Re: [microsound] High sampling rates/Bit depths

[ndkent <ndkent@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I see this issue first from a recording standpoint because I'm making 
recordings (!). Pros and cons of playback have a different set of 
efficiencies and values so to me there are 2 sets both ideal and 
practical values. Obviously most people now are being delivered 16 
bit/44.1KHz and don't have facilities for higher rate playback so I'm 
not as pressingly concerned with issues of repurchasing my CD 
collection at higher rates, something I couldn't do now even if I 
wanted to. Of course I have some concern for future legacy issues but 
foremost I'm thinking about making a recording I can accept the sound 
of.

If I'm doing any dynamics processing or multitrack mixing in the 
digital domain I track at 24 bit/44.1KHz (or 48KHz if I'm working on 
DV).

It's not an issue to me that say an optimally tracked 16bit/44.1 
recording can't sound that bad, it's a situation where I can work and 
track something decently, not risk overmodulation and not require the 
extra hassle and compromise of say initially tracking with a 
compressor/limiter to get ideal levels.

I definitely hear problems along the lines of a brittle graininess and 
issues with the noise floor being compounded when processing and 
mastering material tracked at 16 bit. To me 24 bit does the trick for 
extra headroom.

As for 96 or 192KHz - I'm hearing the results of hopefully better DA 
converters, better capture of high frequencies. It's something that 
makes a difference, but that difference is diminished when the delivery 
requirement and playback for others tends to be 44.1.  I'm not saying 
it doesn't help, but I'd tend to agree with anyone saying it's not some 
kind of night and day difference.

Actually the thing I don't agree with are people, whom I suspect work 
mostly with devices (not necessarily varied and real world sound) that 
put out sound with more or less consistent level signals


nicholas d. kent
http://www.artskool.biz/jem/ndkent/


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