Do we need technology outside-the-box?

We have recently been contributing to the development of a new Music Technology (MT) qualification targeted at 6th form (17-18 year olds). The qualification is currently out for review, which means industry and teachers have an opportunity to comment on what we've written.

Whilst writing the units we were surprised at how many technologies, that we thought were central, were now considered obsolete by the other developers.

Take MIDI. It was decided that there was little need to teach MIDI interconnection because few had MIDI interfaces. A USB controller was thought to be the norm and no one was using hardware sound modules.

Remember these?

Digital synchronisation and interconnection was determined to be a niche subject because most analogue to digital convertors were built into "sound-cards" that connected vis USB or FireWire. Also the term "stand alone A to D convertor" was removed because it was thought few would know what they were.

Now, call us old fashioned, but this sounds a little like the tail wagging the dog. Over the last 5 years, few colleges and schools have invested in hardware systems to teach music technology. Yes they may have some mics, a live room and some cheap mic-pres, but most everything else is in-the-box (ITB). Institutions invest in (usually) Cubase, Logic or Live, fill a room with computers, cheap controller keyboards and headphones and teach with that. After all, it's cost effective and space saving.

But we see professionals using larger integrated hardware and software systems all the time including; RME, Apogee and Avid stand alone A to D convertors, MIDI synths such as Dave Smiths Prophet range, stand alone channel strips with built in A to D that need synchronising to a DAW and sampling drum machine workstations synced to a DAW via MTC.

We're not arguing that most industry practice uses DAWs, but what professional industry jobs are there for young people who have studied MT but who would be unable to interconnect and operate an integrated network of analogue, digital and controller signal devices? Would you employ someone who could only use Cubase?

Look, you can touch it!

The problem is that whilst thousands want to study MT, there are few employment opportunities for those without a broader range of skills. Yes there will be some who are talented or lucky enough to have success with music and sound created ITB, but most will find themselves unemployable. The best MT jobs, such as foley, film soundtrack and games design music and sound, require a facility with a wide range of devices, standards and work practices.

However, despite what our governments want, not everyone wants to gain skills purely for employment. Sometimes the joy of learning is enough. But if that is the case why not learn online with free sites like ours? And you can spend the money you save on college fees buying some great old gear on eBay!

Thanks for reading
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