Dithering? Yes No? When? Mp3 or Wav I'm confused, (as usual)

[RockChild56]

I was told my mp3 files would sound better if I used Dithering.
I read that it is a process of adding noise to the file that is more pleasing to the ear (even though not really audible)
and covers up unpleasing noise (something to that effect).

So I thought I would make a Wav file of my mix (without dithering)
Then add Ozone5 stuff to that. Then make an mp3.
Now if I do, do I use Dithering or is that best used for CD production?

There are So So Many things I don't quite get yet.

I guess my question is does anyone else use Dithering? If so when.

Thank You,

EJB

[eeoo]

I've never dithered anything but when in doubt try it out and see if it makes a difference for you, ear is king!

Now dathering on the other hand...

eo

[ochaim]

If I remember correctly, the effects of dither are only really audible during passages of sound that are very quiet, approaching silence, like the tail end of a cymbal.

Other than that, its not noticeable.

Haha dathering!

[jdstamper]

As I understand it, you want to dither when your target bit rate does not match your source bit rate. For example, if you're original audio file is 24 bit and your target is 24 bit, you shouldn't dither. If your target is 16 bit, then dithering will help improve the sound quality of the conversion to 16 bit. Also you should try to minimize the times you dither it, preferably just one time. Plus there are different dithering algorithms, your DAW software might default to, or suggest a certain one for the best results.

That's it in a nutshell, but I'd suggest you Google it and read a few articles that relate to your particular software and dithering options.

Jim

[andygabrys]

i dither religiously without even thinking about it.

in most DAW's dithering is usually taken care of by your final plugin, your limiter. Usually at reduction from whatever bit rate you record at (24 bit usually) to 16 bit cause that is Redbook standard for CD's. The Slate FGX and all the WAVES limiters have various dither settings you can enable if you care to.

There is no dither required at all if your output of your recording is 24 bit.

Some DAW's have other Dither algo's built in too. Like Logic has the Apogee UV22HR and the Pow #1, #2, #3.

but......having said all that, I have tried bounces with recordings with dither and without, and I honestly can't tell the difference, so like I said, i don't think about it.

so its up to you - if you hear it, use it. If you don't hear it, you can use it cause all the hip kids are using it, or just discard it, cause all the hip kids aren't actually using it.

:LOL:

good luck

[Len911]

http://www.sonnoxplugins.com/pub/plugin ... htm#dither

This is probably the best source I have read about dithering. I use TPDF.

[johnlewitt]

The only time I use dithering is when I'm making a 16 bit file to burn to CD. Why? 5 years ago I read that's what I was supposed to do with my 24 bit tracks. The stuff I put out on CD sounds good, so I don't argue with it.

When I make 24 bit tracks, I just noticed that Logic doesn't even allow me to dither with Apogee UV22HR. When I select 16 bit, it does. Soooo, that's got to mean something, right?

John

[Len911]

The only time I use dithering is when I'm making a 16 bit file to burn to CD. Why? 5 years ago I read that's what I was supposed to do with my 24 bit tracks. The stuff I put out on CD sounds good, so I don't argue with it.

When I make 24 bit tracks, I just noticed that Logic doesn't even allow me to dither with Apogee UV22HR. When I select 16 bit, it does. Soooo, that's got to mean something, right?

John

Because if you dither, you have to dither down, there's no dither up, there's upsampling, and why would you dither 24bit to 24bit or 16 to 16 bit?, it would be a command called, "do nothing, unchanged".

If you don't dither when shortening your word length, then you are truncating. In some ways it's like recording to tape until you run out of tape, an abrupt ending not likely to be the end or end of a fade.

If you only record or use 16bits in actuality on a 24bit track, dithering isn't necessary, though I'm not sure there is a meter that would confirm that.

[RockChild56]

This is starting to make sense.
For what I do I doubt it is necessary.
Y'all have given me some good insight.

Thank You all.

[GavinKMusic]

I'm thinking this is something thats done in mastering? I haven't come across it in my DAW yet...