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

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