Technology Shaking Up Sheet Music Industry : Entertainment: High-tech kiosks deliver the goods, but is it science in search of a market?

Two companies in California are betting on computers.
Driving technology can revolutionize the industry that gives music scores to musicians and singers.
For hundreds of years, this piece of paper
The music industry operates essentially the same way: Artists hand over their creative efforts to publishers, who print and distribute music and lyrics to the public.
Now, music writers at Musicsource and Los Gatos in Newport Beach are using computer databases, data
Compression technology and high
High-speed printer to make the score available to customers immediately
Tech kiosks in retail stores.
Supporters say the technology is feasible and cost-effective.
Compete with standard paper
Music distribution channels.
But the kiosks are controversial in printing. music industry. Some printed-
Music lovers suspect that today\'s devices will soon be out of date as technology advances.
Others worry that these kiosks will be forced to print.
The music store closed down.
Many shopkeepers, however, welcome the new technology.
There is a kiosk that is not \"a lot of money\"maker . . .
This is certainly not the storage of music scores and (music books)
Paul Fernandez, president and co-chairman, said
The owner of the Santa Monica Music Center, who bought a music writer pavilion for $16,000 in October.
\"But we now sell 60% to 70% single music through this machine.
\"Now the kiosks Pavilion only plays the score.
The technology is not competitive in publishing music books containing a collection of songs.
This is an important difference because the score only produces about 10% of the printed music.
The music industry earned $0. 35 billion in 1992.
The vast majority of printed music appears in the form of orchestral music, band music and music books containing pop songs.
Most music retailers believe computers will eventually change the way they print.
Works of the music industry.
Not everyone is happy with the competition they see as unwelcome ---
Especially if these kiosks \"end up outside the music store,\" said Shirley Orlando, owner of Huntington Music at Huntington Beach.
Bob Jones with sheets
The music stores in San Juan Capistrano and Torrance see these kiosks as science for finding markets.
\"This is some very good technology,\" Jones said . \"
\"But things (proponents)
Forget to see if it\'s really needed.
\"Jones only sells printed music, and he maintains that the existing publishing, distribution and retail systems quickly meet consumer requirements for all titles other than the most obscure ones.
Although the kiosk pavilion operators promised they could work hardto-
Jones believes that the kiosk can maximize profits only by selling the most popular music scores.
Gaelic Lu, who owns a music store in Pleasanton, briefly tried a music writer kiosk, but since the original model did not provide the songs most customers wanted, he gave up
\"They only have 1,200 titles, so we are frustrated,\" Lu said . \".
\"The customer will ask for something but it is not on the machine.
\"Predictably, kiosk Pavilion believes that new technologies can only be good news for consumers.
\"The reality is, over the years, having the largest number of hard-Copy inventory. . .
Controlling the market is pretty good, \"said Dale Jacobs, chief executive of Newport Beach music resources.
\"It would be great if you lived in a neighborhood.
If not, it would be terrible.
\"Musicians and music resources are integrated using different technologies.
They all use computers to store tens of thousands of music scores and lyrics and to equip their kiosks with high
Fast laser printer.
However, Musicsource uses proprietary systems to transfer data over telephone lines to kiosks across the country.
MusicWriter transfers data to high
Regularly update and distribute storage CDs to kiosks.
Neither of these systems produces color artwork that adorns most of the score. -
Usually an important element, especially for young rocks.
For consumers.
Music writers now say there are 3,000 titles in its system.
Victor Cardell says the company offers an added appeal: its software allows customers to automatically convert sheet music into different keys, \"something people have been trying to do for years \", head of popular American music archives at ucla.
The only option is expensive manual transposition.
Music writer, a private holding company, has installed 140 kiosks in music stores in 48 states, and Jon, president and partner of the company, said on Mondayfounder.
Musicsource has not installed any kiosks kiosk yet, but will soon test its technology at the selected music store, says Jacobs. Major music-
As for the role that new technologies will play in the industry, there are still differences among publishers. Warner Bros.
Publishing Company
In Seacaucus, N. J.
He made an equity investment in music writers and authorized the company to issue Warner\'s music and lyrics.
But rival Hal Leonard Music Publishing
Computer Music is a potential competitor in Milwaukee. \"To share (the market)
Other types of deliveries may compromise the sale of certain products (printed)
\"Sheets,\" said Keith madak, president of Hal Leonard.