Ableton Forum

Great read. Couldn't agree more about about home studio folks over-thinking the mastering process.

Thanks!

Hi Tarekith,

Excellent article.

You recommend using 24 bit. I assume that the benefits of using 24 bit outweigh the cost of having to use dithering to bring it down to 16 bit? How much better is 24 bit than 16 bit, in you opinion?

Cheers.

Yes, the benefits of dithering from 24bit to 16bit far outweigh just using 16bit alone IMO. I think this is an excellent video that talks about the benefits better than I could:

http://youtu.be/cIQ9IXSUzuM

Tarekith wrote:Yes, the benefits of dithering from 24bit to 16bit far outweigh just using 16bit alone IMO. I think this is an excellent video that talks about the benefits better than I could:

http://youtu.be/cIQ9IXSUzuM

i understand that dither is supposed to help with quantization error when downsampling but im confused... @ 16:50 hes like, even after spending all that time going over dither, at 16bits its mostly a wash and the only benefits of dithering is an insurance policy to get a few more decibels of dynamic range just in case

is he referring to something else?

bump

No, I think he's spot on actually, that's more or less the only reason for dither as it relates to music. People worry too much about what is arguably the most unimportant part of the process.

Tarekith,

Fantastic video! He has great nerdy charisma and really seems to know what he's talking about. And he had the tech to prove his case. He seems passionate too - going to a lot of trouble to get his presentation and tech right. Lots of nice side-points too like old tape bit depth. If anyone disagrees, they've got a high standard to beat.

Cheers,
Martin.

Yeah, props to the Fruity Loops guys for taking the time to put that together, it's really well done.

I read your mixing and mastering guides.
I wish i read them earlier, but some of the things i had been doing by myself. My mixdowns have always been problematic.
Well, I will keep in mind your suggestions from now on. Very logical, and great guide(s) for those like me who can't afford to have someone else master it for them.

Thanks, glad you found them helpful!

Tarekith wrote:No, I think he's spot on actually, that's more or less the only reason for dither as it relates to music. People worry too much about what is arguably the most unimportant part of the process.

i see...i thought u were advocating using it, so you were basically just saying the benefits from 24 to 16 are better if you do chose to dither..i gotcha