Direct to Disk Recording

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Direct to Disk Recording refers to recording methods which bypass the use of magnetic recording tape, recording directly onto non-volatile storage media which, by definition, excludes magnetic tape.

Prior to the advent of digital technologies, it was a term which originated in professional analogue audiophile sound recording techniques of the era. Today, the term has been banalised and may refer also to modern video cameras which allow the user to record directly to other portable media, such as DVD.

Whilst computer hard disc drives are not strictly a permanent medium, manufacturers will often use the term to apply to such products which store recorded data to this eraseable but non-volatile medium.

Contents 1 Professional analogue sound recording 1.1 Advantages 1.2 Disadvantages 2 Video recording 2.1 Advantages of DDR over tape 2.2 Disadvantages of DDR over tape 3 External links 4 References

[edit] Professional analogue sound recording

In order to make the recording, musicians would play in one twenty minute "live" set in a recording studio per side of LP. The recording would be made without the use of multitrack recording, without overdubs. The performance would have to be carefully engineered prior to cutting, and directly recorded in stereophonic sound. Once initiated, the cutting head would engage the master lacquer used for pressing LP records, and is not stopped until the side is complete.

A recording may simultaneously be recorded onto a two-track master tapes for subsequent pressing in the traditional manner.

[edit] Advantages

From the musicians' point of view, the advantages Direct to Disk Recording are a greater immediacy and interaction among the players. Technically, it gives rise to a cleaner recording through the elimination of up to 4 generations of master tapes, overdubs, mix downs from multi-tracked masters. Conversion of the signal into digital form and its reconversion into analogue are this also avoided.

The method also bypasses the other weakness of recording tape: tape hiss, wow and flutter, and limited dynamic range.

[edit] Disadvantages

Although the spontaneity of performance is preserved, no overdubs and editing are possible. It becomes more challenging for the musicians, whose performance will be captured warts and all. In the event of aborted sides, expensive lacquers are wasted and cannot be used again.

Some artists also maintain that musical instruments may drift out of tune: it is not possible to keep musical instruments in tune for the 4 movements^[1] on a traditional side of an LP record.

[edit] Video recording

Miniaturisation of recording and storage technology for consumer video already allows the non-professional user to directly record home videos to a permanent storage medium such as a DVD^[2]. More recently, professional recording equipment using DtD transfers is beginning to appear. In April 2006, Seagate announced the first professional Direct-To-Disc cinematic camera aimed at the independent film-maker (using their disc drives)^[3].

[edit] Advantages of DDR over tape

• Quicker into the edit: no need to digitise
• The hard disks can store more than most tapes
• Tapes are not fast enough for the highest video data rates

[edit] Disadvantages of DDR over tape

• Hard disks are more expensive than tapes
• Hard disks fail more frequently than tapes

[edit] External links

• Stereophile interview with Tom Jung
• Direct-to-Disc at AES

[edit] References

1. ^ Guttenberg,, Steve (March, 2005). Walter Sear's Analog Rules. Stereophile. Retrieved on 2006-11-22.
2. ^ JVC Everio series hard disc handi-cams. JVC. Retrieved on 2006-11-22.
3. ^ Seagate (March, 2005). Seagate Hard Drives Enable World's First Digital Cinema Camera With Direct-To-Disc Recording. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-11-22.