On Mon, Aug 13, 2012 at 08:33:41PM +0200, "Jérôme M. Berger" wrote:
Fons Adriaensen wrote:
16 bit means that there are 2^16 possible values for a sample. So the signal is quantised to the nearest level. Except in some special cases, the error (a rounding error) is random and appears as noise. For a 16-bit card, that noise will have a level that is 98 dB lower than the maximum amplitude sine wave it can produce. Let's assume the card is not really 'perfect' and you actually have 95 dB of dynamic range.
Where does that 98dB come from? A factor of 2 is roughly 3dB, so 16 bits should mean 3x16=48dB, no? Taking this figure, your example where the maximum level is set to 110dB will leave 62dB for pure noise, i.e between the level of a TV set and a handheld electric mixer (1) so perfectly audible.
Sigh.... Is it *really* asking to much to look up and understand at least the *very very basics* before you post instead of showing your complete ignorance ??? Sorry if this sound harsh, but if you don't know where that 98 dB comes from your are not in any position to question what I wrote. And I am not providing free education. Ciao, -- FA A world of exhaustive, reliable metadata would be an utopia. It's also a pipe-dream, founded on self-delusion, nerd hubris and hysterically inflated market opportunities. (Cory Doctorow)