Advice needed: SFX libraries - bit rates & sampling frequencies

grexter · 23rd May 2007, 12:43 AM

Hi guys,

Within the next couple months I'll be recording audio skits/jokes (basically voiceovers + some midi + some SFX from libraries). The weird thing about my project is that, given its part-time nature, for the next 2-3 years I'll be just recording and “archiving” them for “future commercial use” (hopefully either radio or internet)

My question is the following: what bit depth and sampling rate should I record my voiceovers at? More and more people I know record at 24/48 or 24/96, however, from what I see, most SFX libraries are still 16bit/44.1. If I plan to use some SFX effects in some of my audio skits, should I record all my voiceovers at 16/44.1?? (or record say at 24/48 or 24/96 or something like that and use my software's (CUBASE SX) “conform format” feature which i guess converts SFX files from 16/44.1 to whatever my session is in) What's the best way to go about that in order to maintain the highest possible sound quality while keeping my recorded voicevoers “compatible” with SFX libraries out there?

Also, the major SFX libraries, (hollywood edge, series 6000 etc) – are they gonna remain at 16/44.1 for the next say 5 years? They are quiet an investment, (unless you go with pay/per effect basis with sounddog.com etc) a decent library is well above $1000. I would be afraid to invest few thousand dollars into a format that could be “obsolete” a few years from now...

Any input would be highly appreciated,

thanks, greg.

minister · 23rd May 2007, 01:40 AM

becasue a library was delivered in 16/44.1 does not mean it was recorded that way, or even digitally.

why not 24/48? if your recordings are good, they are good. then you can convert them to whatever, later.

-later

grexter · 23rd May 2007, 11:17 PM

ok, but if i record all my voiceovers say at 24/48 and then I want to say add a few SFX from a sample library that is 16/44.1, how do I do that? How exactly do I convert the 16/44.1 file to 24/48 without jeopardizing its sound quality? (using some special software or the function in Cubase SX is sufficient?)

Mydog_Nixon · 24th May 2007, 12:36 AM

I agree with Minister. Go ahead and record your VO at 24/48. Don't worry about the 44.1 FX Pro Tools or any other DAW will convert the files upon import.

grexter · 24th May 2007, 02:24 AM

thanks...

and supposing i do all my recordings for the next few years at 24/48, you guys don't see a problem investing lots of money into a SFX library that is only 16/44.1 ?

Mydog_Nixon · 24th May 2007, 05:10 AM

I don't see a problem with it, I do all of my sessions at 24/48 and most of the SFX from the libraries are 44.1. I hope this helped...

grexter · 25th May 2007, 12:33 PM

sure thanks a lot. until now i was under the impression that in order for me to be able to use SFX that are 16/44.1 I should also record all the voice overs at 16/44.1 as converting SFX bit rate and sample rate would lead to lowering of the sound quality. (i don't have any "specialized" equipment for doing the conversion, it would be done using one of the features in my Cubase SX)

starcrash13 · 25th May 2007, 06:22 PM

I would recommend batch converting your entire FX library to 24/48 WAV (or whatever you usually work in) using a batch converter like Sound Grinder or Barbabatch. It takes a while if you have a large library, but it's worth it down the road as you will not have to convert every time you import a sound.

Obviously, higher sample rates are becoming more common but 24/48 is still pretty much a very common standard for editorial and mix. I've been using 24/96 recently for field recording which is great for processing and manipulating the pitch later on. Of course, it always ends up 48k by the time it reaches the mix. All my commercial library stuff is 24/48 WAV.

grexter · 25th May 2007, 10:21 PM

thanks,
i just checked out the Sound Grinder and Barbabatch - are they mostly for Mac - or is it just me? (I work on PC) Is there something equivalent for PC?

and, out of curiosity, will the conversion be better qualitywise using something like the above mention software when compared to the converting function i have in Cubase SX?

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23rd May 2007, 12:43 AM	#1
grexter Gear nut Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 114	Advice needed: SFX libraries - bit rates & sampling frequencies Hi guys, Within the next couple months I'll be recording audio skits/jokes (basically voiceovers + some midi + some SFX from libraries). The weird thing about my project is that, given its part-time nature, for the next 2-3 years I'll be just recording and “archiving” them for “future commercial use” (hopefully either radio or internet) My question is the following: what bit depth and sampling rate should I record my voiceovers at? More and more people I know record at 24/48 or 24/96, however, from what I see, most SFX libraries are still 16bit/44.1. If I plan to use some SFX effects in some of my audio skits, should I record all my voiceovers at 16/44.1?? (or record say at 24/48 or 24/96 or something like that and use my software's (CUBASE SX) “conform format” feature which i guess converts SFX files from 16/44.1 to whatever my session is in) What's the best way to go about that in order to maintain the highest possible sound quality while keeping my recorded voicevoers “compatible” with SFX libraries out there? Also, the major SFX libraries, (hollywood edge, series 6000 etc) – are they gonna remain at 16/44.1 for the next say 5 years? They are quiet an investment, (unless you go with pay/per effect basis with sounddog.com etc) a decent library is well above $1000. I would be afraid to invest few thousand dollars into a format that could be “obsolete” a few years from now... Any input would be highly appreciated, thanks, greg.

23rd May 2007, 01:40 AM	#2
minister Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: minneapolis, mn Posts: 1,114	becasue a library was delivered in 16/44.1 does not mean it was recorded that way, or even digitally. why not 24/48? if your recordings are good, they are good. then you can convert them to whatever, later. -later __________________ tom hambleton C.A.S. *I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW GOOD THAT MIX LOOKS!* ministry of fancy noises

25th May 2007, 06:22 PM	#8
starcrash13 Gear addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Marin County, CA, USA Posts: 436	I would recommend batch converting your entire FX library to 24/48 WAV (or whatever you usually work in) using a batch converter like Sound Grinder or Barbabatch. It takes a while if you have a large library, but it's worth it down the road as you will not have to convert every time you import a sound. Obviously, higher sample rates are becoming more common but 24/48 is still pretty much a very common standard for editorial and mix. I've been using 24/96 recently for field recording which is great for processing and manipulating the pitch later on. Of course, it always ends up 48k by the time it reaches the mix. All my commercial library stuff is 24/48 WAV. __________________ Pascal Garneau \| IMDb www.pascalgarneau.com

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23rd May 2007, 11:17 PM	#3
grexter Gear nut Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 114	ok, but if i record all my voiceovers say at 24/48 and then I want to say add a few SFX from a sample library that is 16/44.1, how do I do that? How exactly do I convert the 16/44.1 file to 24/48 without jeopardizing its sound quality? (using some special software or the function in Cubase SX is sufficient?)

24th May 2007, 12:36 AM	#4
Mydog_Nixon Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 131	I agree with Minister. Go ahead and record your VO at 24/48. Don't worry about the 44.1 FX Pro Tools or any other DAW will convert the files upon import.

24th May 2007, 02:24 AM	#5
grexter Gear nut Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 114	thanks... and supposing i do all my recordings for the next few years at 24/48, you guys don't see a problem investing lots of money into a SFX library that is only 16/44.1 ?

24th May 2007, 05:10 AM	#6
Mydog_Nixon Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 131	I don't see a problem with it, I do all of my sessions at 24/48 and most of the SFX from the libraries are 44.1. I hope this helped...

25th May 2007, 12:33 PM	#7
grexter Gear nut Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 114	sure thanks a lot. until now i was under the impression that in order for me to be able to use SFX that are 16/44.1 I should also record all the voice overs at 16/44.1 as converting SFX bit rate and sample rate would lead to lowering of the sound quality. (i don't have any "specialized" equipment for doing the conversion, it would be done using one of the features in my Cubase SX)

25th May 2007, 10:21 PM	#9
grexter Gear nut Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 114	thanks, i just checked out the Sound Grinder and Barbabatch - are they mostly for Mac - or is it just me? (I work on PC) Is there something equivalent for PC? and, out of curiosity, will the conversion be better qualitywise using something like the above mention software when compared to the converting function i have in Cubase SX?