Recording Media Flashcards
How many tracks does a cassette tape contain?
Four
How are the tracks on a cassette tape arranged?
As 4 lanes on the tape
What do the 4 tracks on a cassette tape represent?
Left and right for the A and B sides of the cassette
What effect does the width of multitrack tape have?
The wider the tape and the faster it runs, the higher the quality of audio reproduction
What size was the tape in domestic tape recorders?
0.25”
What sizes were the tapes used in studio and multitrack machines?
0.5”, 1”, and 2”
What is an overloaded magnetic tape said to be?
Saturated
When does tape saturation occur?
When the signal is too loud when entering the record head, and an increase in the input volume cannot produce an equivalent increase in magnetisation
What does slight tape saturation sound like?
Mild compression
In the 1960s, how were edits made on analogue tape?
The tape was physically cut and spliced
When was digital tape used for recording?
1980s and 1990s
When were hard disk recorders used?
1990s
In what decade were DAWs first introduced?
1990s
What were early DAWs in the mid-1990s limited by?
The hard disk technology of the time
Why has the development of the DAW accelerated since 2000?
Because of improvements in computer processor speeds, and increasing amounts of RAM and hard disk space
When were vinyl records first popular?
In the 1950s
What does pressing a record involve?
Engraving a copy of an acoustic waveform onto vinyl
Why does EQ have to be applied when playing a vinyl record?
Because low frequencies had to be reduced on the record to prevent the stylus moving too much
Some enthusiasts argue that vinyl sounds ______
Warmer
What do some DJs still use vinyl for?
To beat-match and scratch
True or false: Record sleeve artwork is still appreciated by many fans
True
Why can the sound quality of a vinyl record deteriorate towards the record’s centre?
Because of the turntable’s constant rotation speed
What causes the needle to jump with vinyl records?
Scratches
Why do vinyl records get dusty?
Because they create a static charge that attracts dust
What effect does dust have on the sound of a vinyl record?
It causes crackle
What are vinyl records prone to doing when exposed to heat?
Warping
In what decade were cassette tapes first introduced?
1970s
What do the polarisation of the Iron oxide particles on the surface of a cassette tape represent?
The audio signal
What does the playback head of a cassette tape player do?
Reads the magnetic information and converts it back into an electrical signal for amplification
What does the erase head of a tape recorder use to reset the polarisation of the iron oxide particles
A strong permanent magnet that is placed near the tape
What were initially more expensive, vinyl or cassette tapes?
Vinyl
Why are cassette tapes now more expensive than vinyl?
Lack of demand
Why is a cassette tape difficult to scratch or damage?
It’s protected in a case
What are the recording times of a cassette tape like compared to vinyl
They’re longer
Why did tape recorders need to be cleaned with a head cleaner cassette?
The oxide had a tendency to rub off the tape
What happens to the quality of a recording on a cassette tape with each playing?
It degrades
Cassette tape recordings were prone to print through. What is print through?
When the music is heard as an echo before it actually plays
What does CD stand for?
Compact Disc
How does a CD store data?
It stores data as pits on a disk which are read by a laser
What length of stereo audio can a CD hold?
74-80 minutes
How much data can a CD hold?
700mb
What is cheaper to manufacture: Vinyl, Cassette tape, or CD?
CD
What has a better signal-to-noise ratio: Vinyl, Cassette tape, or CD?
CD
What has a wider dynamic range: Vinyl, Cassette tape, or CD?
CD
What has a better frequency response: Vinyl, Cassette tape, or CD?
CD
Why is it quick and easy to access tracks on a CD?
Because of track indexing
What can scratches do to a CD?
Cause issues with a large amount of data and render sections of discs unplayable
What do some enthusiasts consider the sound of CD to be?
Brittle and unmusical
Since which decade have compressed digital audio formats become more prevalent?
1990s
What is the pay-off in regards to compressed digital audio formats?
Some frequency content and dynamic detail is lost
When were better file compression formats, such as MP4/AAC, which offer improved sound quality over MP3, introduced?
Early 2000s
How does lossy audio compression reduce the file size?
By losing some frequency content and dynamic detail
What is the difference between lossy and lossless audio compressions?
Lossless audio files are larger than lossy ones, but no data is lost
What issues can data loss from lossy audio formats introduce?
Issues with the stereo field on a recording and mask effects, whilst also introducing unwanted artefacts
True or false: lossy audio formats can have increased noise and an uneven frequency response?
True
What is the most common format for compressed digital audio?
MP3
What extra processing do many online steaming services add to music?
Volume normalisation and limiting
