Topic: 32 bit with Audacity. I need help!

[Dede2002]

Hi,

What's the diference between these three Uncompressed Export Formats (Preferences>File Formats):
AIFF (Apple/SGI 32 bit float), Signed 32 bit PCM (Preferences>File Formats>Other)
and 32 bit float (Preferences>File Formats>Other)?

Thanks in advance 

[live2496]

If you need to know a good format to export, let us know how you intend to use the exported data. ie. Is it going to be imported into a pc, or a mac, etc.

[Dede2002]

If you need to know a good format to export, let us know how you intend to use the exported data. ie. Is it going to be imported into a pc, or a mac, etc.

Hi,

Fisrt of all, thanks a lot for your reply. I'm a Mac user, that's why I've only listed the Mac related export formats.There are more export formats available there, but they are intended for PC users. Any clues?

[live2496]

I'm not much of a mac user (yet), though I have one I haven't done much audio with it.

I would use... format:other, header:(AIFF/SGI), encoding:signed 24-bit PCM.

I was visiting a studio recently and they were using Digital Performer and I asked him whether or not they were using 24-bit files and he said yes. And I know they were using AIFF. So 24-bit AIFF files are in use by studios these days.

If your Audacity workfile is 32-bit float, you can preserve the dynamic range of the audio by saving it in 24-bit AIFF. Thirty-two bit float uses a 24-bit mantissa and an 8-bit exponent. So, it is quite similar to 24-bit int format.

If someone with more mac and audacity experience is reading this, please chime in.