Despite the rise of affordable home-recording tech, only 1% of top-charting music is actually produced by DIY artists.
April 1, 2026
Original Paper
The Cost of Music: Has Digitization Made Copyright Obsolete?
SSRN · 6502799
The Takeaway
It is widely believed that digital tools have 'democratized' the music industry, allowing anyone with a laptop to bypass major studios and labels. This study reveals that the 'bedroom hit' is almost entirely a myth, and traditional gatekeepers or professional production remains essential for commercial success.
From the abstract
<p>Commentators have repeatedly claimed that digital technologies render producers and recording engineers effectively obsolete. Supposedly, any DIY musician with a laptop and GarageBand can make home recordings that sound just as good as professionals in a high-end studio. The result is a dramatic reduction in the cost of music and the barriers to entry. As artists increasingly record and release new tracks entirely on their own, commentators hail the democratization of the music industry.</p>