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Topic: Some 24-bit and 16-bit files for comparison fun (Read 2702 times) previous topic - next topic
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Some 24-bit and 16-bit files for comparison fun

I like goofing around with MIDI files for fun, and I decided that I might as well use that goofing off for the mildly productive purpose of giving some test materials for those that want to play with it. What I've got for you here are three different songs (well two songs and a snippet) that all come from sampled instruments.

First up is Chrome Shadows by Michael Walthius. He is an amazing MIDI composer IMO who used to put out music on the net before MP3s made it accessible. This song is composed of a bunch of instruments from a number of different samplers and sample sets. There is no consistency as to source. Some are 16-bit, some are 24-bit, some are real instruments, some are synthesized, etc. Convolutions reverb was added. Also I processed the mixdown file with multi-band dynamics and the like. Files are 44.1kHz.

Chrome Shadows 24-bit
Chrome Shadows 16-bit

Next is Baba-Yaga from Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky (movement 8). This one is very simple and unprocessed. The only instrument is a piano (the Post Musical Instruments Bosendorfer 290, if you are interested). The mixdown file is normalized, but nothing else. Files are 48kHz since that the rate of the original samples.

Baba Yaga 24-bit
Baba Yaga 16-bit

Finally there's an excerpt from Promenade from Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky, arranged for an orchestra. This one uses multiple instruments, but from a single source (EWQL Symphonic Orchestra). No processing of any kind, all the reverb is present in the samples. I didn't even normalize the result. Files are 44.1kHz, since those are what the original samples are. Also here you've got some more to listen to. In addition to 24/16-bit result files, you can get each with 24/16-bit source samples. Same instrument samples, just different rates.

Promenade 24-bit file, 24-bit samples
Promenade 24-bit file, 16-bit samples
Promenade 16-bit file, 24-bit samples
Promenade 16-bit file, 16-bit samples

In all cases all processing done was floating point, at least 32-bit often 64-bit (depending on the sampler or plugin used). All intermediate files were FP, only when I was done did I dither down to the final integer files. All files are dithered, including the 24-bit ones. All processing was digital, of course.

So, if you want to mess around and give these a listen, have fun. Certainly not going to be the last or only word in terms of "Is 24-bit audible?" but they give you an idea for sampled music. Plus Chrome Shadows is just a really great tune .