VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[D Voice]

Anybody got any suggestions for a (preferably freeware) application that they know for sure can record in 24-bit in Windows?

I have mostly used an older version of AA (essentially CE) and Audacity for quick and easy stuff.

I actually really like many things features of Audacity 2.0, but just discovered that in Windows, while it can can import/process/export in 24 bit or 32-bit floating point, Audacity can only RECORD in 16-bit, no matter what you set it to- something about "port scripts" or some such.

(Apparently the same is true for my version of AA- i.e. it will record in 16 bit and then "do the math" to make it look like 24-bit etc. if that is what you ask for).

From what I understand, it is the combination of Windows and this/these programs, but not all.

Would really prefer to be recording in 24-bit for the better separation from the noise floor, etc.

[Dale]

[Frank F]

Which version of AA do you currently use? What is your current sound card?

All Audition versions I have used are able to record in 24 bit in Edit view. Both work with 32 bit floating point (which is 24 bit) in multitrack view.

The 24 bit recording setup is dependent upon your sound card settings, not on AA's internal sound application. Audition will sense the current input settings of your audio device and use those when beginning to record.

If your audio device is set to record 16 bit natively or cannot record 24 bit this may be the problem.

As a side note: Noise floor will not be affected by the bit rate. Your noise floor has so many components which are outside of that specific parameter it is hard to describe which might be the most noisy. However the anomalies may be a tad less audible.

For most VO projects I use 16 bit, 48k.

Good luck.

Frank F
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

[Ed Gambill]

D

I have been using Sound Forge from Sony for years (from 1.0). Good customer support.

Sound Forge Audio Studio 10 is free to try, and a bit under $70.00 to buy. In addition you will be able to get credit for your purchase if you want to up grade.

This links to tech spec a Sony’s web site http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/audiostudio/techspec
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Esse quam videri "To be rather than to seem"
www.SaVoa.org No. 07000 Member AES

[D Voice]

Yes Dale, Reaper is quite nice, and will probably get that at some point, at least until AA 6.1 comes out. But I like the idea of a freeware/open source software such as at least for recording, because I can easily install it on my multiple computers.

And are you absolutely certain that the RECORDING bit depth in Reaper (for Windows) is actually 24-bit?

[D Voice]

e.g. the earliest silent films were usually filmed in 16fps (some at 18, etc.). So when they wanted to show them on later projectors (later standardized at 24fps), they would double every other frame. Obviously, that approximates and might be good enough for the casual eye, but is not exactly the same as filming something at 24fps in the first place.

[Frank F]

OK, here is the deal, I forgot to mention this in the previous post. Audition will only record in 16 bit when using the WDM or MME drivers.

Switching to ASIO drivers will allow you to record in 24 bit mode.

I do not recall if the M has ASIO drivers or not, but if not you might be able to download and install ASIO4ALL. Select the ASIO driver in AA and choose 24 bit and you will be OK to go.

Caveat: you will need to set latency as low as you are able, this may take a few tries to get it to work properly. Too fast and you will hear a choppy sound, too slow and you will hear break-ups within your audio. I suggest you start around 10 or 12 ms and work down.

Recording in Multitrack mode will still result in a 32 bit FP file. So start with the Edit view in 24 bit, then if needed use the multitrack view to mix, mixdown to file, convert to 24 bit prior to saving.

Frank F
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

[D Voice]

[Frank F]

[D Voice]

[Ed Gambill]

First off Frank you are a pure fountain of knowledge. You amaze me, you do your home work and you don’t ask a dime for the knowledge you share. You pay it forward.

Now to this point

I taught production sound for motion picture and video and did a training tape that was bought by many colleges. I use to record in the field at 16bit 48K that has been the norm for the film industry.

A survey done by AES the Audio Engineering Society had folk listen to and compair audio samples recorded at and delivered at rates higher than 16bit/44.1K. The results are the 16.44.1 was pleasing to the vast majority.

That why I record my program that airs on an NPR station at 16/44.1. Focus on the other things that are causing you a noise problem.

XP may be a old platform but many including myself find it to be solid.
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Esse quam videri "To be rather than to seem"
www.SaVoa.org No. 07000 Member AES

[heyguido]

Damn, Frank.... Every once in a while, we get a peek inside that head of yours....

Wow. Nicely done.
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Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

[Frank F]

D Voice: Go to CEntrance's website and download the "Universal Driver" for the M. Install (make sure you know where you installed the drivers) and use the interface to setup the ASIO parameters. Once the setup is complete... you should be off and recording in 24 bit.

I still use XP also.

Ed, Don, thank you. Hope I do not scare people with what is in my head. I do know I piss off a lot of people around here.

Frank F
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

[heyguido]

I ain't skeered.... I'm glad you're here.

Most people assume that 24bit has a lower noise floor. Not true. It DOES tend to allow a little more headroom, (which is helpful for those who "set and forget" or tend to overdrive, but noise floor is strictly a function of your audio chain.

Want to lower your noise floor? Cables, connectors, and sources of electrical interference are the most likely culprits. Occasionally, a piece of gear will fail, but check the chain first.

And Frank.... Keep it up, professor.
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Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

[Ed Gambill]

Like they say "better to be pisses off than pisses on"
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Esse quam videri "To be rather than to seem"
www.SaVoa.org No. 07000 Member AES