Sample Rate

[maryslittlesecret]

Not sure if I'm on the right BBS for this one, but any help would be appreciated.

I'm thinking about picking up an Akai S20 sampler, but a friend warned me against it because apparently it's maximum sample rate is 32K. Is there an audible difference between that and the standard 44K? What, technically, is the downside of the lower sample rate?

I'd like to get it but I don't want to waste my money on something that's not going to do what I want or sound as good as I'd like. Let me know your thoughts on this...

[Ears]

Hi Mary

32K is a good sample rate, I still record my old Akai. It's 12Bit 22K

The problem is that when you load and unload digital the norm is 44K (CD) now units are up to 96K. 24Bit. You want at least 44.1K to go direct digital to CD.

[virtual.ray]

Hi! The Sample Rate in Digital recording has a direct effect on the frequency response you get when you play back.Theoretically,humans can hear sounds from 20 to 20,000 cycles per second(Hz).To accurately reproduce this bandwidth,the sample rate should be twice that of the highest frequency,i.e.40,000Hz minimum.BUT not all sources generate a full bandwidth signal(Bass guitar,kick drum etc.)so one doesn't always need such a high sample rate to accurately portray all sources,but IMO it's always nice to have the capability to do so when desired.Cheers!

[Ears]

Yes that's the tech explanation. If you are sampling vocals, cymbals or any particularly articulate stuff, the this unit will only go to 16K or so. Standard hearing drops off at that point for anyone over 40, and most younger may hit 18 or 19K. 20 lends to a more spacial or airy sound. Some say that they can tell the difference, me for one, and some say B.S. Think of an mp3. they sound good, but not quite CD.