High quality recordings?

[del cosmos]

Hello there!
what is the best way to recording with high quality?
by recording a project in
16bits 44.1khz and then make a master for a CD or recording in a 24bits 48.1khz and then convert the hole thing to a 16bits 44.1khz for a CD production.
Why the pros record in a 24bits 48.1 and then they reduce the audio to 16bits 44.1?
Is this sounds better even with the conversion?

[DigiTechSupt]

Your question leaves a lot of room for debate but here's my two cents...

There are a several things to consider when deciding on sample rate/bit depth on a session...

- Where is the project ending up?

- How is getting there?

- What is the deadline, if any?

- What is the source material and where is it coming from?


Many people in TV are not necessarily concerned with the advantages of 24 bit audio over 16 bit due to the fact that most Televisions have a 2 or 3 inch speaker and the difference will be negligable for most people. However, with home surround systems, DVD, stereo TV's etc., this argument is quickly losing steam.

If a project is made up of many sound effects that come from audio CD's, which is often the case, it may worthwhile to do the entire project at 44.1k/16 bit to avoid the need to convert all of the sound files into Pro Tools.

If the source deck, that the original audio was recorded on was 16 bit you may want to remain at 16 bit.

If you have the option to use either 16 or 24 bit from the beginning of a project then for sound quality purposes I would suggest 24 bit. Even though you may or may not have to end up at 16bit/44.1k you will be able to have superior sound quality by doing everything at 24 bit and then converting the final bounce down to 16 bit as the last step in the process.

Of course, much of this is debatable and subject to opinion so....

Jon Connolly
Digidesign Product Specialist

[del cosmos]

Jon Connolly:
Thanx for your reply,my ending up project is a comercial CD and my inicial question was that if Im going to end in a CD-16/44 why not stay here all the time,or if its better recording in 24/48 and then make the conversion to 16/44. if yes,why?
Oh!My source material is pop r&b music.
Thanx and excuse my insistence.

[CCash]

del,

What these posts have been telling me is - in your situation:

1) track at 24 bits. The fidelety will indeed be greater after you dither down to 16 bit, as oppossed to doing everything at 16 bit from the start.

2) word on the street is, A/D and D/A converters have become quite good. But as for sample rate converters (e.g. 48kHz to 44.1) - not as good. So if you know you're going to stay all-digital staight to CD, start off on the right foot at 44.1.

[del cosmos]

Thanx for your reply CCash!!