New data on the sampling-rate argument.

[KeithTidd]

Read the bob katz book, it demystifies the sample rate discussion. The main reason people thing higher sample rates sound better is because recording at a high sample rate allows the nyquist filter frequency to be higher, resulting in less ripple in the passband. Good convertors sound better at 44.1 than shitty ones at 96.

 

[PhilR]

We've been recording at 24/88.2 since buying Lynx converters. Mainly because it requires less calculation to dither to 16/44.1

 

[Metaltastic]

Less calculation than what, though? I can believe it'd be less than 24/48, but I find it hard to believe it'd be less than 24/44.1...

 

[AudioGeekZine]

Does anyone here upsample? eg- record at 44.1 and mix at 88.2/96? I've heard that mastering guys will upsample if the original files arent already at 96khz.

Or does anyone here record at 96kHz (because the converters sound better that way) then downsample to 44.1 to mix (for more processing power)?

Plugins are supposed to sound better at higher sample rates, many plugins oversample anyway but that takes more processing power.

 

[MarcusD777]

Since we are on the topic of sample rates... Quick question... I have a project I have to mix that was recorded at 88.2 but I want to handle the mixing on my set up rather than do it in the studio... Only thing is I'm going to have to downsample every file to 44.1 to mix effectively processing wise on my computer... Is that a safe move or should I just consider mixing at 88.2 in the studio??

 

[vile_ator]

Some digital boxes like Weiss upsample iin the box to do their processing. There is really high grade processing going on there. Dont try this yourself. Touch the sample rate at all, and you will lose quality no matter what.

To Marcus, you can do a test and see what the quality loss will be. If you know how much processing your 44.1 mixes take, you can just double that to know how much 88.2 will take and know if your computer will handle it. Best to stay at 88.2 but if the recording isnt that good anyway, then you might want to downsample.

A cheap and good resampling program is called Resample by a company called Sounds Logical. Thats my favorite cheapo way to change the rate.

Colin

 

[MarcusD777]

thanks for the advice colin... Im going to sample it down and see what I lose quality wise... The project was recorded on an SSL (drums) and Trident board (guitars, bass, vox) soo the recording is definitely worth the extra sample rate... Im just crammed for time to finish the mix before the due date and soo it may be a step I have to take... If it's a really noticeable difference I'll have to have to try and schedule some time at a studio to do the mix...

Marcus