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Ahard disk recorder (HDR) is a system that uses a high-capacityhard disk to recorddigital audio ordigital video. Hard disk recording systems represent an alternative toreel-to-reel audio tape recording andvideo tape recorders, and providenon-linear editing capabilities unavailable using tape recorders. Audio HDR systems, which can be standalone or computer-based, are typically combined with provisions for digital mixing and processing of the audio signal to produce adigital audio workstation (DAW).
Direct-to-disk recording (DDR) refers to methods which may also useoptical disc recording technologies such asDVD, andCompact disc.
Prior to the 1980s, mostrecording studios usedanalogmultitrack recorders, typically based onreel-to-reel tape. The first commercial hard disk recording system was the Sample-to-Disk 16-bit, 50 kHzdigital recording option for theNew England DigitalSynclavier II in 1982.Stereo audio was not immediately available due to data input and output limitations on hard drives of that time.[1] The high cost and limited capacity of these solutions limited their use to largeprofessional audio recording studios, and even then, they were usually reserved for specific applications such asfilmpost-production.
With the arrival of thecompact disc in 1982, digital recording became a major area of development by equipment makers. Several affordable solutions were released during the late 1980s and early 90s; many of these continued to use tape, either in reels or in more manageablevideocassettes. In 1993, iZ Technology Corporation developedRADAR (Random Access Digital Audio Recorder distributed byOtari), designed to replace 24-track tape machines. By the mid-1990s, with the steady decline of hard disk prices and the corresponding increases in capacity and portability, the cost of hard disk recording systems had dropped to the point where they became affordable for even smaller studios. Hard disk systems have since become the preferred method for studio recording.
On January 14, 2004, Engineers from Fairlight,WaveFrame andAMS were awardedAcademy Scientific and Technical Awards for the development of hard disk recording technology[2]
One major advantage of recording audio to ahard disk is that it allows fornon-linear editing. Audio data can beaccessed randomly and therefore can beedited non-destructively, that is, the original material is not changed in any way. Non-linear editing is not inherent to every hard-disk recording system, however. Different manufacturers implement different degrees of this facility.
Hard disk recorders are often combined with a digitalmixing console and are an integral part of adigital audio workstation (DAW). In this form, complex tasks can be automated, freeing theaudio engineer fromperforming a final mix in real time.
Apersonal computer can be used as a hard disk recorder with appropriatesoftware; nowadays, this solution is often preferred, as it provides a more flexible interface to the studio engineer. Many studio-grade systems provide external hardware, particularly for theanalog-to-digital conversion stages, while less expensive software systems can use thesound card included with any modern computer.
The major constraints on any hard disk recording system are thestorage capacity,transfer rate, and processor speed. Some systems uselossy audio compression to minimize the first two factors. This solution is becoming increasingly rare, thanks to rapid increases in hard disk capacity.
Stand-alone hard disk recorders are able to record audio or video without requiring a computer. Examples of notable stand-alone hard disk recorders and manufacturers includeAlesis,Akai Professional,Fostex,Korg,Mackie,TASCAM,Roland Corporation,Yamaha Pro Audio,RADAR andZoom HD8 and HD16.
Miniaturization of recording and storage technology for consumer video already allows the non-professional user to directly recordhome movies to a permanent storage medium likeDVD.[3]
DDRs have replacedMagnetic tape basedDV,Digital8,8mm Video Format,VHS andMicroMVvideo tape recorders.
Professionaltelevision studio DDRsvideo servers are being used to replacevideo tape recorders (VTR)s and VTR Cart machines, thatplayouttelevision commercials andTV shows. DAWs are used inprofessional audiorecording studios. Computer software can implement a hard disk recorder function.
Consumer applications includecamcorders to high-endtapeless camcorders,digital video recorder (DVR) andset top box models likeTiVo andpersonal computer based recorders. More professional applications includenon-linear editing (NLE) systems likeAvid Technologyvideo editing systems, recordingtelevision productions/filmmaking in the field withprofessional video cameras indigital cinematography fordigital cinema productions. Hard disk recorders are used in professionaltelevision studio from small systems able to record 2 hours to large multi-portplayout systems supporting hundreds of hours of material.
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