Feedback

Definition

Feedback is the process by which sound from an amplifier or speaker is looped back into the audio input, creating a continuous sound wave that amplifies itself. This phenomenon became a signature sound in alternative rock, allowing artists to experiment with sonic textures and create distinctively raw and edgy music. It is often associated with the use of electric guitars and effects pedals, influencing the overall aesthetic of the genre.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Feedback can create a range of sounds, from a high-pitched squeal to a rich sustain, depending on the settings and equipment used.
2. In alternative rock, artists like Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine embraced feedback as a key element of their sound, using it creatively to enhance their music.
3. Feedback often symbolizes rebellion and defiance in alternative rock culture, aligning with the genre's roots in countercultural movements.
4. The advent of effects pedals allowed musicians to manipulate feedback more easily, leading to new creative possibilities for sound design.
5. Live performances in alternative rock often feature feedback as a way to engage the audience and create an intense atmosphere.

Review Questions

• How does feedback influence the overall sound and aesthetic of alternative rock music?
  • Feedback significantly shapes the sound and aesthetic of alternative rock by introducing an element of chaos and unpredictability. Artists utilize feedback to create unique sonic textures that can evoke intense emotions and immerse listeners in their musical landscape. This experimentation with feedback aligns with the genre's roots in pushing boundaries and challenging mainstream musical norms.
• Evaluate the role of technology, such as effects pedals, in shaping how feedback is used in alternative rock.
  • Technology plays a crucial role in how feedback is utilized in alternative rock, particularly with the advent of effects pedals that allow musicians to control and manipulate sound more precisely. This accessibility has enabled artists to explore various feedback techniques creatively, leading to distinctive sounds that define sub-genres within alternative rock. The ability to tweak settings and blend feedback with other effects enhances musical expression and innovation.
• Assess how feedback as a musical element reflects broader cultural themes within alternative rock.
  • Feedback as a musical element in alternative rock not only contributes to its unique sound but also reflects broader cultural themes such as rebellion and nonconformity. This use of feedback symbolizes a rejection of polished mainstream music, embracing rawness and authenticity instead. The sonic chaos created by feedback resonates with listeners who identify with the genre's anti-establishment ideals, making it an essential part of the cultural narrative surrounding alternative rock.

Related terms

Distortion: An audio effect that alters the original sound signal, creating a gritty, aggressive tone commonly used in rock music.

Saturation: The effect that occurs when an audio signal is pushed beyond its normal limits, resulting in a warm, rich sound often used in recording and mixing.

Overdrive: A type of distortion specifically designed to mimic the warm sound of a tube amplifier pushed to its limits, frequently utilized by guitarists.