dithering question

[NL5]

I have a fairly simple question, can dithering cause hiss or background "noise"? Especially if it is used several times? I accidently set cubase to record at 32 bit, when my MOTU records at 24 bit, so it was already dithered, then dithered again at mixdown to 16 bit.

Thanks in advance,

NL5

[Blue Bear Sound]

Originally Posted by NL5

can dithering cause hiss or background "noise"? Especially if it is used several times?

No - not likely.......

[NL5]

Ok, then can you tell me why my hiss problem is really faint (but definatly there) in Cubase when I mix, but when I export to a 16 bit 44.1 file, the hiss gets about 10 times worse?

I caused some of it with my preamp settiings on my mixer, but like I said, it seems to only be really bad at the final mix.

Confused newbie,

NL5

ps - thnaks for the response above!

[Blue Bear Sound]

Actually, I spoke too soon... too much dither can affect the signal-to-noise ratio, but not 10 times the amount after a single pass (ie when you export the mix from Cubase to 16/44.1)........

You might have something inadvertently set in your master output chain, or you got some errant settings in a plug-in would be my guesses......!