History of Recording

Question 1

Features of Direct to Tape Mono Recording [1930-63]

Answer 1

• Entire performances recorded live
• Engineers would move microphone(s) to change the balance
• In the 50s, two-track tape was available in some studios
• Tape hiss with poor signal to noise ratio and indistinct balance

Question 2

Features of Early Multi Track Recording [1964-69]

Answer 2

• Ability to ‘bounce down’
• Increasing track counts at the end of the 1960s
• Tape used creatively
• Hiss still present / layered up because of bouncing down

Question 3

Features of Large scale analogue multitrack recording [1968-95]

Answer 3

• More tracks, more clarity
• High quality recording equipment
• Some electronic instruments
• Increased clarity because more tracks available

Question 4

Digital recording [1980 – now]

Answer 4

• Digital Audio Tape (DAT)
• Use of hardware digital recorders
• Early MIDI control using the Atari
• less hiss - brighter mixes with better high frequency response

Question 5

DAWs and emerging technologies (c. 1996 to present day)

Answer 5

DAWs were initially limited by computer speeds, hard drive space and memory
Now:
- Limitless layering
- Limitless track counts
- Limitless VST’s/Plugins

• flawless performances