How sound is converted into digital data

When analog information (such as from a CD or live recording) is converted into

digital data, the information is captured and measured into Hertz. The more Hertz you

can capture, the more accurate your recording will be. For example, a sampling rate of

44 kHz (kiloHertz) is far more detailed than a sampling rate of 11 kHz. It is easy to

compare this to a digital picture. The higher the scanning quality, the more detailed the

picture will be. Of course, file size will also increase with higher sampling rates. When

preparing audio for multimedia output, especially web output, it is unnecessary to go

beyond a 22 kHz sampling rate. The reason for this is that this is the average frequency

that is audible to the human ear. Some highs and lows will be lost; however, it is difficult

to detect this, especially with the quality of speakers found on most computers today.

Another technicality to be concerned about when sampling sounds is bit depth.

Bit depth is essentially the dynamic range (or amplitude) of a piece. Bit rate also controls

the resolution of the sound wave (higher bit resolution results in a smoother wave). For

example, a highly structured classical piece would have a high bit depth, because of the

great dynamic differences between a solo flute section and a full orchestral section.

Many pop tunes have less of a bit depth, because they are composed on a more equal

dynamic range. When sampling music for web format, a 16-bit rate is adequate. For

many instances, 8-bit rate may work as well and decrease the file size.

Multi-track recording software

When recording and mixing audio, perhaps the first thing to consider is whether

to go with a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) or strictly computer software. Digital

Audio Workstations are devices sold as hardware that attach to your computer, allowing

you to store and mix audio through an outside device. Some common components are

mixing boards, multi-track recording devices, and CD burners. The advantages to this is

that processing is usually faster, allowing for more storage space of digital information.

However, the price of DAWs are usually higher than the software versions. Some

common manufactures of DAWs are Tascam and Mackie Designs. Perhaps the top

professional multi-track recording tool is Digidesign's Pro Tools. Digidesign's previous

price of $8,000 made it impossible for private studios and desktop/home studio recorders

to own and operate the equipment. However, this has all changed with the release of

Digi001, which is a simpler version including both the software and hardware interface

for under $1,000. The hardware component is a single-space box and a PCI card that

works with both Mac and PC. A downloadable pro tools software version is also

available for free. Some of the clients who use Digidesign Pro Tools include Nine Inch

Nails, Björk, Smash Mouth, Philip Glass, Third Eye Blind, Paramount Pictures, Canadian

Broadcast Corporation, and such movie projects as Nutty Professor II, The Perfect Storm,

The Matrix, American Beauty, and The Prince of Egypt.

Multi-track software packages are perhaps the most popular, varying in price and

editing power. Some common programs include Samplitude, which samples at 24 bits

and 96 kHz (Windows $69-$399), Vegas™ Audio 2.0 (Windows, $449) which has

unlimited tracks,18 effects, and output options such as streaming media files (WMA and

RM format). Cakewalk® Pro Suite™ is also a popular program (Windows $429-$599).

Cakewalk differs from other programs in that it also allows for MIDI recording and

editing as well as multi-track recording and editing.