16 Bit or 24 bit

[dmbpettit]

I have an Audigy 2 Platinum card so I can record at 24 bit. But when I mix it down to burn on cd the file type is not supported. But if I mix it down to 16 bit, it will burn just fine. Am I doing something wrong? What is the point of 24 bit?

[AlChuck]

As far as I can tell from what I heard, the Audigy does not actually record 24-bit files, but it does play them. The Audigy spec sheet is a little misleading.

Standard audio CDs are 16-bit, 44.1 kHz, period.

What's the point of 24-bit? Well, simply put, it's usually a good thing to capture your source with the highest resolution that you can. In the future maybe standard audio stuff will be at 24-bit, and you'll be glad that your source material was recorded there.

That said, there are a lot of arguments about the issues of whether it makes sense to record stuff that does not benefit from the extra resolution (like electric guitars, bass, drums, most voices and most other instruments) since they have energy in the higher frequency parts of the spectrum anyway; others swear that the compromises made by changing the bit depth from 24- to 16-bit prior to burning are worse than the compromises made by just recording at 16 bit in the first place.

If you look through this board over the last few years you'll find a lot of discussion of this issue.

[Paul881]

The new Audigy2 Platignum ex soundcard records at 24/96 and plays back at 24/96 too. Allegedly. Only two years late. All that development resource and they lose the s/card leadership race.

[BluesMeister]

Originally posted by Paul881
All that development resource and they lose the s/card leadership race.

Eloquently put. There really is no need to go down the Creative route these days.

I don't think you've purchased a lame duck, dmbpetit, however I suspect that like many others, you may have been misled by Creative's advertising hyperbole.

The Audigy performs well within the limitations of its capabilities. It's a very good gamer's card, but really can't be regarded as a serious contender in the recording card field.

However, you'll probably be very happy with its performance, and that really is the bottom line.

--
BluesMeister

[Pedullist]

Yeah, the ads were misleading two years ago. "24/96, latency: 2ms"....yeah right!

When it's working (and with the new drivers it finally does) the Audigy 1 works fine. The Audigy 2 has gotta be even better.

Only freaks like us hear the difference between 16 and 24. If we try (hard). Most of our listeners (family, friends, co-workers) won't notice anything.

Call me arrogant, but I can't say I hear much difference in sound between my stuff, recorded with an Audigy, and stuff recorded with 'pro' cards Terratecs, Audiophiles and the likes. It's what you do with it, I guess.

You can push the Audigy to its limits pretty far if you want, I think....

[moskus]

I don't have a "very pro" soundcard, and it's only 16/44... And between my card and a SB card there's night and day!

[Pedullist]

Perhaps I'll say the same thing when I replace my Audigy. But it's the end result that counts, and my momma won't notice the difference...I'll assure ya!

I must admit that the difference between the Live and the Audigy was HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE! So it's probably the same thing when I switch from Audigy to a semi pro card.

The more you know, the more your ears notice. It's quite sad, actually. It means you'll never be satisfied...(well, I am...I'll stick to my Audigy! Better spend my money on other stuff)

[moskus]

I'm not complaining about that; It means you are learning! And learning about your hobby is a good thing (IMO, anyway)... I have two passions in my life: Music and "my better half", and I allready know what's worth knowing about the last one...

[Pedullist]

Yeah, I'm not complaining either...

And I should really learn some more about my wife (my better half)...thanks for suggesting.

[moskus]

LOL!!!!

[James Argo]

Keep telling your secret about the better half , Pedullist. Maybe moskus will be attracted to put it on the FAQ

[Pedullist]

My better half is better looking than my...eh....worst half? What can I say, she's HOT!

[Paul881]

Pedulist, if your avatar is a self portrait, then I vote you the scariest looking dude on this BB....including Bluesmeister

[Pedullist]

But, but, but....


Weeeeeeeehhhh

*runs home crying*

[Pedullist]

This is my Backstreet Boy look (at least my wife thinks I'm hot!):

[James Argo]

...The picture will be official HOME STUDIO LOGO !!!

[Makkon]

That is the perfect (Have i got a deal for you pose)

[dachay2tnr]

Wow. Return of the Fonz!!!

[moskus]

Explain to me: Who is this 'Fonz' caracter?

[Pedullist]

He was very cool...

(never seen Happy Days?)

[moskus]

Errrr.... 'cool'?

I'm cool, and I don't look nothing like him!

[dachay2tnr]

From the "more information than you wanted to know" department...

Fonz was a character from a TV show called Happy Days. The show aired in the '70's, but was about a bunch of high school kids from Milwaukee in the '50's.

Arthur Fonzarelli (aka The Fonz) represented the "cool kid" that we all knew in high school. Leather jacket, rode motorcycles, got all the girls, and was forever combing his hair (actually he always started to comb his hair, but stopped because it was already perfect).

Of course, the Fonz ultimately ended up being a caricature of a cool kid. This was bound to happen, because everyone knows you can't really be from Milwaukee and also be cool. (But don't tell Acidrock )

[SteveE9C6]

I recently read the best explanation of why you should always opt for 24 bit. I think it was in the computer recording section here but I can't find it. Basically, it explained the concept of the number of steps between one bit to 24 bit and the enormous advantage in utilizing 24 bit over 16 bit. Sure CD's are 16 bit, but I guarantee that they were dithered to that from 24 bit or higher. Wish I could find that post because it truly was excellent.

[Jedman]

Hey, ask Slackmaster for that post -- I think that was the first post I ever read on this BBS, and it is brilliant! Slack explained exactly why you should get better quality with 24bit recording, even when dithered down to CD quality.
He probably saved a copy or can link it for you....

Jed

[Toki987]

Originally posted by Pedullist
Perhaps I'll say the same thing when I replace my Audigy. But it's the end result that counts, and my momma won't notice the difference...I'll assure ya!

I must admit that the difference between the Live and the Audigy was HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE! So it's probably the same thing when I switch from Audigy to a semi pro card.

So does that mean the difference I hear in midi from my live to an audigy will be "HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE"? or is it just pertaining to audio?