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CD Ripping and Analog Recording
Source quality directly effects the quality of the copy.
Basically, it is very hard to get a better COPY then than ORIGINAL.
It is, however, possible to get an exact DIGITAL REPLICA when recording digitally.
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Digital recording
Music source: Must be digital (CD, MD, DAT) - This includes using software, like WinDAC, to extract digital music information for a computer's CD-ROM drive, or using Digital I/O on a sound card.
Digital Extraction: Digital data (0's and 1's) are transfered from the source to the computer's memory.
PCM WAV data: According to the preset characteristics, the digital data is represented as PCM (Pulse Coded Modulation) data.
Compression: Audio data can be stored in full quality, full sized form or compressed and stored on the hard drive.
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Analog recording
Music source: Any analog music source - this includes any recording made from a LINE IN or MIC IN jack.
Line In ADC: The analog to digital converter on the computer's sound system convert the audio data into digital data.
PCM WAV data: To the preset characteristics, limited by the quality of the sound system, the digital data is represented as PCM (Pulse Coded Modulation) data.
Compression: Audio data can be stored in full quality, full sized form or compressed and stored on the hard drive.
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Typical Scenarios
Digital Extraction: Computer w/CDROM
PROS
- Music doesn't ever go into soundcard (no sound required)
- Can extract music at faster than 1x
CONS
- Can only copy CD's with no scratchs or defects
- Music may contain gaps, requires test playback for QA
- Can NOT extract some CD-R formats
Digital Copy: DAT player connected to a digital I/O soundcard
PROS
- No loss of quality with SPDIF connection
- Very reliable
- Music is heard as it is recorded
CONS
- Can only record at 1x
- Requires SPDIF connection on source (high end CD, MD, or DAT)
- Requires Digital I/O for soundcard
Analog Recording: CD player connected to the LINE IN jack
PROS
- High quality source
- Audio can be manipulated during recording
- Music is heard as it is recorded
CONS
- Can only record at 1x
- Source may introduce distortion
- Pre-Amp may introduce distortion
- Soundcard ADC may clip
- All imperfections are recorded
Analog Recording: Tape player connected to the LINE IN jack
PROS
- Audio can be manipulated during recording
- Music is heard as it is recorded
CONS
- Can only record at 1x
- Variable quality source
- Source may introduce distortion
- Pre-Amp may introduce distortion
- Soundcard ADC may clip
- All imperfections are recorded
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