Music technology is a research field that examines how electronic devices are designed and used to create, transform, record and disseminate music. It is closely informed by technological and social advancements in the media and mechanisms through which music is produced and consumed globally. Student opportunities in this field include potential research placements with media production houses, broadcasters, arts companies, music industry peak bodies, festivals, performance venues and digital repositories. Research in this field is supported by our rare collection of legendary legacy equipment, which shaped the sounds of the world’s most famous popular musicians. This includes a Mellotron, an EMT Plate Reverberator and a Fairlight CMI, which respectively forged the distinctive sounds of the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Peter Gabriel. ANU School of Music also boasts two recording studios, an ambisonic listening suite, a videoconferencing suite, and two computer music labs in which research students can work.

Research leadership in this area is provided by Dr Alexander Hunter, who worked as a session musician in Edinburgh for eight years, recording for the country’s top jazz, folk and indie rock bands. As a performer he is also part of the ANU faculty ensemble HHM, an improvising trio utilising live electronics and ambisonic spatialisation.