It’s safe to say that technological advancements have completely revolutionized music production. With just a few clicks and minimal hardware, bedroom producers now have the capacity to create complete, arena-ready projects.
With the music industry—driven by music production—recording a 4.8% increase in revenue to $29.6 billion in 2024, marking the tenth consecutive year of growth for the global music industry, it’s safe to assume that this figure will continue to increase in 2025 and beyond. So how will these financial predictions, as well as the breakneck pace of technological advancements, impact the future of music production?
1. The growth of the global music industry
According to the latest IFPI report, there's been a shift in the ranking of the world's top music markets, with Mexico overtaking Australia and now occupying the tenth spot—further highlighting the increasing importance of Spanish-language music. The list is topped by the United States, followed by Japan, the UK, Germany, China, France, South Korea, Canada, Brazil, and, as we've mentioned, Mexico. Furthermore, the Middle East and North Africa have been deemed the fastest-growing region at 22.8%, promptly followed by Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
So, what do these statistics mean for music producers and creative teams? It signals a surefire shift beyond the traditional powerhouses, like the States, the UK, and Europe, and the opportunity to manage a growing number of collaborators, different languages and cultural backgrounds, and client expectations.
Therefore, for production managers and studio leads, tools like Pibox offer a more scalable solution, with easy feedback management, version control, localized metadata support, and robust cloud storages at their fingertips—resulting in centralized communication across multiple markets and timezones.
2. A minefield of opportunities in the sync music field
The syncing and licensing market has risen significantly in recent years, reaching $650 million in 2024. With an increase in content, there is greater demand for sync tracks—and this is where music producers, together with songwriters, can make a fortune.
With recognizable catalog tracks becoming increasingly expensive to use, there is a growing opportunity for producers and songwriters to create sync-ready tracks that can be picked and used by music supervisors in various media. Sync-ready tracks—or library music—are songs that can fill the sonic gaps between key moments in a movie or television show but do not necessarily stand out, as they largely function as background music.
A good sync track should feel universal and fit broad themes and genres. Sound effects are also highly requested, so if you’re good at that, it’s a lucrative niche. To get involved in the sync music field, you typically need to sign a publishing deal or work with companies that specialize in library music.
And to boost your chances of landing a sync, make sure your files are organized and ready to go. Don’t forget to include alternative versions, instrumentals, and stems, as music production teams usually try different songs and versions before deciding on the one that fits best.
3. Spatial audio
Spatial audio is also becoming more popular, with Netflix and Apple Music getting in on the action. It’s a type of technology that creates an immersive, 3D audio environment that enhances the listening experience.
For producers, spatial audio requires recording engineers and music producers to use different recording and production techniques to achieve the immersive effect. Binaural audio is one such technique—it requires producers to use a special microphone to capture audio from two different locations. This unique method simulates the effect of sound waves reaching our ears.
Ambisonic audio differs from binaural, as it uses a specialized microphone to capture sound from various directions and create a 3D sound field. Finally, object-based audio involves capturing sound with mono microphones and then moving it in space during post-production. By learning these techniques—which are becoming increasingly popular in film, gaming, and virtual reality—producers can get involved in these highly lucrative fields.
Many legacy catalogs have been given the spatial audio treatment, with The Beatles' repetoire, in particular, serving as a masterclass in how spatial audio can be used to elevate and enhance each track's nuances.
Producer Giles Martin, son of Beatles producer George Martin, has made it his mission to remix and remaster The Beatles' albums—and the Dolby Atmos-powered spatial audio version of Come Together (available on Apple Music) ensures the track's dynamism is fully amplified, with an added dash of immersiveness.
And if you need a visual representation of spatial audio, Billie Eilish—whose albums are also offered in the Dolby Atmos-compatible form—teamed up with Apple Music back in 2021 to create a visual metaphor of this game-changing technology.
4. AI and music production
Over the past couple of years, “artificial intelligence” has been on everybody’s lips—and the trend (and the technology) doesn’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon.
Undoubtedly, music production has benefited greatly from AI-powered tools such as algorithm-driven mastering services, AI-powered instruments, audio repair, and AI-mixing plugins that have revolutionized the production game.
Perhaps one of the latest tools stirring controversy is Suno, the ChatGPT of music. If you haven’t dabbled with Suno yet, it’s essentially a music generator that allows you to create full-length songs from prompts. You can switch between Simply and Custom modes—Simply **generates a song with or without lyrics (depending on your preference), while Custom **allows you to add your own lyrics and exclude any unwanted style from your nascent track.
However, this blossoming relationship between AI and music production may also come at the expense of artists—especially since the current legal framework hasn’t yet caught up with where AI is headed. Copyright laws and intellectual property rights, in particular, have become a bone of contention—with labels, artists, and music publishers grappling with AI companies and Big Tech in courts around the world.
Earlier this year, more than 1,000 musicians—including luminaries like Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, and Damon Albarn—released a silent album in protest against the UK government's proposed plans to allow AI companies to use artists’ work without explicit permission. This follows an open letter in 2024 signed by top-tier artists including Billie Eilish, Stevie Wonder, and Nicki Minaj, calling on AI companies, developers, and digital music services to “cease the use of artificial intelligence to infringe upon and devalue the rights of human artists.”
5. The integration of DAWs and streaming services
Streaming services are no longer just platforms for music consumption—they’re becoming full-blown creative hubs. In 2024, SoundCloud announced integration with six AI-powered tools—namely, Tunet, Tutti, AIBeatz, TwoShot, Starmony, and ACE Studio—in an effort to “democratize music creation for all artists.”
The Wall Street Journal also reported that Spotify is developing tools and premium subscription tiers that will allow users to remix songs. Meanwhile, Apple Music has one-upped Spotify by opening its catalog to let users build and mix sets through integration with industry-leading DJ software and hardware.
Elevate your game in 2025 using Pibox’s advanced technology
As creative workflows become more fragmented and fast-paced, it’s no longer enough to rely on email threads, spreadsheets, and consumer-grade file sharing.
Pibox offers a purpose-built solution for music and media teams who need to:
- Upload and organize all creative assets in one workspace
- Track versions and compare them instantly
- Leave feedback directly on audio waveforms or video timelines
- Share securely with clients via branded links
- Keep metadata, approvals, and communication in one place
This is why companies like Universal Music, Bleeding Fingers, and Sony, as well as thousands of producers and creators, rely on Pibox to help deliver over one million finished files with fewer headaches and faster turnarounds.
Want to see how Pibox can help your team cut admin time and focus on the work that matters?
