This article speaks volumes 🔊
The main difference between analog and digital audio signals is that analog signals are electrical, whereas digital signals are binary.
But, consequently, there are three differences that relate to how we interact with each.
Signal storage
First and foremost, how information is stored is the biggest difference between analog and digital recording.
For example, analog equipment stores audio information by creating a magnetic charge along magnetic tape.
Another example is vinyl where impressing physical grooves on the discs creates a track for a turn table stylus to run through. Then the stylus recreates the electrical signal via a thin wire in the stylus.
And in contrast, digital audio stores information as binary data (1s and 0s), otherwise known as digital data.
Computers are digital systems and their hard drives store information as binary data that we can access on the system.
Signal distribution
Secondly, analog gear distributes audio information via electrical current. The fluctuations in the strength of the current reflect the peaks and troughs of the sound wave, allowing for accurate reproduction of the audio amplitude levels via a speaker.
Microphones are analog equipment. While recording with a microphone, it converts soundwaves into an alternating electrical signal that your audio interface or tape deck can receive.
But your computer can only read binary information. So your audio interface converts the electrical signal into a digital one and distributes it to your computer.
Signal processing
Finally, analog equipment processes audio via electrical current too. Outboard units like EQs utilize line-level voltage to process audio signals.
In other words, we can add effects and apply processing to analog signals by manipulating the electrical signal.
Digital audio does so by manipulating binary data that holds the information about the digital audio.
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See also:
What is lossless/lossy audio?
How do I add audio?
Does my audio meet RouteNote’s quality standards?