Discussion:
[Audacity-users] Recording from 24-bit sources
Johnny Rosenberg
2017-03-04 14:06:51 UTC
Permalink
When recording with Audacity from a 24-bit digital source (in my case with
S/PDIF), someone said that only 16 bits are recorded, padded with 8 zeroes.
Is this true? I'm using Audacity 2.0.5.

I should be able to answer my question myself by just zooming in
vertically, but for some reason I can't zoom in enough. After zooming a few
times nothing more happens. The text for the vertical scale is then graded
-0.045 – 0.045 in steps of 0.005, and each mm, when a channel is stretched
all over my screen, seems so be a little less than 0.0005, which is
approximately the size of LSB of an 11-bit signal. For 24-bits, LSB is
approximately 59.6×10⁻⁹ (0.0000000596).

Is there a newer version that allows me to zoom in vertically as much as I
want, at least so I'm able to see if a signal comes from a 16 or 24 bit
source?

And is there a version that lets me see the vertical scale in dB (0
dB=1.0)? Or is it possible in 2.0.5? At least I couldn't find out how.


Kind regards

Johnny Rosenberg
Gale Andrews
2017-03-04 18:10:17 UTC
Permalink
2.0.5 is now very old. The current 2.1.2 may be obtained here:
http://www.audacityteam.org/download .

Change to Waveform(dB) by clicking in the name of the track.

To see down to -145 dB in the vertical scale, you will also have
to change the Meter dB setting in Interface Preferences.

If you are on Windows, true 24-bit recording is only possible,
even in 2.1.2, if you choose Windows WASAPI host:
http://www.audacityteam.org/about/features/ .

When 2.1.3 is released (perhaps mid-March) it should also
support true 24-bit recording with Windows DirectSound host.

24-bit recording in Audacity with MME host is not currently
possible.


Gale Andrews
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
When recording with Audacity from a 24-bit digital source (in my case with
S/PDIF), someone said that only 16 bits are recorded, padded with 8 zeroes.
Is this true? I'm using Audacity 2.0.5.
I should be able to answer my question myself by just zooming in vertically,
but for some reason I can't zoom in enough. After zooming a few times
nothing more happens. The text for the vertical scale is then graded -0.045
– 0.045 in steps of 0.005, and each mm, when a channel is stretched all over
my screen, seems so be a little less than 0.0005, which is approximately the
size of LSB of an 11-bit signal. For 24-bits, LSB is approximately 59.6×10⁻⁹
(0.0000000596).
Is there a newer version that allows me to zoom in vertically as much as I
want, at least so I'm able to see if a signal comes from a 16 or 24 bit
source?
And is there a version that lets me see the vertical scale in dB (0 dB=1.0)?
Or is it possible in 2.0.5? At least I couldn't find out how.
Kind regards
Johnny Rosenberg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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*********** ASKING FOR HELP *************

When asking for help on this list, please include the following information, so we can
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* What operating system you are using (for example, Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.5.1)

* Exactly what three digit version number of Audacity you are using (Help > About
Audacity, or Audacity > About Audacity on a Mac computer)

* If this is a recording problem, what equipment you are recording with, and how is it
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Johnny Rosenberg
2017-03-05 02:10:52 UTC
Permalink
Post by Gale Andrews
http://www.audacityteam.org/download .
Only in source code, as it seems. I just checked the PPA, still 2.0.5 there.
Post by Gale Andrews
Change to Waveform(dB) by clicking in the name of the track.
Wow, thanks! I have used Audacity for years and I never saw that before!
Maybe it would have been more intuitive to right click the actual scale or
something, but that has currently another function

Post by Gale Andrews
To see down to -145 dB in the vertical scale, you will also have
to change the Meter dB setting in Interface Preferences.
Thanks again, got it!
Post by Gale Andrews
If you are on Windows, true 24-bit recording is only possible,
http://www.audacityteam.org/about/features/ .
Well, since 2007 I'm not



Thanks for your help!


Kind regards

Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
When 2.1.3 is released (perhaps mid-March) it should also
support true 24-bit recording with Windows DirectSound host.
24-bit recording in Audacity with MME host is not currently
possible.
Gale Andrews
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
When recording with Audacity from a 24-bit digital source (in my case
with
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
S/PDIF), someone said that only 16 bits are recorded, padded with 8
zeroes.
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Is this true? I'm using Audacity 2.0.5.
I should be able to answer my question myself by just zooming in
vertically,
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
but for some reason I can't zoom in enough. After zooming a few times
nothing more happens. The text for the vertical scale is then graded
-0.045
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
– 0.045 in steps of 0.005, and each mm, when a channel is stretched all
over
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
my screen, seems so be a little less than 0.0005, which is approximately
the
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
size of LSB of an 11-bit signal. For 24-bits, LSB is approximately
59.6×10⁻⁹
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
(0.0000000596).
Is there a newer version that allows me to zoom in vertically as much as
I
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
want, at least so I'm able to see if a signal comes from a 16 or 24 bit
source?
And is there a version that lets me see the vertical scale in dB (0
dB=1.0)?
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Or is it possible in 2.0.5? At least I couldn't find out how.
Kind regards
Johnny Rosenberg
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------
Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most
engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot
*********** ASKING FOR HELP *************
When asking for help on this list, please include the following information, so we can
* What operating system you are using (for example, Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.5.1)
* Exactly what three digit version number of Audacity you are using (Help
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
About
Audacity, or Audacity > About Audacity on a Mac computer)
* If this is a recording problem, what equipment you are recording with, and how is it
connected to the computer?
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/audacity-users
Gale Andrews
2017-03-06 16:46:15 UTC
Permalink
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
http://www.audacityteam.org/download .
Only in source code, as it seems. I just checked the PPA, still 2.0.5 there.
What version of Linux are you using?
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
Change to Waveform(dB) by clicking in the name of the track.
Wow, thanks! I have used Audacity for years and I never saw that before!
Maybe it would have been more intuitive to right click the actual scale or
something, but that has currently another function…
Post by Gale Andrews
To see down to -145 dB in the vertical scale, you will also have
to change the Meter dB setting in Interface Preferences.
Thanks again, got it!
Post by Gale Andrews
If you are on Windows, true 24-bit recording is only possible,
http://www.audacityteam.org/about/features/ .
Well, since 2007 I'm not…
On Linux, 24-bit recording is supported using ALSA or JACK host.



Gale Andrews
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
When 2.1.3 is released (perhaps mid-March) it should also
support true 24-bit recording with Windows DirectSound host.
24-bit recording in Audacity with MME host is not currently
possible.
Gale Andrews
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
When recording with Audacity from a 24-bit digital source (in my case with
S/PDIF), someone said that only 16 bits are recorded, padded with 8 zeroes.
Is this true? I'm using Audacity 2.0.5.
I should be able to answer my question myself by just zooming in vertically,
but for some reason I can't zoom in enough. After zooming a few times
nothing more happens. The text for the vertical scale is then graded -0.045
– 0.045 in steps of 0.005, and each mm, when a channel is stretched all over
my screen, seems so be a little less than 0.0005, which is approximately the
size of LSB of an 11-bit signal. For 24-bits, LSB is approximately 59.6×10⁻⁹
(0.0000000596).
Is there a newer version that allows me to zoom in vertically as much as I
want, at least so I'm able to see if a signal comes from a 16 or 24 bit
source?
And is there a version that lets me see the vertical scale in dB (0 dB=1.0)?
Or is it possible in 2.0.5? At least I couldn't find out how.
Kind regards
Johnny Rosenberg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most
engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot
*********** ASKING FOR HELP *************
When asking for help on this list, please include the following information, so we can
* What operating system you are using (for example, Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.5.1)
* Exactly what three digit version number of Audacity you are using (Help
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
About
Audacity, or Audacity > About Audacity on a Mac computer)
* If this is a recording problem, what equipment you are recording with, and how is it
connected to the computer?
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/audacity-users
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most
engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot
*********** ASKING FOR HELP *************
When asking for help on this list, please include the following information, so we can
* What operating system you are using (for example, Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.5.1)
* Exactly what three digit version number of Audacity you are using (Help > About
Audacity, or Audacity > About Audacity on a Mac computer)
* If this is a recording problem, what equipment you are recording with, and how is it
connected to the computer?
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/audacity-users
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Announcing the Oxford Dictionaries API! The API offers world-renowned
dictionary content that is easy and intuitive to access. Sign up for an
account today to start using our lexical data to power your apps and
projects. Get started today and enter our developer competition.
http://sdm.link/oxford
*********** ASKING FOR HELP *************

When asking for help on this list, please include the following information, so we can
help you properly:

* What operating system you are using (for example, Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.5.1)

* Exactly what three digit version number of Audacity you are using (Help > About
Audacity, or Audacity > About Audacity on a Mac computer)

* If this is a recording problem, what equipment you are recording with, and how is it
connected to the computer?

Mailing list: Audacity-***@lists.sourceforge.net
To UNSUBSCRIBE, use the form at the bottom of this web page:
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo
Johnny Rosenberg
2017-03-06 20:29:37 UTC
Permalink
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
http://www.audacityteam.org/download .
Only in source code, as it seems. I just checked the PPA, still 2.0.5
there.
What version of Linux are you using?
Ubuntu 14.04 at the moment, but I'm planning to abandon it for Arch when my
new SSD arrives and I'm going to do a fresh install anyway.
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
Change to Waveform(dB) by clicking in the name of the track.
Wow, thanks! I have used Audacity for years and I never saw that before!
Maybe it would have been more intuitive to right click the actual scale
or
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
something, but that has currently another function

Post by Gale Andrews
To see down to -145 dB in the vertical scale, you will also have
to change the Meter dB setting in Interface Preferences.
Thanks again, got it!
Post by Gale Andrews
If you are on Windows, true 24-bit recording is only possible,
http://www.audacityteam.org/about/features/ .
Well, since 2007 I'm not

On Linux, 24-bit recording is supported using ALSA or JACK host.
Even with Audacity 2.0.5?


Kind regards

Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Gale Andrews
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
When 2.1.3 is released (perhaps mid-March) it should also
support true 24-bit recording with Windows DirectSound host.
24-bit recording in Audacity with MME host is not currently
possible.
Gale Andrews
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
When recording with Audacity from a 24-bit digital source (in my case with
S/PDIF), someone said that only 16 bits are recorded, padded with 8 zeroes.
Is this true? I'm using Audacity 2.0.5.
I should be able to answer my question myself by just zooming in vertically,
but for some reason I can't zoom in enough. After zooming a few times
nothing more happens. The text for the vertical scale is then graded -0.045
– 0.045 in steps of 0.005, and each mm, when a channel is stretched
all
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
over
my screen, seems so be a little less than 0.0005, which is
approximately
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
the
size of LSB of an 11-bit signal. For 24-bits, LSB is approximately
59.6×10⁻⁹
(0.0000000596).
Is there a newer version that allows me to zoom in vertically as much
as
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
I
want, at least so I'm able to see if a signal comes from a 16 or 24
bit
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
source?
And is there a version that lets me see the vertical scale in dB (0 dB=1.0)?
Or is it possible in 2.0.5? At least I couldn't find out how.
Kind regards
Johnny Rosenberg
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most
engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot
*********** ASKING FOR HELP *************
When asking for help on this list, please include the following
information, so we can
* What operating system you are using (for example, Windows XP or Mac
OS X
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
10.5.1)
* Exactly what three digit version number of Audacity you are using
(Help
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
About
Audacity, or Audacity > About Audacity on a Mac computer)
* If this is a recording problem, what equipment you are recording with,
and how is it
connected to the computer?
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/audacity-users
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most
engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot
*********** ASKING FOR HELP *************
When asking for help on this list, please include the following
information,
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
so we can
* What operating system you are using (for example, Windows XP or Mac OS
X
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
10.5.1)
* Exactly what three digit version number of Audacity you are using
(Help >
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
About
Audacity, or Audacity > About Audacity on a Mac computer)
* If this is a recording problem, what equipment you are recording with,
and
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
how is it
connected to the computer?
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/audacity-users
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------
Announcing the Oxford Dictionaries API! The API offers world-renowned
dictionary content that is easy and intuitive to access. Sign up for an
account today to start using our lexical data to power your apps and
projects. Get started today and enter our developer competition.
http://sdm.link/oxford
*********** ASKING FOR HELP *************
When asking for help on this list, please include the following information, so we can
* What operating system you are using (for example, Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.5.1)
* Exactly what three digit version number of Audacity you are using (Help
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
About
Audacity, or Audacity > About Audacity on a Mac computer)
* If this is a recording problem, what equipment you are recording with, and how is it
connected to the computer?
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/audacity-users
Gale Andrews
2017-03-07 00:51:18 UTC
Permalink
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
http://www.audacityteam.org/download .
Only in source code, as it seems. I just checked the PPA, still 2.0.5 there.
What version of Linux are you using?
Ubuntu 14.04 at the moment, but I'm planning to abandon it for Arch when my
new SSD arrives and I'm going to do a fresh install anyway.
There is an Audacity 2.1.2 PPA for 14.04 here:
https://launchpad.net/~ubuntuhandbook1/+archive/ubuntu/audacity .
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
Change to Waveform(dB) by clicking in the name of the track.
Wow, thanks! I have used Audacity for years and I never saw that before!
Maybe it would have been more intuitive to right click the actual scale or
something, but that has currently another function…
Post by Gale Andrews
To see down to -145 dB in the vertical scale, you will also have
to change the Meter dB setting in Interface Preferences.
Thanks again, got it!
Post by Gale Andrews
If you are on Windows, true 24-bit recording is only possible,
http://www.audacityteam.org/about/features/ .
Well, since 2007 I'm not…
On Linux, 24-bit recording is supported using ALSA or JACK host.
Even with Audacity 2.0.5?
Should do as far as I know.



Gale Andrews
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Kind regards
Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
Gale Andrews
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
Post by Gale Andrews
When 2.1.3 is released (perhaps mid-March) it should also
support true 24-bit recording with Windows DirectSound host.
24-bit recording in Audacity with MME host is not currently
possible.
Gale Andrews
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
When recording with Audacity from a 24-bit digital source (in my case with
S/PDIF), someone said that only 16 bits are recorded, padded with 8 zeroes.
Is this true? I'm using Audacity 2.0.5.
I should be able to answer my question myself by just zooming in vertically,
but for some reason I can't zoom in enough. After zooming a few times
nothing more happens. The text for the vertical scale is then graded -0.045
– 0.045 in steps of 0.005, and each mm, when a channel is stretched
all
over
my screen, seems so be a little less than 0.0005, which is approximately
the
size of LSB of an 11-bit signal. For 24-bits, LSB is approximately
59.6×10⁻⁹
(0.0000000596).
Is there a newer version that allows me to zoom in vertically as much as
I
want, at least so I'm able to see if a signal comes from a 16 or 24 bit
source?
And is there a version that lets me see the vertical scale in dB (0 dB=1.0)?
Or is it possible in 2.0.5? At least I couldn't find out how.
Kind regards
Johnny Rosenberg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most
engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot
*********** ASKING FOR HELP *************
When asking for help on this list, please include the following
information, so we can
* What operating system you are using (for example, Windows XP or Mac
OS X
10.5.1)
* Exactly what three digit version number of Audacity you are using (Help
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
About
Audacity, or Audacity > About Audacity on a Mac computer)
* If this is a recording problem, what equipment you are recording with,
and how is it
connected to the computer?
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/audacity-users
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most
engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot
*********** ASKING FOR HELP *************
When asking for help on this list, please include the following
information,
so we can
* What operating system you are using (for example, Windows XP or Mac OS
X
10.5.1)
* Exactly what three digit version number of Audacity you are using
(Help >
About
Audacity, or Audacity > About Audacity on a Mac computer)
* If this is a recording problem, what equipment you are recording with,
and
how is it
connected to the computer?
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/audacity-users
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Announcing the Oxford Dictionaries API! The API offers world-renowned
dictionary content that is easy and intuitive to access. Sign up for an
account today to start using our lexical data to power your apps and
projects. Get started today and enter our developer competition.
http://sdm.link/oxford
*********** ASKING FOR HELP *************
When asking for help on this list, please include the following information, so we can
* What operating system you are using (for example, Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.5.1)
* Exactly what three digit version number of Audacity you are using (Help
Post by Johnny Rosenberg
About
Audacity, or Audacity > About Audacity on a Mac computer)
* If this is a recording problem, what equipment you are recording with, and how is it
connected to the computer?
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/audacity-users
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Announcing the Oxford Dictionaries API! The API offers world-renowned
dictionary content that is easy and intuitive to access. Sign up for an
account today to start using our lexical data to power your apps and
projects. Get started today and enter our developer competition.
http://sdm.link/oxford
*********** ASKING FOR HELP *************
When asking for help on this list, please include the following information, so we can
* What operating system you are using (for example, Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.5.1)
* Exactly what three digit version number of Audacity you are using (Help > About
Audacity, or Audacity > About Audacity on a Mac computer)
* If this is a recording problem, what equipment you are recording with, and how is it
connected to the computer?
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/audacity-users
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Announcing the Oxford Dictionaries API! The API offers world-renowned
dictionary content that is easy and intuitive to access. Sign up for an
account today to start using our lexical data to power your apps and
projects. Get started today and enter our developer competition.
http://sdm.link/oxford
*********** ASKING FOR HELP *************

When asking for help on this list, please include the following information, so we can
help you properly:

* What operating system you are using (for example, Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.5.1)

* Exactly what three digit version number of Audacity you are using (Help > About
Audacity, or Audacity > About Audacity on a Mac computer)

* If this is a recording problem, what equipment you are recording with, and how is it
connected to the computer?

Mailing list: Audacity-***@lists.sourceforge.net
To UNSUBSCRIBE, use the form at the bottom of this web page:
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