Avid Pro Audio Community

Avid Pro Audio Community

How to Join & Post  •  Community Terms of Use  •  Help Us Help You

Knowledge Base Search  •  Community Search  •  Learn & Support


Avid Home Page

Go Back   Avid Pro Audio Community > General Discussion & Off Topic > General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-03-2011, 03:30 PM
ctoptrophobe ctoptrophobe is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: United States
Posts: 8
Default Sampling Theorem/Nyquist

Hi,
I know this is random, but I am taking online courses for my bachelors in music production. Since I am online, reaching my teachers on weekends isn't the easiest achievement, so I figured I would post on here to see if anyone would be able to help me with my question, since google and wiki hasn't been much help.

My question is regarding the sampling/Nyquist theorem. Our teacher had us take 2 files with the same bit depth (16b) and same sample rate (44.1kHz) (file 1 is 2.6MB/ 11 seconds and file 2 is 2.1 MB/ 14 seconds) and reduce both to 16 bit 22.05 kHz (file 1 reduced to 1.3 MB and file 2 is reduced to 1.1 MB) and we have to explain, based on what we have been taught about the sampling theorem, which file is less adversely affected.

Well from what I have been taught I know that the sample rate is twice the frequency and if there is a frequency above the Nyquist frequency, that is called the alias. So I'm not understanding what it is that I am looking for to explain why one was more affected than the other, besides the fact of my opinion of the sound quality. Is it based on the file size reduction or the file duration?

Any info on this or a point in the right direction would be VERY helpful!


-Nate
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-03-2011, 06:08 PM
Top Jimmy's Avatar
Top Jimmy Top Jimmy is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 5,915
Default Re: Sampling Theorem/Nyquist

Quote:
Originally Posted by ctoptrophobe View Post
Is it based on the file size reduction or the file duration?
Neither.

First off, there's something fishy about the file sizes. If they are both 44.1/16, then the 14 sec file should be bigger.

After sample-rate converting to 22.05 kHz., the new Nyquist is 11.025 kHz. The anti-aliasing filter should have removed any content above that so the file that originally had more content above 11.025 kHz is the one that is more adversely affected.

So, what tones or content is in the two files?
__________________
James Cadwallader

Mac Studio, 64GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, Glyph 2TB USB3 HDD, OWC drive dock, Mac OS Monterey 12.6.8

Pro Tools Ultimate 2023.9, HD Native, Focusrite Red 8Pre

Presonus Faderport, Pro Tools | Control
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-03-2011, 06:24 PM
Darryl Ramm Darryl Ramm is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 19,488
Default Re: Sampling Theorem/Nyquist

You've probably seen this comment all over these forums before but we need a lot more information to help people out e.g. see Help us Help You - READ THIS Before Posting!. In this case we would settle for your school, student number, and lecturer/instructor email address.

--

Seriously while you should really do this yourself I hope this question actually came with a bit more explanation including file encoding assumptions etc...

Darryl
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-03-2011, 06:50 PM
ctoptrophobe ctoptrophobe is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: United States
Posts: 8
Default Re: Sampling Theorem/Nyquist

@Jimmy
So it has nothing to do with the numbers per say, it's the loss of the distinct sound? See that's what I'm not getting, I can hear the difference and which one has lost it's quality worse than the other, but how does the theory prove it if both files were exported to the same bit depth and sample rate?


@Daryl
Sorry but I am not handing out my student number, I go to full sail university if that helps.

Here is a bit more depth:
1) he gave us 2 test files (both 16 bit depth @ 44.1 kHz) File 1 is 2.6 MB, file 2 is 2.1MB
2) import them into pro tools
3) 1st export: file 1 to 16 bit depth @ 22.05 kHz (rain, 2 birds chirping) (file 1 becomes 1.3 MB and 2 becomes 1.1 MB)
3a) describe the size and quality compared to original
4) 2nd export: file 1 to 16 bit depth @ 11.025 kHz (file 1 is 643 KB, 2 is 532 KB)
4a) describe file compared to original

5) Do previous steps to file 2 (bass, kick, snare beat)
6) "Which file was less adversely affected by sample rate reduction, 01_Test.wav or 02_Test.wav?"

7) "Based on what you know of the sampling theorem, why should this be so?"

8)Then we repeat this process but changing the bit depth to 8 instead of 16

So based on the theorem, from my understanding, quality is determined from the bit depth and sample rate, alais, alias filter, and Nyquist frequency. So how do I prove why one is better than the other when they are set at the same depth and frequency?

I'm sorry if it seems like I am trying to have this all spoon fed to me, but I have been reading on this theorem for 3 days now and I just can't pull this solution from anything I have read.


-Nate
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-03-2011, 07:28 PM
Darryl Ramm Darryl Ramm is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 19,488
Default Re: Sampling Theorem/Nyquist

If I play this game can I get course credits? (not sure if you will however for crowd sourcing your assignment questions). But anyhow...

Can you post the files online _exactly_ as they were originally given to you. Don't convert or re-encode them on a music file sharing service. Drop them on dropbox or similar. I want to see how the files were encoded since you are not telling us - and they can't both be PCM or any other uncompressed data.

Can you post the exact text of the question i.e. exactly verbatim with any and all other information you were given about the files.

Darryl
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 04-03-2011, 07:33 PM
Top Jimmy's Avatar
Top Jimmy Top Jimmy is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 5,915
Default Re: Sampling Theorem/Nyquist

Quote:
Originally Posted by Darryl Ramm View Post
Can you post the files online _exactly_ as they were originally given to you.
Dude, his file sizes correspond to stereo 16/44.1 pcm files.

He also described what's in the files. One is rain and birds twittering. The other is bass, kick and snare. The answer is obvious. Which one of those sources will lose more in a rate conversion to 22.05 and why?

This kid already has enough information. He needs to step out and intuit the answer.
__________________
James Cadwallader

Mac Studio, 64GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, Glyph 2TB USB3 HDD, OWC drive dock, Mac OS Monterey 12.6.8

Pro Tools Ultimate 2023.9, HD Native, Focusrite Red 8Pre

Presonus Faderport, Pro Tools | Control
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 04-03-2011, 07:39 PM
ctoptrophobe ctoptrophobe is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: United States
Posts: 8
Default Re: Sampling Theorem/Nyquist

How do I have the answer that is what I don't get. Am I reading too much into this? Is it because of the file size reduction? You have to realize I am only into this degree by 3 months and the second week into this class. Before Friday I have never heard of this theorem.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 04-03-2011, 07:59 PM
BobbyDazzler's Avatar
BobbyDazzler BobbyDazzler is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,074
Default Re: Sampling Theorem/Nyquist

The file with the most top end will suffer the most from sample rate reduction. The file with the most dynamic range will suffer most from bit rate reduction.
(Simplified explanation)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 04-03-2011, 08:02 PM
Darryl Ramm Darryl Ramm is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 19,488
Default Re: Sampling Theorem/Nyquist

Quote:
Originally Posted by Top Jimmy View Post
Dude, his file sizes correspond to stereo 16/44.1 pcm files.

He also described what's in the files. One is rain and birds twittering. The other is bass, kick and snare. The answer is obvious. Which one of those sources will lose more in a rate conversion to 22.05 and why?

This kid already has enough information. He needs to step out and intuit the answer.
Now I realize he corrected the file sizes comments so the longer file is larger, so yes that makes things obvious.

Darryl
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 04-03-2011, 08:05 PM
Top Jimmy's Avatar
Top Jimmy Top Jimmy is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 5,915
Default Re: Sampling Theorem/Nyquist

Quote:
Originally Posted by ctoptrophobe View Post
Am I reading too much into this?
Yes!

This has absolutely nothing to do with file size and length of time. This has everything to do with sampling rate and Nyquist frequency. If you listen to the files after sample rate converting, which one is more adversely affected and why?

I flat out gave you the answer in my first post.

At a sampling rate of 44.1, the Nyquist is 22.05.
At a sampling rate of 22.05, the Nyquist is 11.025.
At a sampling rate of 11.025, the Nyquist is 5.5125.

What is the Nyquist frequency? A practical answer would be the frequency above which nothing can be sampled at that particular rate.

So at a Nyquist frequency of 11.025 kHz, which is more affected? Rain and tweets, or bass, kick and snare.
__________________
James Cadwallader

Mac Studio, 64GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, Glyph 2TB USB3 HDD, OWC drive dock, Mac OS Monterey 12.6.8

Pro Tools Ultimate 2023.9, HD Native, Focusrite Red 8Pre

Presonus Faderport, Pro Tools | Control
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Sample Rates (Nyquist) filosofem 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Win) 9 10-25-2005 06:31 AM
Nyquist Filters on PT hardware schpazboy General Discussion 0 01-20-2004 01:25 PM
Sampling With PT hookiefree 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Win) 6 08-26-2003 03:02 PM
OT.. Phrase sampling and sampling. What are the differences? Jayson Torres 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Win) 1 03-31-2003 01:24 PM
Sampling Thomas Chiu 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Mac) 5 08-21-2001 07:11 PM


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:10 AM.


Powered by: vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited. Forum Hosted By: URLJet.com