- I know that cutting, copying and pasting is lossless because there is no processing.
- I know that I also need to set dither to “None” when no processing is involved.
However, I have a question:
Let’s say my file is 16-bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC.
When I import the file, Audacity matches the sample rate at 44.1 kHz but not the bit depth. It stays at 32-bit float which is the default.
According to the Audacity Manual: Dither - Audacity Manual
If you have recorded in 16-bit and are only doing simple editing (cut, delete, paste, trim…) and not doing any processing (amplify, equalize, frequency filter…) then for highest accuracy dither can be set to “none”. In this case, because there are no 32-bit operations prior to export there is no benefit to using dither. Exporting a 16-bit track to 16-bit with dither set to “none” will be lossless.
Does this mean I need to change the project bit depth from 32-bit float to 16-bit for my edit to be lossless when I export it?
Or do I keep the project at the default 32-bit float?
Again, my file is already 16-bit. Dither is already set to none. I just need to know if I should change this to match the original file:
