The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) PDF

The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) Overview Digital devices go mainstream Many new digital products including: Synthesizers Drum machines Samplers...

The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) Overview Digital devices go mainstream Many new digital products including: Synthesizers Drum machines Samplers Signal processors Cassette tapes and CD’s become standard formats Hip-hop gains cultural momentum The birth of Synth Pop Heavy metal and the LA scene New dance music styles The first DAW’s MTV Linn LM-1 TECHNOLOGY The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 1  Released in 1980 Fully programmable Designed by Roger Linn One of the first digital drum machines Less than 1000 produced Uses samples of acoustic drums, sounds good! (8 bit, 35k) Followed by Oberheim DMX in 1980 and the LinnDrum in 1982 Used by many artists: Prince Michael Jackson Bruno Mars LinnDrum TECHNOLOGY Released 1982 More affordable version of the LM-1 Very popular! 12 tracks 56 user programmable patterns Real drum samples Roland TR-808 TECHNOLOGY Manufactured from 1980-1983 Fully programmable Commercial flop The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 2  Unrealistic sounds Most popular drum machine of all-time Dominated 80’s hip-hop The sound of modern trap and R&B Only drum machine to have an album named after it 1200 for an 808 vs 5000 for LM-1 (in 1980) Songs that feature the TR-808: Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing https://open.spotify.com/track/3VZmChrnVW8JK6ano4gSED?si=99 482a47a1234fe5 Afrika Bambaataa - Planet Rock https://open.spotify.com/track/4FupIlegZgvXUuK79qcoKW?si=9d6 2612df8e347e6 Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody https://open.spotify.com/track/2tUBqZG2AbRi7Q0BIrVrEj?si=f7de3f dab4e243c7 LL Cool J - Going Back to Cali https://open.spotify.com/track/4Fkr6zTAxsXbG9kG8ISqos?si=e36f 98038f3645f2 The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 3  The Beastie Boys - Paul Revere https://open.spotify.com/track/3gKwVWwKmeuFtPubICbOGc?si=cf bea2457b474ed8 Thousands of others… MIDI TECHNOLOGY MIDI = Musical Instrument Digital Interface 1981 paper by Dave Smith (Sequential Circuits, Dave Smith Instruments) titled “Universal Synthesizer Interface” delivered at AES conference Smith collaborated with other major equipment manufacturers to create the MIDI protocol: Roland Korg Yamaha Kawai First MIDI Usage MIDI protocol demonstrated at NAMM in 1983 (LA) Prophet-600 connected to Roland’s Jupiter 6 It worked! MIDI specifications published August 1983 The world of music production has been forever changed Phil Collins ARTIST The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 4  Drummer of Genesis → solo pop star Incredible run of hits in the mid-80’s Extensive use of drum machines, samplers, synths “Face Value” (1981) https://open.spotify.com/album/7gUgpwRHL95RLPi2WmqxgU?si=unloL -j0SOu8X73B35lhzw Featuring “In the Air Tonight” Produced by Hugh Padgham Hugh Padgham PRODUCER British producer and engineer Grammy winner x4 Has worked with: Genesis Phil Collins The Police Sting Peter Gabriel XTC The Human League Paul McCartney Pioneered the Gated Reverb sound that dominated 80’s pop (by accident) AMS RMX16 The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 5  TECHNOLOGY 1981 First reverb with micro processor Non-linear reverb was a new sound Non-linear verb, mostly on snare was very popular in the 80’s Non Lin 2 - Copied the “In the Air Tonight” drum sound Michael Jackson - “Thriller” RELEASE https://open.spotify.com/album/2ANVost0y2y52ema1E9xAZ?si=OIHOkpBN Rt6DuoRY1gerPw Released 1982 Solidified MJ as the “King of Pop” Best selling album of all-time? Produced by Quincy Jones Engineered by Bruce Swedien Featuring: Paul McCartney (The Beatles) Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen) Steve Lukather (Toto) Steve Porcaro (Toto) Recorded at Westlake Recording Studio Grammy for Album of the Year (1983) The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 6  Westlake Recording Studio STUDIO West Hollywood, LA Acoustically standardized control room design - bass traps and non-parallel walls 5 studios - all with 48+ channel Neve or SSL consoles Where Thriller was recorded Quincy Jones COMPOSER Starts career as jazz trumpeter 80 Grammy nominations (29 wins) 33 film scores Produced MJ’s run of legendary albums: “Off the Wall” “Thriller” “Bad” GOAT producer? Bruce Swedien PRODUCER Quincy’s preferred engineer for more than 30 years 5-time Grammy winner One of the most important figures in the MJ sound of the late 70s and 80s Died Nov. 16, 2020 Shure SM7B The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 7  TECHNOLOGY SM7 - 1973 SM7A - 1999 (updated design) SM7B - 2001 (larger windscreen) Dynamic mic Uses updated Unidyne III capsule Similar sound to an SM57/58 Requires minimum of 60dB gain Very strong off-axis rejection Great for broadcast or live applications Bruce Swedien’s mic of choice for MJ’s vocals on Thriller Lexicon PCM42 TECHNOLOGY Released 1982 Designed by Gary Hall Follow up to popular PCM41 Up to 2.4 seconds delay time! On-board limiter adds character Sounds great Most desirable digital delay of all time? MTV MOMENT Launched 1981 NYC The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 8  Changed the music industry For better or worse? Increases focus on visuals Makes and breaks careers Music videos are remembered as music as the songs Good riddance? The Police ARTIST Formed 1977, London One of the most commercially successful bands of the 80’s Power trio Sting (bass, vocals) Andy Summers (guitar) Stuart Copeland (drums) Punk, reggae and new wave influences “Synchronicity” (1983) https://open.spotify.com/album/5W9OT0a5iZlBr83a9WMKFY?si=EQ5cd MqAT3CvxQWE7G3rRA Massively successful Grammy winner Break up in 1984 Sting launches solo career The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 9  80’s Synthesizers TECHNOLOGY Prophet 5 - 5 voice analog synth, first from Sequential Circuits (actually released 1978) Roland Jupiter 8 - analog, super powerful Ensoniq Mirage - 8-bit, floppy disk, affordable sampler in 1985! Korg Polysix - 6 voice, affordable analog Roland Juno 60/106 - competition for the Polysix, affordable analog Roland TR-303 - monophonic bass synth, built in sequencer Korg M1 - affordable and could do everything (synth, sampler, sequencer, workstation) Yamaha DX7 - sparkly digital, electric pianos, ubiquitous in the 80’s Yamaha DX7 TECHNOLOGY Released 1983 One of the most important synths of the 80’s Uses FM synthesis (additive) Famous electric piano song (E Piano 1) Whitney Houston’s “Saving All My Love for You” https://open.spotify.com/track/1lx8ddGT5wCD6W2xmLeRKG?si=b0 49294e4f8c499a Bruno Mars’ “Versace on the Floor” The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 10  https://open.spotify.com/track/0kN8xEmgMW9mh7UmDYHlJP?si=9 82dd87a01634323 Great for bells/percussion and other complex sounds Ability to design added harmonics to sounds Very hard to program Bruce Springsteen - “Born in the USA” RELEASE https://open.spotify.com/album/0PMasrHdpaoIRuHuhHp72O?si=E0cJMgtc RNqmPEYElFxKog Released 1984 Recorded at Power Station and Hit Factory Biggest album from “The Boss” Mixed by Bob Clearmountain Clearmountain - the NS-10 guru Commercial and critical success Incorporates some light synth elements Bob Clearmountain PRODUCER Recording and mixing engineer, 1970’s - current One of the first engineers to be hired exclusively for mixing (possibly the first) Greatest mixer of the 1980’s? The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 11  Popularized use of Yamaha NS-10 monitors Mixed the following: Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” Rolling Stones’ “Tattoo You” https://open.spotify.com/album/15XNBzVWARPMlu0sEbfBjJ?si=sc0 xx_0-QsyGj4jVC9FrLA David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” https://open.spotify.com/album/4NwG11AsDJluT732lSjMrV?si=l4h-5 UpiQNatC2IPh12r2Q Huey Lewis & The News’ “Sports” https://open.spotify.com/album/5jyfyM8Cinnh05OswtWv41?si=A3E XeE77TVGVBoF3hqr_rQ Prince - “Purple Rain” RELEASE https://open.spotify.com/album/2umoqwMrmjBBPeaqgYu6J9?si=2kIujVVtT hGuCuOkO4ByPA Released 1984 Sixth album from Prince Rogers Nelson The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 12  Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, band leader Merges pop, rock and dance with R&B Soundtrack for a film of the same name The Purple One’s magnum opus Commercial and critical success Featuring The Revolution Prior to this album Prince had produced, arranged, written and played almost everything Engineered by Susan Rogers The Tools of Prince TECHNOLOGY LM-1 Drum Machine Oberheim OB-X Yamaha DX7 Roland D-50 Roland Jupiter 8 Polymoog Fender Rhodes Eventide H910 and H3000 TECHNOLOGY Eventide H910 1975 First digital effects processor Eventide H3000 1986 The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 13  Various models Many effects Pitch shifter Great presets Endlessly tweakable Paul Simon - “Graceland” RELEASE https://open.spotify.com/album/4WoQ94qzwQj28n3nlSOVLB?si=2Br0qEer Rei-LvNHfw_7Tg 1986 Wins Grammy Album of the Year Engineered by Roy Halee Bed tracks recorded in South Africa Ladysmith Black Mambazo Los Lobos plays on a song Mixed at The Hit Factory Recorded analog, transferred to digital for editing Synclavier used throughout Drum samples/replacement throughout Tom and Chris Lord-Alge PRODUCER Brothers that record, mix and produce primarily rock music CLA = Chris Lord-Alge The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 14  Rock mixer CLA series Waves plugins TLA = Tom Lord-Alge Engineer/producer Steve Winwood’s “Back in the Highlife” https://open.spotify.com/album/1VV4tdUYIjRlhKxu1gMw4d?si=EcuV IuNgReqHLWhKxWZFUw David Foster PRODUCER Born in British Columbia The most famous Canadian producer of all-time? Pianist, producer, composer, songwriter Grammy winner x16 Worked with: Barbra Streisand Chicago Whitney Houston Celine Dion Michael Bublé Josh Groban Metal in the 80’s STYLE The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 15  The British heavy metal scene of the mid 70’s gives way to multiple popular genres Scene is centered in LA’s Sunset Strip MTV helps popularize the genre Tools of 80’s metal: Marshall stacks Jackson, BC Rich, Ibanez guitars Hairspray, spandex Glam Metal: Characterized by big hair and big ballads Motley Crue Bon Jovi Poison Thrash Metal: Faster, harder and more aggressive style Metallica Slayer Megadeth Other Metal genres: Death Metal Black Metal Doom Metal Speed Metal Mutt Lange PRODUCER The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 16  Born Robert John Lange, South Africa Producer, engineer, songwriter Known for meticulous hard rock and pop studio sessions Produced: Def Leppard “Hysteria” https://open.spotify.com/album/1ja2qzCrh6bZykcojbZs82?si=F6koK mIUTZquu0MGreIKOA AC/DC “Back in Black” https://open.spotify.com/album/6mUdeDZCsExyJLMdAfDuwh?si=O MiAKakfSPWLfiTDBF93PA Foreigner “4” https://open.spotify.com/album/2Pw51hAGvWpTA3AYl2WVuu?si=w VBvoaPsS7GpQKOsEyuhMg Bryan Adams “Waking Up The Neighbours” https://open.spotify.com/album/061uAXmheZOILmf2rr3tTn?si=Gljrv oRMS0KB774M6FDQ5Q Shania Twain “Come On Over” The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 17  https://open.spotify.com/album/4UMe0Ods7kygK6OISasZe9?si=3n OXAOFuTA2ksTi6_1YMIw Co-writer of many hits including Bryan Adams “(Everything I Do), I Do It For You” https://open.spotify.com/track/6eBK3edMW7bEzecF1eCezc?si=d00665 0ac2b34714 Peter Gabriel - “So” RELEASE https://open.spotify.com/album/0hQb1KT6L3iEYRkS5u8cjm?si=zsbSEhhfS MO2c8zZ8eqlSg Released 1986 Recorded at Gabriel’s home in the English countryside Produced by Daniel Lanois Engineered by Kevin Killen Fairlight CMI Prophet 5 Mix of live drums and drum machines like LinnDrum Peter on the Fairlight CMI: “the creative decision-making process has become more important than technique. You have a wider ranger of tools, a wider of decisions” U2 - “The Joshua Tree” The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 18  RELEASE https://open.spotify.com/album/5vBZRYu2GLA65nfxBvG1a7?si=VfP3Wzkm SYCZeCA6TU5eDA Released 1987 Spawned several hits Produced by Eno and Lanois Recorded in rural Ireland Pioneer new sound in pop & rock music Explored a new sonic palette while remaining commercially successful Delay pedals vital to The Edge’s guitar sound Anthemic lyrics/melodies Grammy for Album of the Year Daniel Lanois PRODUCER Born Hamilton, ON Lifelong studio rat Connects with Brian Eno in 1982 Produced in the 80’s: U2 (Unforgettable Fire & The Joshua Tree) with Brian Eno Peter Gabriel Neville Brio Emmy-Lou Harris Robbie Robertson The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 19  Bob Dylan Solo album “Acadie” recorded in New Orleans in 1986 https://open.spotify.com/album/5jeo6gUcru9NPdrCtwOlxf?si=QsAFstS uQvyblcyRlCfRwg Brian Eno PRODUCER Art school grad Roxy Music synth player Pioneered ambient music Self-described non-musician! Produced: U2 David Bowie Talking Heads Devo Laurie Anderson Oblique Strategies card deck Hip-Hop in the 80’s STYLE 80’s hip-hop is dominated by New York Kurtis Bow - “The Breaks” The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 20  https://open.spotify.com/track/5TvcggVu3s2P1fMAS8BupX?si=fb6392f 2e83844e8 First gold record in rap history Eric B. and Rakim (prod. Marley Marl) Def Jam (Rick Rubin & Russell Simmons) LL Cool J 18 when signed Beastie Boys First to top charts with rap album Slick Rick Children’s Story origin Public Enemy Take sampling detail to a new level Collage approach Run DMC (Run = Joseph Simmons, DMC = Darryl, Jam Master Jay) California comes around: NWA (Gangster rap) Eazy-E Dr. Dre Ice Cube MC Ren Ice-T Too Short The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 21  Rick Rubin PRODUCER? Creates Def Jam Records with Russell Simmons from his NYU dorm room Discovers: LL Cool J The Beastie Boys Was president of Columbia Records Hands-off production style Has produced for: Slayer Johnny Cash The Cult Jay-Z Red Hot Chili Peppers Tom Petty Sheryl Crow Metallica First DAW’s TECHNOLOGY Digidesign makes a mark 1984 - Sound Designer Software for editing Fairlight and Synclavier 1989 - Sound Tools Mac-based The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 22  2-track recording and editing 1990 - DAT First digital I/O for Sound Tools Other Notable Artists from the 80’s Madonna Tears for Fears Whitney Houston Talking Heads (David Byrne) The Beastie Boys Stevie Ray Vaughn Eurythmics (Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart) Guns ‘n Roses Wham! (George Michael) Duran Duran Hall & Oates Bryan Adams (Canadian) Dire Straits Pet Shop Boys Previous Next The Golden Age of Tape: Part II The Digital Revolution: Part II (1974-1979) (1990-1999) The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980-1989) 23