Is 32-bit Float Audio Magic?

Our courses on lighting and sound can be found at school.learnlightandsound.com!

In this episode we talk about how 32-bit float audio recording works. In the past, I’ve referred to it as “wide dynamic range” recording, but that’s not entirely accurate. We’ll also talk about the ONE problem that 32-bit float sound recording solves, and many of the other recording problems and challenges it DOES NOT solve. And all of this is to make you a better sound recordist for your video and podcast and livestream projects.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX. See https://school.learnlightandsound.com for more info!

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com: http://ko-fi.com/curtisjudd

Gear used or mentioned in this episode (the links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases):

• Sound Devices MixPre Series Recorders — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/O8e0
• ZOOM F6 audio recorder/mixer — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/pCFS
• ZOOM F8n Pro audio recorder/mixer — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/fdkN4s
• ZOOM F3 audio recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/6RvZm
• Sound Devices 888 Field Recorder — B&H, Sweetwater https://geni.us/zAryW4J

Some of my other studio gear:

• Sound Devices MixPre audio recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/O8e0
• Sennheiser MKH50 microphone —  B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/iYb065
• Earthworks ETHOS microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/8G8UdBB
• Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/8a8tt
• Aputure LS 600x Pro Bicolor LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/EreRQa
• Aputure Light Dome III Softbox — Aputure, B&H https://geni.us/AVHU1p
• Amaran 300c RGBWW Single-Point LED Light — https://geni.us/uGkDX
• Amaran Spotlight SE —  Aputure, B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/4DuyTz
• Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — B&H https://geni.us/GWKt
• Canon C70 Cinema Camera — B&H https://geni.us/ABYB
• Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/qwsEs
• Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/InspOl
• Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/gr47

The outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself: https://geni.us/G7by

Copyright 2024, Curtis Judd

#32-bitFloat #32-bit #sound

Index 00:00 Please buy my courses! 00:07 Is 32-bit float sound recording magic? 00:15 What does 32-bit float audio recordings work? 00:54 32-bit float can clip & distort 01:04 32-bit float cannot fix your low dynamic range microphone 02:32 24-bit can handle up to 144 dB 03:00 What is dynamic range? 03:33 Spoken word and conversation dynamic range 03:54 The big benefit of 32-bit float sound recording 04:26 What doe 32-bit float recorders need to work? 07:51 Your microphone is what limits dynamic range in most cases 08:23 Wireless microphones have less dynamic range 09:06 You HAVE to fix 32-bit float sound in post 09:35 32-bit float is useless for live sound 10:17 When 32-bit float is actually useful 11:18 You still have to do a lot to record good audio 12:19 How to set gain on 32-bit float recorders 14:15 You need to use a good microphone 14:35 DPA 4017b dynamic range 14:46 Schoeps CMC641 dynamic range 14:55 Sennheiser MKH50 dynamic range 15:01 Sennheiser MKH416 dynamic range 15:49 Loud sound effects & max SPL 16:12 Post production of 32-bit float audio 17:00 Please buy my courses ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6yaEi_gmaA