Audio exporting- setting bit depth? SOLVED

[Billy86]

The manual notes this when exporting a mix:
“Click Bit Depth and select the desired bit depth. If your source file is 16 and you export to 24, you get more precision for any audio effects in the mix (and a larger file).”

Does the same hold true if the project depth is 24 bits and you export to 32 for mastering?

Edited February 8, 2022 by Billy86

[msmcleod]

That's mostly true in practice, but they aren't really that comparable.

16 bit and 24 bit are integer formats, whereas 32 bit and 64 bit are floating point formats.

What this means is 16 bit / 24 bit have a fixed but limited dynamic range, but don't lose any precision over that range.  32 bit & 64 bit have a potentially wider dynamic range, but lose precision at the very extremes ( although those extremes are so extreme, it's not something to worry about).

[Billy86]

2 hours ago, msmcleod said:

That's mostly true in practice, but they aren't really that comparable.

16 bit and 24 bit are integer formats, whereas 32 bit and 64 bit are floating point formats.

What this means is 16 bit / 24 bit have a fixed but limited dynamic range, but don't lose any precision over that range.  32 bit & 64 bit have a potentially wider dynamic range, but lose precision at the very extremes ( although those extremes are so extreme, it's not something to worry about).

Thanks.