Final answer:
A recorder with three tracks or more is known as a multitrack recorder, enabling separate recording of audio sources for cohesive playback. This process is analogous to students recording measurements in a space with the aid of a tape measure and marking positions with masking tape, understanding the concept of layering.
Step-by-step explanation:
A recorder that has three tracks or more to record to and play back from is often referred to as a multitrack recorder. This type of recorder allows for separate recording of different audio sources, or “tracks,” which can then be played back simultaneously to create a cohesive sound. The capability for multiple tracks means that artists can record different instruments or vocals individually and then blend them together during playback or post-production to craft final recorded songs.
The concept can be demonstrated in a classroom setting by using 1 recorded song available on a portable device. Similar to a multitrack recorder preserving various aspects of a performance for later combination, students working in pairs can utilize 1 tape measure to record the dimensions of a room, like a gym, and then use 3 pieces of masking tape to mark specific locations or distances on the floor. Each pair of students, while recording their measurements, should ensure they have space to move without interference, akin to how multiple tracks are layered in a recording without overlapping in an incompatible way.
Through this exercise, students will understand the layering process that is essential in multitrack recording. The exercise using a tape measure and masking tape can mirror how a recording might be revised or edited over time, analogous to “R1” being the initial recording of a song, “R2” being the addition of background sounds or harmonies, and “R3” being the final mix of the tracks after further revisions and adjustments over a time span like one week.