More about analogue recording
Michael Talbot-Smith · 1999
Multi-track machines may have up to about 32 tracks - 16 or 24 being quite common and tape width is related to number of tracks - &s;2 inch&s; is standard for analogue machines. It is usual, though, to reserve one track on analogue tape for timecode. Analogue multi-track machines almost invariably have a noise reduction system incorporated as the individual tracks are narrow and therefore don&s;t have an inherently good signal-to-noise ratio. Digital multi-track machines are slowly replacing analogue ones but process is likely to be fairly slow the costs of both types are high and a change from one to the other represents a large capital outlay. With high quality digital satellite communications there is these days little need for a noise reduction system in long distance links, but Dolby A is still used on analogue multitrack tape machines. The chapter discusses analogue cartridge machines are being rapidly replaced by their digital equivalents.