Electronic Music Quiz. Sussex Uni. 2. History Of Recording

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Quizzes Created: 3 | Total Attempts: 520
| Attempts: 116 | Questions: 30 | Updated: May 12, 2025
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1. Who conceived multitracking already in 1948?

Explanation

Les Paul is the correct answer because he is credited with conceiving multitracking in 1948. Multitracking is a recording technique that involves recording multiple audio tracks separately and then combining them into a final mix. Les Paul's experiments with tape machines and overdubbing led to the development of multitrack recording, which revolutionized the music industry by allowing artists to layer multiple instruments and vocals to create more complex and polished recordings. His innovations in recording technology had a significant impact on the evolution of popular music.

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About This Quiz
Electronic Music Quiz. Sussex Uni. 2. History Of Recording - Quiz

Quiz on Week 2 Material. Lots of "Don't screw up the year" questions.

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2. The first iPod actually came around the same time as the CD-R.

Explanation

CD-R: 1988. Ipod: 2001.

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3. What does the laser rays within a CD player read on the actual disc?

Explanation

The laser rays within a CD player read the wholes and pits on the actual disc. These wholes and pits represent the binary code of the data stored on the CD. When the laser hits a pit, it reflects differently than when it hits a whole, allowing the CD player to interpret the data and play the audio or display the information stored on the disc.

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4. How do you spell the last name of this guy Pierre that started the whole thing?

Explanation

The correct spelling of Pierre's last name, who started the whole thing, is Schaeffer.

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5. Which of the following is not an example of sound capture before recording technology existed

Explanation

Simple condenser microphones are not an example of sound capture before recording technology existed because condenser microphones were developed in the early 20th century and are a product of recording technology. Before recording technology existed, sound capture was done through mechanical instruments/automata, training songbirds, and capturing vibrations in manufacturing processes.

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6. Pierre Schaeffer worked at first with a disc cutting lathe

Explanation

Pierre Schaeffer initially began his work with a disc cutting lathe. This implies that he used this equipment for his early projects or experiments.

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7. Who is said to play the piano on an 1889 wax cylinder recording?

Explanation

Johannes Brahms is said to play the piano on an 1889 wax cylinder recording. This suggests that Brahms, the famous composer and pianist, was involved in the early recording technology and made a recording of himself playing the piano on a wax cylinder in 1889. This highlights Brahms' interest in embracing new technologies and his desire to preserve his musical performances for future generations.

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8. Bell got his telephone patent in 1876. What also happened this year?

Explanation

In 1876, Thomas Edison invented the carbon microphone. This invention is significant because it greatly improved the quality of sound transmission in telephones. The carbon microphone used carbon granules to convert sound waves into electrical signals, which were then transmitted through the telephone lines. This invention played a crucial role in the development of telecommunications and paved the way for clearer and more efficient communication.

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9. In 1887, the gramophone was invented by ...

Explanation

Lee de Forest invented the triode (1906, called the Audion). Walter Ruttmann was a compositional pioneer - he created the radio work "Weekend" in 1930, using optical film soundtrack editing. Johannes Brahms was a famous composer of classical music.

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10. What is Radiodiffusion Télévision Francaise (RTF) primarily associated with?

Explanation

Radiodiffusion Télévision Francaise (RTF) is primarily associated with Musique concrète. Musique concrète is a form of experimental music that uses recorded sounds as its raw material, manipulating and transforming them to create new compositions. RTF played a significant role in the development and promotion of Musique concrète, particularly through the work of composers such as Pierre Schaeffer and Pierre Henry. They used tape recorders and various techniques to explore and manipulate everyday sounds, creating innovative and groundbreaking musical compositions.

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11. MP3 players function using digital signal processing based on psychoacoustic principles.

Explanation

MP3 players function using digital signal processing based on psychoacoustic principles. This means that they analyze and compress audio files in a way that takes into account how the human ear perceives sound. By applying psychoacoustic principles, MP3 players are able to remove or reduce parts of the audio that are less likely to be heard, resulting in smaller file sizes without significant loss in perceived audio quality. Therefore, the given statement is true.

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12. Schaeffer published a solfège in 1952 where he explicitly stated that he wanted the listeners to really listen to the train, while imagining it travelling through a lonely landscape with spectacular views.

Explanation

He wanted to discourage source identification and encourage an active listening to the sounds themselves - the timbres.

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13. The first work using manipulated sound recordings - more specifically the manipulated recording of a train, was created by Pierre Schaeffer in ...

Explanation

The piece was called Etude aux chemin de fer

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14. What did Les Paul do to achieve superhuman effects using recording?

Explanation

Les Paul achieved superhuman effects using recording by recording his playing at half-speed and then playing it back twice as fast. This technique allowed him to create unique and fast-paced sounds that were not achievable through regular playing or recording methods.

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15. The first magnetic recording device was the ...

Explanation

The correct answer is "wire recorder". The wire recorder was the first magnetic recording device, invented in the 1890s. It used a thin wire coated with a magnetic material to record and play back sound. The wire would pass over a magnetic head, which would magnetize the wire according to the sound waves, and then it could be played back by passing the wire over the head again. This technology paved the way for later developments in magnetic tape recording.

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16. The magnetic tape became commercially available in 1948, but during which decade did the first magnetic tape research happen?

Explanation

In the 1920s, the first magnetic tape research took place. This research eventually led to the commercial availability of magnetic tape in 1948. Magnetic tape revolutionized the storage and playback of audio and video recordings, making it a significant technological advancement in the 20th century.

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17. Which of the following composers / researchers are not associated with the musique concrète school?

Explanation

Hugh le Caine was a highly influential inventor.

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18. Which of the following issues is not considered a significant one within the field of recording?

Explanation

It is rather the cheapness of microphones and other technology that give rise to concerns.

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19. Player pianos were practical from the 1850s

Explanation

Player pianos were practical from 1876.

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20. The MP3 predates the iPod with 5 years

Explanation

The MP3 predates the iPod with 10 years (MP3: 1991, iPod: 2001)

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21. The first wire recorder was invented in the beginning of the 20th century

Explanation

It was invented at the end of the 19th century (1899)

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22. Which 18th century guy was behind the robot flute player?

Explanation

Jacques de Vaucanson was a prominent figure in the 18th century known for his inventions and automata. He created a famous robot flute player, which was one of his most notable creations. Vaucanson's mechanical devices were highly advanced for their time and showcased his engineering skills. His robot flute player was able to play various tunes on the flute with remarkable precision, showcasing his mastery in creating lifelike automata. Therefore, Jacques de Vaucanson is the correct answer to the question.

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23. Which year did MySpace launch?

Explanation

MySpace launched in 2003.

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24. Al-Jazari built four automatic musicians for a royal drinking party. They worked like a music bar. Which year was this?

Explanation

Al-Jazari built four automatic musicians for a royal drinking party in the year 1206. These musicians functioned like a music bar, providing entertainment for the guests.

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25. In 1930, the 18-year-old John Cage attended a concert in Berlin, where the compositional pioneers of recording Hindemith and Toth presented a new type of composition called ...

Explanation

not-available-via-ai

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26. Pitch is repetition

Explanation

Pitch refers to the perceived frequency of a sound, which is the highness or lowness of a tone. Repetition, on the other hand, means the act of repeating something. In this context, the statement "Pitch is repetition" is incorrect. Pitch and repetition are two different concepts and are not related to each other. Therefore, the correct answer is False.

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27. The CD came around 25 years after the first transistors

Explanation

First transistors: 1947-8. CD: 1982.

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28. Groupe de Recherches Musicales (GRM) was founded in ...

Explanation

Groupe de Recherches Musicales (GRM) was founded in 1958. This means that the organization was established in that year.

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29. The first commercial products resulting from extensive digital audio research became available during the 1970s. But when did the research start?

Explanation

The correct answer is 1950s. This suggests that the research on digital audio started in the 1950s, and the first commercial products resulting from this research became available during the 1970s.

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30. The most famous early recording, with Enrico Caruso singing, was made in ...

Explanation

Enrico Caruso, a renowned opera singer, made his most famous early recording in 1902. This suggests that the recording in question was made during this year and not in any of the other given years. Caruso's recording career spanned several decades, but the fact that this particular recording is referred to as one of his most famous early recordings indicates that it was made relatively early in his career.

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Who conceived multitracking already in 1948?
The first iPod actually came around the same time as the CD-R.
What does the laser rays within a CD player read on the actual disc?
How do you spell the last name of this guy Pierre that started the...
Which of the following is not an example of sound capture before...
Pierre Schaeffer worked at first with a disc cutting lathe
Who is said to play the piano on an 1889 wax cylinder recording?
Bell got his telephone patent in 1876. What also happened this year?
In 1887, the gramophone was invented by ...
What is Radiodiffusion Télévision Francaise (RTF)...
MP3 players function using digital signal processing based on...
Schaeffer published a solfège in 1952 where he explicitly...
The first work using manipulated sound recordings - more specifically...
What did Les Paul do to achieve superhuman effects using recording?
The first magnetic recording device was the ...
The magnetic tape became commercially available in 1948, but during...
Which of the following composers / researchers are not associated with...
Which of the following issues is not considered a significant one...
Player pianos were practical from the 1850s
The MP3 predates the iPod with 5 years
The first wire recorder was invented in the beginning of the 20th...
Which 18th century guy was behind the robot flute player?
Which year did MySpace launch?
Al-Jazari built four automatic musicians for a royal drinking party....
In 1930, the 18-year-old John Cage attended a concert in Berlin, where...
Pitch is repetition
The CD came around 25 years after the first transistors
Groupe de Recherches Musicales (GRM) was founded in ...
The first commercial products resulting from extensive digital audio...
The most famous early recording, with Enrico Caruso singing, was made...
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