24 bit simulator

[andrea_84]

Hi... i've got a 16 bit soundcard... is it possible to simulate a 24 bit soundcard via software or something else?
Thanks!


ps: sorry for the poor english!

 

[Massive Master]

Uhhhhmmm... No.

 

[dgatwood]

In theory, one could simulate a single 17-bit input with two 16-bit inputs, a voltage divider circuit, and some really nasty software hacks, but I wouldn't want to try it, and it probably wouldn't work in any useful way in practice....

Short answer: no. Long answer: no way. The bit depth of an ADC is a fundamental property of the hardware and can't be changed without changing the hardware.

 

[dementedchord]

i nominate this for question of the year....

 

[andrea_84]

i nominate this for question of the year....

ahahah, you're right

thanks for the replies dudes!

 

[Farview]

What would the other 8 bits sound like?

 

[six]

Short answer: no. Long answer: no way.

gotta remember this. if this was a guitar-lick, I'd play it over and over again.


turning 16bit into 24bit is like digital zoom...

 

[andrea_84]

thanks for your replies... i bought a 24/96 soundcard! :d

i've got a problem... i made some project with my old 16 bit soundcard... it contains only vst instruments... no recorded tracks... now i make the mixdown with my new 24 bit soundcard... and... why does the song sounds like i've made the mixdown with my old soundcard??

 

[Massive Master]

The word length of VST instruments aren't dictated by the word length of the interface.

 

[Farview]

thanks for your replies... i bought a 24/96 soundcard! :d

i've got a problem... i made some project with my old 16 bit soundcard... it contains only vst instruments... no recorded tracks... now i make the mixdown with my new 24 bit soundcard... and... why does the song sounds like i've made the mixdown with my old soundcard??

Because that is what the vst's you are using sound like. 24 bit doesn't really sound better, it's just more detailed. Most of the benefit comes from capturing the audio at 24 bit, but since you are using vst's, there isn't going to be much difference. Especially once you mix it down to 16 bit for a CD.

 

[andrea_84]

thanks but... this could be a problem??

 

[andrea_84]

https://img151.imageshack.us/my.php?image=asioqs7.jpg

 

[antichef]

Is that Italian?

Does the DMX card come with any software that lets you access its properties directly, rather than viewing them with the ASIO driver panel? Maybe there's a setting you can change with the native software?

 

[SonicAlbert]

Because that is what the vst's you are using sound like. 24 bit doesn't really sound better, it's just more detailed. Most of the benefit comes from capturing the audio at 24 bit, but since you are using vst's, there isn't going to be much difference. Especially once you mix it down to 16 bit for a CD.

What he said. You will really notice 24 bit more when recording acoustic instruments than with VST virtual instruments. Those instruments could also be running at 16 bits.

Just because the interface says it is 24 bit doesn't mean your VST's are operating at 24 bit. 16 bit VST's can certainly run in a 24 bit environment, the last 8 bits are simply empty. You should locate a freeware bit meter and see for yourself if those extra bits are being used.

 

[andrea_84]

yes, it's italian

yes, it comes with a software, but there's not a place where i could choose between 16 or 24 bit...

 

[Farview]

Is the session that the vst's are in set to 16 bit? If it is an old session from when you used the other card, you might have set it to 16 bit.

Still, you aren't really going to hear a night and day difference with vst's.

 

[andrea_84]

Is the session that the vst's are in set to 16 bit? If it is an old session from when you used the other card, you might have set it to 16 bit.

Still, you aren't really going to hear a night and day difference with vst's.

mmm, what do you mean? the cubase's settings? can i only choose the record settings under project menu or there's something else?

 

[sonnylarsen]

Are you mixing the midi files for the VSTi's or are you mixing wav files recorded from the VSTi's (ie Stems)? This will make a huge difference in the sound you are getting.

Also, many VSTi's work in either 16 or 24 bit so check the VSTi's you are working with for the options.

Another reason it may sound similar to your old sound card is that it is coming through the same speakers,etc. that the old one did. I know that when I got my first 24bit card I found the same noise that existed on my SBlive and realized that the noise was from my preamps, so I bought new ones and now the audio is pristine.

 

[Farview]

mmm, what do you mean? the cubase's settings? can i only choose the record settings under project menu or there's something else?

In "Project Setup" (in the "Project" drop down menu, next to File and Edit), you can choose the sample rate, bit depth, and a bunch of other things.