According to Wisegeek.com, “The key difference between analog and digital technologies is that analog technologies record waveforms as they are, while digital technologies convert analog waveforms into sets of numbers, recording the numbers instead. When played back, the numbers are converted into a voltage stream that approximates the original analog wave.”
Although as a culture it seems like digital technologies are preferred at this point, we do have to give some credit to analog technologies. Without analog technologies, we (or our parents!) would not have been able to listen to the music that defined their generation. Analog technologies were used for vinyl records, 8-tracks, and even cassettes. In a way, I almost prefer analog technologies as a way to define a true artist. Although we have many great talents of our generation, digital technologies for CDs and MP3s help “clean up” tracks that artists create; they’re “digitally” remastered. Do you think this takes away from the artist’s credibility as a true talent, if their “talent” can be digitally restored and edited?
However, digital technologies sometimes rely on analog technologies to exist. For example, “when an analog waveform like music is recorded with a digital recorder, the music is sampled several thousand times per second. For a CD-quality recording, the average sampling rate is 44,000 times per second. That’s 44,000 numbers stored for each second of music. The higher the sampling rate, the more accurate the recording” (wisegeek.com).
Here’s a really interesting, real life example on the differences between analog and digital when it comes to artists recording and using modern technologies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrJBEmz5teA
I just have to wonder how much longer analog technologies will still be used in our world of digital media.
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I think digital technology has taken away from the truly talented artists and gave hope to the less talented artists. Voices can be manipulated to give the illusion that artists are able to sing notes that really can not (auto-tune.) However, digital recording allows for new and ground breaking music.
ReplyDeleteThis digital takeover has truly revolutionized the media industry and will do the same for the rest of our modern society whether we like it or not. "Digital" music, like the unfortunately popular auto-tune that many artists are over-using, is an interesting aspect of this digital takeover. I find myself listening closely to music, specifically pop-tracks, for digital instruments. The technology that there is for creating these digital instruments is actually amazing and you can make almost any instrumental sound from a computer.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Marc T. While digital recording has had a profound impact on us and the music world, it may have come at a price. While for certain signals such as television or radio, a digital signal may be preferred, but when it comes to music recording, analog had some charm. Many guitar players today still rely on old vacuum tube powered amps, myself included. In analog recording devices one could almost feel a warmth coming off the music. This is unfortunately lost in the digital age. The good news is that digital is still evolving, and it is opening doors for new innovations.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how people still admire the analog technology. With all the benefits of digital recording (cleanness, stereo, no pops/crackles), people still admire the classic nature of analog. From guitar amps to record players, people of the digital age still revert back to this older technology. Its warmth is something that will keep people using analog signals for a long time
ReplyDeleteI think while digital technologies are certainly beginning to show their strengths and have overtaken analog, that both will always co-exist. Analog's simple nature and basic structure is a technology that won't become totally obselete. But it has certainly taken a back seat.
ReplyDeleteGreat video, thanks for including it, and excellent case study. Here are some questions to consider: Is there a difference in the ability to detect doctoring and fakery between digital and analog items? At what point does a digital file cease to be a recording, and instead becomes a programmed performance in its own right?
ReplyDeleteoh, and please add a link for the URL
ReplyDeleteThe digital influence on music used to be non-existent minus the fact that it was recorded music. Now, with all the equipment and instruments available, changing of the voice and quality is so easy. Also the possibility for lip synching and pitch change allows for performers to simply be that, performers, and not singers.
ReplyDeleteIts interesting that you call what's happening with digital media as a "digital takeover". I definitely think that this is a digital takeover and we are now realizing the effects of everything digital.
ReplyDeleteThe link is posted above the video for those interested.
ReplyDelete