Confused Over Sample Rate

  • Thread starter Thread starter bmg
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bmg

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I posted a few months ago, after seeing the little blue icon in Reaper telling me the audio was being resampled.
I noticed when I plugged the interface in, the icon went away, so I gave it no further thought.

It's now back, and checking the hundreds of transfers I completed, see this is also true for all the files.
My interface is set to 44.1, while the 'request sample rate' is set to 48000.

I assumed this was automatically set by the interface.
If this is so, why are the numbers not matching, and is it a concern?
 
You can have Reaper use the data rate that is set in hardware, or you have the option of letting the project tell the interface what data rate to use. It is in the audio device setup:

reaperdeviceconfiguration.jpg


I have never found any issues with Reaper resampling the audio, and since it uses non destructive editing, I would guess that the audio will stay in the same format that it was originally saved. You can check that by looking at the properties of the audio files after you close the project out.

One reason for having the program set the data rate would be if you are doing video tracks, which typically are 48K vs CD audio.

I have my interface set at 88/24 and just do my rendering in whatever data rate I need. Let the resampling be done at the end, and dither all wave file output.
 
So this occurred because of a mismatch between the interface and the program?
 
Somewhere along the line, you have changed the basic audio setting, either via rendering the file, or recording basic tracks at a different rate.

The blue icon shows up when you have an audio track that is at a different sample rate than the project rate. Say you have imported audio from a video file, which would most likely be 48K. Your project rate is set at 44.1K, so Reaper will resample the audio to match the project rate. If you hover over the icon, then you will see something that say "Resampled from xx.xxxkHz" If you look at the sample rate in the upper right corner, it will tell you what the project/hardware sample rate is set at.

Say your track is at 44.1, but you normally record at 88.2K. Then it will have the blue marker. Reset the project rate to 44.1K and the blue icon goes away. Set it back to 88.2K and it returns.

This is one of the nice things about Reaper, it will allow you to bring in files with different sample rates and formats seamlessly. Throw in an MP3, a couple of 48K wav files from video, and then add in your vocals and guitar at 96K. Everything should coexist peacefully.
 
Makes no sense - I made no changes at all.
The program is set to 44.1 - the same as the interface.
The only place it's different is the 'request sample rate' - which is 48000.
Not sure if that matters.

(Times like these are when I miss my analogue gear.)
 
There are a few reasons why the sample rate might change. Do you listen to YouTube or other random audio through the same interface as you use for Reaper? It is possible that your media player has changed the sample rate and Reaper has just used the same sample rate. Do you have the sample rate box checked in the project settings (accessed from the file menu)? Is the box checked next to "Request sample rate" in the dialogue box shown above?
 
I suspect "request sample rate" instructs the interface what rate to use. It may override the interface's own settings. But it seems odd for the request to not match the project.
 
Both boxes unchecked.
I'm pretty detail oriented and find it hard to believe this error was present over the past few months of transferring.
It seems to me something was changed recently, but I can't figure out just what.
 
If you look at the source properties of the tracks with the blue icon, what does it say (right click on the track and pick Source Properties)? What does the upper right corner say?
 
I wouldn't worry too much. If it re-samples between 44.1k and 48k, it would be calculated accurately.
If the interface and the DAW can be set to the same rate, do so.
 
Honestly, 48 kHz is the better choice. The only things I do in 44.1 are those specifically destined for CD. Everything else is in 48. That said, the difference is negligible.
 
I was reading elsewhere that a recent Windows update had reset certain sound settings back to a Microsoft chosen default. That may be what has happened here.

When you start a project it is always worth looking in the top right hand corner of the Reaper Window to see what sample rate is actually in use. For projects where the sample rate is critical, it is a good idea to specifically set the sample rate in the project settings dialogue box.
 
I think this was all down to the rendering process, and not changing the rate to match what it was recorded at.
Speaking of which, how can I change it to 48000, as it always displays 44100?
 
When you go to the Render process, there is a button for save changes and close. Just set the rate to what you want and hit SAVE AND CLOSE.
Reaper Render.webp
 
Thanks - I don't have that button in my version.
I can save, but when re-opening, the setting is not updated.
(I'm wondering if there's a global setting to control this.)
 
Rich must be using an old version of Reaper. Newer versions have a Save Settings button in the bottom right corner of the render dialogue box next to the Cancel button. This will save the settings for that project but not globally for all projects. I think you will need to save your preferred render settings, then go to Project Settings in the file menu and click the "Save as default project settings button" in order to save it as the default for all new projects. Remember that old projects will keep their existing settings though.
 
I'm on V5.99. It has the button on the Win version (see the red arrow in the dialogue box above), maybe the Mac version doesn't have it.

I didn't upgrade to 6. I got my license around v 4.3 I think. There's been no big need to upgrade, everything is working fine on mine.
 
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