Analog and Digital Sound Recording – Mixing the Music

Mannoni Performing Arts Center

There are three processes involved in the recording of a song: (1) Recording, also known as the tracking process where the focus is on the quality of the sound being captured using technology available; (2) Mixing, where the focus is on mixing the individual recorded tracks together Differences between analog (tape) and digital (computer-based) recordings have long been debated. This installation involved the recording of a musical act comprised of piano, drums, and vocals. Both the digital and analog recordings were captured at the same time, so the recordings are the same. After the recording was complete, all instruments were mixed, resulting in a stereo file comprised of a Left Channel (above) and a Right Channel (below). Each graph has a key into two channels (Left and Right) that form our stereo listening file, and (3) Mastering, where the mixed two-track file is touched-up and perfected. This installation presents the technical aspects of the recording process and the aesthetic aspect of the mixing process.