User analysis
...
Users we're targeting are primarily of two types:
1. Musical amateurs
- Enjoy listening to music and know what sounds good to them, but definitely aren't music majors. May not even be familiar with Western musical notation.
- As such, don't own and don't see the point in investing a great deal of time or money in composition software. Discussions with users of advanced software showed that they would be reluctant and see no reason to use something less powerful.
- Age: Ages at which one can use a computer effectively. So, not so young that you wouldn't buy them a laptop, and not so old that they refuse to touch technology.
- Gender: Either.
- Motivation: Want to compose because they like how music sounds, not music theory.
- Technology: Own a laptop and a smartphone
- Musical experience: either avid music listeners with no theory (learning the notation), or people who've learned a bit of theory (the typical "quit piano in middle school" crowd)
- Technological experience: Know how to use a computer, but not how to use composition software, or very little experience with composition software.
2. Maestros
- You don't always have your USB keyboard midi recorder, computer, and Finale on you.
- Specifically, people who do own powerful tools and software, but don't necessarily have it available when they are struck by inspiration right this instant omg. pen. now.
- This would be useful as a sort of musical notebook to bring home and start hacking on when one's busy schedule allows.
- Age: As above. You'd think they'd be older but you'd be surprised.
- Gender: Either
- Motivation: I am brilliant and I need to write this down
- Technology: Own a laptop and smartphone
- Musical experience: Arbitrarily high.
- Technological experience: Know how to use a computer and composition software.
Users we surveyed had: - 5+ years of music experience from elementary and middle school
- College level education (probably not relevant)
- High technical level (probably not relevant)
- Own a laptop + microphone
- Don’t necessarily own a smartphone
- Casual composer (produce a piece over a long time)
- Either gender
- No expensive composing software or electronic music hardware (although they have access to it through MIT)
...