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Analog vs Digital

Posted by thetubeguy1954 (A) on April 6, 2007 at 06:13:27

I found an article I thought would be of some interest to the people here at PHP. This is article is from pro-recording engineer Paul Abbott. Paul Abbott is ZenMastering's owner and chief mastering engineer. In addition Paul has appeared as a columnist in EQ, Tape Op and Sound on Sound magazines, was named among "six of the hottest mastering engineers working today" by Music Connection magazine and is a member of the prestigious Audio Engineering Society. Here's Paul's article on Analog vs Digital...

Open any pro audio magazine and you're likely to read about the pros, cons and differences between analog and digital. In my mastering work I hear various comments on the topic. Some clients ask if I can apply analog processing. Others are very concerned that the entire signal chain remain digital. What are these people looking for, and why do they think it can only be delivered from one platform? As with many discussions, a lot of the opinions are fueled by misinformation. Claims of digital being "cold" or "sterile" are just as unfounded as analog being inherently "warm" or "life-like." To be sure, each platform has its unique capabilities and characteristics, but they're not what most people believe them to be. Let's take a closer look.

Analog -- It's All About Resolution. Analog has -- and always will have -- better resolution than digital, but it comes with the side-effect of sound coloration. When an audio signal is passed through physical elements such as tubes and capacitors it will be affected in some way. Even if the processing filers are on bypass, the act of routing a signal through these components changes the signal. This can be a benefit or a detriment, depending on your sonic perspective and preference. Many people want what they call a "fat, warm sound." This is certainly an attribute that analog equipment in mastering can impart, but there are two other factors even more important in achieving this sound: (1) the skill of the mastering engineer choosing the equipment/turning the knobs, and (2) how the music was recorded, as the mastering engineer can only work with what an artist or producer delivers. If the original recording has the production qualities of the Backstreet Boys, analog mastering cannot give it the sonic characteristics of early Steely Dan. Likewise, if a mastering engineer over-processes a good recording, even the best analog gear can sound harsh or muddy. The bottom line: Simply having a piece of analog gear in a signal chain is no guarantee of "analog" sound.

Digital -- It's All About Control. Digital -- with its ability to apply (and undo) unique changes to a virtually unlimited number of scenarios -- has greater control than analog, but it comes with the side-effect of lower resolution. However, keep in mind that "lower resolution" is a relative term. The 24/96 platform that many hi-fi enthusiasts proclaimed to be "as good as analog" has already been eclipsed by much better resolution rates and technological concepts (DSD, for example). What we're talking about is theoretical resolution. Much of what is criticized as missing in digital recording and processing falls into the "unheard, but felt" category: overtones and undertones that are beyond the scope of current sampling standards. In theory, digital will never have the resolution of analog. At a certain point, though, it becomes unnoticeable to the human ear, especially when utilized by a skilled and knowledgeable audio engineer.

So where does all this leave us? It depends on the application. In mastering, the ultimate goal is to apply changes to music that maximize its sound -- punchier drums, clearer bass...or whatever is desired -- without imparting unwanted coloration from the process itself, while at the same time maintaining the highest resolution. For this application, then, the perfect solution would probably contain the best elements of both analog and digital. Keep in mind, though, that either platform is just a means to accomplish work...not the work itself.

Thetubeguy1954

"If you thought that science was certain - well, that is just an error on your part." Richard Feynman theoretical physicist, 1918-1988

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