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Tools 4 Music StaffJanuary 3, 202618 min read
ToolsTool Guide
Audio File Formats and Sample Rates: The Complete Technical Guide
Everything you need to know about sample rates, bit depth, and file formats for professional audio production.
Tools 4 Music StaffJanuary 3, 202618 min readUnderstanding digital audio fundamentals helps you make better decisions about quality, file sizes, and compatibility throughout your production workflow.
Sample Rate Explained
Sample rate is how many times per second audio is measured:
| Sample Rate | Use Case |
|---|---|
| 44.1 kHz | CD, streaming |
| 48 kHz | Video standard |
| 96 kHz | High-res audio |
| 192 kHz | Archival |
Nyquist Theorem
Sample rate must be at least 2x the highest frequency you want to capture:
Bit Depth Explained
Bit depth determines dynamic range:
| Bit Depth | Dynamic Range | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 16-bit | 96 dB | CD, final delivery |
| 24-bit | 144 dB | Recording, mixing |
| 32-bit float | ~1500 dB | Processing headroom |
File Formats Compared
Lossless
Lossy
Use our [Sample Rate Calculator](/tools/sample-rate) to calculate file sizes and compare formats.
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