new recorders run 24 bit vs 32 bit float

[rockguitarist1255]

Im still new to recording, so i want to do things right. I set up all my music in 48k, because my current guitar processor, the axe fx 2, will only allow the digital audio through its spdif output to travel at 48k and sync with the pro tools clock. The question is though, until i downloaded the pro tools 10 trial, i always recorded at 48k 24 bit. Now that i downloaded pro tools 10, it gives me an option for 32 bit float. What exactly does 32 bit float mean,. and should i record in it vs 24 bit?

Also, i have seen the box that says "interleaved" when i set up a session. Do i want to check that box when i record?

Sorry if im asking noob questions, i did read the pro tools help box but it didnt really explain to me what i should do between the bit types.

[PaulV]

These are fine questions, and lots of folks have been asking them since the options became available.

32 bit float doesn't help for recording live inputs. It does help for storing processed / mixed audio, as for

• AudioSuite
• Bus recordings
• Elastic Audio "Render" mode (or X-Form processed tracks)
• Bounces to disk that may be used in the session later

So you'll need to decide whether this will help you - if you use those as a part of your workflow. If you don't want to think about it, just go ahead and leave it on 32 bit float, but be aware that the files will be larger (by 1/3).



Interleaved puts audio recorded on multi-channel tracks into single files, rather than into separate files per channel, as it does normally. This doesn't make a difference for most users.