AudioBanter.com - View Single Post - Bit-resolution and Clipping?

On 22 Dec 2003 13:26:32 -0800, (Radium) wrote:

(Stewart Pinkerton) wrote in message ...
Only if the analogue gear it's attached to can cope with this range!

Speaking of digital vs. analog, analog clipping isn't as harsh as
digital clipping.
That's true with severe, really obvious clipping. But many assume the same
comparative results in the more common discussion of subtle clipping. Many if
not most "pop" CDs are clipped severely and almost continuously, and the sound
is accepted by most as "undistorted". Subtle open-loop analog clipping can be
less harsh and more musical then digital clipping, but conversely it is usually
MORE audible, probably because any smooth continuous clipping function will
necessarily have SOME effect on signals well below the clip level as well. And
analog clipping of a feedback amp and/or a power amp can often produce ringing
and "hangover" artifacts that sound just awful.

Tony (remove the "_" to reply by email)