IMPORTANT NOTICE/REMINDER

DISTRIBUTION AND EXCHANGE ARE THE MAIN FOVUS POINTS 

Technology and the music industry

Technology has changed how we access music, how we listen to music, and how we advertise and promote music. The music industry has gotten less face sales as people rip the music off online for free. However, money is still made from gigs and merch - plus if a very mainstream artist releases an album it will still be purchased from stores if it is received as a quality product.

Technical convergence - Coming together of two or more technologies. For example, iphone and ipod touch.

Distribution companies sign deals with record labels that gives them the rights to sell the label's products to record stores that have an account with that distributor. Distributor then takes a cut off the profits and gives the rest to the label.

Web 1.0 was about info being pushed into the internet - used for browsing and reading.

Web 2.0 is the new web as technology has advanced, allows reading, posting and publishing content without the need for specialist software.

positives

unisgned acts can build fanbases and distribute their own music without labels using platforms like youtube.

Indie labels can operate solely online keeping costs low so they can focus more on the actual music.

Can source "majors" - bands who have already established a fanbase.

Synergetic links with other companies, e.g songs from xfactor can be instantly downloaded from itunes.

Negatives

people can rip the music for free thus effecting the label and artists that produce the music.

pirate p2p software like pirate bay.