![]() In order to do this, a lot of the information is lost. When reducing the bit depth of an audio recording, all of the information from the original 24 or 32-bit file file needs to fit into a 16-bit file. Now that you understand when and why to use dither, let's talk about how it actually works. When applied correctly, the system is able to round amplitude values more accurately, which helps preserve the signal and removes any added distortion. The key here is that the noise needs to be completely unrelated or "de-correlated" from the original signal. It adds a layer of randomized noise to the track to better assess the amplitude of each sample, preserving the original details of the recording. It turns out that the vibration from the plane's engines actually helped keep the moving parts inside of the computer from sticking, resulting in greater accuracy.ĭither works in much the same way. That's where dither comes in.īack in the early days of digital audio, some observant engineers discovered that mechanical aircraft computers performed more accurately in flight than on the ground. Thankfully, there's a way to prevent these errors. When the number of bits is reduced, so is the available number of discrete amplitude values, resulting in more quantization errors. At 16-bits, quantization distortion becomes more audible-especially during quiet passages or fade outs. However, even if you record at the highest possible bit rate, you still run the risk of creating quantization errors when bouncing your track down to a 16 or 24-bit file. Today, most systems are capable of recording digital audio with a 32-bit depth, rendering any quantization distortion practically inaudible. Why Is Dither Important?ĭigital audio has come a long way since its inception. It doesn't allow you to capture enough detail to accurately recreate the original source. Working at a low bit depth is a kind of like carving a sculpture with a saw when you need a scalpel. But with many dots, you can capture more of the subtle nuances of the original. With only a few dots, the lines are hard and jagged, making the drawing look like a clunky version of the original. It's kind of like a "connect the dots" puzzle. This causes what are known as quantization errors, which can create unwanted distortion. When the amplitude of an analog signal is slightly above or below the nearest digital value, the amplitude will be rounded up or down to compensate. However, when trying to quantify such an infinitely variable number using a finite set of values, things don't always line up. Recordings with larger bit depths are capable of greater dynamic range, while recordings with low bit depths have a limited dynamic range.Įach sample or snapshot is assigned an amplitude, like a dot on a graph. ![]() ![]() Each additional bit increases the resolution that your interface has available to measure the level of the incoming signal. The sample rate of digital recording dictates how many samples or audio snapshots the recording captures per second-typically 44,100 or 48,000, depending on the sample rate you use.īit depth controls how accurately each snapshot or sample captures the details of the original analog signal. These snapshots are called samples, and they're the foundation of digital audio. In order to accurately recreate sound waves, we need to capture detailed snapshots that quantify the frequency response and amplitude of the sound. ![]() Much like a video with thousands of stills played one after another, digital audio is simply a series of audio snapshots played in succession, creating the illusion of sound moving through time. When creating a digital audio file, you're capturing a digital representation of an analog signal. In order to understand dither, you'll need a working knowledge of digital audio. Pretty simple, right? Then why is dither such a misunderstood topic? Well, the details are a bit more complicated. This helps ensure that every detail of your mix remains intact while streaming. Dithering should only be applied during the mastering stage when bouncing from 24 or 32-bit down to 16-bits. Here's the short and sweet answer: dithering is the process of adding noise to a signal in order to reduce quantization distortion when reducing the bit depth of a file. In this blog, you'll learn about how dither works and how to use it while mastering. While it may not be as popular of a tool as your trusty EQ or compressor, dithering plug-ins are essential for producing professional-sounding tracks-especially if you plan on streaming. Dithering is one of the most misunderstood aspects of digital audio.
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