Interesting perspective. When I transfer cassettes for clients, I use 
16 bit, and if they want it processed in any way, I import it to 24 
bit Protools sessions for the added range... Best of both worlds, I 
like to think.
<L>
Lou Judson • Intuitive Audio
415-883-2689
On Feb 20, 2006, at 10:00 AM, Mike Richter wrote:
Lou Judson wrote:
What about using 24 bit at 44.1 so that any noise reduction or 
processing done later is higher definition?
Given that the best dynamic range on standard cassettes - assuming 
Dolby  B in proper calibration which is highly questionable - is 
unlikely to exceed 60 db, one might suspect that 16 bits is 
sufficient. Of course, processing could consume several bits and one 
only has half a dozen to spare (~30 db).
For that potential, infinitesimal advantage, one is likely to spend 
four to ten times as much to make the transfers counting both 
equipment and time. Given infinite resources, a case can be made; 
with a budget less than that of a typical multinational corporation, 
such overkill is hard to justify even on theoretical grounds.
Mike
--
mrichter@xxxxxxx
http://www.mrichter.com/