What is the Difference Between Analog and Digital?

Demystifying Analog and Digital

Analog and digital are common terms used in many fields, including audio. Since they can also be difficult terms to understand, a few definitions and examples are helpful.

What is Analog?

The word analog is defined as something that is similar to or analogous to something else. When someone uses an analogy they are comparing one thing with another, such as “her eyes are as blue as the sky”. Another example of an analogy or analog is an analog clock with hour and minute hands. The clock uses the positions of the hands to describe the time – the clock is an analog that describes the time of day.

What is Digital?

The word digital is defined as something that uses a digit or number to describe something. A digital clock uses numbers, not hands, to describe the time. For example, a digital clock uses digits to describe the time as 10 hours, 43 minutes and 12 seconds. Each digit is a specific numerical value that describes the time of day.