A Composer’s Guide to Information Technology

A comprehensive look at Information Technology in the Composer’s Studio

All good craftsmen know their tools as well as a part of their craft. Music theory, ear training, techniques, and such are all “tools” for the musician. The producer knows their sample libraries, plugins, instruments and more. More often than not however, the computer system is not just a key tool for composers, but often their pride and joy. Just look at the many social media posts showing pix of a composer at a midi keyboard with multiple monitors, sitting in front of an open DAW window (often in a template they created) and showing them playing their “instrument” known as a computer.

Many media composers know their music technology on a deep level. They know the ins and outs of their DAWs, how individual samples in sample libraries sound, and so much more. What’s often missing however is the knowledge of computers and/or technology beyond the “music based software” this web book is written with the intention of being a reference for all composers and assistants looking to expand their knowledge and/or have a quick go to resource to answer questions such as “what the hell is RAM” or “What’s the best back up strategy for me?”

Information Technology, or I.T., represents the use of computers, networks and more that are utilized to create, process, store and transmit information and data. This includes any and all processes where technology interacts with data: so computers, smart phones, internet, software, spreadsheets, bluetooth, project management, etc. As a composer, we often deal with data in terms of music, audio, midi, etc. The goal of this collection is to create a place where a composer can have curated information regarding best practices in this world, and understand the technology beyond the essential music tech on a deeper level.

Temporary Note: I am currently in the process of going through each section, making sure it's up to date, accurate, proof read, formatted properly, etc. As I finish each section, I will be adding it to this page, for example Section One below. Afterwards, I will do my best to maintain and update this in my free time, but the core principles and ideas are evergreen and won't need much updating. My goal is to have this finished and up here completely by the end of the year.