Re: [LAU] master levels

On Tue, 3 Feb 2015 21:58:32 +0000
Fons Adriaensen <fons@email-addr-hidden> wrote:

> On Mon, Feb 02, 2015 at 02:41:44PM +0000, Harry van Haaren wrote:
>
> > In short: mix with enough headroom in Ardour, ensure that the
> > master-output level in Ardour is happy - ideally somewhere between -20
> > and -6dB. When that signal arrives at the DAC, it will not
> > significantly impact on SNR. Then use an analog volume fader to change
> > the speaker-volume.
>
> Right.
>
> Signal to quantisation noise ratios are not a concern in
> most cases even with 16 bits - other factors will dominate
> the result. Some numbers to think about:
>
> 16 bits gives you a dynamic range of more than 97 dB, that
> is unweighted and without dithering. Assume your average
> RMS level is 15 dB below maximum, and that the listener
> will adjust her volume to 95 dB SPL (that is quite loud).
> Quantisation noise will be at 12 dB SPL. That is below
> the ambient noise level in most places. With dithering
> on the final 16-bit result it will even be better.
>
> Second example: You're recording an artist who produces
> 80 dB(A) SPL, and the self-noise of your mic is 12 dB(A),
> a typical value for a good quality studio condenser mic.
> Then the S/N ratio of the recording can't be better than
> 68 dB, the equivalent of around 11 bits.
>
> Ciao,
>

There is a really good video explaining this very clearly but in very
understandable terms here:
http://xiph.org/video/vid2.shtml

-- 
Will J Godfrey
http://www.musically.me.uk
Say you have a poem and I have a tune.
Exchange them and we can both have a poem, a tune, and a song.
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