CREATE: A 4-6 minute radio interview/blog that discusses the differences between 4

recording techniques. Discuss the available technology and how it worked when recording
and playing back the audio. Describe the disadvantages that musicians were faced with
when recording throughout this time and compare it to how things could have been improved
if they were to record the same thing today.
DUE DATE: Friday 13th of June (WEEK 7)
GUIDING QUESTION:
If your band recorded a song using 1950s technology, how would it be different from
recording today?

Include short (20 seconds max.) audio clips that relate to your chosen recording
techniques.
Describe topics clearly

PLAN:

Create a timeline for your radio recording

o
Where will you insert your audio clips?
o
At what point will you discuss each topic
Write down dot-points for discussion topics

INVESTIGATE:
The characteristics of the bands and artists from the time of the recordings
o What instruments were being recorded
What type of recording was happening?
o Was it a live recording (everyone playing at once)
o Was it recorded separately?
o What format was it being released onto?
EVALUATE:
With reflection to the guide question, look at the development of recording
technology and discuss how it has improved todays music (if you think it has
improved todays music at all!)
OBJECTIVES:
Understand the history behind recording
Learn what bands were restricted to while recording
Create an interesting product for me to listen to!

IBMYP Level 5

Tim Moors 2014

Each GROUP will:

Hand up their work via a USB to be loaded onto my computer for marking
o With this, all of your notes and dot points for your recording will be handed
up
o Your timeline will be handed up
o Include pictures on your notes of topics being discussed
! I want to see that you have an image in your head while youre talking.
PLEASE NOTE THAT
When you have finished your recording you can use any program (MixCraft, Audacity,
Garage band) to edit your recording. If you make any mistakes when youre talking, you
can edit them out before handing it up.
I want your audio clips to be clean.
o Dont record your phone playing a song onto the computer. It will affect the sound
quality.
o Copy the file from your USB into your program, and edit the length in there.

When you are recording your audio, please make it as exciting to listen to as possible!
You can be as creative as you like:
o A show introduction with a theme song
o A name for you show
o Pretend interviews with bands
You have a short amount of time to present your information, so please be clear and
concise when talking, and edit out and dead air (where there is nothing happening)

IBMYP Level 5

Tim Moors 2014

Recording History Assignment

Work in pairs.
Discuss 4 recording techniques and the decade it is from (has to be 4 different decades)
What technology was available for recording and playback?
Advantages and Disadvantages- compare between different techniques
Points

to cover
Instruments recording
Recording techniques
Format of release (CD, Vynl, Casette)

Recording History
1900-20s
Gramaphone
o Recorded onto Cylinder
20s

Phonograph
o 78rpm
o Mono
o Recorded to disc

80s

30s-50s
Stereo recording
45rpm/33rpm
Experimenting with reverb
60s

70s

Multi-track Recording
4 Tracks
o 4-8-16 Tracks
Home Recording
o Records
o Tapes

90s

Dolby Quadraphonic
Multi-Tracking taken further
Ability to edit

CD 48 tracks
o Digital
o Midi- 44.1hz
! Digital Effects
Vynl is phased out

Computer based recording

Digital editing
CD-Mp3s

2000s
Software instruments
Interfaces
o Home recording
Internet
(Vynl Comeback)

Slideshow:http://www.slideshare.net/TheMusicEspionage/history-of-audio-recording-

technology?qid=f8c09e0d-4f52-4b23-9b0b-0c72b71fea77&v=qf1&b=&from_search=2
Video: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/as18ip156ax6xzp/AADEDbfhBv0wk4NSOsGtBk3Pa

IBMYP Level 5

Tim Moors 2014