Pros and Cons of Technology in Music

It is a fact that music has evolved in so many ways over the past few decades. From the variations of genres that have developed, as well as the technology that has helped build and shape some of these genres. Music had taken a huge leap once technology came into use, things such as synthesizers, auto tuning devices etc. These have given new aspects to music but there’s been some debate about whether they’ve been a good or bad addition to the way music is made. I myself have a mixed opinion on this topic because of course there’s good and bad to everything. I think that these technological advances have had good and bad influences on the music industry.

I think that devices like the synthesizer have made a good impact on music because not only can they imitate the sounds of common instruments but also produce unique sounds that can’t be created in another way. Because of the ability to create new unique sounds, synthesizers are extremely popular with many artists. There are even genres specified towards artists that use synthesizers and other sound manipulating electronics as the main aspect of their music. Some of those genres are known as Electronic rock (synth-rock), and Electronic (dub step, house, etc). Without these synthesizer devices some for these genres may not currently exist.

Synthesizers have evolved an immense amount since 1920 when the first type was used. This version was called a Theremin, it was played and controlled by moving your hands by two aerials. These aerials controlled volume and pitch. From then on, synthesizer started to look more like organs, then piano, and now some models look very similar to an electric keyboard.

2015 Model of a Synthesizer

1920's Theremin

 Another device that plays a huge role in the music industry is the Auto-tune system. Auto-tuning is the process of being able to measure and alter pitch in vocal and instrumental recordings. Auto tuning has become extremely popular in the last few decades. The auto tune device was created by Andy Hildebrand (employee of Exxon at the time) and Antares Audio Technologies. Originally it was intended to correct off-key or inaccurate pitches in vocal recordings allowing vocal to be tuned perfectly. It was released spring 1997.  

There has been quite a debate on whether or not auto tune should be used in music or not. Some say it helps pick up imperfections so the artist can fix them. While others, including myself say that auto tune may not be the best thing because it takes away from natural talent. You can alter the song too much and when the artist goes and performs those songs in concert, they don’t sound the same. Some artists want their voices to sound auto tuned at times such as T-Pain or Lil Wayne and that’s what they’re known for is that auto tuned sound. But I personally don’t think all artists should use auto tune so much because it definitely takes away from natural talent. Some artists will use auto tune to have high notes in a song because their voices may not be able to do that, well when they go perform these songs in concert fans are expecting these awesome high notes (or other voice qualities) and the artist isn’t able to do it. Therefore making the song sound different.

 

This video shows the difference between singing with and without auto tune.