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24-bit audio CD?

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Author	Topic: 24-bit audio CD?

Sean Bires Oscar® Winner	I always thought that audio CD's were recorded in 44,100hz, 16-bit sound. I looked at the back of my Matrix Score CD, and I noticed a small message that mentioned it is recorded at 24-bit. Is this a new CD format? Is there any noticable difference between 16-bit and 24-bit sound? Were CD's always recorded in 24-bit sound? Can my CD player or PC support 24-bit sounds?
posted 05-21-1999 05:34 PM PT (US)

Jeron Oscar® Winner	I'm pretty sure this isn't anything new... I'm no technical wizard, and I don't know exactly what the difference is, but I think 24-bit sound marks true digital sound. If you recall, the Telarc discs (Erick Kunzel / Cincinatti Pops) have been recording in 24-bit sound ever since I can remember. I think the 24-bit label is simply there to impress people who don't know that it's a standard recording format - therefore making the purchaser feel that the recording is higher quality. I dunno! Just my... theory. Can anyone support it? -Jeron
posted 05-22-1999 06:24 AM PT (US)

Sean Bires Oscar® Winner	You mentioned that 24-bit audio is true digital sound... makes it sound like 16 bit audio is analog or something. I guess it is just a gimmick they place on the CD-covers to make the buyers think they're purchasing higher quality sound. Maybe it is higher quality, but I don't think the human ear can tell the difference between 44,000hz 16 bit sound and 44,000hz 24 bit sound. I think sound recording technology has gone to the point where it's "as good as it gets"... actual sound quality mostly relies on your speakers or headphones.
posted 05-22-1999 05:15 PM PT (US)

PeterK FishChip	Sean, Let's not forget about the quality of the music that is being recorded first! You might have the absolute best amp/speaker system in the world, but even that's not gonna help just plain bad music. Let's think of an example. Oh! The soundtrack to Bad Channels from Blue Oyster Cult. GASP! UGH! 20-bit and 24-bit recordings really are inaudible to the average ear. As for technology though, boy, a 20 or 24-bit signal really looks good on the visual signal monitor! I wouldn't worry about the stickers advertising the bit rate, unless of course, the cd advertises that the music was recorded at 12-bit or even 8-bit. There you can tell the difference. PeterK NP - "Bottle Rocket" by Mark Mothersbaugh
posted 05-22-1999 07:21 PM PT (US)

Widescreen Oscar® Winner	Let's not forget that among the greatest tools in enjoying a crisp sounding disc isn't just how it's recorded or replayed- those are important, but nothing with a good pair of ears and use of them to study the clarity of these different levels of sonic resolution.
posted 05-23-1999 08:52 PM PT (US)

Moovtune Oscar® Nominee	I disagree that there is no audible difference between 16 bit and 24 bit. There is actually quite a difference, but only if you're listening to a 24 bit recording played back at 24 bit. Unfortunately CD's are 16 bit...so 24 bit recordings have to be downconverted to 16 bit for CD release and most of the benefits of 24 bit are lost. Soon there will be audio only DVD's at 24 bit with 96K sampling. Actually there are some now, but the DVD even the new DVD players capable of 24 bit playback aren't capable of outputting 24 bit at their digital output..and most of us don't have processors capable of taking a 24 bit signal and dealing with it anyway. To sum up, there are definite audible advantages to 24 bit recordings, but it'll be awhile before most of us will have the gear necessary to hear it for ourselves.
posted 05-28-1999 11:59 AM PT (US)

PeterK FishChip	Moov, thanks for the obvious point. If you are listening to a 24-bit recording on a 16-bit system, it's gonna sound 16-bit! Wow. I wonder how many people have the capability of owning at 24-bit, or even 20-bit, system? What would it cast? PeterK
posted 05-28-1999 04:21 PM PT (US)

Sean Bires Oscar® Winner	That's what I ment when I originally asked, "Can my CD player or PC support 24-bit sounds?". I know my sound-card only seems to go to 16 bit... anyway, thanks for the info, Moovtune!
posted 05-28-1999 05:14 PM PT (US)

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