Sound Engineering: The Interplay Between Industry, Technology, & Culture By Warren Ersly

What is Sound Engineering? Sound Engineering encompasses many fields, but always involves one of the following: Sound System Electronics Acoustics Psychoacoustics Music Live Sound Studio Recording

Audio Engineering takes place both Live, and in the Studio  Live Configuring the Acoustics of a Room Designing Sound Systems Mixing & Controlling Live Sound Even some live performers apply the ideas of Audio Engineering – DJ’s for instance. Studio Post Production (Television & Film) Studio Recording Mixing Mastering Radio Game Design

The Evolution of Audio Engineering - Technology  Phonoautograph – 1857, Leon Scott Horn directs sound waves to a flexible diaphragm that captures and transfers sound to stylus and lever assembly that scratches the sound waves into a carbon or glass cylinder  Phonograph – 1877, Thomas Edison  Condenser Microphone  Vinyl & Electronic Amplifiers – 1920’s  Magnetic Film Strip/Early Tapes – 1933  Digital Recording & Compact Discs – Experimented with during the 60’s & 70’s, reached commercial markets by the 80’s; used in most homes by 90’s.  Purely Digital Media – 2001 (Napster & iTunes)

The Evolution of Audio Engineering - Culture & Industry  The original phonoautographs & phonographs were marketed as court reporting, stenography, or dictation machines.  1899 – Phonograph industry dying, until coin-operated version is installed in penny arcades; recording industry resurges as music based industry.  1960’s – Tape & Film technology provides impetus for editing, splicing, and layering of sound. Results in: Higher quality recordings More competitive/creative industry Higher importance in the role of the record producer More careers in the study of acoustics, systems design, and studio recording mechanics. □ 2001 – Complete digitization of recorded media allows for increased exposure for artists; controversial due to legalities.

Applied Sounds: Audio Engineering Today  Studio Hand  Producer  Applied Audio Technician  Mixing/Mastering Professional  Live Sound Technician  Systems Designer

Conclusions?  Technology develops independently of it's creators intents.  Culture influences how we use and identify with certain technology.  Technological ingenuity can make or break entire industries.

Sources Cited An Audio Timeline. (n.d.). Audio Engineering Society (AES). Retrieved September 8, 2011, from Audio engineering - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved September 6, 2011, from The History of Sound Recording Technology. (n.d.). The History of Sound Recording Technology. Retrieved September 7, 2011, from history.org/ history.org/ The Recording Connection | Audio Engineering and Music Producing School. (n.d.). The Recording Connection | Audio Engineering and Music Producing School. Retrieved September 8, 2011, from

Photo Cites  (phonoautograph, tape studio, slide 1)  (mixing board, slide 1)  (SLAYER, slide 2)  (Laid Back Luke, Slide 3)  (Between the Buried & Me, Slide 3)  (Magnetic Film Strip, Slide 4)  (Cassette Tape, Slide 4)  (Dark Side of the Moon on Vinyl, Slide 4)  (Compact Disc, Slide 4)  8/5/23_Napster_vs_iTunes.html (Napster v. iTunes, Slide 4) 8/5/23_Napster_vs_iTunes.html  (Tape Splicing, Slide 5)  (Recording Studio, Slide 5)