Technology
has had a big impact on the way for enjoying music through time so it has positively
influenced the development of this industry especially in the recording of it. For
instance, early twentieth century acoustical recording was the
technique used to record live music with the intention of playing back. This beginning was the first step to improve
the music industry and its growth up to the present day. Some devices have shown
this evolution and the influence of technology on the play back of music.
THE
PHONOGRAPH (disc or cylinder)
was the first machine that recorded and
played back sound. Thomas Edison invented it in 1877. The phonograph worked by
collecting sound in a horn that was attached to a diaphragm. Therefore, the
sound traveled down the horn causing the diaphragm to vibrate. So the sound
wasn´t good. However, the phonograph became very popular for classical music.
Later, the producers tried changing it, so LPs appeared.
LONG PLAYING
or vinyl records were
made by Columbia records in 1948. They
were circular, plastic and black discs, which were put on a turntable so people
could enjoy their favorite music or singer.
There were two formats: The first was the 78 –rpm recording for singles.
In addition, the second was the seven – inch that played at 45 rpm. Which were known
“album” because they had many tracks. At the same time the famous cassette
tapes appeared. However, they weren´t competition to long playing.
AUDIO
CASSETTES were the most
popular between teenagers due to their low price and people could record their
own music easily. Besides, they were small and easy to carry anywhere. This
type of tapes were made up two spools and magnetically coated tape at its
center. However, in 1979 Sony and Philips developed a new technology to record
music.
COMPACT
DISC is a small, portable,
round medium made of molded polymer for electronically recording and playing
back sound. CD is a digitally recorded disc
that uses laser to read music, because of this, sound has a better quality and
the portability has become easier. In addition, the music industry can
re-record the old and unforgettable hits on CDs. Although, the CDs are used and
very popular the industry has shown new devices.
NAPSTER
was the first way to easily share song files with others; but it was
accused of copyright violations and the court shut it down in 2001. However, it
was the beginning of idea of free
online file sharing and now there are many programs that can be downloaded for free
to get any music from anyone. Some example are you tube and Ares.
Technological advances have been an important
part in the evolution of recording player through the 20th century
as they have worked hard to find new ways to share music such as phonograph,
Long play, Cassettes and CDs. The end of the recording player has not arrived
yet because technology will not stop in the search for the best of the best to
improve every day the music industry. The final question is: What surprises do
you think technology has for you in the new century?
