RECORDING

Thesis

The following analysis will compare and contrast vinyl recording and digital recording.

VINYL

• The phonograph was invented in 1877 by Thomas Edison
• A vinyl recording is made by a record cutter engraving grooves into the disc

VINYL

• In the U.S. Emile Berliner made a lateral-cut disc and named his system the gramophone
• In 1930 RCA Victor company made the first commercially long-playing record

DIGITAL

• The digital recording was started by the Phillips company with help from Sony
• The new discs were created by re-recording tapes onto the digital tape, then burned on laser discs. The players read the binary on the disc to play the music

DIGITAL

• The CD was not introduced to the public until 1982 because of the high initial cost sales
• Napster software appeared to make it possible for users to access songs via the World Wide Web

PRO VINYL

• expression of the music comes through better
• Listening to and using vinyl records is seen as an art form

PRO DIGITAL

• Little to no degradation
• more resistant to heat and humidity
• portable (4.7 inch disc)
• longer lasting (80 minutes)
• Easy to find and use

CON VINYL

• degenerate over time by being played
• Big (standard 12 inch)
• Only hold 45 minutes
• Sensitive to heat,humidity,dust,and scratches more

CON DIGITAL

• expressions in the music doesn't come through in the digital recording
• Not seen as a type of art form

Emily Chivers Yochim and Megan Biddinger:

“Vinyl records continue to be coveted and collected by loyal fans, despite the success of new music technologies such as compact discs and MP3s.”

Overview

Both vinyl and digital recordings have good and bad qualities in their making, sound, or availability. Overall, both are acceptable means of recording sounds/music. it just depends on your own personal taste in the performance quality of the record.