Robby Ferdian, Hengki Armez Hidayat, Ayuthia Mayang Sari, Irdhan Epria Darma Putra, Ressy Fitria, Fakhri Fauzi, Malikhatul Lailiyah

Sound Design in Popular Music: Gen Z Perspective and Perception

Introduction

Sound design in popular music: gen z perspective and perception. Explore Gen Z's perception of sound design in popular music, its impact on emotional response & listening experience. Highlights varied understanding & educational needs.

Abstract

This study explores Generation Z's understanding and perception of sound design in popular music, focusing on how this concept influences their music-listening experiences and emotional responses. Sound design, encompassing audio production quality, sound effects, and waveform processing, is critical in shaping diverse auditory experiences. However, the depth of understanding of sound design among Generation Z varies widely, presenting an opportunity to bridge knowledge gaps in music education. Using a quantitative descriptive approach, a survey was conducted among students with music education backgrounds to assess their familiarity with sound design concepts. The findings reveal diverse levels of comprehension, with some respondents recognizing the term "sound design" but lacking a clear understanding, while others demonstrated a deeper knowledge of its components and significance. Participants identified key elements of sound design, such as the importance of production quality, creative use of sound effects, and manipulating audio waveforms, as pivotal in enhancing the listening experience. A novel aspect of this study is examining how sound design impacts emotional engagement with music. Most respondents reported that sound design enhances the emotional depth of songs and makes the music more immersive and enjoyable. Interestingly, while many felt that sound design influenced their music preferences, a subset of respondents remained unaffected. This research highlights a strong interest among Generation Z in learning more about sound design, suggesting the need for educational initiatives that integrate sound design into music curricula.

Review

This study, "Sound Design in Popular Music: Gen Z Perspective and Perception," explores a highly relevant and timely topic, investigating Generation Z's understanding of sound design within popular music and its influence on their listening experiences. Employing a quantitative descriptive survey among students with music education backgrounds, the research effectively assesses the varying levels of familiarity with sound design concepts and their components. The paper successfully highlights a significant knowledge gap within this demographic and subsequently identifies a clear opportunity for integrating sound design education into existing music curricula, thereby enriching academic and practical engagement with contemporary music production. A key strength of this research lies in its novel examination of how sound design impacts emotional engagement with music, a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of the listening experience. The findings that sound design enhances emotional depth, immersiveness, and overall enjoyment are particularly compelling and offer valuable insights for both music producers and educators. Furthermore, the study effectively identifies core elements of sound design that participants recognize as pivotal, such as production quality, creative sound effects, and waveform manipulation. The observed strong interest among Generation Z in learning more about sound design underscores the practical utility and educational imperative of this research, reinforcing the need for targeted pedagogical initiatives. While the study provides a robust foundation, certain aspects could be further developed in future research. The exclusive focus on students with music education backgrounds, though providing some initial insights, may not fully represent the broader Generation Z population, potentially leading to an overestimation of existing knowledge within the general demographic. Future studies could benefit from expanding the sample to include a more diverse cross-section of Gen Z, irrespective of their academic background in music. Additionally, while the quantitative descriptive approach effectively gauges comprehension levels, incorporating qualitative methods, such as interviews or focus groups, could provide deeper insights into *why* certain perceptions exist or *how* specific sound design elements elicit particular emotional responses, offering a more nuanced understanding of the Gen Z experience.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.