Let's Talk Bit Rates (first post)

[d_enajetic]

What's good people,

I think I'm finally prepared to record at home. I'm using Cubase SX3, with an M-Audio AudioPhile 192 sound card, PreSonus Blue Tube (dual channel) preamp, and Groove Tube GT55. Now here's the Million Dollar Question. For a cat like me who will be mostly recording Hip-Hop, what's a good bit rate to record at. I hear 24/44 or 24/48 is quality, then you dither down to 16/44 when you master. Any feedback or advice on this is truly appreciated.

[mshilarious]

Originally Posted by d_enajetic

I hear 24/44 or 24/48 is quality, then you dither down to 16/44 when you master. Any feedback or advice on this is truly appreciated.

That is the most common approach in many studios.

[Track Rat]

First of all, it's bit "depth", not bit rate. That's two diffrent things. How ever my opinion is there's a lot more bennifit to tracking at 24 bit 44.1 sampling rate than 24/48. I'd rather not re-sample from 48 to 44.1 but dithering down to 16 bits is relatively harmless.

[d_enajetic]

Track Rat, just out of curosity, can you elaborate?

[Massive Master]

I'm with the Rat. Recording at the target rate and NOT having to subject the project to the hazards of sample rate conversion - Especially for a lousy 10% - It's not worth it.

Target rate, 24-bit. Can't go wrong.

[Spelling Bee]

Record at 24bit, 44.1khz. 24 bits will give you more dynamic range. Sample rates of 48k and higher are more commonly used for audio in video production. Then, of course, dither to 16 bit for use on a standard cd.

[d_enajetic]

Thanx for the advice peeps, much appreciated.

[Geeser]

I agree with the other post but consider 16/44 yields excellent results for capturing ideas, jams, demo's, etc. Cost per gig of excellent fast drives is pretty pricey and multi track 24/44 chews up some serious real estate.

I save the high resolution for my serious attempts.