2 questions

[mixaholic]

my first question is should i record at 24 bit 96,000hz or 16bit 44,100hz cause my soundcard says it can go up too 24 bit 96,000hz so should i use it to the maximum it can go? i know 24 bit 96,000 hz takes up alot of hard drive space but is it worth it? my second question is when dealing with Eq's and they say "1/3 octave or so on" what does this mean? Is this referring to the "Q" of the eq? (e.g. if it says 1/3 octave does that mean the Q is going to be set to .33? can some explain this to me better with some examples please thanks

[cpl_crud]

If youre converters can handle it, and you've got hte HDD space, then 24 bit is going to give you better clarity if you're using computer effects (since you've got more information to feed into the process, hence a better signal).

High resolution recording does sound better, but you've got to remember that CDs are mastered to 16/44.1. If you haven't got decent converters/diterhing units/software, then you could actaully end up with a worse CD by recording at High res rates.
That being said, I'd record at high res anyway- that way if you ever go back to a project when you've got better gear, you can dither it properly.

1/3rd octave is a combination of Q and frequency. Most GEQs are like this- bands every thrid of an octave, with a Q of roughly 0.33. The frequency gap between each band is logirthymical further from the last, as it's based on chromatic notes and not straight frequencies.

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Originally Posted by mixaholic

my first question is should i record at 24 bit 96,000hz or 16bit 44,100hz cause my soundcard says it can go up too 24 bit 96,000hz so should i use it to the maximum it can go?

For someone with less-than-top-shelf gear and technique (like most of us here) I'd personally recommend 24-bit, 44.1. The difference with the larger sample rates isn't going to be with the cost in disc space or in re-sampling quality, IMHO.

Originally Posted by mixaholic

my second question is when dealing with Eq's and they say "1/3 octave or so on" what does this mean? Is this referring to the "Q" of the eq?

I'm damn tired and I need to stop making posts like this so late at night. My brain is fogged right now, so I deleted my origainl answer to err on the side of caution. The corporal has it right. :P

G.

[mixaholic]

thanks alot guys for the help. is waves L2 a good enough dither software and are you only suppose to dither when limiting? what exactly are software converters and can i get a link to some please? sorry if i'm asking too many questions lol. thanks

[Massive Master]

(1) I'm not a fan of the "L" series - Some are. That's for another thread entirely. Far too expensive for what it's worth IMO.

(2) You dither when reducing word length - not when limiting. The L2 does both.

(3) Converters aren't software... Before anyone starts posting links, you might want to let us know your budget - You can go anwhere from several hundred to tens of thousands for a set of converters. Keeping in mind that most sound cards have converters already - Most of them aren't too hot, but they're there.