What's better Digital or Analog?

[Doyen Keaton]

"It's not really a question of which is better, because you can use either, or both. It costs more to use analog, but you might consider that the points in its favor are worth the extra.

Let's consider the analog advantages...

The sound quality. The sound of analog is the sound of the history of recording, to which most of us aspire. With digital, it is common to try to emulate the sound of analog. With analog, it's there automatically.
An analog recording, in my experience, is massively easier to mix.
The linear nature of tape means you have to think in terms of a longer time scale. This leads to having to think about what you are going to play or sing before recording it, simply because it takes longer to do again.
Rewind time is thinking time.
Tape has a known archival longevity.
Now the digital advantages...

More accurate sound quality. The sound on playback is almost identical to the original sound recorded.
Much more flexibility in editing - in analog people would talk of 'laying down' a take. With digital you can 'throw it down' and edit out any mistakes. This can lead to greater spontaneity.
You can copy a digital recording through any number of generations without degradation.
It costs less. (Yes, even a full-blown Pro Tools system)
My feeling is that if digital recording had been invented first, and then someone invented analog, then analog wouldn't stand a chance.

But if you have never recorded on analog tape, I would definitely recommend booking a day in an analog studio, just for the experience. At the end of the day, transfer your takes to your preferred digital format for later editing, re-recording and embellishments.

I can guarantee that it will be a great experience."
AUdioHipster is encouraging bands, drummers, engineers, to experience analog. Email for details on recording on the MCI Sony JH-24 and mixing on a console. Thanks Doyen

[Tom Drenon III]

Analog ROCKS and it definantley sounds better. The only digital format that even comes close is Radar. There are a lot of folks(studios/engineers) here in Nashville that are tracking on Radar then dumping to ProTools to edit and dumping back to Radar then doing all of there compression/eq-ing and such to tape (Analog) then they mix...I have heard some of this and it sounds great BUT in the "long of the short" of things it is STILL getting played on a 16 bit/44.1 CD...or worse MP3's..ugh!!!
Go figure!?!?!
So I'm not so sure that for me it isn't better to just cut straight to ProTools using great mic pre's and nice microphones and great A/D D/A converters.I here that IZ(RADAR) or whoever is making it these days has just their converters for sale.
I would love to get some feedback on what everyone around ATL is using and mabye some tricks as well.
I aggree with you too Doyen,if you have never heard an Analog session,then your missing out BIG TIME!!!
Just my thoughts.
Peace everyone!!!
Tom

[Doyen Keaton]

Thanks Tom, The best drum sound by far has been running to tape and using a real 140 plate, for a monstrous sound, even the Early Lexicon reverberator sounds great. I have used the Fostex 2424L and the Emu Darwins. I normally record to tape and light pipe 24 tracks in to a Motu 2408 into Logic, for those who want to mix inside the box, it sounds great coming from tape. I do like the sound of mixing on the console with real outboard gear, it always sounds very real, Highly recommended. I have recorded guitar directly in to logic from a MP2500 pmp audioworks mic pre totally amazing sound. also I like using in the box midi sounds and plugins, (playing midi keyboard or a CP70) out of the box thru 2 Leslie's miced to tape. very true hammond sounds for sure. Let AUdioHipster track your drums to tape, or warm it up by running your session to tape. true to life verb tracks included. Doyen

[Frank Lombardo]

I have both analog Tascam MSR16 track w/remote & a Fostex A8, 8 track. I definitely love the way you can saturate tape and get the warmth and key not to peak out to prevent distortion plus use DBX and 15IPS tape speed. I also have digital and use tube preamps, compressors, reverbs, delays, harmonizer and other rack gear and condenser and tradition mikes. I can also transfer the analog to digital or go direct to CD or digital to CD optically. I get tape relatively inexpensively through an ebay store in Los Angeles using once used deguassed tape.