What is it?

  • Thread starter Thread starter P Hallin
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P Hallin

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Ok, first post. First stupid question.

A few threads down some of you discussed dithering. But what is it exactly, what does it entail? There is alot of talk about bitrate and I record in 16 bit 44100 hz. Is it of importance?
I know it is one of the last things to do in mastering and that it exists as a function in some of the direct-x plugins I am using (mastering limiter and a tubewarmth plug in)

Grateful for any replies
 
How much have to read on the subject of digital recording? I would say to look up some pieces on the internet. There is a wealth of knowledge out there. In fact, one is right here at homerecording.com. If you want, I can dig some links up for you.
 
but for a quick answer......

P Hallin,

If you are recording 16-bit 44.1kHz samples then you don't really need to worry alot about the technicalities of dithering right now.

Without getting technical (because I'm sure I'd mess up the explenation) dithering is a process typically applied to high-resolution audio files when converting them to lower-resolution formats, such as when converting a 24-bit 96kHz sampled recording to "CD-resolution" of 16-bit 44.1kHz; the process obviously throws away a large amount of the original data, and so the dithering is applied to facilitate in keeping the most significant audio information and throwing away parts that wont be missed by (most) human ears. I think you can see that a simple technical answer is elusive, but if you're still curious it's actually quite interesting technology. Here is a place I like to go when I want to do some research related to my hobby:

http://www.recording.s5.com/html/recording_tips.html

I think you'll find some good dithering info in the CD Burning area, and perhaps elsewhere too.

-Shaz
http://www.pobox.com/~whichcraft/
 
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