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The microphones have had a major effect on the music industry and whereas it was originally used to amplify voices and instruments in live performances, they are now used to record the performances as well (3). Recording the voice became popular around 1925, when recording changed from acoustic to electronic with the invention of the carbon and condenser-type microphones. The production of these microphones helped to increase the sound quality of the voice over the radio, which then led to the radio becoming the most popular medium in household all over the world in the 1930's for both news and entertainment (4). It was the use and popularity of the radio broadcasts that then led to the recording of music (5). Picture A family in the 1930s gathering together around their radio, showing the popularity and importance of the radio's role within the family structure (6).
The act of “microphone singing”, where one’s vocal technique can be improved as well as their musical style changed, began to take place between 1920 and 1930 (7). Prior to this, singers were trained in how to project their voices and work with the architecture in concert halls and in orchestra pits to help make their voices heard (8). The classically trained vocalists struggled to maintain their careers when the microphone became mainstream because their voices were not able to transform from the acoustic to electronic traditions as easily as the more modern singers. The microphone ultimately changed the music style of the time, pushing the classical melodies out and allowed for more modern music, such as jazz, to enter in full swing. By the late 1920’s, as jazz gained momentum, the classical ballrooms were redefined into modern dance halls and the waltz was quickly modified into the foxtrot. The popularity of the “dance band” musicians resulted in even more splintering within the music culture; The jazz bands influenced the blues, which in turn influenced the rap culture (9). The increase in more upbeat music is one of the causes of the “radio craze” that began in the 1920’s. This is a time where both the broadcasts and the music from the radio were experimental, in order to see what was the most pleasing to the audience. The more modern, “dance band” music then took over society because of its popularity on the radio (10).
Because of the microphone, a larger variety of people are able to become involved within the music industry. The process of recording music- “preparation to recording, to overdubbing, to editing, to mixing, to mastering, and finally to CD”, can now be done by one’s self at home, on their own devices (11). The first step in being able to record music from one’s home is being able to get ahold of a microphone, which is now widely available through websites, as well as through apps on smartphones (12). Recording and editing can now be done with one handheld device, even furthering the ability for everyone’s voice to be heard. (13). The “dynamic technology” that continues to be invented allows for recording and broadcasting of the human voice to constantly be improved. Picture MOGUL is a free music-recording app available for download. The complexity and easy availability show the mass effects that the microphone has played into giving individual's a voice in people (14). Jason Corey, Associate Professor and Chair of Performing Arts Technology, argues that the aid of microphones in music, including their ability to amplify and record, is one of the biggest impacts of the microphones to date (15). The recording not only allows one's voice to be heard through home recording, but it also allowed for the gap between performer and audience to become smaller. The ability of a recorded artist to be in the home of their audience has brought an intimacy to the music industry, all due to the invention and development of the microphone (16). The cultural effects of the microphone have been great on the individual, allowing for their voice to be heard and their increasing involvement all around.
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(3) Davies, Hugh. “Microphone,” Grove Music Online. Oxford University Press. Accessed April 5, 2015(4) Lockhheart, Paula. “A History of Early Microphone Singing, 1925–1939: American Mainstream Popular Singing at the Advent of Electronic Microphone Amplification” Popular Music and Society (2010): 367.(5) Arnett, Jeffrey Jensen. “Encyclopedia of Children, Adolescents, and the Media” (2007): 686-687. Accessed April 5, 2015. (6) “Family Life in the 1930s, as shown through a photo taken by a Liberty Magazine Photographer”. Photograph, from www. Reminisce.com. Accessed on April 10, 2015. http://www.reminisce.com/1930s/dad-taught-a-lesson-as-her-sidekick-on-the-radio-range/(7) Lockhheart, Paula. “A History of Early Microphone Singing, 1925–1939: American Mainstream Popular Singing at the Advent of Electronic Microphone Amplification” Popular Music and Society (2010): 367.(8) Lockhheart, Paula. “A History of Early Microphone Singing, 1925–1939: American Mainstream Popular Singing at the Advent of Electronic Microphone Amplification” Popular Music and Society (2010): 368.(9) “The History of Rap Music” Miami Times (2011).Accessed April 8, 2015.(10) Lockhheart, Paula. “A History of Early Microphone Singing, 1925–1939: American Mainstream Popular Singing at the Advent of Electronic Microphone Amplification” Popular Music and Society (2010): 370.(11) Middleton, Paul. and Steven Gurevitz, “Music Technology Workbook”. (Focal Press, 2013) Accessed April 5, 2015. (12) http://soundation.com. Accessed March 17, 2015.(13) Kontney, Jack. “Microphones,”Broadcast Engineering(2012). Accessed April 5, 2015(14) "MOGUL, a music-recording app". Screenshot, from Grace Beckman's iPhone. Accessed April 9, 2015. (15) Corey, Jason. (Associate Professor and Chair of Performing Arts Technology) interview by Grace Beckman, Shelby Timmer and Jeremy Waters. April 10, 2015. (16) Lockhheart, Paula. “A History of Early Microphone Singing, 1925–1939: American Mainstream Popular Singing at the Advent of Electronic Microphone Amplification” Popular Music and Society (2010): 376. Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates. Get Started Photo used under Creative Commons from Drab Makyo

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