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== HISTORIC EVENTS FOR SOUND RECORDINGS == | == HISTORIC EVENTS FOR SOUND RECORDINGS == | ||
'''1897''' | '''1897''' Many Americans are able to afford purchasing a ‘talking machine.’ | ||
'''1914-18''' | '''1914-18''' U.S. Sound manufacturers jump from 18-166 in number, increasing availability. | ||
'''1930s | '''1930s'''Disk Cutters are available in department stores and other public areas, allowing the consumer who cannot afford a home record cutter to create recordings of their voices. | ||
'''1940s | '''1940s'''Wire recorders were used to record transmitted sound to break codes during the War.''''''The use of wire recorders during the war increases consumer interest. | ||
''' | '''1957'''Max Matthews of Bell Telephone Laboratories first develops the process to digitally code sound using a computer. | ||
'''1950-74''' | '''1950-74''' The race to put man in space created a greater need for digital devices that were self-contained and compact. PDAs, microprocessors, personal computers, microchips, and the Internet are developed. | ||
==== ==== | ==== ==== | ||
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Digital sound applies to every genealogist. Below are some uses for digital sound that apply to the beginner genealogist or the professional researcher: | Digital sound applies to every genealogist. Below are some uses for digital sound that apply to the beginner genealogist or the professional researcher: | ||
1. | 1. Recording new oral histories. | ||
2. | 2. Preserving pre-recorded oral histories. | ||
3. | 3. Transferring sound files from vintage formats to digital. | ||
4. | 4. Adding music or narration to family movies or digital slide shows. | ||
5. | 5. Recording information for speech-to-text transfer. | ||
6. | 6. For dictation or easy distribution of conferences and meetings. | ||
== DIGITAL SOUND FILE EXTENSIONS == | == DIGITAL SOUND FILE EXTENSIONS == | ||
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Understanding digital sound file extensions is very important to determine the quality of the sound file. It is important for a user to understand that different sound files are different in quality. | Understanding digital sound file extensions is very important to determine the quality of the sound file. It is important for a user to understand that different sound files are different in quality. | ||
''' | '''''' | ||
=== What is a file extension? === | === What is a file extension? === | ||
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Each file format is different. | Each file format is different. | ||
· AIFF, AU, and WAV are raw, or uncompressed audio files. They may take up space, but maintain the quality of the original recording. | |||
· FLAC, APE, WV, lossless RA, and lossless WMA are all lossless. They maintain the quality and don’t take up as much space. | |||
· MP3, lossy WMA, lossy RA, and AAC are all lossy formats. They don’t take up much space, but are lower quality recordings. | |||
=== File Conversion === | === File Conversion === | ||
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== PURCHASING A DIGITAL RECORDER == | == PURCHASING A DIGITAL RECORDER == | ||
Digital recorders differ in recording medium and format. Preferred PCM (Pulse Code Modulation format) means that the file is initially changed from analog to digital through measuring portions of the sound and transferring the sound to zeros and ones. This is gathered in '''raw''' form rather than '''compressed. '''PCM is usually saved as a WAV or AIFF file. Digital recorders that save in MP3 or WMA format are compressed and lossy. WAV format is a raw file. The raw file takes more space than the compressed file, lowering the recording time. Many consumers do not understand this when purchasing a digital recorder. | Digital recorders differ in recording medium and format. Preferred PCM (Pulse Code Modulation format) means that the file is initially changed from analog to digital through measuring portions of the sound and transferring the sound to zeros and ones. This is gathered in '''raw''' form rather than '''compressed.'''PCM is usually saved as a WAV or AIFF file. Digital recorders that save in MP3 or WMA format are compressed and lossy. WAV format is a raw file. The raw file takes more space than the compressed file, lowering the recording time. Many consumers do not understand this when purchasing a digital recorder. | ||
''' | '''''' | ||
=== High quality sound measurements === | === High quality sound measurements === | ||
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A digital recorder should have the following physical features to make sure that it is user-friendly and will be useable for the genealogist. | A digital recorder should have the following physical features to make sure that it is user-friendly and will be useable for the genealogist. | ||
· '''Adequate memory:''' The number of hours is not always a reflection of larger memory. The files may be compressed. | |||
· '''Expandable memory:''' Most digital recorders only have internal memory that cannot be removed, or expanded, but some come with card slots to create more room. Find out if it is possible to record directly onto the memory card if this is a desired option. | |||
· '''Computer Connectivity:''' Some less expensive digital recorders cannot be connected to a computer with USB cables. This means that the files are not transferable to the computer. For genealogists, this is a wasted device. | |||
· '''Usability:''' Check to see if the play, power, rewind, fast forward and stop buttons are clearly visible. More visible buttons means less use of a digital menu to find features. | |||
== Summary == | == Summary == | ||
Digital sound applies to everyone. Learning how to properly work with digital sound will help preserve important historical media that would otherwise easily deteriorate and be lost to future generations. | Digital sound applies to everyone. Learning how to properly work with digital sound will help preserve important historical media that would otherwise easily deteriorate and be lost to future generations. | ||
[[Category:Beginners]] |