Analog

Dependable, quality information that you can use.

I’m not an engineer, so creating my DVD, “Depression What You Must Know,” and my Podcast, “Psychiatric Secrets Revealed with Dr. Mike” involved a lot a research and learning. The information listed below is a compilation of that work. I hope you find it helpful. Mike Kuna

I know what you are thinking…analog, what is wrong with this guy, we are in the digital age! However, there are times where an analog device may be just what you need. They mostly are useful for the MTTMF (more time than money folks).
The big problem with analog devices is not the quality of the sound (many can record excellent audio). Rather it is that all recordings then have to be encoded into digital audio at a one-to-one rate. In other words, a one hour program will take an additional hour to play into your sound card to digitalize. This can be a huge hassle.

Some situations where you may consider going analog are as follows:

1. You PC is located in such a noisy spot that you can’t make a decent recording.

2. You need to do an occasional portable recording.

3. You like fooling around with old technology.

Naturally, in most cases the reason that you would use an analog device is to save money. Look around your house and you probably own many analog recording devices that are not being used. If you want to live on the edge, press them into service. Although you sound quality will vary from OK to very good, it probably won’t equal a digital recording, at least when using consumer level devices.

Shoe box style cassette recorder with a separate microphone
These old giants can record fair audio, especially some of the older units from the heyday of cassettes. Companies like Radio Shack and Panasonic still sell decent recorders for very reasonable prices. Audio digitalized and then sweetened in an audio program can sound at least as good as audio using a cheap soundcard and a cheap computer microphone. These recorders are very portable, take a beating and are super simple to use.
However:

1. Sound quality is at a level where you would want to use the device only for a occasional portable interview or sound bite.

2. Not acceptable for music.

3. Zero “cool” factor.

Micro cassette
Still widely available for dictation (I use one almost every day). Small and simple to operate and they seem to record forever on two AA batteries.

1. Typically do not allow an external microphone

2. Sound quality is so low as to be unacceptable for most users.

Stereo Cassette Deck
Some of these offer high quality recordings with advanced features like noise reduction and the ability to use higher quality (metal) tapes. If your deck does not have a microphone jack you will need to run your mic through another device to amplify it enough for the line-in jack. Naturally, AC power is needed.
However:

1. Small, but not truly portable

2. Many decks don’t have a microphone input.

Boom Box
See shoe box cassette recorder for comments.

VCR
Yep, that old VCR that is gathering dust is actually a very high quality audio recorder.
However:

1. Can be awkward to use.

2. Most don’t have a microphone jack making it necessary to amplify and patch into the audio jacks on the back.

3. Very low on the “cool” factor

4. Probably more trouble then it is worth.

Cassette type Porta Studio
The first Porta Studios were introduced in the 1970s. They featured the ability to record and play back four tracks (recording two at a time) on a regular cassette tape. Overall, even the simple ones featured decent cassette recorders. More advanced versions accepted high grade tapes (metal), had noise reduction and even allowed XLR inputs. Do you have one of these from your high school garage band? Is someone selling one at a garage sale? However:

1. Requires a learning curve, especially the more advanced ones.

2. Less quality than a digital device.

Analog Recording