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[mullard]

This is my dilemma for long time and I hope this forum can throw more light on that.
When mix is done fully in analogue domain (2-tracks master tape) and should be converted to CD 16/44 what would be the best scenario:

1. To convert track to 24/44 with best available converters and than to reduce bit depth to 16-bits by software (any recommendations on what would be the best software)

2. To convert track straight to 16/44 (and which converter would be appropriate for that - I know Lavry Blue ADC can do 16-bits AD conversion)

I didn't find any recommendations on other threads and hopefully someone with experience would kindly share insights on that.

Regards

[Jon Hodgson]

mullard wrote on Tue, 25 July 2006 18:14

This is my dilemma for long time and I hope this forum can throw more light on that. When mix is done fully in analogue domain (2-tracks master tape) and should be converted to CD 16/44 what would be the best scenario: 1. To convert track to 24/44 with best available converters and than to reduce bit depth to 16-bits by software (any recommendations on what would be the best software) 2. To convert track straight to 16/44 (and which converter would be appropriate for that - I know Lavry Blue ADC can do 16-bits AD conversion) I didn't find any recommendations on other threads and hopefully someone with experience would kindly share insights on that. Regards

Well it's a question of where your best SRC and dithering occur.

Take a Lavry Blue converter as an example, now whatever output format you've chosen, there is a point at which the signal will be a 24bit 88.2kHz sample train.

From that point three things happen
SRC from 88.2 to 44.1
Dithering (with or without noise shaping)
Truncation to 16 bits.

Those processes have to occur whether they occur within the converter (because you selected 44.1Khz 16 bit output), or in an external processing unit (be it standalone hardware or software). So the question becomes one of "which are the best SRC and dithering available to me?"

With a lower end converter I'd definately go the software route (I could always write myself something if I wasn't happy with what was available), but once you get into the Lavry Blues of this world and assuming you'd have to spend money on a top notch software solution, plus the reduced hassle in not having additional steps, I'd suggest the best idea is to listen, and maybe get some other people to listen too (ideally without telling them which is which).

Of course if you wanted to do any further processing (e.g. mastering compression or EQ) in the digital domain, then I'd definately go the 88.2kHz and 24 bit sample route, no matter how good the converter was.

[mullard]

[quote title=Jon Hodgson wrote on Tue, 25 July 2006 12:47]

Jon Hodgson wrote on Tue, 25 July 2006 12:47

Take a Lavry Blue converter as an example, now whatever output format you've chosen, there is a point at which the signal will be a 24bit 88.2kHz sample train. From that point three things happen SRC from 88.2 to 44.1 Dithering (with or without noise shaping) Truncation to 16 bits.

First of all thanks for detailed respond.
Still, do I correctly understand that even if I choose 16/44 AD conversion on Blue an input signal will be in any case first converted to 24/88 and than scaled down (through 3 processes) to 16/44 output?
It make sense than to convert to 24/88 (and keep it as high resolution master) and later apply same processes with the best software.
Also, I don't expect to make any further digital processing as analogue masters contain all dynamic processing before going to digital for duplication.
I heard about some good software products, but is there any consensus which software could be considered as top league for that task.