In an era where anyone with a laptop and a passion for music can become a creator, the volume of music flooding the world is staggering. A recent deep-dive by MusicRadar revealed a statistic that stopped us in our tracks: more music is released in a single day today than in the entire year of 1989. This seismic shift, driven by advancements in music production software and self-distribution platforms, is redefining the music industry and raising questions about its future.
Adam Douglas, the writer behind MusicRadar’s investigation into subscription-based music production platforms, spoke with Will Page, former Chief Economist at Spotify and PRS for Music. “More music is being released today (in a single day) than was released in the calendar year of 1989,” Page explained. He attributes this explosion to the democratization of music creation, with artists increasingly taking control of their own production processes. This surge has fueled a growing demand for accessible, high-quality music production software, much of which operates on subscription models.
The numbers are only climbing. According to MiDiA’s State of the Music Creator Economy Report, there are currently 75.9 million music creators worldwide—a 12% increase from the previous year. By 2030, that figure is projected to skyrocket to 198.2 million, driven largely by the rise of “consumer-creators.” These are casual creators, not necessarily professional musicians, who are transforming music in the same way Instagram revolutionized photography and TikTok reshaped videography. MiDiA predicts that “casual music creation will become mainstream,” broadening the music creator economy in unprecedented ways.
But what does this mean for individual artists in an increasingly crowded field? For one, the reliance on subscription-based music production tools—like those offered by Waves, Output, and others—shows no signs of slowing. These platforms provide powerful, accessible tools for creators, but their recurring costs can add up quickly. Steve Heithecker of the Pyramind Institute offered a sharp perspective on the subscription model: “Software companies have followed the lead set by Wall Street. Recurring revenue is very sexy right now. Everyone wants in on it. People often forget they have the subs, and then it’s a bit like free money for these companies when they auto-renew.”
This reliance on subscriptions raises questions about sustainability for independent artists, who must navigate rising costs while competing in a ballooning galaxy of creators. Tools like Output’s AI-powered Co-Producer plugin, which selects samples for users, promise to streamline workflows but spark debates about whether they outsource creativity to algorithms. Meanwhile, platforms like TikTok are amplifying the reach of casual creators, making music creation more accessible but also more competitive.
As the music creator economy continues to grow, the industry stands at a crossroads. Will the influx of casual creators democratize music further, or will it drown out individual voices? One thing is clear: the tools and platforms shaping this boom are here to stay, and their influence will only deepen by 2030.
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