Another sample rate/bit depth conversion question

[Alexey Lukin]

SRC goes first, then goes a peak level check, then bit depth reduction. Most SRCs and dithers are good enough, so there's no need to always reach out for external solutions.

If SRC is good, there's no quality difference between 88 and 96 kHz. If it is bad, there may be some.

[Nonlinear]

Originally Posted by Alexey Lukin

SRC goes first, then goes a peak level check, then bit depth reduction. Most SRCs and dithers are good enough, so there's no need to always reach out for external solutions.

If SRC is good, there's no quality difference between 88 and 96 kHz. If it is bad, there may be some.

OK, thank you.

Now, assuming all the mastering is completed at 96/24, how do you maintain the same levels, and assure no ISPs, once converted? If you have to add a "safety" limiter in the chain somewhere downstream of the conversion doesn't that defeat the purpose of working at 96K?

[fastlanestoner]

I do it when rendering the stereo master of the track in Reaper.

[Alexey Lukin]

Originally Posted by Nonlinear

Now, assuming all the mastering is completed at 96/24, how do you maintain the same levels, and assure no ISPs, once converted? If you have to add a "safety" limiter in the chain somewhere downstream of the conversion doesn't that defeat the purpose of working at 96K?

Limit with ISP protection at 96 kHz, leave 0.1 dB headroom — and you should be fine after conversion.

[Babaluma]

Some SRCs have a setting to make sure they look at the file and if it clips after conversion, they will automatically bring it down until it is not clipping. I know both R8BrainPro and RX2 have this.

[jayfrigo]

In my typical workflow I capture the analog chain at 88.2. I do the peak limiting while at high sample rate because nonlinear processing tends to be cleaner, leaving a few tenths of head room, then synchronous SRC on the way into Sonic where editing, fades, and prep happens, and finally dither to reduce word length as the very last step.

Good software SRC is also used when needed, but you need to know your tools; not all are created equal. Weiss Saracon and iZotope have excellent offerings (especially all the options and control offered in RX Advanced), as is the old Sonic Solutions HD SRC. However, the SRC built into the early versions of soundBlade is not the same and is not great. There was talk of adding the original Sonic HD SRC and/or iZotope to soundBlade, but I'm not sure if this has happened yet. I haven't checked since I don't really need it.