Analog or Digital???

So here we are again, the debate of analog vs digital recording continues. Is analog better then digital or visa-versa. The truth of the matter is that I’ve made great sounding recordings on both formats. The simple fact of the matter is that you can work more quickly on pro tools and save money in studio time. Besides, the new pro-tools HD system sounds great. So why do Jack and I go through the expense of maintaining an old analog deck and put up with the insane rising cost of analog tape. Well, the answer is simple. For all the power and versatility of digital recording it still can't duplicate the third harmonic distortion that we have all come to call warmth. 

I’ve decided not to join the debate, but instead just give to you my humble opinion on the subject. We have both systems available to our clients at Cloud 9 and we let them make the choice. Many of my clients ask me what I prefer or think is better. My answer is this: if I were recording my own album and I was signed to a label or planned on trying to sell the finished master to a record company, I would want to make that record sound as fantastic as I could. I think the way to achieve the best sonic results is to track as much as you can on to analog tape and then properly transfer it into pro-tools. Then, take advantage of pro-tools editing and automation features, and mix out of pro-tools through a great analog desk. Of course all of this would be contingent on the project budget.

As you know there are many variables that can affect the budget of a recording project. So lets just say that all the proper pre-production has been done, the band is well rehearsed, the project is a basic 10 song rock and roll record and that Murphy’s law is not working over time. With these considerations in place you are probably looking at 5 reels of 2” tape and at least one full day of studio time, to properly transfer the material. You also have to consider rewind time and the fact that you are not going to be working as fast on an analog deck do to the fact that there has never been an analog recorder that was made with an undo button. So you have to figure on a bit more discussion time before you send your recorded performance to Valhalla. At Cloud 9, the additional expense for an analog recording as described above would add approximately two days of studio time.

So, how do you decide whether or not it’s worth it to go analog? That part is simple. Just come see me at the studio and I’ll let you hear the difference. Then you can tell me what you think. In the meantime, just write a great song and play it well. Because, in the end, I still think that’s what counts most.

Thanks for reading.

Joe Napoli

(631) 234-2208