The methods through which music is created have, obviously, changed dramatically with time; the roots of which began with not much more than just instruments, microphones, and a production table. Today, the sounds and genres that can be created through a single computer have greatly expanded virtually all musical possibilities.
In the early days of recording, around the 1920s, studios often gathered musicians in one room together to record all of them playing at once. This single microphone technique was no exception to small bands, orchestras, pop singers, and everything in between. However, as the music industry grew, so did its demands.
Technological advancements in music began to flourish, forcing musicians and producers to change their techniques and equipment. Smaller, more specific microphones were created to capture every little sound possible, consoles were updated and improved, and much more. With all of this came the process of “mixing,” blending every sound recorded together to make the most audibly pleasing tracks possible.
Around the 1960s and 70s came the birth of digital technology and the ability to convert analog signals into digital, then back into analog for the final mix. This vastly improved the sound quality of nearly every track recorded and resulted in a metaphorical gold rush among producers.
Perhaps the biggest change came when musicians themselves were equipped with the technology necessary to produce studio-quality recordings without the assistance of a certified producer. Though their expertise is still highly recommended, the tools at anyone’s disposal today allow for some impressive music that could not have otherwise been created.
The actual size of recording studios has decreased as well as many musicians and producers can record and mix entire songs through the convenience of a single laptop. “Digital Audio Workstations,” or DAWs, are now perhaps the most popular form of recording with laptops being the centerpiece of music production, which allows for internet streaming. Artists and producers are able to release their completed tracks faster than ever for their intended audiences.
It is fascinating to think where music production technology will be in another few decades given how quickly and dramatically it has changed in just a century.