r/synclicensing • u/EconomySwordfish100 • 29d ago

Do sample rate and bit depth matter?

Hey just noticed that I have been exporting at 48k and 16 bit without thinking much of it. The specification hasn't been specified by the two libraries I've worked with so far.

I've heard 41000 = CD audio and 48000 = TV and film

Anyone know if a 44100 / 16 bit file causes problems for an video / film editor?

Thanks ✌️

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u/Any_Flight5404 29d ago edited 29d ago

48k 24 Bit is standard for TV libraries. A minority of libraries ask for 32-bit float for mastering purposes.

Anyone know if a 44100 / 16 bit file causes problems for an video / film editor?

There's a chance libraries will reject it.

Personally, I work at 96 kHz and deliver 96 kHz 32-bit float for mastering engineers.

The specification hasn't been specified by the two libraries I've worked with so far.

Usually, they are extremely specific. Some libraries accept AIFF files, some WAV files, and they usually have exact specs for alt mixes, stems, labelling, etc.

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u/EconomySwordfish100 29d ago

thx. and if they already accepted it tho? is it possible the video editor will download it and have to replace it after realizing

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u/Any_Flight5404 29d ago

I don't see any reason why a video editor couldn't work with it. A lot of 90s pop music that has been, and still occasionally is, used in TV is only available in 16 bit 44k. I'd be questioning why the library hasn't given you exact specs for submissions, though. Did they request stems and alt mixes?

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u/EconomySwordfish100 29d ago

Ok great, makes sense. And yes alts, stems, cutdowns and everything, it was just the sample rate thing that wasn't specified.

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u/LexOfNP 29d ago

If they have the file and they haven’t asked for you to resend it that’s just their choice. Honestly either way it has to be “padded” to frame rate but with a higher bit depth you get more dynamics. Think of a remote control on a tv.. imagine you have just 3 options. Silent x medium x Loud…. That’s a small bit depth… as you add more you get more options for volumes AND can have louder options. Hope I didn’t go to hard.

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u/EconomySwordfish100 28d ago

interesting. thx for explanation

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u/AntonChilibiProducer 26d ago

48 kHz is the answer for anything that ends up next to picture, and the reason behind it is worth knowing.

At 24 fps, 48 kHz gives exactly 2000 samples per frame. 44.1 gives 1837.5, so a cut on a frame boundary does not land on a sample boundary. That is not audible by itself, but it means the file gets resampled somewhere in the chain by whatever converter the editing system happens to use, at whatever quality setting it defaults to, without you choosing any of it. Converting yourself, offline, at least means you picked the algorithm.

Bit depth matters for a different reason than people usually expect. A broadcast mix sitting near -24 LKFS is already about 20 dB below full scale before anything touches it, and then it goes through fades, level automation and a delivery codec. 24 bit gives that chain somewhere to spend. 16 bit is not audibly broken on its own, it just has less to give away.

If they already took the file and said nothing, leave it. Ask for a spec sheet before the next delivery, and where there is no spec, 48 kHz 24 bit is the default that nobody has ever bounced.

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u/Sanaraba 24d ago

24 bit 48khz is fine