Hello, I have some questions about bit depth/resolution in Cubase.
Please let me know if I understood correctly each one of the following points:
- Cubase 7.5 works internally always at 32 bit floating point.
- When mixing inside Cubase, it is impossible to clip the single tracks (because of 32 bit float processing); caution should only be used on the master output bus (when doing mixdown… and perhaps also while mixing to avoid damaging the speakers?).
- Setting a bit resolution (e.g. 24 bit) inside the “Project Setup” window, will only affect recorded audio; VST instruments and plug-ins will always work at 32 bit floating point (except if they don’t support it?).
- If I do an audio mixdown at 32 bit float, and the project is setup at a lower bit resolution (e.g. 24 bit) as in point 3, the exported mixdown will have an higher quality than a mixdown at 24 bit (because the VST instruments and plug-ins will be processed and exported at 32 bit float). And no dithering would be required.
- When doing a 24 bit mixdown (with the project setup at 24 bit), the Apogee dithering plug-in could be used, because Cubase is lowering the resolution from 32 bit float (internal) to 24 bit. I have read though that it is not important to dither 24 bit files… but perhaps it would be better to do it anyway, since there is the possibility and is quick to do?
I have the project bit resolution (in Project Setup window) set at 24 bit, which is the maximum for my MOTU audio interface.
I am thinking that it would be better to export audio mixdown at 32 bit float files, for doing mastering on this files later (with Cubase or other programs).
Do you agree?
What about exporting 24 bit files for doing mastering later? Is it OK to save them without dithering, then applying a dither after mastering? Or is one export/mixdown without dithering enough to corrupt the audio irreparably? I’m asking because previously I have always saved pre-masters at 24 bit. But it would be also interesting to know this in general, also for 16 bit files.
In any case I think that I should not apply dithering more than once, right?
Thanks.