Comparing Analog and Digital Recording Essay Sample

The evolution of technology has affected almost every aspect of life in every corner of the world. It has brought about monumental changes to healthcare. It has brought about monumental changes to transportation. It has brought about monumental changes to food. It has also brought monumental change to the music industry. It has affected almost every aspect of life. Today I would like to speak to you about the enduring relevance of analog audio (audio recorded mechanically, without the use of digital technology) despite advancements in technology, and why it should stay relevant.

To start, analog audio forces listeners to interact with the music more and forge a deeper appreciation for the music through comprehensive processes, like visiting a music store, browsing for records, and playing the record. There truly is no feeling like that of dropping the needle on a brand new record, but many of you, who have found yourselves growing up amidst a plethora of technological innovation, have never experienced that.

Third, digital music is simply too perfect. The juxtaposition of the imperfections of music and the seamlessness of streaming services feels awkward, mechanical, and just unnatural. To achieve objective perfection is to forgo aspects of our humanity. We need not abandon our past to explore our future.

Finally, it is important that we remember our roots. We have access to digital media, yet we keep our books. We have access to digital instruments, yet we keep our analog ones. We have access to cameras, yet we keep our mirrors. If we keep these, then we must keep analog audio as well. It is important that we never lose our grasp on these important chapters in human history, once-breakthroughs in technology, or they will one day fade away into forgotten relics of the past, lost in the midst of progression. We must remember our roots.