Wired for Sound: Engineering and Technologies in Sonic Cultures

Book Overview

Ethnographically-grounded studies of technology in global music.

Winner of the Society for Ethnmusicology's Klaus Wachsmann Award (2006)

Wired for Sound is the first anthology to address the role of sound engineering technologies in the shaping of contemporary global music. Wired sound is at the basis of digital audio editing, multi-track recording, and other studio practices that have powerfully impacted the world's music. Distinctions between musicians and engineers increasingly blur, making it possible for people around the globe to imagine new sounds and construct new musical aesthetics. This collection of 11 essays employs primarily ethnographical, but also historical and psychological, approaches to examine a range of new, technology-intensive musics and musical practices such as: fusions of Indian film-song rhythms, heavy metal, and gamelan in Jakarta; urban Nepali pop which juxtaposes heavy metal, Tibetan Buddhist ritual chant, rap, and Himalayan folksongs; collaborations between Australian aboriginals and sound engineers; the production of "heaviness" in heavy metal music; and the production of the "Austin sound." This anthology is must reading for anyone interested in the global character of contemporary music technology.

CONTRIBUTORS: Harris M. Berger, Beverley Diamond, Cornelia Fales, Ingemar Grandin, Louise Meintjes, Frederick J. Moehn, Karl Neunfeldt, Timothy D. Taylor, Jeremy Wallach.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0819565172
• ISBN13: 9780819565174
• Release Date: December 2004
• Publisher: Wesleyan University Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up

Customer Reviews

A better description - haven't read the book - ignore rating

From the publisher: An anthology of 11 essays is the first to address the role of the sound engineering technologies and practices that shape contemporary world music. The essays look at technologies invented in the west and how they are incorporated by world cultures. It can be argued that new technologies extend western influence and bring about a homogenization of the world musical practices, but such technologies also have the potential to open up new directions for musical expression, empowering people to express their own cultural values. Wired for Sound challenges assumptions about the use of technology, seeking to move beyond the false dichotomy of "creative" musicians and "mechanical" sound engineers. The essays demonstrate how technologies create new possibilities for responding to a popular audience, for fulfilling artistic aims, and recreating traditional music. Topics covered in the book include fusions of Indian film-song rhythms; heavy metal and gamelan in Jakarta; urban Nepali pop, which juxtaposes heavy metal, Tibetan Buddhist ritual chant, rap, and Himalayan folksongs; collaborations between Australian aboriginals and sound engineers; the production of "heaviness" in heavy metal music; and the production of the "Austin sound."

Drop everything, buy this book

There are great music books, great books about music and this. This book is THE bible of music and technology. It is an instant classic. I picked this book up not knowing anything about Paul Greene or hearing any buzz. After an afternoon of reading, I am going to a create a course so that I can use this book. Really, it is THAT good!