A practical guide to protecting digitised audio after the transfer has been completed.
Digitisation is not the end
Creating a WAV or BWF file is only the beginning of digital preservation. The files need managed storage, documentation, quality assurance and ongoing stewardship.
Preservation master versus access copy
A preservation master should retain the high-quality representation of the source. Access copies such as MP3 can be created separately for convenient listening.
Metadata matters
Technical and descriptive metadata helps identify what a file contains, how it was created and how it relates to the original recording.
Quality control
NARA's published audio quality checks include sampling frequency, channel count and bits per sample, with additional characteristics such as duration and audio levels recorded during QC.
Fixity and integrity
NARA describes creating checksums and verifying them after file transfer to ensure that files have not changed during storage and movement.
Storage and backup
Important masters should not exist in only one location. Digital preservation requires managed storage and a strategy for backup, integrity monitoring and future migration.
Plan for future access
A preservation file is valuable because it remains usable. File format choices, documentation and managed storage all contribute to future accessibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a preservation master?
A high-quality digital representation retained for long-term management rather than everyday listening.
What is fixity?
Fixity is the ability to check that a digital file has not changed unexpectedly, commonly using a checksum.
Is storing files on one hard drive enough?
No. A single device is a single point of failure and does not constitute a robust preservation strategy.
Further Reading
Oxford Duplication Centre — Practical Expertise
Audio preservation depends on the original carrier, compatible playback equipment, a controlled signal path and careful quality assurance. The preservation master should retain the best practical representation of the source, with access files created separately.
Need DAT tapes digitised?
Oxford Duplication Centre provides professional DAT digitisation for individual tapes and archive collections, with preservation and access outputs tailored to your requirements.
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