Post #106078 by tikibars on Tue, Aug 3, 2004 8:15 PM

On 2004-08-03 18:38, Kono wrote:
tikibars: I have been using 44.1 KHz sampling rate as this was default with the software. Thanks. I don't see where to set bit depth but I'll keep looking. OT: In another thread I asked you this but you probably missed it; have you ever written any pieces on tiki establishments for Chicago papers? I'm just interested for personal "tiki history" reasons.

Digitiki: I got quite good at pushing the envelope with the signal level and getting it a little hot without over pushing it. There is no envelope to push with digital! You hit the red and it sounds awful. I am leaning towards keeping the signal on the softer side and not getting very close to 0dB.

Some consumer-level software won't allow you to adjust the bit depth.

Also, most audio software apps do essentially the same thing, and the app itself doesn't affect the sound quality much. BUT, the sound card (the hardware) you use makes a BIG difference. Consumer level cards like SoundBlaster are murder on your audio.

To clarify the points between you and DigiTiki, you are both correct, you have NO headroom over 0dB on digital recordings, however, you SHOULD try to get as close to 0dB - without going over it- as possible. Otherwise, you aren't taking maximum advantage of your bit depth, which could lead to quantization errors which will make your recordings a little harsh and/or thin sounding.

If there is a compressor or peak limiter on the output stage of your signal path, this is something you should be able to switch on and off, and is also something that should have a meter or indicator displaying when it is active... unless you have TRULY crap software.

Writing: I wrote EXTENSIVELY about Chicago Tiki on my old Tiki Bar Review Pages (which these days is basically just a place where I post TRT updates - Critiki is a superior next-generation site flling the same needs as TBRP once did) from 1994 to about 2002. Most of the important bits from those days are in TRT.

I have written some articles about Tiki for various newspapers, magazines, and web sites - look for one in the AAA (American Auto Association) member's mag soon, also roadtripamerica.com and playboy.com - but not in any Chicago publications specifically.

I did get interviewed last summer twice by the Tribune and once by New City magazine, but I didn't write the articles.