemy, but that's how this story released by the Associated Press makes me feel.
Remember that litigation spree the RIAA and a few of the major record labels went on a few years ago where they brought lawsuits against kids and their parents for downloading and sharing music? Apparently one of the young boys the RIAA decided to sue has filed a counter suit. Robert Santangelo was only 11 years old when the four labels suing him claim the music downloading took place. Despite not having any proof of Robert engaging in any illegal downloading activity, the RIAA continued to prosecute him and his family for the past four years.
Santangelo has maintained his innocence and has now gone one step further by filing a suit against his accusers accusing them of violating antitrust laws, conspiring to defraud the courts, and making extortionate threats. Wow, that's a mouthful. I'll bet Chuck D could still make it rhyme.
Internet Jamming Part Deux
In the interest of competition, Sonoma Wire Works offers a similar service through their excellent RiffWorks software. The technology, called RiffLink, is built into RiffWorks. Although still in beta, I've heard second hand that it works pretty well.
The excellent Line 6 Guitar Port RiffTracker comes with a version of RiffWorks as well as a passel of Line 6's famous amp and effects models. In addition to hosting RiffLink, RiffWorks is an excellent computer recording and practicing platform developed especially for guitar and bass players.
Update: Apparently, RiffLink works really, really well because it's already inspired a band. I'm proud to present to you the RiffLink Junkies. Enjoy, people, enjoy.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Jamming comes to the Internet age
Tired of playing with the flaky musicians in your home town? Thanks to eJamming now you can play with flaky musicians in other cities, too! No, seriously, eJamming is a cool new online service company which uses peer to peer technology and good ol' fashioned MIDI to make playing with other musicians online a reality.
The technology is being demoed at the appropriately named Demo conference to generate interest and show off what they've accomplished. Which, if it works as advertised, will be pretty liberating for musicians. I mean, I would imagine that if you're a huge post-rock fan living in Tuscaloosa, you've probably had a hard time finding four or five other mates to come over and jam on the latest Sigur Ros record. eJamming to the rescue! The computer requirements seem reasonable so if you're MIDI and Internet equipped—and looking for new people to jam with—you should check it out.
If you're in need of a computer and MIDI-savvy instrument, you can pick up something small like the M-Audio Axiom 25, or the E-Mu Xboard 49. If you've got a keyboard with MIDI, you can just get the M-Audio USB Uno or the Yamaha UX16 and you're ready.
For guitarists, check out the Switch Wild IV MIDI electric guitar or the Brian Moore i8.13 MIDI electric guitar. You could also simply buy a special pickup like the Shadow Quick Mount guitar-to-MIDI converter.
The technology is being demoed at the appropriately named Demo conference to generate interest and show off what they've accomplished. Which, if it works as advertised, will be pretty liberating for musicians. I mean, I would imagine that if you're a huge post-rock fan living in Tuscaloosa, you've probably had a hard time finding four or five other mates to come over and jam on the latest Sigur Ros record. eJamming to the rescue! The computer requirements seem reasonable so if you're MIDI and Internet equipped—and looking for new people to jam with—you should check it out.
If you're in need of a computer and MIDI-savvy instrument, you can pick up something small like the M-Audio Axiom 25, or the E-Mu Xboard 49. If you've got a keyboard with MIDI, you can just get the M-Audio USB Uno or the Yamaha UX16 and you're ready.
For guitarists, check out the Switch Wild IV MIDI electric guitar or the Brian Moore i8.13 MIDI electric guitar. You could also simply buy a special pickup like the Shadow Quick Mount guitar-to-MIDI converter.
Yeah, iTunes is that good
Music download startup SpiralFrog appears to be aborting before it even launches.
Despite my flip title, I don't think SpiralFrog is really an iTunes victim as much as it is the victim of a really, really tough market that's in bad shape right now. It's also tainted with a "me, too!" flavor. Previous variations of the ad-supported download model floundered and flailed as well and nothing tastes worse to consumers than failure.
Supposedly they've hired a new CEO and maybe things will turn around for the little musical amphibian but the pond is quickly drying up for music retailers and soon everyone will be forced to evolve.
Despite my flip title, I don't think SpiralFrog is really an iTunes victim as much as it is the victim of a really, really tough market that's in bad shape right now. It's also tainted with a "me, too!" flavor. Previous variations of the ad-supported download model floundered and flailed as well and nothing tastes worse to consumers than failure.
Supposedly they've hired a new CEO and maybe things will turn around for the little musical amphibian but the pond is quickly drying up for music retailers and soon everyone will be forced to evolve.
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