Hi All,

I need a little clarity about the workflow around using Xenon in a DAW.

I tend to work in Digital Performer and Adobe Audition so I will use those two as an example. The objective is to start with a 32-bit 96k final mix and end up with a 16 bit 44.1k CD Master.


I think the proper workflow with Xenon is like this:


For Digital Performer:

1. Open the _3296 file in the DAW

2. Downsample it to 44.1 by exporting it from the DAW to a new file (still 32 bits, file name _3244).

3. Open the new file into a track and add as a plugin to that track Xenon, with dither and noise shaping for 16 bits.

4. Bounce that track to disk, choosing 16 bits but turning off all dithering (file name _1644)


For Audition:

1. Open the _3296 file in the DAW

2. Downsample it to 44.1 by exporting it from the DAW to a new file (still 32 bits, file name _3244).

3. Open the new file and add as an effect to that file Xenon, with dither and noise shaping for 16 bits.

4. Apply the effect to the file (Audition requires "Apply" before it lets you export).

5. Export the file to disk, choosing 16 bits but turning off all dithering (file name _1644).


Is this correct? Is the dither sure to be applied, and is it applied at the right step in the process?


Many thanks,

Andrew Culver

This is the correct workflow.
Also please make sure to save as 44.1kHz with the best available downsampling.


Warm regards
Antoni Ozynski

Thanks Antoni.

"the best available downsampling" Would you care to expand on that?

Is the downsampling in DAWs like Audition and Digital Performer not up to scratch?

If not, then should I be looking for a plugin that is better? Which?

Andrew Culver

Most od DAWs have additional settings regarding sample rate conversion to choose from. Usually the conversion's setting is a trade off between processing time and quality. I don't know how it looks in the Audition or Digital Performer.

Antoni Ozynski

AH, Antoni, I see what you mean.

FYI:

Audition has a quality slider that goes from 1% - 100%.

As of DP7, Digital Performer has a new downsampling algorithm which is claimed to be high-quality all the time.

BTW:

Those who want to compare the downsampling quality of many, many different platforms should go to this very useful resource:

http://src.infinitewave.ca/

Regards,

Andrew Culver