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Digital Output from Audio Source

Preservation Master:

This type of product meets high-to-maximum quality capture specifications, satisfying long-term preservation needs.  It may take the place of the original record if the original is/were to be destroyed, damaged, or not retained. The original characteristics of the source object determine the products created.

Desired Product Outcomes Product Scope Original Characteristics Product Name
Definition Level

Customer needs:

  • Create a digital copy because the source item is at high risk for loss of information (usually due to deterioration or obsolescence), and/or
  • exhibit or other researcher purposes require a high quality copy

Product solution: The final product should be at high-to-maximum information capture standards that satisfy long-term preservation needs.
  • This file is placed in a managed storage environment and retained for the long-term.
  • This file satisfies both long–term preservation needs and researcher requests for high quality files.
  • Because of the high capture specifications, this file could confidently take the place of the original record if the original record is no longer viable.
  • This file can make other files including exhibition/broadcast quality files, reproduction masters, and distribution copies.
 Audio from analog source material Audio Maximum Capture
[AUD-P1]
Born–digital audio Audio Born–Digital Original
[AUD-P2]
Audio Born–Digital Transcode
[AUD-P3]

Reproduction Master:

This type of product meets moderate-to-high quality capture specifications and may be used as a source for lower quality derivative files. These products are not optimal for replacing the original record if the original is damaged, destroyed, or not retained.  The original characteristics of the source object determine the products created.

Desired Product Outcomes Product Scope Original Characteristics Product Name
Definition Level

Customer needs:

  • Create a digital copy to minimize risk due to frequent handling or high use (but not address high risk of information loss due to deterioration or obsolescence), and/or
  • improve access options.

Product solution: The final product should range from minimum-acceptable to less than high-to-maximum information capture levels to satisfy limited risk and access needs when maximum quality levels are not needed.
  • If a file can be regenerated from a preservation master with minimum effort, a Reproduction Master is usually not managed and retained.
  • Because the capture/transfer specifications are closer to or at the minimum recommended level, this file would not be an optimal substitute for the original record if the original record is no longer viable.

  • This file can be generated from a preservation master or be the highest quality file created in a project.

  • This file can make other files including distribution copies.

 Audio from analog source material or derived from Preservation Master Audio Reproduction Master
[AUD-R1]

Distribution Copies:

This type of product satisfies most reference needs and cannot be used to create derivatives. They are not intended as a substitute for the original record if the original is damaged, destroyed, or not retained.

Desired Product Outcomes Product Scope Original Characteristics Product Name
Definition Level

Customer needs:

  • Create digital files for specific distribution and access systems.

Product solution: The final product should meet the file requirements of the specific delivery systems. In general, these products emphasize small file sizes and faster transfer rates over high quality levels.
  • This file is retained to satisfy a specific distribution need and is actively managed over a period of time.
  • Other files would not be generated from this file.
  • This file is not intended to substitute for the original record if the original record is no longer viable.
 Derived from Audio Reproduction Master CD-R Output
[AUD-D1]
Audio Online Delivery MP3
[AUD-D2]
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