Reference Guide

1109
System configuration
Improving audio performance
Bit depths and float resolution
SONAR supports all common bit depths, including 64. SONAR’s 32-bit mixing provides full floating-
point resolution for extended dynamic range, and precise audio processing. For maximum dynamic
range and precision, you can also choose 64-bit mixing (go to Edit > Preferences > Audio - Driver
Settings and select the 64-bit Double Precision Engine check box). SONAR can import, export,
play back, and render 64-bit float files.
A SONAR project can contain files of different bit depths. You can specify different bit depths for
playing back, recording, importing, exporting, and rendering audio (bouncing, freezing, applying
effects). To play back or record at a specific bit depth, your sound card must support that bit depth.
Notes about 64-bit files:
• 64-bit files can now be imported at their native 64-bit depth.
• At playback time 64-bit files are streamed at full 64-bit resolution when the Double Precision
engine is turned on.
• At playback time 64-bit files are converted to 32-bit when the Double Precision engine is turned
off.
• 64-bit is a choice in the File Import dialog.
• 64-bit is a choice in the Edit > Preferences > File - Audio Data file bit depth fields.
• Bounce-to-track now renders at 64-bit if the render bit depth is set to 64.
• You can save and load .cwb files containing any combination of 16/24/32/64 and stereo/mono
wave files.
To find the bit depth of clips in a project
Do one of the following:
• Right-click a clip, choose Associated Audio Files on the pop-up menu, and examine the Bit
Depth column.
•Go to Project > Audio Files command to open the Project Files dialog, and examine the Bit
Depth column.
The following topics show you how and why to choose bit depths for various operations.
See:
“Bit depths for playback” on page 1110
“Bit depths for recording” on page 1111
“Bit depths for importing audio” on page 1111
“Bit depths for exporting audio” on page 1112
“Bit depths for rendering audio” on page 1112