![]() ![]() ![]() Just like for 16-bit files, audio recorders and DAW software call the largest signal in a 24-bit WAV file 0 dBFS. The dynamic range of a 24-bit (fixed point) file is (0 dB – (-144.5 dB)) = 144.5 dB A 16 bit number in binary form represents integers from 0 to 65535 (216).ĭoing the same math with 24-bit files to calculate the noise level and the maximum levels results in the following:ĭB noise = 20 x log (1/16777216) = -144.5 dBĭB max = 20 x log (16777216/16777216) = 0 dB These numbers are “fixed-point”, because they are whole numbers (no decimal point). Traditional 16-bit WAV files store uncompressed audio samples, where each sample is represented by a binary number with 16 digits (binary digit = “bit”). ![]() This paper discusses the differences between 16-bit fixed point, 24-bit fixed point, and 32-bit floating point files. To understand the nuts and bolts of 32-bit files, keep reading. Audio levels in the 32-bit float WAV file can be adjusted up or down after recording with most major DAW software with no added noise or distortion. There is in fact so much headroom that from a fidelity standpoint, it doesn’t matter where gains are set while recording. The primary benefit of these files is their ability to record signals exceeding 0 dBFS. For ultra-high-dynamic-range recording, 32-bit float is an ideal recording format. The MixPre II models introduce the ability to record 32-bit floating point WAV files.
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