Much of my theoretical knowledge has been confirmed by years of working with film and video. I have sensitized myself to distinguish between pitch rises caused by inconstant tape recorders and the like and those caused by emotional performances. Working with instrumentalists, I arrive at pitching decisions only after research plus many, many hours of experimentation with different speeds. Most other labels remove similar noises. But BCS, along with only a handful of other CD producers, cleans these defects one at a time.
Most producers are content to erase clicks, etc.
This method, however, sometimes dulls the attack of certain notes. I kept acquiring analog source tapes, however. By 1993 digital improved somewhat, and I began experimenting with it. I listened to various high-end PCM converters to compare their sound quality. With it I finally felt able to go ahead with the Trovatore.