In the realm of electronic systems and communications the term "analog" means a signal of continuously varying value. The number of possible values is infinite. The transmission of analog electrical signals through physical electronic circuits and electromagnetic waves is the technology that has provided us with conventional television, radio, landline telephone service, vinyl recordings, tape recordings, and even early cellular telephone service. Human speech between two people in a room is analog. The light from the sun that illuminates our world is analog. The last two examples are both electromagnetic as well, although we normally don't think of them as an electronic or electrical system, since they are part of nature.

In today's rich media environment, you hardly ever hear the word "analog" spoken in contrast with the term "digital" which has become as superfluous as "uh" and "mmm." Live content is still fundamentally analog in nature. Audio (sound) and video (pictures) originate in analog form, are recorded and processed and delivered back as analog forms. Eyesight is analog, but film processing is a chemical process. Film editing is mechanical. The same applies to audio editing, i.e. both processes are dependent on splicing and both processes are simplified by linear preparation. Obviously, if subject matter is recorded roughly in the order of the desired final outcome, the editing process is minimized. The importance of understanding analog principles can not be understated. To really master the digital tools now available to producers and editors of rich media content you need to appreciate the fundamentals of analog signals and signal processing.

Presently rich media technology is going through a paradigm shift of great significance and complexity. Digital science has matured (it's older than you think) and the methods through which we communicate are deeply effected. Solutions for the small businessman in advertising and sales are not exempt from these changes. Print technologies are different. Telecommunications are different. Even the way we pay each other for goods and services is changing. Multimedia Engineering can help you sort this all out. Or you can do it yourself. Either way, it's knowledge you need.