Topic by scorpio

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  • scorpio
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Topic: sample rates (host vs. internal vs. export)

I know sample rates have been discussed in the past.  But this question, I don't believe, has not been addressed.

On the Options page you can set both the "Internal Sample Rate" and the "Host Sample Rate."  Since I have Pianoteq Standard, the highest Internal Sample Rate allowed is 48K Hz.  The max for my Host Sample Rate is 96K HZ. 

Is there an advantage to setting my Host to 96K?  Or should I keep the Host the same as the Internal Rate?

And then, if I want to export a file, should it be the same as the Internal Sample Rate?   Does it even matter?

Which option below is optimal?

A) HSR: 96  ISR: 48  Export: 48
B) HSR: 48  ISR: 48  Export: 48
C) HSR: 96  ISR: 48  Export: 44   <- just realized this is what I have been doing

D) HSR: 88  ISR: 44  Export: 44
E) HSR: 44  ISR: 44  Export: 44

Reply by EvilDragon

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  • EvilDragon
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Re: sample rates (host vs. internal vs. export)

It would be ideal to have both set to the same value, because then no realtime resampling happens, which adds a bit to CPU load. Of course, exporting to the same SR value is also optimal.

Hard work and guts!

Reply by delt

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Re: sample rates (host vs. internal vs. export)

Plus, there may be some aliasing caused by resampling between frequencies that aren't multiples of each other.

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Reply by EvilDragon

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Re: sample rates (host vs. internal vs. export)

That highly depends on the resampling algorithm. There are some excellent algorithms that have practically no aliasing even if the resampled SR is not the exact multiple of the original (r8brain, SoX...).

Last edited by EvilDragon (19-04-2014 08:00)
Hard work and guts!

Reply by ReBased

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Re: sample rates (host vs. internal vs. export)

The first question is, what rate do you want your whole project to be?  If you want say 96k for other instruments or mics, then choose that.  Try to match the PT internal rate to that as best you can, and the host rate should be the same as your project.

Your final render target rate matters too - if you will only output at 44.1k, it may be better to use that as the project rate so the project does not have to be resampled during rendering.  If you want to work in higher quality initially, then choosing twice the render target rate (eg. 88.2k) would get you a simpler & cleaner resample to 44.1k.

Anyway, there is no advantage to setting the project higher than PTs internal rate if you only plan to record PT, as PT can't produce higher quality than it's internal rate (the higher host rates are just there for compatibility with the project, and result in resampling).

(Well, there can still be a reason to do it if you plan to use additional effect plugins.  In that case you may want to drive them at a higher project rate to get even better effect quality, but you will pay with a CPU hit, so it's really optional.)

Last edited by ReBased (11-05-2014 22:55)