Does 48KHz and 96KHz make difference when creating a project?

As BB mentions...

96kHz will double the file size and place an increased load on your processor with very little, (if any at all) noticeable difference in audio quality. In other words... for a home recording system it is a waste of resources that could be put to better use.

Now, what will make a difference is bit-depth, set Logic to audio at 24-bit, not 16.

44.1 or 48kHz at 24-bit will give the best audio quality and leave enough resources for plugins and virtual instruments.

AFAIK, all of the Apple packs are natively 44.1kHz. Running Logic VIs at 96kHz will result in a real time sample rate conversion--any difference will be minimal, and it's possible the sound will be slightly degraded.

This is also true for most 3rd party VIs, although there are a few exceptions of true 96kHz libraries like The Conservatoire Collection and Ocean Way Drums Platinum.

Then again, it's possible your audio interface might sound better at 96kHz (and likely delivers lower latency if your CPU can handle it), so that's a reason you might want a 96kHz project. And if you're recording audio alongside the VIs, the recording and mixing will take place at 96kHz, which *might* improve your final mix.

The bottom line for Logic VIs:

@ 44.1k:

source sounds 44.1k -> 44.1k mixer -> 44.1k output

@ 96k:

source sounds 44.1k -> SRC to 96k -> 96k mixer -> 96k output

So, there *is* a difference, but whether that's sonically good or bad isn't clear. If I were you, I'd take a complex mix of Apple VIs and bounce it at 44.1 and 96... see if you hear a difference. What's for sure is what BB and PC pointed out: you'll get a much higher CPU load at 96.

James

SABOND21 wrote:

Ok, I now about bit depth and I'm using 24bit rec. of course. But I am interested in exactly music creation in logic (not recording) - especially about already recorded by Apple sound banks in Jam packs (like kick drums, snares etc). I have noticed, that sounds are 44.1 KHz but when they are going through Ultrabeat, EXS24 - does their sound quality change or not really?

More precise question is - can EXS24, Ultrabeat or Sculptor give me real 96KHz sound?

No, not if the the audio files were recorded at 44.1.

Sculpture is different from Ultrabeat and EXS24... you understand that difference, correct?

A more precise question would be... would you be able to hear the difference?

What you will do, no matter if you are using Logic's built in efx or pre-recorded audio is put a heavier load on your processor with no gain in perceived quality.

I hope you have a pristine listening room and very high end (expensive) audio hardware if you hope to hear a difference.

Not to say that 96kHz/24 is not important, indeed, if you are recording and mixing VI using Sculpture, ES2..East/West symphonic library, IVORY...etc, 96kHz may offer the overhead and clarity you need in a dense mix. That is... if you have the listening room and hardware need to correctly hear the mix you are creating... otherwise 44.1 or 48kHz at 24 will work perfectly well. 99.99% of your listeners will not be able to hear the difference.

Try this:

Set your system 96kHz sample rate at 24 bit, load 4 sculpture synths, put a Space Designer on a bus.

Record or place a MIDI track to trigger the Sculpture synths, add a little SD reverb to each one, how are you doing on processor use? Now try the same experiment at 44.1 or 48kHz.

Besides doubling the file size and doubling the CPU load? Well, maybe this helps: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=44.1+khz+vs+96+khz

That should read...

Now, what will make a difference is bit-depth, set Logic to record audio at 24-bit, not 16.