Killa Hertz 10314

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slimmpickens

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hey folks, I've narrowed down my search for a new interface but have come up with yet another question. The deciding factor between the few devices I've looked at seems to be the sampling rate (I believe this is a quality of the AD converters but I'm kind of a noob so I could be wrong).\
My question is: do you think I will notice a huge difference in quality between 96 khZ and 192? 2 of the devices I like only support up to 96 khZ but have other features that nearly tip the balance. On the other hand I don't want to sacrifice sound quality.
I mostly will be recording acoustic fingerstyle guitar with cheap APEX condenser mics. Some vocals as well, perhaps bass through a DI or keyboards via MIDI.
Thanks again for your wisdom and guidance.
:confused:
-slimm
 
you are safe recording at 44.1. Neither 96 nor 192 confer significant quality advantages.
 
do you think I will notice a huge difference in quality between 96 khZ and 192

No this will effect the sound frequecies that can be represented according to Nyquist theory
96K sampling Rate can represent up 48khz in sound frequency
192k sample rate can represent up to 96 khz in sound frequency

Human hearing generally maxes out between 16-20khz depending on age (ie babies might be able to go all the way to 22khz but hearing degrades a little every day), atmospheric pressure, humidity, how tired you are, how much coffe you've had, what kind of listening environment you are in, etc etc

Generally stated frequency range of many condenser mics 20 hz - 20 khz (considered human hearing range)
Frequency range of even really expensive monitors 40 hz - 30 khz but for "lower end" home recording stuff usually 45ish hz to 20 khz

so when you get to be worried about over 44.1k sample rate (Which can represent sound frequencies up to 22 khz (see a pattern yet?))you are worrying about sounds that:
1) your mics can't accurately record
2) your monitors can't accurately reproduce
3) your ears can't hear even if 1 and 2 were possible

If you want to test this, get a tone generator and start generating high frequency tones and see where your hearing craps out (assuming you have monitors that go to at least 20khz)

also from a computer DAW standpoint, each time you increase sample rate, you require exponentially more bandwidth to stream to disk, exponentially more disk space to store and exponentially more CPU power to process in both the DAW engine and with VST effects etc. so the higher the sample rate the faster your computer will run out of power to process and the sooner you will start having issues with stuttering, pops, cracks etc in recording and playback.

there is some argument that going above 44.1khz sample rate gives your software more room to hide artificats of processing in the inaudible "Nyquist Frequencies". Others argue that 44.1k sample can represent 22khz and give plenty of room above human hearing to hide processing artifacts. that's really up to you to decide if your selected DAW and plugins bring artifacts into hearing range.

There are other arguments about super high frequncy sound can be felt by the body/inner ear even if not heard but I would point to items 1 and 2 above and say, IMO even if that is true it's not particularly relevant because the mics don't capture the frequencies and the monitors dont reproduce them. But again it's up to you to pick which flavor of cool aid you wish to drink.

cheap APEX condenser mics

this will have more impact on quality than any sample rate concerns
 
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Thankx!

Thanks a lot for your advice. Seems like 96 khZ is more than enough given the quality of the other links in my signal chain, as well as my technical proficiency (is there a sample rate that hides your mistakes? lol)
So I've almost decided to go with a TASCAM FW 1082 as it provides more than enough inputs and pres and has the added bonus of DAW control (no more mouse shuttling for me!!) my retailer is getting me a price and he highly recommended it. Hopefully soon I'll be tracking again!
peace

slimm
 
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