Re: [microsound] High sampling rates/Bit depths

[ian stewart <artsonics@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> There is no scientific research that shows humans to hear anything above
> 20khz so unless Nyquist has been broken all the 96/192 talk is just
> marketing. Manufacturers and dealers want to sell you new stuff.

This has come up before- anyone interested can scan the archives for an 
indepth discussion. A few reasons, among others, for using higher sample 
rates:

-Everyone I know with the equipment to properly convert and monitor 88.2/96 
kHz audio reports a much more open and comfortable listening experience 
compared with 44.1 kHz;

-The usual statement of Nyquist is a simplification. The Nyquist-Shannon 
sampling theorem, presupposes that you are dealing with an infinite 
continuous function, which is never the case when you are dealing with 
recorded audio;

-Anti-aliasing filters can operate completely above 20 kHz at higher 
sampling rates;

-There are reports of physiological responses to ultrasound (in bone 
structure, etc).

As soon as you get into processing, the advantages multiply- you can 
noiseshape dither completely above 20 kHz if you use higher sample rates, as 
just one example. As for bit depth, 16 bits can only record a dynamic range 
of 6x16= 96 dB, which is significantly less than the range of human hearing. 
24 bits offers a considerable and noticeable improvement, especially in 
resolution at low volume.

best,

Ian

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