Push: Software Design and the Cultural Politics of Music Production

Push: Software Design and the Cultural Politics of Music Production explores how changes in music software design in the 21st century influenced the production techniques and performance practices of artists across media. It examines the social, cultural, and political values embedded in software and how these values are embodied by musical communities through production and performance. The book connects the computational thinking required by software like Max and iZotope's innovations in artificial intelligence with the cultural politics of Silicon Valley's design thinking. It also considers what happens when software becomes hardware, and users externalize their screens through MIDI controllers, mobile media, and video game controllers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Push: Software Design and the Cultural Politics of Music Production delves into the profound impact of changes in music software design during the early twenty-first century on the creative practices of artists across diverse media. This captivating book explores how these technological advancements shaped the production techniques and performance practices of musicians, ranging from hip-hop and electronic dance music to video games and mobile apps. Emerging alongside the proliferation of digital music distribution platforms like peer-to-peer file sharing and the MP3 format, digital audio workstations (DAWs) such as FL Studio and Ableton Live introduced innovative design features that facilitated rapid and intuitive music creation workflows. These DAWs boasted sleek, user-friendly interfaces that captivated musicians with their visually appealing aesthetics.

In contrast, other software, such as Avid's Pro Tools, sought to maintain its dominant position as the industry-standard professional DAW of choice by incorporating design elements from pre-digital music technologies. Meanwhile, Cycling 74's Max asserted its distinctiveness from commercial DAWs by offering users a blank screen, emphasizing a minimalist approach. These design choices extend beyond mere aesthetics, as Push delves into the social, cultural, and political values embedded within music software. It uncovers how these values are embodied by musical communities through their production and performance practices.

The book reveals intriguing connections between the maximalist design of FL Studio, the skeuomorphic design of Pro Tools, and gender inequity in the music products industry. It sheds light on the computational thinking required by Max and the innovative advancements in artificial intelligence pioneered by iZotope, drawing parallels with the cultural politics of Silicon Valley's design thinking. Furthermore, Push engages in thoughtful exploration of the implications when software transitions into hardware, as users externalize their screens through the use of MIDI controllers, mobile media, and video game controllers.

In a world where music technology undergoes constant upgradation, Push emerges as a valuable model for understanding the intricate interplay between software design, cultural politics, and artistic expression. By examining the transformative power of these technological advancements, the book offers insightful perspectives on the evolving landscape of music production and performance, providing musicians, producers, and scholars with a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics shaping the music industry of the future.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190943318