Method and apparatus for multiplexed encoding of digital audio information onto a digital audio storage medium

Extra high quality or ultralong digital audio channels with an aggregate data bit rate that exceeds the maximum data bit rate for a digital storage medium, such as a CD, laser disk or digital audio tape, are recorded on the audio medium. The recording is accomplished by compressing the data bit rates of the multi-channel input signals so that their aggregate data bit rate after compression does not exceed the maximum for the storage medium, multiplexing the compressed audio signals, encoding the multiplexed signal into a predetermined format, and recording the encoded signal on the storage medium. With the storage medium configured to store audio samples having a predetermined number of bits per sample, the compressed audio signals are multiplexed into data groups having the same number of bits, thereby emulating a normal input to the storage medium, even when this involves dividing various input samples among different data groups. The recorded signals can thus be placed in a standard AES/EBU format normally expected by the storage medium. Playback is achieved by decoding, demultiplexing and decompressing the signals from the storage medium in a manner complementary to the recording process.