Syncing 44khz 16bit and 48khz 16bit Audio

Matt Thomas · December 10th, 2011, 07:11 PM

I've got three audio tracks of a Pro Wrestling event I shot tonight and the camera audio is 48khz 16bit while the Commentary audio is 44khz 16bit.

Will I have any issue syncing these up in post with the different khz? I usually try to always record the exact same settings, but I had to drop it to 44khz has it gave us extra time that we needed.

Richard Crowley · December 10th, 2011, 07:13 PM

If you are using halfway decent software, it should be no issue at all. At least IME.
Note that it is frequently more advantageous to explicitly do the conversion than let it happen automatically. Again, this depends of what software you are using in your production flow (not revealed here).

Steve House · December 11th, 2011, 05:20 AM

You will need to convert the 44kHz file to 48kHz. You can't mix and match. Your NLE might do it automatically when you add the file to the timeline but for safety I'd do it as a separate operation, saving it as a new 48kHz file, and then using that new copy in your project to sync with the other files.

Jon Fairhurst · December 12th, 2011, 01:02 AM

I agree with Steve. My NLE will handle the two bit rates within one project just fine; however, to ensure quality, I'd convert from 44.1 to 48 and listen to the result to ensure that it has the quality that you demand. If so, then you're set. If not, use a different/better conversion process.

Tom Morrow · December 13th, 2011, 02:38 PM

I just ran into some problems while trying to move a project that had 44k files on Final Cut Pro over to Premiere Pro 48k project. But I think most products these days handle the conversion behind the scenes effortlessly; my issue was just an edge case.

Everywhere you look on forums and books you see admonitions about mixing 44k with 48k but I suspect most issues are software or user errors rather than an architectural problem with mixing the two.

Jon Fairhurst · December 13th, 2011, 03:53 PM

I know of some golden eared music recording engineers who don't like the sound of digitally converting sample rates. They seriously play out of a high-end D/A into a high-end A/D and re-record the material.

For dialog, I wouldn't sweat it. Personally, I can't hear digital conversion artifacts with my tools.

December 10th, 2011, 07:11 PM	#1
Matt Thomas Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: UK Posts: 232	Syncing 44khz 16bit and 48khz 16bit Audio - Any Issues? I've got three audio tracks of a Pro Wrestling event I shot tonight and the camera audio is 48khz 16bit while the Commentary audio is 44khz 16bit. Will I have any issue syncing these up in post with the different khz? I usually try to always record the exact same settings, but I had to drop it to 44khz has it gave us extra time that we needed. __________________ http://www.MatthewThomasFilm.com / https://www.facebook.com/MatthewThomasFilm / https://www.instagram.com/matthewthomasfilmuk/

December 10th, 2011, 07:13 PM	#2
Richard Crowley Trustee Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,238	Re: Syncing 44khz 16bit and 48khz 16bit Audio - Any Issues? If you are using halfway decent software, it should be no issue at all. At least IME. Note that it is frequently more advantageous to explicitly do the conversion than let it happen automatically. Again, this depends of what software you are using in your production flow (not revealed here).

December 11th, 2011, 05:20 AM	#3
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Re: Syncing 44khz 16bit and 48khz 16bit Audio - Any Issues? You will need to convert the 44kHz file to 48kHz. You can't mix and match. Your NLE might do it automatically when you add the file to the timeline but for safety I'd do it as a separate operation, saving it as a new 48kHz file, and then using that new copy in your project to sync with the other files. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

December 12th, 2011, 01:02 AM	#4
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Syncing 44khz 16bit and 48khz 16bit Audio - Any Issues? I agree with Steve. My NLE will handle the two bit rates within one project just fine; however, to ensure quality, I'd convert from 44.1 to 48 and listen to the result to ensure that it has the quality that you demand. If so, then you're set. If not, use a different/better conversion process. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

December 13th, 2011, 02:38 PM	#5
Tom Morrow Major Player Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 416	Re: Syncing 44khz 16bit and 48khz 16bit Audio - Any Issues? I just ran into some problems while trying to move a project that had 44k files on Final Cut Pro over to Premiere Pro 48k project. But I think most products these days handle the conversion behind the scenes effortlessly; my issue was just an edge case. Everywhere you look on forums and books you see admonitions about mixing 44k with 48k but I suspect most issues are software or user errors rather than an architectural problem with mixing the two.

December 13th, 2011, 03:53 PM	#6
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Syncing 44khz 16bit and 48khz 16bit Audio - Any Issues? I know of some golden eared music recording engineers who don't like the sound of digitally converting sample rates. They seriously play out of a high-end D/A into a high-end A/D and re-record the material. For dialog, I wouldn't sweat it. Personally, I can't hear digital conversion artifacts with my tools. __________________ Jon Fairhurst