You might wonder what I mean by this. I'm going to explain it to the best of my ability.
24-bit allows for a higher dynamic range. About 124 or 144dB depending on if you're counting what is technically possible. This compares to 16-bit at 96dB.
Now recording software varies. At 16-bit, we normalize to 0dB. This is the top achievable level. With 24-bit, there's lots of extra headroom. What seems to be the standard, from comparing audio production software to experimenting with my Ecler Evo 5, the top level before clipping occurs is considered +10dB.
I'll explain it simpler. 16-bit clips at over 0dB. 24-bit clips at over +10dB. The advantage here is that you have lots of headroom to level your output to 0dB (for example my audio input to a VST could be hitting +2 to +3dB peaks, and it's job is ultimately to limit to -0.3dB.
From experimenting with my Evo 5, Output from Cross at 0dB is exactly +10dB in the mixer. I have to reduce the gain by 10dB on the mixer.
I'd rather not do this. I'd rather Cross had the ability to play audio at 10dB quieter than normal. I'd rather use the built in limiter in my mixer than Cross's software limiter. Naturally Cross would need to support 24-bit audio, otherwise clipping would occur at anything over 0dB anyway.
The idea is: Have an option in Cross for 24-bit audio support that lowers the output by 10dB. Naturally, with the limiter off, the clipping that would occur noticeably at say +4 to +5dB would not occur with this option.
Is this clear? Apologies.
3-hour radio show, Mixvibes Cross only! http://soundcloud.com/stealthii/isa3 MacBook Pro 13" Summer-2011 16GB RAM, Vertex-III SSD OSX 10.7.3 Ecler Evo 5 Mixer Technics 1210MK5 x2 Ortofon S-120 OM carts x2
I have tried some 24bits/96Khz since then and didn't see any issue with them, just need to set the gain on the mixer accordingly, so I'm a bit lost on this. I just did the levels and everything went fine.
Ok, without the attenuated output there are 3 main problems.
1: the interface is running full level->there´s no more headroom if the gain is wrong (in comparison to SL i have 12db more output with Cross when using the SL2, sometimes causing clipping when the gains in Cross aint right)
2: With mixers that don't have a kill-gain (pmc05 etc.) the mixer is always (!) clipping.
3: with the gain set to something like 9o´clock on the mixer, the gain is way more sensitive as its a log-pot on most mixer and not a linear one -> equal gains became hard to achieve.