Bit depth
The number of bits used to describe each sample of audio, which sets the dynamic range and the noise floor of a digital recording.
Every extra bit adds about six decibels of dynamic range, so sixteen-bit audio gives roughly ninety-six decibels and twenty-four-bit gives about a hundred and forty-four. In practice the benefit of higher bit depth is not a louder recording but a lower noise floor, which leaves more room for the quiet parts and for heavy processing later. Twenty-four-bit has become the studio standard for tracking, while sixteen-bit remains common for finished delivery.
Example: Recording at twenty-four-bit rather than sixteen leaves more headroom before quiet details are lost in the noise.
See also
Related
- PageSample rate
- PageAudio interface
- PageClipping
- PageAmp mic placement
- PageAux send
- PageBalanced signal
- PageAaron Dessner
- PageAce Frehley