The hottest Music technology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Music Topics

4.3.3 Cross Coupling

Fields & Energy • 259 implied HN points • 31 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Music technology
  1. Thaddeus Cahill invented an early electronic music system called the Telharmonium in 1897, aiming to broadcast music through telephone lines. However, his venture failed because the music interrupted phone calls, causing complaints from users.
  2. Cahill's difficulties were largely due to a problem called cross coupling, where signals from one line affect nearby lines. This was common back in the day when many phone lines ran close together.
  3. The situation shows that electrical signals can spread beyond their wires, not just following what we'd think of as direct paths. This understanding is important in telecommunications and electrical engineering.

Sony’s Audio Innovations That Changed the Game

Obsolete Sony’s Newsletter • 119 implied HN points • 07 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Music technology
  1. Sony started the cassette revolution with the TC-100 in 1966, making audio recording and playback easy for everyone.
  2. The Walkman, introduced in 1979, changed how we listen to music by allowing people to carry their favorite tracks wherever they went.
  3. In 1982, Sony launched the first CD player, the CDP-101, which transformed music consumption by introducing digital audio playback.

The Missing Now

Dada Drummer Almanach • 235 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
🎶 Music Music technology
  1. AI runs in time as computation but has no subjective "now" or lived sense of duration, so it analyzes musical sequences without experiencing their unfolding.
  2. AI can copy and combine musical patterns well enough to move listeners, but it lacks embodiment, genuine spontaneity, and true improvisational presence, which often makes its music feel derivative or airless.
  3. AI might develop more creative practice if built to iterate, adapt to feedback, and collaborate with humans, otherwise it will mostly reinforce past patterns and risk homogenizing musical culture.

The Discman Evolution: How Sony Perfected Portable CD Listening (1984-1999)

Obsolete Sony’s Newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 20 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Music technology
  1. The Discman was a game changer for music lovers, allowing them to enjoy CDs on the go for the first time. Its stylish design made it a popular choice for many people.
  2. Over the years, the Discman saw many improvements like anti-skip technology and longer battery life. These upgrades made it more reliable and fun to use.
  3. Sony continued to innovate with features like wireless audio and advanced sound quality, which helped the Discman stand out in the crowded market of portable music players.

AI Musical Slop

Life Since the Baby Boom • 922 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🎶 Music Music technology
  1. Big music companies are likely to license their music to AI firms. This means that AI companies will pay for access to use real music to create new songs.
  2. When artists sign with a music label, their music might be used to train AI without them knowing. If they want to opt out, they may have to be very influential in the industry.
  3. People generally dislike AI-generated music, viewing it as low quality. Even so, it could become common in places like elevators or waiting rooms, which reflects concerns about its impact on genuine artistry.
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What Our World Sounds Like Now

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 362 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🎶 Music Music technology
  1. After a head injury, the author feels an intense need to create music, even though they don't have formal training. They wonder if everyone has hidden musical talents waiting to be discovered.
  2. They find it challenging to express the music in their head, often feeling frustrated by their lack of skills. However, they are using technology, like AI music platforms, to help bring their ideas to life.
  3. The author reflects on how new tech is changing our experience of music, suggesting that AI music might capture the leftovers of human culture rather than the true creative essence.

[untitled]

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 117 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🎶 Music Music technology
  1. The app named 'untitled' is designed for music creators to store, edit, and share their work-in-progress music easily. It focuses on making the creative process smoother for artists.
  2. Untitled recently raised $18 million in funding and has gained over 100,000 monthly users, showing that there is a strong demand for tools that support musicians.
  3. The founders believe in creating a unique experience for artists that combines the ease of mobile apps with the depth of traditional music software, aiming to become the go-to platform for all music creation needs.

What Will Happen With AI Music?

The Seat of Loss • 9 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
🎶 Music Music technology
  1. AI-generated music is becoming popular, and some songs created by AI have even charted. However, major labels use copyright claims to control how AI music is distributed, showing a clear interest in the potential profits from this technology.
  2. Even though the quality of AI music may not satisfy audiophiles, many listeners enjoy it. The success of AI artists can be driven by marketing and industry support rather than complete organic appeal.
  3. The rise of AI in music will change how artists produce music, likely encouraging a shift from recorded music sales to live performances, as fans might pay more to see artists perform in person rather than just listening to recorded tracks.

Show Us Your Screens!

Reboot • 12 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🎶 Music Music technology
  1. Live coding is when artists use code to make music and visuals in real time. This creates a unique experience where audiences can see how the music is built as it happens.
  2. Algoraves offer a new way of experiencing electronic music, drawing audiences into the creative process. This setting allows for interaction and a feeling of connection between coders and the audience.
  3. Making music with code can challenge traditional music rules. Artists can experiment and create new sounds that aren't limited to typical instruments, leading to innovative musical expressions.

Introducing Code & Context

Code and Context • 0 implied HN points • 23 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Music technology
  1. AI is rapidly advancing and we might not be ready for its impact on our lives.
  2. Culture, including music and art, can help us navigate and understand the changes brought by AI.
  3. The platform 'Code & Context' aims to explore how we can use creativity and technology together to adapt to an AI-driven world.