In this assignment I am going to be explaining and assessing how I think that music technology can be used safely in live applications and performances. I am going to be doing this by giving detailed and descriptive examples. For the second part of the as

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Chris McAleese

“The machine that rocks the cradle, rocks the world”

In this assignment I am going to be explaining and assessing how I think that music technology can be used safely in live applications and performances. I am going to be doing this by giving detailed and descriptive examples. For the second part of the assignment I will be describing and arguing what music technology actually is and what electro acoustic music is.

Also within the essay, I will discuss the increasing use of computers and technology in the live environment. The computer has become an indispensable tool in ensuring that both recording and playback sound quality is kept at the maximum possible level. Many positive ideas have come from the computerisation of recording studios and live performances. For example, music is becoming more widely available to the general public with the introduction of mp3 players and the growth of the online music industry and as for in performance people are yet using computers to generate live midi and video footage, also stabs and midi triggering. The essay will be concluded with my personal feelings towards the use of electronic technology within the live music industry, as well as the recording studio environment. My conclusion will reveal that while the use of electronic technology has become crucial in the modern music market and should not downgrade the quality of the live music produced. In this way, I feel that the use of electronic technology, mainly drum machines and computerised backing tracks, have actually had a negative effect on the live music industry, because the majority of artists within the music industry now use computer-generated electronic backing for live performances.

So Firstly I personally think that when you are going to be using music technology in a live situation you should at least assess the area to make sure it is safe and un-hazardous this could be done as part of a risk assessment at the get in of a venue. What is a risk assessment? A risk assessment is the identification and quantification of the risk resulting from a specific use or occurrence of equipment, taking into account the possible effects on individual people or society of using that particular equipment or object in the way and manner proposed and avoiding any type of injury to both performers, staff and the audience of that particular venue. A risk assessment would out line all the hazards of a venue then explain the action which is going to be taken to avoid or prevent something from happening or how to solve the matter if it does. Linking to using music technology safely I think that carrying out a risk assessment would be a good idea because it assesses and overviews the equipment that is going to be used and if it is at all dangerous and the ways to prevent accidents. Music technology requires the use of electricity so I think that all cables should be made as safe as possible and that great care is taken when performing bearing in mind you do not fall over them. Because electronic music uses electricity it is also a very good idea not to use water based substances or any liquids near the equipment because if spilt on the equipment then is either going to cause damage to that or yourself and is putting the public at risk due to the big risk of electric shock.

When using music technology in a live situation because electric can cause fire if over loaded it is a legal precaution that Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures are known and are in place for example a clear fire Escape, Fire Fighting Equipment, Means for giving warning to the audience staff and performers.

To use any form of electrical equipment in a public place it is a legal requirement to be pat tested to make sure that the equipment is okay to use and that you are not in danger by using the electrical goods. A pat test is carried out by an electrician or those trained too and makes sure the wires are connected properly and that there isn’t an earthing problem which could result in killing somebody if was give an electric shock.

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In the live performance area it is known for people to get electric shocks. Electric shocks can however kill. This can be caused by an electrical item which a cable might get damaged in result of exposing bare live wires. Also that the electrical products could be wrongly wired meaning that that outside parts become live.  These are particular ways in which you can get injured via electric with in the music industry, but also if you are holding a microphone tightly or an instrument you may not be able to let go if that particular thing becomes electrified.

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