Editing Hard disk recorder (section)

==Operation==
One major advantage of recording audio to a [[hard disk]] is that it allows for [[non-linear editing]].  Audio data can be [[random access|accessed randomly]] and therefore can be [[Non-destructive editing|edited non-destructively]], that is, the original material is not changed in any way. Non-linear editing is not inherent to every hard-disk recording system, however.  Different manufacturers implement different degrees of this facility.

Hard disk recorders are often combined with a digital [[mixing console]] and are an integral part of a [[digital audio workstation]] (DAW).  In this form, complex tasks can be automated, freeing the [[audio engineer]] from [[performing]] a final mix in real time.

A [[personal computer]] can be used as a hard disk recorder with appropriate [[software]]; nowadays this solution is often preferred, as it provides a more flexible interface to the studio engineer.  Many studio-grade systems provide external hardware, particularly for the [[analog-to-digital conversion]] stages, while less expensive software systems can use the [[sound card]] included with any modern computer.

The major constraints on any hard disk recording system are the [[Computer data storage|storage capacity]], [[transfer rate]], and processor speed.  Some systems use [[lossy audio compression]] to minimize the first two factors.  This solution is becoming increasingly rare, thanks to rapid increases in hard disk capacity.