Working with 24-bit with this setup (containing Akai MPC sampler)

[Heretic Beats]

Hi!

I have decided I would really like to work exclusively with 24-bit samples. I know most DAW's nowadays handles mixed bit-rates well, but I still think sticking to one bit-rate per project is a good discipline.

Anyways, I think I have settled on Reaper as the DAW. My audio interface is an M-Audio Audiophile USB (24 bit). My Numark PT-01 USB turntable (from which I record my samples) has an USB port, but when recording directly into PC, I record via its phono-out so that I can record in 24-bit.

I think I read somewhere that you should never record in 24-bit if the source is only 16-bit. Is this true? And does this also apply to my aforementioned turntable recording technique? - that is: recording via its phono-out which is analog. When you record from an analog output then the audio interface can't tell its a 16-bit turntable... can it?

Here's the main problem: I have an MPC-2500 SE which, as you all know, is only 16-bit. But I would really like to use it in my 24-bit production setup. If I sample from my turntable into the MPC, chop up the sample, and create something I like... can't I then just record its phono or jack output into my PC via my M-Audio audio interface being set to 24-bit? I guess its the same question as the recording-from-turntable-via-analog-phono-output-in-24-bit-quality one.

Simply put: if I record from the analog phono out (or jack) is it then okay to record in 24-bit?

PS: I know recording something 16-bit into 24-bit won't improve its quality. I'm doing it for the extra headroom and better-quality processing.

So yeah what's your thoughts????

[mikebailey92]

It's fine to do that. I've done it before, going from an S3000XL into Logic.

[krushing]

Yeah. As soon as the audio has gone through the d/a of the source device (the MPC & the turntable), it's just audio - there are no bits. And your turntable isn't "16 bit", just the a/d converter (that's only used when you use the USB connection) in it is.

[3rd Degree]

Yeah, it's just audio at that point. Digital signals can do strange things and artifacts can appear when recording it at a higher bit rate, something that doesn't apply here.

[Heretic Beats]

Wow! Thanks for clearing up my confussion on this topic. Audio is audio - at least when analog.

This is really great news as this enables me to use my MPC-2500 SE in my 24-bit production method.

One question: when I record the MPC into 24-bit on PC, will I then achieve a better S/N (signal-to-noise-ratio) than recording in 16-bit (from the extra head-room)???

Thanks!

Sent from my X10i using Gearslutz.com

[psycho_monkey]

I would stop worrying about pointless tech specs and just make it sound good.

Of course you want to use 24bit recording in the DaW, but it really shouldn't matter what your MPC is doing.

[3rd Degree]

Originally Posted by Heretic Beats

One question: when I record the MPC into 24-bit on PC, will I then achieve a better S/N (signal-to-noise-ratio) than recording in 16-bit (from the extra head-room)???

Thanks!

Sent from my X10i using Gearslutz.com

In theory, yes, you will get a better signal to noise ratio, more headroom, etc.

In practice, I will doubt that you will be able to hear even a slight difference.

That's not to say skip it, no reason not to record in 24 bit (analog) but you probably won't see much of a benefit, if any. You may have slightly better results with plug ins, probably not very noticeable.