Masters Theses

Date of Award

5-1990

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Communication

Major Professor

Barbara Moore

Committee Members

Dorothy Bowles, Kenneth Jacobs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to document the attitudes of select music and recording industry professionals toward digital sampling, a controversial new recording technique that merges the instrumental performance of electronic music keyboards (synthesizers) with the principles of digital audio reproduction. The study also included brief discussions of the historical development of digital sampling, the process of sampling, current uses and suggested effects of sampling and applicable principles of U.S. copyright law. In the summary, the researcher attempted to identify some problems posed by current industry conditions accompanying the use of digital sampling, as well as to propose some solutions to these problems. Personal and telephone interviews were conducted with thirteen music and recording industry professionals from the Nashville area. Nashville was chosen as the location for study, as it is one of the top three cities of record production in the United States. Emphasis was placed on the artistic, economic, ethical and legal implications of digital sampling for both industries and society. The data gathered from the interviews was analyzed and compared with information contained in the review of literature. The study indicated that samplers are powerfully creative yet problematic tools for music composition and production, possessing varied artistic and economic strengths and weaknesses. The literature and the interviews also revealed that industry professionals held varied opinions regarding ethical issues raised by digital sampling, although the Nashville professionals interviewed generally held more favorable attitudes toward the technique than those cited in the literature. Both sources further indicated that certain samples or uses could be actionable under U.S. intellectual property laws; however, specifics as to the legalities of sampling remained unclear. Finally, although the majority of professionals cited in both sources favored the development of definite guidelines or controls to prevent certain sampler uses and they proposed various solutions for the problems raised by sampling, the professionals expressed no consensus regarding the practicality or effectiveness of any of these remedies. The researcher identified three potential problems accompanying current industry use of digital sampling: (1) No rules or guidelines govern sampling and/or its uses; (2) legal questions exist as to what may or may not be considered allowable uses, and (3) sampling may exert a negative effect on the employment of certain industry personnel, although the extent of this impact is unclear. The literature indicated that music/recording industry use of sampling displaces certain live performers; however, the Nashville professionals interviewed failed to indicate any such sampler-induced adversity. The researcher concluded that rules concerning sampling are necessary to reduce industry uncertainty as to what is acceptable and unacceptable sampling behavior and that these guidelines are likely to develop from pending judicial decisions concerning this new technology. Additional investigation is necessary concerning the effects of sampling on the music and recording industries. Research regarding solutions to the problems raised by digital sampling is also needed.

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