We get asked a lot of questions, or the same questions time and again. So when I'm asked something new it's an event. Such an event happened this morning.
"Can podserve rip CDs into 24 bit files?"
Our potential client had been into a hi-fi store and asked what is the best quality music file and was told he should have 24 bit music files. Why did he get the answer 24 bit? Well, the number of bits used in computer addressing determines the volume of data that can be handled. Remember those puny original PCs? 8 bit. Today's systems use 64 bit addressing and handle massive amounts of memory. In most fields of computer work more is better. How does this relate to music?
Suppose 1 is the least amount of sound, well the highest number would be the most amount. Just now the greatest point is prescribed by 16 bit addressing. If we moved to 24 bit addressing the sound would be no louder but there would be many, many more finely tuned stopping points for sound along the way. The argument is that this extension of bits would deliver greater sound range, and smoother music. In fact all those features vinyl lovers say was lost in the move to CDs.
Wouldn't 24 bit be a massive step forward? Possibly not, I'm not sure if you're over 30 years of age you'd even be able to hear the difference. If you own a modern DAC then you'd need to upgrade it and that could be very expensive.
And you'd have to change your CDs, which have been mastered as 16 bit music files. You can't add in data that isn't there so you'd need to replace your CD collection. Wouldn't the music industry just love that?
So No, we don't rip to 24 bit at the moment; and there's no point in thinking about it until there's a massive shift in the way CDs are made.
Jeff Underwood
podserve.co.uk
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