I presume pow-r will happen just befire the final output stage as it is not exclusively part of any codec more like a propriety dithering process.

Libsndfile is external to SONAR. Dithering is applied when SONAR converts from float to integer. Since in this case we do not convert to integer before sending the audio to libsndfile there is no dithering applied (at least at the SONAR level). So today the only case with libsndfile where dithering would apply would be when you pick 16 bit as the export bit depth in SONAR.

Libsndfile is external to SONAR. Dithering is applied when SONAR converts from float to integer. Since in this case we do not convert to integer before sending the audio to libsndfile there is no dithering applied (at least at the SONAR level). So today the only case with libsndfile where dithering would apply would be when you pick 16 bit as the export bit depth in SONAR.

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk]
Libsndfile is external to SONAR. Dithering is applied when SONAR converts from float to integer. Since in this case we do not convert to integer before sending the audio to libsndfile there is no dithering applied (at least at the SONAR level). So today the only case with libsndfile where dithering would apply would be when you pick 16 bit as the export bit depth in SONAR.

So are you telling me that there are totally no any dithering done but only truncation while exporting to 32bit or 24bit?

parco

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk]
Libsndfile is external to SONAR. Dithering is applied when SONAR converts from float to integer. Since in this case we do not convert to integer before sending the audio to libsndfile there is no dithering applied (at least at the SONAR level). So today the only case with libsndfile where dithering would apply would be when you pick 16 bit as the export bit depth in SONAR.

So are you telling me that there are totally no any dithering done but only truncation while exporting to 32bit or 24bit?

and to clarify, this is only when exporting to flac?

I suppose with floats you could dither the least significant bit, but the variance of level of this dither would significantly complicate quantifying the benefit of that dither. Also, with thirty two bit bounces where every available bit is used at the loudest moments, humans could never detect the precision on any system.

I believe that what Noel is saying is that dither is never applied to floats. That would mean that internal bounces never get dither, regardless of your settings, since the files created are floats. Noel?

Corollary: changing the setting for dither between internal bounce and export is not necessary.

That is correct. Dither is never needed for 32- or 64-bit floats, and usually not needed for 24-bit int, either. libsndfile does apply dither as part of the conversion from float to int. Near as I can tell, the dither algorithm appears to be Triangular. Lest we drift too far afield, let's remember that dither is not relevant to the OP's initial complaint.

So.......... does it count towards a lie to SONAR users while the export dialog shows us some dithering choices but actually not using them at all no matter what we've chosen........?

Sorry people, I am noob and probably not getting something right about dithering and the difference in the bit depth.
 
* the first question is theoretical pure: if someone want dithering when moving from 32 to 24 bit, how he/she can test it is really working? I mean for that, that someone need at least 32bit (real DAC bits!) interface.
 
* the second is simple test inside Sonar: export some peace as 24bit WAV and the same peace as 16bit WAV. Import both into 2 tracks (24 bit project and audio drivers) and add Channel tool with flipped phase. Start playback. Can you see or hear SOMETHING? I mean my master bus show -96dB and my speakers/phones keep absolute silence.

parco
So.......... does it count towards a lie to SONAR users while the export dialog shows us some dithering choices but actually not using them at all no matter what we've chosen........?

As long users claim that is VERY IMPORTANT PROFESSIONAL thing, but can not noticed that in the resulting sound... I think that is acceptable
 
So it is working when it make sense but not disabled when it make no sense.