tags: mus-407 recording-technology

Magnetic Recording

Magnetic recording is a group of [recording] technologies that operate through a magnetic medium.

• fundamentally different from [mechanical] and [electro-mechanical] recording processes

Magnetic recording operates under the following principle:

• magnetic medium passes across an electromagnet (contained within "record head") at a constant speed
• [AC] [audio signal] creates a pattern of magnetization on medium
• magnetization medium passes across another electromagnet ("play head") at a constant speed, inducing AC in wire conductor
  • think [dynamic microphones] or [speakers]

Due to the magnetic medium, the degradation process occurs over a much longer time.

Prominent magnetic recording devices and technologies include:

• [telegraphone]
• [blattnerphone]
• [magnetophon]
• [tape]
• [Compact Cassette Tape]
• [Multi-track magnetic recording]

Sources

• MUS 407 Recording Technology