Less Noise, More Soul: The Search for Balance in the Art, Technology and Commerce of Music

by David Flitner

Overview

The digital revolution has enabled the creation and distribution of music in ways previously unimagined. Paradoxically, it has also made possible better and better recordings of less and less substance. Artists, engineers, and producers have begun to raise questions about the balance between the profoundly human undertaking that is the creation of music and the ever-more-antiseptic means by which it is translated into recordings. Less Noise, More Soul: The Search for Balance in the Art, Technology, and Commerce of Music brings together original essays by a select group of industry professionals, many of them award winners, who share a wealth of experience, passion, and insight into where popular music has been, where it currently finds itself, and where it's going. The book is designed to be a portable vehicle for generating discussion: not too long, and replete with the poignant, thought-provoking commentary of many “brand-name” players in the industry. Perfect for the office or the college classroom, Less Noise, More Soul will enhance the understanding of music as a medium and a business for students, artists, producers, and other industry professionals. Contributors include Bob Ludwig, Adam Ayan, Kenny Aronoff, Lydia Hutchinson, and more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781480342989
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	01/01/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	226
File size:	397 KB

About the Author

David Flitner (Wolfeboro, NH) holds a PhD from Tufts University and has been a consultant to US Congress. He is the author of two previous books and has written on music and public affairs for numerous publications, from major newspapers to Billboard. He composes and records with the band Thinline.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction xi

A Boomer's Lament on the Devaluation of Music Lydia Hutchinson 1

The Qualities of Feeling, Time, and Illogic Rick Clark 7

Truth, Honor, and Human Engagement Kenny Aronoff 29

Less Noise, More Soul David Flitner 35

The Loudness Wars: Musical Dynamics Versus Volume Bob Ludwig 57

Forty Years of Revolution, Evolution, and Devolution: The Music Industry Ice Age-Transforming from Dinosaurs to Birds Cookie Marenco 67

The Problem of the Constant Upgrade Gino Robair 89

Some Thoughts on Record Production, Its Tools, and Tomorrow's Music Producer Susan Rogers 97

The Death of Music Eugene S. Robinson 123

Why "Strawberry Fields Forever" Matters Bobby Frasier 127

Modern Recording Fidelity and the Digital Download World Adam Ayan 141

The Tale of the Tail Kevin Becka 151

Music Radio, RIP Rob Reinhart 159

An End-a Beginning William Ackerman 183

Coda: Gangland Hit Clifford F. Adams 189

Notes 213

Contributors 217