Sound Engineering:

1
Sound Engineering

• The Interplay Between Industry, Technology,
  Culture
• By Warren Ersly

2
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

3
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 DJs for instance.

• Studio
• Post Production (Television Film)
• Studio Recording
• Mixing
• Mastering
• Radio
• Game Design

4
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 - 1917
• Vinyl Electronic Amplifiers 1920s
• Magnetic Film Strip/Early Tapes 1933
• Digital Recording Compact Discs Experimented
  with during the 60s 70s, reached commercial
  markets by the 80s used in most homes by 90s.
• Purely Digital Media 2001 (Napster iTunes)

5
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.
• 1960s 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.

6
Applied SoundsAudio Engineering Today

• Studio Hand
• Producer
• Applied Audio Technician
• Mixing/Mastering Professional
• Live Sound Technician
• Systems Designer

7
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.

8
Sources Cited

• An Audio Timeline. (n.d.). Audio Engineering
  Society (AES). Retrieved September 8, 2011, from
  http//www.aes.org/aeshc/docs/audio.history.timeli
  ne.html
• ? ??Audio engineering - Wikipedia, the free
  encyclopedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free
  encyclopedia. Retrieved September 6, 2011, from
  http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_engineering
• ? ??The History of Sound Recording Technology.
  (n.d.). The History of Sound Recording
  Technology. Retrieved September 7, 2011, from
  http//recording-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 http//www.recordingconnection

9
Photo Cites

• http//recording-history.org/ (phonoautograph,
  tape studio, slide 1)
• http//therecordingrevolution.com/tag/daw/
  (mixing board, slide 1)
• http//en.metalship.org/bands/Slayer (SLAYER,
  slide 2)
• http//pnutbutterjams.com/tag/laidback-luke/page/2
  / (Laid Back Luke, Slide 3)
• http//www.victoryrecords.com/betweentheburiedandm
  e (Between the Buried Me, Slide 3)
• http//photo-dict.faqs.org/phrase/5853/tape-record
  er.html (Magnetic Film Strip, Slide 4)
• http//printmatic.net/index.php/poll-do-you-still-
  have-a-cassette-tape-player.html (Cassette Tape,
  Slide 4)
• http//www.thelostplanet.net/vinyl/ (Dark Side of
  the Moon on Vinyl, Slide 4)
• http//www.freefoto.com/preview/04-12-16/Compact-D
  isc (Compact Disc, Slide 4)
• http//www.techcritiques.com/The_TechCritiques/Tec
  h_Critiques_Podcasts/Entries/2008/5/23_Napster_vs_
  iTunes.html (Napster v. iTunes, Slide 4)
• http//www.tapecenter.com/alsplicbloca.html (Tape
  Splicing, Slide 5)
• http//www.studioray.net/ (Recording Studio,
  Slide 5)