Quote:
Originally Posted by MEMFIS_AKA
Hi! I'm working hybrid and i have a question:
Reaper project is 64 FP but i run my track outs to the D\A outputs and mix analog.
So...do i need to use dither by last plugin on each track?
Or Reaper do that by default?
I have doubt's on this one so i need to ask community.
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Your output DA converters are a 24 bit fixed point device. So they need a 24 bit fixed digital audio stream. If you tried to output higher and/or floating point, it would simply be truncated on the bottom. (If you had any overs, those would also get clipped on the top which would be the primary concern if that was going on - and the bottom end of the dynamic would be a moot point. We'll assume you aren't hitting your output with over zero.)
Dither is noise. When you have very low level signals in digital format, you get less bitdepth to define them. Digital 101: Resolution goes down with the volume.
In some cases adding that dither noise can thus raise the low level signal (by adding noise to it) and give it a bit or two more resolution. You might be able to hear this with a reverb trail and especially in classical or artsy styles with dynamics.
You only want to add dither once at the very end for this trick. It's noise... it will stack up. A/B it to see if it helps. Sometimes simply managing your mix to sound good and be dynamic is all you need to worry about and actually truncating the 64 bit fp output of the digital board to 24 bit is the least damaging thing to do vs adding noise with dither.
Quicker version:
Dither might help a 16 bit CD edition of a dynamic classical recording sound more like what the 24 bit master did. For everything else, it will just add noise and you're better off truncating. Even for a 16 bit target. Especially with a 24 bit target. (Again, assuming we aren't dealing with clipping on top here!)