Record tracks at standard (44.1 or 48kHz) and at higher rates (88.2, 96kHz, 176.4, or 192kHz). Our first recommendation is to do some testing. For CD release, 44.1kHz is still the standard, though working at higher rates and sample rate converting the audio down to 44.1k is always an option. In some cases, such as audio-for-video work, you’ll generally want to stick to 48kHz or 96kHz for best compatibility with video requirements. With a current computer and solid-state drives or fast disk-based hard drives, higher sample rates are no problem.
However, as technology improves - faster hard drives, faster computers, more RAM, and so on, these trade offs have diminished in impact substantially. Certain plug-ins perform better sonically when operating at higher rates than at standard rates.īut there are other things to consider: high sample rate audio takes up more hard drive space, more CPU power to process, streaming high sample rate tracks is more taxing on hard drives, and so on. Another area where higher sample rates are said to provide benefit is with plug-ins. With newer interfaces, the converter quality is greatly improved, and the sonic impact of the filters is less of an issue. Some older interfaces sounded better at higher sample rates due to their internal sampling filters.
But the question is, will you hear a sonic benefit from that high of a sample rate? This is one of those “it depends” and “let your ears decide” questions/answers.Īlmost every interface these days can record up to at least a 96kHz sample rate some go to 192kHz or in a few cases, even higher.