Is it sonically destructive to convert 32bit .wav files to 24bit .wav?

[Violet]

I'm rendering files in Reaper from my VI's to export into Pro Tools to mix.

The problem is PT only does 16bit and 24bit sessions correct? And for some reason Reaper 64bit only renders 32bit files. I'm on their forum right now trying to see how in the heck I can render them at 24bit.

But in the mean time I'm just curious does it dirty up the audio file to convert 32bit .wav files to 24bit .wav?

[necjamc]

Can you dither down from 32 bit in Reaper to 24 bit?

[Top Jimmy]

Originally Posted by Violet

Reaper 64bit only renders 32bit files.

This setting is in the Project Settings window, and you can also choose 24-bit when you render or consolidate/export.

I didn't try 64-bit Reaper, but that should still be the same.

And no, you won't lose anything by going to 24-bit.

[ondruspat]

Originally Posted by Top Jimmy

And no, you won't lose anything by going to 24-bit.

We will probably have some math nerd pop in and argue that point!!

But in all practical listening your not losing anything.

Look at it this way, is your listening experience degraded by listening to a 16-bit CD?? The extra bit depth helps more in the area of processing effects and summing than in what you actually hear (another point someone will argue), and it will likely be dithered down to the 16-bit realm in the end anyway.

[Mr. Kelly]

My thought is that you may hear a difference going from 32 to 24 bit, however small. You can hear a difference b/w 24 and 16. I would think that anytime you reduce bits you would lose resolution, no?

Plus, if you were comparing a 24 bit CD (is that what SACDs are/were?), to a 16 bit CD of the same source recording, I would bet you'd hear the difference!

[Top Jimmy]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kelly

Plus, if you were comparing a 24 bit CD (is that what SACDs are/were?), to a 16 bit CD of the same source recording, I would bet you'd hear the difference!

Metallica's Death Magnetic?

[ondruspat]

...what can I say???...

[Violet]

Originally Posted by Top Jimmy

This setting is in the Project Settings window, and you can also choose 24-bit when you render or consolidate/export.

I didn't try 64-bit Reaper, but that should still be the same.

And no, you won't lose anything by going to 24-bit.

Right, in Project Settings WAV bit depth is 24 bit PCM... but thats for 'recording', Render resample mode's options are only divisible by 32. There for in Reaper x64 I'm stuck with rendering at a bloody 32bits, which forces me to use a third party program to convert all my 32bit audio files to 24bit. looks like I'm screwed in this regard.

How about which one, can anyone hear a difference between 16bit or 32bit to 24bit conversion? Cause 16bit 'is' noticeable worse than 24bit.

[Top Jimmy]

Originally Posted by Violet

Right, in Project Settings WAV bit depth is 24 bit PCM... but thats for 'recording', Render resample mode's options are only divisible by 32. There for in Reaper x64 I'm stuck with rendering at a bloody 32bits, which forces me to use a third party program to convert all my 32bit audio files to 24bit. looks like I'm screwed in this regard.

How about which one, can anyone hear a difference between 16bit or 32bit to 24bit conversion? Cause 16bit 'is' noticeable worse than 24bit.

That's not what I see. http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/25058...ender?h=cc2f46

Why don't you render the tracks and then export them as 24-bit? Does that not work any better?

[Violet]

Originally Posted by Top Jimmy

That's not what I see. http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/25058...ender?h=cc2f46

Why don't you render the tracks and then export them as 24-bit? Does that not work any better?

Right, that is the Render folder not the project folder. But even with the 24 bit on both folders I still get 32 render audio files. I'll try the export tomorrow, but still I would like a 24bit when they are born, not change them.

Thanks for your help though Jimmy.