The rise of AI, autotune, beat-making tools, and other modern music technology has stirred a pot of contention. A noticeable rift exists between traditionalists and modernists in this field. At the heart of this discord lies a fundamental question: what constitutes 'real' or 'authentic' music production?

It’s All Just Beats

I recall when I was younger and living at home hearing my Dad saying, there were no real tunes in modern music “just a lot of repetitive drums.” I remember thinking how wrong he was and he was just an old man stuck in his ways… now I’m 57, I find myself sometimes about to utter the same thing. It’s hard to imagine I spent a significant part of my teenage years blasting out the Sex Pistols, Clash, Stiff Little Fingers et al.

Traditionalists, often seasoned producers and engineers, have honed their craft through hands-on experience with analogue gear, complex mixing consoles, and an ear trained in the trenches of recording studios. Their approach to music production, often requiring a deep understanding of technical intricacies, is undeniably admirable. However, some of this group tends to view modern production techniques, heavily reliant on technology, as a deviation from the 'true path' of music creation.

This perspective, albeit respectable for its roots in history, seems to overlook the essence of art and creativity. Music, in its most primal form, is an expression of human emotion and thought. The means how this expression is achieved should not be the yardstick for its authenticity. Many of today's studios are not populated by specialist engineers but songwriters and artists, exploring new frontiers with tools like AI, beat making tools, and other software. These tools offer a different kind of creative freedom, one that is more accessible and often more in tune with their artistic vision.

The criticism levied against modern music-making techniques might reveal more about the critics than the artists themselves. It's reminiscent of a sort of 'protestant work ethic' in music production — the belief that the value of music is directly proportional to the perceived effort and complexity involved in its creation. In other words, it only has value if it’s hard. This view is not just restrictive; it's a denial of the diversity of creative processes. Whenever I hear some talking about modern music making (sometimes me!), I’m reminded of the Four Yorkshiremen sketch by Monty Python.

Right Brain, Left Brain

Considering the cognitive aspects, it's crucial to acknowledge that humans are wired differently. Some individuals possess a more right-brain dominance, making them more intuitive, thoughtful, and subjective — traits that align well with modern music production tools that prioritise ease and creativity over technical prowess. Others, with a left-brain dominance, might find more satisfaction in the technical challenges of traditional music production. Neither approach is superior. They are simply different paths leading to the same destination — the creation of music that resonates with its creator and, hopefully, with its audience.

Music production is an art form, and like all art, it is subjective and boundless. The tools and techniques are merely mediums through which creativity flows. These debates over what constitutes ‘real’ music making are reminiscent of the debates in the visual arts. Which is more valid, the Mona Lisa, or an unmade bed?

Modern music technology has opened doors for countless aspiring artists. Where once the barriers to entry were high, requiring significant investment in equipment and technical knowledge, now a laptop and a software suite are enough to get started, even more, they can land someone a number one! This accessibility has led to a surge in creativity and diversity in the music industry. It's a landscape where genres blend, and new ones are born, a testament to the endless possibilities that technology brings to the table. Writing on his Music 3.0 blog, Bobby Owsinski wrote; “there are over 6,000 genres in the Spotify database.”

Anything Goes?

Now some will be reading this and think that I am suggesting that we jettison high quality recordings in favour of anything goes. That’s not what I’m saying at all. Of course, where possible, and if the talent, equipment, AND BUDGET, allows, it’s desirable to capture the audio at the best possible quality. However, some don’t have the ENGINEERING talent, the equipment, or the budget to do so, they want to get their ideas down too. It’s not wise to sneer at these people because they choose to capture their ideas in a way that we would never dream of. Again, recording is a broad church, some choose vintage mics and consoles, others laptops and beats.

The Beauty Of Difference

It's crucial to embrace the diversity of music production methods. Whether it's a meticulously crafted piece on a vintage SSL console or a spontaneously created track on a laptop with AI assistance, each piece of music carries the imprint of its creator. Criticising the method of creation is not just counterproductive; it undermines the very essence of creativity and expression.

Let's celebrate the plethora of tools at our disposal and the myriad ways they allow us to express our musicality. After all, the beauty of music lies in its diversity and its ability to evolve, just like us.

It's none of your business how people choose to make their music, it’s certainly none of mine either!