There are two main factors that affect the fidelity of a digital recording (it’s ability to accurately reproduce what it being fed to it my the mixing board), sample rate and bit depth. AudioTUTS, an audio production and recording blog, has just published an excerpt form The Encyclopedia of Home Recording that explains bit depth and the effect it has on your recordings. Check out the article here to learn more and help improve your home recordings.
For more answers to your recording questions be sure to check out the book, available in trade paperback and Kindle ebook!
