THE EVOLUTION OF AUDIO

Over the last couple of years, media consumption has tremendously evolved. Since Netflix and the rise of streaming services, we have been consuming more and more content.

- Gabriel Pe

Part of the consequence of the rise of media consumption is the improved quality. As we advance with more media consumption, the quality has also dramatically increased. A perfect example of this would be the increased visual upgrade in just the last couple of years. From the late 2010s we have completely transitioned from HD streaming to now up to 4K (QHD) and 8K is already on the horizon.

Alongside the visual aspect, audio technology has also dramatically improved. While not as noticeable as visual quality (because we’re more visually reliant), audio technology has changed, with more and more quality audio available via streaming. Similar to visual quality, to get the best audio you’ll also need upgraded audio equipment. Over the last decade, High Fidelity (Hi-Fi) audio equipment has become more and more accessible to the masses.

To know how we get to near immaculate sound, we need to go back to how we first tried to harness sound in the first place.

The Phonautograph And The Beginnings Of Sound Recording

Audio cues are part of our evolution as human beings. Not only do we communicate, but we also listen to sound cues in our environment for danger. Over time, we also used sounds to create rhythms that became marching orders for the rise of empires. Developed alongside the rhythms were hymns and melodies, used to venerate temples and gods and goddesses.