Software Conversion Protocol

[DSD_Mastering]

Usually it's better to convert 96 to 48 for film or 88 - 44 for music. Dithering is to be done the last thing you do.
There are many great SRC software available. I use Weiss Saracon, but I've heard good things about R8brain too.

Regards,
Bruce

[theblue1]

I used to be in the "synchronous rates" (even multiples, as it were) only camp but I've since become convinced that the best SRC can deliver conversion from 48, 96, or 192 down to 44.1 with few or no audible artifacts. BUT not all SRC is created equal. The SRC-ware that ships with popular DAWs like Sonar, Logic, and Cubase appear to be considerably less accurate (not to say horrible) than the very best.

I, too have heard good stuff about R8Brain (there's a free version that rolls off over 18 kHz and a pay for that's good up over 20 kHz).


This utility might prove useful for comparison:

SRC Comparisons


It's not instantly intuitable, so poke around 'til you understand the GUI, but it's pretty cool for comparing any two SRC-wares.


[PA... the SRC in Sonar 6 looks like it may be improved a little; Cubase is no longer listed but Nuendo's SRC looks OK at a glance; and Logic users will probably want to get the free R8Brain, at the very least.]

[circa70]

Thanks guys, I'll check it out. Peak Pro seems to be a great SRC...in this instance I'm really talking about finished stereo tracks, not DAW conversion, per se. I'm also thinking that in the tracking environment if I track at 88.2kHz and convert to 44.1 to use in the DAW, it may sound better...may be placebo though. Any thoughts on that?

PS: Just checked that link for SRC comparsions...not sure what I'm looking at, but the best converters seem to have the less visual lnoise on the graph, and the DAWs seem to have more. I'm I taking that right?