Recording technology

Question 1

What range was Direct to tape mono recording?

Answer 1

1950-1963

Question 2

Impact of direct to tape mono

Answer 2

Had to be recorded in one take
Little post production
Lead vocal on one channel, everything else on other then combined to mono
Positioning very important

Question 3

What editing was possible on Direct to Tape mono

Answer 3

Basic- splicing of tape, could combine takes if there’s a gap

Question 4

When was early multitrack?

Answer 4

1964-1969

Question 5

Impact of early multitrack

Answer 5

Still usually recorded together, but processed individually
Could re record individual parts
Engineer can bounce tracks together, getting many tracks, however can’t be undone
Bouncing would add noise

Question 6

When was large scale analogue multitrack?

Answer 6

1968-1995

Question 7

Impact of large scale analogue multitrack

Answer 7

Allowed greater separation between parts when recording
Each drum could be recorded on separate track
Overdubbing became normal practice while recording
Less important if musician made a mistake
Arrangements could be finalised post recording
Led to large format mixing desk

Question 8

When did Digital recording/sequencing begin?

Answer 8

1980

Question 9

How did digital recording differ from analogue?

Answer 9

It converts the incoming audio signal into data stream of binary information
Early sequencers could be connected to synths/drum machines, sent data as CV/Gate which would allow one instrument to trigger another

Question 10

When did DAWs and emerging technologies begin?

Answer 10

1996

Question 11

Impact of DAWs

Answer 11

Began to replace hardware
Larger scale multitracking
Could incorporate audio and MIDI
More accessible to most than entire studio
Constantly evolving and adding new features
Encourages producers to be more experimental