Why 24bit/48kHz/96kHz/, If 16bit/44.1kHz is good enough? Options

[William]

Yes, I have searched the forum.
Yes, maybe I am dumb.

But it seems I cannot find the answer.

Why do we need 24bit/48kHz/96kHz/192kHz if 16bit/44.1kHz is good enough? Are there any situations that 16bit/44.1kHz simply cannot satisfy? In other words, is there any real need for the higher bit depth and sampling rate?

Thanks for answering.

This post has been edited by William: Dec 29 2005, 13:47

[harlekeyn]

16bit means 2^16 = 65536 possible values
for each 1/(44.1*10^3) portion of a second.

24bit would hence be 2^24=16.7 million values.

That is 2^(24-16) = 2^8 = 256 as many.

The misunderstanding people make is that one would
not really be able to hear the difference.
The curve is round enough. We are just humans.

But here is what they forget:

=== An example: ===
When you listen to a live recording,
the band plays at normal volume, with their
peaks till the full range of these (when recorded
in 16bit) 65536 values.

But the band does not always play loudly.
And even while they do, there are also sounds
that are not so loud. The drummer might
hit his ride gently.

Those rides have an interesting colorful sound.
A good drummer would be able to guess the brand
of the rides, with his eyes closed.
And also estimate what type of drum stick is used.

Since these rides are but played softly,
their range lies not in the full 65536 values,
but, say, only from +6% to -6%.

If one would be able to mute all loud instruments
(for this explanatory example), we would only
hear the rides in 3932 'blocks', or approximately 12bit.

If you now would turn up your volume
(of the headphones you use to listen to all this),
you would not hear an elegant ride sound at all.

So, in summery, a 24bit recording sounds nicer
than a 16bit recording because you can hear the
soft and gentle sounds better.

Someone in audience using a teaspoon and cup to
add some unasked percussion.
We can hear the stage has a wooden floor because
the horn player taps his foot.

Tristan

PS. I have not read all posts in this thread,
so forgive me if I am repeating something
already mentioned.

PPS. I am just an amateur too.
I could be mistaken in my details,
but I think the essence is correct.

This post has been edited by harlekeyn: Mar 19 2006, 22:21