Music Tech Kits and ‘Zine

Since our beginnings back in 2015, advancing equality within the music tech sector has been our long term mission. 

The latest Annenberg report shows that less than 5% of the music tech industry is comprised of women, non-binary and trans folk. Producers make up just 2% of the music industry – and of that 2%, less than 1% are women and gender minorities of colour. Our two latest projects aim to change that figure.

The first of these projects will provide 40 Black women, non-binary and trans people in the UK with free Music Tech Kits, to help remove financial barriers to music production and creation. The second – a 24-page Saffron ‘Zine – will spotlight six Black women and non-binary music tech professionals, helping to promote visibility and inspire the next generation.

MUSIC TECH KITS

Designed to help emerging musicians and producers level up their skills and their set-up, our carefully curated Music Tech Kits will include essential hardware – studio headphones by AIAIAI, an Ableton Push 2 MIDI Controller and a synth or sampler by Teenage Engineering – as well as the Ableton Live 11 software. 

We’ll also be offering educational resources alongside the studio gear. Successful applicants will receive group and 1-2-1 music production tutorials with Ableton-certified trainers, a copy of the first Saffron ‘Zine and a one-year Saffron membership, granting them access to online masterclasses and inviting them into Saffron’s global community of women, non-binary, trans and gender non-conforming people working in music tech. 

These have been made possible thanks to the Sony Music Group, and support from Ableton, AIAIAI and Teenage Engineering. 

Each Music Tech Kit includes:

• Production software: Ableton Live 11 Intro
• MIDI Controller: Ableton Push 2
• Studio headphones: AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio XE
• Synth or sampler: Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator or OPZ
• Group and 1-2-1 music production tutorials with Ableton-certified trainers
• Saffron Membership: A year of online group workshops and community access
• Saffron ‘Zine: A copy of the brand new ‘zine 

Who can apply?

To be eligible to apply for one of the 40 Music Tech Kits you must be:

• A woman, non-binary person, trans (man or woman), or gender non-conforming
• Black or of Black heritage, including mixed Black*
• Aged 18+ (there is no maximum age limit)
• Currently living in the UK

How To Apply:

Fill in this form.

Deadline to apply: Friday 8 April 6pm

Any questions: hello@saffronmusic.co.uk 

Saffron ‘Zine

Produced with the goal of empowering young Black girls and marginalised genders, the first edition of the Saffron ‘Zine shines a light on six Black industry professionals – Xana, TAAHLIAH, Leslie Gaston-Bird, Josette Joseph, Geaola Oluwakemi Adeyemi aka Princess Trium, and Zakia Sewell – documenting their perspectives, insights, and eclectic careers as DJs, producers, artists and sound engineers. 

“To be featured in this ‘zine, encourages my hope that we can see there are those of us living and building the future, rather than just speculating. The ancestral cycles are being healed and the tormented question of ‘Can I do this too?’ will be shifted to ask ‘When will I start?” – Xana

We’ll be distributing 3,500 free copies of the ‘zine to schools and colleges in the hope it will elevate Black role models and act as a resource for inspiration, offering guidance and encouragement to young Black people dreaming of a career in music tech. 

The Saffron ‘Zine is supported by Spitfire Audio and Arts Council England. 

To request free ‘zines for your school, college or community organisation send an email to: hello@saffronmusic.co.uk 

Or purchase a copy of the ’zine via our Bandcamphttps://saffronrecords.bandcamp.com/merch/saffron-zine. 

Credits

Editor: Emma Blake

Designer: Stacey Olika

Photography: Latoya Okuneye

Supported by: