Technical specifications for sound recordings
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 | Minimum file size for one hour of digital audio | |||
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 |
Optical disc | Create forensic image in Digital Forensics Lab Manual | Linear PCM | 16 bit | 44.1 kHz | 635.04 MB | ISO/CUE |