![\"Sample](\"https:\/\/www.presonus.com\/uploads\/news\/media\/images\/sample_rate_and_bit_depth_fig1_450.png\")
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Explain how MQA “origami” folds recorded audio into a more efficient format, we often take high sample rates, such as 192 kHz, as an example.<\/p>\n
![\"Sample](\"https:\/\/www.podcasthowto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Sample-Rate-Bit-Depth.jpg\")
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But the strengths of the comprehensive MQA system are just as important, even when the sample rate is low.<\/p>\n
Music catalogs are important because many masters were originally recorded at 44.1 kHz and most of them were recorded only at 44.1 kHz 16b (“Red Book”).<\/p>\n
For the 1977-2010 era catalogs, MQA is much closer to the original studio sound, to the actual sound, than most remastered releases (adding effects rather than reducing bugs). Allows you to “go back”. In many cases, the clear sound provided by MQA is deep.<\/p>\n
In the early days of digital audio, recording and production equipment was much less sophisticated than it is today. On some level, this can be an advantage. It keeps it clean because you don’t have to mess with the sound between production and release in the studio. But early digital technology also introduced systematic flaws that we were able to perceive and correct. (A part of this is described in the author’s AES treatise [1])<\/p>\n
What is MQA 16b?<\/p>\n
There are three ways to create a 16-bit MQA file:
\n1) 16b 44.1 (or 48) kHz master encoding.
\n2) Derivatives for 24b MQA encoding.
\n3) Custom MQA-CD encoding.
\nIn all three cases, MQA files can provide audible dynamic range greater than 16b.<\/p>\n
For each type<\/p>\n
1. When MQA encodes a 16b 44.1 kHz master, the entire encoded MQA file is also 44.1 kHz \/ 16b. Despite being 16b, this file contains all the decoding and playback information. This MQA encoding also includes all the information that can be accessed while playing the original master, and in some cases even more.
\n2. If the original source is 44.1 kHz \/ 24b or the sampling frequency is 88.2, 176.4, 352, 8 kHz or DSD, the standard MQA file will be 44.1 kHz \/ 24b. This file contains decoding, “display” and rendering information. If this 24b MQA file encounters a “16-bit bottleneck” during delivery (for example, in a wireless or automotive environment), the 16-bit information in the header will be clipped to maximize downstream sound quality. Organized as such, display and reproduction are still possible. See [2].
\nSo encoding a high-speed master and truncating the 24-bit to 16-bit MQA will give you the best possible sound quality (with or without a decoder). This MQA file can be sent to a streaming service via any 16-bit distribution system, for example as an alternative to Redbook and, interestingly, on a CD. Importantly, this 16-bit version of the MQA replay can be heard as a certified and studio approved replay.
\nFor this reason, some record companies no longer create Redbook files and choose the high quality and certification that MQA 16b files provide.
\n3. In 2) above, the 16-bit MQA file was created by first optimizing the encoding to 24-bit and then removing the lower 8 bits. However, if the file is for MQA-CD, the encoder uses a different approach to further optimize the data on the CD.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"