jpetersen
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Interface set to 44k1/24bit but Sonar displays 16bit. Why the difference?[Resolved]
I have never in all these years been tempted to mess with different sample rates. My interface by default comes up in 44k1/24bit and I am happy with what I am getting. But Sonar, up in the blue box, displays 44k/16bit. Why the discrepancy? Am I getting the max out of my interface? (24bit is what I see in the Audio device settings preferences and it is gray. So I couldn't change it even if I wanted to.)
post edited by jpetersen - 2016/02/24 11:27:56
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scook
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Re: Interface set to 44k1/24bit but Sonar displays 16bit. Why the difference?
2016/02/23 12:24:08
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The record bit depth is shown in the Transport module. The default is set in Preferences > File > Audio Data.
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brundlefly
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Re: Interface set to 44k1/24bit but Sonar displays 16bit. Why the difference?
2016/02/23 12:25:05
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Playback is at 24-bit, but recording will be at 16. Check Preferences > File Data > Record Bit Depth.
SONAR Platinum x64, 2x MOTU 2408/PCIe-424 (24-bit, 48kHz) Win10, I7-6700K @ 4.0GHz, 24GB DDR4, 2TB HDD, 32GB SSD Cache, GeForce GTX 750Ti, 2x 24" 16:10 IPS Monitors
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tenfoot
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Re: Interface set to 44k1/24bit but Sonar displays 16bit. Why the difference?
2016/02/23 12:34:33
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It does mean you have been recording @ 16 bit rather than 24 - which of course doesn't matter at all if as you say you are happy with what you are getting and mastering to a medium appropriate for that bit depth.
Bruce. Sonar Platinum 2017-09, Studio One 3.5.3, Win 10 x64, Quad core i7, RME Fireface, Behringer X32 Producer, Behringer X32 Rack, Presonus Faderport, Lemure Software Controller (Android), Enttec DMXIS VST lighting controller, Xtempo POK.
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jpetersen
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Re: Interface set to 44k1/24bit but Sonar displays 16bit. Why the difference?
2016/02/23 13:23:46
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Oh, wow. 16bit. All this time. How did that happen - is that the default?
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scook
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Re: Interface set to 44k1/24bit but Sonar displays 16bit. Why the difference?
2016/02/23 13:41:13
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jpetersen
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Re: Interface set to 44k1/24bit but Sonar displays 16bit. Why the difference?
2016/02/23 13:48:46
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I just checked: My current PC is a Win7x64. I got it when Sonar X2 no longer supported WinXP.
I have Sonar X2, X3 and Platinum on it and all are set to record at 16bit!
But my old WinXP PC has Sonar 8.5 and X1 on it. They are both set to record at 24bit depth.
Could it be the default on the first X2 was 16bit?
And I have just been taking over settings with each upgrade?
This is not something I felt compentent to mess with. I am sure I didn't change this.
I feel like I have been driving a Ferrari with the handbrake on.
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jpetersen
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Re: Interface set to 44k1/24bit but Sonar displays 16bit. Why the difference?
2016/02/23 13:50:45
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@scook: Postings crossed whilst I was checking.
Thank you.
I have set them all to 24bit depth now.
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Anderton
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Re: Interface set to 44k1/24bit but Sonar displays 16bit. Why the difference?
2016/02/23 14:28:26
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jpetersen
I feel like I have been driving a Ferrari with the handbrake on.
It's not as bad as you think. Remember, a 24-bit interface doesn't give 24 "real" bits, it's more like 20 bits of resolution on a good day. If you were recording with a 16-bit interface, THEN the handbrake would be on.
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jpetersen
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Re: Interface set to 44k1/24bit but Sonar displays 16bit. Why the difference?
2016/02/23 15:04:55
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Yes, but if I record a very dynamic performance extremely conservatively to prevent clipping at all costs and then I do gain staging/normalization followed by compression/limiting, it can sound like it's been through a bit crusher effect. the level will be pulled up but the resolution will still be that of the original recorded signal.
If I normalize a passage of classical music where a pure instrument like a flute is played very softly, I hear this. (not saying I'm doing this, but a female vocal on a soft passage is a real-word example).
Anyway, problem solved and so far nobody has complained.
I'll probably get told my new recordings don't have that gritty warmth anymore... :)
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Anderton
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Re: Interface set to 44k1/24bit but Sonar displays 16bit. Why the difference?
2016/02/23 15:21:19
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jpetersen
Yes, but if I record a very dynamic performance extremely conservatively to prevent clipping at all costs and then I do gain staging/normalization followed by compression/limiting, it can sound like it's been through a bit crusher effect. the level will be pulled up but the resolution will still be that of the original recorded signal.
16 bits of real resolution is still 96 dB of dynamic range. If you record at -12, then you have 14 bits, so you still have about 84 dB of dynamic range. Play back a sine wave at -84 dB and let me know if you hear anything  . Really, don't worry about it. Just record at 24 bits going forward.
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Poco
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Re: Interface set to 44k1/24bit but Sonar displays 16bit. Why the difference?
2016/02/23 15:27:40
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I must say, when recording live shows, 24 bits has saved me numerous times. Like when a performers mic isn't up, but another mic is open and barely capturing the performance. 24 bits can make the difference between not having nearly enough resolution, and having enough to at least make something out of a very low level signal.
God People - God Music Where there is no peace, it is not peaceful.
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tenfoot
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Re: Interface set to 44k1/24bit but Sonar displays 16bit. Why the difference?
2016/02/24 06:29:39
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Don't worry at all - 16 bit was the norm for a very long time for lots of great albums. There are so many things that make more difference than those extra bits!
Bruce. Sonar Platinum 2017-09, Studio One 3.5.3, Win 10 x64, Quad core i7, RME Fireface, Behringer X32 Producer, Behringer X32 Rack, Presonus Faderport, Lemure Software Controller (Android), Enttec DMXIS VST lighting controller, Xtempo POK.
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chuckebaby
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Re: Interface set to 44k1/24bit but Sonar displays 16bit. Why the difference?
2016/02/24 10:54:15
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I agree with 10 foot, for the longest time 16 was considered supreme. but glad you got it fingered out now. 
Windows 8.1 X64 Sonar Platinum x64 Custom built: Asrock z97 1150 - Intel I7 4790k - 16GB corsair DDR3 1600 - PNY SSD 220GBFocusrite Saffire 18I8 - Mackie Control
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Anderton
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Re: Interface set to 44k1/24bit but Sonar displays 16bit. Why the difference?
2016/03/02 13:35:36
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