dither question

[Rusty K]

Good morning,

A quick question if I may.

I save dithering for the end after all processing....would adding track markers to a file affect the dithering process? As a matter of fact, can processes like Trim, Add Silence and track markers be done safely after the "dithering" fact?

Thank you,
Rusty K

 

[Jeyan]

Dithering is just adding a mild noise to your track. Keep it to the end, so you wont amplify the noise along with the signal. Track Markers wont affect your dither, trim and add silence will affect dither, if you do them after applying the dither. Just do all the processing and mix in the bit rate you are recording and finally when it comes to 16bit 44.1Khz use dither to smooth out the down sampling. Hope this helps.

 

[TexRoadkill]

would adding track markers to a file affect the dithering process? As a matter of fact, can processes like Trim, Add Silence and track markers be done safely after the "dithering" fact?

Those specific processs wouldn't effect anything because you aren't actually processing the audio. Dither is only applied when going to a lower bit depth so as long as those process don't change the file format you are okay.

If you are also doing volume fades then those should be done before dithering down but it's not crucial.

 

[Rusty K]

Thanks....

TexRoadkill...I dither (the last processing I do to the wav unless I did something stupid like leaving out track markers in a 50min. wav/set) with my mastering software where I check the dither option. My mastering software won't accept anything but 44,100/16bit so if dither is only applied when down sampling why would I have that option when processing through my mastering program?

Jeyan....I did not know that "dither" was noise. I'm not that technical so my understanding is limited. How is it that "Trim" effects post "dither" since you are just lopping off a piece of the wave, not seemingly changing the shape of the wave at least north and south.

Appreciate it...

Rusty K

 

[TexRoadkill]

My mastering software won't accept anything but 44,100/16bit so if dither is only applied when down sampling why would I have that option when processing through my mastering program?

Good question. It isn't of much benefit to dither after you have already down sampled.

For more then you ever wanted to know about Dither

http://www.digido.com/portal/pmodule_id=11/pmdmode=fullscreen/pageadder_page_id=27/

 

[Rusty K]

TexRoadkill,

Thanks for the link...I've saved it.

I guess I'm going to have to upgrade my mastering software to work with my 24bit soundcard.

So let's say I used 44,100/16bit through my whole process (no downsampling) wouldn't effects processing require the application of dither?

I added the track cues but they weren't recognised by the CD player. I know I can cut this 50min set up into parts/tracks to burn but that is time consuming. What am I missing?

Rusty K

 

[Track Rat]

The only time you should be dithering is when going down from say 20 or 24 bits to 16. If you're staying at 16 bits throughout the entire tracking process, don't add dither noise.

 

[Rusty K]

Track Rat,

Let me try to nail this down for myself.

So...plugin processing does not need dithering....just downsampling? In other words I could still do mastering after I've downsampled to accomodate the limitations of my mastering program?

Am I getting warm...ha!

Thanks,
Rusty K

 

[Rusty K]

Oh...I'm getting it I think.

You only need to dither if you are downsampling but after you dither there should be no more processing of the signal?

This definately means I have to upgrade my mastering software to deal with 24bit. I've been using T-racks and am beginning to get around pretty well with it. There is a 24bit version but are there any suggestions for a better software? Ozone looks kind of neat?

One more question...If one is ripping or transfering waves that originate from a CD 16bit/44,100 is there any benefit to recording or upsampling to say 24bit/48,000 for processing then downsampling and dithering again for CD? Or....does the need to add dither noise offset any audio benefit one might have at 24/48?

Thank you for your help and patience.

Rusty K

 

[Track Rat]

There is no bennifit to go to higher bit depth or sampling rate. If the original resolution is 16/44.1, you just end up with a 24/48 snapshot of a 16/44.1 waveform.

 

[Rusty K]

Thanks guys for your help. I think I have a little better grip on "dithering" now.

I went ahead and purchased T-Racks cause I already had a leg-up on the learning curve with that program and I need to get some work done instead of another crash course on new software.

Thanks again,
Rusty K