Building on the framework of prior decades, the 60’s and 70’s were largely defined by new methods of producing sound, rather than new methods of recording it. These changes brought about the rise of new musical genres, specifically that of disco.
Stereo, Synthesizers, and Technical Effects
Stereo recording and reel-to-reel taping, which allowed multi-track records to be recorded in high fidelity, launched the instrumental LPs of the psychedelic and “mood music” era of the 60’s. This took the focus off of actual instrument playing, and made the album into an art form rather than a disposable package for music. This in turn helped drive the rise of the synthesizer (hitting the market in a big way in 1967) and the first true “electronic” music. The first synthesizers were monophonic, playing only one note at a time, meaning that polyphonic sounds required multiple units and very intentional manipulation (Lendino). Later models were polyphonic and easier to “play”, but all were popular for the studio-produced sound of the later era of rock (Coleman 97-107, Szatmary 190-199, 217-219).
Demo of the multitude of effects which can be produced by a synthesizer and an enterprising musician.
In addition to studio effects, multiple attachments and effects for guitars came into common use by the early ’70’s. Invented in the 60’s, effects such as the fuzz box, whammy bar, and wah wah pedal were popularized by artists like Jimi Hendrix, revolutionizing the sound of guitars even in concert.
Demonstration of the wah wah pedal, as well as the innovative strumming techniques which came on the scene in the late 1960’s. (Video: “Xotic Effects Wah XW-1 Sneak Preview by Toshi Yanagi” by Xotic Video 2.0/CC BY 2.0)
Turntables and Disco
A big impact on the music scene came in the form of disco in the 70’s, driven (as always) by a new use of technology. The pitch adjustment setting on the turntables of the time allowed skilled DJ’s to blend one song into another, creating a seemingly never-ending mix to keep people dancing all night. Choosing a base music in which rhythm rather than melody was dominant (usually the funk and soul stylings of the era), these DJ’s launched a new trend of LP mixes which exploded in popularity and launched the “disco fever” of the 70’s. Disco became a $5 billion market. Record companies, looking to make a profit on the fad, used the mass production of records to overload the market, trying to do as they had done in the early years of rock and grab as much money as possible. However, new technologies on the horizon made this a far from secure bet (Coleman 120, 130-133; Szatmary 241-243).
TEchno Music: The Technology of Rock N' Roll 
1 Comment