The Effect of Computerization on the Recording IndustryAbstract: Music is one of the oldest known forms of human expression. However, it has not remained unchanged by the rapid computerization that has radically changed much of our society. The recording industry plays an important role in the world of modern music and has been influenced more profoundly than most other music industries. This essay identifies the ways in which the introduction of computers and the Internet have affected the recording industry, particularly in terms of the distribution of music and the emergence of new musical styles. We evaluate whether these changes are beneficial or harmful to the recording industry.1. IntroductionMusic has existed for millennia, yet it is not immune to change. Music in many ways offers a window into our society, and as society changes, so does music. The invention of new instruments, ways of playing, and means of archiving music have had an impact on music, musicians, and those who bring music to the general public. Although the advent of computerization has brought about changes in the way music is created, the recording industry has perhaps been the most visibly affected by these technological changes. As the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) rightly states, "no other decade in history contributed as much to the growth of the music industry as the 1990s, the digital decade" [1]. With any radical change, there are both positive and negative consequences of this change, and those consequences depend on the specific point of view considered. Has computer technology had a positive or negative effect on the recording industry? This paper will evaluate the changes in the recording industry from different perspectives. To evaluate this question, the term “effect” needs to be broken down into more clearly defined areas. The recording industry facilitates the transfer of music from musicians to intended audiences; in other words, it deals with the distribution of music. The technology that has had the greatest impact on distribution is the Internet. The Internet creates a means through which a particular piece of music can become instantly accessible to hundreds of millions of people around the world. The second important aspect of computerization is the creation of new audiences. This audience has significantly different tastes and needs when it comes to music; a fact that the industry must take into account when deciding what types of music to sell.