Digital Audio
Bit depth defines the number of bits used to represent each audio sample, determining the system’s dynamic range and noise floor.
In digital audio, bit depth specifies how precisely each sample captures the amplitude of the analogue signal. A higher bit depth increases resolution and dynamic range by allowing more possible amplitude levels.
For example, 16-bit audio provides 65,536 levels and roughly 96 dB of dynamic range, while 24-bit provides over 16 million levels and about 144 dB. Greater bit depth reduces quantisation noise and allows for more accurate representation of subtle dynamics, making 24-bit the standard for recording and mixing.
