Question about dithering

[woodengun]

I know that I need dithering effect when I use 24bit file in my song.
But what about 16bit?
Do I need to dither too?

I mean all the DAW process signal in 48bit.
If that means that Live does the dithering when it renders file back to 16bit?

I am sort of confused.
Please help me out here.

[Funkstar De Luxe]

A DAW processes at 32Bit. You only ever need to dither if you are REDUCING bit depth.

So if you have a 32bit file and want to make it 16 bit; dither and noise shape your 32 bit file, then[b/] reduce it's bit depth. This must be the very last process.

[dancerchris]

The only time you should need dithering is when you downsample. Don't worry about the upsampling and internal sample rates of how your DAW works or the VST/AU. Just remember if you are downsampling your project (e.g. render to CDROM redbook - 16bit from a project sample bit depth that is higher) you'll want to dither. BTW it's not required you just achive a nicer end result.

[rhythminmind]

The only time you should need dithering is when you downsample. Don't worry about the upsampling and internal sample rates of how your DAW works or the VST/AU. Just remember if you are downsampling your project (e.g. render to CDROM redbook - 16bit from a project sample bit depth that is higher) you'll want to dither. BTW it's not required you just achive a nicer end result.

Dont confuse Samplerate with bitdepth. But what you say is true just swap out ¨downsampling¨ with bitdepth.

Once again you only need to dither when your exporting your mix to a 16 bit file. And no live dosent dither for you. You need something like ozone or a standalone mastering package like wavelab.

[Michael-SW]

Or you could just export in 24 or 32 bit from Live and dither/reduce bit depth in audacity (free sound editor).

[woodengun]

Thanks,guys.