Before diving into your project, it's crucial to understand two key factors: “Sample Rate” and “Bit Depth”. In short, the conversion of analog sound (such as your voice or instrument) into a digital format on your computer is known as quantization. The specifications of sample rate and bit depth determine the quality of the journey from analog to digital, shaping the outcome on your computer.

Take a glance at the graphic below:

The horizontal X-axis represents time (sampling rate), while the vertical Y-axis signifies amplitude (bit depth). The red line in the graphic mirrors the actual analog sound wave, and the gray square boxes indicate the frequencies captured by the combination of sample rate and bit depth. Noticeably, a higher sample rate results in more gray boxes (more details).

Still not clear? Here’s another example:
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Sample Rate‍

You can think of sample rate as the number of pictures taken in a video per second. In audio, it's like how many "snapshots" of sound are captured every second.

A higher sample rate means more snapshots per second, so it can capture more detail in sound. A lower sample rate captures less detail but uses less storage space.

44.1 kHz is the standard sample rate for CDs, making it an excellent starting point for your project. If you're crafting music or audio for video/movies, 48 kHz is the ideal choice.

‍Bit Depth‍

Consider bit depth in audio as pixels in a photograph. Just as a higher pixel count in a photo captures more details, a higher bit depth in audio allows more amplitude values (dynamic range) per sample recorded to recreate the original signal.

*Dynamic range is the difference in volume between the quietest and the loudest value.

Typically, a 44.1 kHz sample rate is paired with 16 bits, whereas 48 kHz comes with 24 bits. We recommend using 24 bits to ensure a broader dynamic range (volume levels) during recording.

‍What Sample Rate Should I Use?

As a rule of thumb, the higher the sample rate and bit depth you use during recording, the better audio resolution you'll achieve. However, it's worth noting that a higher sample rate places additional demands on your computer, requiring more processing power (CPUs) and storage space (hard drive) for audio processing tasks.

In a nutshell, if you're working with a high-performance computer equipped with advanced CPUs and large hard disks, experimenting with a higher sample rate (96 kHz or more) is always a good idea.  We encourage you to test with your ears!

Nevertheless, it's essential to keep in mind that the standard sample rate remains 44.1 kHz/16bit for CDs and streaming, while it's 48 kHz/24bit for video and movies.

‍For Beginners: Stick to the standard range (44.1~48 kHz) to get started.

For Intermediate Users: Try both the standard range (44.1~48 kHz) and higher sample rates (96~192 kHz) to hear the differences.

To wrap up, always trust your ears and choose the settings that deliver the best results for you.
Happy experimenting!