Bit depth
Bit depth is how many bits describe each audio sample — 16-bit (CD) gives about 96 dB of dynamic range; 24-bit recording gives ~144 dB of headroom for production.
Bit depth sets the distance between the loudest representable peak and the quantization noise floor. Recording at 24-bit is standard practice because it forgives conservative levels; distributing at 16-bit is transparent for listening.
Related terms
Frequently asked
What is Bit depth?
Bit depth is how many bits describe each audio sample — 16-bit (CD) gives about 96 dB of dynamic range; 24-bit recording gives ~144 dB of headroom for production.
Why does Bit depth matter?
Bit depth sets the distance between the loudest representable peak and the quantization noise floor. Recording at 24-bit is standard practice because it forgives conservative levels; distributing at 16-bit is transparent for listening.
What terms are related to Bit depth?
Closely related concepts: Dynamic range, dBFS (decibels relative to full scale), Dithering — each has its own entry in this glossary.