Should I Dither in this case

[Sonixx]

I think I should Dither this output.

Here's the scenario...

Ripped songs from a CD

WAV files are 16 bit

The ripped WAV files are processed with Several WAVES plugins (RDeEsser, LinMB, PSPVintageWarmer, L2) in the output section of Samplitude

I have not converted anything to 32 bit float intentionally

The resultant output is 16 bit.

I think I should apply Dither to this.... Right?

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Probably, since any DSP you did (even a fader level change) will be done in 32-bit resolution.

Try both ways and see if you hear a difference....

 

[Sonixx]

yea... that's what I'm thinking...

 

[Son of Mixerman]

Use the L2 to dither last. Its possible that the plug-ins changed the bit depth, and since I recently discovered not all plugs dither back that some truncation has happened. Consult the block diagrams to see if it reveals what its really doing. If the Plug is smart and dithers after processing to give you a dithered 16 output prior to that last in the chain. Do you have a bitmeter? You may not be able to hear the difference because of monitoring issues. Try different types of dither while your at it.

SoMm

 

[Sonixx]

thanks for your input... yea the L2 is last in the chain and I have tried different Dithers from either the L2 or Samplitudes Dithering options.

my question stems more from the technical aspects that this has probably already been dithered once and I just wanted some input that my thinking was in order...