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Matching sample format to audio interface
4 January, 2021 - 11:25 — alfalyr
Hi, I have an audio interface that I use to record voice and instruments, and that allows recording at 24 bits. I set capture/export in Qtractor to a 32 bit float because I usually prefer floats over integers, but I wonder if it would be better to record in the native format of the sound card (24 bit integer). I am also wondering if that doesn't make sense because jack and ALSA maybe work at 32 bits anyway, because in cadence or QjackCtl there is an option to force 16 bits, but seems like it's using 32 bits if that option is not enabled. Any insights about this? Is there any way to check for sure if I'm actually using all 24 bits from my sound card?
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re. Matching sample format to audio interface
hi, quite simply told the commandments here are, erm. the recommendations are as follows:
1. on jack/qjackctl, always set sample format implicit to the hardware default; do not touch the 16-bit unless you (really) know what you're doing (and the hardware shortcomings too);
2. on qtractor, always set your recordings to a 32-bit floating-point (aka. float) sample format--you won't ever regret that choice!--most of all, it will keep all your audio-pcm recordings safe and free from unrecoverable damage due to clipping and severe distortion when going 0dbfs peak overboard or even less; only then and after that decision you may say you can "fix it in the mix", trust me ;)
hth.
cheers
Thanks for your answer. So,
Thanks for your answer. So, if I understand it correctly, if I don't touch the 16-bit thing, jack will get the default format for my hardware, and then, if the recordings are set in qtractor to 32-bit floats, those 24 bits will be written in the 32 bit float tracks. My question was mainly how to make sure that I'm using the full bit depth of my hardware (24 bits), but as I understood Jack and Alsa use that by default then?
Thanks again!
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