The Art of Recording Chapter 2 The Artistic Elements of Recording Production

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The audio recording process has provided the creative artist with a very precise control over the perceived parameters of sound (through a direct control of the physical dimensions of sound). This control of sound is well beyond that which was available to composers and performers before the advances of recording technology. The potential of controlling sound in new ways has led to new artistic elements in music, and has led to a re-definition of the musician and of music. While our discussion is focused on musical applications, it must be remembered that all aspects of these artistic elements of music also function as artistic elements in other areas of audio.

A new creative artist has evolved. This person uses the potentials of recording technology as sound resources for the creation (or recreation) of an artistic product. This person may be a performer or composer in the traditional sense, or this person may be one of the new musicians: a producer, or sound engineer, or any of the host of other, related job titles. Throughout this book, these people are referred to as "recordists."

Through its detailed control of sound, the audio recording medium has resources for creative expression that are not possible acoustically. Sounds are created, altered and combined in ways that are beyond the reality of live, acoustic performance. New creative ideas, and new additions to our musical language have emerged as a result of the audio recording process.

Creative ideas are defined by the "artistic elements." The artistic elements are the areas that comprise or characterize creative ideas (or entire works of art, pieces of music). Study of the artistic elements will allow us to understand the individual musical ideas and the larger musical event, and to recognize how those ideas and sound events contribute to the entire piece of music. Discussion will emphasize the artistic elements that are unique to recorded music, especially music created through the use of the recording medium.

As we have learned from the previous chapter, the artistic elements of sound are the mind/brain's interpretation of the perceived parameters of sound. Sound as it is perceived and understood by the human mind, becomes the resource for creative and artistic expression in sound. The perceived parameters of sound are utilized as the "artistic elements of sound" to create and ensure the communication of meaningful (musical) messages.

THE ART OF RECORDING lies within the utilization of the perceived parameters of sound as a resource for artistic expression. The materials that allow for artistic expression are understood through a study of their component parts: the artistic elements of sound.

By applying the perceived parameters of sound to the creation of a recording, the recorded material is comprised of sound elements that are interpreted by the mind/brain, and thus communicate artistic ideas. The artistic elements are directly related to specific perceived parameters of sound, as the perceived parameters of sound were directly related specific physical dimensions of sound.