[BC] dueling algorithms and audio quality

[Dana Puopolo]

Jacor (and later Clear Channel) ran their audio level down 10 db on all their
MP2 audio in their music files/Prophet System.  I think that's a bit much. I
would go 6 db and also employ a look ahead peak limiter that might
occasionally get 'tickled' by the audio.
And yes, there's no question that 24 bit/96 kHz Has always been the way to
go!

-D


From: lists at loudandclean.com
Subject: Re: [BC] dueling algorithms and audio quality

    As I see it, the issues with 16 bits are (including but
not limited to):

[1] when you are down only 6 dB below "all-ones", you've lost
_half_ your quantization steps.  Instead of 65,536 "steps"
between the positive and negative peaks of the audio waveform,
you only have 32,768.  So, you lose resolution really fast when you leave
any headroom at all.  But wait, we _must_ leave headroom!

[2] recent papers about the performance of D/A converters in
CD players seem to indicate that constant energy in the top
6 dB may cause error correction circuitry to activate and
never recover, introducing significant distortion.  OUCH!