digital vs analog

[baines]

I am going to record from a Fostex FD-8 to a Philips CDR 765. I can't use the optical cable that came with the Philips unless I buy a converter(s)--the optical cable I have will not insert into the optical ins/outs of either the Philips or the Fostex. The Philips also came with the stereo L/R cables. I can record into the "analog" inputs of the Philips using these cables. What sort of sound quality will I lose doing this rather than the optical cable? Why is it called "analog"?

[Dragon]

1. You'll just go through additional A/D conversions. How bad the sound will get depends on the quality of the hardware in both machines. It won't be as good as a direct optical digital transfer, of course, but most people probably couldn't hear the difference.

2. Because it's not digital.

See http://homerecording.com/glossary.html if you don't know what words mean...

[cwillu]

Gotta add that one to the 'snappy answers' list : )

William Underwood

ps No offense, baines, I've seen worse out of my own mouth...