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 box.

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 box, 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

Bit depths for recording

Bit depths for importing audio

Bit depths for exporting audio

Bit depths for rendering audio