More than microphoning

capturing the role of the recording engineer from the 1980s to the 1990s

Authors

  • Robert Davis Leeds Metropolitan University Author
  • Steven Parker Leeds Metropolitan University Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/pomh.v8i1.46

Keywords:

creativity, microphoning, recording engineer, studio

Abstract

A review of literature in the field of record production shows the recording engineer as being under represented and possibly, due to the enigmatic nature of the role, misunderstood. This paper examines the engineer’s role and influence in the creation of recordings from the 1980s to the 1990s through the autoethnographic approach undertaken by Steven Parker who worked as an engineer during this time. Parker’s narrative allows us to reflect not only on the roles of the engineer during a period of technological change, but the way that the engineer contributed to the creative process and in particular to what we term the sonic signature of a recording. Our suggestion is that the role of the engineer should be understood as more than microphoning (the art of capturing sound) and re-evaluated as an integral component of the creative process.

Author Biographies

  • Robert Davis, Leeds Metropolitan University

    Robert Davis is Senior Lecturer in Music Technology at Leeds Metropolitan University teaching on a range of courses including the MA in Music Production. His research focuses on the trace of the recording process found on records which he conceptualizes using the sonic signature.

  • Steven Parker, Leeds Metropolitan University

    Steven Parker is a Principal Lecturer in Music Technology at Leeds Metropolitan University. He joined the University after many years working in the music industry having joined initially as an apprentice before becoming freelance and working on a diverse range of projects including music production, television and games audio. This article presents aspects of his PhD ‘Creativity and Participation: Using a Systems Model to Understand the Role of the Recording Engineer in Previously Published Recorded Works from 1980–1992’, which used an auto-ethnographic approach.

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Published

2014-02-07

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Davis, R., & Parker, S. (2014). More than microphoning: capturing the role of the recording engineer from the 1980s to the 1990s. Popular Music History, 8(1), 46-67. https://doi.org/10.1558/pomh.v8i1.46