Upgrade?

[og]

I've done a couple of searches here, and I can't find a clear answer to this question; All other things being equal, is the difference between 16/44.1 and 24/96 large enough to merit replacing my MobilePre? Is there a clear answer to this question?

[liamkelly]

Hey OgAre you asking, in effect, if you should upgrade from 16/44.1 to 24/48 or 24/96? And the motivation for that, Mobilepre or not.Best regardsLiamwww.liamkellylive.com

[og]

I went to the trouble and expense of building a new music computer. Now I have USB 2.0, it seems silly not to use it if I can get better sounding recordings. I like the unit, but I'm putting regular into a rocket engine, ain't I?

[aubreyz]

Quote:I've done a couple of searches here, and I can't find a clear answer to this question; All other things being equal, is the difference between 16/44.1 and 24/96 large enough to merit replacing my MobilePre? Is there a clear answer to this question? You will get lots of opinions on this topic... here's mine from personal experience... (though with my recent aiff fiasco I'm a bit worried about some of my own opinions )There IS a difference between lower and higher sample rates and definitely a difference between 16 and 24 bit no matter what the sample rate is.However, the differences were pretty marginal compared to the overhead in file size and cpu strain -- UNTIL I upgraded to AD convertors in the several thousand dollar range. Then the difference was quite obvious -- depth, clarity-- overall smoothness... more like analogue to my ear. However, even those differences were subtle - nothing earthshaking that would absolutely demand recording at that rate... Soo... all that to say this... in the several hundred dollar range of converters, I don't think you would notice a huge difference at 96k... however you might really notice the difference in preamp and converter quality even at 44.1/24 with a step or two up in price range from where you are. For my money-- 24bit would be the deciding factor. Also, unless you need it to be mobile, you could get a pci interface with better converters for less money.Hope that helps.Aub

[og]

Thanks, guys. Appreciate the feedback.

[og]

[quote author=aubreyz board=nick thread=1181513136 post=1181523739 Also, unless you need it to be mobile, you could get a pci interface with better converters for less money.Hope that helps.Aub[/quote]If I went the pci route, I'd need pres or a mixer of some kind, wouldn't I? I have an Echo Darla card (not in the machine). Would that be a step up?The other thing about USB units is my space limitations--I just don't have much room.

[nickbatzdorf]

The difference between 16- and 24-bit as a production format is important, but equally importantly, 24-bit equipment is likely to be higher grade.

[og]

Thanks, Nick.