The future of electronic music instruments

Since the first ancient instruments of the past were made, such as a flute from animal bones, musical instruments have evolved over time, adding stringed instruments, percussive instruments, and electronic instruments. I have set out to bring a very unique electronic to the market with my company, Red Audio. However, it has recently come to my attention that my real competition has just opened up shop.

Music Computing is the name of the challenger. Former head of Open Labs, Victor Wong, founded music Computing. His former company specialized in pretty unique music workstations with built in computers. His most recent conquest sets out to crush his former company and move forward with the advancement of electronic instruments and workstations.

Music Computing currently offers three state of the art new products. The Studio Blade, a hardware keyboard with built in computer for a complete music production station including microphone preamps, inputs, multiple outputs, and a plethora of midi controlling knobs, sliders, and buttons. The iKey dock, a hardware keyboard that docks with any laptop and instantly creates a full blown production station with microphone preamps, inputs, outputs, and the same insane amount of midi controllers. Finally, their most interesting products to me, their touch screen products.  Music Computing now offers a product very similar to the idea I originally had going, but not fully there with my idea just yet. This product, the MotionCOMMAND work center offers users a complete touch screen resolution to music production.  This is fantastic in the sense that people would naturally love to be able to use their hands and not a mouse, this also shows the innovation and direction of which the future of electronic instruments are going.

When I found this out I was very excited about these products, as my ideas for my company are similar and the touch screen workstation assures me that my ideas are on point and going in the right direction. What I offer still stands its ground as the only product that would be like it, however, I believe that Music Computing will either become my main competition, or perhaps I could partner up with them on a new product idea. Like they say, “If you can’t beat em, join em”

PREPARE FOR EXCITEMENT!! (BRING A CHANGE OF UNDERWEAR) ITS NAMM TIME ! ! ! !

Endless rows of booths filled with studio electronics, innovative musical instruments, impressive studio monitors and control room mixers. Flashing lights, automated faders, and incredible audio quality surround you.This can only mean one thing, you my friend are currently in the middle of the annual NAMM - or National Association of Music Merchants trade show! (HOW EXCITING!?!)

This special event happens once a year and unifies merchants, musicians, engineers, and technology junkies under one roof. “Our association—and our trade shows—serve as a hub for people wanting to seek out the newest innovations in musical products, recording technology, sound and lighting—everything you need to enhance and grow your business, presentation or event!” NAMM (2010). Events like this are essential in my industry. Without an event like the NAMM trade show, thousands, maybe even millions of people would be deprived of checking out new and innovative ideas that directly relate to their field of work. Engineers can stay ahead of the game with new studio technology, musicians can stand out with innovative instruments, and even lighting techs can shine above the rest with creative and unique lighting gear. The trade show effectively creates suspense and really lets all the manufacturers show what they got coming up around the corner. People will anxiously await on that new mixer, that new analog to digital converter, or even that insane new touch screen, customizable, modular synthesizer with a nice glowing, “Red Audio” on it. ;)

Personally when my own company, Red Audio, gets off the ground and has its first prototype, we are going straight to the NAMM trade show and our booth will be one of the most talked about booths there. Think about the amount of people that never even heard of something like my product, and then suddenly laying their eyes on something that is so enticing that it hypnotizes you and draws you straight over to us. After closer inspection, what’s that you say? CUSTOMIZABLE TOO?! Sold. Before we even begin mass production of our product. Pre-orders will be available just like in the video game industry. Being able to do this will effectively help build my brand name in the minds of the consumers. As they see the product being used in a live demonstration before their very own eager eyes and even get a chance to use it themselves, trust will be built in their minds about our company and our innovation.

Long live the NAMM show!

Reference:

NAMM (2010) About NAMM. NAMM.org.

Retrieved on Sunday, November 21st, 2010 from:

http://www.namm.org/about

Don’t worry be happy! - Your brain has factory built in pattern recognition :)

Bobby McFerrin, the extremely optimistic, good old, one hit wonder. I know, I know, all you younger generations out there may be asking yourself, “Bobby who?” He may only be remembered by his ‘80s mega hit song, “Don’t worry be happy,” which is sad because the man is brilliant and understands the human mind very well. However, even if he is only remembered for that one song, that’s still a lot better than what the majority of the rest of the world will be remembered by.

In the video, “Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music”, posted on TED.com, Bobby grabs the attention of the audience and shares information through a demonstration of the ability of the human mind to recognize and predict patterns. Bobby begins by jumping in the air and singing a single note, and as he lands, he signals the audience members to follow along and sing the note as he continues to jump. By the second jump, the audience began to recognize the simple pattern and started singing along with Bobby. As Bobby proceeds to jump on stage, he jumps towards the audience’s right and introduces a new higher note to the audience, and the audience picks up on this instantly. Shortly after the audience learns the new note, he proceeds to jump back and forth between the two spots, and the crowd immediately catches on to the notes and sings along with his actions depending on which spot he lands on. This is pattern recognition by the human mind. As Bobby jumps again over towards the crowds right (the higher note), he suddenly switches it up on the crowd and jumps beyond the high note even further towards their right, and without him even singing the note the audience instantly knew which note to hit! A step up from the previous high note! This is pattern prediction, which the human mind is completely capable of and hard-wired to do. He continuously adds new notes even without singing them to the crowd, and everyone in the audience sings in sync with his actions. Incredible.

What does this mean to me? Well, it means quite a few things. Of course it means we are naturally able to recognize and predict patterns, but not just of musical nature. Human beings can use the brains natural ability to recognize patterns in consumer trends, marketing trends, and business trends. If we really put our brains to work, we can even predict patterns in each of these trends. Being able to recognize and predict patterns in consumer behavior can be a remarkable help to your business. If you can recognize a pattern of trends that your target market is following, and then predict what the next trend will be, well my friend, you are ahead of your game and strapped for success. Unless of course your brain is malfunctioning or you make the wrong prediction. But as the saying goes, no risk – no gain. This is Cliff Anderson, signing out. Stay classy my friends.

P.S. Here is the link to the TED speaker :)