Does sample rate matter

The sample rate determines how many samples per second a digital audio system uses to record the audio signal. The higher the sample rate, the higher frequencies a system can record.

1. Is a higher sample rate better?
2. Does sample rate affect sound quality?
3. How important is sample rate?
4. What should I set my sample rate to?

Is a higher sample rate better?

The higher sample rate technically leads to more measurements per second and a closer recreation of the original audio, so 48 kHz is often used in “professional audio” contexts more than music contexts. For instance, it's the standard sample rate in audio for video.

Does sample rate affect sound quality?

The sample rate is how many samples, or measurements, of the sound are taken each second. The more samples that are taken, the more detail about where the waves rise and fall is recorded and the higher the quality of the audio. Also, the shape of the sound wave is captured more accurately.

How important is sample rate?

Sampling rate can be seen as the audio version of frames per second. It is the number of “clips” taken from an analogue sound wave in order to make it a digital file. On top of this, sampling rate also controls the highest frequency that can be accurately reproduced by a digital file.

What should I set my sample rate to?

What Sample Rate Should I Use? For most music applications, 44.1 kHz is the best sample rate to go for. 48 kHz is common when creating music or other audio for video. Higher sample rates can have advantages for professional music and audio production work, but many professionals work at 44.1 kHz.