INTRODUCTION
In 1877, Thomas Edison invented the first Phonograph. This was a device that was capable of producing sound by mechanically etching grooves onto tin foil cylinders. Originally used to playback voices, Edison could have never foreseen the profound effects on his invention would have on musical consciousness (Koenigsberg, 1969). By producing the first sound recording, Edison was essentially catalyzing the reordering of music across time and space.
In 1910, the subsequent development of mass produced Phonograph records would have profound economic and esthetic effect as well. It forever changed the way music is made, listened to, and distributed. For the first time, music became a commodity; the performance of music had become a material object to be owned (Suisman, 2012). For the first time, musicians are able to hear themselves, the way it was heard by their audiences, having a profound effect on songwriting and performance practices. Notions of musical culture become blurred.
As music now travels easily and is readily accessible from outside of its own domain of tradition, likewise, music from the past can be brought up to the present. Music is no longer a collective affair (Tehranian, 2012). Public sounds are brought inside and given new individualized meanings. From Edison’s first foil cylinders, all audio recording technology up to this point, which include the eight track, the record, and the audio cassette tape, had all been based on recording sound waves in the air into physical transcriptions or magnetic patterns that now to adjusts the wave form of the original sound (Edward Tatnall; C.G. Burke; Irving Kolodin. Canby, 1952). In 1973, Thomas Stockham, a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, c...
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... is not possible with other audio techniques (Elsea, 1996).
CONCLUSION
Although stagnant in recent years, there has been exciting events and key figures that have impacted the way of digital recording over the analog to digital timespan. While it’s true that MP3 file sharing has definitely revolutionized the way we make and listen to music, these things already have happened in the past. Both the radio and the VCR upset the traditional ways music was produced and circulated. Digital audio has come along way. From analog eight track recorders that use tape, technological advancements allowed people to use binary codes to create an infinite amount of tracks digitally. With digital audio up in the cloud, streaming, or overpowering physical album sales, digital audio has left a lasting impression in the music industry that will continue to improve and expand over time.
Although Thomson set up the first electric system, it was Edison who invented the phonograph in eighteen seventy-seven. Editors at Scientific American, who were some of the first to experience Edison's newest creation, were startled. "The machine began by politely inquiring as to our health, asked how we liked the phonograph, informed us that it was very well, and bid us a cordial good night." (RCA Online 2)
Taylor, Timothy D., Mark Katz, and Tony Grajeda. Music, Sound, and Technology in America: A Documentary History of Early Phonograph, Cinema, and Radio. N.p.: Duke UP, 2012. Google Books. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
During the 1920’s music was very important to the people and exacerbated racial tensions in the postwar period (citation). The music industry began to take off because new technology started making it easier to produce and share music around.
For example, music is becoming more widely available to the general public with the introduction of mp3 players and the growth of the online music industry. The essay is concluded with my personal feelings towards the use of electronic technology within the live music industry, as well as the recording studio environment. This conclusion reveals that while the use of electronic technology has become crucial in the modern music market, it should not detract from the quality of live music produced. In this way, I feel that the use of electronic technology – namely drum machines and computerised backing tracks – have had a negative effect on the live music industry, because the majority of artists within the ‘pop’ genre now use computer-generated backing for live performances.
Music’s role on society has changed drastically through the course of its history as it has become ever so increasingly expansive. Many of the previous musical movements were only for the wealthy as entertainment
Before the phonograph, invented by Thomas Edison in 1877, was the phonautograph by Leon Scott. I could record sound, however, not reproduce it.
When music began to become structured as a part of civilization around the 13th century, the only place one could go to hear music was a concert hall or royal palace. This tradition lasted all the way until the mid-20th century, when jazz and rock spun off as new “genres” from traditional classical themes. Before this, classical music was the popular music; going to the symphony was a common activity among both the upper and middle class. One could argue that modern popular music is simply a revolution of classical music; for classical music has s...
The idea of electronic music was thought up hundreds of years ago. Ferruccio Busoni, an Italian composer and musician of the eighteen hundreds, predicted the rise of electronic music when music was still strictly classical. “I almost think that in the new great music, machines will also be necessary and will be assigned a share in it” (Dubal 438). Musical electronic sounds were first heard in 1877, when Thomas Edison invented the phonograph. Although the music being played was performed on traditional instruments, the final sound through the phonograph had an electronical quality. These new sounds had never been heard before, and they clung to the brains of the creative.
The music industry is an ever-evolving revolutionary entertainment industry for the masses. Music provides entertainment to all different masses due to the variety of genres produced. Music is a very profitable and complex industry. Music has expanded to a worldwide industry for musical artist to express their art through the form of song to the masses. Music not only appeals to the ears but to every aspect of a person. Music allows for individuals to explore and let their imagination expand as they here a song. Throughout the years the industry has undergone dramatic changes. Whether it is genres, forms of how it is distributed, or even the impact the artist have had. The industry is diverse and ever changing as the years continue. In the past 20 years the industry has changed with help of the technological breakthroughs and adoptions.
Music and the relationships of music have changed drastically in our society. The course of studies and the evaluations of the applications of the technology of music, the making and the listening of music have changed in the way we listen to music, the styles of music in our society and in the media. The importance of the technology in music today, has, over the past century been charted through the study of musical examples and through viewing how human values are reflected in this century's timely music. There are very many different types of music that are listened to. There are readings, writings, lectures and discussions on all the different types of music.
During the time of my grandparents', there were no iPods or portable music players. They listened to music through vinyl record players, also known as a phonograph. A phonograph is a stereo music player that can play music off vinyl records. For decades, this was the only device that was able to play music that my grandparents had access to. To this day, my grandparents are using vinyl record players to listen to music. Although, they now have the option to switch to portable music players, they choose to keep using vinyl record players because after decades and decades of usage, they have developed a sense of comfort in listening to music through vinyl record players.
The idea of the phonograph came from the man who invented the light bulb. Thomas Alva Edison is one of the greatest inventors of all time decided to create this invention. In 1877, Edison was working on a machine that would decipher telegraphic messages to paper tape. He used a diaphragm with an embossing point. This would be held onto a moving paraffin paper. Thus when spoken into it, the vibrations made indentations on it.
In today’s evolving and changing society, many people do not appreciate how extraordinary music truly is. Since the birth of the vinyl record, there are less people who own and are interested in them. Even though vinyl records have recently been making a comeback, they are still not as popular as they once were. People take for granted how easily accessible music is today though in the past it was not as simple. Even though vinyl records may be costly and may not have a large quantity of songs, as time progresses and technology continues to develop, the way that people listen to music degrades their appreciation for music due to easier accessibility, weaker sound in terms of quality, and decaying genres.
Many people came to see the showcase of the phonograph. In 1878, Thomas Edison starts expanding his inventions factory, and also builds a shopping store behind the laboratory. So he could sell his invention to the public. Later Thomas Edison started continuing his other inventions.
Throughout history music has proven to provide a vital part of society. Every day people are exposed to music. In some cases this music may cause people to form emotions and opinions (Koelsch). Music can be the life of an artist or a motivational tool that helps a person or culture get through the day. Regardless of the political or social scene in the future, music just like other forms of art will continue to evoke society just as it has changed it.