This video is a conversation titled "The History of Sound with James M Errington" from the channel Conversations with Strangers.
James M. Errington is the creator of the project Centuries of Sound, which compiles a mixtape for every year of recorded sound [00:39]. The interview covers his personal background, musical tastes, and a detailed history of recorded sound technology.
Key Topics Discussed
The History of Recorded Sound
The discussion provides a timeline of recording technology:
• 1853 (Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville): The very earliest known recording, which used a device to mark sound vibrations onto soot-covered paper. This device could not play back the sound, only capture a visual record of it [15:44].
• Late 1870s (Thomas Edison): The invention of the phonograph, which was the first machine to both record and play back sound, initially using tin foil and later metallic soap cylinders. Edison originally intended it as a dictation device for businessmen [17:52].
• Early 1900s: The shift from cylinders to discs (gramophones). This era saw the rise of Ragtime as a major musical genre [24:16].
• Acoustic Recording (Pre-1926): Sound was physically captured using a gigantic brass horn that focused vibrations down to a needle, cutting groves into a wax disc [25:24].
• Electrical Recording (Post-1926): The introduction of microphones and electrical recording systems led to a dramatic improvement in sound quality (capturing more bass and treble). The year 1927 is highlighted as an "amazing year" for recorded music, capturing diverse regional genres like folk, jazz, and blues for the first time [28:59].
• Magnetic Tape: Technology found in Germany after WWII and popularized in the US by people like Bing Crosby [34:18]. Les Paul is noted as a pioneer in using magnetic tape for multitracking [36:33].
• Modern Production: The conversation touches on influential producers like George Martin (The Beatles) [40:02] and Phil Spector (Wall of Sound) [41:06], leading to the current era of digital technology where almost anyone can create music [49:18].
James M. Errington's Work
• Centuries of Sound: The core project involves compiling a mixtape for every year of recorded sound, including music, news, and other audio from that year [00:54]. The mixes are now hosted on Mixcloud to ensure proper licensing and artist payment [50:55].
• Musical Taste: James shares his eclectic musical tastes, which include:
• Early 70s Fusion Jazz (his "ultimate sweet spot") [07:29].
• His all-time favorite band, Soft Machine [07:45].
• A preference for "weird pop music," citing Charlie XCX as a current favorite [13:51].
• Other Projects: He also creates ambient experimental music under the name Buff Cuts [53:34].
You can find his website here: https://centuriesofsound.com and you can watch the full video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6sndFKb6jA
