24 bit versus 16 bit
- Thread starter BIG J
- Start date
24 bit has a greater dynamic range. So you ask, whats the point of recording in 24 bit, when it just gets put on a CD in 16 bit?
You get better sound, but, you have to Dither the audio Before bouncing the track down to Stereo(16 bit). Itz kind of hard to explain, but the quality is a lil better. I read about it somewhere. When a song is bounced down form 24 to 16 bit, without Dithering it truncates sum of those extras BIts, and effects the higher freqencies. When you use dithering it helps keep sum of the higher frequencies. Don't quote me on that though, thatz just what I read in a recording mag, or sumptin' along the lines of that
You get better sound, but, you have to Dither the audio Before bouncing the track down to Stereo(16 bit). Itz kind of hard to explain, but the quality is a lil better. I read about it somewhere. When a song is bounced down form 24 to 16 bit, without Dithering it truncates sum of those extras BIts, and effects the higher freqencies. When you use dithering it helps keep sum of the higher frequencies. Don't quote me on that though, thatz just what I read in a recording mag, or sumptin' along the lines of that
Higher bits = more audio information per second. Generally speaking you'll get a cleaner/crisper sound but don't forget that the quality of the audio you're recording/inputting is definately the biggest factor to consider. Don't expect to run a shitty audio source into 24bit+ and think a miracle is going to happen to the quality.
Also, the more audio information per second, the more precise/detailed of a job can be performed when processing the audio.
So why record in higher bits when you have to dither down to 16 in the end anyways? Simple, because you ARE dealing with better clarity and fine tuning.
Without getting into detail about it. Recording in 24bit+, apply say some EQ and dithering down to 16bit will be better quality than just recording in 16bit and then applying the EQ.
Also, the more audio information per second, the more precise/detailed of a job can be performed when processing the audio.
So why record in higher bits when you have to dither down to 16 in the end anyways? Simple, because you ARE dealing with better clarity and fine tuning.
Without getting into detail about it. Recording in 24bit+, apply say some EQ and dithering down to 16bit will be better quality than just recording in 16bit and then applying the EQ.
if your working with a 16 bit file that is constantly being eq'd,tweaked,compressed,saved,ran through fx's etc etc etc you WILL degrade the file. 24 bit is cool. if you have the chance to record at 24 bit do so. its going to take up more space on your disc but you will like the difference (if you can tell).
you have to look at other issues also. is your 24 bit system using ALL of the bits? most systems DONT use them all. is your 24 bit system BETTER than the next persons 16 bit system (due to the quality of converters etc etc etc)??? so your 24 bit may sound like the next cats 16 bit. your 24 bit system may in fact be 22 or 20 bit.
30 years ago i dont think they were recording in 24 bit. yet those recordings put a lot of recordings today to shame. like sick said. if you are sending crap through the pipe crap is going to come out.
if you have the chance record at 24 bit AND 88.2khz (not 96).
:h:
you have to look at other issues also. is your 24 bit system using ALL of the bits? most systems DONT use them all. is your 24 bit system BETTER than the next persons 16 bit system (due to the quality of converters etc etc etc)??? so your 24 bit may sound like the next cats 16 bit. your 24 bit system may in fact be 22 or 20 bit.
30 years ago i dont think they were recording in 24 bit. yet those recordings put a lot of recordings today to shame. like sick said. if you are sending crap through the pipe crap is going to come out.
if you have the chance record at 24 bit AND 88.2khz (not 96).
:h:
heres an easy way 2 generalize the benefits of 24 bit over 16........
say u have the album DOGG FOOD on CD & tape
(i use this album as an xample cuz the mix job was near immaculate imo)
now.....u wanna make a copy u can slump in the ride tape dek
but dont wanna use your OG copy of the tape........
if u make 1 with the tape it wont
sound as good as if u dubbed from CD----> tape
"WHY?"
ure lowering the quality of the
digital recording by transferring it 2 tape
if u recorded from tape,
it had already been transferred into tape (analog)
THEN transferred 2 another tape...
it has gone thru 2 generations of degradation
the same applies 2 CDs, going from original 24 bit recording
then puttin it on a 16 bit CD, it will sound better...
say u have the album DOGG FOOD on CD & tape
(i use this album as an xample cuz the mix job was near immaculate imo)
now.....u wanna make a copy u can slump in the ride tape dek
but dont wanna use your OG copy of the tape........
if u make 1 with the tape it wont
sound as good as if u dubbed from CD----> tape
"WHY?"
ure lowering the quality of the
digital recording by transferring it 2 tape
if u recorded from tape,
it had already been transferred into tape (analog)
THEN transferred 2 another tape...
it has gone thru 2 generations of degradation
the same applies 2 CDs, going from original 24 bit recording
then puttin it on a 16 bit CD, it will sound better...
