16bit/44.1 tracks for mixing

[Detuned6]

I have some 16bit/44.1(thats what they where tracked to, in CEP) tracks to mix from a client. I started mixing in the same 16/44.1, but should I have imported them into a 24bit 48.1k session insted??? From what I hear, plugins sound better at higher sample rates (true, false, who knows) Should I mix in my 24/48.1 norm?

My typical mix/master/final workflow:
I mix ITB, via PT LE 7.1. I usually upsample the final mix to 96k for "hack ITB mastering". Then downsample the mastered mix to 44.1(staying at 24bit), then apply dither and convert to 16 bit for the final mix.

[16/44.1]

Originally Posted by Detuned6

I have some 16bit/44.1(thats what they where tracked to, in CEP) tracks to mix from a client. I started mixing in the same 16/44.1, but should I have imported them into a 24bit 48.1k session insted??? From what I hear, plugins sound better at higher sample rates (true, false, who knows) Should I mix in my 24/48.1 norm?

My typical mix/master/final workflow:
I mix ITB, via PT LE 7.1. I usually upsample the final mix to 96k for "hack ITB mastering". Then downsample the mastered mix to 44.1(staying at 24bit), then apply dither and convert to 16 bit for the final mix.

I always open/edit/mixing in 32bits.
The master will be saved and stored as a 32bits file.
Finally the file will be rounded off to 16 bits for CD.

[moodswinger]

Originally Posted by 16/44.1

I always open/edit/mixing in 32bits.
The master will be saved and stored as a 32bits file.
Finally the file will be rounded off to 16 bits for CD.

i don't think anybody is more qualified than 16/44.1 to answer this question...

[Mondo]

i'm confused by the "48.1" idea?

[16/44.1]

Originally Posted by moodswinger

i don't think anybody is more qualified than 16/44.1 to answer this question...

LOL .
What do you mean with ?

[theblue1]

Originally Posted by Mondo

i'm confused by the "48.1" idea?

I think I'd personally stick with a 44.1 kHz SR. Upsampling and downsampling CAN be an acoustically transparent process (they tell me) with the best sample rate conversion -- but there is a range of quality of SRC. If I was going to upsample to gain the putative benefits of higher internal rate, I think I'd go to 88.2 kHz and come back down before outputting to the DA (where the higher sampling rate may have a tendancy to create foldover alias error in the audible range which the converter must then mathematically correct for). [I'm no expert on this stuff; those in need of more info may want to peruse this thread and the forum it comes from: PSW Recording Forums: Dan Lavry => the "high frequency transients" fallacy --
this post is deep in the thread: PSW Recording Forums: Dan Lavry => the "high frequency transients" fallacy ]


But definitely work at your DAW's native mix bit depth (which is likely to be 32 bit float) rather than forcing the project down to 16 bit. (Chances are the DAW's internal processes/summing would still be 32 bit float but the stored audio clips would be reduced to 16 on save.)

There are sample rate conversion issues (that potentially can degrade sound) between different rates (and particularly between "asynchronous rates" [non-even multiples, IOW]) but -- aside from increased CPU/drive load, there is little downside to working at higher bit depths.

[Detuned6]

Originally Posted by Mondo

i'm confused by the "48.1" idea?

I dont think I described that clearly. I allways record at 48/24, but this project was recorded at a differant studio(44.1/16). I was wondering if I would be better of importing the wav files into a 44.1 or 48khz session for mixing.