by Navron » 07 Jul 2013 08:10
I consider sample rate to be the equivalent of frame rate when it comes to video editing, which means you want to be consistent throughout your entire project as you bounce the audio between different stages and programs.
Also (like video editing), you don't want to use any kind of lossy compression until you're at your final export for upload and release.
When you say your master file is at high quality mp3, do you mean you export a high quality mp3 for mastering? If that's the case, I wouldn't recommend it. The only time you should export any kind of compressed file is when your song is fully mastered and you're exporting a file for upload.
If you're planning on uploading a video to YouTube with your song, you should export a lossless format like wav for use in your video application. You can end up with triple compression and loss of quality if you utilize an mp3 for your video editing. If you're exporting your mixdown as an mp3 for mastering, and you make a video for upload, you face quadruple compression:
- Compressed when exporting mixdown.
- Compressed when exporting master.
- Compressed when rendering video upload.
- Compressed when uploading to YouTube.
Ideally, you want only one stage of compression, but most often you have to settle for 2, as it's hard to upload any kind of lossless file to YouTube due to file size.
As far as sample rates go, 44.1KHz is the audio CD standard. No reason to utilize anything higher unless you're working on audio for a DVD/Blu-Ray, or some form of surround sound. It's better to set your sample rate at the beginning of your project, vs changing it at some stage of production.
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