Audio Class: Post Production

Varieties of Audio Tracks

Linear - Original audio tracks

• Can be recorded and played back independently of video.
• Pro & Industrial machines have two tracks (L & R)
• Consumer machines have only one (both L&R)
  Single audio head covers L & R channels of stereo linear track.
• Located on edge of tape, subject to physical damage.
• Slow speed and narrow track yield less than stellar recording.
• Dolby or other noise reduction is frequently used to improve quality.

Hi-Fi (VHS), FM & Digital (Beta & 8mm)

• Can only be recorded while recording video
• Hi-Fi is buried “under” video track.
  FM is buried “inside” video track.
  Digital is either “inside” or in horizontal interval.
• Co-located with video in center of tape, more protected.
• MUCH higher “writing speed” yields high-quality recording quality.
• Noise reduction usually not needed.

Consumer - Mono Linear Audio Track

Pro- Stereo Linear Audio Track

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Audio Class © 1993 Richard Crowley