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Sampling and sample rate
The sample rate decides the highest frequency a recording can hold.
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The Nyquist limit
A sample rate can represent frequencies up to half its value. 44.1 kHz covers up to 22.05 kHz, just above the limit of human hearing.
| Rate | Highest frequency | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 8 kHz | 4 kHz | Telephone |
| 16 kHz | 8 kHz | Speech recognition |
| 44.1 kHz | 22.05 kHz | CD, music |
| 48 kHz | 24 kHz | Video, broadcast |
| 96 kHz | 48 kHz | Archiving, high-resolution |
Choosing
- Record at the rate of your final destination when possible.
- Higher rates mean larger files with little audible benefit for most listeners.
- Resampling is done at export. See Converting sample rate and channels.
Common questions
Why is 44.1 kHz the CD standard?
It is a little more than twice the upper limit of human hearing (about 20 kHz), which is what the sampling theorem requires to capture those frequencies.
Is 96 kHz worth it?
For recording and heavy processing it can help. For listening copies, 44.1 or 48 kHz is enough.
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