Is External FX rendering in 24 bit only?
Even with 32bit Floating Point files and with > Preferences > Global > Audio set to 64bit FP or 32bit FP the result is always 24bit integer.
Even before rendering and while testing the BitMeter displays 24bit.
Am i doing something wrong, missing something or…?
Is your audio interface/converter greater than 24-bit? A few are but most are not.
As Justin mentions, the resolution is scaled down accordingly to your device driver, since the signal goes through this route.
I think AES is also limited to 24-bit so depending on your interface connection(s), this could be a limiting factor.
Hmmm… it’s either a MOTU 24i/o or a MOTU Traveler and occasionally a Artiria 16rig.
Haven’t tested with the 16 rig but with either MOTU the result is 24bit.
This although i have been recoding 32bit FP for decades.
In Sequoia i always record 32b FP and in Wavelab, when doing transfers from tape i also record 32b FP and in both cases the result is 32b FP files.
Only when using the ExternalFX “plugin” do i get 24b.
Even before rendering, upon measuring the pre-render bitrate, while adjusting whatever analog gear i have interfaced, does the meter show 24b.
Weird.
I admit the possibility that i am doing something wrong but the interfaces seem to allow 32b FP recording.
I’ve even tried 64b FP transfers into Wavelab and the result was correct.
The signal from your MOTU is 24 bit. If you get 32 bit FP (I mean, with a bitmeter), this should simply mean some gain is applied at some stage.
Correct!
All it takes is the slightest touch in the Output Faders for the bit meter to read 32bit.
I usually have it locked.
Solved.
Thankyou @Justin_Perkins and @PG1 for guiding me into understanding what was happening.