24 bit mastered to 16 bit

[bunnyfunk]

I am getting ready to buy a vs 880ex, or possibly wait for the vs 890(24 bit) to come out, but am wondering about mastering to my phillips stand alone cd deck, that is at your standard 16 bit. I will be using the optical outputs/inputs, and have heard that going from higher bits causes extra noise when there is no place for the remaining bits. I have heard that this is where "dithering" comes into play, but dont have a clue about that. I was very excited to get higher bit converters, but now am wondering if I should try to stay with 16 bit converters so that I can master to my stand alone burner without any problems. what does everyone think?

[Rusty K]

Hey Bunnyfunk,

Look for Sonusman. He'll tell you about dithering. Search the archives there is a lot there I'm sure.

Rusty K

[Recording Engineer]

www.digido.com will answer ALL your questions about dithering.

Also, would you happen to be mixing-down instead of mastering?

[bunnyfunk]

I suppose you would say that I am doing a poor mans mastering. I will be using the vs 880 built in master effects, compression, eq, expanders. I want to normalize the tracks and get a good consistent level from all the songs on the playlist. so, maybe a fancy type of mixing down? I just dont want to wait for the vs890(24bit) and think I am getting better quality, when really having a lower bit rate will give me a better sound when I burn my cds.

[Ears]

You can record the mix ( or mastered mix) to an external CD recorder just like a tape recorder only through the dig in and outs.
Second you can get a dedicated CD unit for the Roland VS whether Roland , or compatible.
It will then master to the CD and burn, with music and program. It will also sound fine, great!. The dithering that goes on between the units is in no way destructive. I did all my live gig stuff to CD's from real time to an external non dedicated unit. It was flawless.
Unless your'e getting paid $1000s of dollars, are doing a jingle for Coca Cola, and can even hear a difference,which is most unlikely even in the most experienced ears, you will be fine either way, don't worry abo9ut @#$! like that.

[This message has been edited by Ears (edited 06-17-2000).]

[Buck62]

From my understanding, trying to mix a 24 bit digital recording down to 16 bits and then mastering it is like trying to put 10 pounds of potatoes into a 5 pound sack. It doesn't really fit, so you lose a few potatoes along the way... "sound quality" potatoes, that is.

So, it seems that putting a 24 bit digital mix on analog tape... and then digitally mastering that tape, is the best solution.
No???



[This message has been edited by Buck62 (edited 06-17-2000).]

[James HE]

I read something that put this in perspective for me..... with 16 bit you get maybe 12 or 14 "good" bits (there are always useless od bad bits) with 24 you get a good 20- when you dither that down to 16 and if your dithering algorhythem is good you can hear the difference of having those few extra good bits.
The audible differences between 24 and 16 bits will depend somewhat on the instrument that you are recording, and your monitors and you ears (as Ed said) play a big role in being able to hear that difference.
This being said, I've never had the opportunity to hear something at 24 bit's- I hope my ears will meet the challenge!

-jhe