Today, most professional studios rely entirely on digital audio systems, with much of the workload being carried by digital audio converters. In 1999, Ricky Martin’s 'Livin’ la Vida Loca' was the first song recorded, edited, and mixed entirely in the box. In its infancy, digital recording devices were extremely expensive, and those that weren’t tended to sound harsh and shrill.Īs technology continued to advance, the sound quality improved, and digital audio interfaces became commonplace in professional recording studios. Studios quickly realized the benefits of working in the digital domain, but they weren’t without their limits. The world’s first digital recording was captured and released in 1971 using an experimental PCM recording system from the Japanese broadcasting company NHK.Īlthough commercial digital recordings were possible as early as the 70s, it wasn’t until Sony released the PCM-501ES digital audio processor in 1984 that CD-quality digital recording technology would become widely available. But before we get started, let’s talk about the history of audio converters. In this Buyer's Guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about audio converters to help you find the perfect solution for your studio, including sample rates, bit depth, and advanced connectivity options.

But a high-quality audio converter will add depth and detail to your recordings. A cheap audio converter can make a million-dollar vocal chain sound like it was recorded through a dial-up modem. Digital Adapters & Miscellaneous CablesĪ quality audio converter is one of the most crucial components in any modern studio.

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