16 and 24 bit refer to a “word length” of that many bits. Each word contains one sample of audio. The sample is a set of bits that represents a voltage obtained by sampling, say, a microphone. (Later, those samples can be turned back into voltages and sent to an amplifier/loudspeaker.) 32-bit Float means instead of a simple set of bits the representation of the voltage in each sample is expressed in 32-bit Floating Point format. Floating point is a computer technique needed for doing arithmetic on very small numbers to very large numbers, and positive and negative if needed. There are videos explaining the details and since I am an Electrical Engineer I can follow those videos but it isn’t easy. Forces me back to 1971 when I knew this stuff in some detail. Simple 32 bit can encode an excellent range of voltage samples. 32-bit Float can encode a mind-boggling range. Still, this is an excellent example of how technology is improving our lives. And, excellent video by the way. Useful to me.
@TheRecordist6 ай бұрын
Thanks so much for this! It’s excellent! Once again, I’m going to pin it! Cheers!
@66thDoctor Жыл бұрын
idk why, but this video is so damn calming
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Oh thank you very much! And thanks for watching!
@StephenCarterStressExpert Жыл бұрын
This is an excellent exploration of digital audio recording. Whether you're new to audio and even video recording or you've been doing recording work for years, you're going to learn - or be reminded of - knowledge that will make your recordings noticeably better.
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Hey thanks, Stephen! I really appreciate that comment! I hope it helps people! And thanks for watching!
@rounderone8437 Жыл бұрын
I was frightened when you stated that this video would be with less than normal humor. But then you picked up you tape measure and all was right with the world. By the way, excellent video. Everything that audio lovers who are not professionals were embarrassed to ask. Thank you!
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Oh you’re very welcome! I hope this helps some people! I’ll do a more hands on video about capturing audio for video soon. Cheers!
@vampula12 Жыл бұрын
Holly Molly! That's a goldmine of knowledge right there. Thank you very much for this lecture, it's eye...Ear opening!
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Hey! That’s the same thing my wife always says to me - minus the positive bits! Haha. Thanks for watching! And thanks for the great comments!
@armandhammer2223 Жыл бұрын
Great video. I liked the analogy of the cup for bit. I tried to explain it on the weekend but a audio/visual demonstration was needed. This will help me in the future. I'd love to see a video of you in the field doing some field recording for sound effects and natural sounds. Always great to see in field workflows too. Thanks for the videos!
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Hey thanks, Armand! I sure hope it’ll help you and anyone else! It’s hard to know what others know already and when I watch it back I’m thinking, “ho hum… boring stuff”. But I’m glad to see so many are getting some good nuggets from it! Yes. I will be doing a series of field recording how-to videos in the spring/summer. It’s been just insane weather up here in the North Pole 😉. Thanks for watching!
@armandhammer2223 Жыл бұрын
@TheRecordist Looking forward to it. I'm fairly new to recording and learn new tricks when I watch videos but they are too far and between. Do you use field recordings in music at all or is it all for work and collecting?
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
@@armandhammer2223 hey Armand. Yes. I have used field recording in music but generally I’m a private collector of sounds. I’ll be making a public library one day. But for now I’m just enjoying collecting them. Cheers!
@xandertempelaar5239 Жыл бұрын
The bits and herz part will stick with me forever, thanks 👍
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Haha. That’s great! Thanks for watching!
@rolandberendonck3900 Жыл бұрын
Excellent!!! I already knew you are a perfect teacher, but this video even surpassed that. I loved watching it; even when you are teaching us the nerdy stuff you are able to keep it amusing. Perfect.
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Hey thanks, Roland! I really appreciate that!
@Helderhugo2 ай бұрын
What you said I discover by myself along the years by instinct and experimenting. It's good to listen that I am right from another specialized people like you.
@TheRecordist2 ай бұрын
Oh that’s wonderful! That’s how I started! Glad to meet another audio recording lover!
@paultaylor2968 Жыл бұрын
I've been using a daw blindly and getting stuff hit and miss. That was a real eye opener thanks fir all that clear info. ❤
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Hey, no worries at all! I’m glad I could help! Cheers!
@christopherbrissini57227 ай бұрын
Excellent stuff. Entertaining and informative. This is the educational breath of fresh air I've been looking for. You enjoy something and you remember the details and like every great teacher, you inspire.
@TheRecordist7 ай бұрын
Hey thanks so much! I’m so glad it helped you! I appreciate your wonderful comments, Christopher!
@damndunk2013 Жыл бұрын
student from germany here,, i just wanted to say your video are incredibly helpful thanks alot and keep it going !!!!
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Hey thanks so much! I appreciate you leaving that wonderful comment! Beifall!
@aboabdo682 Жыл бұрын
Keep doing these videos me and the gang love them fr♥️💥💯
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Hey thanks, Gonzo! I’ll do my best! Cheers!
@rnomberg Жыл бұрын
Thanks Captain! Hoist up the sails!
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Hahaha! Make it so!
@Maxim__g6 ай бұрын
I really can’t emphasize enough how great your videos are. You’re making them better than most of you KZfaqrs. I’d say better than 95% of them. at least in my opinion. You’re one of the coolest guys ever. thank you.
@TheRecordist6 ай бұрын
Hey thanks so much! What a kind compliment! I appreciate that! Cheers!
@shanekrause100 Жыл бұрын
Great stuff mate! Learnt a ton.
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Thanks great! Thanks so much for watching!
@bpgilmore4 ай бұрын
Grat video. Been looking around for something like this for a minute.
@TheRecordist4 ай бұрын
Thank you very much! Cheers!
@Nadroj97 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for this video :D I think this is the first time someone has just plainly explained what bit rate actually does
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
You’re very welcome! I’m glad it helped you! Cheers!
@hansstorsberg2022 Жыл бұрын
Great video! Super informative!
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Thanks Hans! I hope it helps! Cheers!
@hansstorsberg2022 Жыл бұрын
@@TheRecordist all your videos help a super lot. This one got me thinking back to recording on ADATs in in 90's!
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
@@hansstorsberg2022 oh I remember those days! Are we ever spoiled now! Hahaha
@hansstorsberg2022 Жыл бұрын
@@TheRecordist yes we are although sometimes it is overwhelming with so many choices. Lol
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
@@hansstorsberg2022 agreed!
@KirstenBayes Жыл бұрын
Fabulous: much appreciated.
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
You’re very welcome! Cheers!
@dysonwells255711 ай бұрын
Thank you for this. I just picked up a Portacapture X8 for work, and I'm considering if field recording is something I'd like to explore. Maybe a weird comment, but you have such a radio voice and your clear breakdown of complex subject matter in an entertaining way reminds me of Alan Cross.
@TheRecordist11 ай бұрын
Oh thanks so much! That’s quite a compliment! I appreciate that! Field recording is the coolest! And unless you’ve managed to create libraries to sell, it’s a very personal hobby. Most people won’t care about what you capture. But YOU will. And listening back to your recordings brings much joy - at least, it does for me! I wish you much luck with your new X8! Cheers!
@Octavian-Dan Жыл бұрын
That was a pretty cool knowledge package.
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much! Cheers!
@NinoAmerica Жыл бұрын
Wow. Amazing channel! Glad I came across it. Just scrolled thru your videos.
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Hey thanks so much! Cheers!
@nikolozgabedava6934 Жыл бұрын
Valuable information.
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@LucaTutino4 ай бұрын
Bravo! Not exactly the info I was looking for, but so well explained and pleasant that I could not almost skip anything!
@TheRecordist4 ай бұрын
Oh thanks! What info are you looking for?
@somebodynamedJ. Жыл бұрын
Great video!
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!
@TheSound0fLegends Жыл бұрын
I'd love to see a tips guide to field recording nature and action settings like planes or vehicles
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
I am definitely working on some of those. I’ll have some this summer for sure! Thanks for watching!
@TheSound0fLegends Жыл бұрын
@@TheRecordist Your welcome and great news. I've been field recording as a hobby for several years now and I never knew about the levels thing 😂 Makes complete sense though.
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
@@TheSound0fLegends there you go!
@gsqmedia Жыл бұрын
How do I say this, awesome tutorial. Explaining a subject that is not always the most exciting yet you found a way to make it interesting and easily understood. Many other videos focus on the tech and settings and don't really explain the why? How can anyone learn to master a subject without learning the fundamental reasons something is done the way it is. Thank you!
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Oh you’re very welcome! And thanks for the awesome compliment! Very much appreciated!
@DBoom70 Жыл бұрын
Great great content and thank you for sharing! Professional cinematographer for years and been dabbling in audio now for some time. Well done on every aspect of your video and super helpful.
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Hey thanks so much! I’m glad I’ve been able to help! Thanks for watching! Cheers!
@zerocreative1022 Жыл бұрын
Hi, it might be random but...could you please make a video about "Lufs" ? I'm so confused!!! By the way, thank you for doing all this. I'm learning so much!
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
That’s not random at all! Yes I absolutely can! I’ll try to do one in the next few weeks. Maybe a little mini video about it. Cheers!
@nellomaxim Жыл бұрын
@@TheRecordist lufs and rmv and the difference;)
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
@@nellomaxim roger that!
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
@@nellomaxim but just so you know. LUFS means Loudness Units Full Scale. Just perceived loudness measured in units. -14 is what KZfaq likes. Just to get you started. Haha.
@By_Rant_Or_Ruin Жыл бұрын
Or am I Dig Duggler? Anyways - great video.
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Hahaha. Thanks, Matt!
@PrincessBabykinz5 ай бұрын
What do I apply for to learn this in school? Any good school recommendations for this? I tried to explain before and got placed in classes learning about becoming a newscaster not what I wanted a waste of time and money for me.
@TheRecordist5 ай бұрын
Oh I’m sorry to hear that. What type of audio would you like to get into? That’ll help me give you some better suggestions.
@Grumpe3games Жыл бұрын
Hello, and thank you for sharing your time with us. I have been trying to do some recording for my wife as she plays singing bowls. Partly based on some of your videos, I chose to use line audio mics for this. I am powering them with a rode pro caster. The problem I have is an occasional clicking sound. I am thinking that for some reason, despite me keeping my recording levels low at the acceptable DB range that the resonance from the singing bowls is causing a clip having listened to your video and it’s entirety I wonder if 32 bit float might fix this but I was curious to know if you had any thoughts on my problem I have listen to others play singing Bowls on TikTok and I hear them have the same issue if not worse than me even though it is a small and brief click, it is extremely jarring to me. Thank you for taking the time to read and perhaps answer my question.
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Hey. Ok, could you send me a sample? the_tps@protonmail.com I’ll see if I can discern what’s going on. Cheers!
@Grumpe3games Жыл бұрын
@@TheRecordist I definitely will but I travel for work so it will be this weekend. Thank you.
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
@@Grumpe3games no worries!
@Grumpe3games Жыл бұрын
@@TheRecordist kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nsWZd7CWqqedd5c.html this is an unlisted video I made showing the issue
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
@@Grumpe3games hey. Ok. That’s not clipping. 32 bit will not fix this. So let eliminate a possible issue. Are you recording in 48KHz? If not, you should be, because 44.1kHz doesn’t always play nice with videos. That’s definitely not clipping. That’s a digital glitch. Like a sync issue or an encoding issue. It may be the RodeCaster. Honestly lately I’ve heard nothing but problems with those units. Is it a RodeCaster 2? It’s not a resonance issue. In fact, the glitch aside, it sounds great. You’re miking properly and it has great separation and a full and robust sound. It’s not the mics. It’s not resonance. It’s a literal digital glitch. Do you have any other recorders or an audio interface with two XLR ins that you can compare with? Can you zoom in on the wav and see the glitch? How about playing that wav file NOT in davinci? I don’t mean to export it from davinci and play it elsewhere. I mean take the original file and use a different player. Or even play it back on the RodeCaster itself. I’d bet money that it’s not clipping. Let me know. You can also take a sample of the original wav file and send it to my email so I can really zoom in on it. Let me know about these things. I’d like to help you.
@monarksinghyede4 ай бұрын
I am trying to record audio with my newly purchased XM8500 and mackie producer 2*2 audio interface. Even with the gain level turn just shy from maximum , audio meter in audacity just go till -30/-24 Db. Is this expected ? do I have to boost that in post ?
@TheRecordist4 ай бұрын
Hi there. I apologize. I don’t have much experience with either pieces of gear, however, a cursory look at the gear tells me some stuff. Dynamic mics tend to need a lot of gain to run. And the Mackie Producer 2x2 is a very low gain interface. In fact, I just now read many reviews where it’s noted that the preamps inside it are very weak and won’t work well for a dynamic mic. Boosting in post is an option. You have some other choices if you don’t want to boost in post. Each will cost money. First choice is to go for a condenser mic which doesn’t need much gain to run, but will pick up everything around you - including cars outside. Second choice is to purchase an in-line preamp to go between the XM8500 and the 2x2 (sE Dynamite or FetHead or Cloudlifter). Third choice is to upgrade your interface to one with at least 60dB of clean gain. The cheapest (free) way would be to boost in post, and that could get noisy. So running a noise reduction plugin could help - depending on the types of stuff recorded. The second cheapest way is the in-line preamp. Sorry about that. Hope this helped in some way.
@monarksinghyede4 ай бұрын
@@TheRecordist Thanks for all the information. I wish I knew this before spending so much. Interestingly I only saw positive review for both these product in insolation , never thought they don't play well together.
@monarksinghyede4 ай бұрын
@@TheRecordist Any recommendation for the interface which can give me 60DB of gain
@TheRecordist4 ай бұрын
@@monarksinghyede hey there. So sorry. It sucks. Most cheap interfaces are perfectly fine for condenser mics. But dynamics struggle a bit. Way cheaper to get an sE Dynamite stick than a new interface, but if you wanted to go the interface route, Audient, Apogee, and Apollos all usually have 60dB of gain. Like an Audient ID44. But like I said, way cheaper to just buy a dynamite stick or a Triton FetHead.
@TheOpticalFreak Жыл бұрын
The loudest sound ever made was 240db!!
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Was it even louder? Krakatoa! Boom!
@dumbcat12 күн бұрын
Can you please recommend an audio recorder for a motorcycle? No talking. Just motorcycle sounds. Looking to cancel the wind if possible and pick up just the engine and exhaust sounds. Using a GoPro to capture video. Not sure if external mics plugged into the GoPro would work well, or if I need an external recorder. Thank you.
@TheRecordist12 күн бұрын
Hey. You know who to ask about that? Watson Wu. He’s the world’s best vehicle sound recordist. He did all the cad and motorcycle sound recording for Baby Driver (the movie). Recording a motorcycle is tricky. And loud. I might recommend a Zoom H5 or a H4n Pro and use external mics. A couple of SM57 mics would be best. Because, it’ll get really loud and most condenser or electret mics would start distorting. I would also look into mini blimps to house the SM57s. Strap them to the sides of the bike facing the rear? I don’t know. I’m just spitballing here. I’ve never miked up a moving motorcycle. Only a stationary one. Hope this helps in some way!
@dumbcat11 күн бұрын
@@TheRecordist Wow. Thank you for all the tips man!! Really appreciate it :))
@TheRecordist11 күн бұрын
@@dumbcat no worries! Look up Watson Wu. He’s fantastic and freely shares his methods.
@dumbcat11 күн бұрын
@@TheRecordist Watson Wu recommended to me the Zoom F8n Pro. Gulp. Intimidating for a noob. Kinda pricey too. Where to find a mini blimp? Talk about a market that is being underserved. Dang
@dumbcat11 күн бұрын
@@TheRecordist just fyi. i know you geek out on this stuff so decided to tell you what i'm going with (i['m in a hurry to get started right now). i'm going with the Zoom H4 and will just be using the built in XY speakers covered by a deadcat and maybe placed in a bag, possibly partly surrounded by foam. I asked ChatGPT 4..o about this and its response was: "Using the Zoom H4n Pro's built-in XY microphones with a deadcat and cushioning it from vibration can be a very effective setup for recording motorcycle sounds while riding, especially if your primary goal is to capture the engine, exhaust, and road noises rather than spoken commentary. The XY mics capture a broader soundscape, which can be more immersive but might also include more ambient noise than a shotgun mic would. For Most Viewers: The difference in sound quality between the H4n Pro’s built-in mics with a deadcat and a shotgun mic setup might not be very noticeable to the average viewer, particularly if you’re recording primarily engine and exhaust sounds. The stereo field from the XY mics could even enhance the experience by providing a fuller sound."
@Tewahedo Жыл бұрын
Hi, this is totally unrelated question but which camera and lens do you use?
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Hey. No worries. I use the Sigma 30mm 1.4 EF-M for most of my videos. It’s a Canon M50. Not the second one. The original. Hope this helps!
@Tewahedo Жыл бұрын
@@TheRecordist Thank you so much!
@daniel635biturbo Жыл бұрын
Unpopular question (yes noob again). For a talking head video, with well controlled levels, requiring no other post-production than level slight level adjustment. Would It make any difference to record 44kHz 24 bits or MP3 320 kbits/s ? When contents destination is KZfaq anyway ? (KZfaq sure crushes video, but same with sound?)
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
This is a great question. Would you like me to answer it here or on video?
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
I'll answer it here. For a minute there I thought this question was on my ASK ME ANYTHING video. KZfaq does compress audio and video but it DOES make a difference if your original audio was recorded in MP3. It will squash already squashed audio. If you're going for quality, then I fully recommend recording your video's audio in 48kHz --- not even 44.1. If you're just ripping off quick videos to upload, and quality isn't your concern then it doesn't matter. But you can get around some of the bad compression that KZfaq does. Here is a trick: When editing regular 1080p HD video for KZfaq (whether in DaVinci, Premiere, Final Cut, or LumaFusion), edit on a 4K timeline and render it out at 4K resolution with restricted video bitrate at 80,000, and choose PCM audio. This will render a very high quality video and you then upload that as 4K to youtube and then KZfaq will treat the video and audio much better. Less bad compression, better video and audio. You also want to go for a -14 LUFS target so KZfaq doesn't automatically set the loudness. Hope this helps!
@daniel635biturbo Жыл бұрын
@@TheRecordist Ok, Hmm Loudness, did not know that KZfaq messes with that as well.
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
@@daniel635biturbo yep. So always best to try to get within 3dB from 14 LUFS.
@daniel635biturbo Жыл бұрын
@@TheRecordist After reading about LUFS, I realize that's way over my head, but also somehow a really deep rabbit hole 😂
@nellomaxim Жыл бұрын
Commit no mistakes and still lose. I'm like that is so profound...then I'm like...hang on that's Jean Luc Picardism
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Hahaha. You’re damn right! Picard FTW!
@tomijohannes4 ай бұрын
Cool t-shirt! A bit NSFW at times :)
@TheRecordist4 ай бұрын
Hahahahah! I just noticed that! It’s supposed to be “Canal Days”. Hahahahaha
@windpeoples Жыл бұрын
I know who you really are. You are Q!!!!
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
I hope you mean from Star Trek TNG. Hahaha. In that case, you are correct! Hahaha.
@windpeoples Жыл бұрын
@@TheRecordist of course. THAT Q! ;p
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
@@windpeoples then in that case, “As I learn more and more what it is to be human, I am more and more convinced that I would never make a good one.” And that’s the straight truth. Hahaha
@windpeoples Жыл бұрын
@@TheRecordist "I understand what you've done here, Q, but I think the lesson could have been learned without the loss of eighteen members of my crew" - one of Picard's best replies to Q.
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
@@windpeoples oh man. I love it! Tell me, have you watched the last season of Picard yet? If not, boy are you in for a treat!
@CINENIMUS Жыл бұрын
jesus christ man you keep turning up nuggets - you making KZfaq a better place 🫡 (you know this guy is not full of it when he uses Metric! - the unit of SCIENCE!)
@TheRecordist Жыл бұрын
Haha. Thanks, man! I really appreciate it! Ah yes, metric. It’s where it’s at! I use inches in my videos because USA is my largest demographic so I’m trying to cater to that. Same with US pricing. I’m a metric dude, though. I mean come on, it’s 0C outside right now. Not 32F. Haha. Thanks for the awesome comment and for watching my videos! Cheers! (PS - I made partner 🤓)