Analogue v.s. Digital

Music Tech || MT CA2 - The Digital Audio Workstation

What were mixing desks originally created for?

• Recording and live performance.

• These desks would’ve been analogue.

How do analogue mixing desks work?

When recording, the output of each track or the master fader would have been recorded to analogue tape.

Where would the master fader be sent to in a live performance?

To the front of house speakers on the stage.

Why are analogue mixing desks often preferred for recording?

• Because they introduce artefacts, such as distortion.

• This is known as analogue distortion.

When does analogue distortion occur?

When the input gain is turned up more than it should.

How do digital mixing desks work?

• They convert the incoming analogue signal to a digital signal and all processing can be done using an onboard computer.

• This works in the exact same way as your DAW.

What are the benefits of digital mixing desks?

• You can add a wide range of effects and processing and have far more flexibility when mixing.

• You can save settings and recall pre-sets instantly.

• Can also easily be connected to your DAW as an audio interface, using a USB cable.