Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
preservation, restoration, digitization, recorded music
College
Fine Arts and Communications
Department
Music
Abstract
Recorded music has existed for more than a century yet, until recently, the media on which this music is preserved degrades with each passing year. Additionally, the very use of the recording itself adds to its degradation and does irreparable damage. It is a major concern for an institution that archives such media to find a method that permits the enjoyment of early recordings without subjecting them to further damage. Moreover, a means of restoring degraded recordings would permit a long-term solution for circulating such work. Through the use of computer technology, these goals can be achieved. It is now possible to electronically convert an analogue waveform produced by anything from a wax phonograph cylinder to an open reel tape into a digital stream of information. This digital stream can be analyzed using computer software to isolate and eradicate noise and other audible imperfections. The audio restoration process not only involves knowledge of the software tools but also a subjective understanding of what “sounds” musical.
Recommended Citation
Scharf, Johnathan A. and Day, David A.
(2014)
"Preservation and Restoration of Music Through Digitization,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014:
Iss.
1, Article 518.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/518