Soundbreaking

This fascinating series traces the history of music recording and begins with a look at the great producers, from George Martin to Rick Rubin.

Music has been a constant in human history, an intermingling of voice and instrument that for all its local variation and increasing sophistication nevertheless endured in more or less the same form for centuries. Then came recording--and music was forever transformed. Soundbreaking, an eight-part event television series, traces this ongoing sonic revolution, and explores the nexus of cutting-edge technology and human artistry that has created the soundtrack of our lives.

A look at the most fundamental instrument in creating music: the human voice. Plus, all the elements that go into a perfect vocal track, with rare footage of iconic vocalists including Adele and Amy Whitehouse.

A look at how electricity has been utilised to create never-before-heard sounds, such as the invention of the electric guitar and the evolution of synthesised music.

It is the sonic element that taps into the most primal part of us and makes us want to move. The Rhythm Track breaks the beat down, and examines the endless experimentation that has taken place in its core, the very bedrock of all music.

Beginning with the pioneers of hip hop (Afrika Bambaataa, Chuck D, Rick Rubin), the episode tracks the way in which the practice of borrowing fragments from existing records created a new genre.