When Is The Best Time To Use 32-bit Float Audio?

sound recordist AHMED SABRY recording nature sounds at ALULA KSA 2023

what makes 32bit float so special?

 The 24-bit audio rate is the norm for most professionals and it is commonly utilized in film industries. However, 32-bit floating point does not have those limitations like 24-bit recording. This 24-bit file can be trimmed as well. The next generation of 32-bit audio interfaces which lacks GAIN CONTROL is now on the market. The reason for this? The argument is that, among other things, you cannot clip the digital signal and add noise by setting the gain too low.

 32-bit float audio seems to be something that has much to offer, but for many, 32-bit recording is seen as an unnecessary expense. We provide two spaces of recording where 32-bit float recording is a piece of practical and valuable equipment for location sound and post-recording engineers. Both are linked to the other thing… uncontrolled situations 

 The ones who do the actual work of location sound should be awarded a medal. Very often ignored when it is time for the shoot planning, location audio is a difficult job. There are a lot of pieces that are in motion fast, and it’s possible for something out of the ordinary to happen at the hardest time. as you can imagine recording sound when the jet plane comes to the ground. The footage opens with the aircraft at half a mile distance then ends up with the ball hitting the ground .In the beginning, it is almost unfelt, but the sound of the jet becomes deafening as it lands on the runway. In either case, it is the 32-bit float that offers the sound engineer a margin of error to ensure the sound is not clipped or over-sounded. Having investigated the topic through this article, some location engineers did not believe in the 32-bit float theory to begin with, and later expressed they would not return.

Some Words Of Warning

  It is important to note that some words of warning are essential for those who plan to work on 32-bit float recording. If you are using a traditional capture device that has gain settings for each channel then it is still possible to clip the preamps. 32-bit float recording only means that you don't crash the digital recording. Thus, this problem is shifted onto the DAW's post stage.

How 32-bit Float Recording Works

How 32-bit Float Recording Works

 In a 32-bit float recorder, you have two ADCs working in tandem to create a single audio file. One “low gain” ADC is optimized for high-level audio, and the other “high gain” ADC is optimized for low-level audio. If the high gain ADC clips due to loud sounds, the low gain ADC does not. And if sounds are too quiet for the low gain ADC to capture clearly above its noise floor, the high gain ADC still has plenty of headroom above its noise floor. Said another way, the low-level ADC handles the quieter sections, and the high-level ADC handles the loud sections.

Ten key differences between 24-bit and 32-bit sound

1- Bit Depth

 The 24-bit combination is equivalent to 16,777,216 amplitude levels, but 32-bit has a 4,294,967,296 amplitude levels counterpart.

2-Dynamic Range

 24-bit provides a dynamic range of about 144 dB which is further enhanced by 32-bit which gives a dynamic range of more than 192 dB !! :)

3-Noise Floor

 32-bit audio has significantly reduced noise floor which is one of the main reasons for the cleaner recording.

4- Headroom

 32-bit gives you an extra part, that is, effective dynamic range. This means that it is possible to have a wider range of audio levels before they go distorted.

5- Precision

 32-bit audio delivers more accurate information about the intensity of sound 

6- Editing Flexibility

 This means that with a 32-bit format, you can do a lot of editing without losing the sound quality. 

7- Post-Processing Effects

 The 32-bit audio acts much gentler on effects, producing a cleaner and bette- sounding output.Export and 

8- Conversion

 32-bit is better for quality during down convesion to lower bit depths. 

9- Storage Size

 For 32-bit audio files, the size is more than 24-bit ones.

10- Compatibility

 It could be that 32-bit audio will not be supported by some of the equipment and software.

In summary, for many conventional applications 24bit audio is fit for purpose, but for uncontrolled environments, such as the two examples given above, it is worth considering using 32-bit float for capture.

Are you using a 32-bit float for either music or location? What are your thoughts?