R/E/P Community

R/E/P => Recording - Engineering & Production => Topic started by: Elf on August 18, 2011, 11:27:38 AM

Title: The old 32bit float question
Post by: Elf on August 18, 2011, 11:27:38 AM

Hi folks!  :)

I came across PSW via searching for some answers.

http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/mv/msg/5115/0/64/0/

I've just got my first Samplitude Pro, and I'm an arty type, rather than a technician type. My understanding has increased slowly, through the GS, SOS, Reaper and Sonar forums, and of course, from setting out to record my own songs - I got a DAV BG 1U on GS/SOS advice and; more recently, Mastering Audio by Bob Katz to set me on my way. I've also spent time with Cubase SX 3.2, Reaper 3.75 and Sonar X1 Essential recording my songs.

I'm also now a member of the Samplitude/Sequoia support forum.

2 years or more from when I set out, I'm trying to get my head around the relevance of 32bit FP in a 24bit system - amongst a constantly shifting array of other things. By what I've read so far, it appears that it is to accommodate word lengths of plugins which has an overall effect on audio quality. I can also see that it's a very high-brow subject that I might not grasp too quickly.

That's my first quest as a new member of the forum - Do I need to make choices; as I can do in Samplitude, to use 32bit at any point in the recording process. Or, do I simply carry on recording straight 24bit/48k and dithering down to CD and other formats.

I look forward to any replies.

Thanks

Title: Re: The old 32bit float question
Post by: Fletcher on August 24, 2011, 08:45:03 AM

From my somewhat limited understanding... 32 bit floating is an efficient way to get the best resolution from the audio.  I could be wrong... but I don't believe I am [then again... who does?]

Title: Re: The old 32bit float question
Post by: Graham Duncan on August 24, 2011, 12:35:12 PM

You are fine recording 24bit.  Samplitude's engine is 32bit float.  Dither when exporting to 24bit, 16bit or mp3, etc.  For the most part Samplitude handles this automatically.

Graham

Title: Re: The old 32bit float question
Post by: Elf on August 24, 2011, 02:04:28 PM

Ok, thanks, it looks like I don't need to concern myself for the time being.

Perhaps it might be interesting over time to see if there are any specific instances where a choice of 32bit Float is might be worth considering.


:)

Title: Re: The old 32bit float question
Post by: Tim Halligan on August 25, 2011, 12:02:48 AM

It may be worth noting that I have seen at least one mastering website which specifically says that they will NOT accept 32bit float files.

And of course...now that I've mentioned it, I can't remember which one...

Typical.  :o

Cheers,
Tim

Title: Re: The old 32bit float question
Post by: djwaudio on September 14, 2011, 06:13:28 PM

I'll second that, because D/A converters that feed the mastering chain are limited to 24 bits (AES/EBU limit).  For a mastering engineer who is all analog, like me, a properly dithered 24 bit mix is preferred.

Title: Re: The old 32bit float question
Post by: jamesp on September 29, 2011, 10:41:59 AM

Quote from: Tim Halligan on August 25, 2011, 12:02:48 AM

It may be worth noting that I have seen at least one mastering website which specifically says that they will NOT accept 32bit float files.

Possibly because they're using Protools which doesn't accept 32 bit files (although this may have changed for the latest version).

James.