Audio Technology, Music, and Media: From Sound Wave to Reproduction

This book provides a true A to Z of recorded sound, from its inception to the present day, outlining how technologies, techniques, and social attitudes have changed things, noting what is good and what is less good. The author starts by discussing the physics of sound generation and propagation. He then moves on to outline the history of recorded sound and early techniques and technologies, such as the rise of multi-channel tape recorders and their impact on recorded sound. He goes on to debate live sound versus recorded sound and why there is a difference, particularly with classical music. Other topics covered are the sound of real instruments and how that sound is produced and how to record it; microphone techniques and true stereo sound; digital workstations, sampling, and digital media; and music reproduction in the home and how it has changed. The author wraps up the book by discussing where we should be headed for both popular and classical music recording and reproduction, the role of the Audio Engineer in the 21^st century, and a brief look at technology today and where it is headed. This book is ideal for anyone interested in recorded sound.

＂[Julian Ashbourn] strives for perfection and reaches it through his recordings... His deep knowledge of both technology and music is extensive and it is with great pleasure that I see he is passing this on for the benefit of others. I have no doubt that this book will be highly valued by many in the music industry, as it will be by me.＂ -- Claudio Di Meo, Composer, Pianist and Principal Conductor of The Kensington Philharmonic Orchestra, The Hemel Symphony Orchestra and The Lumina Choir

Julian Ashbourn is an experienced and successful author on topics ranging from computer science and identity management through to geoscience and the natural sciences in general. His publications include the Springer titles Biometrics in the New World, Guide to Biometrics for Large-Scale Systems, and BANTAM User Guide.

Last 20 years, he’s undertaken three concurrent activities: Working for British Airways IT Dept; Working with Government agencies around the world re the application of biometric; Working in the Natural and Physical Sciences producing an archive for the Geological Society.

He has retired but has taken up numerous projects, including recording symphony orchestras, concert bands, folk groups, choirs and other musicians; composing both symphonic works, jazz and other music; authoring additional books on specialist subjects; recording and analyzing bird song and natural sounds.

He has published with Springer many times in many subject areas.