Sorry for the beginner's question, but what sample rate is most commonly used in home music recording? By default, I've been using 44.1 kHz, as that's the the default rate on my M-Audio interface. Is there any benefit and improvement to my recordings by moving the knob up to 48 kHz or higher?
 
Thanks for your advice and opinions.
 
Bob

There's minimal difference between 44 and 48, or even 96khz for that matter. Noticeable difference between 16bit and 24bit though.

Set your audio recording to 24 bits as default.  Export to Wave with 16 bits. (CD quality is 16 bits/44.1Khz sampling rate)
 
I use 24bit recording and export 16/44.1 and it sounds good. It works for me.
 
It's possible to record at higher sample rates, it uses more hard drive space and for home and small commercial studio projects, you can not hear the difference.

I believe DVD and film are at 48, while CD is 44.1, but as noted there is not much difference.  Many sample libraries are at 44.1, but certainly not all.  (some are even at 96, from what I hear).
 
I used to use 44.1, and was quite happy with it, as it didn't tax my system (24-bit), but I recently switched to 48k, to match a friend of mine's sample rate.  (his interface defaults to 48k).
 
As noted above, using 24-bit is where you will see a difference, over 16-bit.
 
Bob Bone
 

If you only plan to export to CD or MP3 and you want to avoid sample rate conversion, then you can stay with 24-bit, 44.1 kHz.
 
If you're working with video and plan to export to DVD and want to avoid sample rate conversion, then go with 24-bit, 48 kHz. For Blu-ray, it's even higher...
 
Scott

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As noted by Scott and Robert above, choose the sample rate based on what you'll be doing with the audio later. If it's going to end up on a DVD, use 48. If you'll be sharing files with a pro studio, use 96. If you'll be collaborating with someone, use whatever rate they're using. Otherwise, stick with 44.1. 
 
Even if you might someday share files with others, 44.1 is still a safe option. The only reason for choosing something else is to avoid having to convert your audio to another sample rate later. And that's really not a big deal. Samplerate conversions usually don't hurt your sound quality, and SONAR will automatically perform the conversion when you import a file with a different rate than your project.
 
Just don't let anybody tell you that you must record at a higher rate because it sounds better.
 
 

If you are producing files going to CD, then you must convert at some point to 16-bit.  Most folks do this during the export of audio, but some do it outside of Sonar altogether.  Doesn't matter - it's purely personal preference, but 16-bit is the CD standard.
 
MP3 files don't care about bit-depth.
 
Bob Bone

the great old sampling rate debate, the most divided and subjective topic in audio !!!

Just a note - in the modern world sample rate conversion (SRC) is simply not a problem.
 
At one time transparent SRC was a problem, so many people will still advise you to use a rate that matches the output you desire to avoid doing the SRC. But with modern SRC routines any artifacts created are far below being audible (if they even make it to the output bits at all), and that advice no longer applies today.

jazzwombat
Sorry for the beginner's question, but what sample rate is most commonly used in home music recording? By default, I've been using 44.1 kHz, as that's the the default rate on my M-Audio interface. Is there any benefit and improvement to my recordings by moving the knob up to 48 kHz or higher?
 
Thanks for your advice and opinions.
 
Bob

Yes 48kHz 32bit floating and above sounds always better.
That is why we majority professional use it. Due to up sampling of all plugins and EQ filter VSTI makes it sound better even if the final mastered result is a cd in format 44.1 kHz 16bit.
 
 
Best Regards
Freddie