96k and 44.1

[jmorris]

I have this live gig coming up in 2 weeks. A really good 4 piece blues band. So for fun Im going to record via my Alesis HD24 at 44.1 and at the same time into my laptop at 96k. It should be interesting to see if I can hear any difference between the 2 rates. Anyone tried this kind of test?

 

[Reggie]

Sounds like fun. How are you splitting the signal to the two recorders? And what are you going to be using to record on your laptop?
I'd be willing to bet you will hear a difference (depending I guess on your listening environment) if for no other reason than different convertors being used.

 

[Ford Van]

Comparing different A/D converters at the same sample rate might be interesting.

But comparing different A/D converters that are also working at different sampling rates?

What can you actually learn from that?

 

[TerraMortim]

yeah, it would have to be the same a/d's on both setups to get accurate results.. you may hear a difference. I can, some people can, some people can't. It really depends on what you're recording.. you might notice more difference with VI's and plugin effects. But it's possible to hear a difference with other shit to.

 

[jmorris]

Comparing different A/D converters at the same sample rate might be interesting.

But comparing different A/D converters that are also working at different sampling rates?

What can you actually learn from that?

Ford van, maybe you misunderstood.....or maybe I was not clear( more likely me!) My setup to answer the other question at the same time, I will use a Mackie 1640 Onyx mixer, a Whirlwinf 24 channel splitter snake. I will firewire into the laptop from the Onyx at 96k, I will take analog out of the Onyx to analog in of the Alesis HD24. I realise the test may not be that accurate as it is digital and analog inputs but I thought it might be fun. This is not a AD test but more of a sample rate test. Waiste of time?
Jim

 

[Reggie]

Yeah, but, you will be using two different A/D converters; which will most likely skew the test between sample rates a little. Either way, it will be interesting what differences you hear.

 

[noisewreck]

This is not a AD test but more of a sample rate test. Waiste of time?
Jim

Waste of time, because you can't be sure whether the difference you hear is due to the sample rate or the "sound" of the converter. That's why Ford Van is objecting to your proposal.

If you want to do strictly sample-rate test you should use the SAME AD converter at different sample rates.

Doing a sample-rate test using two different AD converters defeats the purpose.

 

[jmorris]

yeah good point Noisewreck, maybe I should use one coverter, ie either laptop or hd24 setup and change sample rate between sets. Possibly 44.1 for first, 48k for second and finally 96k for third.That might be interesting.

 

[Ford Van]

yeah good point Noisewreck, maybe I should use one coverter, ie either laptop or hd24 setup and change sample rate between sets. Possibly 44.1 for first, 48k for second and finally 96k for third.That might be interesting.

Interesting, but still won't really tell you that much. So many other factors come into play, and the fact is, the band will be playing very different songs.

The only true way to compare is to have everything else the SAME, but have two capture devices, both with the same converters, but at different sample rates.