4. Re: file types Hi HZ subjects?

["Scott Fraser" scottbfraser]

<<Another issue that is often overlooked is that the 24 bit format
option on most recorders provides only a relatively small increase of
dynamic range compared to 16 bit.>>

That is due to the molecular noise inherent in the analog portion of
the A to D converter electronics imposing an unavoidable & absolute
limit. The greatest signal to noise ratio attainable, above absolute
zero, is approximately equivalent to a 21bit word length. Longer word
lengths simply contain extra bits of noise, so although we have 24bit
words in out data stream we can never truly attain 24bits of dynamic
range.
Nevertheless, digital storage is so cheap there is no compelling
reason not to record at 24bits, especially when post production signal
processing will be applied.

Scott Fraser