Sound Engineering

Historical Developments

The conscious manipulation of sounds can be traced back to the beginning of the mechanical building of instruments—to prehistoric times. However, it is only since the late 19th century that electro-acoustic transmission and variation have been possible (such as via telephone and telharmonium).

In the first half of the 20th century, a rapid process of progression began in this field, which was closely connected with the burgeoning development of industrial music and film technology (including record players, the radio, and sound films). Physicists (e.g., Leon Theremin), engineers (e.g., Friedrich Trautwein), business-minded inventors (e.g., Emil Berliner and Thomas Alva Edison), composers (e.g., Oskar Sala), and [Page 1047]instrument makers (e.g., Les Paul) pushed forward the development of sound engineering.

In the second half of the 20th century, electronically operated sound media turned into mass-produced items (such as musical instruments, hi-fi systems, car radios, the walkman, and televisions); they become affordable and from that point onward a part of daily life. A worldwide process of technical and aesthetic differentiation of such sound media occurs, and new products are constantly appearing on the international market.

There are two markets, one for specialists and one for laypersons. While the still relatively high-priced products increase in complexity for the specialists and presuppose expertise on the part of users, the products for ordinary customers are characterized by intuitively operated user interfaces and a good price-performance relationship (e.g., electric and electronic musical instruments and playback devices). Sound production that sets the standard still remains in the hands of the experts. New career paths open up, which standardize and institutionalize sound engineering (e.g., audio engineer, sound technician, and recordist).

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