Deconstructing the Beat Machine: A Study of the influence of Drum Machines and Samplers

Pat Stewart

About this exposition

Advances in technology have always gone hand in hand with the development of artist expression, as more possibilities were exploited by artists to further their expression. In this study I look at the technological advances introduced with early Sampling drum machines in the 1980s and 90s (and the context surrounding these advances) and examine how these influenced the popular music of the time, carrying forward today. The research indicates that the flattening of the technological hierarchy curve brought different ideas of how de-contextualization could be used within music, through sampling and the continuing increased use of inorganic textures, which in turn lead to shifts in compositional and textual shifts in recorded music production, but also within live performance and instrumentalism. The research is presented as an analysis of the limitations and idiosyncrasies of a select number of highly influential drum machines, and some relevant musical releases related to them, then discussion around what changes these idiosyncrasies and other underlying concurrent shifts in technology brought about.

type	research exposition
keywords	Music Production, Technology, Drum Machines, Samplers, Electronic Instruments, sampling, drum machines, electronic instruments, Art of Sound
date	02/02/2023
published	19/07/2023
last modified	19/07/2023
status	limited publication
copyright	Pat Stewart
license	CC BY-NC-ND
language	English
url	https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/1932506/1932507
published in	KC Research Portal
portal issue	3. Internal publication

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Deconstructing the Beat Machine: A Study of the influence of Drum Machines and Samplers (2023)

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