I’ve been using Wavelab Elements since forever. Currently on v. 12. I’d really like to be able to process at 192kHZ, but need Pro for that. I’m not a power user. Elements does everything I need it to. The upgrade is SUPER expensive if I’m doing it JUST to get 192kHZ. Could probably swing it if it was discounted a bit, though.
So, my question is whether Steinberg has regular periodic sales. If they have a summer sale or something and I can get 30% or more off, I’ll probably buy the upgrade. Can’t really justify it otherwise.
??? I have never heard this before. What platforms?
AFAIK, most major platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.) do not stream at 192 kHz — they typically use 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, sometimes 96 kHz for “hi-res” audio.
I use TuneCore. They’ll accept 16/44.1 or 24/192. I almost always track and mix in 24/48, but when it comes to mastering, I’d like to be able to upsample the stereo file to 192, apply master processing in 192, then export to 192. Otherwise, I have to downsample to 16/44.1 for upload to TuneCore. I don’t think that makes me a “power user”. I really don’t need any of the other additional features of Pro (though the ability to create DDP masters would be nice - I currently use StudioOne for that when I have to press CD’s, as it’s built in as standard).
Tunecore’s suggestion of upsampling your masters to 192k sample rate (using iTunes no less) is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever read. It’s mind-blowing that their website still suggests this.
I’m aware of it because sometimes my clients ask me about this. I tell them that the 24-bit/96k WAV files I’ve provided are plenty high-resolution. Do they really only accept 16-bit/44.1k or 24-bit/192k? I’ve had clients ask me about the 192k thing but it was my understanding that the 96k files still worked with Tunecore.
As far as I know, Tunecore is the only digital distributor that suggests this idiotic idea of upsampling your master files to 192k sample rate so saying “Most distribution platforms want 192kHZ masters for forward compatibility.” is not accurate.
It’s just that perhaps all you know is Tunecore. DistroKid doesn’t ask this. The Orchard doesn’t ask this, and CD Baby is still stuck in the 90s and asks for 16-bit/44.1k sample rate which is also dumb but at least better than telling people to use iTunes to upsample their masters to 192k sample rate.
For my independent clients, bigger indie labels, and even the bit of major label reissue work I do, 96k is more than fine.
Occasionally reissue work comes in at 192k sample rate because that’s what the analog reels were archived at but even then, I often deliver at 96k unless 192k is demanded.
Tunecore’s specs are totally ridiculous - they say either 192/24 or 44.1/16 - totally crazy. Does anyone know if in fact they won’t accept 96/24? Subjecting audio to an unnecessary SRC is never good engineering practice.
And to the OP’s original question; yes, Steinberg does have occasional sales - they just had one a couple months ago (I purchased Spectralayers Pro during it). No idea when the next might be, or what would be on offer.
Well, Bob Katz recommends doing it in his “Mastering Audio” book as well. But forget it guys, obviously what I’m trying to do is completely stupid. Sorry I asked.
I haven’t read Bob’s book in a while but I know what you’re referring to. I’m not sure if he recommends upsampling to 192k specifically. Upsampling before processing is not a stupid idea but 192k is probably overkill.
96k is typically more than enough and going to 192k just for Tunecore is actually kind of silly in my opinion.
Do you know for a fact if Tunecore will reject 24-bit/96k WAV masters? I know what the wording says but I’m curious if you actually attempt to upload 96k WAV files if it will say that only 24-bit/192k or 16-bit/44.1k is accepted because if so, that would be really dumb.
FWIW, attached is a screen shot of something Bob said about Tunecore just the other day in a Facebook mastering group:
