Sample Rate

In a digital recorder or sampler, the sampling rate indicates how many times per second the source material is “sampled” or recorded. The sample rate affects the frequency response of the final recording or sample; The highest frequency that can be sampled correctly is the sampling rate. In general, the higher the sample rate, the better the sound quality.

However, the best sample rate to use depends on your app, device, and amount of storage available (the higher the rate, the more storage needed). CDs use a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz, while DAT recorders are usually set to 48 kHz. Multimedia applications can use rates of 22.05 kHz or even 11,025 kHz for maximum efficiency.

Studios usually use a sample rate of 88.2kHz, or in recent years 176.4kHz, and then downgrade to the "redbook" standard of 16bit/44.1kHz. This process is called “dithering”. It is said that the reason why these odd and odd ratios are used in studios is that they are multiples of the Redbook standard to which it will be translated.

The fact that the studio recordings are 88.2 (2x) and 176.4kHz (4x) multiples of 44.1kHz leads to better quality when dithering (ie lowering the resolution). If the CD will not be burned, the sample rate has a way to 192.0kHz.

Below are sample rates of some instruments:

* 8 kHz – Telephone
* 22.05 kHz – Radio
* 44.1 kHz – CD
* 88.2 kHz, 96.0 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192.0 kHz – DVD Audio, High Definition Audio