Musicae Scientiae 2016, Vol. 20(3) 436–456 © The Author(s) 2015 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1029864915624136 msx.sagepub.com A questionnaire-based investigation of the skills and roles of Computer Music Designers Laura Zattra University of Padova, Italy Nicolas Donin STMS Labs, IRCAM-CNRS-UPMC, Paris, France Abstract Throughout the history of electroacoustic music, creative collaboration has been a constant feature due to the complexity of the technology. All laboratories and electronic music studios involved the presence of different individuals with diverse, intertwined competencies. In particular, the embedding of technological tools into the process of musical creation prompted the rise of a new “agent” called the Computer Music Designer (CMD), who can work in writing, creating new instruments, recording and/or performance. Audiences as well as the academia have long been unaware of this emerging profession and its crucial role in the creative process of electroacoustic, electronic and computer music. This study sheds light on the socio-professional profile and expertise of the CMD in order to better understand how computer music design contributes to shaping electronic music as we know it. We present the methodology and outcomes of a questionnaire submitted to several CMDs. The purpose was to investigate this emerging community by means of an instrument permitting anonymity. Findings help to understand how the CMDs perceive their profession; trace common paths and habits among CMDs; and study this community from the point of view of their age, training, tasks, legal status, recognition, skills, professional identity and involvement in technological migration. The questionnaire instrument is appended. Keywords Computer Music, electronic music, musical assistant, Computer Music Designer, Réalisateur en Informatique Musicale, collaboration, professional skills, creative process, emerging profession, digital preservation, game music Corresponding author: Laura Zattra, University of Padova, Dep. FISPPA, Piazza Capitaniato, 3 – 35139, Padova, Italy. Email: laura.zattra@unipd.it 624136MSX 0 0 10.1177/1029864915624136Musicae ScientiaeZattra and Donin research-article 2015 Article by guest on August 1, 2016 msx.sagepub.com Downloaded from