# What bit depth and sample rate should I use? **URL:** \ **Category:** Steinberg Lounge\ **Created:** [January 20, 2015, 7:06pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321 "2015-01-20T19:06:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![differencetone](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/differencetone/32/726_2.png) [@differencetone](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/differencetone)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 7:06pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/1 "2015-01-20T19:06:13Z")
I just ordered an RME Babyface which goes to a higher rate than my old card (an Echo Gina 3G.) It is very fast and I have a lot of disk space. Normally I record at 24 bit 48 KHZ. Should I raise this? Is there any point in recording at 24 bit 96 KHZ just for processing the sound? ---
**Author:** ![stingray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c68b51/32.png) [@stingray](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/stingray)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/2 "2015-01-20T19:26:33Z")
There’s no real answer to that as it’s more about personal choice than a technical imperative, and depends so much on what/how you are recording and what the final resolution of the file will be. Of course, 24/96 theoretically gives you higher resolution audio so you may as well use it to optimise the results, but some would argue that most of us can’t hear the difference anyway. Try recording the same source at 24/96 and 24/48 (original recordings of the same source, no sample rate conversion) and then see which file you prefer in a blind listening test. Let your ears make the choice. ---
**Author:** ![DerlinStiles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@DerlinStiles](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/DerlinStiles)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 8:01pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/3 "2015-01-20T20:01:21Z")
I say no, stay at 24/48 and save unnecessary stress on your system. Most people who say they can hear a difference are lying themselves. But… If you can hear the difference, you should perhaps consider a career in mastering! ---
**Author:** ![jono\_not\_bono](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/jono_not_bono/32/712_2.png) [@jono\_not\_bono](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/jono_not_bono)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 8:13pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/4 "2015-01-20T20:13:05Z")
> [@DerlinStiles](#): > > I say no, stay at 24/48 and save unnecessary stress on your system. Most people who say they can hear a difference are lying themselves. But… If you can hear the difference, you should perhaps consider a career in mastering! Yep haha! I record at 44.1 and at 24 bit. I can’t hear any difference above 44.1khz Am I right in thinking that recording at higher sample rates gives less Latency? If so, that would be the only reason why I think it would be better to record above 44.1khz (unless its for Movies/Tv etc and then obviously at 48khz). I could be wrong though… ---
**Author:** ![Hedshaker](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/hedshaker/32/771_2.png) [@Hedshaker](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Hedshaker)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 8:23pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/5 "2015-01-20T20:23:29Z")
It’s not just the hard drive space. It’s also plug-in count. If you double your bit rate you effectively halve your plug-in count, which is not good if you like doing sound design and experimental sound effects. It’s case of contention much argued, so try it if you must but, personally, I have seen no evidence of any difference of note so I stick with 24/44.1 and I reckon my productions sound just fine. If I wanted to spend money on pro mastering and what not, probably even better. There are some stunning tracks from the nineties recorded in 16/44.1 long before the advancement in today’s technology . You pays your money… your choice. ---
**Author:** ![MHoughton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@MHoughton](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/MHoughton)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 9:20pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/6 "2015-01-20T21:20:30Z")
‘Bit depth’ (more actually ‘word length’) describes the dynamic range. It makes sense to record at 24 bits as this allows you to leave plenty of headroom to avoid clipping, while the noise floor can be very low. It makes sense to have all your projects at that word length. Sample rate is a more complex topic. Nyquist theorem dictates that (with a perfect filter in your A-D converter) your sample rate must be at least twice the highest audible frequency. Most humans can barely hear above 21kHz. So 44.1kHz should be sufficient. Cheap and older converters require a bit extra to allow their filters to do the job, so 48kHz is probably better. Some sources which carry ultrasonic energy (cymbals, keys being shaked etc) can cause intermodulation distortion in the audible band. So it can make sense to track at 96kHz _if you can hear problems_. You can record at high sample rates ifvyo need to slow down/pitch shift down for sound design. All of which leads me to track at 48kHz in normal circumstances! ---
**Author:** ![Getalife2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Getalife2](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Getalife2)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 10:37pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/7 "2015-01-20T22:37:11Z")
> [@Hedshaker](#): > > Asus P9X79 I7 - 4930K @340GHz, 16 GB Ram. Windows 7 Just checkin’ out your sig. That is one faaaaaast computer you have there! ![:mrgreen:](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/original/2X/4/442e459c5ced45cb70e8a05e77e07cea6fee4928.gif "Mr. Green") ---
**Author:** ![Keith99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ea5d25/32.png) [@Keith99](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Keith99)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 10:50pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/8 "2015-01-20T22:50:58Z")
One advantage of using a higher sampling rate is that you don’t need to use oversampling in your plugins so much. Having said that I use 44.1 and am happy 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mbr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@mbr](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/mbr)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 12:55am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/9 "2015-01-21T00:55:27Z")
Cubedaw There is a gazillion different views on this. Many Sound on Sound articles about this over many years. You can also research the enormous threads at Gearsluts and Pro Tool forums about this. Many mastering engineers also wrote many articles on the issue. Everyone has an opinion on the issue & many schools of thought. Mastering Engineers ( most of them ) all recommend working as high as you can, and they also among themselves differ on the reasons. Personally I won’t go under 44.1 kHz / 24 Bit - but I work at the moment @ 96 kHz / 32 Bit float - and my mastering chappies are happies. If you have the speed and space go as high as you can - if not go for 44.1/24 at least. If you do work at 24bit - use the dithering plug (UV24HR) set to 16 bit in slot 8 master buss when you print your final mix for CD - if you master yourselves and your mix is done. (Not while you are mixing) Enjoy your new Baby ! MBR ---
**Author:** ![differencetone](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/differencetone/32/726_2.png) [@differencetone](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/differencetone)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 3:15am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/10 "2015-01-21T03:15:00Z")
> [@MHoughton](#): > > Some sources which carry ultrasonic energy (cymbals, keys being shaked etc) can cause intermodulation distortion in the audible band. So it can make sense to track at 96kHz _if you can hear problems_. You can record at high sample rates ifvyo need to slow down/pitch shift down for sound design. > > All of which leads me to track at 48kHz in normal circumstances! Well this is interesting because there is a frequency I hit on my sampled piano in a specific and narrow range (could be one key) that causes distortion which is audible on some speakers. I do not hear it on my studio monitors though. It is particularly apparent on cheap speakers. I do sound design on occasion. As I understand it, a high bit depth isn’t necessary if your plugins do this for you. This is called “oversampling.” I am not aware if Cubase 8 plugins do this or not. ---
**Author:** ![fretthefret](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@fretthefret](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/fretthefret)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 8:25am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/11 "2015-01-21T08:25:22Z")
> [@CubeDAW](#): > > I just ordered an RME Babyface which goes to a higher rate than my old card (an Echo Gina 3G.) It is very fast and I have a lot of disk space. > > Normally I record at 24 bit 48 KHZ. Should I raise this? Is there any point in recording at 24 bit 96 KHZ just for processing the sound? CubeDAW, this article is a good place to start learning about the differences… with good visual explanations. [http://www.ryanenzed.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7986&start=0](http://www.ryanenzed.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7986&start=0) As for which sample rate and bit depth to use… it really depends on the source you are capturing and the room you are capturing! I wouldn’t bother with 96 khz on a distorted metal e-guitar recording but I would absolutely use it on an acoustic guitar/piano/drum/orchestral room mic recording in a beautiful sounding naturally reverberant room. Realistically, the ONLY way to learn the difference (when to use it and if it matters at all to what you do) is to try recording a song at 96khz/24bit and mix it out to hear the end result. (And anyone who says you won’t hear a difference has probably never tried it themselves or doesn’t record sources where it will even matter!) You’ll also want to check the specs on the plugins you use and make sure they handle your choice. WAVES publishes the specs on their plugin pages (as do most other deveolpers) for reference. The majority of the recordings I do are 48khz 24bit or even 44.1khz 24 bit (and almost always mixed at 32bit float no matter what sample rate!) And you’ll easily hear a difference between 24bit and 32 bit float if you do a lot of rendering or track to track recording (or a “Print track”) during your mixing process. Think of it much like the difference between a picture taken on a 1.5megapixel camera and a 16megapixel camera … most people can clearly see the difference! The same holds for good ears… good ears will hear a difference. But for audio the real difference in bit depth occurs during the mixing process! ---
**Author:** ![Qbass-007](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/qbass-007/32/1131_2.png) [@Qbass-007](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Qbass-007)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 3:10pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/12 "2015-01-21T15:10:48Z")
> [@Getalife2](#): > > > [@Hedshaker](#): > > > > Asus P9X79 I7 - 4930K @340GHz, 16 GB Ram. Windows 7 > > Just checkin’ out your sig. That is one faaaaaast computer you have there! ![:mrgreen:](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/original/2X/4/442e459c5ced45cb70e8a05e77e07cea6fee4928.gif "Mr. Green") Good eye! 😆 I also record at 44.1 and at 24 bit. For a home hobby studio I feel this is plenty good enough! ---
**Author:** ![jono\_not\_bono](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/jono_not_bono/32/712_2.png) [@jono\_not\_bono](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/jono_not_bono)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 3:36pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/13 "2015-01-21T15:36:46Z")
I used to record most things at 192khz with my MOTU HD192. I soon ran out of hard drive space haha. ---
**Author:** ![Jarno](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/jarno/32/403_2.png) [@Jarno](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Jarno)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 5:19pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/14 "2015-01-21T17:19:44Z")
> [@fretthefret](#): > > this article is a good place to start learning about the differences… It definitely isn’t! It’s full of mistakes. Author doesn’t understand digital audio. ---
**Author:** ![riffwraith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@riffwraith](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/riffwraith)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/15 "2015-01-21T19:36:28Z")
> [@Hedshaker](#): > > If you double your bit rate you effectively halve your plug-in count Huh?!?!? ---
**Author:** ![Piirka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9a140/32.png) [@Piirka](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Piirka)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 12:28am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/16 "2015-01-22T00:28:02Z")
> [@Jarno](#): > > > [@fretthefret](#): > > > > this article is a good place to start learning about the differences… > > It definitely isn’t! It’s full of mistakes. Author doesn’t understand digital audio. Agree. Absolutely horrendeous. Waste of time IMHO These kind of articles is the reason old “internet myths” never die. Start here for a myth buster on digital audio: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/cIQ9IXSUzuM/maxresdefault.jpg "D/A and A/D | Digital Show and Tell (Monty Montgomery @ xiph.org)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIQ9IXSUzuM) Then discuss. ---
**Author:** ![Woodcrest\_Studio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Woodcrest\_Studio](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Woodcrest_Studio)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 1:21am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/17 "2015-01-22T01:21:41Z")
15 IPS / 320nWb/m ---
**Author:** ![UltimateOutsider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/59ef9b/32.png) [@UltimateOutsider](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/UltimateOutsider)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 1:58am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/18 "2015-01-22T01:58:23Z")
> [@jono not bono](#): > > > [@DerlinStiles](#): > > > > Am I right in thinking that recording at higher sample rates gives less Latency? Well, yes and no. Yes, if you have a sample buffer of a fixed size (let’s say 256 samples), you will find that you experience less latency at 48K than at 44.1K, since 48K processing burns through samples faster than 44.1K. The problem is that this also means that you’re getting less protection from those 256 samples than you were getting at 44.1K. On top of that, processing audio at higher sample rates demands more DSP/CPU than lower sample rates, meaning your likelihood of needing that buffering increases as the sample rate goes up, so you might find yourself having to increase the size of your buffer, which will increase the latency again. ---
**Author:** ![riffwraith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@riffwraith](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/riffwraith)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 2:17am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/19 "2015-01-22T02:17:36Z")
> [@UltimateOutsider](#): > > The problem is that this also means that you’re getting less protection from those 256 samples than you were getting at 44.1K. Huh?!?!? ---
**Author:** ![Woodcrest\_Studio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Woodcrest\_Studio](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Woodcrest_Studio)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 2:41am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/what-bit-depth-and-sample-rate-should-i-use/646321/20 "2015-01-22T02:41:35Z")
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