The Fundamental Frequency great friend, JoséGDF ask us if there is any problem when making sample rate conversion. Well, here is my opinion on the subject:
Across sampling rate conversion and bit resolution mathematical errors are introduced, which can result in "artifacts" audible.
That's why going from 24 bit to 16 is often recommended to use "dithering", which is introducing noise at a very low level, to smooth sounds underpowered as reverb tails, etc.. I never wanted to write about dithering, because I do not really understand finish:)
is also assumed that there are fewer errors, if you work in multiples of the end frequency. For example our frequency at 44.1 kHz is almost always. So instead of working at 48 KHz, it would be better to record at 88.2 kHz, which is a multiple of 44.1. It is said that conversion and the errors are minor.
Having said all that ...
I used to record at 48 kHz. My motive was "a little more quality" than 44.1, but not require my computer hasa's 88.2. Then I began to question and started researching. Surprise I found that muchíiiiisimos professionals, some of the most admire his work, recorded at 44.1. They say that there is no substantial advantage in going further, however what if it happens is that computers are much more required. Imagine, working at 88.1 means large files 2 times and 2 times more processing to the CPU.
When I found out that I began to do experiments to see if my team and my ears, you may notice an advantage to work at different resolutions. And I could not notice any substantial advantage in going beyond the 44.1 kHz.
There are advantages to produce and mix to higher sampling rates, such as aliasing frequencies are generated supersonic hearing fails to distinguish, but almost every decent plug ins that benefit from a higher frequency makes a "
oversampling " their entry and processing up to 4 or 6 times the original sampling frequency, and then make a "downsampling" and displays the output to the DAW to the frequency at which the program is working.
So even if your project is at 44.1 kHz, many plug ins to work internally to 176.4 kHz or more, to avoid problems that can audible the process is performed (EQ, compression, etc.).
For recording itself refers not to worry, as 44.1 kHz is more than enough to capture all the frequencies audible to humans. The recording quality is more dependent on other factors such as the microphone, the quality of the pre amp and converter quality ADC.
Almost any interface is now capable of producing excellent results if you do your part to the positioning of the microphone and proper gain structure.
Dan Lavry, the renowned designer of the Lavry converters, thinks it has no digital audio sense the ultra high resolution. His converters do not get to 192 kHz, says his site, he is "against these resolutions." You can see the description of this product
.
Another issue is the way you do the conversion. For example, one might be working on your project to 96 kHz in the sequencer, and export the mix to make the conversion here and export the same file at 44.1 kHz. One could also export the file to 96 kHz, and then use another program to convert.
When researching the matter I found that Craig Anderton
used Adobe Audition to make conversions. It is assumed that the program has one of the conversion algorithms more "clean" out there. Well, most of us have that program, so it's worth using, and what I use now.
In Conclusion:
- If errors are introduced when conversions, the issue is whether those errors are audible enough to be worth using higher resolutions.
- It is worth exploring diferents conversion methods with different programs that you have and see if there is any practical advantage of a method or other program.
- Another situation that is worth asking is whether there is a practical advantage of using higher resolutions. If I can not distinguish any advantage in terms of the quality of my recordings, it might be better to use 44.1 kHz. In that account I avoid any conversion later, and by not requiring both the computer I can use more plug ins and more tracks.
I hope to have clarified the matter even a little. What the 24-bit, now that's another story entirely, and the advantages of using 24 bits in 16 are great, but it will be for another entry ... Greetings!
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