Re: Dithering...should we dither about it?

[Harry van Haaren <harryhaaren@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Sun, Mar 2, 2014 at 2:43 AM, david <gnome@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> On 03/01/2014 08:51 AM, Harry van Haaren wrote:
>> I generally export to 32bit float .flac... so no dithering (or burning
>> to CD's :)
> Hmm, I thought FLAC only did 24-bit???

I think the FLAC spec says it will handle anything from 4-32 bit-depth: https://xiph.org/flac/faq.html#general__samples
That said, Audacity only has FLAC export options of 16 & 24 bit depths. Ardour supports 8, 16 and 24. Still no 32 bit float support (at application level).

I should correct my previous statement though: I *thought* I exported 32bit float: but it turns out they're 24bits (from Ardour3), dithering set to None. And cropping the resulting output in Audacity and exporting was to 16-bit PCM, so I was actually doing this all wrong (no dithering, 32 -> 24 -> 16).

A better workflow would be to:

A) Ardour export 32 bit float -> 16bit (with dither) -> Audacity 16bit in, crop, 16bit out

B) Ardour export 32 bit -> 24 bit (no dither) -> Audacity 24bit in, crop, export 16bit (with dither).

The important part being to not dither twice, since then you'll be adding noise to the signal twice!

I'll be using option A above from now on I think, since it involves less bit-depth changes.

Living and learning :) -Harry

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