sonic difference between ptle,tdm etc

[stickstome2]

I have a 001 system with ptle5.1.1 and g4 800 and others...I really dont have any problems --only a couple in 4 years---Ive made some posts lately but no real big issues--however I was just wondering if there was a audio (sonic) difference between our older 800 doller ptle system and the newer Pro Tools systems-- or the TDM systems control 24 whatever---I only use the program for mix and edit mostly and recording. I use a older mixer for the pre's because they sound so good and out board gear thru the I/O on the master fader for eq and compression---so If I wanted to upgrade my system for a better sound do I get a new ptle system or a new pre's--if you get my drift
thanks
stix

[max cooper]

I remember reading a thread here about the differences between LE and HD.

I couldn't find it with a cursory search, but I know it wasn't too long ago.

I think one of the points had something to do with the fact that aux tracks in LE operate at 32-bit float but don't get dithered back down to 24-bit. I've worked on a few HD rigs, and I own an LE rig, but I've never done an in-depth check on the differences.

[stickstome2]

anybody know this answer???

[JFreak]

anybody know this answer???

TDM systems mixer is 48 bit fixed and the output of all busses are 24 bit fixed. LE systems mix 32 bit floating point internally, and produce 24 bit fixed output. there is a sonic difference, but as you know, that difference cannot be explained verbally -- you need to try it out yourself.

sometimes 32 bit floating point calculations even sound better, but i just love the consistency of TDM systems' fixed 24/48 bit calculations.

(oh, and if you compare, be sure to compare with something that has already been recorded and converted to digital. if you do take the a/d conversion into the comparison, you'd be more effected with the conversion than the fixed/float calculation differences. that said, the calculation difference is way smaller than the difference of "decent" and "great" a/d converter.)