Who should I follow to learn about Music Tech?

If you want to learn **music tech** broadly (AI music, production tools, synthesis, audio engineering, creative coding, startups, and the future of the industry), I’d follow a mix of **builders, artists, researchers, educators, and analysts**. Music tech moves quickly, so avoid following only product announcements - researchers and working creators often provide the deeper signal. [25 AI Music Creators and Experts to Follow on X – Jack Righteous](https://jackrighteous.com/blogs/ai-writing/ai-music-creators-experts-follow-x?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ## 🎛️ Artists who push technology forward - Holly Herndon - AI + voice + artist-controlled technology. Great for understanding where creative practice and machine learning meet. - Imogen Heap - interactive performance, wearable tech, artist-owned systems, and new ways of making music. - Brian Transeau - deep production knowledge, sound design, DAWs, and technical workflows. - Jordan Rudess - expressive interfaces, keyboards, AI-assisted performance, and experimental live music systems. [Jordan Rudess - Arts at MIT](https://arts.mit.edu/people/jordan-rudess/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ## 🤖 AI music researchers & technical thinkers - Rebecca Fiebrink - human-centered machine learning for musicians; excellent if you care about tools that empower artists rather than replace them. - Bob L. T. Sturm - critical thinking around AI music evaluation, datasets, and what generative systems actually do. - Anna Huang - generative composition and AI-assisted musical creativity. - Paris Smaragdis - audio machine learning, signal processing, and computational music research. [Research – Music Technology at MIT](https://musictech.mit.edu/research/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ## 🎚️ Production, sound design & engineering educators - Sound On Sound - one of the best long-running sources for production technique, recording, mixing, and music technology discussions. [Sound On Sound](https://www.soundonsound.com/music-business/ai-music-tech-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - Ableton - follow their education content, artist stories, and development philosophy around creative tools. - Native Instruments - strong for synthesis, sampling, sound design, and modern production workflows. - iZotope - useful for mixing, mastering, restoration, and AI-assisted audio workflows. ## 🧠 Music-tech industry analysts - Cherie Hu - one of the best follows for music business + technology + creator economy. - Ed Newton-Rex - important voice on generative AI, datasets, and creator rights. - Mark Mulligan - streaming, platforms, and the economics behind music technology. ## 🧪 Labs and institutions worth watching - MIT Music Technology Lab - research on AI, audio processing, musical interfaces, and computational creativity. [Research – Music Technology at MIT](https://musictech.mit.edu/research/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - Berklee Emerging Artistic Technology Lab - artist-focused exploration of AI, immersive music, and new creative tools. [BEATL | Berklee](https://www.berklee.edu/beatl?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - AMAAI Lab - research on generative music AI and music information retrieval. [AMAAI Lab - Home](https://amaai-lab.github.io/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ## If you only follow 10 people/accounts My starter list: 1. Holly Herndon - creative AI 2. Rebecca Fiebrink - human + machine collaboration 3. Cherie Hu - industry context 4. Imogen Heap - artist-driven innovation 5. BT - production technology 6. Bob L. T. Sturm - critical AI thinking 7. Ed Newton-Rex - AI ethics/rights 8. Jordan Rudess - performance technology 9. Anna Huang - generative music research 10. Sound On Sound - practical production knowledge A good learning path is: - **Producer?** Follow BT, Sound On Sound, Ableton, Native Instruments. - **AI-curious?** Follow Herndon, Fiebrink, Huang, Sturm. - **Want to build music software?** Follow researchers, audio DSP engineers, and companies like Ableton/iZotope. - **Want a career in music tech?** Add analysts like Cherie Hu and Mark Mulligan.

**If you want to learn about Music Tech, follow a mix of **_**innovators, executives, and artist‑moguls**_** who are shaping how technology and music intersect. Key names include Mikey Shulman (AI music platform Suno), Lucian Grainge (Universal Music Group), Daniel Ek (Spotify), and Sara Landry (DJ/producer experimenting with tech in performance).**[The 26 Most Influential People in Music in 2026: Shaping the Industry’s Future](https://www.architeg-prints.com/blog/the-26-most-influential-people-in-music-in-2026-shaping-the-industrys-future)[Billboard 2026 Power 100 List Revealed](https://www.billboard.com/p/billboard-2026-power-100-list/)[Music Industry Leaders 2026: The Complete Power Map - Executives, Streamers, Live Giants & Artist‑Moguls | SoundSwap Blog](https://www.soundswap.live/blog/music-industry-leaders-2026) ## 🎵 Influential Figures in Music Tech Name| Role| Why Follow Them ---|---|--- **Mikey Shulman**| Co‑founder & CEO of **Suno**| Built one of the fastest‑selling AI music products, turning text prompts into full songs. Central to debates on AI’s role in music.[The 26 Most Influential People in Music in 2026: Shaping the Industry’s Future](https://www.architeg-prints.com/blog/the-26-most-influential-people-in-music-in-2026-shaping-the-industrys-future) **Lucian Grainge**| Chairman & CEO of **Universal Music Group**| Driving industry strategy on AI licensing, royalties, and artist rights. His deals with AI platforms like Udio set precedents.[Billboard 2026 Power 100 List Revealed](https://www.billboard.com/p/billboard-2026-power-100-list/) **Daniel Ek**| CEO of **Spotify**| Leading streaming innovation, experimenting with AI‑driven recommendations and artist monetization.[Music Industry Leaders 2026: The Complete Power Map - Executives, Streamers, Live Giants & Artist‑Moguls | SoundSwap Blog](https://www.soundswap.live/blog/music-industry-leaders-2026) **Sara Landry**| DJ & CEO of **Hekate Records**| Known for blending hard techno with tech‑driven live experiences; her adaptability shows how artists use tech to connect with fans.[The 26 Most Influential People in Music in 2026: Shaping the Industry’s Future](https://www.architeg-prints.com/blog/the-26-most-influential-people-in-music-in-2026-shaping-the-industrys-future) **Elizabeth Matthews**| CEO of **ASCAP**| Advocates for songwriter rights in the streaming/AI era, ensuring fair compensation.[The 26 Most Influential People in Music in 2026: Shaping the Industry’s Future](https://www.architeg-prints.com/blog/the-26-most-influential-people-in-music-in-2026-shaping-the-industrys-future) **Alex Norström & Gustav Söderström**| Co‑CEOs of **Spotify(2026)**| Steering Spotify’s AI‑powered personalization and global streaming strategy.[19 Influential Music Leaders Around the World to Know](https://www.consultclarity.org/post/19-influential-music-leaders-around-the-world-to-know) **Björn Ulvaeus**| President of **CISAC**| ABBA co‑founder, now focused on music rights awareness and AI’s impact on creators.[19 Influential Music Leaders Around the World to Know](https://www.consultclarity.org/post/19-influential-music-leaders-around-the-world-to-know) ## 🔑 Why These Voices Matter * **AI & Music Creation:** Shulman (Suno) and Grainge (UMG) are at the center of the AI vs. human creativity debate. * **Streaming & Distribution:** Ek, Norström, and Söderström shape how listeners discover music through algorithms. * **Artist Advocacy:** Matthews and Ulvaeus ensure tech doesn’t erode creator rights. * **Performance Innovation:** Landry shows how artists integrate tech into live shows. ## ⚠️ Risks & Challenges * **AI Copyright Battles:** Lawsuits against Suno and Udio highlight unresolved legal issues. Following Shulman and Grainge helps track outcomes.[Billboard 2026 Power 100 List Revealed](https://www.billboard.com/p/billboard-2026-power-100-list/) * **Gender Imbalance:** Alicia Keys recently criticized the industry for women holding only 2% of producer/engineering roles, reminding us to seek diverse voices in tech.[Music Industry Leaders 2026: The Complete Power Map - Executives, Streamers, Live Giants & Artist‑Moguls | SoundSwap Blog](https://www.soundswap.live/blog/music-industry-leaders-2026) * **Streaming Royalties:** Leaders like Matthews fight to ensure fair payouts as AI and streaming reshape revenue models.[The 26 Most Influential People in Music in 2026: Shaping the Industry’s Future](https://www.architeg-prints.com/blog/the-26-most-influential-people-in-music-in-2026-shaping-the-industrys-future) 👉 To deepen your learning, I’d suggest following these figures on **LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and industry interviews (Billboard, SPIN, SoundSwap)**. Would you like me to curate a list of their _social media handles and platforms_ so you can follow them directly?

To dive into music technology - spanning hardware, software engineering, spatial audio, and AI composition - following the right educators, creators, and institutions bridges the gap between theory and practical application. **Top Creators and Educators** * **Andrew Huang:** Essential for beginners and intermediates alike, his YouTube channel covers everything from DAW workflows and synth breakdowns to creative music tech challenges and gear reviews. [I've finally decided I want to learn music production. What's the most](https://www.reddit.com/r/edmproduction/comments/1iwhn6m/ive_finally_decided_i_want_to_learn_music/#:~:text=MinnieWaver.%20%E2%80%A2%202y%20ago.%20Pick%20a%20DAW,overthink..%20just%20make%20stuff!%20%E2%80%A2%202y%20ago.) * **Rick Beato:** An incredible resource for deep-dive music theory, mixing breakdowns, and interviews with legendary producers, audio engineers, and industry innovators. * **Loopop:** The go-to source for exhaustive, highly structured hardware reviews. If you want to understand synthesizers, grooveboxes, and MIDI controllers without marketing fluff, his channel is unmatched. * **Sonic Scoop (Justin Colletti):** Excellent for understanding the business, modern technology, and technical engineering side of mixing, mastering, and audio production. **Academic Programs & Research Labs** * **NYU Steinhardt Music Technology:** Their faculty and associated platforms (like MARL - the Music and Audio Research Laboratory) push the bleeding edge of machine listening, spatial audio, and software development. [Music Technology - NYU Steinhardt - New York University](https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/programs/music-technology#:~:text=Read%20More.%20MARL%20Showcases%20Groundbreaking%20Research.%20Members,Roginska%20Elected%20Audio%20Engineering%20Society%20\(AES\)%20Director.) * **Berklee Online:** Offers structured insights, articles via _Take Note_ , and formal courses covering digital signal processing, AI in music, and DAW architecture. [All Music Production Courses, Certificates, and Degree Programs](https://online.berklee.edu/music-production#:~:text=Check%20out%20the%20latest%20content%20from%20Take,It%20Works.%20*%20Annual%20Event%3A%20Berklee%20Onsite.) **Platforms and Communities** * **SoundOnSound / Synthtopia:** Essential industry publications that offer deep, technical articles on new software plugins, hardware releases, and audio engineering standards. * **r/edmprouction and r/synthesizers:** Highly active community forums where working engineers, software coders, and bedroom producers discuss routing, custom scripts, and emerging music tech tools. What specific area of music tech are you most eager to explore - software development, synthesis, or modern production workflows?

If you want to dive into the world of music technology - covering everything from synths, software, and gear to production techniques and industry shifts - here are the top creators, channels, and publications to follow, broken down by what they do best: YouTube Creators & Educators * ** _Andrew Huang_** : An absolute titan in modern music creation. His Andrew Huang YouTube Channel covers deep gear reviews, sound design challenges, and music theory with high production value. * ** _Rick Beato_** : Essential for understanding both traditional musicianship and how modern digital production shapes pop and rock. His deep-dive interviews and breakdowns of mixing/arranging are legendary. * **Underbelly (You Suck at Producing)** : Perfect if you want fast-paced, highly informative, and deeply hilarious tutorials on electronic music production and DAW workflows. * **MusicTechHelpGuy** : If you are looking to learn Apple Logic Pro or core recording engineering concepts from the ground up, his structured tutorials are unmatched. Dedicated Publications & Newsletters * **MusicTech** : The leading brand tracking the intersection of gear, software, and sound design. You can check out reviews and guides directly on the MusicTech Website. * **Water & Music**: A brilliant, highly analytical newsletter tracking the bleeding edge of music business, tech startups, AI in music, and Web3 trends. * **Synth Anatomy** : Ideal if you are obsessed with hardware synthesizers, Eurorack modular gear, and virtual instruments. Are you looking to learn more about **hardware/synths** , **software/production (DAWs)** , or the **business and AI side of music tech**? Let me know so I can tailor specific recommendations! Show less