Because the manipulation of digitally converted sounds meant the reprogramming of binary information, editing operations could be performed with millisecond precision.
The shift from analog to digital technology significantly influenced how music was produced. First and foremost, the digitization of sounds ― that is, their conversion into numbers ― enabled music makers to undo what was done. ( ① ) One could, in other words, twist and bend sounds toward something new without sacrificing the original version. ( ② ) This “undo” ability made mistakes considerably less momentous, sparking the creative process and encouraging a generally more experimental mindset. ( ③ ) In addition, digitally converted sounds could be manipulated simply by programming digital messages rather than using physical tools, simplifying the editing process significantly. ( ④ ) For example, while editing once involved razor blades to physically cut and splice audiotapes, it now involved the cursor and mouse-click of the computer-based sequencer program, which was obviously less time consuming. ( ⑤ ) This microlevel access at once made it easier to conceal any traces of manipulations (such as joining tracks in silent spots) and introduced new possibilities for manipulating sounds in audible and experimental ways.
* binary: 2진법의 ** splice: 합쳐 잇다
