RE: How hard should I strive to get maximum signal?

Posted by Tony Lauck (A) on March 24, 2012 at 19:36:23

In Reply to: How hard should I strive to get maximum signal? posted by Phil_in_CA on March 24, 2012 at 18:24:04:

Recording "hot" made sense on tape machines which had poor S/N ratio. It isn't necessary with digital where the S/N ratio is adequate. If you are getting peaks above -12 dB you are using enough. If you are concerned about quality, then record using 24 bits. If you recorded at 24 bits and feel the need to convert the final result to 16 bits then you may want to "normalize" the recording (e.g. complete album) to -0.5 dB before converting to 16 bits. In that case, I suggest keeping the original transfer as well as the 16 bit version. Also, it is worthwhile recording at higher sampling rates, depending on the equipment involved. The cost of the extra disk storage is minimal compared to the time spent doing transfers, even if you value your time at minimum wage. I suggest a minimum of 88/24 for digitizing LPs.

As with analog recorders it is necessary to become familiar with one's equipment and learn the effects of various use and abuse of the gear. There is no "right answer" rather it's what sounds best to you. Be aware, however, that if you have a large collection to digitize over the course of the project you will gain experience and may end up with a different perspective.

Tony Lauck

"Diversity is the law of nature; no two entities in this universe are uniform." - P.R. Sarkar

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - How hard should I strive to get maximum signal? - Phil_in_CA 18:24:04 03/24/12 (21)

Look for the Max Signal Level Prior to Digitizing.................... - Todd Krieger 22:31:40 03/24/12 (1)

RE: Look for the Max Signal Level Prior to Digitizing.................... - Phil_in_CA 09:42:50 03/25/12 (0)

don't record hot in digital - Joe Murphy Jr 21:07:33 03/24/12 (9)

That's what I've heard and read, but ... - Dave Pogue 09:10:51 03/26/12 (5)

RE: That's what I've heard and read, but ... - Tony Lauck 10:52:45 03/26/12 (0)

two possibilities - Joe Murphy Jr 09:47:42 03/26/12 (3)

Thanks, just dragged out the owner's manual. - Dave Pogue 11:21:25 03/26/12 (2)

RE: Thanks, just dragged out the owner's manual. - Tony Lauck 13:05:36 03/26/12 (1)

Thanks again, but ... - Dave Pogue 14:23:52 03/26/12 (0)

RE: don't record hot in digital - Tony Lauck 10:04:35 03/25/12 (2)

RE: don't record hot in digital - tom.dennehy 22:10:39 03/25/12 (1)

RE: don't record hot in digital - Tony Lauck 07:46:43 03/26/12 (0)

Thanks! - Phil_in_CA 19:43:22 03/24/12 (4)

RE: Thanks! - Iron Knee 22:50:27 03/24/12 (3)

RE: Thanks! - Tony Lauck 08:08:28 03/25/12 (2)

RE: Thanks! - Iron Knee 10:21:20 03/25/12 (1)

RE: Thanks! - Tony Lauck 11:01:06 03/25/12 (0)

RE: How hard should I strive to get maximum signal? - Tony Lauck 19:36:23 03/24/12 (2)

RE: How hard should I strive to get maximum signal? - tom.dennehy 04:34:49 03/26/12 (1)

Trust but Verify - Tony Lauck 08:03:16 03/26/12 (0)

Any level above -6 dB uses all the bits ... nt - slider 18:43:08 03/24/12 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: How hard should I strive to get maximum signal? - Tony Lauck 19:36:23 03/24/12 (2)

RE: How hard should I strive to get maximum signal? - tom.dennehy 04:34:49 03/26/12 (1)

Trust but Verify - Tony Lauck 08:03:16 03/26/12 (0)

RE: How hard should I strive to get maximum signal?

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