If I track at 24 bit at 48k, is my sound quality on the final product going to be noticably better? If so, how do I get it to 16bit on the final mix. I have the Wavesuv22 (?) which I think is used to dither from 24 to 16, but I've never used it. Is it hard to get it dithered without getting artifacts such as pops and clicks that I've heard about?

Let's say you've imported an unmastered stereo mix(already at 16bit 44.1khz) into your two track editor, done some editing and then gone to "T-racks to master it. In this final step of the process is ther a need to dither to 16 bit at all?

Updated with added comments by Bob Katz about dithering.

I would like to ask a question about the interaction of your Masterlink with the Manley Vari Mu and the massive Passive (or any other brands)- in the mixdown phase and then (home) mastering phase.

When you are doing a mix down:

Hi there,

I'm not usually on this board, but thought I'd stop by to tell you about a little experiment I'm conductiong.

I've set up a blind test (as well as an open shootout) with samples of most of todays main dithering types (as well as the original and undithered files) and added a voting system.

Hey there guys...just a question about dithering and bouncing down from 24/48 or 16/48 to 16/44 during the mastering process. .what is dithering and should i play with the dithering programs in my logic and pro tools when bouncing down to final product. .or should i just let the Pro Tools/logic defined dithering do it's thing.

Today i mixed down a track recorded on Cubase vst32.
One mixdown was mastered internally using the Cubase internal dithering uv22(ie audio export)the other was mixed to a CDr digitally via spdif.

ok guys, I'm having problems here. I listened to the posted A/B clips using the CRane Song dither CD. Another acquaintance of mine from another forum bought a copy after seeing the flap generated over here.

Hi all,

Can someone please explain the difference between triangular and rectangular dithering.
Which is most efficient when going from a 24 bit master take down to 16 bits for CD mastering?
Is one more 'sonically friendly' than the other?

Allright, folks. The time has come. The proof is now in the pudding.

It's time to listen for yourself to an actual A/B comparison test of the CRane Song Analog Dither CD.

With the help of my good friend & RO member "Curious G" ( :D

Just received the CRane Song analog dither CD. Per their instructions, I mixed it into a tune I'm mastering (recorded/mixed on Pro Tools LE at 16/44.1 I think - took the CD-R & D/A'd it out of my Tascam CD-RW2000 (24 bit), ran it across my tube A/D at 24/88.2 & into the DAW - which was a huge improvement in itself).