jrfrogers
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should I be using 24 bits instead of 16?
Is it common practice to be using 24 bit now?
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Kalle Rantaaho
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Re:should I be using 24 bits instead of 16?
March 12, 12 2:12 AM
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Absolutely. One of the benefits being: Using 24 bit you don't need to record hot, which makes recording much easier. You can record at -12- -18 dB and still get good quality without fear of clipping.
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Starise
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Re:should I be using 24 bits instead of 16?
March 12, 12 9:02 AM
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Recording in 24 bit yes absolutely better.More headroom. Mastering is a different story.
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mtgonzalez
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Re:should I be using 24 bits instead of 16?
March 12, 12 11:39 AM
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Starise - what would be your bit recommendation for Mastering?
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Starise
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Re:should I be using 24 bits instead of 16?
March 12, 12 11:48 AM
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I meant to say mixdown to whatever end format is a different story. I master to either 24 or 32 bit in a wav file. Sorry about the confusion there. I save my masters in high bitrates.
It has been proven that people can't tell the difference between 16 and 24 bit files at the end mix. There has been a lot of back and forth in argument of this,but in blind listening tests the difference is not discernable.
I guess DVD audio is 24 bit,but most other forms of consumer audio are either 16 bit wave or mp3/mp4.
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dkohles
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Re:should I be using 24 bits instead of 16?
March 23, 12 2:55 PM
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Bob Katz recommends working at a high bit rate until the final Red Book spec (16 bits), 24/48 for me.
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Guitarhacker
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Re:should I be using 24 bits instead of 16?
March 23, 12 3:06 PM
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I record tracks at 24 bit. The final waves exported are 16 bit which is CD quality. In 24 bit tracking it just seems to work well. I had a vocal track the other day that had levels all over the place from the singer moving in and out from the mic. I was able to get those weaker phrases up to volume without any problems at all..... so if 24 bit saved the day... that's cool. I never record at the higher bit rates above 24 bits and always export to 16 bits and have never had any quality issues arise as a result. Mastering... I keep the tracks and busses out of the red. yeah, I know that's not very technical, and when I export the waves, I look at them in my wave editor to be sure they are not trying to smash the ceiling. Very rarely do I have a full term wave in the export stage. And rarely is it clipped. Maybe that comes from staying out of the red in the project. I use Ozone on the master buss to polish and since I don't have a need to send tracks out of house to master, the details and db levels do not concern me too much. If it looks good and sounds good I;m happy...... I can hear the groans from here..... 
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