Technical specifications for digital "master" files by source media type

Technical specifications should always be tested and adjusted if necessary before digitizing or transferring a new batch of sound recordings.
Sound recordings acquired on compact disc are captured in the Digital Forensics Lab. See the Digital Forensics Lab manual for guidance on capturing data acquired on compact disc.
Digital master files for DAT tapes should be generated from the same sample rate (i.e., kHZ setting) used to record the tape.
See the analogue and digital media wiki for detailed technical information on media formats that contain sound recordings.

Media type	Format	Digitization / Reformatting method	Data encoding	Bit depth	Sampling rate	Minimum file size for one hour of digital audio	File Format
¼ inch audio	Magnetic tape	External service provider	PCM	24-bit	96 kHz	2.07 GB	BWF
2 inch audio	Magnetic tape	External service provider	PCM	24-bit	96 kHz	2.07 GB	BWF
Audio cassette	Magnetic tape	Audiovisual studio or external service provider	PCM	24 bit	96 kHz	2.07 GB	BWF
Digital audio tape (DAT)	Magnetic tape	Audiovisual studio or external service provider	PCM	16 bit	32 kHz 44.1 kHz 48 kHz	32 kHz - 44.1 kHz - 635.04 MB 48 kHz - 691.MB	BWF
CD-DA	Optical disc	Create forensic image in Digital Forensics Lab Manual	Linear PCM	16 bit	44.1 kHz	635.04 MB	ISO/CUE

Technical specifications for sound recordings