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From: "Markus Kaarlonen" <markus.kaarlonen@...>
Date: Thu Feb 14, 2002 1:01pm
Subject: Re: [GEN] 24 bits vs. 96K

> I disagree with this. Bit depth has nothing to do with dynamic range. Bit
> depth has to do with resolution. A 16 bit converter and 24 bit converter
> will clip at exactly the same point (provided they are accurately
> calibrated). The difference is the quality of the quiter bits, providing
> a more accurate depiction of the instrument being recorded.

Um, isn't this a bit like like saying "100 is not bigger than 10. It's just
ten times more accurate." ?

"Dynamic range" is the difference between the softest and loudest sound
producable in a certain system, right? In a digital system, the loudest
possible sound is very easy to determine, it's right at the point where all
bits are used and the sound is about to clip.

The less bits you use, the more quantization noise you get. When the sound
gets softer, you use less bits, and at some point the quantization noise
gets so loud that this can be considered the softest sound of this system.

Now, naturally more bits means a greater difference between the softest and
loudest sound, which equals more dynamic range. So, "a better/bigger dynamic
range" and "a more accurate depiction of the instrument being recorded" are
in essence the very same thing.

That's how I understand it, correct me if I'm wrong. :)

Markus "Captain" Kaarlonen
Lead Web Developer - www.madonion.com
captain@m...