TABLE OF CONTENTS A widely used dictionary lists seven meanings for the word "standard," but only one of these, "anything authorized as a measurement of quantity and quality," seems to relate to the idea of a standard in the industrial area. The original idea of commercial standards was to be bound legally on units of weights and measure for fairness in trade. In the field of electronics, the standardization of electrical units of measurement would be the counterpart. Today, standards are essentially recommendations for users and/or manufacturers to adhere to basic specifications to allow operational interchangeability in the use of equipment and supplies.
Anyone concerned with interchangeability of equipment or product should be concerned with standards. A prospective user hesitates to purchase equipment that does not conform to recognized interface standards for connectors, input/output levels, control, timing, and test specifications. A manufacturer may find a limited market for a good product if it is not compatible with other equipment in common use.
To most audio professionals, the term "standards" envisions a means of promoting interchange of basic hardware. To others, it evokes thoughts of a slowdown of progress, of maintaining a status quo perhaps for the benefit of a particular group. Both camps can cite examples to support their viewpoint, but no one can seriously contend that we would better off without standards. Standards promote economies of scale that tend to produce more reliable...
