32-bit float and 24-bit: comparative testing with the Tascam FR-AV2 and Sound Devices recorders

[Throwback]

Probably more for sound effects recording than, say, dialogue recording, but I've been dipping my toe in the water of (dual-AD) 32-bit recording with the Tascam FR-AV2: I was after a very small two-channel recorder, and this was an opportunity, on the side, to also explore a dual-ADC design. And when I say 'explore', I mean compare exactly what this brings vs my existing recorders: a first-generation MixPre-3 and a pair of 788Ts. So, with this distinct and personal angle - and not pretending to be an all-encompassing review of the FR-AV2 (I would be rather late to the party for that!) or a comparison to budget 24-bit recorders - I have done a write-up of tests, with the usual downloadable files. I found it interesting (not least the lack of audible evidence for the switching ADCs), and I hope some others may do and not necessarily for the FR-AV2 (for example, and long overdue, I demonstrate the first generation MixPre-3's remarkably low self-noise at all gain settings, which has implications for recordings with extreme variation in sound levels). Anyway, here's a link to the blog post for anyone interested: https://drbadphil.com/dual-adc-and-...to-the-sound-devices-24-bit-mixpre-3-and-788t

Cheers,

Roland

 

[IronFilm]

32bit is great for videographers who have to juggle sound themselves, or people who are working in house, but for Production Sound Mixers? Nah, handing over 32bit files is a quick path to getting yourself fired! Besides, at this level, nobody who is Mixing needs 32bit in their day to day work

 

[Throwback]

Hi David. I quite agree about production sound and 32 bit vs 24 bit.
Not sure if you read my blog post or listened to the samples, but there you will see that 24-bit (i.e. the original) MixPre recorders (by way of an example) can be used identically to so-called 32-bit flat dual-ADC recorders: i.e. you can set at minimum gain to allow for the unexpected and add gain in post with, and here's the crunch, no additional self-noise vs using more gain/trim on the recorder: many (even most) seem unaware of this, which is quite different than older recorders (e.g. my 788Ts), where setting recorder gain/trim below, say, 20dB and boosting massively in post will, of course, add noise.
Cheers,
Roland