16/44.1k has more BASS than 24/88.2k ??? Why?
I made some sample tests over the weekend to try to figure out at which rate I want to sample with, and I'm a bit puzzled at my findings. Turntable -> Rane mixer -> M-Audio Delta 66 -> Peak ->Toast CD was the chain. All files were recorded in Peak. When I made the 24-bit files at different khz rates, I was careful to also use Peak to down-convert them to CD specs, because there was a difference between Peak & Toast's internal conversion. I really think I thought of everything with regards to putting the samples on equal ground.
Anyway, I found that...
- 16-bit, 44.1Khz - the sound was not quite as "wide" as the 24 bit files, but the kick drum, bass guitar, and even the snare sounded markedly more full and punchy. The bass line could be heard un-interrupted pulsing at the bottom.
- 24-bit, 44.1Khz - the sound was a bit "wider" as I said, and a good touch clearer in the high end. But the lack of "energy" was also noticable. The kick drum and bass diminished even though they were technically still there. The sound wasn't as "connected" feeling.
- 24-bit, 48k - my ears couldn't tell a diff....I really couldn't. It was too close to 24/44 so I sort of mentally eliminated it from the tests eventually.
- 24-bit, 88.2Khz - This is as good as my sound card will do, and I had to have a 1024 buffer to do it. The sound was noticably the "widest" and also a "deepness" started to become apparent. But still, when compared to the 16/44.1 file, it really didn't sound as nice in the bass area, even though it was nicer in the mids and highs, and it was def wider.
I've wondered why the Akai MPC's (except for the 4000) are all at 16-bit/44.1Khz, and these machines are much-loved in Hip-Hop of course, and 100 out of 100 people claim that drums sound better through them....is it something to do with the sample rates??
I was theorizing (scary I know) that maybe the big blocky pieces of 16-bit data actually add a synthetic component to bass waves that make them sound even punchier? I've got a 12-bit S-950 sampler, and the sample disk that came with it (Akai Soundset) has EXTREMELY punchy, in your gut, sort of sounds.
o.k. sorry for rambling here...but does anyone ever sample at 2 different rates and then layer them later? (for drums etc.)
thanks for listening.
Anyway, I found that...
- 16-bit, 44.1Khz - the sound was not quite as "wide" as the 24 bit files, but the kick drum, bass guitar, and even the snare sounded markedly more full and punchy. The bass line could be heard un-interrupted pulsing at the bottom.
- 24-bit, 44.1Khz - the sound was a bit "wider" as I said, and a good touch clearer in the high end. But the lack of "energy" was also noticable. The kick drum and bass diminished even though they were technically still there. The sound wasn't as "connected" feeling.
- 24-bit, 48k - my ears couldn't tell a diff....I really couldn't. It was too close to 24/44 so I sort of mentally eliminated it from the tests eventually.
- 24-bit, 88.2Khz - This is as good as my sound card will do, and I had to have a 1024 buffer to do it. The sound was noticably the "widest" and also a "deepness" started to become apparent. But still, when compared to the 16/44.1 file, it really didn't sound as nice in the bass area, even though it was nicer in the mids and highs, and it was def wider.
I've wondered why the Akai MPC's (except for the 4000) are all at 16-bit/44.1Khz, and these machines are much-loved in Hip-Hop of course, and 100 out of 100 people claim that drums sound better through them....is it something to do with the sample rates??
I was theorizing (scary I know) that maybe the big blocky pieces of 16-bit data actually add a synthetic component to bass waves that make them sound even punchier? I've got a 12-bit S-950 sampler, and the sample disk that came with it (Akai Soundset) has EXTREMELY punchy, in your gut, sort of sounds.
o.k. sorry for rambling here...but does anyone ever sample at 2 different rates and then layer them later? (for drums etc.)
thanks for listening.
G4 Dual 500, 1.75GB RAM, LaCie D2, Mac OS X (10.4.8), Logic Pro 7.2.3, Delta66, JV1080, S950, Serato Scratch, 2xTechnics, TTM56, Avalon737,Aphex 204, misc. guitars, mixers etc. etc.