24-bit vs 32-bit Float Audio Recording Quality Is There a Difference?

In this episode, we critically listen to some sound samples recorded at 24-bit and 32-bit float depths to compare and contrast their respective audio qualities- and find out if there’s a serious difference between the two. Then we discuss other factors that can help you make the highest quality recordings no matter your chosen bit depth.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX. https://school.learnlightandsound.com

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Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, Trew Audio or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

RODE NT1 5th Generation Large Diaphragm Condenser Studio Microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/WR4dk
SoundDevices MixPre II Series Audio Recorders — B&H, Sweetwater, Trew Audio, Amazon https://geni.us/O8e0
Zoom F6 Field Recorder/Mixer — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/pCFS
Zoom F3 32-bit Float Audio Recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Amazon https://geni.us/6RvZm
Zoom F8n Pro 32-bit Float Audio Recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/fdkN4s
SHURE SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/GYU7dHy
SHURE SM57 Cardioid Dynamic Microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/6Dtqb
DPA Microphones 4017B Shotgun Microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/0au8jgx
Amaran 200x S LED light — B&H, Amazon, Aputure https://geni.us/y6ym5V
Aputure Light Dome II soft box — Aputure, B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/AuMKRr
Aputure Spotlight Mount — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store. Amazon https://geni.us/kfAj
Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — B&H https://geni.us/GWKt
Canon C70 Cinema Camera — B&H https://geni.us/ABYB
Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/qwsEs
Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/InspOl
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/gr47

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself: https://geni.us/G7by

Copyright 2023, Curtis Judd

#Audio #32-bit #Float

Index
00:00 Summary/My Take
00:10 The big question
00:22 Audio samples
01:13 What is 32-bit float?
02:18 But that’s not all!
04:58 Potential downsides
06:27 My experience + tips
09:01 A word of caution on lav mics
09:57 Final thoughts
10:21 Please buy my courses