The History of the Development of Music Technology
Music technology Question 4 is worth 16 marks (20% of the exam) and is based on the history of music technology. The best way to approach this question is to study the various music technologies (start with the big ones) e.g. Samplers, Synthesizers, Production Effects, Electric Guitars, Drum machines, DAWs / Multi-tracking and Microphones. List 16 key points of each topic, then practice writing a well-structured essay based on these points.
For some extra practice try answering some of the example questions below:
- Describe the history and effect of synthesizers on modern popular music since 1970.
- Some Musicians have built their style using it and it has also perhaps defined a whole genre of Jamaican Music. Describe the development of delay and its influence on popular music since its introduction.
- Discuss the development of samplers and how they shaped the direction of popular Music in the 80’s.
- Discuss the developments of music technology during the 21st century.
- Explain what is meant by modeling synthesis and describe its effect on modern music since 1990.
- Describe the influence of multi-track recording from the 1950s.
- Describe the development of electric guitar effects from the 1960s.
- Describe the influence and importance of midi and virtual instruments in modern studios?
- Can home studios create the same standard of recording as a professional one? Cite examples in the development of Music Technology to support your answer.
- Describe how social media has changed the face of the music industry?
- Describe how the developments of the Guitar and FX Pedals have allowed performers to sound like their Guitar Heroes.
- Discuss how the development of the Synthesizer paved the way for new genres of music.
- How has the development of Computer Technology affected the way we record?
- Discuss how the developments of FX and processors have affected Recordings today.
- Describe the history and development of the microphone.