non-linearnofear
bytylerwade

The impossible has become the inevitable and non-linear sound has risen. New technologies are again eliminating older ones. Now, even timecode DAT recorders are no longer being made.

I don't come from an analog background. I grew up in the digital realm playing Nintendo. Since working at Trew Audio, however, I can appreciate that older analog recorders like the NAGRA are strong and solid recording machines with deep, rich, and unparalleled sound quality especially for its time.

But now, parts can be tough to find and the cost is usually high. Trew Audio's own Steve George is a genuine mastermind in repairing these older analog machines and timecode DAT machines if you still need to nurse yours along. But it might be worth your while to take a moment to consider the pros and cons of the step to nonlinear.

For example, the DEVA V, the latest and greatest from Zaxcom, does 10 tracks and can record for hours without stopping! Multitrack production tracks are no longer a novelty, but are being insisted on by many producers and directors. No more waiting to reload the recorder. "Roll-outs" are a thing of the past (for those of us raised in the Nintendo generation, "rolling out" meant running out of tape during a take, which used to be a common fear of sound mixers). There is no need for recalibrating your machine to adjust for wear. Updates to non-linear recorders are done instantly by email. Though change will continue to come quickly, most non-linear recorders are designed to evolve with changes in technology, which was a proven advantage of the earlier Deva-2 recorder.

Nonlinear digital recording may be a scary idea for some people but it is comforting to know that in a short time, everyone who takes the plunge soon considers nonlinear an easier, better way, with creative options and safety features impossible with older recorders. Recording is as simple as it has been in the past by hitting the record button. Playback is even simpler because there is nothing to rewind! Just press play and your recording instantly plays. Press record while playing, and you are instantly recording after the end of the last take. It is impossible to erase a take by recording over it. There goes another fear of the previous century!

For post production, non-linear editing has jumped light years ahead of its predecessor. Perhaps you remember sitting in front of a reel-to-reel machine waiting for just the right moment when the bad sound crosses over the play head, taking off the tape, marking and slicing the spot, and finally taping it all back together. With the non-linear recordings, such as those made with the PD-6, 744T, Metacorder, DEVA, etc, a simple click-and-drag at the workstation and the edits done (and undo is just a menu function away). You can see the waveforms, zoom right in on them and be a surgeon with your audio. Mixing and effects are laid on easily with adjustable presets that make quick work of complex mixes.

Some audio people are still concerned about the sound quality lost in the digital world. I suggest that is now myth, but you should listen for yourself. Properly used, 24 bit digital audio commonly used today will far surpass the dynamic range of even the best 7-1/2ips and 15ips analog recorders, and the sound quality certainly surpasses that of the still-used, but discontinued, R-DAT recorders.

ZAXCOM DEVA V CIRCA 2005

A major advantage of nonlinear is the ability to transfer recordings much faster than real time (this is a favourite feature of producers). To accommodate this ability, Firewire and USB connections are abundant in the new recorders. USB 2.0 and Firewire are simple plug and play technologies transferring data very fast. If you have these ports on your computer (newer models usually do) then you can easily download your recorded sound files directly into your computer. If you have any editing program at all (there are even many free downloadable versions available), you’re off to the races.

With a little research and some time playing with the equipment, you will become familiar and at ease with nonlinear. We can already see it happening as more post houses are passing the word down to the productions that they want non-linear production tracks.

These machines are running out the doors at Trew Audio and many are being bought by sound professionals who have made their livings with Nagra analog recorders. These people realize the benefits and so will you. Now is the time to give it a chance. With the fall of EMTEC and with the future of the reorganization of Quantegy questionable, tape stock is becoming less and less available as the sound guys with older gear rush to buy out the remaining stock. DAT can't be far away from the same fate.

Still feeling intimidated? Drop by Trew Audio's Toronto or Nashville
office and let us show you the non-linear recording systems to chose
from, and ask all the questions you want. We're here to help you get the
system that suits you best, and we try to have these recorders in stock and on display (we even have complete Metacorder packages, including Mac computers!). If you're not in the area, we will gladly help you on the phone or over the internet. Check our site for some quick and easy product breakdowns. Here is a great link for more information on these items and on non-linear sound:

www.trewaudio.ca/nonlinear.htm

See you there.

Tyler Wade
Sales Associate
Toronto