Digital Vs. Analog?

The “Digital vs. Analog” question has divided the Audio Industry since the rise of Pro Tools.

Analogue audio equipment designed and built during the 1950s to 1970s golden age used the highest quality components to construct the most strong and reliable outboard device that delivers the supreme sonic result. The result of this approach was such striking devices as the Fairchild 670 dynamic-ratio stereo compressor/limiter, used on countless Beatles recordings, and used 14 separate transformers and 20 vacuum tubes inside. All that transformer iron and valve warmth is what enables a Fairchild to impart its signature ‘golden glow’ to any sound passed through it. Another advantage vintage gear has, and a challenge for today’s manufacturers, is that certain components that helped create the classic sound simply aren’t available any more. The way transformers were wound, the metals used, the choice of transistors: much of it is no longer available or permissible for use in manufacture. Can modern analogue gear therefore hope to compare and compete? Many manufacturers are still designing their products for high-end analogue audio use, but still haven’t fully emulated the giants of the past because of economics.  Manley says “Commercially speaking, due to rising materials costs it is very difficult to be able to charge the prices that we should be charging. These days when doing a new product design, we are looking to build to a cost. To achieve that we will shave off features and keep focused on efficiency of the build. Years ago, the final selling price was almost not contemplated during the design process, so our classic gear was designed and built ‘cost no object’.”

It certainly took some time, but today I believe that even the most skeptical audio specialists with trained ears have trouble distinguishing between the two. In a user-oriented sense, its logical that Digital Audio will continue its dominance. It is more accessible, and certainly more affordable. Today’s consumer doesn’t seem too concerned with fidelity considering the most popular, widely used, and widely spread format is an mp3. I would like to imagine that better quality, more loss-less compression will be a possibility in the near future.