Interesting perspective. When I transfer cassettes for clients, I use 
16 bit, and if they want it processed in any way, I import it to 24 bit 
Protools sessions for the added range... Best of both worlds, I like to 
think.

<L>

Lou Judson • Intuitive Audio
415-883-2689

On Feb 20, 2006, at 10:00 AM, Mike Richter wrote:

> Lou Judson wrote:
>> What about using 24 bit at 44.1 so that any noise reduction or 
>> processing done later is higher definition?
>
> Given that the best dynamic range on standard cassettes - assuming 
> Dolby  B in proper calibration which is highly questionable - is 
> unlikely to exceed 60 db, one might suspect that 16 bits is 
> sufficient. Of course, processing could consume several bits and one 
> only has half a dozen to spare (~30 db).
>
> For that potential, infinitesimal advantage, one is likely to spend 
> four to ten times as much to make the transfers counting both 
> equipment and time. Given infinite resources, a case can be made; with 
> a budget less than that of a typical multinational corporation, such 
> overkill is hard to justify even on theoretical grounds.
>
> Mike
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