Analog recording allows the feeling in the music to be more completely delivered. WHY?

The recording process is completely different. In Analog recording (to tape) the whole sine wave is recorded.
In digital recording there are samples taken that are then strung together creating square waves. So you’re looking at a difference in the wave form that is created… Sine wave or Square wave.

Analog recording reflects natural harmonic overtones and a warm tonal resonance because it is recording the whole wave form. Digital recordings create square waves instead of sine waves leaving out dimensions you might want to feel and know about. Even if later converted to digital, music initially recorded to tape (analog) fundamentally has more feeling to draw from for the mp3 or wave file.

Why does it matter?

Sound effects us in many ways consciously and unconsciously. It may effect the construct of reality more than we can imagine because we’re in it and can’t really get an outside view. Listen to some music that was recorded analog. Such as any album from the 70’s before DATs (digital audio tape) or look for new music out now that specifically says recorded to tape (analog) or AAA on the sleeve (which means it was A=Recorded analog, A=Mixed Analog and A= Mastered analog). See how it makes you feel? That’s the most important thing.

Human beings respond to analog recordings. Music recorded that way informs us in very specific ways. You’re human (I assume) — go listen to some music that was recorded analog and feel for yourself. You may find you access dimensions in the music that you have not felt before.

Listening Rooms

There are listening rooms popping up in Los Angeles and other places. They have a lot of these in Japan. These are bars/places you can go to listen to vinyl records. Some of them were recorded analog. See if you can feel the difference. There used to be a designation on the back of the album jacket that was AAA. One “A” for each analog step in the process = Recording, Mixing and Mastering.

Dream Analog


Recorded, mixed and mastered analog. Mastered for vinyl by Bernie Grundman. 
CD Mastered by Brian David Hardin.

Long Live Analog!

© Teri Hitt