44.1? 48? 96? 16bit? 24bit?

[rcook349]

Sorry if this is an over-asked question, but which settings should I go with? I understand that CDs are 16bit/44.1kHz, but if there's "better" to be had shouldn't I go for it?

If songs are never going to be pressed to disc (ah, the new world), does the resolution matter? I.e. should I just go with the highest?

Thanks,
Ron

[rockrev]

I judge by my destination source.

* Always record 24-bit.

* If the final media is CD and/or MP3 and you're mixing digital (Pro Tools, etc.), then 44.1k is fine.

* If the final media is CD but you're converting out to mix analog, then a higher sample rate could give you higher quality (arguable).

* If the final media is standard DVD, then 48k will work just fine.

Also pay attention to standards. I almost always record 44.1, but I know a lot of Nashville cats who record 48k standard. I'm not sure if it's a Nashville thing, or an industry thing, or whatever. But 48k seems to be hot. I guess some things still haven't changed from the days when DATs and ADATs came along.

rockrev

[de_mix]

24bit 44.1khz!!! Bottom line. 88.2/96khz is a waste of time. When you record in hi rez, you need way more hard drive space, your computer will crap out all of the time (or at least you'll be able to do half of what 44.1 can handle), and you know what it doesn't sound that different. I made the mistake of recording a record in 96khz... once... what a pain in the *****. In the grand sceme of things, 96khz is the lowest possible thing on the totem pole in regards to improving the sonics of a recording. Pre amps, mics, and obove all TALENT are far more important. I think good quality cables are huge improvement to the quality of your recording compaired to 96khz.

Sorry about the rant, I know you're just asking. I just had this disscusion a couple of days ago with someone. People are always blinded by bigger is better.

Later.

[Kurdt]

If you absolutely must use a higher resolution for CD Audio use 88.2kHz as it is a smoother down-conversion for your computer to handle as it is a multiple of the desitination resolution, 44.1k. Likewise, if your destination is broadcast quality, 48k, and you must go high rez, choose 96k.

Like already stated, this is a very debatable argument. Either you do, or you don't.

[dubhausdisco1]

I would add that if you are sending something out to a pro mastering house(where they have far superior sample rate conversion), they usually prefer the highest bitrate(24) and the highest sampling rate possible. They also like multi-mono files rather than interleaved...
Sticking to 44.1 exclusively is not really beneficial anymore, as the dreaded nyquist filter is added to every track you record, and then when you mix.... Even budget samplerate convertors such as the one in Wavelab will give you great results (provided you resample following all processing, then dither)
My own preference is 48k/24bit. Another scalable factor in all of this is that higher bitrates and sampling rates make your plugins sound better( in my opinion & experience).

You have to use what you have, the best that you can!

Check out http://www.digido.com for some real world advice as far as the nuts and bolts of digital go.