Preserving the facts for the future: Principles and practices for the transfer of analog audio documents into the digital domain

The world's stock of audio recordings is estimated to be more than 50 Mh (million hours) of materials. The greater part of these recordings is analog, and many are unique documents of cultural, scientific, or artistical value. None of these recordings are on permanent carriers; therefore sooner or later a transfer into the digital domain will be necessary. The technical, ethical, and strategic aspects of such a task are described. Aside of its primary aim of safeguarding a considerable part of our cultural heritage, it is the job-creative aspect that makes the future of sound archives so challenging.