>Hi all, > >As some one who is fairly new to computer based recording in general, but slowly getting my head round it all I wonder if someone could take the time out to explain to me what the actual (audible) difference between these three settings are. As far as I have gathered the higher the bit, the wider the frequency range? > Most analog audio signals are continuous signals. When an audio signal is digitized, it is converted to a discrete approximation of the original continuous signal. Two approximations are made. The first is "Sampling Rate". This refers to the number times (per second) that a "snapshot" is taken of the audio signal. (kind of like a series of still frames approximating continuous movement in a motion picture. The more frames per second, the better the appearance of continuous motion.) With audio signals, greater sampling frequency leads to a less "dull" sound. Generally the higher the sampling rate the better (but there are limits to the audible benefits of higher rates...so, 44.1 KHz is more than sufficient). The second approximation is "Bit Depth". This is the resolution of each "snapshot." This is analagous to the sharpness of the still frame photo in the example above (or analagous to the number of pixels in a digital camera. The more pixels, the better the image). The greater the bit depth, the more accurately each snapshot (sample) represents the original audio signal. I would recommend 24-bit depth recording if possible. But you are ok if you record at at least 16-bit. I record at 20-bit (my digital mixer limits me at 20-bit) and I have no problem with my recordings (except for the massive human error I introduce into the process). Regarding CPU load, sampling rate and bit depth reflect the amount of information that is obtained from the original audio signal. The greater the sampling rate and bit depth, the more information there is about the original audio signal and the more room it takes to store and process the information. Again, 44.1 KHz and 16-bit to 24-bit are standard for today's computers. I would go for 44.1 KHz and 24-bit if possible. Dave > >