Comment / Opinion

Almost everything about being a composer of music for television is a gamble, except getting paid. Thats two gambles.

Pitching for work is frustrating, time-consuming and, unless youre very lucky, unpaid. But at least the best demo (usually) wins.

Theres learning, and theres education. And when it comes to music technology, the two arent always connected, believes Paul Farrer.

Only in the perverse world of music for the media could composers be asked to rip themselves off for money. Its time to take a stand against the rise of the 'soundalike'.

Your showreel can say a lot about you. And if its going to get you work, what it needs to say is: trust me.

You thought your music was just right to start with, so why are people telling you to change it? Because theyre paying you — and because they might actually have a point...

Beware of TV executives bearing publishing contracts...

When it comes to pitching music to TV executives, there are only two golden rules. The first is to meet the brief, however sketchy it might be. The second? Never, ever try to be cool.

Progress is a wonderful thing, if you're a composer of music for the media and you dream of a poolside studio in the Bahamas.

Get a few commissions under your belt and you might start to think you're a big name in the world of music for the media. But as far as the people who make television are concerned, there's no such thing...

Renowned TV composer Paul Farrer begins a new series of despatches from the front line by asking: what sort of person do you have to be to succeed in the cut-throat world of music for the media?

This month Big George examines the cut of the music industry's new clothes...

Big George takes a critical look at what seems to be the only game in town: solitaire.

This month sees the return of iconoclastic composer, DJ and music industry commentator Big George to the pages of Sound On Sound — and you thought we'd sacked him for good...

Recording engineers are finding it tough to get jobs. But have they really tried all the options out there?

Think your own music is good? Listen to these tracks from SOS readers and see if you agree with the good Doctor's prognosis...

Think your own music is good? Listen to these tracks from SOS readers and see if you agree with the good Doctor's prognosis...

Think your own music is good? Listen to these tracks from SOS readers and see if you agree with the good Doctor's prognosis...

Hard drives are getting bigger and that can only be good, right? Well, up to a point...

The music world is going soft — but the economics of software production run up hard against the inadequacies of software protection. Cutting Edge speculates on a possible solution.

Another batch of lucky SOS readers' demos wait nervously for the Doctor's prognosis. What is the verdict? Listen while you read on...