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Research
MP3 Perception: Perceived Quality of MP3 Music
Abstract: MP3s prove to be one of the most ubiquitous and convenient formats of audio media. It has both positive and negative connotations depending on the consumer. For musicians and artists, the MP3 has a damaging effect to original music encoded into this format. Music encoded in MP3 may contain a decrease of important frequencies and loss of three-dimensional sonic space. To assess if these changes are noticeable, three songs will be composed in the genres of hip- hop, alternative rock, and film music. These three songs will also be crafted and mixed during the post-production process. This includes enhancing fundamental frequencies to the various instruments and creating the three-dimensional sonic space. After, each song will be played back in three common formats to discover perceived changes in quality. This includes the sample rate and bit depth of 48/24, 44.1/16 (compact disc quality), and MP3 at a bandwidth of 128 kilobits per second (kbps). The tracks will be played back to three academic audiences including an introductory audio class, an advanced audio class and a Sound Aesthetics class. This preliminary study will aim to discover auditory changes in format when music is encoded into the MP3 algorithm.
Abstract: MP3s prove to be one of the most ubiquitous and convenient formats of audio media. It has both positive and negative connotations depending on the consumer. For musicians and artists, the MP3 has a damaging effect to original music encoded into this format. Music encoded in MP3 may contain a decrease of important frequencies and loss of three-dimensional sonic space. To assess if these changes are noticeable, three songs will be composed in the genres of hip- hop, alternative rock, and film music. These three songs will also be crafted and mixed during the post-production process. This includes enhancing fundamental frequencies to the various instruments and creating the three-dimensional sonic space. After, each song will be played back in three common formats to discover perceived changes in quality. This includes the sample rate and bit depth of 48/24, 44.1/16 (compact disc quality), and MP3 at a bandwidth of 128 kilobits per second (kbps). The tracks will be played back to three academic audiences including an introductory audio class, an advanced audio class and a Sound Aesthetics class. This preliminary study will aim to discover auditory changes in format when music is encoded into the MP3 algorithm.
Music Revealed: Semiotic and Structural Analysis of Film Music in The Dark Knight Rises
Abstract: This paper seeks to illustrate how music can produce a variety of emotional and cultural responses while shaping the story. Musical phrases, or a series of melodic notes, are composed with the goal of eliciting an emotional response. In radio, television and film, these phrases are used to identify certain characters and construct scenes by melodic organization (Tagg, 1999). Using semiotics as a guide, I will analyze music in Nolan’s (2012) The Dark Knight Rises to demonstrate how the melodic phrases produces an emotional message, crafts storytelling, and how cultural responses are constructed, challenged, confirmed, or negotiated.
Abstract: This paper seeks to illustrate how music can produce a variety of emotional and cultural responses while shaping the story. Musical phrases, or a series of melodic notes, are composed with the goal of eliciting an emotional response. In radio, television and film, these phrases are used to identify certain characters and construct scenes by melodic organization (Tagg, 1999). Using semiotics as a guide, I will analyze music in Nolan’s (2012) The Dark Knight Rises to demonstrate how the melodic phrases produces an emotional message, crafts storytelling, and how cultural responses are constructed, challenged, confirmed, or negotiated.
Pop music: Chord progression attraction in popular music
Abstract: It is always important to understand the causes of attraction. Attraction holds a very influential value and people behave according to their attractions. Why are so many of the songs in various radio stations sound the same regardless of their genre? What is it about these songs that make them catchy and why does mainstream society believe them to be so? The answer to these questions pertains to chord progressions. Similar, and even the same, chord progressions have been used for centuries as music evolved. Most listeners accept mainstream music without think about them critically. People also adopt behaviors that are found in popular music. What is causing the occurrence of accepting popular music without critical thought? What happens to society when these beliefs are ascertained? It is important to understand why our brain finds these chord progressions attractive in both a social and scientific aspect.
Abstract: It is always important to understand the causes of attraction. Attraction holds a very influential value and people behave according to their attractions. Why are so many of the songs in various radio stations sound the same regardless of their genre? What is it about these songs that make them catchy and why does mainstream society believe them to be so? The answer to these questions pertains to chord progressions. Similar, and even the same, chord progressions have been used for centuries as music evolved. Most listeners accept mainstream music without think about them critically. People also adopt behaviors that are found in popular music. What is causing the occurrence of accepting popular music without critical thought? What happens to society when these beliefs are ascertained? It is important to understand why our brain finds these chord progressions attractive in both a social and scientific aspect.
The ethics of using Auto-tune in the music industry
Abstract: Pop music has made a dramatic transformation from what it used to be a decade ago. Popular musicians have gone from being natural and authentic to extremely perfect. These illusory, flawless pop stars are gaining recognition from their perfect vocals from studio performances and live performances. Where did all these seemingly perfect pop sensations come from? Well, they are actually not as impeccable as they seem to be. In fact, modern musicians do not have to have vocal skills to create a decent recording. This is due to downloadable software called Auto-tune. Auto-tune is a pitch correction software that automatically fixes the singers pitch if they are flat. This is what creates perfection. Auto-tune can be used both in the recording studio and in live performances. This software has gained massive recognition in the music industry and approximately ninety percent of all pop stars are utilizing it without the knowledge of the listener (Des, 2008). This is because recording engineers are using the software just enough to enhance the vocals without making it too obvious for listeners to recognize. If untrained singers use Auto-tune to make them sound perfect, imagine how a skilled singer would sound using the software subtly. This creates mass deception for fans of any genre. People think that their favorite singer is naturally skilled on their records and live performances; however, fans are unbeknownst to the fact that there is a high chance that the artists’ are using Auto-tune. Where should the music industry draw the line in their Auto-tune use and how can they create a way where the public is not deceived?
Abstract: Pop music has made a dramatic transformation from what it used to be a decade ago. Popular musicians have gone from being natural and authentic to extremely perfect. These illusory, flawless pop stars are gaining recognition from their perfect vocals from studio performances and live performances. Where did all these seemingly perfect pop sensations come from? Well, they are actually not as impeccable as they seem to be. In fact, modern musicians do not have to have vocal skills to create a decent recording. This is due to downloadable software called Auto-tune. Auto-tune is a pitch correction software that automatically fixes the singers pitch if they are flat. This is what creates perfection. Auto-tune can be used both in the recording studio and in live performances. This software has gained massive recognition in the music industry and approximately ninety percent of all pop stars are utilizing it without the knowledge of the listener (Des, 2008). This is because recording engineers are using the software just enough to enhance the vocals without making it too obvious for listeners to recognize. If untrained singers use Auto-tune to make them sound perfect, imagine how a skilled singer would sound using the software subtly. This creates mass deception for fans of any genre. People think that their favorite singer is naturally skilled on their records and live performances; however, fans are unbeknownst to the fact that there is a high chance that the artists’ are using Auto-tune. Where should the music industry draw the line in their Auto-tune use and how can they create a way where the public is not deceived?
My friends, Linkin Park: Occurrence of parasocial relationships in Linkin Park transmedia elements
Abstract: The use of transmedia and music is not as evident compared to television and films. The evolving nature of the music industry is encouraging artists to use transmedia approaches to engage with a wider audience. Transmedia tends to focus more on a narrative approach and is often subjected to a multiplatform storytelling process; however, narratives do not drive the music industry like television and films. It is important to comprehend a broader definition of transmedia regarding music to gain a holistic understanding of the term. Understanding transmedia and its effective uses can enhance the commercialization of an artist or band.
Abstract: The use of transmedia and music is not as evident compared to television and films. The evolving nature of the music industry is encouraging artists to use transmedia approaches to engage with a wider audience. Transmedia tends to focus more on a narrative approach and is often subjected to a multiplatform storytelling process; however, narratives do not drive the music industry like television and films. It is important to comprehend a broader definition of transmedia regarding music to gain a holistic understanding of the term. Understanding transmedia and its effective uses can enhance the commercialization of an artist or band.