jgourd
New member
Good rule of thumb
Here is my take on it. Get the most bits / highest sample rate you can afford. While it is true that Red Book CDs are only 16 bit / 44.1 KHz, there will emerge a new standard that uses way more data. If you want your 2001 projects to sound good on these emerging distribution / playback systems then use more bits.
Right now there is SACD from Sony, and the DVD Audio spec. You can go into a store and buy either of these today. Both these use very high bit rates and high bit depths. There is a nice article about on the Absolute Sound site. Both of these formats are out of reach of the typical studio and home studio owners.
You can however make a DTS CD today with a $500 program from Minnetonka Audio which can use 24 bit / 96KHz sampled wave files. DTS CDs can be played back on any CD Player that has its digital out jack connected to a DTS decoder such as the ones found in most Hi Fi receivers made to today. If you want real 5.1 or 6.1 mixes, you need a DAW that supports surround mixing like (but not limited to) Logic.
In the original posts there was mention of specfic hardware like Porta Studios. I personally do not like these little beasts. Some people love them, and a lot of people own them, for my tastes, I prefer to use a computer with a good interface. Think of it this way, a newer, better even more bit hungry set of standards emerges and becomes affordable. With a Porta Studio, you sell it, and get the latest gear. Then you learn how to use it. With the modular approach of a computer, you buy a new interface which supports the newer, bigger, more bit hungry format and keep on using the same software that you know and have a love / hate relationship with .
Here is my take on it. Get the most bits / highest sample rate you can afford. While it is true that Red Book CDs are only 16 bit / 44.1 KHz, there will emerge a new standard that uses way more data. If you want your 2001 projects to sound good on these emerging distribution / playback systems then use more bits.
Right now there is SACD from Sony, and the DVD Audio spec. You can go into a store and buy either of these today. Both these use very high bit rates and high bit depths. There is a nice article about on the Absolute Sound site. Both of these formats are out of reach of the typical studio and home studio owners.
You can however make a DTS CD today with a $500 program from Minnetonka Audio which can use 24 bit / 96KHz sampled wave files. DTS CDs can be played back on any CD Player that has its digital out jack connected to a DTS decoder such as the ones found in most Hi Fi receivers made to today. If you want real 5.1 or 6.1 mixes, you need a DAW that supports surround mixing like (but not limited to) Logic.
In the original posts there was mention of specfic hardware like Porta Studios. I personally do not like these little beasts. Some people love them, and a lot of people own them, for my tastes, I prefer to use a computer with a good interface. Think of it this way, a newer, better even more bit hungry set of standards emerges and becomes affordable. With a Porta Studio, you sell it, and get the latest gear. Then you learn how to use it. With the modular approach of a computer, you buy a new interface which supports the newer, bigger, more bit hungry format and keep on using the same software that you know and have a love / hate relationship with .