By Emmanuel Amoah
Ghana’s music industry is facing a significant crisis, according to renowned sound engineer Appietus. The veteran sound expert is sounding the alarm over the influx of self-taught sound engineers, whose lack of formal training is compromising the quality of music production in the country.
In an interview with Graphic Showbiz on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, Appietus, whose real name is Appiah Dankwah, expressed his concerns about the deteriorating standards in Ghana’s music industry. He attributed this decline to self-educated sound engineers who are flooding the market with subpar skills.
Appietus argues that these individuals are prioritizing convenience over quality, often relying on online tutorials and YouTube videos instead of pursuing formal education. This trend, he warns, is resulting in poor sound quality that is damaging Ghana’s music reputation.
“The music industry demands excellence, not amateurish experimentation,” Appietus emphasized. “Sound engineering requires a deep understanding of technical aspects, which these self-taught engineers are skipping.”
He elaborated further, stating, “You have to understand sound engineering, the frequency range listeners can hear, the decibel range you can go, the dynamics, and all the technicalities. It’s only in our industry that you find people saying, ‘Oh, I learned sound engineering on YouTube.’”
Appietus is calling on the industry to recognize the critical importance of professional training. He believes that the future of Ghana’s music industry depends on the expertise of skilled sound engineers, which is essential for the industry to thrive and gain international recognition.
As the debate continues, the music community awaits to see if Appietus’s call for higher standards will lead to a much-needed transformation in the sector.
