What's the point of higher sampling rates in audio?, Such as 96 and 192kHz. Options

[stranhoROX]

Could someone explain to me why there are some recordings with sample rates as high as 192kHz? If most of us hear up to 20kHz, wouldn't 44.1kHz or even 48kHz be enough? Or is there other practical aspects besides boosting maximum frequency in higher sampling rates I am not aware of?

[FreaqyFrequency]

There are, in fact, at least two omni capsules out there now which extend well beyond 20 kHz, both made by Microtech Gefell: MK222, and MK221. The 222 is flat within +/- 1 dB from 0.5 Hz to 80 kHz, and the 221 is the same spec from 10 Hz to 80 kHz. So there exist microphones do now have the ability to capture those sounds, but it will remain true that human beings cannot hear them.

The only usage I could see for high sample rates is for recording and analysis of high frequency sounds in nature. As Lavry explains (quite well) in that white paper, there is just no justification for such high rates when working with a human audience. All filtering can be dealt with benignly at the antialiasing stage using DSP, and after that there should be no issue getting proper, accurate results with 44.1 as a final delivery format.

This post has been edited by FreaqyFrequency: Oct 18 2011, 04:24