Recording: 24bit vs. 32bit float

[Top Jimmy]

Originally Posted by mesaone

Wouldn't 32 bit floating point offer 192 dB of dynamic range? Or did I misunderstand what you are saying?

Nope. A 32-bit floating point word contains 23 bits for the signal, 1 bit for the sign, and 8 bits for the multiplier.

[mesaone]

Originally Posted by Top Jimmy

Nope. A 32-bit floating point word contains 23 bits for the signal, 1 bit for the sign, and 8 bits for the multiplier.

Looks like I've got some reading to do.

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by Raoul23

Just reading this thread and I'm on TDM rig I record at 24bit but isn't TDM 48bit ??? Maybe I'm confused so some one can put me right :) what I wanna know is can it be clipped or not ???

Your confusion comes from this:

#1: we're talking about 24bit fixed or 32bit floating-point SESSIONS
#2: you're talking about TDM having a 48bit fixed-point SUMMING MIXER

And in case you wondered about the mixer, after 1997 (PT4) when we finally got rid of 16bit recording, there have been four different mixers in use:

- 24bit fixed point (old TDM systems)
- 48bit fixed point (HD TDM systems)
- 32bit floating point (old native systems)
- 64bit floating point (modern native systems and the current HDX DSP systems)

[Raoul23]

Originally Posted by JFreak

Your confusion comes from this:

#1: we're talking about 24bit fixed or 32bit floating-point SESSIONS
#2: you're talking about TDM having a 48bit fixed-point SUMMING MIXER

And in case you wondered about the mixer, after 1997 (PT4) when we finally got rid of 16bit recording, there have been four different mixers in use:

- 24bit fixed point (old TDM systems)
- 48bit fixed point (HD TDM systems)
- 32bit floating point (old native systems)
- 64bit floating point (modern native systems and the current HDX DSP systems)

Thanks JFreak I got ya :) so the bit depth of the session makes no difference to the mixer bit depth

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by Raoul23

Thanks JFreak I got ya :) so the bit depth of the session makes no difference to the mixer bit depth

No. Mixer bit depth is determined by the software version and hardware used. Session bit depth, starting from PT10, is interesting new concept. If you have current PT, please try what I just said and be amazed!

[Raoul23]

Originally Posted by JFreak

No. Mixer bit depth is determined by the software version and hardware used. Session bit depth, starting from PT10, is interesting new concept. If you have current PT, please try what I just said and be amazed!

Will do :)

[feliponk]

Take a look to this very clear explanation...

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan0...s/qa0108_3.htm

[mikeyman]

so what your guys are saying is record at 24 bit not 32 bit floating.

[Craig F]

Originally Posted by mikeyman

so what your guys are saying is record at 24 bit not 32 bit floating.

yes, then you can switch to 32 for the mix down recording if you like

[Bob Olhsson]

Record from converters at 24. Record anything that's calculated from other tracks or VIs at 32 float.