12 bit to 16 bit conversion

J

jpastuch

Carbonite Member
If I'm capturing 12-bit audio and want to convert it to 16 bit in FCP (to avoid errors while working with it), would I do this while capturing, after capturing, in a seperate program, etc. Whats the best way to do this?
 
jpastuch said:
If I'm capturing 12-bit audio and want to convert it to 16 bit in FCP (to avoid errors while working with it), would I do this while capturing, after capturing, in a seperate program, etc. Whats the best way to do this?
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Not an FCOP user so as for how to do the connversion someone else will have to chime in. But converting to an increased bit depth does nothing for your sound quality - what's lost by recording in 12-bit is lost forever and can't be regained by subsequent conversion to 16-bit. The best way to work in 16-bit in post is to record in 16-bit or higher to begin with. 12-bit is an abomination the camera manufacturers have foisted on us and I can't think of a single rational reason ever to use it.
 
I don't think FCP (6.x anyway) will care. I would set your seq settings to 48/16 and then render the audio. While moving up in bit depth won't improve the source files there is still some benefit. The conversion will leave a bunch of zeros in the new bit locations but any processing of the file will use that new space and through post you will be filling those bits with meaning full data. I would also check your sample rate since I believe that 12 bit tended to go with 32k sample rates. You need to get it all to 48/24 for compatibility and standards - you can't for instance send an OMF with 32K SR to Pro Tools.
 
Steve House said:
12-bit is an abomination the camera manufacturers have foisted on us and I can't think of a single rational reason ever to use it.
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12-bit 32 kHz used to be a popular format among radio journalists (back in the hoary days of DAT, DART, and miniDisc).

But, yeah, "abomination" is the right word. I suspect that it was included in the miniDV standard because some engineer out there has a cruel sense of humour.
 
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