Digitization of audio archives
Athens Mastering has the responsibility to rescue important Greek archives such as the archive of M. Hatzidakis, S. Xarhakos. M. Plessas, J. Markopoulos, M. Loizos, M. Kalomoiris, G. Christou, the Folklore Music File etc.
For the publication of the archival material it has collaborated with the companies LYRA, MINOS – EMI, UNIVERSAL, VIRGIN, SEIRIOS, FM Records and also with The Association of Simona Karra, Athens Academy and a lot of private individuals.
Christos Hatzistamou undertook the writing of the specifications of digitization regarding Greek archives by the University of Athens and the Institute of Research in Music and Acoustics – a project for the “Society of Information” founded by the European Union.
Introduction
The digitization of the country’s audio archives is a very important project. Today we are living the age of globalisation, which is characterized by uniformity and lack of particular cultural characteristics. However, in such archives were recorded particularly enchanting elements of musical culture of a big historical period.
The new possibilities of commercial exploitation that are opened in the society of information presuppose an organised and rightly digitized audio archive of high analysis with recording of all the information (metadata) of the file.
Athens Mastering proposes a complete and safe solution in the problem of digitization.
To whoever is interested can be provided an excellently digitized file which may be constituted from 78 rpm disks, vinyls, tapes, DAT-UMATIC, etc. At the same time the entire archive is being transferred to a modern database with enormous abilities in finding elements, but also with the ability to listen to the material in real time.
Basic Significances - Dangers
Digitization means the conversion of analog information (sound-picture-text) into digital form.
Therefore, from its definition, file digitization and particularly audio archive digitization, presupposes the ideal capture and recording of the existing information. In order to become comprehensible the importance of such a process we should clarify two issues that function disorientating.
First of all CDs and especially MP3s, do not constitute an archive.
The second issue is that few people comprehend the amount of information that is stored in a tape, a vinyl or even a 78 rpm disk.
Based on the above ascertainment, the existence of a high analysed file, or even of files of multi - channelled recording, will give new impulse to publications, offering a better product in combination with new forms of publication or distribution ( DVD, Dual Disk, Blue Ray ).
Yet, another point of confusion is the difference between the conversion of an audio archive in digital form (digitizing) and the re-establishment of an audio archive so as to sound better and without problems.( restoration – remastering ).
In the first case we are talking about digitization with any problems that the material for digitizing may have due to its age and in the second case we are talking about the use of tools and techniques from an experienced sound engineer who will resolve the problems and improve the sound.
Another point is that each time a tape is played without the required preparatory work and care we lose part of the recorded information.
Objectives of the digitization process
- Ideal digitization, capturing, recording of an audio archive.
- Simultaneous record keeping should occur in a modern database with many data media abilities.
- Digitization must become as possible a fast and easy process.
- To anticipate errors that may result in devastating consequences for the sound archive.
- The cost should be maintained in reasonable levels.
- This digitization goes together with the maintenance and the right storage of the existing file.
Reasons imposing the digitization "now"
- The tapes especially the oldest have reached the end of the period that they bear in time. Any further delay can have incalculable damage for the audio archive. We already need special handling and work in order to “read” these tapes.
- The digital tapes (DAT, ADAT, UMATIC etc.) already have problems and drop – outs during their reproduction.
- The use of internet, the new forms in publication of music ( Dual Disk, Blue Ray ), the possibility off new mixes in old material, the publications with surround sound, the new ideas of production, all these are a new reality for anyone looking in the future. An excellently digitized audio archive is a condition in order to achieve this objective.
- Shortly a problem will exist in finding parts for the good operation of analogic reproducers such as tape players, record-players and cartridges etc. that are needed for the work of digitization. The Studer, for example, announced that it stops the support of all analogic systems up to 2008.
- The number of technicians who have experience in the use and the regulation of analogic instruments is decreased.
Cost of digitization
The cost of digitization can be calculated with precision if a briefing in numbers regarding the size and the form of the archive exists.
Conclusions
Athens Mastering proposes a completed, secure solution to the problem of digitization of audio archives.
Taking into consideration the big experience and knowledge of Athens Mastering in digitization of sound files, it is a process that with absolute responsibility delivers to the customer a digitized archive of high analysis.
It would be creative to work together in the implementation of digitizing an audio archive, a project that even if it refers to an old material, will open a window for its development in the future.