16 vs. 24 bit

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Vurt

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I'm considering a few different DAWs and am wondering just how much disparity there is between recordings at 16 and 24 bit.

none?
some?
lots???

thanks...
 
Yes, the search function is kind of a pain sometimes.

To sum it up, yes, 24-bit is much better.
 
The same disparity between 24 bit vs. 48 bit. Most people won't recognize the difference unless they're using an oscilloscope. The companies selling it to you, however, will recognize huge profits.
 
Well see, that's the problem - I've heard both opinions and don't know which to believe. I can't decide whether to go with something like the $1600 Korg D1600 or the $900 Akai that records at 16 bit.
 
the sound quality will be vast


by the way 24 bit refers to word length

48 bit refers to sample rate

so there is no 24bit vs 48bit

theres 48 bit vs 96bit

theres 24 bit vs 20 bit vs 18 bit vs16 bit(16 bit is the lowest quality offered that I know of.
 
i'm not sure if all that makes sense

just look around on this site, there are a ton of threads on this already with more accurate and detailed information
 
darrin_h2000 said:
the sound quality will be vast
by the way 24 bit refers to word length
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Correct.

48 bit refers to sample rate
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Kind of incorrect. 48kHz would refer to a sample rate. "48 bit" would refer to a sample word. Also, there are no consumer "48 bit" systems, although it is possible to do 48 bit sampling.

so there is no 24bit vs 48bit
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hixmix may have been joking around about this to illustrate a point. I dunno. But it was good to clarify that there are no "48 bit" systems out there.

theres 48 bit vs 96bit
Click to expand...

No. There is 48kHz vs. 96kHz.

theres 24 bit vs 20 bit vs 18 bit vs16 bit(16 bit is the lowest quality offered that I know of.
Click to expand...

Yes.

Also, by increasing the word length, you increase the ability to accurately sample small signal levels. I.e., a lower signal level is going to use less bits of the sample word. Thus, when sampling a low level signal with 16 bit, you might end up with a sample that only uses 8 bits or less. This will result in a definite loss in accuracy. In a similar situation, the 24 bit system will still use 12 bits. By increasing the word length, you increase the ability to accurately sample lower signal levels.


Matt
 
yeah that would be khz

maybe the pentegon has a 48 bit machine( a high word rate may be nessesary to insert subliminal messages onto nsync cds);)
 
Most people won't recognize the difference unless they're using an oscilloscope.
Click to expand...

So where can I find a good used oscilloscope? If I can find a good deal I might go with a stereo pair!
 
Its not only the sample rate and bitrate that matter, ts also the converters youre using. Thus, there are times when 16 bit recorded with class A converters will sound better than 24 bit on a shitty card. But always go with a higher bitrate on whatever card youre using. The difference is obvious to anyone with hearing.
 
Vurt: what the very attractive BBB said - when you're recording, it's way better to have 24bit to work with - you don't have to push the levels up so close to the red - you can record quiet stuff without worrying about what's happening to the quality of the signal. Plus it sounds marginally better.

Jusumpilgrim: I know, that bit about converters has got me worried. The only way I learned anything about mics or pres was by using different ones and comparing. But I've only ever had one soundcard (Gadgetlabs), which is supposedly good, but... There's a review of a Presonus channel strip (not cheap gear) in a recent edition of Electronic Musician, I think, and when the reviewer put its converters up against an Apogee, the Presonus did okay until it hit the reverb department, and then the Apogee was clearly, clearly better. But damn, that's an awful lot of money to pay just for good conversion.
 
Dobro: It is alot of money and its overpriced but you can also get great converters in the 1010, lynx one, lucid and others for less. I havent A/Bed those with the rosetta but they more than do the job for most people. Your recording is not going to suffer bec of the converters in the 1010 or other solid midrange converters, and if the reverb trails are really losing clarity- dont have empty reverb spaces in your songs. :D
It hasnt been an issue for me and Ive used the 66 and the 1010 and the dynamic range in the 66 is nothing to write home about.
 
Thanks everyone-especially Pilgrim & Dobro. Like Krystof, my head was beginning to spin out of control. I've got a pc I could easily use for tracking, but for some reason I've never wanted to go that route. I edit and burn with it, which isn't too bad, but I'd still rather use things I can get my hands on.

So, I've been looking at the Korg D1600 and TASCAM 788. Both record at 24, but the the Korg blows it away in just about every other way. I like the D12, but 4 trk simultaneous record won't cut it. The Akai ds12 or whatever looks decent, too, but I don't think it's 24 bit. Any comments/suggestions on any of these or others would be great!

Anyway, thanks for all the input guys...

Vurt
 
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