We’ve all heard the news. 5G is here, and it’s here to stay. But what do these networks have to offer the music industry, and how will they affect your experience as a musician, consumer, or industry worker? The truth is, 5G will shake things up in a major way this year. The new decade brings innovation in both hardware and software, and a shining era of connectivity looms on the horizon.
Quality Connection
By now, everyone knows that 5G networks offer up faster download speeds and high-capacity streaming with lower latency for video and audio. In fact, 5G is potentially ten times faster than its 4G counterpart—but what exactly does that mean for the music industry and its consumers?
On a personal level, 5G will make your listening experience that much better. You’ll have access to music material on demand, and you won’t have those dreaded buffering issues clogging up your computer or phone. You’ll be able to see better too, with lightning-fast videos at a higher quality than ever before, connecting you to industry news and events in a way which was previously impossible.
For the industry as a whole, it means collaborations and group projects between musicians could become even better. Imagine your favorite bands communicating across oceans in 5G-fast real-time? Live, long-distance collaborations might be hard to come by now, but 5G could change that.
Of course, music isn’t the only industry which stands to gain a lot from 5G networks. Online video gaming and internet-based poker rooms may also see a rise in quality with 5G, as low-latency, high-capacity streaming allows for quicker connections and lightning-fast gaming. With better quality will come a rise in popularity, but 5G networks promise to be able to support higher traffic by equipping stations with a much higher user capacity.
IoT Music Tools
Along with high-quality streaming, we’ll see 5G networks cause an explosion with the Internet of Things. As of now, smart refrigerators and connected watches rule the world of IoT, but not for long. With the rise of 5G, musical instruments and audio tools will quickly become incorporated into the mix.
We could be on the cusp of something huge here. Instruments, tools, and musicians will all be able to connect at high speeds with virtually zero latency. This means that remote access to virtualized instruments, amplifiers, and other equipment will become a reality.
The industry will be opened up immensely, as new talent from across the world will be able to access gear that they previously couldn’t even dream of. This could help level the playing field for lesser-known bands and indie artists hoping to break into music, providing a valuable opportunity for individuals who are without the means necessary to purchase gear or in a location where gear is unavailable.
Virtual Reality Concerts
As 5G spreads across the nations, it will be used to create a valuable virtual experience unlike any other. We’ve seen the potential already with VR concerts, but so far, they haven’t reached mainstream—that could change with 5G, as the experience becomes smoother overall.
We may also see the widespread implementation of remote performances using human holograms, like the infamous Bucharest Vita de Vie concert at the Romexpo. This concert was the first of its kind, utilizing 5G networks so that remote players could perform alongside their live counterparts onstage. It worked swimmingly, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the network to back it up.
As you can see, 5G networks offer up a wealth of potential to the music industry. Consumers, bands, and those trying to break into the industry will all be affected by the usage of these networks, and we say more power to them. After all, inclusivity is what it’s all about—and 5G promises to deliver just that.
