the first digitally recorded albums
In 1979, Ry Cooder released his album 'Bop Till You Drop' digitally and alongside the release of Stevie Wonders' 'The Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants', they were known as the first albums digitally recorded. Already, you can hear the clarity and difference in the recordings.
Even though digital recording had only been discovered for about a year, Stevie Wonder uses the processors like filter cut-off, EQ, reverberation, delay and much more to his advantage. In Race Babbling, you can clearly pick out the edited drum sounds, synth sounds and the difference in Stevie Wonders' voice. This track is completely different to his rest and really showed music consumers what digital recording was capable of. |
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Sampling and remixing
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Sampling and remixing became very popular throughout the 80's and from then on. Sampling is taking a portion or sample of a recording, whether that be an instrument, voice or beat, and then using it in a different song or piece. Remixing is taking a song or piece and altering it to sound different, whether that's by adding sounds or altering the sound that's there already.
Since the 80's, companies have been bringing out sample controllers which make sampling and play-back a lot easier. This is done by programming the samples into each pad on the controller and then playing them when they are needed. Not only is this a great way of playing in samples when you are making music, but for live use, the sample controllers are used for precise sample play-back. In 1983, Blue Monday released their single "New Order" which was one of the first songs to use samples. The "sample" used throughout the song, is the drum beat. As you can see on the video (top video) of Blue Monday playing it live, the drum beat is already sampled and is on a loop and they play on top of it. Then more recently, Kanye West's '05 chart topping single "Gold Digger" (3rd video) uses a vocal sample from Ray Charles' "I Got A Woman" which was released back in 1957 (2nd video). Now a days, you could probably find a remix to whatever song you are looking for. Remixing songs has become a large deal during the 21st century. If a producer mixes a band or artists song to their liking, their is the odd occasion that the band or artist will include the remix as a bonus track on their EP or album. For music consumers, remixing a preferred band or artists' song can open up their minds to the more electronic side of music. I'll attach an original song and it's remix so you can get in overview of what remixing consists of (4th & 5th video). |
Do-it-yourself recording
Now a days, everyone can record whatever they like whenever they like. With technology advancing everyday, recording has become quick and easy. For example, there are recording 'Apps' available for your mobile phone so you can record on the go, wherever you are. Alongside that, music equipment prices have dropped, so setting up a miniature studio in your house won't cost a bomb. With the right computer and DAW, music making is simple. Then with help from social networks like Facebook and Twitter, spreading your music is very quick.
There are plenty of examples of big named bands and artists who started off recording songs in their bedroom but with a bit of online promotion and gigging locally, they have been noticed by a Music Label. This is beneficial for both music consumers and music makers; without the consumers listening to the music of undiscovered artists and bands, the music industry wouldn't be so large. An example of a duo that was noticed recently would be Disclosure. Starting out making music in their room together, they were noticed by music labels scouting Soundcloud for talent. |
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music software
Now that music is being edited, sampled, looped, remixed and processed in the newest and diverse ways, music software has had to grow alongside it so that it is easy to produce the correct sound. DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is a programme in which the audio or MIDI notes are put and then edited in however you want. DAWs alter depending on the genre of music you want to play, how professional you want it, the simplicity of the editing and more.
Logic Pro X and Protools are two of the most professional DAWs for audio recording and audio processing. Pricing at around £150 and £340, Protools and Logic Pro are both very professional and easy to use DAWs. Apple even released a free DAW, considerably unprofessional and easy, but for beginners to mess about on; iGarage uses pre-set instruments to create a track and along with no plug-ins or effects, it still opens up the minds of potentiol music makers/consumers. |
music technology in live sound
With the release of more electronic controllers and equipment, music live is completely different. There are many different examples I can show, where technology has impacted live performance. In 80% of the 1975s' tracks, their is some electronic synth or sample in the background. To play this live, the drummer has a "Sample Pad" which he will hit and then they can play along to. On a completely different end of the scale, electronic artists like 'Disclosure' use nothing but technology to play their songs live.
For music makers, a lot more thinking goes into how they are going to be able to play their electronic music. Instead of getting onstage with guitars, basses and a pair of drum kits, a lot more time is spent perfecting their live "sound". Electronic music has sparked a new craze for music consumers. Purely tech-based music will be played at raves and clubs, whether thats live or off an album. |
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