Can a wave file with stronger bit-resolution handle more decibels w/out clipping than a wave file with weaker bit-resolution?
Bit-resolution and Clipping?
Started by ●December 21, 2003
Reply by ●December 21, 20032003-12-21
>Can a wave file with stronger bit-resolution handle more decibels >w/out clipping than a wave file with weaker bit-resolution?Yes. The dynamic range is proportional to the number of bits, assuming that you're talking about linear PCM. The dynamic range is approximately 6 dB per bit. So, with more bits, you can handle larger signals at the "loud" end (without clipping) or smaller details at the "quiet end" (without losing them below the quantization-noise floor), or both. It all depends what signal levels you choose to treat as "full scale" and "least significant bit". -- Dave Platt <dplatt@radagast.org> AE6EO Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads!
Reply by ●December 21, 20032003-12-21
dplatt@radagast.org (Dave Platt) wrote in message news:<vuacjj99oste3e@corp.supernews.com>...> The dynamic range is > approximately 6 dB per bit.So a digital audio device with a bit-resolution of 100-bit can handle up to 600 dB w/out clipping. Right?
Reply by ●December 22, 20032003-12-22
>> The dynamic range is >> approximately 6 dB per bit. > >So a digital audio device with a bit-resolution of 100-bit can handle >up to 600 dB w/out clipping. Right?In theory, yes, in the absence of noise and other dynamic range limits. In practice, it's useless to try. Even 32 bits is more than you can usefully expect to represent within reasonable physical limits. I think I recall reading an analysis a few years ago (JJ's, perhaps?) which pointed out that if you try to use a 32-bit linear PCM system, and set the least significant bit down to somewhat below the human ear's ability to hear any sound in a perfectly quiet room, then a full-scale 32-bit CD-quality signal would release so much energy that it would vaporize the listening equipment (and probably the listener, too). Doesn't make for a relaxing evening... a log in the fireplace, a nice glass of wine, and a pleasant CD on the BWOOM! -- Dave Platt <dplatt@radagast.org> AE6EO Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads!
Reply by ●December 22, 20032003-12-22
Radium wrote:> > Can a wave file with stronger bit-resolution handle more decibels > w/out clipping than a wave file with weaker bit-resolution?Not if the two converters are relative to the same voltage reference. Higher resolution usually means the ability to represent smaller, not larger signals. Bob -- "Things should be described as simply as possible, but no simpler." A. Einstein
Reply by ●December 22, 20032003-12-22
On 21 Dec 2003 19:02:00 -0800, glucegen@excite.com (Radium) wrote:>dplatt@radagast.org (Dave Platt) wrote in message news:<vuacjj99oste3e@corp.supernews.com>... > >> The dynamic range is >> approximately 6 dB per bit. > >So a digital audio device with a bit-resolution of 100-bit can handle >up to 600 dB w/out clipping. Right?Only if the analogue gear it's attached to can cope with this range! -- Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering
Reply by ●December 22, 20032003-12-22
On Sun, 21 Dec 2003 21:06:06 -0800, Bob Cain <arcane@arcanemethods.com> wrote:>Radium wrote: >> >> Can a wave file with stronger bit-resolution handle more decibels >> w/out clipping than a wave file with weaker bit-resolution? > >Not if the two converters are relative to the same voltage >reference. Higher resolution usually means the ability to >represent smaller, not larger signals.It's the same thing - dynamic range. It applies to both ends of the scale. It all comes down to the analogue parts of the chain anyway, from the self-noise of the mics to the max SPL of the speakers. -- Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering
Reply by ●December 22, 20032003-12-22
OOOOOOOOOPS!!!!! I forgot to add that this theoretical digital audio device also contain a 100-bit DAC. Sorry. glucegen@excite.com (Radium) wrote in message news:<464c821f.0312211902.2b711457@posting.google.com>...> So a digital audio device with a bit-resolution of 100-bit can handle > up to 600 dB w/out clipping. Right?
Reply by ●December 22, 20032003-12-22
On 21 Dec 2003 23:56:50 -0800, glucegen@excite.com (Radium) wrote:>OOOOOOOOOPS!!!!! > >I forgot to add that this theoretical digital audio device also >contain a 100-bit DAC. Sorry.Which will of course have an output dynamic range of less than 22 bits, as with all available '24 bit' DACs...................>glucegen@excite.com (Radium) wrote in message news:<464c821f.0312211902.2b711457@posting.google.com>... >> So a digital audio device with a bit-resolution of 100-bit can handle >> up to 600 dB w/out clipping. Right?-- Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering
Reply by ●December 22, 20032003-12-22
