Bit Depth
Bit Depth
Bit Depth refers to the number of bits you use in order to to capture audio. The easiest way to envision this is as a series of levels, that audio energy can be sliced at any given moment in time. 16 bit audio, allows for 65,536 possible levels. With every bit of greater resolution, the number of levels double. This enables greater granularity, or higher definition, and provides a greater accuracy. In addition to this, the dynamic range (the range between quiet and loud sound), is also doubled with each additional bit.
By using 24 bits, we actually have 16,777,216 levels. Remember we are talking about sampling a single audio signal (waveform) at one moment of time.
To put this in technical terms, the dynamic range is increased by 6dB (decibels) for each additional bit, allowing greater dynamic range, or headroom.
A 16-bit word is able to define 16,536 distinct dynamic levels. A range of 96dB.
A 24-bit word can define 16,777,216 distinct dynamic levels. A range of 144dB.
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