EXCLUSIVES

Words by A. David Cooper
Image by Melanie Nissen

When it comes to explaining the world of club music, be it electronica, house, techno, or otherwise, the various forms often defy definition. Such is also the case with music maker Vikter Duplaix, a true Apple pioneer.

"In the studio, we regularly update to the fastest PowerMac available to ensure quality performance," says Duplaix. "It's a little bit hard to keep up because they get better all the time. At home, I use a Titanium PowerBook G4 for just about everything. I take a little iBook with me on the road."

Every artist has his tools that help create a unique experience for the audience. In Duplaix's case, the tools of his trade have almost always been digital in some form or fashion. Speaking of his first experience with the Mac, it's clear that Duplaix is not just on the new Apple "Switch" bandwagon, but a long time Apple Computer fan. "I've been using Macs since 1990," says Duplaix. "I was using old Atari computers at the time to use the early version of a program called Notator which evolved into Logic. When they switched to a Mac format we jumped at the opportunity to switch also. Mac was a much more reliable medium and felt more like a high-end line of tech and less like a toy without being too complicated. Being user-friendly was key because I was not computer literate at all. That made the transition much easier.'

And while some musicians eschew the new tools of the digital age, opting for more traditional instruments, artists like Duplaix never hold back on trying something new. "Computers have become the centerpiece to the world of production," says Duplaix. "When used in conjunction with the proper production software, computers provide a base of operations that give a great deal of flexibility. You can easily record in a professional environment with high quality equipment then take it home on disk to do edits. This type of thing was difficult to do before the impact of computers."

According to Duplaix, the digital revolution is making an impact, but in the end nothing replaces creativity. "Home studio programs have affected the studio rental business already," says Duplaix. "I think they have made it easier for people to record music at a very low cost. However, the machines don't make the music. Science can never replace talent. Combining the two makes the future seem promising."

But, in the face of MP3 music piracy, more regulations coming down from the Recording Industry Association of America, and a music industry increasingly focused on copy protected CDs, the digital music future may not be as bright as many would like to think.

"We must make better products in order to get people off of the laptops so they can get back into the stores," says Duplaix, "The consumers are smarter than we think. The quality of recorded music will continue to improve. The future of music is still going to be based on the quality of the musician and the creativity of the talent. That's hard to predict."

The recent death of Napster, a company once valued somewhere in the billions of dollars by the recording industry, is a sure sign that things in the digital music universe are indeed changing. Just months ago, the company started by the college student Shawn Fanning had a bankruptcy fire sale unloading all of the computers, furniture, and various other items that once helped the company thrive. For musicians like Duplaix, such developments may be a mixed blessing. Sure, the illegal downloading of music now has one less channel open, but now the big five music cartel has an even tighter grip on the music industry and what many artists are calling unfair contracts that keep musicians committed to one company for decades. Further, stopping the progress of Napster won't simply make the problem of illegal music downloads disappear. Software like Kazaa and LimeWire will always pop up to replace those software creators who get knocked down by the music industry.

What's even harder to predict qre the vehicles and platforms that will deliver music in digital form in the future. Today we have satellite radio, Mini-Disc Players, CDs, Internet radio, downloadable MP3s, and, of course, the iPod. "I think the iPod concept is one that's full of usage possibilities" says Duplaix. "I'm sure that in the near future you'll hear of the iPod being integrated into everything from new cars to restaurants." Looking to the near future, Duplaix is focused on spreading the sounds on his new project, "I just completed my album titled 'International Affairs," says Duplaix. The next stop after that will most likely be more sonic experimentation and expression via Duplaix's favorite musical instrument: the Mac!