Bit-depth missmatch between my software and hardware

[RawDepth]

First of all, my recording software and my interface are made by two different companies and seem to be unrelated.

When I start a new session in my recording software, I get to choose the sample rate. If I change the sample rate, the hardware conforms and reports the new rate. No problem.

Elsewhere in the software properties settings I can choose the recording bit depth, but it doesn't match my hardware. The software choices are either 16 or 32 bit recording. The hardware is pre-set at 24 bit, but somehow they still work together.

What gives here? Is the software re-quantizing the incoming signal?

 

[Mo Facta]

Most DAW software can accept MULTIPLE bit depths in any given project but there are some important distinctions to be made here.

Native DAW software is [usually] either 32-bit floating point or 64-bit fixed point, depending on the installation and OS system version. This is called the INTERNAL PRECISION of the software. The project bit depth can be changed in the project/session setup menu but generally it's best to leave it at 32-bit.

Another thing to know is that there are no 32-bit recording interfaces, at least none that you would commonly see. The real limitation of utilizing the full dynamic range of even 24-bit digital converters has always been thermal noise generated from the analog components in the unit. 24-bit audio has a THEORETICAL dynamic range of 144dB. This means that in a perfect 24-bit digital system, the noise floor would sit at -144dBfs. Unfortunately, because of the practical limitations of any given system as outlined above, the most we can ever hope for is AT MOST, in the quietest of systems, 120dB of DR. This works out more or less to 20 bits.

Anyway, jargon aside, the bit depth of your interface is irrelevant to the operating precision of your DAW as it can accommodate any bit depth that does not exceed 32-bit. So don't worry. Everything is fine. Even when recording at 16-bit, provided your project is set to 32-bit, all processing within the DAW environment is done at 32-bit. This is to provided maximum dynamic range for internally generated effects. Things like reverb benefits from this as it gives ample room for the tails to attenuate naturally.

Hope that helps.

Cheers