How Virtual Reality is Re-tuning Online Music Industry

Author: Richa Jha

The physical modes of music consumption have shrunken incredibly over the past 20-30 years. From a 12-inch vinyl record to a Full-HD mobile screen, or to iPod Shuffle (with an extreme volume of 0.48 cubic inches), to online music streaming. Another latest addition to this evolution is through VR or Virtual Reality.

What is Virtual Reality?

Virtual Reality is a fully immersive computer simulated environment that gives the user the feeling of being in that environment instead of the one they are actually in. A lot of video games have incorporated this technology. So, there is no reason for mp3 songs to stay behind.

The most essential ingredient of VR kit is the headset. A device like a thick pair of spectacles. These devices can be connected to mobile or PC apps and games.

All of these headsets need to paired to a good quality of earphones. They can also be used with some add-ons such as hand controllers and treadmills. These add-ons provide an enhanced simulated experience.

Re-tuning the Online Music Industry

So, how is Virtual Reality experience changing the whole business system? More so, in the same industry whose business model was crushed by ‘digital’, some 20 years back!

These 5 points will shed some light as to this matter:

  1. When in 2016, popular band Queen, collaborated with Google Play and Enosis VR, it did a groundbreaking feat – a 360-degree VR take on one of its music video. And, in order to give interactive audio experience, the audio was also remixed.
  2. This has put forward into motion, ‘’a unique and immersive technological experience’’ that can be a new marketing tool for music online streaming industry.
  3. Virtual Reality gives a powerful sensation, which is beyond our flat-screen televisions. It can give an intense emotional experience.
  4. Many experts believe, that in an age where consumers are able to stream and listen songs anywhere, anytime, VR will help music companies to stand out.
  5. Experts also believe that new revenue streams from advertising, memberships, and VR concerts are possible once the technology grows further.

What Next?

With so much excitement and promise that VR holds, why is it not gaining momentum the way iPods did? The answer probably lies in companies not doing enough to make it a storytelling platform and a tool for our everyday lives. It needs to blend with our workflow, where anyone can play songs more conveniently.

And for doing so, VR needs to rival other sources of online music including some of the best social networking website in India. Once it does so, it can take music industry forward to the path of innovation and prosperity.