48K to 44.1

[DC]

Best path from 48K to 44.1?

 

I record in Cakewalk 9.03. I also have an ADAT PCR card and a trusty Blackface which I use to import drums among other things from a drummer friend's ADAT based studio. I'm just wondering the best way to convert sample rates to 44.1 for CD burning. My options:

 

1 Do the entire project at 48K and use software to convert sample rate (put it in before you go to bed and maybe it'll be finished in the morning...)

 

2 Send the stereo mix to Dat and come back through my Finalizer Express and dither down to 44.1.

 

3 Mix to two channels of ADAT and send balanced analog into my computer letting the DAL Card Deluxe convert the song back to digital at 44.1.

 

4 Keep my project at 44.1. Send the drum tracks over to computer through lightpipe and software convert them to 44.1 before importing them into Cake.

 

I'm sure there are other ways, but I believe you see my point.

 

Note: My Dat does not have balanced analog ins & outs, but I can use the Finalizer as a front end using it's balanced interface and converters.

 

I've read a lot of differing opinions on this. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

-Dave Charles

[steven dunston]

I'm not a fan of using 48k for CD projects because of this problem. I've never heard a sample rate converter that didn't color the sound, so I usually recommend going digital/analog/digital to convert your signal.

 

Be sure to do this as early as possible in the process so that you can adjust your levels after the transfer.

[Anderton]

Why not record into an ADAT set for 44.1 kHz? You can do that with the pitch control knob.

 

But overall, I'd vote for using the software set for highest resolution and let it take as long as it wants to work. IMHO any real-time conversion will not be as good as off-line conversion.

 

The other trick, of course, it mixing down in analog to a DAT at 44.1 kHz - but inserting a tube preamp or whatever to help warm it up a bit.