Capturing the Invisible: Dematerialization and Sound Reproduction Technology
Date
2015-04-30
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
Since humans learnt to sing, and listen to music, sound reproduction technology has been evolving in the built environment. This began with technologies such as writing song scripts for music, and recording sound on objects such as the cylindrical and disc record, the cassette tape, and today’s digital music formats. The digitization of technology is rapidly dissolving sound reproduction into the computer through a process called dematerialization. This new stage of sound reproduction technology has presented a powerful new way to listen, share, store, purchase, and organize music in faster more efficient ways than ever before.
As a result, digital files have replaced many analog technologies of the past such as cassettes, and 8-track tapes making them obsolete. This obsolescence also simultaneously amputated many of the rich experiences of playing recorded music that accompanied them. Accordingly, this project examines people’s social and phenomenological connection with technologies, and more specifically, sound reproduction technology.
As this fascinating technology has evolved to become more sophisticated, what are the implications of dematerialization? Ultimately this inquiry informs an Industrial Design response with concepts exploring new form and experiences to play, and organize music in the future.
Keywords: sound reproduction technology, industrial design, digitization, dematerialization, music listening, audiophile, vinyl records.
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Citation
Ball, J. G. (2015). Capturing the Invisible: Dematerialization and Sound Reproduction Technology (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/25210