High-Tech Twang: Technology and Country Music
Country music has grown in popularity all across the country as of late. What was once a niche market in the Southern United States has grown into a worldwide phenomenon. As a result, country music has begun to evolve into something no one could have anticipated. Growing from the humble beginnings of acoustic musicians in the backwoods of the American Southeast, and then spreading to the rest of the country, country music is due for an upgrade.Didn’t catch that? This explains it.
From vocoders to sampling to electronic production, country music has become a favorite genre of music, not just in America’s heartland, but across the country. Part of this is related to the changing face of America’s musical landscape. As digital production has overtaken analog recording techniques, all musical genres have felt he pressure to keep up. Country music is no exception to the rule.
Many country musicians and producers have begun to use the most advanced in digital recording and production techniques. Part of this is due to a need to keep up with current trends. Another reason for this is due to advances in technology when it pertians to recording, producing, engineering, mixing, and mastering. Recording in the analog realm has become harder to do due to costs and resources. Country record labels that deal exclusively in the realm of country music have seen the light and are routinely dealing only with digital production.
As well, country musicians are finding themselves relying more and more on digital effects live on stage during concerts. From vocal effects like delay and reverb, to guitar effects like flangers and phasers, country music is evolving in a parallel way to popular rock and pop tracks. Even drummers are getting involved, employing digital drum kits that offer a wide array of different sounds. Many modern country drummers rely solely on digital kits in order to obtain the new sound of country.