What is it about?

This article examines the lives and work of music studio operators in Germany's Ruhr area, a region known for its strong industrial and cultural identity. It looks at how these professionals balance creative music production with the practical challenges of running a studio as a business. By interviewing studio operators at different career stages, the study explores their roles as producers, engineers, and entrepreneurs. It also highlights how changes in technology and the music industry have transformed their work, requiring them to adapt to new tools and financial realities. The article provides a rare glimpse into the people behind the scenes who shape the sound of modern music.

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Why is it important?

This article is unique in offering an in-depth study of music studio operators, a group rarely highlighted in academic research despite their critical role in shaping modern music. By focusing on the Ruhr area, it situates these operators within a specific cultural and economic context, exploring how they navigate the challenges of running creative businesses in a rapidly changing music industry. The study is timely as advancements in recording technology and the rise of home studios have dramatically shifted the landscape of professional music production. By shedding light on the adaptability, creativity, and entrepreneurship of studio operators, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the people and spaces that drive music production today.

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This page is a summary of: Music studio operators from Germany’s “Ruhrpott”: Role, services and resources, Etnomusikologian vuosikirja, December 2017, Etnomusikologian vuosikirja,
DOI: 10.23985/evk.63490.
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