Digital vs Analogue Sound Production

DefiantAsh · 6 Dec 2010 at 16:36

Ok, so its pretty simple.

I do not really know the key advantages and disadvantages towards both Digital and Analogue Sound Production, and i have came here for some guidance, not so much as needing help.

So, my tutor has given me a research task to find key advantages and disadvantages for producing both Digital and Analogue sound, and i am quite stuck, cant find anything on Google and im getting frustrated.

I would be greatful for anything posted which is Relevant to OP.

P.S: I didn't know whether to place this into Sound City or GD, so i posted it here, fell free to move it if its in the wrong place

Cheers - Ash

Bunka · 6 Dec 2010 at 16:41

You might need to be a little more specific than that. Are you talking about recording a source in either digital or analogue?

DefiantAsh · 6 Dec 2010 at 16:45

Bunka said:
You might need to be a little more specific than that. Are you talking about recording a source in either digital or analogue?

I believe so, sorry for any confusion

.

But its basically outlining the advantages and disadvantages which may occur in both of these methods.

Phil99 · 6 Dec 2010 at 16:52

Look up things like sampling rates and quantization for starters

Abraham · 6 Dec 2010 at 16:52

do your own homework? if google isn't turning up details try harder or look in a real book!

Bunka · 6 Dec 2010 at 16:54

Abraham said:
do your own homework? if google isn't turning up details try harder or look in a real book!

To be brutally honest, if this was my homework, I'd probably learn more from a forum member explaining everything to me in laymans terms, rather than a white paper that has been written by a uni professor.

DefiantAsh · 6 Dec 2010 at 16:56

Abraham said:
do your own homework? if google isn't turning up details try harder or look in a real book!

I think i already stated i was looking for a more guidance based reply, but cheers for spending your time replying

.

As for Quantization, i think somewhere i seen that in one of my brief research sessions a couple of weeks ago, i will refresh on that and hopefully it will shed some light on this. And for Sampling Rates, just found a video here talking about them, so thanks again

.

Andelusion · 6 Dec 2010 at 16:56

What Phil99 said, digital audio can only ever be an approximation, sampling rates explain this, I imagine this is the main argument.

DefiantAsh · 6 Dec 2010 at 16:59

Andelusion said:
What Phil99 said, digital audio can only ever be an approximation, sampling rates explain this, I imagine this is the main argument.

+1. Just talked about this in-depth and also found that analogue sound when copied has huge loss, where as digital has little or nil loss in quality.

Abraham · 6 Dec 2010 at 17:02

Bunka said:
To be brutally honest, if this was my homework, I'd probably learn more from a forum member explaining everything to me in laymans terms, rather than a white paper that has been written by a uni professor.

It's a subject that's particularly interesting to me, but if the subject were changed to maths/computing there would be countless replies telling him to do it himself. It's not an uncommon question, I struggle to believe google hasn't turned up anything useful as I've had it myself in various exams etc.

philjohn · 6 Dec 2010 at 17:09

Look up Nyquist–Shannon sampling theorem

For the rest, well, use your noggin - think of the workflows in each. How do you splice different sections from a take together into a single track? What kind of kit would you need for analogue vs digital (cost, space etc.).

What about when you run out of tracks on your analogue multitrack? Look up things like bounce down.

DefiantAsh · 6 Dec 2010 at 17:14

Cheers for replies, i am incredibly greatful. Looked into the lacks of storage and high costs and space required for the storage of which it all goes towards my argument between both of the methods.

and as for Google, i believe i was searching the wrong thing which i have now found multiple sites showing most of the advantages and disadvantages.

wonko · 6 Dec 2010 at 17:17

A few other things to think about:
- sound quality: e.g. once in the digital domain, you can make bit-perfect copies and transfers without any degradation, and add all sorts of effects and manipulations that would introduce noise and distortion if done in the analogue domain.
- cost of production, distribution digital vs analogue?
- practicality / storage (e.g. how many LPs can you fit in the size of a 2TB HDD?, reasons for people buying mp3 players over cassette walkmans)
- and so on...

DefiantAsh · 6 Dec 2010 at 17:20

wonko said:
A few other things to think about:
- sound quality: e.g. once in the digital domain, you can make bit-perfect copies and transfers without any degradation, and add all sorts of effects and manipulations that would introduce noise and distortion if done in the analogue domain.
- cost of production, distribution digital vs analogue?
- practicality / storage (e.g. how many LPs can you fit in the size of a 2TB HDD?, reasons for people buying mp3 players over cassette walkmans)
- and so on...

Sawted

Thanks.

Bunka · 6 Dec 2010 at 17:27

DefiantAsh said:
Sawted Thanks.

Good stuff, these few replies alone will set you well on your way. Up to you now to pull it all together and crack out a decent mark.

DefiantAsh · 6 Dec 2010 at 17:28

Bunka said:
Good stuff, these few replies alone will set you well on your way. Up to you now to pull it all together and crack out a decent mark.

Aye tis,

Attempting to get a Distinction of another Assignment, and i will be the first person ever at my college to do so