6db of Dyamic Range.....make that much difference?

Archived from groups: rec.audio.high-end (More info?)

jjsmithin wrote:

> If two almost identically functioned Audio interfaces have 107 and
> 113db dynamic range respectively, is that going to make a difference
> for the home recording setup?
>
> Im comparing the ESP1010 and Layla 3G. Layla has 113db range. I got
> ESI feedback from my query to them that their unit is 107db and is
> measured equivalently as to how the Layla is spec'....so its apples to
> apples comparison. The $ difference is $100 less for ESP1010.
>
> It seems to me then that it boils down to paying $100 for 1 bit of
> improvement for Layla3G. You think thats worth it? $319 vs $414.
>
> Thanks for the input.

There are a couple of things to consider. One, the products may not meet
specs. Sometimes the one with lower spec may measure better. Two, 107 dB
range is a lot more than what you get out of most microphones and
recording venues, and most likely more than the rest of the recording
chain (mixers, ampsm, etc.). I would not base a buying decision on that
spec. alone.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.high-end (More info?)

On 22 Apr 2005 02:38:25 GMT, Chung <chunglau@covad.net> wrote:


> 107 dB dynamic range is a lot more than
> what you get out of most microphones and
> recording venues.


A good recording microphone and mic preamp combination should yield
over 120dB dynamic range.

If by "recording venue" you're referring to orchestral dynamics,
first desk recording microphones can see over 110dB SPL. We measured a
recent Mahler 2nd at 106dB SPL.

JL

Archived from groups: rec.audio.high-end (More info?)

jjsmithin wrote:

> If two almost identically functioned Audio interfaces have 107 and
> 113db dynamic range respectively, is that going to make a difference
> for the home recording setup?
>
> Im comparing the ESP1010 and Layla 3G. Layla has 113db range. I got
> ESI feedback from my query to them that their unit is 107db and is
> measured equivalently as to how the Layla is spec'....so its apples to
> apples comparison. The $ difference is $100 less for ESP1010.
>
> It seems to me then that it boils down to paying $100 for 1 bit of
> improvement for Layla3G. You think thats worth it? $319 vs $414.
>
> Thanks for the input.

This depends... - assuming as others have noted that the specs are
actually reflective of something meaningful and are comparable - ...on
what you are recording! If it is amplified instruments, it probably
makes no real difference since the noise from the
instruments/effects/amps is likley much much higher than the noise floor
of the recording gear. On the other hand if you are recording crickets
in the wild, (etc...) it may well make a real difference in practice.
(multiple overdubs can be a factor too)

The other factor to consider is where your *average* or *mean* levels
are during the expected sessions. If ur average tends to be high, and
the peak levels are ~12-20dB above that, the noise floor probably won't
come into play, imho... the wider the differential between the peak and
the average (the greater the overall dynamic range) the more important
the measured noise floor starts to look.

My 2 cents...

On the other hand, fantastically great recordings were done with
reel-to-reel tape which had nothing like a 107dB down noise floor...

:- )

_-_-bear