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Music Final 3

Over the last century, technological innovations, legal proceedings, corporate consolidation, and diversification have transformed the music industry. The most significant moments of change such as radio broadcasting's rise during the 1920s and CDs' introduction in the 1980s. These developments had substantial effects on music production, distribution, and consumption. One of the most notable constants is that the above changes significantly affect the sound and how it appeals to different audience demographics. Technology has been on the leading edge on how music is produced today, with greater flexibility to vary music sound and produce attractive, yet unique beats and sounds to avoid legal encumbrances. This essay will examine the effects of corporate consolidation, diversification, and other significant occurrences on the sound of popular music.

Moment of Change One

Radio Broadcasting in the 1920s quickly became a mainstream form of entertainment, providing easy access to music and other forms of media for a broad audience. Radio broadcasting enormously affected the music industry by creating a new market for popular songs that demanded easier-to-listen-to, catchier tunes. Over time this led to "pop" music becoming an established genre. Pop music of this era featured simple melodies, catchy hooks, and straightforward lyrics that appealed to its younger target audience (Sterling and Skretvedt). Produced with new technologies such as microphones and electric amplifiers for more polished sounds. Marketed to young listeners to satisfy their craving for novelty and excitement. One such popular tune from this era was "Ain't Misbehavin'" by Fats Waller, which featured catchy melodies, straightforward lyrics, and an infectious swing rhythm that encouraged dancing. Change towards Radio Broadcasting in the 1920s is critical in understanding how technology, among other aspects, plays a vital part in transforming sounds.

Moment of Change Two

Introduction of the Compact Disc in the 1980s In the late 1980s, CDs made an immense impactful statement about change within the music industry. Vinyl records and cassette tapes gave way to CDs as the preferred method for music distribution; CDs boasted higher sound quality, longer playback time, and durability over their predecessors and created innovative forms of music, such as concept albums that told stories through interrelated songs (Butler). The CD also had a profound effect on popular music. Thanks to digital recording and editing techniques, CDs enabled more precise, detailed sounds that could be produced using digital recording techniques; this gave rise to new subgenres of EDM which relied heavily on digital sound processing and synthesis techniques; one popular EDM song from this era included "Blue Monday" by New Order featuring driving beats, synthesizers, and digital effects (Collins). A report on “The CD Turns 30” indicates that technology made it possible for music producers to use greater depth and sound effects to enhance overall message delivery to the target audience.

Similarities Between the Two Moments of Change

One similarity between the two moments was their utilization of new technologies to produce more refined sounds. Radio broadcasting provided access to better recording and playback equipment that created cleaner, more polished sounds in popular music recordings; similarly, CD technology allowed for digital recording techniques that gave greater control over final recordings' sounds; these changes allowed for greater precision and...