Spotify in the Spotlight, Again

Spotify seems to be an easy target as of late. More and more artists are speaking out about the streaming service, or even removing their back catalogue from the site. With few options remaining for the recording industry many people are left wondering if it is possible to create a business model that provides both for the artist and label as well as representing good value for the consumer.

Do you think the industry is doomed, are streaming sites such as Spotify the only solution, how do you think artists should get revenue?

Read this excellent article in on The Guardian website to find out more.

Music Graduate Employment

"Dr Robert Adlington, an associate professor of music at the University of Nottingham, credits these successful and varied outcomes to the highly desirable skills developed by music students during their studies."

"With unique skills and a broad range of graduate jobs on offer, music students have better prospects than people imagine."

This recent article in The Guardian points out that skills learned whilst studying music related course can be used in all areas of employment, not just in the music industry. Surveys have found that music graduates are employed in vast array of areas and musicians develop all seven skills that define employability.

Homemade electronics

This is a brilliant homemade electronics project; a hand-cranked midi sequencer. This is modern update  to the old piano rolls found in player pianos. This is a great project for those you studying A Level Electronics too.



Jason Hotchkiss, the creator of this post runs a fantastic blog that has lots of electronic projects for musicians and music technicians. Check it out here:

Korg Volca

I constantly get asked about a good starter synth by students. I pains me to say but up till now the only synth I could recommend for the price was the MicroKorg. Korg released the Monotron a while back and whilst they are good fun they can hardly be used in a serious application. 

Now Korg have announced the Volca series of analogue synths, complete with full midi control, analogue circuitry and portability due to the battery power and small package size. Korg have announced 3 models, a drum machine, bass synth and lead synth. They can be connected together and even be synced with Korg's iOS apps. With midi control they can sync with your sequencer or be operated by tap tempo for live work. The bass and drum machine particular look and sound very similar to both Roland's TR909 and TB303, both of which are only available in emulation form or at eye-watering prices on Ebay. The best feature by far has to be the price, at £120.