You can bring in the CD tracks this way:

File > Extract Audio from CD...

Then leave them as is (44.1/16), and record the vocals at 24-bit, perhaps at 88.2kHz - especially if the final product will be back on CD. That's what I would do, and thankfully Vegas allows multiple wave files of differing sample/bit-rates to live in one project.

Have fun with it!

Yes, but when it goes back on CD it gets downsampled to 44/16 anyway, so what's the purpose?

Noise floor for one thing. If you record to 24-bit and then, later on, dither down to 16-bit, there is often times less noise then recording 16-bit and re-dithering down to 16-bit (you'd want to dither as there are often times processes happening where the audio is up-sampled to 32-bit, for example). This becomes more apparent with more and more tracks, as you can imagine, because the noise is accumulative. Not so much when just overdubbing a single vocal track, but in this case, the recording also sounds smoother when recording at a higher sample rate. I only recommended 88.2 because IF going back down the 44.1 there is less chance of noticeable errors (or aliasing effects) where as if you recorded in 96 there would extra numbers to try to round off and things can sometimes sound a bit more different. I don't know how to explain the technicalities exactly, but IME the down-sampling itself (from 88.2 to 44.1) won't sound "harsh" like it might if you initially recorded it at that sample-rate (44.1).

It's all very subtle of course, but if you notice a positive difference and don't mind the extra disk space usage, then there's no reason NOT to do this. I've noticed a huge difference in my tracks when I switched from 44.1/16 to 44.1/24 (using the same sound card of course!) other then noise, it seemed to result in tighter bass response, stereo imaging, and yeah, sounded smoother to me overall. Those are some reasons...

oic . . . . i think . . . .

dithering is used to randomly smooth a downsample, not re-create. and just wth is "re-dither"? does that mean "add more noise"?

oh, and the noise floor is the noise floor. how would oversampling and then downsampling reduce it as a factor of the signal? interested to hear your theories on this. . . . . could be a boon for the recording industry.

oh, and there are many reasons "NOT to do this." inaccuracies for one. ever hear the expression "You can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear"? just because it sounds smooth doesn't mean it's right. i'm sure there are some people who prefer the "warmth" of cassette tapes. think about it.

after less than forty years in the "biz", for the first time i have to say,"I don't get it."

Silly assumption perhaps,but if 16 bits has a range of 93 dB and my mixing console/pre-amp has a noisefloor of say,some 84 dB,is there any advantage to record in 24 bits? The dynamic range seems to be limited by the used preamp and the source to be recorded.

Correct me if I'm wrong..

Gerard

>>is there any advantage to record in 24 bits?<<

Let your ears determine whether its an advantage – not specs. Do some recording at both 16 & 24 bit resolution and then some A/B listening. If you can't hear the difference, then obviously you don't need to take up extra storage space with 24 bit files. For me, the difference was simply dramatic. My tests involved using the on board pres on a Mackie 8 buss – not at all what would be considered in the realm of pristine and detailed. I figured that if I could hear a significant difference using the mackie pres, then moving to 24 bit would certainly worth it (I use the mackie for monitoring only). Since this test (3 years ago) I never record at 16 bit anymore unless I'm forced to because of hardware limitations (like a remote situation with a DAT recorder). That being said, increased sample rate is much less noticible to my ears, so currently I'm recording most everything at 24/44.1.

drbam

Applies if you carefully adjust each track to peak a 0dBFS on recording. Record at 24 bit and you'll be able to have a 10dB satey margin and still as goo if npt better, resolution that the 16 bit one.

Conversely, record with a similar margin at 16 bits and you are only hearing some of you potential reslution at all.

geoff

I suppose in some cases the cards converters' just perform better when set at a higher sample-rate, whether or not that has anything to do with noise floor or other specs like that...

"just because it sounds smooth doesn't mean it's right" I agree, but for most people (that I know of) they feel the need to choose based on what sounds better to them.

Wow. I had no idea that vegas supported the ability to record in 96/24 with a 44.100/16 wav in the project!! Thanks for all the feedback. Anyone have any suggestions for the track compressor in Vegas? I usually use a Teletronix LA2A compressor limiter on my vox cause it's simple to use but now it's in need of repair and i have no outboard compressor worth using till It's repaired.It's sort of like set it and forget it with vox with my compressor and I was curious if anyone had any suggestions on some good vocal settings.I'm using a neuman u87ai thru a avalon dual mono Mic Pre into a delta 1010 Thanks for your feedback.

If you've been using an LA2A, then you probably won't be satisfied with many plug ins. That being said, I would download some demos of the more popular ones and try them out. You may want to start another thread to get some suggestions. I typically don't use a lot of compression but when I do, for native plug ins, I usually go for the Waves Ren comp first. Its a fairly good starting place.

drbam

I tryed to take a project (band instrumental) in 48/24 and rec a vocal in 96/24 and it wouldn't play it back correctly. How do you go about rec. in vegas with multiple bit rates?? I'm using 2 delta 1010 Thanks.

It should be as simple as changing the Project Properties to what you want to record at (shouldn't need to change settings in the Delta Panel)

If you already did that then perhaps it's just the buffer amount that needs tweaking. If that doesn't help, explain to us what it sounds like or if you can varify it wasn't recorded that way by accident.

Worth a try...
http://www.digitalfishphones.com/