Audio Recording: A Long Way From What It Used To Be

Audio recording started off as a simple mechanical process until digital sound recording was invented. The industry used to rely on sound transducers like microphones, loudspeakers, and other electronic devices. However, since the 1940s when magnetic tape and the tape recorder were invented, audio recording has been in constant progression.

Thomas Edison’s invention of the phonograph revolutionized the audio recording industry during his time. Fast forward to the perfection of tape recording after the American war and the invention of gadgets more complicated than the tape. Incidentally, it was a certain John Mullin who made pioneering recorders. On the other hand, the very first company to commercially sell tape recorders was the Ampex Company.

Thanks to these historical facts which paved the way for the latest audio recording devices, the market today is enjoying consumer recording formats like the WAV digital music file and the MP3 or the computerized digital audio player. Sony has also come up with its minidisk player with ATRAC compression. Following the trend, other inventions (which are becoming more advanced and complicated) have joined the market such as DVD-A, Blu ray Disc and HD DVD.

Audio recording is one area the mastery of which is learned over time. One thing that should be mastered by a person who is into audio recording is the audio compressor. It is an item that handles the adjustment and maintenance of the signal levels as the sound is recorded. The compression is the brain of the audio system as it could balance the system by crushing the audio if the sound gets too loud or raise the audio in the quiet sections. It also has the capability to turn the audio into a tight and punchy sound.

One must be able to get the right mix when recording. An audio mixer can do the job well since it can balance the various audio elements that are present. Here are some important aspects that should be considered in audio recording.

  • The instruments must have balance in rhythm
  • No particular instrument should disfavor another instrument
  • The person in-charge must secure a room or environment that is sound proofed if possible
  • The environment should allow the instruments to be clearly heard
  • The environment must allow the planned reverberation effects to be applied and easily adjusted.
  • One must carefully listen to the mix to determine which sounds muddy or un-natural.

The final step in audio recording is mastering or the step where one checks for errors before the record is put on sale. There are a couple of tricks done by a master to perfect his craft. Most often, he runs a record through a transparent equalizer to balance the track. It is through this process that crossfade editing and PQ coding takes place. The mastering engineer matches the sound of all the tracks before finally sending it to be burnt into a premaster CD. In mastering, editing programs must be of higher quality like Sonic Solutions and Sadie. One may also try Wavelab, Cool Edit Pro, and Sonic Foundry. However, some audio recording companies charge by the hour so time is also of the essence. The cost of mastering greatly depends on the quality of the company’s equipment, clientele following, and experience. High-end facilities usually charge upwards of $400 to $600 dollars for a mastering job.

Audio Recording