To convert analog sound to the digital realm means taking an analog signal and creating a representation of that signal in the language of computers, which is binary (zeroes and ones). And even then, on-stage musicians are probably using digital effects somewhere along the line. The digitization of sound is necessary whenever computers are involved in the recording, production or dissemination of music, which pretty much covers everything except live performance. The resurgence of vinyl and retro or lo-fi aesthetics indicates that taste and the effect or “limitations” of a particular medium can be valued as part of the process and the so-called flaws in audio fidelity might be actually desired. It should be noted that the goal of absolute fidelity is a bit of a misnomer. As audio production technology has advanced, so has dynamic range as evidenced below: One of the major potential limitations is that of dynamic range - the range of possible amplitude values from the noise floor to the maximum peak level before the onset of distortion. Engineers strived for the highest fidelity possible depending on the limitations of the medium. How Is Sound Digitized?īefore the advent of computers, sound was recorded using technologies like magnetic tape, vinyl and - very early on - wax cylinders. And both are analog devices that are just as relevant today as the day they were invented. Speakers transform an electrical signal into a sound wave by creating analogous movements of a speaker cone.īoth devices are considered transducers, in that they convert one form of energy into another. Microphones create a change in voltage or capacitance that is analogous to the movement of its diaphragm, which is instigated by a sound wave. In terms of audio technology, this idea is clearly present in two fundamental devices for recording and creating music - the speaker and the microphone. The word “analog” is derived from the word “analogous” which means comparable, similar or related. To understand why, we should define the origin of the term. But analog technologies remain a crucial part of music production. What Is Analog Sound?įor some people, the term analog sound refers to old technology - which is of course true to some extent. The diagram below identifies how the amplitude of a sine wave would correspond to the compression and rarefaction of molecules in a medium.Īnything that vibrates - a string, drum head, wine glass, tuning fork - will produce a corresponding movement of molecules in the medium which we perceive as sound. It should be noted that the medium could also be a liquid or a solid, and in fact, air is one of the slowest mediums for transmitting sound. The wave propagates in this way through the medium until its energy is dissipated in the form of heat. The molecules vibrate in a process that alternates between compression (becoming denser and tightly packed) and rarefaction (becoming less dense). Sound waves are realized when an instigating factor, such as the striking of a drum head or the plucking of a string, causes the molecules of a medium, typically air, to move. Before talking about the digitization of sound it is crucial to understand what a sound wave is exactly.
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