ADD vs DDD

[presto agitato]

What differences do you  perceive between ADD (analog recording, digital mixing, and digital transfer) and DDD ( hte entire recording process was digital).

For example: I own Beethoven´s Piano Concerto with Kempff (ADD) and with Perahia (DDD) and the only difference i perceive is that Perahia´s sound is a little bit cleaner.

Whats your opinion

[pianomann1984]

I think that digital misxing/transfer is so sophisticated these days that once the porduction companies are finished with a recording you really cant tell the difference, other than , as you say, the sound tends to be a tiny bit clearer.

[xvimbi]

The differences that you were reporting are most likely due to different recording techniques in terms of who does the recording, what company is involved (companies have their "own" sound), etc. Mind you, the piano, hall, circumstances etc. are all different. The only way to find out would be to record the same performance simultaneously analog and digital. And then one would still need a stellar, high-fidelity stereo system to really detect any differences.

[rlefebvr]

The difference is that one comes from an analog recording and was then transfered and cleaned using a digital process.

Where DDD is a complete Digital recording from A to Z.

There is really no way to compare using to samples as they do not come from the same material.

The quality of the ADD material will depend totally on the studio doing the conversion.

[BoliverAllmon]

do cd's typically cost more fore DDD?

[pianomann1984]

I dont think so

[rlefebvr]

They used to, but I doubt they would in today's market.
When I was a young lad, there was a cost difference.
DDD was a big deal back then.

If you look in the recycle bin you may even find a AAD version.

These are complete analog versions, never retouched and just slapped on a CD.
Those the sound is very bad.

It's always best to get a good quality DDD version, unless your looking for an old recording.

[Waldszenen]

What were the very first vinyl records then? AAA?

[rlefebvr]

What were the very first vinyl records then? AAA?

There was no markings for vinyl. The recording process was always the same, unless we talk about the old 78'.  Vinyl rotates at 33, but the old ones had a 78 rotation. The sound was not as good.