From: D & m <>
>
> Hi. I just started sound recordings and finding there is a lot to learn.
> At present my gear is very basic but need to start some where. At
> present I'm considering buying a soundcard.
> My Sharp Minidisk records in ATRAC, 24-bit computed type (according to
> the specification). I'm assuming there is going to be some degree of
> quality loose (how much I don't know) when considering ATRAC and it
> being transferred to my PC in analogue. My question is not so much which
> soundcard , rather than is it going to worth spending the extra money
> for a 24-bit soundcard over a 16-bit card.
The 24 bit that Sharp refers to is the equivalent due to bit shifting.
By the use of bit shifting current ATRAC stores the dynamic range of 24
bit in a 16 bit format. Or at least that's the simplistic explanation.
What will come out of the minidisc if you had a digital output is 16bit
44k audio, the exact same standard as CD. The preferable input interface
is, therefore, 16 bit 44k so as to avoid any resampling during input.
And store the audio as 16bit 44k. WAV or AIFF depending on your
preference and OS.
The analog transfer will change the sound far more than ATRAC did.
I'm of the opinion that the USB based interfaces are a better deal than
a internal soundcard. They can be used on more than one machine easily,
they do the conversion from analog to digital outside of the
electrically active computer case.
Walt
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