When not using an audio card to its full potential...

[TexRoadkill]

I definately like discussing this stuff also. I just find it funny sometimes. When I did video work I dont recall anybody ever saying "Since it is gonna end up on VHS anyways why would we want to edit on 2"? Shouldnt we just edit on VHS?"

I'm sure some people thought that but it seems like most of these issues are common sense. You could look at the video and see the difference between formats much easier than you can hear the difference with audio formats.

I think one thing that is missing here is how much more forgiving 24bit is compared to 16bit, especially if you are recording yourself. In 16bit, as in analog, it is especially vital to have a maximum SNR. With 24bit you can be a little safe and record a little lower without getting punished by the noise floor. To me that is one of the greatest advantages of 24bit.

I'm doing my first 24bit acoustic recordings right now and it is amazing how much I can raise a low signal level and it is still very usable. I dont recomend recording with low levels but it's nice to know they wont completely ruin your mix if your using 24bit.

 

[pchorman]

I'm sure some people thought that but it seems like most of these issues are common sense. You could look at the video and see the

A much better analog (no pun here) would be to go into your Windows control panel and set the computer monitor to High Color - 16 bits right now, then switch to True Color - 24 bits. Maybe I'm as color blind as I am tone deaf, but when it comes to so many thousands of shades, it does me little good to see millions more. But here we go in a 16/24 bit debate. not gonna do it.

With 24bit you can be a little safe and record a little lower without getting punished by the noise floor..

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but a 24 bit audio card might be a better quality device all around that happens to be better shielded from RFI than many 16 bit cards, and it may even allow you to record quieter signals, but it's no guarantee that you're going to get a lower noise floor just because you have a 24 bit card! Hell, you can be just as swamped with noise as an 8 bit card. Bit depth provides better resolution and greater dynamic range, but says nothing about the thermal noise floor within your computer chassis (if that's where the card is) or whatever may be penetrating your breakout box (if that's where your ADCs are). Once again, greater bit depth does not mean a quieter sound card, although I would hope that the more professional audio cards are designed with EMI immunity in mind. That's often a corrolary outcome, not a given.

Now it IS getting interesting.